Chapter 80 Deals and Negotiations

“In a negotiation, we must find a solution that pleases everyone, because no one accepts that they MUST lose and that the other MUST win… Both MUST win!” ― Nabil N. Jamal

Immediately after meeting the two proposed envoys, I send a message to Junction Town asking for directions. I am told to wait and have them stay with us on the NCR tab until I am given further instructions.

I normally would think nothing of this as Anthracite and Bituminous, the Coal brothers are normal earth ponies that are the representatives. The problem for me is Milo. Dear Sweet Cream, lead me not into temptation for I can find it myself. Sure, I have always found mules cute to some degree, but there is something about him, his charm and intellect come to mind immediately.

For the past three days, I have been waiting for a response from Junction Town, and I have been trying to avoid Milo as much as possible. From the side, I see Dull Beak snicker at me occasionally, especially when Milo is nearby.

We are in my office going over some of the supply requests when he sees me looking at the tall handsome mule. He finally says, “Major, I know it has been a while, but honestly, think about it. You have two husbands and three wives at home waiting.”

I shake my head, then look at him and tell him, “What? I was just looking. It is not like I was going to do anything.”

He laughs at me and tells me, “Colonel, I know that look on your face. I know the temptation is there. But what would your family say? Especially after you were the one to put your hoof down on no new spouses.”

I sigh and ask him, “Is it that apparent?”

He nods his head and tells me, “Yes, it is my friend. To the point, the Sergeant Major asked me if he should throw a bucket of cold water on you.”

“I am sorry Dull Beak; I don’t know what has gotten into me,” I tell him and again I hear him laugh.

He then replies, “Mollygirl, it’s not what has gotten into you, but what hasn’t. You are a married mare and you are missing out on the normal benefits of it. So yeah, I do understand. But remember I am here to support you.”

I laugh lightly at this and tell him, “Your right, Thank you DB. I needed to have someone tell me that. So how do you deal with it? I mean I know you and Guerre Faucon used to be special to each other.”

He nods his head and tells me, “Colonel, let’s just say, I have my needs and I know where to get them met. Just not the way I would prefer, and leave it at that, ok.”

I nod my head and agree to it. Shortly afterward I receive a message. Specs appears at my door, “Colonel, I have a message for you from Junction Town concerning the envoys,” he tells me.

He hands me the message and as I read it, I slowly sit down. I turn to Dull Beak, “Looks like we may have some company in another week. They are sending down a civilian representative along with a couple of rangers escorting them.”

I see Dull Beak nod his head and says to me, “I wonder who they will be and if we know them?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, I wonder too.” I tell him as I get up, “I best go let Milo and the envoys know.”

I see Dull Beak raise an eyebrow as he tells me, “Colonel, I will go do that, why don’t you either wrap up this paperwork for the day or go spend some time with Epona. I am sure she would love some extra time with you.”

“Your right DB, thanks. I will catch you later.” I tell him.

I leave the HQ and go looking for Epona and find her and Tater over in the artillery’s metal workshop. I see the artificer teaching them how to make a new part for one of the guns. I am fascinated as I watch Tater take the hot metal out of the forge with a set of tongs and hold the metal for the artificer to beat on. Once it becomes too cold Tater puts it back into the bed of burning coal to be reheated. I am watching for several minutes when the Specialist that is in charge of the shop notices me. He comes to attention immediately and I tell them to remain at ease.

He then tells me, “I am sorry Ma’am, I did not think it would hurt anything letting them help us. Besides he is still trying to get his cutie mark and we wanted to try and help him some.”

I smile at this and tell them, “It is fine, just make sure you are able to keep up your duties. Besides, a little extra knowledge never hurts anypony.”

I see them all relax some, so I ask, “So what part were you making?”

“During the inspection today, we found a cracked pivot pin for the number 4 gun's split trail. So, we are just heating it up and then going to forge weld it. Tater here has actually been a big help Colonel.” The artificer tells me.

I nod my head and then ask Epona, “Epona, would you like to spend some time with me today?”

I see her brighten up, “Sure ma, Tater, I will catch you later, ok?”

He smiles at her, “Sure thing Epona, I will see you later. I really want to finish this job here,” then he turns to me, “Ma’am, if you see my pa, could you let him know where I am please?” he asks.

“Sure, thing young colt. I will do so if I see him. Keep up the good work now.” I tell him and Epona and I head back outside.

I look at Epona once outside and ask her, “How about we head to town and see if the shops have anything new?”

She nods her head and I kneel down so she can climb onto my back. We are almost to the gate when I see Chain Lighting and I call to him, “Sergeant Major, I will be back in a while. Tater is in the metal smiths shop learning how to forge weld right now.”

I see him smile, “Sounds good ma’am, I will see you when you get back,” he tells me as he trots towards the smithies.

Once we get close to town Epona gets off my back and walks alongside me. I notice that there have been a couple of more shops opened up. The first one we come to has a mouth painted sign stating Salvage bought and sold, Caps in hoof, no refunds.

I see her scrunch up her face first, then she thinks a bit and asks, “Ma, can we see if they have anything?”

I smile at her, “Sure dear, why not,” I tell her as I open the door so we can go inside.

Once inside we begin to look at all of the recovered scrap items on the shelves. I come around the corner of one of the shelving units and I am face to face with who I think is the proprietor. She is a younger mare, but I can see the wear and tear of the wastelands on her face. Her coat is overall a light green, but I can see some scars on it. Her mane and tail are red and white. I notice she has on a shop clerks’ apron as well as a visor on her head.

She sees us and stops her sweeping and asks, “Anything you might be looking for?”

I begin to tell her “We are just browsing,” but am cut off by Epona.

Epona is looking her over and asks, “What type of reading materials do you have?”

I see the mare’s eyebrows raise and she smiles, “Ah yes an officer, sorry, you two must be readers. Seems we don’t have many of them around here, but if you want to come into the back, I got some boxes with books that have been salvaged.”

We follow her into the back storage area, off in one corner I notice a bed set up as well as a table. Once we are back there, she points to a couple of wooden boxes with books in various conditions in them. She then tells me, “We don’t seem to have a lot of readers around here from what I can see, so I haven’t wasted my time. But if you want, you can take a whole box for 75 caps.”

I raise my eyebrow at this and then tell her, “At this point, we are only looking for something to read, but if you put out that you have books on your sign, my troops may be interested. Back home most of us can read.”

I see her raise an eyebrow with her eyes half-closed as she tries to decide if I am making it up or not. Finally, she asks “Where ya from?”

Epona tells her, “Were from Manesville.”

The storekeep looks at both of us and I can tell she wants to ask something. Then she asks, “Where is that?”

I smile as Epona tells her, “It is far north of here. Right on the Hoofrock river. We used to be the Co-op before we joined the NCR.” As she says this, I note a tone of pride in her voice.

I see the look of the storekeep's face and I tell her, “Its north of the Canterlot Mountain gap. By the way, I am Lieutenant Colonel Mollygirl and this is my daughter Epona.”

I see from her expression she wants to get back to work, but also does not want to miss a sale so she says, “My name is Scrap Pile. I just moved here from over by what was once Baltimare. Sorry, I don’t know where you’re from, but there was not much a need to know anyplace else.”

I nod my head, “I can understand Scrap Pile. If you don’t mind my saying, I think you have a good idea here. When we rotate out, there will be a new battalion that replaces us from home. So more new customers. Those books might come in handy.”

I see her raise an eyebrow to this as well as have her ears go forward. Then she asks, “Is there anything else you think might seem good to them?”

I then tell her, “Honestly, I don’t know, but if I hear anything, I will let you know.”

As we are talking Epona has begun to look through the boxes and I see her pull out one book that while in rough condition is still readable. She holds it up for me to see the worn and stained cover as she says, “Look Ma, Daring Do. Can I get it for Ginger?”

I nod my head and tell her, “Yes dear, don’t forget to get something you might like too.”

“I won’t ma,” she tells me as I see her dig back into the boxes.

I sit beside her and watch as she pulls different books out and looks at them. Here a book on weather making for pegasi. There, a book on baking. Another, an illustrated comic book for young colts and fillies. I see her look at it longingly and I tell her, “Yes dear, you can get the comic too.”

“Thank you, Ma.” She says.

As she looks, I notice a couple of books that could be interesting to have around the farm. The first is A Beginners Guide to Magic for the Young Unicorn. I immediately set that one to the side. I notice a few pages are missing, but most of it is intact, and I am sure it would be great to have for Moon Lily once she gets older.

We find an additional book of Mare Do Well and I tell Epona, “Ok Dear, that should be enough for now, how about we go get something to eat.”

She looks up at me and asks, “Can we go eat at the Flying Cow? I really like Buttermilk. I bet their food is really good too.”

I look at the time on my PipBuck and tell her, “Sorry dear, it is getting a bit late for us to visit her there or even for you or me to go inside.”

I see her thinking a bit, then she asks, “Ok Ma, where should we go to eat?”

I think for a bit and tell her, “on the next street over there is the Oatcake shake. How about we get something to eat from there?”

She agrees to this, then we pick up the books we are buying and take them back to the counter so we can settle up.

Scrap Pile looks at what we are buying and asks, “How does 2 caps a hardcover and 1 cap for the comic book sound?”

I nod my head, “That sounds good Scrap Pile. I really appreciate it.”

She nods her head, “Not really anything to appreciate ma’am, you two are the first that wanted any of these.”

“Scrap Pile, I still do appreciate it, one of my wives is a librarian so I have gotten spoiled on reading. However, I will also tell some of the others, just in case.” I tell her.

I see her look surprised as she says, “One of your wives? Just being a fillyfooler is not good enough you have to have more than one?”

Before I can say anything Epona stands on her hind legs and looks Scrap Pile in the eyes, with her ears pinned back as she says, “Watch your mouth ma’am, My Ma also has two husbands that she keeps happy too.”

Scrap Pile shakes her head with her eyes closed and tells her, “No offense meant young mare, it is just I was surprised. Some ponies have all the luck. Me I can’t find a pony who will even look my way, much less more than one,” She takes a deep breath and then looks at me and tells me, “My apologies if I offended you Ma’am.”

I extend my hoof and as she takes it to shake, I tell her, “None taken, believe me, I have been in your place.”

After we settle up our accounts, I put the books into my saddlebags and we continue on with our night first dinner, then we return to the base and we begin to read. It might not be home, but it is better than before.

Two days later I am just finishing my morning workout with Tater and Epona when I get a call from the guard tower by the gate, “Colonel, looks like we have the rangers and a couple of others coming in.”

I quickly put my uniform and kit back on. I then trot over to the gate and am met by both the Sergeant Major and my executive officer. The three of us along with Taser and some other members of my escort assemble just as the visitors arrive.

I look at the rangers and I notice that two of them are unicorns as their horns protrude from their helmets. All three of the rangers have their faces covered by a mask and the third ranger I notice has wings that extend out through the back of his long duster.

They are accompanying a pink unicorn and a tan earth pony. I notice the pink unicorn first. Her Mane and tail are light purple and they hang straight down. She also is wearing gold wire-rim glasses. The earth pony is a stallion and his mane and tail are a bright fiery red. I have to smile when I notice he has a thin red mustache also.

The unicorn steps forward, “I presume you are Commander for this base,” she all but sneers as she looks around at it, then continues, “I am Purple Haze, and the stallion with me is Brush Fire. I was told the representatives from the community that wants to negotiate with the NCR are hear. Looking at this community, I can not see why I have been sent.”

I catch myself and keep from pinning my ears back at the tone of voice she uses towards me and those here. Instead, I reply, “Yes, ma’am, they are here, however, this is not the town they are negotiating for. This is Hackamore. The town you will be negotiating with is called Harness. Perhaps you should ask to tour it and find out more about it before you begin negotiations.”

She shakes her head, “You soldier types are all the same, you think you know everything and nopony else can understand. But again, you are wrong, I will show you how we do things in Tenpony Tower.”

I want to shake my head but fight it. I turn to Dull Beak and with an apologetic look, I tell him, “XO, if you would be so kind, please show these two to their accommodations on the base as well as show them where the meeting room is. I will go find Milo and the Harness representatives.

I hear his voice coldly reply, “Of course Colonel, I would be happy to. I will meet you in your office once the esteemed negotiators have settled in.”

I then turn to Chain Lightning and tell him, “Sergeant Major, please find quarters for our Ranger guest. I have a feeling theirs was a very long trip.”

He smiles knowingly at me and replies, “Of course Ma’am.” and leads them off as Dull Beak takes the representatives to the bunker that will be their quarters during their stay.

I perform a quick search of the base and find that Milo and the others are out in town. I send a message to Dull Beak letting him know where I am heading. I am joined by Summer Solstice as she flies to catch up with me.

She asks me where I am going to look for them at and I tell her, “Over at the hotel or perhaps the pub why?”

She laughs lightly and tells me, “Colonel, If I may suggest, check the Flying Cow.”

My jaw drops and I say to her, “No, you have to be kidding.”

She smiles and shakes her head as she tells me, “No I am not. Milo is starting to get a reputation there. The envoys are enjoying themselves too, but not to his level.”

I shake my head and smile at this while I laugh lightly as we walk down the street to the brothel.

As I approach the porch of the Flying Cow, I see Buttermilk greeting patrons as they enter. I am surprised to see her wearing a sheer, black dress as well as garters and socks on her hind legs. When she sees me and the Lieutenant she smiles broadly and says, “Well Colonel, it is about time we had you here to sample the wares,” she then turns slightly to Summer Solstice and tells her, “Sorry Summer, but your usual is busy right now, but if you wait a bit, I am sure they will be agreeable.”

I see Summer blush a deep red and she stutters slightly as she tells her, “No, not right now. Actually, we are looking for Milo and the Coal Brothers.”

Buttermilk looks over her shoulder and then tells me, “Ok, Anthra and Bitty are at the bar. I will send someone upstairs for Milo,” she pauses and then looks at me, and asks, “It is important isn’t it? I know he hates to be interrupted and he is one of my best customers.”

I automatically tell her, “Yes, it is important,” then I wonder, how does she know he hates to be interrupted. This is followed by asking myself, her best customer?

I go inside to the bar and as I approach Anthracite smile congenially and asks, “Can I buy you two beautiful mares a drink?”

I smile and tell him, “Sorry, but I wanted to let you know the NCR reps are here now. I wanted to introduce you to them.”

From the landing upstairs I hear Milo’s voice, “Really, you have to interrupt me now?” he is quiet for a bit then I hear his voice as he comes closer griping. When he gets to the railing, he leans on it and yells down, “So Colonel darling, have you finally decided to give in and join me.”

The place goes dead quiet and I feel my face heat up as everyone in there looks at me. Then I look up at him and tell him, “Sorry Milo, but business before pleasure dear, now get down here and earn your pay.”

I see him smile as something comes to his mind and he calls back, “Better yet, come on up here and earn hers.”

I shake my head and watch as he slowly comes ambling down the stairs. I am so glad I am a happily married mare right now. Otherwise, I may have been tempted, and I know Buttermilk is not running a hotel.

Once he is downstairs I tell him what is going on. He nods his head and then he tells me, “You know we are not going to go easy on the NCR during these negotiations.”

I smile at him and tell him, “After meeting the reps they sent, screw ‘em. Make them pay in full.”

I see the surprise on his and the Coal brothers' faces. Then Milo smiles and says, “That reminds me that I never want to get on your bad side.” With that, he leads the way back to the base.

As I am heading out the door, I hear Summer Solstice asks, “Ma’am, is it alright if I stay here a bit longer?”

I smile at her and tell her, “Lieutenant, no. Business before pleasure.”

I see her half-grin as she tells me, “Yes, Ma’am, I will follow your lead,” as we follow Milo back to the base. It’s time like these that I really miss home and my spouses.

Once we are back on the base, I lead them to my HQ and one of the more finished meeting rooms to the side. As he walks in the door past me, I see Milo grin and I feel his tail lightly brush my flank. At this point, I clear my throat to get everybody’s attention. This gets Milo to move his tail quickly and he behaves properly once again.

As both sets of representatives for the negotiations take their places at their sides of the table I begin. “First I would like to welcome both parties for these negotiations. As a reminder, I am Lieutenant Colonel Mollygirl. I am here to assist as required in making sure these talks are held in a safe environment. For those from Harness, the NCR representatives are Purple Haze, and Brush Fire,” I say as I wave my forehoof to them. I see the look of disdain on their faces and ignore it. I then point to those from Harness and say, “And these two are the representatives from the town of Harness, Anthracite Coal and Bituminous Coal. The Stallion next to them is Milo the Chief of Security for Harness.”

The representatives from Harness maintain straight faces but do not show the same disdain for their compatriots from the NCR. Milo just nods his head.

“Now I will leave these proceedings up to you, if you will excuse me,” I tell them and I head out the door, followed by Milo. Once out the door, Milo follows me to my office. Paper Work sees me and can tell by my attitude that I need some tea.

I sit in my chair and scowl at the door. Milo sits across the desk from me and he says to me, “Well those two NCR reps seem to be about as much fun as a roof fall in a mine tunnel.”

I smile at that and correct him, “Milo, that old nag wouldn’t know a good time if it landed on her face and wiggled. Sadly, that buck with her seems to be about the same way.”

I hear him let out that hee-haw laugh of his and he slaps the seat next to him. When he stops, he tells me, “Colonel, I couldn’t have said it better myself.” He wiggles his eyebrows and says, “Speaking of good times, Colonel?”

I shake my head and smile as I tell him, “Milo if it wasn’t for my being married and our agreement, I would be more than happy to take you up on your offer.”

He smiles back, “Ok, Ma’am, I can respect that. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t losing my touch.”

I sigh, “No, you are not, at least it does not sound like it from what I heard at the Flying Cow.”

For once I see him blush. He then looks at me and tells me, “Ya have ta understand, back in Harness we don’t have the same restrictions as ya do out here. Besides, sometimes it is a bit interesting to try something a bit different.”

I shake my head at that, I know I do not want to know the answer to what he would consider different. So, I change the subject, “Speaking of Harness, Milo, you never really told me about your family.”

He seems surprised when I ask him this and looks at me with wide eyes and ears forward then he asks, “Colonel, do you really want to know about my family?”

I nod my head yes.

He then has an incredulous expression on his face as he asks, “Why? Why do you care about a mule and his family?”

I smile at him as I tell him, “Because I like you, Milo. If not as a friend, then as a person I could be friends with.”

This seems to take him by surprise, “Ma’am, I have never had a mare who just wanted to be friends, few bucks too for that matter.”

I sigh and I tell him, “Milo, I have three wives and two husbands. Currently, none of us are pregnant. Our most recent foal born, was born a month ago. Myself, the only foal I will ever carry was born a little over two months before we left home.”

I see him think about this and he tells me, “Ya know Colonel, outside of Harness I can not normally talk about our arrangements. Seems most folks get weird about it. Sure, you be monogamous and cheat on your spouse and that is ok. But low and behold, have more than one and these ponies go nuts.”

I laugh lightly when he says this and I can tell he is starting to take offense. I hold up a forehoof, “Milo, I understand fully. Back home there are many who are the same way towards me and my family. Even some of the cattle are that way towards us. But my wife Sutures being one of the few unicorn midwives who also helps with cattle and brahmin has helped in that regard.”

Soon I have begun to tell him all about my spouses and our foals. I see his surprise when I tell him about Sumac and how she was like a mother to me growing up. He stops me and asks, “How does that work with her being your wife then?”

I smile as I tell him, “Well we have not consummated that relationship; however, she is often still like a mother to me, and well I do care about her more than I ever thought I would. She has helped hold my family together through some rough times.”

I see him think about this and he asks, “Colonel, do you have anything to drink in here?”

I shake my head and I tell him, “No, but I can have Paper Work or someone else on my staff bring you something.”

He seems surprised by this and asks me, “Ma’am, if you don’t mind my asking, as the head mare here, why don’t you have anything to drink?”

Again, I sigh. I look down, then back up and I tell him “Milo if I am going to tell you this, you need to start calling me Mollygirl when we are alone. I only talk to friends about this.”

He nods his head and says, “Ok Mollygirl.”

I nod my head and continue, “Milo, I have a problem with drinking,” I feel myself blush when I say this. Goddesses how I hate to admit it. But I push on. “Once I start to drink the dam bust. My emotions come out and I drink more to try to kill the pain. I will be honest with you, it got so bad that I have been told that if I drink again, I lose my family Milo. I will lose everything I love and care about.”

I see him nod his head in understanding. “I take it you saw some pretty rough shit than?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, you could say that. Milo. You could say that." So I begin to tell him about Ivy and Epona and how I died that day.

His eyes are wide and he stops me, “Epona? You mean that little filly that is almost always with you?”

I shake my head and I tell him, “Yes and no. The Epona you met is not from our universe. She and some others came through a portal that is now closed. She is similar to the one from here, but she has seen enough and been through enough that she is a bit tougher than the Epona from here. But she is now my adopted daughter too.”

I see him thinking for a minute, and he asks, “If she has had different experiences and the like, does that mean things were different over there?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, she has told me about a life I would have loved, but never had. She really is a good young mare though.”

He smiles as I say this and he tells me, “You know, those bucks of yours really are lucky to have a mare like you.”

I smile and say, “Thank you, now why don’t you tell me about your family.”

He smiles warmly at this and asks, “You really want to know about my family?”

I nod my head, “Yes Milo, I do. I want to be your friend. This means I want to know about you and those you love and care about.”

He smiles at me, “This is really unusual for me, but first my family has two mares and a Jenny. I have one other mule buck in our family also. The mares are Cedar Box, and Cannel Coal, so yes, the Coal brothers are my in-laws. Our jenny is named Laura Lee. My brother husband is Gus. Right now, we are talking about finding a stallion to stand stud for our mares, but Cedar and Cannel are kind of picky. They also say they really want someone from outside of Harness. Something about wanting to introduce new blood. So, we don’t have any foals yet.”

I nod my head, “That is ironic, our cattle are having the issue with bloodlines too. To the point that some of them have actually had calves with brahmin trying to give it some diversity.”

I see his jaw drop, “Ya don’t say? I never thought of brahmin being intelligent.”

I smile meekly, “Most don’t Milo, but remember the Cattle once had their own culture. In the old days, many of them never learned Ponish or Equestrian.”

I see him nodding his head at this, at about the same time Paper Work comes in with a cup of hot tea for me and a tumbler of whiskey for Milo. He sets the tray with the drinks on my desk and tells us, “I hope you do not mind my taking the liberty of getting you both something to drink. I was outside and heard you mention having a drink ma’am.”

I shake my head, “Not at all Paper Work, thank you very much.”

Then he asks me, “Ma’am Epona is out here reading, should I send her in?”

I am surprised at this as I had expected her to be with Tater. I look at Milo and he nods his head so I tell Paper Work, “Sure, have her come in.”

She walks in with her book sticking out of her saddlebag. She smiles at me and then at Milo and tells him, “It is good to see you again sir.”

“It is good to see you again too.” He tells her. Then he asks, “Young mare, what is it like where you come from?”

I see her tremble slightly at the memories of it, she then looks at me and asks, “Ma, is it ok if I tell him?”

I nod my head and tell her, “Yes dear. He already knows about the portal.”

She moves a chair next to mine, climbs up into it, and then she begins to tell him of what she knows of the other side.

After she is finished, I see Milo think for a bit. Then he smiles and tells us, “That is quite a tale. I wonder what it is like in Harness on that side?”

I shake my head and Epona looks at him sadly and tells him, “Sir, I don’t know what it is like for this area over there. But it is not just a tale. I have told you the truth.”

I see him look at me funny and he asks, “You said there are more of these Others. Could I talk to them?”

I smile at him and tell him, “Milo, you already have. The couple that runs the Flying cow, as well as some of their workers are from over there. But perhaps we can go visit Captain Abby and her troops over in New Pastern. On this side, I carried Captain Abby’s body on my back to the stable so she could be buried properly. She was my friend. The Captain Abby you will meet remembers things differently. But I would be glad to take you to her if it will make a difference.”

He shakes his head, “Colonel, Epona, I can see no reason you even had to tell me. It’s not like it will affect the negotiations or anything.”

I smile at him and tell him, “Milo, you are my friend and I just wanted to share this with you so you understand me and my people better.”

I see him nod his head. “I appreciate that Mollygirl, but really, don’t you think that is something you should keep secret?”

“Why Milo, the machine that made it possible is destroyed. The technology to make that machine is lost.”

I see him nod his head again, “True, but still.” I watch as he shakes his head, his long ears exaggerating the motions. Then he looks at me and says, “Ya know it makes me wonder if there could be a version of Equestria where that damn war never happened,” He laughs slightly and looks at me and Epona with sad eyes, “Just think, they say that Equestria was almost paradise before the war, now look at it.”

I smile sadly back at him and I tell him, “But in that world, if it exists, would we?”

I see him think about that, and he tells me, “Ya know, maybe we would, just not in these bodies. The other night after I finished business I was talking with Buttermilk and she was telling me that some believe that our souls come back. That we all have a soul and that is who we really are, we have lessons to learn each lifetime,” he pauses and takes a deep breath, and looks at me, “I don’t know if I can believe that, but I sure hope so. I would hate to only have one run at doing things right.”

I smile at this and I tell him, “Sounds like she was telling a bit about the book of Daisy Jo.”

I see a bit of surprise on his face and he tells me, “It sounds like you know what she was talking about. Why am I not surprised?”

I shrug my shoulders and tell him, “Several of my friends happen to be cattle. We tend to talk.”

Then beside me Epona says, “That and she goes to the Cattle sermons back home.”

I feel myself blush and I tell her, “Dear, we are not to talk to most outsiders about the cattle religion, remember. Not all ponies will understand.”

I see him snicker at our exchange and then I tell him, “Sorry Milo. I try not to speak religion.”

I see him nod his head and he tells me, “Mollygirl, with everything you have told me, you need to believe in something. Goodness gravy, mare, you and your daughter have lived a life that is for sure.”

“So, you don’t think I am insane?” I ask him half-jokingly.

He shakes his head and tells me, “Now I am not going that far, but you are my friend.”

“Ok, that is good enough for me,” I tell him.

I am looking out the doorway of my office when I see Purple Haze stomp out of the meeting room followed by Brush Fire. Both look seriously displeased.

I tilt my head just enough so I can see the Coal brothers. Both look slightly surprised, then they start to laugh.

Milo and I both get up and wander over to the meeting room. Milo leans on the door frame and tells them, “Ok, that looks like it went well”

They both look at each other and then him and break out laughing again.

Once the laughing stops Bituminous tells us, “Milo, she tried to tell me that as a subsidiary of Ironshod Industries we were answerable to the Equestrian government and should be willing to turn over our operation as well as the rights to the minerals down there.”

Milo nods his head and asks, “So what did you tell them that got them so all fired up?”

Bituminous then says, "I told them, As soon as you could show me a member of the Equestrian Government, we will consider it, but that the NCR is not a direct descendent of it, and that Ironshod Industries went defunct as soon as the final day happened.”

I see Milo nod his head and he asks, “That is all it took?”

Then I see Anthracite shake his head, “No, it was when I told her we would continue selling the coal to others and may include the NCR but only at top cap prices. She was not happy with that and asked how dare I, so I told her she needs to loosen up, and that I would even give her a few caps so she could go to the Flying Cow so she would not be so stressed and uptight. Now that is what did it,” then he looks innocently at me, then Milo.

I am shaking my head and from behind me I hear Epona giggling. Then I hear Dull Beak enter the bunker and from behind me he asks, “Did they really just tell the NCR reps they are so uptight they need to get laid?”

I watch as Milo facehoofs and the Coal brothers look at each other and laugh. Slowly I shake my head and I tell them, “Ok, I will go talk to them and see what we can do about getting them calmed down.”

I head out of the command bunker and go searching for the NCR representatives at the lodging bunker we have set up for them. As I go in, I notice the ranger uniforms are hanging on the end of the bunks. From the representative’s rooms, I hear Purple Haze saying “I can not believe the gall of that, that want to be mule. I have never been so insulted in my entire life.”

Then I hear Brush Fire tell her, “Calm down Miss Haze, you still have a job to do. He was just trying to shake you up to gain an advantage. You know how these crude Wastelander ponies can be.”

I feel a hoof touch my shoulder and I turn to see Blackberry Pie and she tells me, “Give them a bit to calm down Ma’am,” then she laughs lightly and quietly tells me, “If what she said he told her is true, I owe the Harness rep a drink. I have been wanting to tell her that for days.”

I smile at her and ask, “So that was your team in the ranger uniforms?”

She nods her head, “Yep, all three of us. By the way, you caused quite the stir in Junction Town when they heard about the others having come through and destroyed the doorway.”

I nod my head, “I am sure,” I tell her, then I ask, "where are Chip and Tail Spin?”

She smiles, and tells me, “Chip is over at that place called the Flying Cow. As for Tail Spin, well he is off and about the base somewhere with Chain Lighting and Tater. You would not believe how much he wanted to get here to see them.”

I nod and tell her, “Yes I would, I know they both have missed him too. Goddesses how I wish I could see my family now.”

She smiles knowingly and tells me, “And now you know why I have never married.”

“Yes, I do now. I really cannot blame you. But you love this kind of life, don’t you?” I ask.

She shrugs and tells me, “Actually it has grown on me. At one time I hated it. I just wanted to work in a pharmacy, settle down, and have a herd of foals. But now. No, now I crave the adventure and excitement.”

I move my head in the direction of the representatives and ask, “Even this kind of excitement?”

She smiles and replies, “Believe it or not, yes. It will only be for a few weeks to a month and this assignment will be done. Then I move on to the next one. But I am not bored.”

I nod my head in understanding, “Ok, well I best go settle things down. And get the negotiations back on track.”

She puts a hoof in front of her mouth to keep from laughing out loud and tells me, “Yeah, good luck with that.”

As I approach the room I knock first and wait until told to enter. As I enter, I see Purple Haze is sitting on her bunk. Across from her sitting in a chair at a desk is Brush Fire. Both are drinking something that smells of alcohol to me. “Sir, ma’am, I have come to see if there is anything, I can do to be of assistance to you,” I tell them.

Purple Haze looks up at me with anger in her eyes and tells me, "You knew they would insult me like that didn’t you.”

I shake my head, “No Ma’am, but I am not surprised. Please understand after I left the company town, I was basically told that they had considered killing me and my escort. However, their Security Chief was promptly notified by a sergeant of the Engineers that had that situation occurred my subordinates had already planned to drop the overhangs of the valley to clear the way for artillery and mortars and we would use thermobaric charges on them. With that said, I found their board of directors to be much more refined than the Coal brothers. Perhaps you should go to see their town, find out more about it and then see how you want to negotiate with them and what for.”

She looks at me with disdain and asks, “You think you can do my job? You want to tell me how and why I should do it? Give me one good reason we should even consider having them join the NCR.”

I look her straight in the eyes and tell her one word, “Coal.”

I watch as her head goes back some and she asks, “What do you mean coal?”

“Miss Haze, have you ever wondered where Equestria got its coal to keep the war machine running before the final day? I mean the war with the zebras was over coal was it not?” I reply.

She nods her head yes.

Then I continue, “Ma’am, this was one of the prime sources of coal during those trying times. These are the descendants of those miners. Their ways may not be the same as yours or mine, but that is because they were cut off for Goddesses knows how long. Finally, ma’am remember, they too have their pride. They have survived as well as they have when others haven’t.”

I see her think about this. Then I offer, “Ma’am, if you would like, I will set things up for you to meet them again in the morning for a fresh start.”

I see her thinking and she nods her head and waves a hoof at me in dismissal as she quietly says, “Yes, yes, please do that. Thank you.”

“Your welcome, please have a good night tonight,” I tell them and I depart heading back to my HQ.

On my way I see Chain Lighting walking with his family as the sun begins to set. At least some of us can be happy I think to myself as I reenter the command bunker and go tell the Coal brothers and Milo that the representatives would like to talk with them again in the morning. They both nod their heads and Milo tells me, “Colonel, thank you for assisting like that.”

“No Problem Milo, it’s my job.”

Then he asks, “So how did you get her to agree to talk again so quickly?”

I smile and tell him, “She is from Tenpony Tower, I appealed to her basic instincts, in this case, greed, after all that was why the world is in the shape it is, isn’t it? I mean greed.”

I see him take a deep breath and when he lets it out, he tells me, “Sadly, you are right my friend, but at least we know what we are dealing with.”

Dear DJ Pon3,

Recently we received some representatives from up north to negotiate with us about joining the NCR. We are proud equines in our town and they fail to understand that we too have our pride and are not to be sneered at. Perhaps they need to hear the old song You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive to understand me and mine in those mines. If you could please play it, I would be much obliged.

Thank you Kindly,

Anthracite Coal,

Harness Representative.

In this chapter, we get to see worlds collide as those from Harness, the Co-op, and Tenpony tower all collide. Often times those who consider themselves better forget about how others have reached where they are and that they too have their pride.

For those who wish to listen to this chapters dedication song, the YouTube link is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eLQdaHdDDk