Chapter 76 You Again?

As we enter the rail tunnel under the mountain Woodrow and Nightshade take the lead. The tiles on this side of the tunnel are not in as good of condition as those on the side closer to Ponyville were. However, I notice more of the light fixtures are still hanging properly and are still lit. I am able to appreciate the condition of this tunnel more this time as we are not being chased.

I notice several of the access doors to machinery rooms off to the side are open. When I look inside, I occasionally see a skeleton. Most of them are just dark rooms though. As we pass one side tunnel, I notice a bright light behind me from one of the unicorns with the engineer squad. Then I hear their squad leader give the order, “Knock it off, we have a mission, no time for exploring,”

I hear a mare’s voice reply, “Ah, but sarge, when will we ever get this kind of chance again?”

The sarge is short with her, “Knock it off and keep it quiet, remember the last time we had our ponies down here they got chased by a pack of ferals and Canterlot Ghouls.”

I hear a pony gulp after that and the mare quietly says, “Oh, I forgot about that,” as we all continue on.

After about 5 hours of traveling like this, we come to an area with a side tunnel again. I have our group stop and check it out briefly. I then order a 30-minute break for lunch. It is funny how much easier this trip seems compared to last time. Then I realize that it is because of my not being pregnant this time.

We are sitting down eating and I start to hear a pony humming from further into the tunnel. At first, I think it might be Side Track again, then I realize the sound is not deep enough, but a few notes higher.

I see Woodrow start to get to his hoofs slowly and I join him as we walk out of the side branch and greet the newcomer. As I step out with Woody, I see an earth pony mare ghoul. She looks up in surprise at us and jumps back.

She then asks me, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

Woody begins to answer, but she puts up a hoof and tells him, “Not you, Breather. Her.” She points her hoof at me and asks me, “How come you are still in both realms and are still living?”

I see Woodrow look over at me and shrug and I tell her with a sadness that I feel to my soul, “Because I too was turned away from Elysium.”

I see her put her hoof to her muzzle, “You poor thing, I know how you feel.”

Behind me, I hear Nightshade ask, “What does she mean she was turned away from Elysium.”

I turn to answer and Bullet puts a hoof on his shoulder and tells him, “Kid, she was killed by Silver Spite before the Battle of Manesville, but her wife Sutures was able to bring her back and save her.”

I see his jaw drop when Bullet tells him this and then he looks at me with a confused expression as he tries to process what he has just heard.

The ghoul says, “I am Fire Box. What’s your name?”

I smile as I extend a hoof, “I am Lieutenant Colonel Mollygirl. But you can just call me Mollygirl.”

She smiles warmly when she sees my hoof extended and she shakes it. Behind me, I hear Bullet ask, “Nightshade are you ok?” as I hear a pony gag.

“I am sorry about his behavior Fire Box,” I tell her.

She smiles at me again and tells me, “Thank you, but I have gotten used to it over the years. Now, what can I do you for?”

I smile myself and I tell her. “I don’t know if you heard but we finally have a group of communities working together to rebuild Equestria. The Government is calling itself the New Canterlot Republic.”

I see her smile fade as she looks at me suspiciously and says, “You know they ain’t the first, right?”

I nod my head and tell her, “No, I did not. The closest I have seen is Red Eye’s faction and that of the Enclave.”

She nods her head, “Yep, that sounds about right. So why are YOU here then?” she asks.

I smile and tell her, “Well ma’am, the President heard about me and some of my troops coming here last year and talking with Side Track about the rolling stock. She was very interested in finding out if he would like to teach others how to take care of it as well as how to run it. I know Choo Choo would like to run trains again, but she is enlisted in the NCR army for now.”

I see her step back, “You know Side Track and Choo Choo?”

I nod my head, “Yes I do, her and her other two sisters live in the next town over from my family's farm. I met Side Track last year when she, I, and some others came under the mountain looking for a short cut.”

She looks over my back at the ponies behind me and asks, “Is Choo with you?”

I smile sadly and tell her “No, she is still back at Manesville. Why do you know her?”

She then asks, “Did she really become an alicorn?”

I smile and Woodrow tells her, “Yes ma’am, she really is an alicorn. But she is not your normal one from what I can see.”

She sighs then and says to no one in particular, “I guess Side Track was telling the truth.”

I nod my head, “Yes, she has lost a lot of her memory. But it seems to be slowly returning.” I tell her.

She looks at me and asks., “Is she beautiful as an Alicorn?”

I go to speak but from behind me I hear Paper Work tell her, “Yes she is so beautiful and sweet too.”

I then hear Chip tell him, “Uh, Paper Work, remember what I said about keeping your mouth shut.”

“I, uh, oh, yeah, your right Chip, Thanks.” He says.

I see Fire Box seem to cheer up than as she asks, “So, Choo Choo, may not come back for Side Track?”

I see Paper Work slump his shoulders and look at her, “I don’t know ma’am.”

I see her smile at him and she says to him in as smooth a voice as a ghoul can, “It sounds like you and I have a common interest Paper Work.”

I see his head come up some with some hope in his eyes as he asks, “What do you mean Fire Box?”

She smiles widely and answers him, “Well Choo and I used to be very good friends. The only thing that could come between us was Side Track. Damn, he loved her. He would not give up hope that she would return. No matter how much I tried to get his attention, or how much he loved me, he always loved her more,” she pauses and then continues, “The problem now is he realizes with her an alicorn and him a ghoul it can’t work. But he cares enough about her that does not want to hurt her.”

I see Paper Work step forward, “Fire Box, Choo really cares about him too, but she still does not have most of her memories back, so she does not have the intense love he seems to have for her. But because she cares so much, she does not want to hurt him.”

She then looks at Paper Work and says, “It is just to bad she does not have somepony who would be able to fill in for him for Choo. I mean if he were to find out she also has somepony special he may feel less guilty for moving on.”

“And if Choo were to find out that Side Track has a special somepony perhaps she could relax enough to enjoy having a special somepony too.” He says with a smile

As this is going on, I am becoming highly amused as they conspire together. Never in my days had I expected to see a ghoul and a pony conspire together over a romantic situation. The writers for the Hoofmark movies would have had a field day with this one.

Finally, I look at the time on my PipBuck and tell them, “Well lunch is up, time to get moving. Fire Box we were going to head to the rail yard office and try to find Side Track there, would you please lead us there?”

She smiles at me, then looks at Paper Work and nods her head as she tells me, “I sure would. Whenever you’re are ready.”

I turn to my NCO’s that are with me as well as the NCR agents and tell them, “Ok, let’s get everyone moving.”

Soon we are all on our hooves and moving at the pace set by Fire Box. She is in the lead alongside of Woodrow. I notice Nightshade has stepped back a bit from her. I also notice he has placed his scarf over his muzzle too.

I simply shake my head and don’t bother to say anything to him as he is at least not being overtly rude and he is trying to make an effort.

Finally, we make it to the main rail yard. Behind me I hear Bangalore Torpedo the Sergeant for this squad of engineers exclaim, “My Goddesses, will you look at the size of this. The LT is going to hate us for getting to see it when he didn’t.”

I smile at him and tell him, “Don’t worry, this is mine and several of the others in the Door Kickers second time in here. I am sure he grits his teeth when he thinks about that.”

I see Bangalore grin at that. “Well so long as he understands he sent us.”

Fire Box puts up a hoof and tells us. “Wait here. I will go see if I can find Side Track as well as Pullman Car and some of the others to talk to you. Also, I want to make sure there are not any ghouls who have turned in the area. No need to put either you or them in danger.

Before she can leave, I hear Nightshade say, “Ma’am, you sound like you don’t have a problem with Ferals.”

I see her turn and sadly look at him. She shakes her head slightly and then I see her step closer to him as she tells him, “I don’t breather. They leave us ghouls alone. Many of them used to be friends, some even lovers before they lost their minds. SO, no youngster, I do not feel anything against them. In fact, I feel pity for them.”

I see Nightshade actually first turn pale; then I watch as he blushes. Finally, he looks down at the ground and tells her, “I am so sorry ma’am. I had not thought of them that way.”

After he says this, I see her nod her head and I hear her sadly say, “Remember all of us ghouls were once ponies like you and your friends. We had lives, hopes, and dreams. They were taken away from us. Each ghoul has died, and our souls have been put back into these dead shells. The closest pony I have met to understand this feeling is your Lieutenant Colonel over there. She knows what it is like to be there. To see others, we have loved going to Elysium and to be turned away. Remember that when you see us, we once were young and ponies too.”

As she says this, I see several in our group start to tear up. I feel Bullet and Dusty come over and put a hoof on my shoulders. Bullet then says to me, “She is right isn’t she.”

I nod my head and can not answer as I am choked up myself.

Fire Box, then quietly tells us, “I am sorry, just too many don’t understand or care. Please wait here, I will be back in a bit.”

As I watch her go, I sit down along one side of the tunnel entrance to the railyard and try to collect my thoughts. Several times while we sit there waiting, I hear a high-pitched sound that is familiar, but I think to myself and accidentally say out loud, “No, it can’t be, it just can’t be.”

Paper Work sitting next to me asks, “Can’t be what ma’am?”

I turn my head to look at him and say, “You read my report last year about when we were down here right?”

He nods his head, “Remember the item we found in the one rail car, it sounds a lot like that. But I am sure it is not it.” I tell him.

Dusty comes over to me and sits on my other side, “Ma’am, I think it might be it. The next question is if it is, why?”

I nod my head, and sit there with my eyes closed as I hear the hum once again. I sit there for what feels like an hour when I feel a hoof tap me on my side and I am told “Colonel, I think Fire Box is returning. She has several ponies with her.”

I open my eyes and I see Fire Box, along with Side Track, a couple of other ghouls, and to my surprise several ponies, many of which look familiar. Some of which I know are dead. I shake my head and clear my thoughts as they get close.

Fire Box speaks first, “Sorry about taking so long. We had to decide what to tell you about the Others.”

I nod my head, “I understand,” I tell her as I look and I see my old 1^st Sergeant Light Weight, Captain Abby, and next to them Epona.

From my side, I hear Bullet say, “No fucking way.”

I nod my head, “Yes dad, they came over from the other world through the doorway.”

I watch as Captain Abby and a couple of others all sit down hard in shock. I watch as Epona walks up to me and rears up on her hind legs for a hug and begins to cry. “Mama Mollygirl, it was horrible. So horrible.”

I wrap my forehoof around her and hug her back as she cries. The others begin to mingle amongst each other. Finally, Side Track clears his throat and I let go of Epona and look at him. I see him smile grimly as he tells me, “Well LT, there seems to have been some changes it seems.”

I nod my head. “Yeah, there has, I best tell you why I am here, then we can catch each other up.”

I have Blackberry Pie and her team first explain to the ghouls why we are here. As they are talking, I can hear some of the Others, talking excitedly amongst themselves. Some of their comments are, “Did you hear that? they won.”, “We made the right decision crossing over,” and “They are rebuilding over here. Who would have imagined it?”

After the team speaks the ghoul council turns to me and Side Track asks, “LT, what do you think of this?”

I sigh and tell him, “Side Track, you have a personal invite from the President herself. She has read about what all you had done by last year. So, I would say go hear her out. If the offer is good enough take it. The big thing is she wants to get the country back on its hooves. That means rebuilding and repairing the infrastructure such as the railroads. From what I can tell, those of you under here are probably the most knowledgeable about it. If it doesn’t work out and you don’t want to stay here, you could always move to Dead Quiet, just across the Hoofrock from Manesville.”

He grins and asks, “Now why would I want to do that?”

When he asks that, Paper Work steps up an tells him, “Well you personally would be welcome.”

I see him look at Paper Work with suspicion and then he asks, “You mean Choo Choo?”

When he says her name, I see Paper Work get a bit uncomfortable, then he looks him straight in the eyes and tells him, “Sir, more because over one hundred of us in Manesville are descended from Choo Choo when she was a unicorn. If not for you getting, her family into the Manesville Stable, we would not be here.”

I see Side Tracks jaw drop. “You mean those youngsters had that large a family?”

I see Paper Work nod his head, “Yes sir, they did. But it has been a long time also.”

I see Side Track look at him from the corner of his eye and he says, “I may be an old buck, but from the sound of your voice when you talk about her, I would say you have more than a passing interest in Choo, am I right?”

I watch as Paper Work blushes, and then closes his eyes and nods his head. Behind him, I see Chip face hoof and shake his head.

Side Track smiles sadly and tells him, "Later after we finish with business, I would like to talk to you about her, ok.”

Paper Work opens his eyes and nods his head, “That sounds good sir.”

At this point, we switch back to the business at hoof. They decide that Side Track and Fire Box will both go with Blackberry Pie and her team back to Junction Town to discuss with the government leaders what they can do to help.”

After this has concluded I am talking to the Others. Epona will not leave my side and it makes me wonder, so I ask, “Ok Captain Abby, what exactly is going on in your world?”

She looks at me confused at first, still shaking her head, “You have to excuse me Ma’am, but when you died in my world, you were only a Sergeant.”

I nod my head, “I understand. Here, you died during the Battle of Manesville. Bullet and Shadowbuck were wounded and Saber killed by the same blast the killed you in the bunker. I was flying on George at that point.”

I see several of the older ponies look at me funny and Abby asks me, “Colonel, how were you flying, and who was George?”

So, I take the time to explain to them about George, as well as how we found the three sisters soon afterwards. As I am telling them I see several of them have tears of frustration in their eyes. Finally, Captain Abby looks sadly at me and tells me, “Goddesses how that would have helped us. The Enclave really hurt us that day and all we could do was take it. The Overs and the Colonel even offered to turn over the few pegasi fliers that had joined us to them. It wasn’t until later in the day when the skies cleared that the Spring Monsoon was knocked out of the air. By then the Co-op and the CDF were a wreck.”

As she reaches that point Light Weight begins, “That really hurt us so when we jumped off for the expedition last year, the CDF was a shell of itself. Mainly recruits and militia were left to fight. We sent our best as a single battalion for the CEF. We were doing fairly well, but it was only a couple of weeks after Lieutenant Ivy went under Canterlot Mountain, when we were starting to fall back to home that it happened.” He pauses to collect his thoughts and emotions and while I am afraid of what he is going to say, I highly suspect what it is, finally he continues, “We were just outside of Prairie Garden when we received a note offering a meeting to discuss terms of surrender.”

Again, he pauses and I ask, “Did they kill your officers during the meeting?”

He nods his head yes and asks, “How did you know?”

Sadly, I reply, “Because they tried the same to us here. But myself, Captain Archer and Lieutenant Balanced Books remained behind. Archer had the artillery presighted in, just in case.”

Beside my, I hear Epona crying again as she tells me, “I asked ma to stay behind, she went anyways. That is when she died.”

Light Weight than tells us, “We fell back to Manesville, but they were already there. Red Eye’s army had overrun the Co-op.”

Epona tells me, “They burnt down Granny Sumac’s farm and killed everypony there, or sent them to Filllydelphia.”

Captain Abby nods her head, “Unfortunately they did just that. I was badly wounded during the first battle of Manesville and I was one of the last to escape the Stable during the breakout. Maybe 150 to 200 of us are still alive from the CDF right now. We have been bringing them over to this world for the last month.”

Ok, this really complicates things. I look at them all and then I ask, “How many are still left on the other side?”

Abby shakes her head, “None, they were coming down on us hard. We were bringing the last few who were coming right before you got here. The others were to blow the portal up on the other side, and we disconnected the power on this side so that it could not be turned on without repairs.”

I nod my head. "Ok, once we get back outside, I have to contact Manesville and the NCRA to determine what they want us to do with you. I am still short a few troops and could always use the volunteers if some of your people were interested in going on the deployment with us outside of New Appleloosa. It might give you a chance to become used to this side some. Or you could make your way to Manesville. It is not nearly as bad as you were saying, but there are still some raiders and even river pirates between there and here. But I am sure you would be welcome back home.”

I look down at Epona and she asks, “What about me?”

I smile at her and tell her, “Dear, the you on this side died with your mother over a year ago. However, if you want me as your mom, I will be. But just so you know. On this side, you will have three other moms and two dads as well as several brothers and sisters.”

I see her eyes go wide at that. She nods her head with a stunned expression on her face, then she asks, “Can I stay with you for now?”

I understand how terrified she must be and I know I have to tell the rest of the family that we have another foal. I smile at her and put my head over her back dragging her close for a hug as I tell her, “Of course my child, but just remember, I am still learning who I was on your side too, so I do not have the memories of mama Mollygirl from that side.”

She smiles back at me with tears in her eyes and tells me, “Thank you mama Mollygirl.”

I notice the time and how late it is getting. I then ask Blackberry Pie, “Is it alright if we call it a night and get some sleep. It is already late.”

She smiles grimly and tells me, “Yeah, that should be fine Colonel, besides, I was only sent to see if Side Track would come with me to talk to the President, and to check on the condition of the Doorway. We have both, so I am good.”

Pullman Car than looks at all of us and tells me, “There are some old passenger trains a short way from here that you can sleep in for the night. Just follow me.”

We follow him into the main portion of the yard. In the distance, I see the old railyard office and I notice that Paper Work, Side Track, and Fire Box are walking toward it talking. I hope things work out for them.

Once we get close to the passenger trains, I see the rest of the Others. Then I see some smaller ghouls that are helping them and us to find places to sleep on the cars. One of them is a stallion who could not have been out of high school yet when the last day happened. He smiles at me and says, “I hear you are from Manesville on this side. I am too, my name is Oat Seed.”

I am surprised at this and tell him, “I am surprised you are down here then instead of having stayed in Manesville.”

He smiles and says, “I was here on the last day. We had been on a field trip to see Canterlot,” he shakes his head, “That was a bad day.” Then he tells me, “I went back to Manesville a time or two since, but no pony was living there at the time. My family as well as my marefriend Honey Crisp were supposed to go into the stable. But I never found out what happened to them.”

I put a hoof on his shoulder and I tell him, “I don’t know about your family, but I can tell you Honey Crisp made it. My wife Magpie is the archivist for the Stable and was going through the records. A couple of years after the stable closed, she married one of the only two pegasi to be there and they had a son. I am descended from them.”

He seems surprised and I see him smile, “I am so glad she got to have a family,” he extends a hoof and tells me, “Thank you for telling me, and it is a pleasure to meet you.”

I shake his hoof back and tell him, “It is a pleasure to meet you too. If you make it back to Manesville you can check to see if your family made it into the stable by stopping at the archives there. Also if you feel more comfortable staying with other ghouls, then across the river from the main section of Manesville is a portion of town that is called Dead Quiet and home to most of the ghouls there now. Feel free to tell Strawboss the mayor there that you talked to me.”

I see him smile again, and he says, “If I ever get back up that way I will. But who knows these days? I have spent more time away from there than living there.”

I laugh lightly as I tell him, “Yeah, I understand how you feel. In the last couple of years, I have spent more time away from there than at home too.”

He shows me to a sleeper car lined with bunks and as I go to grab one, he tells me, “No ma’am, for someone of your rank you get a private berth. Normally this is mine, but I really don’t need much sleep, so tonight, please feel free to use it.”

I nod my head and ask, “Are you sure?”

He smiles at me, and tells me, “It’s the least I can do for anypony from back home, especially a descendent of Honey Crisp”

I nod my head and tell him, “Ok, but only on one condition, I want you to tell me about Honey Crisp, her family, your family, and about you.”

He smiles, “Colonel, that would be my pleasure.”

I go into the private berth and remove my kit. I put my bedroll on one of the benches in it and sit on it with Epona laying against me as she falls asleep. I then take out my journal and am ready. He sits across from me and with a big smile he begins.

I spend a large part of the night talking with Oat Seed. He tells me about Manesville when he was young and I tell him about how it is now. He starts to laugh when I tell him about the three sisters and tells me, “I used to know a buck named Quick Frost from over in Emerald Grove. He used to date my sister.”

I laugh at the expression on his face when I tell him, “Yeah, that is her. When she was transformed into an alicorn, she became a female.”

His jaw drops and his eyes are wide, “You are kidding me, right?

I shake my head still smiling, “No, no I am not. I even helped her with talking to the family that lives on her family’s old farm. Quick Frost can now visit their graves anytime she wants and actually works as a hired hoof on the farm right now.”

I see him smile at that, then he says, “I wonder if I could find my family's graves if they did not make it into the stable.”

I look at him sadly and I tell him, “I don’t know, but if you get up that way, perhaps you can find out.”

Finally, I look at the time, and he smiles, “Yeah, it is getting late, let me get out of here and you get some sleep. I will talk to you later.”

Once he leaves for the night, I pull out the bed and I lay down next to Epona and let her cuddle me as she cries in her sleep. It is then that I notice that she had been carrying the same SMG that her mother had carried when I saw her last year. My poor little filly, I think to myself and I find myself licking her forelock and grooming her until she is peacefully asleep.

My alarm goes off at five in the morning. As I get up so does Epona, she gives me a quick hug and I kiss her on her forelock as I tell her, “I hope you slept well little one.”

She nods her head and tells me, “Ma, can you tell me more about my siblings today?”

I smile at her, “Sure dear. I will also tell you about your parents,” as I say this, I realize the confusion this is going to cause her concerning Sumac. Well in for a bit, in for a cap.

Once we have put the bed back up Epona and I leave the private berth and join the rest of my team as well as the Others as we prepare breakfast and get ready to head out.

Captain Abby approaches Epona and me. She seems a little unsure of herself and asks, “Ma’am, I had assumed we could just come with you this morning. I hope that will not be an issue.”

I shake my head, “No, it should not actually. In fact, I had hoped you would. Once we get back to the rest of my battalion, I will send out the message to Manesville and the NCRA.”

She nods her head and tells me, “That sounds fair enough.”

As we eat our breakfast, I ask her, “So Abby, what are you and your people’s thoughts right now? Would you want to head straight to Manesville, or do you want me to try and fight to keep you with my battalion right now? To tell you the truth, we are recruiting a new company to join the Second of the First. We were supposed to have a fourth troop assigned but the paperwork must not have gotten sent in time. So, we left with only the two rifle and one heavy weapons company.”

I see the sheer awe on her face at what I have just said and a tear in the corner of her eyes as she asks, “The second of the first? Does that mean you are the Second Battalion of the 1^st Regiment?”

I nod my head and I tell her, “Yes, during the expedition we had a large influx of refugees, both from the wastelands and from some of the survivors of Thunderhead. So Manesville now has two regiments. Together we form the Manesville Brigade of the New Canterlot Republic Army.”

She seems to be almost in shock, and is confused, “Ma’am, when you say Thunderhead, you mean one of the base cloud ships that the Enclave uses for Raptors, right?”

I take another bite of my rations and shake my head, I am still chewing when I try to tell her, “No, the cloud city of Thunderhead. Their leaders had heard about the Co-op's offer of membership to any Pegasus that was not a member of the enclave. As my Friend Windy has told me, they felt they had been kicked out of the Enclave pretty hard so they felt no loyalty to it.”

I see her eyes go wide. “You mean you even have Pegasi in Manesville this side?”

I nod my head again. “Yeah, we do. They seem to be integrating pretty good. Now if we could find more cattle that would help on this side.”

I see her blush as she says, “Colonel, I am sorry for not telling you earlier, but we have some cattle with us here. I did not know how you would feel about them on this side, as Epona did not remember seeing any with your group last time.”

I look over at Epona who is just finishing her rations and I see her blush. I smile at her and tell them, “That's because there were none on my team that came under here last time. But we have several with us. Most of them are with the Belles though in H troop.”

I clean up my mess kit as do they while we talk. Abby then asks to be excused for a couple of minutes. While she is gone, Blackberry Pie comes over and asks if we are ready. I shake my head and tell her, “Close Blackberry, but not yet. Let’s wait for Captain Abby to return.”

About fifteen minutes later I am stunned as she comes up to us leading a group of about forty cattle. Some are elderly, I see a few calves, but most are young adults. Abby calls for all of her people to get ready to go and I see them start to come out of the rail cars. Again, ponies from young to old, but most young adults. Some are still wearing bandages from being wounded. Most are earth ponies, but some are unicorns. I sigh as I notice not one is a pegasus. It is funny how something like that stands out when just over a year and a half ago, having pegasi in our service would l have been almost unimaginable.

She looks at all of them and tells them, “This here is Colonel Mollygirl. She is going to lead us out into their world,” she pauses and looks down then she raises her head again, she continues, “I guess our world now. While things are not perfect here, they sound better than what we escaped from. I know many of you have heard the rumors so now you will get to see if they are true. So, grab your gear and let’s move it, people.”

I watch as they all head back to the rail cars and come back out carrying their equipment or their belongings. They fall back into a rough formation and are ready fairly quickly. I then check with my NCO’s to see if they are ready as well as making sure that Fire Box and Side Track are too.

Once we are all in order, I give the word and we follow the ghouls who we came to get on our way back out from the tunnel and out of the darkness.

As we come out of the tunnel, I see a very nervous Dull Beak waiting there along with Bailey Bridge and his engineers. I can tell when they see me as I carry Epona out on my back. Then I see their faces as more and more cattle and ponies come out.

When Dull Beak comes up to me, he has a questioning look on his face. So, I decide to introduce him to her. “Good Afternoon Dull Beak, I would like to introduce you to my daughter Epona.”

I see his eyes begin to twinkle and I can tell he is trying not to laugh. Instead, he puts a talon out and tells her, “It is a pleasure to meet you young mare.”

I hear her say, “It is a pleasure to meet you too.” As she shakes his talon, I feel her stiffen some, and she tells him, “I am sorry sir, but on our side, you didn’t make it out of Prairie Garden, you died along with my mom Ivy.”

I see him looked confused at first then concerned as he asks me, “Colonel, what is she talking about?”

I take a deep breath and after I let it out, I ask him, “Do you remember us talking about the Doorway?”

He nods his head and I continue, “These are the survivors that escaped Red Eye’s army over in the other world.”

Beside him, I hear Baily Bridge exclaim, “No way. Really?”

I nod my head then I tell them, “I need to get to the HQ so we can advise Manesville and the higher-ups of what we have found and see what they want us to do with all of them.”

They both move and we head further into our camps I have Captain Abby come with me and as we go, she sees all of the troops dug in and she asks, “What are you expecting an attack or something?”

In reply, Bailey tells her, “No Ma’am, just standard operating procedure for us. We caught a wagon train early on the expedition that did not bother to do this and we learned from their mistakes. So, when we stop for the night, the shovels come out.”

I see her eyes go wide at this and she tells us, “You really mean that don’t you.”

He nods his head, “Ma’am when it comes to my job, I never kid.” Then he turns to me and says, “Colonel It’s good to see you back. We were a might bit worried that something could have happened. You know feral ghouls and all.”

From a short distance behind me, I hear Fire Box's voice say, “Frigging Breathers,” I turn my head back and see her shaking hers.

I then tell her, “Fire Box, he meant no offense, but if you knew Bailey that would have been his excuse to get to go inside and see what it is like down there. He has been wanting to since the last time I was there."

I see Bailey nodding his head, then he tells her, “No offense meant ma’am. In fact, if you ever make it to Manesville while I am there, I would be happy to go over to Dead Quiet and buy you dinner and a drink.”

She looks at him funny and asks, “Is that some kind of joke?”

He shakes his head, “No Ma’am, you have to understand, I have several friends that live there and I often enjoy spending time talking with them.”

“So, you have friends who are Ghouls?” she asks.

He nods his head, “Yeah, yeah I do, a couple of them are in the Militia and I have had them help train my engineers.”

For the first time since I meet her, I see a truly genuine smile on her face as she tells him, “You know for a breather, you’re not a bad buck.”

He smiles that charming smile of his that won over Tar and extends his hoof and shakes hers as he says, “Thank you ma’am, I take that as a compliment.”

Shortly after this, we arrive at our HQ. As we do so I see Specs looking at me, then Epona and then me again. Then he just smiles and turns back to his radio.

Paper Work comes over and tells me, “Ma’am, I have prepared a situation report concerning the mission and the Others. If you would please look it over, I would really appreciate it. If you approve, I will convert it to Horse Code for Specs to send out.”

I nod my head, “Ok give me a couple of minutes and I will do that for you.” Then I bend down and have Epona get off my back. I remove my saddlebags and battle saddle and begin the paperwork portion of my job.

Once I finish proofreading the message that Paper Work has prepared I give it back to him. Soon Chain Lightning approaches me and I hear Epona from beside me say, “Wow, I never saw a pegasus before.”

I see he has grim look on his face and when he hears her say this he is taken aback. He then looks at her and asks her, “Young mare may I ask where you came from?”

She looks down at the ground then and I see her shake a bit as she tells him, “Yes sir, I came to this world through the Doorway. This time I came with the others, not my mom and her marefriend Sutures.”

I had expected the first part, but the last actually surprises me. I see Chain’s face show a look of surprise as he says, “So they were telling the truth.”

I nod my head, “Yes Sergeant Major, they were telling the truth.”

“How can you be so sure ma’am; I mean they could have just been saying it.” He says.

I look him in the eyes and reply, “Chain, several of those who came through I know for a fact died on this side.”

I see him visibly gulp then he looks at Epona and asks, “Ma’am what are you going to do with these Others?”

I smile at him and I tell him, “Chain, I am waiting to see if Manesville wants them to come straight there or if we can use them to begin to form a fourth rifle company like we did with the Volunteer company last time.”

He then asks, “Colonel, what about the filly?”

I smile at him and tell him, “Chain, she is my daughter now. So, she is coming with me. Why?”

“No reason, just what will your spouses say?” he asks.

I sigh and I tell him, “Actually we had the discussion about her and her mother while I was still home. So, you could say I already know their answers.”

I see both him and her look at me in surprise. Then I tell them, “Why are you surprised, with how weird things happen in my life I need to try and be prepared.”

At that Epona looks at me funny and I see Chain Lightning just start laughing. When he stops he says, “Only you ma’am. Only you. But you are right. So, for now, what do you want us to do with the rest of the Others?”

“Chain, for now, treat them like they are a fourth company as well as a civilian column. Have them set up their own camp and we will provide them what supplies we can.”

“Sounds good ma’am,” then he turns to Epona and tells her, “It is a pleasure again to meet you,” and with a smile on his face he turns and heads off to take care of business.

An hour after we send out the reports and the message concerning the Others, I get a message back telling me to stand fast and wait where we are until a decision has been reached.

In that case, it may be a day or two. So, I tell Captain Abby to join us for Officers call, as well as her lead civilian for the civilian camp. Suddenly it seems like old times again.

Later that night as I am going on my normal camp walk, I hear several of my troopers talking about the Others and their world.

As I approach the Doorkickers I hear Dusty telling Bullet, “Sarge, I am sorry, but it feels creepy having them here. Every time I look at Captain Abby, I see her with that hoof sticking out of her.”

When she says this, I hear Epona on my back suck in her breath. I turn to her, “Sorry little one, but I am sure you understand.”

She nods her head and asks, “Can we go talk to them?”

As I get close, I see all of them look at me and her funny. Then she clears her throat and says, “Excuse me, please.”

They all become silent and stare at us. Epona then tells them, “Look, I know how you all feel. Goddesses, do I. The mare I am on, in my world was my mother since right after I was born. I was the one who ran for help that day after we found her and my sister Millie dead. From what I understand that is not how it happened here. In our world, your Captain Badger was just a Trooper with a very bad reputation. Ma Mollygirl hated him. In this world, she is married to him and loves him. Please understand we are adjusting too. Treat us as new ponies you are just meeting if you have too, but please give us a chance.”

After she says this Bullet and Dusty both get up and come over, along with the other old-time members of the 1^st squad Epona Slides off my back and extends a hoof. Bullet ignores the hoof and instead gives her a hug. As he is doing so, he tells her, “Dear, thank you for reminding us. By the way, you can call me grandpa. At least in this world, I raised Mollygirl as my daughter.”

I see her smile and she gives him a big hug back. Soon the others are all sitting there talking with her and she begins to talk with them and they compare the differences between the two worlds. After a bit, I tell her, “Epona, I have to keep moving do you want to stay here and talk or would you like to come with me?”

I see a bit of surprise in her face at being asked. She then tells me, “I will come with you ma. Maybe I can help with the others who may be having a hard time with it also.”

I smile at her and tell her, “That sounds good dear,” and we continue on my camp walkthrough. Stopping at several fires and I listen as Epona gives her brief speech several more times to help those who are having a hard time dealing with the new reality for both groups.

Finally, we reach the fire of Captain Abby and some of the others. I see her sitting there looking into the flames with a tear in her eyes. I ask her “Abby, Are you ok?”

She nods her head and tells me, “Colonel would you sit for a bit with me and talk. I could use someone to talk to that can understand our situation.”

I have Epona climb off my back again and I go sit down next to Abby. I hear her sigh; she looks at me. “Colonel, you talk to me like we are old friends, so that is a bit disconcerting to me. In my world, you were just one of my sergeants. Here, you are my boss. I was one of the ones that found you dead. This is just messing with my head, Ma’am.”

I nod as I look at her, “Believe me, I understand Abby. It is messing with me a bit too. The Abby here and I became friends after I was advanced to Cadet. I was on the staff and then I found George. But she and I became friends. We talked a lot, especially when I was dating Badger. and when I would come to visit Bullet along with his wife Emerado.”

She laughs at that, “Bullet here has a wife?” In our world, he and Shadowbuck are a couple. You were the only one that did not seem to know.”

I laugh at that, “Well that seems about right. I did not know about them here until Em and I caught them snuggling in the squad bay. She was happy with it, and told them how cute they are together.”

“So those three are a couple here?”

I nod my head, “Yes, and no. Bullet and Em are married and have a son together. But Shadowbuck is as much a part of the relationship as the other two, just not anything legal; his choice.”

She nods her head, “So what was she like? The other me?” she asks.

I smile at the way she says this because to me it indicates she is beginning to understand it. Then I tell her, “She was almost always business-like. Towards the end, we talked more and she told us about the family that she had lost. She cried on my shoulder the night she told me that. She also had a thing for Pegasus bucks,” I tell her with a smile.

I watch as she blushes and she asks, “How do you know that?”

I tell her, “Well first she told me. Then the night before the Battle of Manesville she fell asleep between two of them. I don’t know if anything else happened between her, Sunset, and Cloud Dodger, but they both missed her and were upset to hear she had died.”

“And you?” She asks.

I put a hoof on her shoulder and I tell her, “After I landed on George, I received some quick treatment for my wounds and then I went back to the lines to help Magpie and Sutures with the wounded.” I pause and sniffle at the memory that has come back. Then I tell her with a voice that cracks, “Abby, I carried her body on my back, to the rear stable entrance so she could be properly buried. She was the first of many friends I did that for during those days.”

I see tears in her eyes and hear her sniffle a bit. She then looks at me and asks, “Would you mind trying to be my friend then?”

I smile at her and I tell her, “Already done. She gave you a good head start.”

Then she asks me, “I noticed over here you call the Equestrian Rangers the Enfields, why?”

This time I shake and I tell her, “Because at the siege of Serenity Valley the Rangers were overrun. We only brought 8 of the originals homes and I had them blended into the Volunteer troop. When we got back the entire troop wanted to be called the Enfields. I think it was a way of giving the hoof to the pegasi from the second regiment who were a bit arrogant about coming in at the last minute to pull our bacon out of the fire.”

She looks at me funny and then quietly says, “Uh, that is another thing I noticed. Most of your troops have no problem eating meat, what gives?”

I smile at her as I tell her, “Well during the expedition we supplemented our rations with meat. We even had some hunters bringing it in for us. Once we got back, we kind of were used to it, so some of us still eat it.”

I see her look at me with something close to horror, “You eat meat too?” she asks.

I nod my head then I turn to Epona who seems to have turned a little bit green at the thought and I tell her, “Just so you know, most of the family does too. Mama Magpie still refuses, but the rest of us don’t mind.”

I see her a look of disgust on her face and she asks, “Ginger too?”

I begin to laugh at that and I tell her, “Especially Ginger, she loves bacon. In fact, her, Xochitl and our cousin Sunny hunt radhogs and sell the meat to some of the local restaurants.”

I hear Epona gag some and I see several of the Others also shift uncomfortably. Finally, Abby asks me, “We don’t have to eat meat, do we?”

I smile at her, “No, we won't force anyone to. But beware of bacon,” I tell her.

She looks at me with a bit of horror on her face and asks nervously, “Bacon, why bacon, is it dangerous?”

I smile at her and tell her, “Worse, it is a gateway food. Once you try it, you are hooked.” And then I begin to laugh.

We talk for a while more and then I get up and return to my headquarters. I lay out my bedroll and smile as Epona climbs into it and gets ready to go to sleep. I tell her, “I will be back in a bit dear, but go ahead and get some sleep if you want.”

She smiles sleepily and tells me, “Ok ma.”

I then go over to the fire and smile as I see both Chain and Tail Spin sitting there cuddling. Then I notice a young earth pony foal that is laying there next to them. When I ask, Tail Spin tells me, “He is an orphan Mollygirl, he was with the Others and the pony who was taking care of him stayed behind to make sure the Doorway was destroyed after leaving him with some cattle. Chain and I are talking about adopting him.”

I look at my Sergeant Major and he nods his head. I have to smile as I look at him with his “family”. I then nod and tell him, “Ok, I will see about getting the paperwork started for your little one too. What’s his name?”

Tail Spin smiles at me and tells me, “His name is Sweet Potato. He adopted me last night when we were still getting to know them. One of the cattle bulls he was with told me that it would be best if he had a pony family.”

I nod my head in understanding. Then he asks, “What’s the story of the little mare with you?”

I smile back at him and I tell him. “Well, you see, in this world, she was the daughter of my Fiancé Ivy. Both were killed by Silver Spite and he almost got me,” Chain Lightning nods his head as he knows that part already, so I continue, “In her world, I was her mother and I raised her from shortly after she was born until I was killed, along with my daughter Millie, in the attack instead.”

I see Chains confusion at this and he asks, “I was there when you had Millie here, how much earlier did you have her there?”

I sigh and I tell him, “Well from what I understand, she was about Epona’s age. Ivy and I had been married all that time. I had a completely different life there.”

He nods his head and tells me, “It sounds like it, I wonder what my life was like on that side. If I lived at all there.”

I nod my head in understanding. “It does at that doesn’t it.”

Soon after this, we are joined by Chip and Blackberry Pie. She smiles as she looks at Tail Spin and Chain Lightning, then tells them “Tail Spin, I hate to tell you, but come morning, we are heading onto Junction Town, I would not recommend bringing a foal with us.”

I see him sigh and he looks at Chain, who looks at me, I nod my head and tell them, “Ok Chain, bring Sweet Potato with us, but we need to see about setting up a daycare it seems.”

I see him smile and he tells me, “Ma’am if the civilians come with us, I don’t think it will be a problem.”

I only shake my head and smile. This deployment is certainly becoming fun.

Soon afterward, I head to my bedroll and listen to the sounds of the camp. I fall asleep cuddled up to Epona listening to a slow melody being played on a fiddle from somepony's fire.

The next morning begins as normal and we hold our normal muster and officers call. I watch as Chain Lighting and Tail Spin say goodbye to each other. Sweet Potato is a bit upset at Tail Spin Leaving, but he tells him, “It’s ok, Tato, Papa Lightning will take care of you for now. I will be back to see you guys as soon as I can. I wish I didn’t, but I have to go to work now.”

I see the little fellow fight to be brave and he gives a hug to Tail Spin and then climbs on to Chain Lightning's back. Chain kisses Tail Spin and tells him, “Please be careful dear.”

Tail Spin then tells him, “You too dear, remember I do love you.” And he turns and trots over to the others.

I then notice Paper Work is talking to Fire Box and Side Track. I hear him say, “It was good to meet both of you,” as he reaches out a hoof and shakes with them.

Then I hear Side Track tell him, “Now you take care of my Falling Star for me, ok.”

Paper Work smiles back at him, “You mean my Rising Moon?”

They both laugh lightly and Paper Work tells them, “Be careful out there and I hope to see you someday in Manesville.”

Things are running smoothly when I receive a message from Manesville. In part, it reads that due to the nature of the situation it is best that I take the Others with me. I am also authorized to take volunteers from them and if there are enough, they will be designated as L Troop.

I go over and talk to Captain Abby about the message and ask her if she or any of her people are interested. She smiles at me and tells me, “Well Ma’am, we already discussed that. Most of us who can; want to join up. So, I have a list of the first one hundred ten for a full company plus its headquarters squad. Those who did not make the list are on a waiting list and have said they will stick with the civilian camp and assist as much as possible.”

I have to smile at that. I then tell her, “Well since you are L troop, I will need you to come up with a designation for it. Let me know at officers call tonight. Also, Abby, you are the captain for this company and I need you to take the officers oath for the NCRA in a bit. Also, I need three lieutenants”

I see her smile, “That sounds good Ma’am, I will get you the names later also.”

I then tell her, “Bring them with you to officers call, Congratulations you are now part of the Second of the First, NCRA.

I see her grin widen as she says, “You know that makes this feel even more real to me.”

“Good, so let’s make things happen, Captain.” I tell her and then I begin to head on back to the HQ and stop, I turn back to her, “Oh, ask if any of your cattle have a copy of the Writings of Daisy Jo, if they would like, they can borrow mine.”

I see her raise an eyebrow and she asks, “Ma’am, what are you talking about?”

I put a hoof on her shoulder and tell her, “Don’t worry about it, just ask them and tell them I know what they are.”

She looks at me funny and tells me, “Ok Colonel, I best get going. I will see you at officers call.”

As she turns and begins to organize her people, I have to smile to myself. Yep, it certainly is an interesting deployment.

Dear DJ Pon3

Recently I met the descendent of the mare I loved on the last day. She looks so much like her it makes my heart ache. I am reminded again of the life that was taken from me as well as my hopes and dreams. But it made me smile to see her and hear about her family as well as to see her new daughter. So much like my sweet Honey Crisp. As I think about her could you please play Brendan’s Death Song in memory of her as well as all that has been taken from not just myself, but all of us.

Thank You

Oat Seed

Formally of Manesville, now a Wastelands wanderer

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXSYdjn_EiQ&list=RDKXSYdjn_EiQ&start_radio=1