The 1^st Sergeant and I head to the rear entrance of the stable. As we arrive, I see two nervous guards and Choo Choo snickering off to the side. In front of the Guards are Blue Star and Quick Frost. As soon as they see me Quick Frost nods as does Blue Star. Choo Choo goes to attention and salutes, which I return.

As I approach, I tell them “Thank you for coming on such short notice. I have a favor to ask you both as well as a job for Choo Choo with you both.”

I see the look on Quick Frost face when she hears this and she tells me, “Now Major, I respect you and I like you, and I really owe you for what you did for me and the cattle on my families old farm, but I had enough war, I really don’t want to fight anymore.”

I nod my head, “That’s good Quick Frost, because if things go the way they should, then we won’t have to. When the others I want to work with us on this arrive I will go over the plans with all of you at one time. I just ask that you hear me out fully before making up your mind.”

Quick Frost nods her head then tells me, “Ok, we will do that, Choo Choo says if you say it will not involve fighting on purpose, then I can trust you on that.”

I smile as I realize they are talking mind to mind again. That is such a neat trick and would be so handy sometimes. But then again, perhaps I really do not want anypony in my head like that.

With that, I lead them to the armory. As they walk in, Choo Choo looks over, smiles, and waves at Flechettes who smiles and waves to her then returns his attention to the weapon he is working on. Buckshot on the other hoof seems very surprised as I lead them into the armory and over to the counter.

He slowly approaches and asks in a nervous voice, “Can I help you Major?”

I smile at him and say, “Yes you can, I need these two fitted out with battlesaddles and weapons. Also, if you have a couple of PipBucks to spare that would be great.”

I see him cringe at the last part, “Ma’am, we are getting sparse on PipBucks.”

“I understand, but they are just for a couple of hours,” I tell him.

“Oh, okay then, I will see what I can do. So, what are you up to now Major?”

Smiling I tell him, “Well you remember the conversation you heard last night concerning my entourage, well they are going with me to interrogate some of the prisoners today. I talked with the Colonel about it and I will be making a scene as we go in. SOOO….”

I see an evil grin come over his face as he nods, “Ok Major, I got some ideas, wait here,” Then he stops and calls to Flechettes, “Drop what you are doing, we get to have some fun here.”

“Hey Buckshot, I will be back in a bit, I need to meet the others,” I tell him as he is ducking into the back.

As I leave, I tell the alicorns, “Thanks again, I appreciate it,” I turn to Choo Choo, “Trooper when they have their kits assigned, could you bring them to the main briefing room.” I then turn to Chain Lightning and tell him, “Please outfit yourself also and meet me at the briefing room. I want you in charge of my escort team.”

I see him nod his head, “You’ve got it, Major, Of the others that you have coming, are they going to be part of your escort also?”

I smile and shake my head, “No, but they will all be armed.”

He says nothing but nods his head and puts on his game face.

I then go to the back door of the stable and meet the rest of them as they are coming up along with Badger and Xavier. I then lead them to the briefing room, ignoring the stares of those in the stable who see us walk through.

Once the 1^st Sergeant arrives along with the alicorns I begin to tell them what the plan is and why. From the back of the room in a dark corner I begin to hear a laugh and I notice that Dull Beak is sitting there with an amused look on his face. He sees me looking at him and tells me, “On behalf of the NCR as its representative, I request to go with you as an observer, this has got to be good and I really have to see this.”

I smile at him, “OK Dull Beak, you are in on it to then,” Then I tell all of them, “Let’s go everyone, follow me.”

As we arrive at the warehouse aka prisoner of war camp, I notice that there are now two large fenced-in areas on both sides leading in, along with a central pathway between them that has gates on both ends of it. Along the fence I see several guard towers that are ponied, the ones on the corners seem to have automatic gun turrets also mounted. Many of the prisoners see us and approach the fence as we get closer. I notice several of the guards also staring at my approaching group.

Once we get to the gate, we are met by two MP’s. I recognize the one right away as Pepper Spray. She looks first at me, then our group. I see her shaking her head, then she asks me, “Major, you do know I cannot just let you bring this group into the prisoner camp, right?”

I smile at her as I pull a sheet of paper out of my saddlebags and hoof it to her. She looks at it and nods before telling me, “Ok, this makes a difference, please wait while I get the camp commander here.”

She turns and speaks into her PipBuck, soon afterward I see an older stallion in uniform with two guards escorting him come down the pathway towards the gate.

Once he is close enough, I recognize the old captain of the regiment's MPs, now Major, Work Release, and I greet him, “Good afternoon Major.”

“Good Afternoon Major Mollygirl,” he responds, “Now what is the meaning of all this?”

I nod to Pepper Spray and she turns over the copy of the authorization letter from the Colonel and the Overs for him to read.

He reads through it, his lips moving as he does so. After he finishes, He nods and tells us, “Yes it seems you have the authorization, but may I ask why this large of a group?”

I then ask him, “We are dealing with raiders correct?”

He nods his head, so I continue, “What is one of the things that they respect most?”

He looks at me, “Power, and control, what does that have to do with anything?”

I tilt my head as I look at him, “Major, how much more power do I need to show than my escort, as well as my family all armed. Especially to visit the one who killed one of us.”

I see a look of concern come over his face at the last statement. I mollify it by adding, “If I wanted him dead, I would not have taken him, prisoner, last night. After all, I recognized him, before he did me.”

He then turns and tells the guards, “Let them in.” He then returns his attention to me and tells me; “I will have the shift sergeant escort you to the infirmary to visit with the requested prisoner.”

As the gate opens and we follow him inside I watch as Xochitl and Ginger shift their ears back and forth, then trot head of our group their weapons at the ready.”

When they are a quarter of the way down then Chain Lighting and Choo Choo move forward. Followed by me with Xavier by my side, zebra rifle at the ready, and then the others. Behind me and Xavier are Archer and Badger, both fully loaded out, after them are Sutures wearing her pistol and medical saddlebags, Sumac with her shotgun Bessie slung over her back, and between them Magpie. After them is Dull Beak with Quick Frost and Blue Star Bring up the rear.

When the youngsters are halfway, a large group of prisoners starts to rush the fence to the right hoof side. I calmly watch as Ginger and Xochitl both fire a quick burst just in front of the charging prisoners before the guards can fully react.

Then Xochitl commands them to stand still or the next shots will not be warnings. After he says this, I hear Ginger say, “Celestia damn it, now I have to clean it when I get home.”

Without thinking I call out, “Ginger Snap, watch your language.” But I say nothing about her having fired her weapon.

Then she calls back, “Sorry Ma about swearing.”

I watch as both the guards' and prisoners’ jaws drop and the prisoners slowly back away from the fence.

I also notice the hum of the miniguns starting to wind up on two of the three alicorns and I simply smile and nod as we continue on our way.

Once we reach the far end the gates are opened and Chain Lightning and Choo Choo take the lead with Ginger and Xochitl right behind them.

Taser meets us as the shift sergeant. I notice his eyebrow raise as he sees my family and nods. “Good afternoon Major,” he tells me, then he says, "Please follow me.”

Once we enter, I take the lead alongside Taser the rest fall in behind me. I look around and see several large portions of the warehouse have been fenced off and have bunks in them. Other portions have walls built up that make rooms for administrative offices, kitchens, and dining facilities, and the one ahead of us which is the infirmary. I also notice several raised platforms inside that have both guards and remote turrets on them.

Once we reach the infirmary Taser signals the guard who opens the door for us. Inside I see several smaller treatment areas as well as a large ward that has twenty beds in it. Most are empty but several are not. There are seven other prisoners in the beds beside him. Most are raiders. A couple look to have been former soldiers from Red Eye’s army, taken during the earlier raids. One is a pegasus and I can see the burn scars on his face and side. He must have been a survivor from the Spring Monsoon. When he sees Chain Lighting, I see a flicker of recognition on both their faces.

Off to the side, I see Razor Wire hoof cuffed to his bed. I see several magic bandages on him. Both of his eyes are still blackened and I can see several wounds that are still trying to heal.

He has an evil smile on his face when we begin to enter the room at first and laughs. Then he tells me, “It figures, you are so scared of me that you had to bring this many ponies for backup.”

I approach next to him, laughing at him as I get closer. “No, no, no, my little pony,” I tell him, “You misunderstand. These are my personal escort only, and spouses. The young filly is my daughter. In fact, my wife who is carrying the shotgun was the mother to the mare you and Silver Spite killed and the grandmare to the filly you murdered along with her.” As I say this, I notice an expression of hatred come over Sumac’s face as she looks at him.

I notice a flicker of fear in his eyes then. He nervously laughs again, and says, “Yeah, and what about that poor sweet little thing that came in here unarmed?”

Magpie slowly walks up to the other side of the bed, rears up on her hind legs, and as she begins to bring her forelegs down on the bed I watch as her one forehoof lands on a wound that is healing on his side. causing him to scream in pain.

A smile comes across her muzzle that does not reach her eyes. In her eyes, I see the look you would give a radroach as you step on it with both hooves. Still leaning on the wound, she puts her muzzle near his ear and tells him loud enough for those near us to hear, “First the mare was my wife, the foal my adopted daughter, and as for why I am not armed? Why bother, the last time I was in combat I killed a pegasus trooper in full body armor with my own hooves and a rock. But sorry you do not seem that tough to me.” She then puts more pressure on the wound as she first twists it and then rears up to get back down from the bed. This causes him to scream in pain more. She stops from heading back to the others and tells him with a sweet smile on her face, “Sorry, but I am not sorry if I hurt you.”

After he screams the first time, I see two of the medical ponies assigned there run into the ward toward us, Sutures puts up a hoof and they both stop running. They walk over to her and whisper back and forth for a bit then they turn and leave.

I see the pain on his face and fear in his eyes. Then he notices Chain Lighting’s Scar as he walks up alongside me.

He gets a sneer in his voice, “You, you are here too? Neither of you is worthy to wear that scar. He marked you and you both escaped. Do you know what that scar means? What it really means?” he asks.

Chain answers for us, “Yes, he branded us to mark us as his.”

Razor Wire laughs then and tells us, “You really do not know. That is so sweet. He not only marked you as his, but he marked you so that you knew for the rest of your days he had chosen you. Of course, all but one other who have worn that scar is dead,” he looks down and then back up at us with a bit of malicious glee as he continues, “The others, well he took them apart a bit at a time. Physically, mentally. It is funny, but towards the end, they all stopped begging to be let go, or for help from the Goddesses. No, they begged him for death. Silver became their savior by releasing them. But you two and her, well, you just were not good enough for the brand. You were not worthy.”

I shake my head as I listen. What he says is madness and tells me that he and Silver Spite had both crossed the line into full-raider territory years ago. But I still need to try and question this deranged stallion.

Beside me, Chain Lighting smiles sadly at him and then says in his Thunderhead accent, “Ah, we may not have been worthy of his mark, but what about you? I see you were not worthy of even receiving it.”

I see emotional pain come onto Razor Wire's face. “Buck you! Buck you both to Tartarus.”

Chain’s voice becomes almost sweet as honey at this, “Ah, so you wanted him to want you that bad. But you were never good enough for him, were you? Were you ever really good enough for anypony?”

I start to see tears form in Razor's eyes, “No, no I was not, and that is why you all must pay.”

Then I realize his eyes are glazed some. He must have recently had a dose of Med-x, his inhibitions are down, “So how are you going to make us pay Razor?” I ask gently.

He smiles and giggles some. Then he turns to look me in the eyes. “These ponies are only a probe. I reorganized what was left after the valley. We were supposed to escape after our surrender and rejoin them down by Hereford. I have a couple of hundred more raiders there.”

Still smiling I tell him, “That is very smart, almost as smart as Silver Spite was. But where would so many of them hide?”

He laughs some more and answers smugly, “About 60 of them are in the sewers underneath Hereford. The others are nearby in several small hamlets.”

I nod my head as does Chain Lighting. Chain then tells him, “That is very smart, I bet if you have any heavy weapons you hid them just as smartly, didn’t you?”

He laughs again and nods. “Yes, yes we have. There are several heavy automatic anti-material rifles in Hereford as well as two mortars and a rocket launcher. The best is that just west of Hereford there is a small hamlet called Chianina, we found a balefire egg launcher and several eggs in Targhee, but were not able to bring them up to Serenity Valley before your Co-op rescued you and killed my Silver.”

I am both horrified to hear him mention a balefire egg launcher and amused to hear him refer to Silver Spite as my Silver, I notice Chain Lightning raise an eyebrow at this also. We have found out much of what we needed to hear, and I really need to get this information to the Colonel.

Then he looks at us and asks, “Are you going to kill me now? That is why all of you came right?”

I smile at him and tell him in a calm voice, “No, that is not why we came. I wanted them to see your face when I told you that you are going to be put on trial for the murders of that mare and foal. We are planning on sending you to Junction Town for the trial to make sure it is fair. Most likely you will spend the rest of your life in prison for what you have done. But we will not take revenge, for that is not what we were here for, we prefer justice. I will talk to you again later.” I then turn my back on him and begin to leave. I notice that Blue Star has her horn lit and watch as it goes out. She smiles at me and tells me quietly, “I performed a memory probe Major, he did not lie.”

I stop and tell her, “Thank you very much Blue Star, I really appreciate it.” At this, she straightens up some more as I sense a feeling of pride in her at being thanked.

We then leave the infirmary. Behind us, I hear one of the other patients yelling, “What the Tartarus Razor, you lead us into a trap then tell them what we were planning? You’re a dead stallion Razor, I swear!”

I simply smile and trot back out with my entourage in tow. As we go I see several of the prisoners watching, but keeping their distance. Then one of the captured raiders yells out, “So what is up with all the ponies following the boss mare?”

Ginger stops and turns to him, “The two officers who are stallions are her husbands. The three mares her wives. The zebra and zony owe a life debt, the pegasus is her top NCO and the alicorns are friends of hers. Oh, and she is my mom. Is that enough answer for you?”

He smirks and then says, "Yeah but can they fight? “

Ginger smiles sweetly and tells him, who do you think taught me?” Then she turns away and begins to trot forward with Xochitl again, as I hear a murmur go through the prisoners’ ranks.

After that, we leave through the front gate. Taser stops me. He then says, “Thank you for being so well behaved today. I really don’t think I could have been. I have to ask though, why all of the others with you?”

I smile at him and tell him, “Taser, the raiders amongst them will see me now as a warlord and think twice about misbehaving. The pegasi prisoners will see that they too may have a place here and we may get them to decide to immigrate to the Co-op rather than returning to the Enclave. As for the regulars from Red Eye’s army, well they got to see that, unlike their former master Red Eye, we can work with the Alicorn and all of us are equal. Besides, there is a certain intimidation factor that comes along with them.”

He laughs lightly and tells me “Remind me never to play Dodge City Hold ‘em with you. Dang Major, you are good, but aren’t you afraid that they could use some of the information gained against you?”

I smile at him, “No, I consider it a warning to them instead.”

As we walk away, behind me I begin to hear Dull Beak laugh and then I hear him tell Badger and Archer, “You know she really is a crazy mare you two have. But by Goddesses is she fun to watch.”

I watch as Badger begins to laugh and Archer facehoofs, shaking his head with a slight laugh also.

Once we get back to the Stable, I thank everyone for their assistance and time. I give a hug and kiss to my sweethearts and a hug to Ginger. I ask the sisters if Blue Star could accompany me to talk to the Colonel to let him know what she saw in his memories. They agree and after we turn in their weapons and kit, Blue Star and Quick Frost say goodbye to Choo Choo as she goes back to her duties. They along with Chain Lightning and Dull Beak then follow me up to the Colonel’s office.

He is in a meeting with the Overmare and Overcow when we get there but are told that he should be able to see us soon.

When the door opens next, he calls all of us in. The overs both remain to listen to what I have to say. “Ok Major, how did it go?” Chappy asks me.

I look at him and the overs and tell them, “Very productive sir. We found out where more raiders are as well as their heavy weapons. I am particularly worried as one of the locations of the raiders has a balefire egg launcher.”

I see a look of worry come over his face as well as a questioning look on the faces of the Overmare and Overcow. Finally, Daisymay asks, “Colonel, I am familiar with what a balefire bomb is, but what are a balefire egg and its launcher?”

Chappy slowly turns to her and explains. “A balefire egg is a smaller, pony portable version of a balefire bomb. The launcher for it can be carried by a single pony as well. When it detonates it will send out magical radiation as well as the explosive force. If they were to get it to the back door of the stable and fire it inside it would be truly devastating to the CDF and the Co-op as a whole ma’am.”

Twilight Shimmer, is next to her and simply nods, “OK then Colonel we know what has to be done, please contact your compatriot in the second regiment and make arrangements to take care of this problem as quickly as possible.”

Chappy nods to her, “Will do ma’am.” At that point, he gets on his PipBuck and calls out to Colonel Storm Cloud. Then he looks at me and those with me and tells us, “I would like you to be in the meeting with Colonel Cloud. I think she may need to hear it from you, as well as how the information was gained.”

Once Storm Cloud arrives, we begin to discuss with her the information we have gathered from Razor Wire, as well as how it was gathered. She is highly impressed by our using the three sisters to assist us and to probe his memory to verify the information.

While she still maintains that slight air of arrogance, she takes the time to thank each of them personally as well as to shake hooves with them. After the sisters leave, she has me and my first sergeant stay with her and the Colonel.

“Ok, now the question is what do we do about them?”

The 1^st Sergeant and I are dismissed as the Colonels call together their staffs to plan the operation. Chain Lightning and I both return to my HQ it is already getting late. As I am returning my helmet to the shelf behind my desk, I hear a voice being cleared behind me. I turn and look and there is Chain Lightning looking somewhat abashed but wanting my attention.

“Yes Chain, can I help you?” I ask curiously.

He nods, walks in, and then asks me, “Ma’am can I talk to you off the record?”

I nod my head and point a hoof towards a chair, “Please come in,” I tell him. He comes further in and closes the door before he takes a seat.

I watch as I see him steel himself on what he wants to say. I sit there patiently waiting, much like Moon Pie does for me when I need to talk about something, but just do not want to even think about it, much less talk about it.

Finally, he tells me, “Major, you really did some good work in there today. I could tell when you noticed he was being affected by the Med-x and would speak more freely than normal.”

“Thank you. Chain, and while we are off the record, please call me Mollygirl. This way we know which roles we are in.”

I see a bit of surprise on his face at this. He shakes his head and has a sad smirk on his face. Then he looks me in the eyes and tells me, “Mollygirl, I do not say it lightly, the touch of having the alicorn there to do the memory probe was a wonderful one and I wish I would have had that asset over the years.”

I nod my head and tell him, “Well as a recon trooper I can imagine you never had as many assets as you wished,”

When I say this, I see him cringe a bit more. “Ma’am, after my run-in with Silver Spite I was removed from service as a recon trooper,” he pauses, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath, then continues, “Mollygirl, after that I was transferred to the Enclaves military intelligence division. During that time, I performed a lot of operations dirt side that I am not proud of. In fact, there are a couple that still haunt me.”

I nod my head, I can understand that at least I think I can. Then he turns to me, “Ma’am. Today I saw an old face that surprised me when we were in the infirmary. I thought he was dead, to tell the truth.”

I wait for him to continue and after a few deep breaths he tells me, “The pegasus that was in the bed there, he used to be my best friend and we worked on several ops together. I am not sure what happened to him. But I was caught off guard when I saw him.”

“Chain, I can understand that. Don’t feel too bad. Maybe we can find out more about him,” I tell him.

“I hope so ma’am. He looked in rough condition and I know he recognized me also.”

“Chain, if you want to go visit him and just talk to him, I will see about pulling some strings for you too.”

He is quiet for a bit of time as he looks down, then he nods his head, “I would appreciate it, Major, I really would.”

I reach out a hoof and he then shakes it, “Then I will get on it tomorrow, ok?”

He smiles, “Thanks Major, and for not asking more about what I did.”

I look at him with a sad expression on my face, “Chain, we all do things we are not proud of. The thing is what we do afterward. From what I have seen, since you have been in the Co-op, you have been a top-notch trooper, NCO, and friend to those around you. I am really glad to have you as my 1^st Sergeant.”

“Thank you, Ma’am, and for what it is worth, I really am glad you are my CO,” he tells me with a smile and I watch him turn and head back out the door. I then notice the time I am thinking it is about time to head home, then I realize that I have the duty again. While I am not happy about that I do wonder how tonight’s pegasus tag game is going for the week also. At least being here I should be able to find out.

As I head toward my stall, I see Windy coming my way. When she gets close enough, she says, “Hey Mollygirl, how’s it going?”

“Not too bad, how about you?”

She smiles at me and replies, “Not too bad either, but I was just thinking of getting something to eat at the mess, and after that, I wanted to talk about the anthill you seem to have kicked over this time.”

I blush at that and tell her, “Well getting something to eat sounds great, but I really cannot say anything about the other.”

She looks around and seeing no pony close she tells me, “Mollygirl, did you really take your entire family to the prison camp?”

I laugh lightly, “Yeah, that I did. I felt it was a good intimidation tactic to use against the raider prisoners. I also had the three sisters, my 1^st Sergeant and Dull Beak with me. It was an impressive sight, to say the least.”

She shakes her head, “But what if they tried to attack you, what would you have done?”

As we continue walking toward the mess, I smile at her and tell her about the ones who charged the fence and how Ginger gave a quick warning shot before the guards could even react. She is surprised and tells me, “Mollygirl, are you sure that was wise?”

I sigh and tell her, “Windy, that filly and her coltfriend have seen more action than most of the troopers in the Co-op do in a tour of duty. They know how to handle themselves and besides it was more for her to see the buck who murdered her sister was now captured, to let her know he did not get away with it.”

“How did she handle it?” Windy asks me.

“She seemed to handle it well, but I forgot I had duty tonight. I wish I could be there for her tonight. Windy she was crying last night when I got home. She heard the artillery and she knows, I mean she really knows what that means. She told me she knew I would be leading the troops. Windy, I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”

She puts a wing over my shoulders and tells me, “Mollygirl, my friend, I understand entirely. I used to get that from my foals when I returned from missions. If you ever need a shoulder to lean on, I am here for you.”

“Thanks, Windy. It really does help to just have somepony else who understands.”

She smiles and then tells me, “I feel the same way Mollygirl, now let’s go in and get something to eat. I am famished.”

After dinner, we go back to the common area outside our stall and I ask her, “Can we watch a documentary from the war on how to deal with certain types of weapons. I have a feeling we may be getting ready to go up against some that we have not had to deal with before.”

I see a look of concern on her face as her ears start to go down and back a bit, “What types of weapons are we looking at?” she inquires.

I am still trying to keep a stiff upper lip and tell her, “heavy weapons, you know, missile launchers, balefire egg launchers, that type of thing.”

I see her blanch at the last one, then she starts to look through the stacks on the shelves. She then pulls one of the old training films out and says, “Ok, this should be the one.” She puts it in the player and it begins.

On the screen we see some cartoon ponies fighting from shell hole to shell hole. They are very close together. In the background, we hear ominous music. Suddenly the scene cuts across the field where a zebra pops up with a balefire egg launcher in his front hooves and he puts it over his shoulder. He pulls the trigger and we watch as the balefire egg sails through the air and then we see a cartoon detonation with a small green mushroom cloud rising from it.

The scene stops and the announcer says, Stop right there soldiers, do not let this happen to you. Do you know what to do in case the stripes have a balefire egg launcher on a battlefield where you are fighting?"

The scene cuts back to where they are advancing and shows the same cartoon soldiers as before, but one tells the other, “Hey you hear the rumor from Headquarters is that the stripes have brought up some balefire eggs to try and break our lines.

The other pony looks at him, “Nah Sarge, but that should not affect how we fight, right?”

The Sergeant looks at him, “Now for most weapons I would say not much. But for balefire eggs and a launcher we need to spread out more, you see…”

We continue to watch the film until it ends. I look at her and she at me. Sure, they may not be as bad as a full balefire bomb, but they are still nasty. Windy looks at me and tells me, “Mollygirl if we have to deal with one of those, we need to make sure the fliers are on the ground if one goes off. The concussion alone will knock them out of the air if they are too close.”

I nod my head and tell her, “Windy, when on the ground the troops better make sure to keep their separations and not to be too dependent upon S.A.T.S. either. The magical energy burst will knock out our PipBucks for a couple of minutes while their spell matrixes reset.”

“Buck me, we are screwed if somepony gets one into action. Now why don’t you tell me why you thought we may need to watch this one.”

I look around the room and tell her, “Let’s go into our stall and talk about this.” Once there I begin to fill her in on what we learned today. When I am done her face goes pale, “Buck me. Sounds to me like the first regiment should be the choice for Hereford because of the underground tunnels. That leaves the second regiment to deal with Chianina and the balefire egg launcher. Just bucking great.”

The next morning at formation we are told that all troops that are not on outpost duty are being recalled from their assignments and are to draw weapons and be ready to move in three hours. The first regiment is going after Hereford, the second after Chianina. After that it is a mad scramble. The troopers go to the armory as companies. I arrive there and find a line out the door of troopers. I bypass the line and when Flash Bang sees me, he runs to the back and grabs my kit. He then brings out my weapons and ammo. As I am getting ready to leave, I see Windy and Badger both arrive. Badger looks at me and asks, “Mollygirl, do you know what this is all about?”

I nod my head, and tell him, “Talk to Windy, but whatever you do, do not let your troops bunch up. I mean it,” I then give him a kiss in front of everyone. “Be careful love. Please, our foal needs her father too.”

I see him get a tear in his eye and he nods his head. He then steps up to the counter to get his kit, as Windy finishes receiving hers. I then head back to my HQ to gather my staff. Once we are all there and kitted out and armed, I put on my helmet and lead them out to the drill field. I am very surprised to see the Colonel and the Regimental HQ staff also kitted out and ready to join us. I then notice the company of engineers is with us. My Goddesses, we are hitting them with everything available.

Once everyone is ready the orders go out and we begin to move. The scout company leads out. I watch as Sunset and his fliers take to the air. My battalion is next in line, followed by Archer’s Battery of artillery, as well as a battery of mortars. Behind us are the first Battalion and the wagons train for ammo as well as a few ambulances. I assume it is similar for the 2^nd regiment until I look up and see a company of sky wagons flying about a klick behind their scouts and George, followed by another company of pegasi. But over the comms channels I can hear the rest of the 2^nd regiment marching out on hoof along with their artillery and support wagons.

I have never imagined this much force being set into motion by the Co-op, but then again, I had never imagined it having this much of a threat against it either. In the distance, I can see a flock of birds flying south towards Hereford. Could it be the Mareigan?

As we march our way towards Hereford the Colonel approaches me, “Major, we will be making a night attack to take advantage of our S.A.T.S. When we get about three klicks out, I want your battalion to swing to the far east. I will have the 1^st Battalion swing to the west, we will then curve our flanks in until they meet, and then we will begin to advance against the town. Make sure to keep your intervals. I do not want to give them a target if they have moved that launcher over here.”

I nod my head, “Sounds good Colonel. I will say though I am not looking forward to fighting in those sewers, we need to remind the troopers that melee weapons will be preferred down there if the ventilation is not good. We do not want to burn up our air,” I tell him.

Normally for an operation this far from the stable, we would stop for the night and get some rest, but the surprise is imperative so we push on. At around midnight we are about three kilometers from Hereford. I give the order we move to our starting position to the east. Once there I command that we set a skirmish line and we begin to advance. The two flanking companies are moving faster than the center. As our formations begin to change and we finally link up with the 1^st battalion we are all facing the ruins of Hereford. The Colonel comes over the comm channel, “When the flares go up, we move.”

We sit there in the dark, waiting. After a bit, I take a quick drink from my canteen and make sure my safety is on and that I am ready. I notice the shadows of several of my troopers begin to double-check their gear as well as their buddies which do the same thing. Besides me I notice Chain Lighting doing the same to Paper Work and Specs.

The wait seems to take forever. I look at the time on my PipBuck and it has only been four minutes. Then I watch as the flares from the mortars arch up into the sky and I give the order, “Forward until contact is made, at the trot, March!”

And with that command over 300 of my troopers and medics advance. From the comm channel I hear my compatriot of the 1^st battalion also give the word as they begin to trot forward also. Like last time I can hear a bell ringing and my E.F.S. quickly shows red all over ahead of me. But we do not slow. They begin to fire into the dark and we begin to return fire as we advance.

Then from the other side of town, I see a flare go up, and then a smoke grenade lands just ahead of a group of troopers from the 1^st battalion. Then in the distance, my S.A.T.S. marks a pony with a balefire egg launcher. I instinctively call out over the radio, “all personnel on the ground now, cover your eyes.”

I am laying there with my hoof over my eyes and even with my eyes closed, I can suddenly see every bone in my hoof. I feel a heavy breeze that indicates it was a ways away. I look up and see a tall greenish glowing mushroom cloud rising several hundred feet over part of the town.

I call out,” Everypony up. Archer, target this PipBuck Marker. They have a balefire egg launcher here.” With that, I hear his artillery open fire.

From the comms channel, I hear a staticky voice call out, “This is the company commander for the Apple Eaters, I am taking over command of the 1^st battalion. They just took out the command and communications with the Brahmin Busters as well as with Major StarBurst.”

Then I hear the Colonel call out, “Ok, everyone, time to play some major league Buckball, get your heads on straight, and let’s do this. Everyone forward now!”

Dear DJ Pon3,

I have recently found a new home, but now my past has come to roost and has followed me here. Tonight, I lay here unable to sleep and thinking about this. With this in mind could you play The River for me and those like me.

Thank You

1^st Sergeant Chain Lightning, 2^nd Battalion 1^st Regiment CDF

I would like to thank Kkat for creating the world of FoE, and all of the other writers who have since added too it. Your efforts have helped me to build upon my part of it also.

For those wishing to listen to the dedication song for this chapter the YouTube link is:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bK2J3pQ8NE&list=RD2bK2J3pQ8NE&start_radio=1