The first two days of my pre-deployment leave go smoothly and are quite pleasant. On the third day, I am coming in from walking the fields and weeding the crops with Sumac and Xavier when we find Sutures crying on the porch, being comforted by Doula. They had been called out early this morning for what should have been a routine delivery.

When I see her like this, I trot up to see what is wrong. I ask “Sutures, what’s happened?”

Doula looks at me with a sadness in her eyes, and Sutures through her tears tells me, “We lost them.”

At first, I am confused and ask, “What do you mean you lost them? What did you lose?”

Still crying she says, “The mother and foal. I tried, I really tried.”

By now Sumac and Xavier have come up and I tell her, “I am sure you did, what happened?”

She looks at me with such a mournful expression my heart aches for her as she tells me, “The foal had the umbilical cord wrap around her neck and killed her before we could get her out.” She sniffles several times as she tries to form what she wants to say next. Finally, she tells me, “The mother, she, she prolapsed. Mollygirl, I have never seen anything like that. I had to try and put her parts back inside, and as we were moving her to a wagon to take her to the hospital she died. She died like that with me and mom carrying her. I tried everything I knew to save her and none of it worked.”

I put my hooves around her and gently kiss her on her forelock, “Love, you tried. You have known for how long that you can never save them all.”

She sniffles again, “But, Mollygirl, this is not combat. I should be able to save them. I am not supposed to lose my patients now.”

As I hold her, I look at Doula and she tells us, “She has a better record than most, unfortunately as you said Mollygirl there is always a chance of losing a patient or their foal.”

I nod my head in understanding and I just hold her. Sumac beside us looks down and closes her eyes and says, “Doula, let me know when they have services for her. I knew both her and her mother.”

Doula nods her head in understanding and replies, “I will. She was Ivy’s age and it was her third foal. It should have been no problem,” as she says this her eyes are half-closed and she shakes her head slowly. Finally, she says, “I was there at her birth, and now at her final breath. It is never easy.”

I watch as Sumac puts a hoof around Doula and gives her a brief hug telling her, “I am so very sorry dear.”

When she lets go of the hug she goes inside the house and I hear her begin to rustle things around. Persimmon shortly after comes out and tells us, “Sutures is making some tea and lunch for everyone, Oh, Mollygirl, Millie is awake now if you want to spend some time with her.”

I smile at her and tell her. “Thanks, Persimmon, I really appreciate you watching the foals so I could help today.”

As the others go inside, she smiles back and tells me, “That is no problem,” then quietly she adds, “I was going to ask Sutures to check me. Please let me know when you think she will be ok with me asking her.”

I smile and tell her, “I will do that. Persimmon, but you really think you are?” I ask as I nod my head toward her belly and move my hoof towards mine.”

She smiles and says, “Honestly, I am not sure, but I am late for my heat and I forgot to use the potion last month, so who knows.”

I nod my head and quietly tell her back, “Well I hope it is whichever you wish my friend.”

She smiles and tells me, “Thanks, I appreciate it. Now we best get inside, I don’t want to leave those three alone too long in there. Who knows what those three foals can tear up in a few minutes?”

Our house is fairly somber that night as we try and console Sutures. The last time I saw her like this was after the battle of Targhee. It makes me worry about her. After everypony goes to sleep that night, she and I go outside and sit on the porch. I hear Woofers barking from behind the barn as he chases a rabbit.

This gets me to look up and I watch as from across the farmyard I see a familiar form in the darkness coming toward us.

Once she is in the glow of the porch lantern, she pulls back her cloak from her face. She comes closer and once she is close enough; she uses her forehoof to lift Sutures’s chin.

“Good evening my child,” she says in her Trottingham accent.

Sutures looks up and with tears in her eyes she asks, “Why, why could I not save them?”

I watch as the Mareigan closes her eyes and thinks before she replies. When she does, she tells her, “It was not I who took her lass, It was her time and the one who took her was not pleased with your efforts as you gave her a hard fight. You did as well as any could.”

“But Mareigan, I am supposed to be helping to bring lives into being, not lose them.”

I watch as the Mareigan seems to take a deep breath and takes on a sad expression to her face. “Yes, my child, you did lose those two today, but to be honest, they were meant to go. Think about how many you have saved that others may not have been able to. You have become one of my best workers in bringing life to the Co-op and saving those who might have been lost otherwise. I am most pleased with your efforts.”

I see Sutures have another tear run down her cheek and she sniffles before she asks, “Then why does it hurt so much to lose them?”

I sit there quietly listening to them talk, when Sutures asks this, I swear I see the Mareigan sigh. Then she tells Sutures, “My dear child, it is because your heart sees the good in life. It hurts you to lose that. You have seen the bad as well as the good in this world. I know how hard you can fight to save a life, remember you were once my adversary, now, now my child you are one of mine.”

I see Sutures nod her head and close her eyes again. Then I watch as the Mareigan lightly kisses her on her forelock and lays a hoof upon her belly. I see a smile come up on my love's face when she does this. Finally, Sutures opens her eyes and says, “Thank you Mareigan, for both of us.”

The Mareigan nods her head to her and tells her, “Your welcome my life bringer. You have done well and are in my favor.” Then the Mareigan turns to me and tells me, “While it is good to see you again, I am not here to visit you this time. For now, you have no need of me, but I will be there if you do, as well as to ply my other trade” Then she tilts her head as she looks at both of us, “Such an interesting combination you two be. One who brings life forth in this land, the other who ends life for those attack it. My alpha and omega some would say.” She shakes her head, then says, “Ah, but I know better, truly you are instead, the bearer of baskets of fruit for my orchard and the shield-bearer that defends it.”

Then she approaches me and lifts my head by my chin. She then lightly kisses me on my scarred cheek, then my forelock. She smiles at me and then moves back to Sutures and kisses her lightly on her forelock, again she touches her belly with her forehoof, and then to both of our surprises, she shifts her hoof to where her leg meets her prosthetic and I see a brief glow and watch as an expression of relief comes over the face of my love.

When she moves back Sutures tells her, “Thank you Mareigan, but how did you know?”

The Mareigan only smiles and nods her head, “Ya are welcome my child, it should pain ya no more in such a manner.” Then she turns and begins to walk away. As she goes, she says, “Good night my children.”

As she disappears into the darkness once again, I ask Sutures, “My love, why didn’t you tell me you hurt so much.”

She smiles at me and tells me, “Because my love, I have read about it in my medical books. They called it phantom limb pain. There was nothing that they knew to do that could stop it. I was able to hide it most of the time, and why worry everypony.”

I put my hoof around her and kiss her. “I love you my dearest, please if you are hurting or need anything, please let me know even if I can’t do anything.”

She nods her head and smiles, then she looks at me with a sad smile and says, “My love, that goes for you too with me. I want to know also, even if I can’t do anything other than give you a shoulder to lean on.”

We kiss one more time, then I get up, blow out the lantern and we go back inside for the night. I hear Mille crying as I enter the house and I go to take care of her. After I change her and am rocking her back to sleep. I sit there quietly thinking about it. It has been a good day.

The next major event during my leave occurs on the fifth day. I receive a message on my PipBuck requesting my presence in the Regimental HQ at 1500 hours today from the Regiment’s Sergeant Major. I also notice that it has been sent to Dull Beak and my other Company Commanders. I guess we are going to finally find out where we are being sent. It is just before noon, so I have to hurry up and get myself ready. I put on my uniform, grab a quick lunch and kiss Millie and the colts goodbye as well as telling Sumac where I am going. She nods her head then tells me, “Remember your manners young mare.”

I nod my head and reply without thinking “I will Ma.” Which seems to tickle Persimmon’s fancy as she starts to laugh.

Then Persimmon says, “You sounded just like Ginger,” and she burst into more laughter.

I shake my head and make my way to the Stable for the meeting. Once I get there I head first to my HQ and am met by all of my company commanders as well as Bailey Bridge and Summer Solstice. We all greet each other, although I do hear Kettle Bell complain about being called back from leave for a meeting.

Together we all head to the Regimental HQ. On our way, we run into Slide Rule and Long Bow who fall in with us. When we arrive the Sergeant Major leads us to one of the smaller conference rooms. Inside we see a covered map board as well as an overhead projector and screen. I see several members of the Regimental Staff company there as well as some I only recognize as being from the NCRA regional commander’s staff.

We file in and sit down, I take the rightmost seat with Dull Beak to my left. As we wait, I notice some of the staff members looking at me and whispering. I do wonder what they are talking about, but they are speaking just quietly enough that the normal ringing in my ears makes them almost impossible to understand.

Finally, from the back of the room, I see General Threat Vector, the griffon who is the Regional commander enter the back of the room along with Colonel Chappy. I immediately call Attention on Deck and we all snap to attention. They walk to the front of the room and sit in two chairs that are off to the side of the small stage at the front of the room.

As they get to the front, Threat Vector tells us, “At ease. Take your seats.”

Chappy seems to be slightly put out at not being the one in charge. But he too takes his seat as ordered.

Threat Vector stands in front of us and begins to speak. “Thank you all for showing up on time. For those of you that were on leave, I apologize for having to call you back early. The primary reason we are here today is so we can brief you on where you and your troops are going to be deployed for the coming year. However, there is a secondary reason as well. As you know your regiment and the 2^nd Manesville regiment were formed and have operated at the standard Equestrian Army standard for the early portion of the war. This was in part due to having to slowly build the units over time as well as ponying levels. However, with your integration into the NCRA, we have decided to move forward with adjusting those levels as well as the ranks of those in charge.”

As he says this all I can think is, great, here we go, downsizing. I will be lucky to stay a captain.

When he continues, I am very surprised as he says, “I know you are wondering what this means to you. Well, to begin with, your battalion as well as each of the others in both regiments will be adding an additional rifle company. For this deployment, We will be shifting another company from the regiment to take this spot. Later we will reform the regiment into the new order. With that said, Major Mollygirl and Captain Dull Beak, please step forward. As we do so, he has us stand at attention. I am nervous as he removes first mine, then Dull Beaks rank insignia. Then I see a variation of my Majors insignia in his talons that he puts back on me. “Congratulations Lieutenant Colonel,” he says as he offers me his talon and I hoof shake it. Then he takes my majors insignia and places them on Dull Beak”s uniform and tells him “Congratulations Major.” Again, they shake talons, and then we are both allowed to be seated again.

I am stunned as is Dull Beak. The General then begins to speak again. “From now on, the proper rank for a Battalion Commander is that of a Lieutenant Colonel, and their XO is that of Major. You two are the first, the others will all be advanced tomorrow morning. This means the wetting down party is tomorrow night.”

He pauses and tells us, “Ok, now for the staff briefing.”

The first staff member to talk is not one from the regiment, but a tough-looking light purple unicorn captain. He comes to the podium and starts, “Good afternoon, I am Captain Pin Point the Personal staff officer for the Regional Commander. Before you deploy your battalion first sergeant, as well as those in the other battalions, will be advanced to Battalion Sergeant Majors.”

He pauses and lets us process this then he begins again, “Furthermore, we are going to reorganize each company into three squad units called platoons. The tenth squad is your company headquarters squad. They will escort the company commanders and provide a floating reinforcement as necessary. This also means that each company will need a First Sergeant. This will take place within your battalions and regiments. I will now turn you over to the hooves of your regimental Staff.”

The next staff member to come up is the same one who as a cadet gave me grief for having Ginger with me after we got back from the expedition. He is now a Lieutenant. He starts his portion of the briefing, “Good afternoon. As you all know we have been waiting to see where we would deploy you and your troops. Today we got word from Junction Town and the NCR Army Command Staff that we will be deploying you to a region of the NRC that is just west of New Appleloosa. There have been reports of high raider activity in those areas and you will be establishing company-sized bases in the area to operate and patrol from, as well as to support the locals in trying to improve their areas.”

I notice several of my officers shake their heads at this news. None of them here has been even close to New Appleloosa. I was the only one here that had made it that far. Now I just want to know the logistics of how we get there and are to be kept supplied. The answer to this is given to me as the briefing goes on.

After three hours the briefing finishes. But before I can leave Colonel Chappy stops me and ask me to talk briefly. “Ok Colonel, what do you want to talk about?” I ask.

He looks at me, “First, I did not know about the promotions that were coming. Congratulations on it. Apple Cobbler received his promotion this morning, so he still outranks you and is the XO for the regiment. In the morning Chocolate Chunk will receive his promotion as well as Chain Lightning and the other Battalion 1^st Sergeants. For what it is worth, I am sorry we have had to call you in from your leave.”

“Thank you, Colonel. Have a good evening sir, and I will see you in the morning.” I tell him. With that, he nods his head and leads me out of the conference room as he heads to his office and I head back to mine.

As I walk back towards my office, I see Windy across the Atrium. She calls out to me and then I watch as she flies across the open space in between. She lands next to me and just before she says anything, I see her eyes go wide as she notices my new rank insignia. She shakes her head and says, “Wow, Congratulations Mollygirl. So, what do I have to do to get me a set like that? Do I need to tell off a colonel too?”

I smile at her and laugh as I tell her, “No, not at all. In fact, all of the Battalion Commanders are getting advanced from Major to Lieutenant Colonels tomorrow. Your XO will be bumped up from captain to major also.”

I see her grin, “Well I will be damned. Mollygirl, I never thought I would make it that high, and now,” I watch as she sits down with a stunned expression on her face.

I laugh lightly to myself and I tell her, “Tell me about it, last year I was a freshly minted lieutenant. Now, I am higher than I ever imagined. Perhaps as high as I ever will be, but I am good with that.”

Then I see her eyes get wide and she really begins to laugh as she tries to tell me, “Oh my, oh my, your poor husbands, they really need to buck for rank now.”

I close my eyes and laugh again, “I had not even thought of that. I wonder what they will have to say when they find out.”

As we are talking, I hear a slight squeaking sound behind me getting closer. I turn around and I am pleased to see Faith coming up in her wheelchair. I wave to her and she back, then she comes over and I try to introduce her to Windy.

“Windy, I would like to introduce you to one of my old fliers, this is Faith.”

I see Windy’s eyes go wide as she recognizes Faith and she says, “You, you were the gunner from the raptor Arcus who was drummed out for speaking out against the Enclave weren’t you? I remember reading about that and your siblings as a warning to watch out for possible Dashites in the officers’ corps of the Enclave.”

I see Faith nod her head, and she has a slightly sad look on her face, “Yeah that was me.” Is all she says.

Then Windy extends a forehoof to her and says, “Well it seems you were right about the Enclave; I know I may not have been branded but me and the other survivors from Thunderhead sure feel like we were drummed out pretty hard too. So, if you will forgive me, it is a pleasure to meet you, Faith.”

As she says this, I see Faith relax as she extends her forehoof for a hoof shake. “It is good to meet you too Ma’am.”

Then Windy asks, “Faith, if I may ask, how did this happen to you?” she says, indicating her wheelchair.

Faith shrugs a bit and then tells her, “When the Spring Monsoon attacked us, my Siblings, along with now Captains Sunset and Cloud Dodger were the escort flight for Mollygirl and Lieutenant Emerado on George. It was a hot fight and during a hoof to hoof fight against several of their fliers, I took a kick to the back of the head that knocked me out. I dropped like a rock I guess. I came to in time to slow myself enough that I was not killed instantly, but I was all but dead when they found me.”

I see the shock in Windy’s eyes. Then she looks at me and shakes her head, “I know I have heard about the battle of the Manesville back then, but it still shocks me every time how lucky you all were.”

I nod my head and Faith nods hers, “Yeah, lucky I guess,” she takes a deep breath and then says, “Well I guess I was lucky since it allowed me to meet and get to know Cloud. He has been a Goddess send.”

I am smiling as she says the last part then she says, “Oh, that is part of what I wanted to tell you Mollygirl, last night Cloud proposed to me. If you weren’t going to be deployed, I wanted you to be one of my maids of honor. I hope you do not mind If I have Emerado since you will be gone.”

I smile at her for being so considerate of my feelings, “No, not at all. I only wish I could be here for it,” I tell her as I give her a hug.

That is when she notices my new rank. Her eyes go wide and she smiles, “Well congratulations Lieutenant Colonel,” she tells me.

I smile and shake my head as I tell her, “Ah, thank you.”

Windy then asks her, “So, Faith, what do you do here in the stable?”

She smiles at the change of subject and tells her, “Oh, I work in administration now. I help the Overs with their paperwork as well as that of all the civilian workers here in the stable and now on the base. Things are really hopping now.”

Windy smiles at that, “I bet, especially since we are now part of the NCR. Has that changed things much for you?”

Faith nods her head, “Windy you would not believe how much extra paperwork and communications now goes on since that occurred. On the other hoof, it does keep me gainfully employed, so I am not complaining.”

I really want to get going and it looks like these two are going to be talking for a while so I begin to excuse myself, “Faith, Windy, I will be back tomorrow, I want to check on a couple of things before I head home. I will talk to you later,” I tell them.

Windy and Faith both pause in their conversation and tell me to have a good night and I am on my way again.

Once I get back to my office, I see Chain Lightning sitting at his desk smiling. I immediately ask him, “Did you see Dull Beak yet?”

He nods his head as he gets up, “Yes ma’am, I did. In fact, he told me about all three of our promotions.” As he says this, I feel my face flinch as I wanted it to be a surprise.

Then I ask him, “So you know to be at the morning muster along with the rest who were on leave?”

He nods his head, “Yes ma’am. He also said that you now knew where they are sending us.”

I nod my head, “Yeah I do. I haven’t been in that area yet, so it should be a learning experience, to say the least. The closest I ever got was New Appleloosa.”

He laughs lightly and says, “Yeah it should. Oh, by the way, I talked with Tail Spin. It seems he will be becoming a citizen of the NCR. He found a job though that will involve a lot of time away from home, unfortunately. He said he would be working close with a couple of other ponies named Blackberry Pie and Chip and that they knew you.”

I smile at him and tell him, “Yeah, I know those two. They were two of my civilian scouts on the expedition. They used to be operatives for the Co-op before that. So, I think he has his old job back, just under new management.”

I see him smiling. “Good, I am glad to hear that for him. Besides, he lives for that kind of work.”

I nod my head, “Yeah, I can understand that. I know some ponies like that. Goddesses, I am afraid that my daughter Ginger and her friend Xochitl might end up doing something like that someday.”

He laughs at this a bit, “Yeah, from what I have seen and heard, she is a regular spitfire. Those two still hunting radhogs for a side income?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, and they got my cousin Trouble's buck Sunny involved in it too. Last time they brought a hog down Ginger and Xochilt were the bait and Sunny was the markspony. I don’t know what scares me most, the chance they could get hurt, or the fact they have a system worked out.”

He shakes his head and then asks, “Sunny, is that the black pegasus colt that I keep hearing about from so many of the fliers around here?”

I nod my head and he laughs again, “Colonel, it only figures that he would be related to you. I have heard he is really something, but now he is shooting too?” he asks.

I nod my head and he then says, “I hope he has had some good teachers then.”

I again nod my head, “You could say that Chain, you could say that. His old man and mother were both bounty hunters in the wastelands before the expedition. Trouble is an excellent shot, much better than I am,” I tell him with a half-grin.

He nods his head and then tells me, “Maybe ma’am, but remember, your job is not to shoot, yours is to lead. It does make a difference,” he pauses then tells me, “Ma’am, you need to get home to your family for the night. I will see you in the morning.”

I smile as he says this and head back out and make my way back home. When I get home the others have already eaten dinner and are in the parlor relaxing. As I walk in both Archer's and Sutures's eyes go straight to my rank insignia.

I see both of their eyes go wide and Archer says, “For the love of all that is holy, what are you wearing?”

I walk over and give him a kiss as well as Sutures then I tell the family, “Would you believe I got promoted again.”

Badger is sitting next to Sumac and I hear him say, “You have to be kidding me, again, already?”

I turn to him and tell him, “Yes dear, all of the battalion commanders are being advanced to Lieutenant Colonels. It is part of the restructuring that is going on.”

Archer then asks, “What other types of restructuring are going on?”

I smile and tell him about them. I see him put his hoof under his chin as he asks, “I wonder what that means for the artillery?”

I see Badger starting to think also, then he says, “It will be nice to have three rifle and a heavy weapons company per battalion. But that is a lot of extra ponypower to come up with.”

I smile at him and I tell him, “Dear I think a lot of it will come from around the NCR. We are one of the largest organized fighting forces they have. They are already calling us the Manesville Brigade.”

I see them both look at each other then at me, Archer starts to speak first, “Mollygirl, if they consider us one of their largest fighting forces, I am afraid we may get sent to Fillydelphia.”

I nod my head, “Archer I do understand that believe me I was worried about it. But at the briefing today we were finally told where we are being shipped to.”

From the other side of Sumac, I hear Magpie ask, “And you weren’t going to tell us?”

I smile and tell her “Actually I was, but we started talking about the other stuff first. We are going to be stationed about forty klicks to the west of New Appleloosa. They have had a lot of reports of raider bands and activity there.”

Ginger looks up from playing with her siblings and says, “Cool Ma. Say hi to Ditzy and her daughter when you see them for me.”

I smile at her and tell her, “I will dear, if and when I get into town there. Who knows the way things are now Ditzy may have moved her operation even? From what I hear Junction town is really growing quickly.”

She smiles at that then returns her attention to the little ones again.

I then ask, “Is there anything left from dinner?”

Sumac gets up and tells me, “Yeah, I have some still on the stove keeping warm for you.”

I head into the kitchen with her following me. She talks to me as I eat my meal and keeps me company. Finally, she tells me, “Mollygirl, I am sorry if the bucks seem put out. It is just you have advanced so far so fast, I think it makes them feel bad.”

I nod my head, “Ma, I never expected to make it this high either. Goddesses know, this time last year I didn’t even think I would still be alive. I did not ask for this promotion; I was given it. Maybe I should just stay at the stable for the rest of my time here.”

She slaps the table and tells me, “Knock off that stupid self-pity talk. You have two daughters in that room as well as two sons and several mares who love you in that room. If the bucks want to be selfish, that is their loss, do not let them take us away from you earlier than needed.” Then she comes around the table and hugs me and kisses me on my forelock. Then she reminds me, “Remember how jealous you got of Emerado last year when she kept getting everything you wanted. Well, now you are on the other side.”

I think about this for a couple of minutes as she holds me. Then I nod my head in understanding, “Your right Ma, I am sorry, I was just so proud and I was hoping they would be for me too.”

She nods her head and finally lets me go, “Dear I do understand, believe me. We all feel that way sometimes. By the way, congratulations on your promotion.”

Then I look up at her as I remember about the wetting down party tomorrow night. “Ma, we need a babysitter for tomorrow night. All the officers and their spouses are expected to be there.”

She smiles at me, “Ok I will talk to Persimmon, I am sure she will be glad to help. I just hope Ginger does not get upset.”

When she says this I ask, “Why would Ginger get upset?”

“Because she is getting to the age, she no longer feels she needs a babysitter, and dear, to tell the truth, she has shown that for herself. It is just with all the foals that I worry.” She answers.

After this, I wash my dishes and we return to the parlor and I let them all know of the plans for tomorrow night.

Ginger immediately says, “Ma’s I can watch them. I am old enough.”

Archer smiles at her and lays a hoof on her and tells her, “Yes Ginger you are, but we may be late and I would feel more comfortable with Persimmon here assisting you. Besides, she may just bring Xochitl with her and you could spend most of the night with him.”

When he says this, I see her smile widen and she says, “Ok Papa Archer, I understand. Thank you for explaining it to me.”

After that, I go to the bedroom and remove my uniform. Once I return to the parlor, our normal evening routine continues and I am once again, just one of the wives along with my bucks and mares.

The morning muster goes as planned with the promotions being made. This caused the normal muster to go much longer than normal. But it is worth it. I love seeing so many of my fellow troopers' faces when they too get their new ranks. Afterward, as we are walking back to the stable Chain Lightning quietly tells me, “I really am happy about the promotion ma’am, but I would rather have had you pinned on the new insignia than the Colonel. I know you. Him, I am not too sure about.”

I nod my head in agreement and tell him, “I understand, thank you for the compliment, Sergeant Major. He has his moments, but for years, I did trust him fully.”

“And now ma’am?” he asks.

“Now, now I take his boss's word for things. Such as our coming deployment.” I reply. After I say that Dull Beak catches up to me and asks, “So ma’am, which one of your spouses is your date tonight?”

I smile at him and answer, “Tonight my date is Magpie. Badger is bringing Sumac, and Archer is bringing Sutures.”

I see what for a griffon is a smile on his face as he asks, “Will you mind me sharing a dance with her then, as well as perhaps one with you?”

When he asks this, I cannot help but smile as I reply, “Dull Beak, any of us mares would be pleased to dance with you. Now my bucks, maybe not so much, but hey if they agree, well, be my guest.”

I see his eyes go wide at that and he sputters a bit, “Mollygirl, you know I am not that way.”

I laugh even harder as I tell him, “I know, and you and I both know you are not into ponies, so relax my friend.”

Beside me I see Chain lighting look at me out of the corner of his eyes and just smile.

Chain Lighting then asks, “Maj, I mean Colonel I hope you do not mind if I see you there tonight at the Trough.”

I smile at this and I tell him, “Not at all, I do believe that while it may not be as formal, it is still standard for NCOs to have a similar celebration. I don’t know about the Enclave, but here in the Co-op it always has been. Besides, when I got my lieutenants bars last year, we had some of our enlisted fliers introduce us to and begin the tradition of the Flaming Pegasus.”

Both he and Dull Beak stop dead in their tracks and I hear Chain Lightning ask, “Ma’am would you care to elaborate more, cause that sounds like it could go one of two ways and neither sound right to me.” To the side, I can see Dull Beak also nodding his head.

I laugh as I realize what that could have sounded like and I explain to them how Sunset and Cloud Dodger had developed the drink and we came to use it for a toast at the wetting down ceremonies.

I see Cloud laugh and Dull Beak just shaking his head as he says, “That Sunset sure does have a twisted sense of humor.”

“That he does, but it also tastes pretty good,” I tell them.

When I say that Dull Beak looks at me and asks, “Ma’am, are you going to be partaking in that toast?”

I sigh and tell him, “While I would like to, no, I already talked with Sutures and we agreed, I will just stick to apple juice for it.”

I see the approval in his eyes when I say this. Then I wonder how bad did I make myself look that day?

Just before the main stable entrance, I tell Dull Beak, “Ok, Major, I will see you tonight.”

Once home I plan on removing my uniform and setting out my best dress uniform for tonight. Thank the Goddesses and Sweet Cream that I did not stain my maternity uniform. Unfortunately, I am not fully back down to my regular size, but hey, that sizing spell I had Sewing Bobbin put on it is proving its worth at least.

As I go in the door, I see Sumac coming out of the kitchen, “Hey dear, how was it this morning?” she asks me.

“Hey Sumac, not bad. You ready for it tonight?” I ask her.

She looks fairly nervous and tells me, “Mollygirl I really don’t know. I have never been to one of these before. I mean will my dress be good enough? I don’t want to embarrass Badger or any of you.”

I smile at her and put a hoof on her shoulder, “You will look fine. Relax, it will be just like the pig roast we had here for pegasus games,” then I pause and continue with, “Well minus the foals and the dragon and enfields and, well you know.”

I see her laugh lightly, then she tells me, “Yeah, but you all have nice new dresses or uniforms. I just have this old thing from back when I was married to Ivy’s pa.”

“Relax Sumac, that is a very nice dress and you always looked great in it.” I tell her, then I ask, “Sumac, I have a favor to ask.”

“Ok, what is it dear?”

“Um, could you help me bleach my mane and tail for tonight. I thought about what Sutures said the other day and I really think I should, at least one last time.”

She smiles at me and asks, “Do you have the stuff to do it, or do we need to go buy some?”

I nod my head as I take the bottles out of my saddlebags. She smiles and tells me, “Ok, go get out of your uniform and I will get everything ready on the back stoop.”

I hurry and take care of my uniform; I find an old towel I do not mind wrecking and I head out back to Sumac. She helps me get it sectioned off so I can have my black stripe with the yellow out sections on my forelock, mane and tail. Then we begin.

We are halfway finished when I hear Persimmon come up and say, “The foals are all down for their nap,” then she asks, “Wow, you really are going all out tonight. Once you're done, would you like me to help you braid your mane and tail?”

When she asks me, I cannot help but smile and I quickly answer, “Would you? Persimmon you don’t know how much that would mean to me.”

We continue to talk as we finish the bleaching. I wrap a towel around my neck and head as well as my tail as we go inside and have tea while it finishes drying. After tea, Persimmon and Sumac both help me by braiding my mane and tail while I brush out my forelock. I hate to say it, but I am nervous and excited. I want to look so good for tonight. Then it hits me, my scars. When I think of my face and ear, I accidentally drop my head. Sumac immediately notices and asks, “What is wrong Mollygirl?”

I sigh as I tell her, “It is just this damned scar on my face. No matter how beautiful I may look otherwise, I can’t get away from it.”

Behind me, from my tail, I hear Persimmon tell me, “Mollygirl, you are still beautiful my friend. I wish I had your figure so soon after Xochitl was born. That one scar does not keep you from looking good. Heck, you still have two bucks and two mares who want you don’t you?”

“Yeah, your right, but it still gets to me, I am sorry,” I tell her.

She smiles as she continues with the braid and finally says, “Ok, that’s done.” Then she moves to help Sumac with my mane. Once they are done, they have me look in the mirror. I have to admit what they have done really does make me look better.

I cannot wait for Sutures and Magpie to see me now. I want to look so good for them. As we are waiting for the others to get home, I ask Sumac, “Would you like me to help you with your mane and tail?”

She smiles and tells me, “Sure, why not, then we need to get a quick dinner for everypony ready for tonight.”

The first to get home is Ginger. I hear her outside talking to Xochitl and Sunny, then she trots up the steps and into the house, tossing her saddlebags to the side of the door. When she sees us, I see her jaw drop, and all she says is, “Wow.”

Sumac speaks first and asks her, “So you like it, Ginger?”

She nods her head as she tells us. “Yes mas’. You both look so pretty.”

“Thank you, Ginger, I hope you don’t mind. I bleached my mane and tail again.” I tell her.

She shakes her head, “No, it's ok, I am used to it this way from before. Besides, you let them be black long enough most of the ponies and cattle at school forget you’re not my birth mom.”

I have to smile at that, then I notice her moving her hoof back and forth, so I have to ask, “Ok, what is it, Ginger?”

She has her head lowered as she looks up at me and Sumac and asks, “Do you think you could braid my mane too?”

I smile to myself and tell her, “Sure dear, go get your brush.”

I wait for her in the parlor and she comes back in. I have her sit in front of me on the couch. I begin by brushing her mane out. It feels so relaxing and I can tell she is enjoying it as much as I am. Once I have it brushed out to my satisfaction, I take all of it to the right side of her neck and I begin to braid her mane. The entire time I am doing this I am humming a tune without thinking about it. Once I am done, I ask her, “Do you want me to braid your tail too?”

She smiles at me and tells me, “Nah, this is just perfect, Thanks Ma,” and then she gives me a big hug, takes her brush, and trots it back up to her room just as Sutures come back from White Cloud.

She comes in and walks past the parlor and takes care of her saddlebags in the bedroom, then walks over to check on the foals. Once she is done, she comes back into the parlor and sits down with her eyes closed, her legs out, and tells me, “Dear, my hooves are killing me.”

I smile at her and ask her “Would you like me to rub them some so you are ready for tonight?”

“Uggh, I forgot about that,” she tells me then she opens her eyes and says, “Damn, how I am going to look as good as you tonight dear.”

I smile and reply, “Thank you love, but you will look more beautiful than the rest of us, you always do dearest,” as I lean over and kiss her lightly on her cheek.

She smiles at this and just enjoys the hoof rub for a while. Then the bucks and Magpie all arrive home at the same time. While the bucks go and begin to change their uniforms for the night Magpie says hi to us and checks on the foals and then heads to the kitchen to see Sumac.

Soon they bring dinner out for us to eat. Once finished we all begin to get ready for the evening. I am almost ready when I hear a knock on the door and I hear Ginger tell Persimmon, “Hi Persimmon, hi Xochitl. Please come in. Everypony is getting ready right now.”

As they come in, I hear Xochitl tell Ginger, “I really like your mane Ginger, you look very pretty with it like that.”

I hear her almost purr as she says, “Thank you Xochitl, I had Ma do it like this special.”

Then I hear Persimmon say, “Yes Ginger, it looks really good on you, now let's all head into the parlor, ok.”

I come out of the bedroom in my uniform to see Ginger and Xochitl sitting on the couch in the parlor reading. Across from them with a nervous expression is Persimmon, keeping an eye on them.

This makes me smile as I do understand her worries and while I share some of them, I do understand they are growing up, in many ways they already have before their time. I lightly tap Persimmon on her shoulder and have her come with me to the kitchen. When we are there, I tell her, “They are growing up Persimmon, it is only natural for them to want to look good for the others. Relax and just consider this that period before they are old enough to date and are still trying to figure out how to behave. I am sure you remember those days.”

As I say this, I see her blush. Then she tells me, “I do Mollygirl, that is why I am worried.” She stops speaking, looks out the doorway at them, and sniffles a bit as she says, “My little colt is growing up so fast.”

I nod my head, “I understand dear, speaking of that have you talked to Sutures about having her check you yet. She did say she would be glad to.”

I see her blush again, “No, I have not. I will talk to her tomorrow. Thanks for asking her about that for me.”

I smile and shake my head, “It is nothing to be embarrassed about. At least you did not have Ginger and Xochitl tell the entire camp that a spirit said you were pregnant like I did.”

I see her jaw drop, “No, they didn’t?”

I nod my head yes, “Yeah, yeah they did, that was the night Xavier performed the becoming a Stallion ceremony with him.”

I see her giggle into her hoof. “Xavier and Xochitl never told me about that. I can only imagine how you had to have felt.”

I shake my head, “Oh it gets worse, Sutures, Archer, and I had become close, but I was refusing to do anything as I still had not received an answer to their proposal from Bader or Magpie. Sutures actually asked me who the father was as every other female on the expedition was supposed to have been checked.”

I see her eyes go wide, “Oh my, oh my goodness, I can only imagine.” She says.

We hear a noise from the nursery then and she looks at me and tells me, “I got it, you finish getting ready. Thank you for that. It did help and to be honest, I needed that laugh.” Then she trots out of the kitchen and down the hall to the foal’s room.”

Once we leave it is as one group, all of us chatting and having a good time together. We arrive at the Trough about 15 minutes before the wetting down party is to begin. As we enter the Trough, I see many of the regular patrons in the front.

When I get to the backroom area that is normally partitioned off, I notice that for the first time the tables and seats are initially separated by units with the 1^st regiment on one side of the room, the second on another and the support units in between.

I see Colonel Chappy talking with Colonel Storm Cloud from the 2^nd regiment. He sees me, nods in my direction, and goes on talking. I am more than happy with that. Magpie notices and she quietly tells me, “Well he does seem to have calmed down some dear from your disagreement.”

I nod my head and tell her. “I hope he stays that way.”

I sit Magpie and me at one of the tables at the front of the room. Dull Beak comes over and joins us. I then notice that many of my officers are sitting at the tables nearby us. Badger and Sumac are over in the second regiments part of the room and I have to smile as I watch him introducing her to so many of them.

Archer takes Sutures to the artillery section and pulls her chair out for her and I smile as I notice they are seated with Slide Rule and Long Bow as well as some others I do not know yet.

When the waiters come around and get our drink orders, I make sure I order apple juice. This gets a raised eyebrow from the waiter as well as Kettle Belle and her husband.

I look at them and tell them both, “Sorry, I am on the wagon now.”

Kettle Belle just shrugs her shoulders and says, “Alright Ma’am.”

Her husband tilts her head and asks, “Are you pregnant or something?”

I smile and nod my head and tell him, “Yeah, or something.”

Then Kettle Belle asks me, “Mollygirl, did you really get branded at that party?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, yeah I did Kettle, I hope you understand.”

She nods her head, “Yes I do, but my husband let me know in no uncertain terms he did not approve. Otherwise I would have been there too.”

From her husband I hear a hrrmpph sound and then he says, “I married a proper cow, I want her to stay that way.”

When he says this, I have to smile. Then he asks, “What did your wife have to say about it?

I look right at him and tell him, “None of my wives were too happy as was one of my husbands. My second husband joined me and got one too.”

I see him make a face, “Ah yes, I remember you now, you are that mare,” he says with a tone of disdain.

I nod my head, “Yes I am, I remember you from our first wedding when it was Badger, Magpie, and me. You know Ahimsa blessed our second marriage also. He said that in the sight of Sweet Cream we were one herd, one family. I am sure you have heard some of his other sermons. I know I have several times when I have gone to the weekly services.”

When I say this, I see him blush. Then look at me and ask, “You really attend our services?”

I nod my head, “Actually as often as duty allows. Sometimes I bring my daughters with me even.”

He looks confused and asks me, “But why? You are not a bovine.”

I give him a sad smile as I tell him, “The truth is the truth, no matter what species. Who knows, if we all would have tried to see the world through each other’s eyes in the days of the Princesses, perhaps we would not be where we are today.”

I see him tilt his head as he looks at me and he finally says, “You are not what I had expected from the stories.”

I smile at him and simply say, “Thank you.”

The night begins with the traditional toast. Then progresses to the Flaming Pegasus. When Colonel Chappy mentions it, I swear I see half the officers for the second regiment, and a few from the first ruffle their wings. But when he makes the proper toast, I see several sit a bit straighter and raise their glasses a wee bit higher as it honors both fallen friends and foes, some of which were both to them.

After a while, we begin to get up and mix and mingle. A band has been hired for tonight to play and as they begin the first song, I ask Magpie, “My lovely bride, would you care to dance?”

She smiles and nods her head and I lead her to the dance floor. I slowly waltz with her as the band plays Poor Colt’s delight.

As we dance, she closes her eyes and leans into me, and I, her. Then she whispers to me, “I am so going to miss you, love. Please be careful.”

I feel a tear form in my eye, as while I did not doubt, she loved me, I had felt some distance and suddenly I feel much closer to her again. In reply, I kiss her gently on her cheek and simply tell her, “I will, and I will count the days till I see you again.”

After this dance, I feel a talon on my shoulder and I hear Dull Beak ask, “Colonel, may I cut in?”

I step away from Magpie and watch as he takes her forehoof in his talon and begins to dance with her.

As I head away from the dance floor, I see Pages dancing with Sunset, and while I really want to talk to him, I decide to go back into the rented room. Once there I notice on the side of the room for the 2^nd regiment that Windy is sitting at a table talking with Faith. Beside them, Windy’s husband is talking to Dodger animatedly. I see him moving his hoofs back and forth. When I get close enough, I hear they are talking about last week’s game of pegasus tag. I cannot help but smile at what I have created. I sit down and simply listen to the conversations at first as Windy and Faith talk about weddings and what type that Faith wants. Then Faith says, “I just don’t know where I can get a dress that will work with my chair.”

When she says this, I smile and tell her, “Well I have an idea. If you don’t mind ghouls. There is one who is an excellent seamstress right here in Manesville.”

I see her hesitate at first, “Mollygirl, I am not too sure about ghouls, I know you are comfortable with them but I am still getting used to them.”

I nod my head and reply, “I understand, believe me, But Sewing Bobbins does top-notch work. She made this uniform for me as well as several dresses for Magpie and Sutures. Also, you would be hard-pressed to find anypony with the amount of experience she has.” I stop talking for a second and look around, then I tell both Windy and her, “Besides if you pay a bit extra she can put a sizing spell on it so that your dress will fit you perfectly if you gain or lose weight.”

I see Windy raise an eyebrow and she shifts one ear forward and one to the side as she asks, “Really, and you are just telling your best friend now?”

I look down and tell her, “I am sorry Windy, we were always so busy talking about work, foals, and Hoofmark movies that I never really thought to tell you.”

After I say this, I hear Faith let out a squeak and she asks, “Mollygirl, you like Hoofmark movies too? I never thought you would be into them.”

I smile sheepishly and tell her, “Yes Faith, I really do enjoy Hoofmark movies. Windy introduced me to them on our duty nights.”

I see Windy grin and then she whispers to Faith, “What is really fun is to watch her husband Badger when he watches them. He even yells at the screen.”

I see Faith turn her head as she looks around the room, “Him, no, no way,” she says with a giggle.

I nod my head, “Yeah, I was stunned the first time he yelled out why not both of them. But then I realized he was thinking about how our family works too.”

We talk for a bit more than I begin to make my rounds talking with some of my officers and their spouses. Then I find time to dance with mine some more also. As I am going out to dance a bit later, I see Chain Lightning is there with some of the other recently promoted NCO’s. He has his hoof around one buck and is actually smiling in public.

I smile as I see Bullet is there with Emerado so I stop over and talk to them for a bit.

“Hey Emerado, hi dad, how are you two doing?” I ask.

“Hi, Mollygirl congratulations on your promotion. I am very happy for you,” I hear Emerado say, but when she says it, I see her ear dip slightly and I can tell it is her this time who is jealous.

I feel sorry for her because I have walked in her hoofsteps and I know how much her career means to her. So, I tell her, “This time it is my turn, but Em, your time will come again. Believe me.”

She sighs when I say this and shakes her head, and Bullet tells me, “Mollygirl, you have to understand, she is in a billet that makes it hard for her to advance. In time she will get there.”

I nod my head and ask her, “So why don’t you volunteer for a combat billet?”

She smiles and tells me, “Mollygirl, with your dad getting ready to deploy, with you, what would happen to little cinny if I got orders to also?”

I smile at them and ask, “Why not talk to my spouses? With as many of us as there are, I would think one more foal would not hurt anything.”

I see both her and Bullet look at each other in surprise, Then Bullet says, “We were thinking of Shadowbuck, but he is still recovering, besides what would Ginger say?”

I laugh at the last part and tell them, “Well the other night she did point out how only in our family could she have an uncle so much younger than her.”

This gets both of them to laugh and finally, Emerado tells me, “Mollygirl, let us talk about it with Bucky so we don’t hurt his feelings and we will see, alright?”

“That sounds fine to me, now you two really should get out there and enjoy a dance or two. I will talk to you later.” I tell them as I move on to socialize some more.

Eventually, Sutures and I make it to the dance floor for a slow dance. She seems so happy tonight. As she places her head on my shoulder, she tells me, “Dear, I am so proud of you tonight. Not only for advancing but also for not drinking, thank you.”

“Thank you for saying it dearest. It means so much to me.” I tell her.

For the last dance of the night, Badger leads me to the dance floor and I find myself putting my head upon his shoulder. He holds me tight and I am just enjoying his embrace. As the dance ends, he whispers into my ear, “I am so going to miss you again my love. Please remember that.”

I smile at him. Boop him on the nose then kiss him quickly and tell him “I won’t forget love. Thank you for telling me though.”

My whole family leaves together. My spouse, My father, and his wife, and even my best friends. It is a wonderful night, even if we only have a couple more before we leave. I look up into the sky and smile as I see Luna’s moon in its full glory in the sky above us, its lights letting us see our way home so much easier.

The next day I return to work and it passes quickly. That night I spend with my family and friends. I cannot help but smile as I watch the young foals chasing and playing with Woofers and Tweeters.

I start to laugh though when I hear Ginger yell out, “Woody, stop sucking on Woofer's ear.”

When I hear this, I get up and as I look around the corner of the house, I see Woofers laying down with his wings wide and Ginger trying to pick Woodrow up off of him. She has not seen me yet so she yells “Xochitl, I need a hoof here.”

I see Xochitl trotting over to help and as he gets near, Woodrow lets go of the enfield’s wet ear and begins to prance and play like he is going to pounce on Xochitl. I watch in fascination as Xochitl shifts back and forth the opposite way he does and when Woody pounces on him, he plays like he has been knocked down and rolls on the ground, himself laughing.

It is so wonderful to play with all of our foals. I am surprised though when at one point I have stopped and I am talking to Persimmon and Xavier and suddenly both Shadowbuck and Mille decide that it is time to eat and each grab a teat without even a warning. I just laugh lightly and smile, this is not the first time any of us mares has had this happen as each of the foals feeds with whichever mare is handy when possible. Part of me relishes it and I know I am going to miss even this.

Persimmon laughs at me when it happens, “You should have seen your face,” she tells me.

Xavier simply shakes his head with a smile, “Be careful Persimmon, who knows, if you are pregnant, you might just be carrying twins, they do run in some families,” he winks at me as he says this and I see a worried look come over her face.

Then I see a look of shock come over her face as Woodrow decides she might have something to offer and tries to find out. Her expression is priceless and Xavier begins to laugh. He only laughs harder when Woodrow gives up and gives her a look of disgust as he walks away trying to find a mare to feed on.

“I, I, I can not believe these three, they seem to think it is ok to feed from any mare,” Persimmon says.

Right after she says this Magpie comes around the corner and sees him, “Woody are you hungry?” she asks and we watch as he trots happily over to his mother.

Soon afterward Sumac comes over and sees Shadowbuck feeding along with Millie and tells me, “I got them both next feeding. Otherwise, I am going to be hurting tonight.”

Then it hits me, I am going to stop feeding the foals soon and I will have to dry up. Slightly embarrassed I ask Sumac, “Sumac, what do I do to dry up? What is it like?”

I see her sigh, then she tells me, “Mollygirl, it is going to hurt with nothing to relieve the milk. That and you will be swollen and may even have some leakage, so carry a towel. But after a few days, you will stop producing milk and go back to normal.”

The rest of the night is spent quietly in our normal manner. As I cuddle up to Archer and Sutures I know how much I will miss them and just try to breathe in as much of their scent as possible until I fall asleep.

The Final day goes quickly at the stable. As much of our equipment is packed as possible and loaded onto wagons. These will take our equipment and such to the waterfront where we will be loaded onto some barges and other riverboats to begin our move downstream. We will stop at the landing just north of Two Step and begin our trek to the south on hoof from there.

Once I am certain we are as ready as we can be I cut out for the day and head home for one last night. As I go Dull Beak tells me, “Don’t Worry Ma’am, me and the Sergeant Major will cover for anything that comes up.”

I smile at both of them, “Thanks, both of you I really appreciate it. But don’t you have anyone you want to spend the last night with?”

Dull Beak just smiles and shakes his head, “No ma’am, not really on my part."

I see Chain Lighting smile ruefully as he tells me, “No ma’am, Tail hit the trail this morning with his other two partners. Who knows, we may see them again before we get back.”

“Ok, sounds good, see you in the morning,” I tell them.

Once I get home, we have a big dinner, Archer has traded duty so he can be here one last night. The conversation is relaxed, but underneath the surface, I can still feel the tension. After dinner, we clear the dishes and I help Sumac and Ginger to wash them.

As we are doing dishes the others were busy preparing a surprise for me. Once I come back into the dining room, I look over into the parlor and I see a large bed made upon the floor. Then Badger smiles and tells me, “Tonight we sleep as a family. The foals will be joining us too.” I have tears in my eyes as he says this and I see everyone smiling and nodding their heads.

As I go into the parlor I lay down on the floor and Ginger brings me her Daring Do book and I begin to read it to everypony. After the story is done Sumac asks Sutures, “Dear could you help me in the Kitchen?”

I see her smile, “Sure Sumac, just a minute,” she says as she untangles herself from the pile of ponies. I watch her as she walks into the kitchen and realize the next time, I see her, she will have had her foal. Part of me mourns not being her for that, but it can’t be helped.

When she and Sumac come out of the kitchen a bit later Sutures is using her tk to carry a tray of cups and a pot of hot apple cider. She pours a cup for all of us adults and Ginger. As I am drinking it from my cup Millie slowly approaches and sniffs at my cup, so I hold it out to her and watch as she gently laps at the cider in it. At first, she is hesitant and jumps back at its warmth. Then she sees me take a couple more laps of it and she tries it again. This time her eyes go wide and I watch her lick her lips. And as I go to drink more, she puts her muzzle up to the cup and makes a slight noise. So, I let her have some more.

As I am letting Mille have some, I look up and see Magpie and Sumac are doing the same with their foals. Once we are done the platter of empty cups is set on the dining room table and we decide to call it a night. I feel my spouses and our children all begin to shift and cuddle with each other.

As I fall asleep, I feel Ginger and Mille both climb toward my head. Then I feel Ginger kiss me on my cheek and quietly tell me. “I love you ma, thanks.”

As she moves back, I feel Millie take her place and my baby copies her big sister and kisses me on the cheek and I hear her say, “Wub you ma, tanks.” She then climbs down and lays next to her big sister over my side. I feel a tear come to my eye as I realize she has said her first full sentence to me. She is growing up so fast. I gently reach a forehoof back and pat both of them and tell them, “I love you too my little mares.”

As I begin to fall asleep again, I know how much I am going to miss them, but I realize how good it is to have them tonight. It has been a very good day.

Dear DJ Pon3,

Tomorrow they are sending us back into the wastelands. I am leaving behind everyone I love and care about except for those in my unit, who I consider family. I have never had such a hard time leaving home before, even for the expedition, but this time, I know what can happen and what it is like out there. All of my comrades seem to feel the same, so if you could, would you please play Sadr City for myself and them.

Thank You,

Kettle Bell, Captain, NCRA

This chapter is about the preparations that often come with deployment. Often times we forget that the family as well as the service member feels the pain of separation, as well as the dread of what the deployment may mean for them and their families.

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