Chapter 83 The Family We Choose

By Trooper

Milo’s family goes into my office as I begin to look at the map. Over the loudspeakers inside the command post, I can hear the radio chatter between my lead troopers. I finish looking at the map and close my eyes to imagine what is going on as I hear the radio chatter.

“SS1 this is AS1, we have five wagons in that caravan being chased by a large number of hostiles.”

“Roger that AS1, keep me informed and try to get an estimate on the hostiles.”

“Yes ma’am,” a brief pause than I hear, “Oh shit, one of the wagons just lost a wheel and the one behind it hit it. The other three are still inbound toward Hackamore.”

“This is SS1, do we need a Dust-Off Mission?”

“Ma’am, unless we can support them in the next two minutes, I do not think it will matter. Those hostiles are at a gallop.”

“This is SS1, I have a request for a fire support mission. I am going in with my scouts.”

I jump on the conversation, “This is MG1, permission granted for fire mission and Dust Off if possible, make sure the risk is worth it Lieutenant.”

“Yes Ma’am,” Summer Solstice Replies, then I hear her give the coordinates to the artillery.

“This is Gun Bunny One, fire outbound.” I hear over the radio, which is followed by the artillery battery going into rapid-fire mode. Shortly followed by the mortars.

Next, I hear, “This is Belle 1, I am on my way with two platoons SS1.”

This is followed shortly by, “Belle 1, this is SS1, cancel that, dig in if you can, they are still coming through the artillery and we have gotten what survivors we can out. We are abandoning the position. Let Doc know that we have wounded inbound on Dust Off.”

“Roger that SS1, digging in right now, have your ground scouts fall in with me.”

“This is GS1 will do Bell 1.”

I can hear the near panic in GS1 and SS1’s voices.

In the background, I hear bullets zipping by and I can hear a cow’s voice yelling, “Get that Mare Duce MG set up over here. You, I want that RPG right here behind these rocks,” then I hear, “Here they come, give it to 'em, pour it into them."

Next, I hear "This is GS1 I need fire laid at the following coordinates," the coordinate numbers are given over the radio and I can imagine them on the map. After the spotting round is fired I hear "On target! Fire for effect then drop fifty yards."

"Roger GS1 fire outbound to you."

There is a brief pause in the artillery fire at this and when it resumes I can hear the difference from the time of firing to time of impact.

I continue to listen to the battle raging in the distance and over the radio.

It seems like we are in for a real fight. Then I get a messenger from the gate. I look up and I see one of my normal gate guards standing there holding a gun on Scrap Pile. She is in tears and I can see blood from a wound on her side.

The guard tells me, “Colonel, she was running here from town. She says she needs to talk to you immediately.”

I nod my head and he lets her by. Epona and my security team are watching her very carefully.

Through her tears, I hear her tell me, “Colonel, them, them goddess damned bastards let the raiders in the jail loose.” she says as she gulps for breath.

“Ok Scrap Pile, who let the raiders loose?” I ask her.

She tries to control her breathing and she tells me, “Radio Shack and some of the others. They said they knew which side they are on. I was going over to talk to Beach Shake about helping to guard the jail during the alert here at the base. I think they knocked the marshal out, but I am not sure if he is alive or not. Then they shot me.”

I notice the flow of blood from her side and I see she is having problems standing. I call out, “Medic! Get some stretcher-bearers in here and get her to Doc Treacle immediately.”

I look over at Dull Beak and we both nod at each other.

I turn to Epona and tell her, “I want you and Tater to stay here.”

“But ma I can help,” she tells me.

“I know, but I want you to stay here and protect Milo’s family, ok dear.”

I see most of Milo’s family nod their heads as they understand this is to protect her, not them. Then I hear Laura Lee ask, “Colonel if you give me a weapon I can help.”

I think briefly about it and tell Paper Work, “Take her to Flechettes, tell him I said arm her, and I will meet you at the gate. Make it quick, we are going to town.”

I watch as Laura Lee and Paper Work run out the door towards the armory and weapons repair shops. I then turn to Dull Beak, “DB, I need you to stay here, for now, coordinate the battle. I have to take care of this personally.”

He nods his head and asks, “Are you sure ma’am? I can lead the team into town if you want.”

I nod my head, “I am sure,I may have to declare material law. Now let me get my full kit,” I tell him as I go into my office and begin to put on my full combat barding. Before I put my helmet on, I look at it and shake my head. I am now fully kitted out and ready.

Gus then tells me before I leave my office, “Colonel, good luck.”

I sigh and answer back, “Thanks, I am afraid I may need it.”

I am just coming out of my office as I see the stretcher-bearers picking up Scrap Pile and taking her to Doc Treacle. Osteotome running alongside of her holding a blood pack in her teeth that she is putting into her.

Chain Lighting is right next to me fully armed. I look and see my unicorn security team just outside the door. I have one other squad ready to go with me that join us as we get to the gate. As we approach it I see Laura Lee fully kitted out in NCR combat gear. I notice this time she has chosen something with a bit longer range than a shotgun. She has a Light Machine Gun on a battlesaddle with an ammo feeder on the other side. When she sees me, she smiles and says, “I hate to have to change magazines in a fight. Ready when you are ma’am.”

I look at my team and I tell them, “Ok, let’s go,” and I lead them out the gate at a gallop.

As we near the town I see that the buildings are all shut up in preparation for an attack. I also notice that the flag for the NCR has also been cut down from in front of the Townhall. In the distance, I can hear the artillery still firing.

Instead of heading directly to the town hall, I take my team down a side street that leads to its back. As we advance down this side street trying to stay in the shadows, several times we see towns ponies notice us. Every time they motion for us to keep going toward the town hall.

Once outside the town hall, I can hear those inside talking. The first voice I hear I do not recognize as it says, “Radio Shack, yous better not be lying. I find out yous lead us to a trap. I will kill yous myself. My brother will never gets the chance.”

Then I hear Radio Shack reply, “Yeah, yeah, look I am the one who let you out of the jail. I am the one that has delayed your being hung this long,” which I know is a lie, “Once your brother and his people overrun the base, we can go back to the way things used to be around her.”

Then I hear what sounds like a hard kick and I hear Radio Shack cry out, “What was that for?”

“That is for making us wait so long, yous could have gotten that dumb marshal to let us out. If yous really are in charge, yous kept us prisoner for no reason.”

I look up and I see Sticky Wicket looking out the window and down at me. We make eye contact and she winks at me. Then smiles knowingly.

I signal for the unicorn on my detail who specializes in teleportation to come up to me. When she does, I have her sneak a peek in the window. Once she is done, she whispers to me, “Yeah, I can do that ma’am, ready when you are. “

I nod my head and then Laura Lee shakes her head, she comes up to me and whispers to me, “I want to go in with them. I got the heavy weapon, let me go with them.”

I then take the rest of my force forward to the front corner of the building. I look back and watch as the security team and Laura Lee all disappear. Suddenly I hear a light machine gun go off as well as several smaller guns. The front door opens up and out of it run two of the raiders who are quickly cut down by me and Chain, as we run forward with the rest of my team and into the town hall.

When I enter my eyes adjust slightly and I see Radio Shack with his back against the wall and a look of shock on his face. I see four of the released raiders on the ground dead or dying as well as two of the locals who were always with Radio Shack. I see two more of the raiders sitting there with a look of horror on their faces. Both are pleading not to be killed. The one keeps saying, “We didn’t do anything. We were just waiting for a chance to start over.”

Then I notice one more raider who has an angry look on his face as he says, “Filthy NCR Trash. Give me a chance and I will gut all of ya.”

I look at Taser and tell him, “Arrest the raiders as well as Radio Shack. I want to talk to Wicket.

As I go over to her Sticky Wicket smiles and tells me, “Thank the Goddesses you came. I don’t know where Beach Shack is and I am worried about him. Radio Shack came in here with these raiders and I did not know what to do.”

I nod my head and tell her, “Thank you for not saying anything when you saw me.”

She smiles, “Colonel, I was just relieved to see you and your people. This town cannot go back to the way it once was.”

I nod my head in agreement then I tell her, “Wicket, you are in charge of the town for now. We will figure things out later.”

After this, I go back outside with my team and we head to the Town Marshals office. When I get there, I see Beach Shake laying on the floor unconscious. I see the keys to the cells laying on the desk. Taser tells Laura Lee, “Cover the prisoners while I check the cells. When I am done, we will lock them back up for now.”

While he is doing this, I call for a medical wagon to pick up the Marshal. Once he is done, I watch as the prisoners are placed in the cells. I tell Taser to guard the prisoners. Laura Lee volunteers to stay with him. Feeling that this situation is resolved I find myself heading back to the base to finish off the rest of the problem.

Once there I can hear the radio chatter fully again. I am surprised to hear Captain Abby’s voice call over, “This is LL1, we are in position to flank them now, request artillery be stopped as we advance.”

Dull Beak has not seen me yet and replies, “LL1 go ahead and advance. Gun Bunny 1, ceasefire and remain on standby.”

Soon I hear Abby and Kettle Bell talking with each other as they hit the raiders and they begin to fall back. As they take over the positions of the fallen raiders, I hear Kettle Bell call over the radio, “Hostiles are falling back, we have taken their positions. I request the Colonel’s presence if she is available.”

Before Dull Beak can answer I reply over my PipBuck, “Roger that Belle 1, I will be there shortly. SS1, I request a skywagon at HQ.”

I hear Summer Solstice reply, “Roger Ma’am,” then she forgets to turn off her broadcast and I hear say, “Why can't she just walk like the rest. We have shit to do,” then I hear her say, “Aww shit,” and the broadcast cuts out.

Well, I guess we get to have a come to Luna meeting. Damn, I hate having to do things like that, but she is the one that broadcast it.

About ten minutes later I see Dust off coming in to medical, as he lands Cloud Cover flies over to me and asks, “Ma’am, would you mind if our team took you up? I know the wagon is a bit messy, but the other pegasi are a might bit busy right now.”

I smile at him and tell him, “Not a problem, I appreciate the lift.” As I climb in, I notice what he means by a bit messy. There are blood and bandages on the floor and benches. Spit Shine nods to me and shifts so I can sit in a fairly clean area.

Hawes Carry simply gives me a sad smile and shrugs as he tells me, "We have tried to rinse it with buckets of water between runs."

When I arrive where Kettle Bell is, I find her standing near a pile of bodies. I am curious as to why she wanted me out here then I see it. I know I should not be surprised, but I notice right away that several of those on the ground have stripes, not many only six or seven, but enough to be noticeable. I also notice that many of those who are not zebras have good quality equipment also, perhaps remnants of Red Eye’s forces in this area?

It is then that I see she has several of her troopers going through the bodies looking for anything of use for intelligence. I notice several bodies that are covered to the side, at least one of the hooves sticking out is bovine. I say a quick silent prayer to Sweet Cream to accept their souls and to judge them favorably.

Kettle sees me looking that way and tells me, “Thank you for coming out ma’am. I knew you would want to see this. I have not seen this many zebras before. And this bunch seems to be mainly equipped with zebra weapons and gear.”

I nod my head in agreement as I tell her, “I heard rumor that some of the legion had deserted. I guess we found some of them. Especially since they are mixed in with ponies.”

Kettle Bell nods her head also and tells me, “Ma’am, this could mean more trouble. I don’t like it.”

“Neither do I Kettle, neither do I,” I tell her as I look over the scene before us.

I head back to the base being escorted by the earth pony and unicorn scouts. We make decent time at a moderate trot. I would have gone alone, but Summer Solstice insisted that I have an escort, which I am forced to agree I should have. We also have two of the uninjured survivors from the wrecked wagons with me.

Once back at the base I am walking toward the command bunker when I notice the three caravan wagons that are being guarded by my people. I can see that several are wounded and injured among them as well. As I approach, I hear the head of the caravan telling somepony, “Shoulda known you’all would just take us, prisoners, next ya’ will be stealing our cargos.”

When I get close enough, I say, “Excuse me, can I help you with something?”

The buck in charge of the caravan turns toward me. I can see now that he has some heavy scarring as well as an eyepatch over his right eye, which was away from me. He takes a sniff of the air and then replies, “Only if you know who is in charge here so I can get my people and leave.”

Fighting to keep a straight face I tell him, “Yes, I might be able to help you with that. However, we do have a few questions to ask you as well as we would like to finish up treating your wounded and injured.”

When he hears this he says, “Well, how much is that going to cost us? We just lost two wagons and their cargo; we are not exactly rich, are we?”

I shake my head, “We were not planning on asking you to pay for the medical services,” I tell him. Then I notice how skinny most of his ponies are and I tell him, “In fact, I would also like to offer you and your crew a hot meal if you would like. Nothing fancy, just some of our rations.”

He then asks me, “That sounds good, but who is this we you keep mentioning? I need to talk to the pony in charge.”

I am just about to answer when I hear Tater next to me say, “Colonel, Doc Treacle wants to see you soon. And Dull Beak says to ask you what they are to do with the prisoners that they took from the raiders.”

I smile at Tater and tell him, “Thank you, tell both of them I will be with them shortly. Also, have them send Lieutenant Bridge to me. I may need a new facility set up.”

When I turn my head back to the buck in charge of the wagon train, I see he looks surprised. He then says, “So you are the one in charge? Why did you not say so?”

I then tell him, “Because I was offering you the assistance on the behalf of not only myself but the NCR. Besides, I wanted to see who I was dealing with before I let you know that,” then I tell him, “I am Lieutenant Colonel Mollygirl. Commanding officer of the Second Battalion, First Manesville Regiment of the NCR Army, now who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?”

I see him step back and then he says, “Well that is a mighty fancy title, and I don’t know if it is a pleasure to talk to me, most seem not to think so. But I am Qwik Trip. This is my caravan; we are heading to New Appleloosa from Los Pegasus via New Pegasus.”

“While I wish we could have met under better circumstances, it is good to meet you,” I tell him.

He seems suspicious of me. So, I tell him, “If you like, please come with me to my office, we can continue to talk on the way.”

As we walk, He asks me, “So why are you keeping me and my ponies prisoners?”

I answer back, “You are not prisoners, but if roles were reversed, would you let me or mine wander loose through your wagons?”

“Hmmph, that is another thing, your MPs went an searched my wagons.”

I nod, and I tell him, “Good, now did they take anything? If so let me know and I will punish them.”

He stops, shakes his head, and looks at me, as he says, “Well no, they did not, but still they did that.”

“Mister Trip, are you or any of your ponies in restraints right now?” I ask.

“You know darn well they are not, why?” he replies.

“Then you are not truly prisoners. Our post is on alert still due to the raiders who were chasing you, speaking of which, what can you tell me about them?”

“What, you're more interested in who was chasing us than what we are carrying?” he asks incredulously.

I nod my head and I tell him, “Yes, your cargo is your business, not mine. If you have items you want to try to sell to us, then I will have you discuss it with my supply officer, or I will let you display them to sell to individuals. However, my main concern is who it was and why you were being chased by them.”

“This is part of our normal route. I have gotten used to the normal raider gangs along the route. But this was a new one,” he tells me.

I nod my head and then ask, “What was so different about this one?”

He looks at me like I am an idiot, then tells me, “Ma’am, they were way more organized than they have ever been before, lot more of them working tagether. Haven’t you ever dealt with raiders before?”

I nod my head and tell him, “Many, many times, unfortunately, but instead of just charging in after them, I want to see what I am going up against.”

I see him harrumph and then he asks, “Could I get a couple of you NCR types to escort me back to the wrecks to see what I can recover of my cargo?”

I nod my head, “That should be no problem Mister Trip if you do not mind me asking what was in the wagons that you are so worried about?”

He looks at me suspiciously and hesitantly tells me, “Mainly the normal junk and recovered scrap. However, we had picked up several hundred pounds of salt also.”

My ears go forward at this without meaning to and I feel my mouth start to water some. Finally, I have to ask him, “What kind of salt?”

He smiles knowingly as he sees my interest. Then he says, “Well, it seems they have a salt-making operation in Los Pegasus. I really do not go into the town itself, too many gangs ya know. However, they tend to use seawater and evaporate it. I am not sure what all minerals it has in it, but I can give you a taste if you would like to sample some.”

Damn it, with the amount of time we have had to spend in the field and being so close to the desert it is a bit warmer here than back home. I have found we have a need for more salt. Finding it has always been kind of hit and miss back home, and I know Doc Treacle had brought up trying to find a source for it as well to help keep my troopers in fighting shape. So, I tell him, “Actually, I would. Let me get my supply officer here and depending on how much you have available to sell we may be interested in purchasing some.”

As we have been talking, we were also walking and are near the command bunker. Inside I see my supply officer Captain Pogey Bait waiting for me with a smile on his face. As I approach, he looks at the trader with me and nods and then tells me, “Afternoon Colonel, I was just going to come to talk to you about possibly seeing if our friends in the caravan had any supplies we may be interested in?”

I see Qwik Trips ears go forward as he smiles widely, then he asks, “So Captain, would you be interested in some high quality, first-rate sea salt, fresh from Los Pegasus?”

I see the eager look on Pogey Bait’s face, but before he can say anything from inside the doorway I hear Cannel Coal ask, “Captain Bait, Would you like me to examine this salt for its mineral content for you, I can compare it to that which we have available in Harness and let you know the comparable rate in caps.”

I have to fight a smile, as I know she just saved us a ton of caps, as I see Pogey Bait smile and Qwik Trip cringe.

Then Qwik Trip states, “I am sorry, I did not know you already had a source of salt, but I am sure our sea salt would be more than comparable and of higher quality.”

Cannel Coal steps slowly forward, I can see she is feeling shy, but she overcomes it and says to us, “Perhaps, but understand, minerals are my specialty. I will gladly compare them for you.”

I see Qwik Trip cringe slightly as he feels the easy sale may not be quite so easy. Then Pogey Bait says, “That sounds like an excellent idea, also, Mister Trip is it?” he asks then continues before an answer can be given, “Yes, perhaps we could further discuss what else you have to sell as well as perhaps adding us to your normal route of operations.”

Cannel smiles at me and steps over to the two stallions and begins to discuss the salt with them, after a bit, I tell them, “Captain, please keep me informed of your decisions, and Cannel, thank you for your assistance. I truly appreciate it.”

She beams at the praise and I see her straighten her posture, but I also see her blush slightly as she tells me, “Of course Colonel, it is my pleasure to help a friend.”

Then Pogey Bait tells me, “Will do Colonel, I was hoping to begin to talk with some traders anyways and see what we could do to make our operations here more appealing to them.”

As I walk away, I hear Qwik Trip telling them, “Come on over to my wagons and I will give you a taste to sample. Oh, and Captain, I have more salt in one of the wagons that was wrecked, if you were to give me and some of my people an escort, I would be glad to sell it to you at a discount.”

I shake my head and enter my command post to find most of Milo’s family looking at the map of Equestria/ now NCR on the wall. Off to the side, I see Dull Beak looking at the map on the table and as I approach, he looks up and tells me, “Colonel, the scouts report that the raiders have broken up into three major bands. So far, we are able to keep tabs on them, but just so you know, each band has approximately a hundred raiders in it.”

I nod my head and I tell him, “That seems like a lot of raiders coming together just to overtake a caravan.”

I watch as he sighs and I hear him say, “Ma’am, I think the caravan just got in the way and screwed up their plans. One of the raiders slipped and said something about overrunning the base here and taking Hackamore.”

I shake my head slowly, “Well timing is everything. I guess we were lucky this time.”

He nods and then tells me, “Ma’am what are you planning on doing with the prisoners?”

“How many did we take this time?” I ask.

He looks grim and tells me “Nine. Not many but most seem hardcore raiders. A couple of them are zebras, ma’am.”

“I will make them the same offer as we made to those who we took before. Which reminds me, Let Bailey know I want his engineers to build a set of gallows for me next to the train station in town. I am done with this shit.”

I see his eyes go wide, “Colonel you really are going to hang them?”

“Not just them, I have another in mind, but he must go to trial first. However, as he did this during an attack and I have had to take over his town because he incapacitated the Town Marshal as well, it will be a military court.”

I see his jaw drop as I say this, “Colonel, you really don’t mean that do you?”

I look him right in the eyes and I tell him, “If that mare that came to warn me dies, He won’t hang, I will gut him like the former raider so many seem to think I am.”

All I hear is silence as I turn and walk out of the bunker and head to medical to see Doctor Treacle.

When I get to medical, I see several of the beds have wounded troopers in them. I am relieved when I see Scrap Pile sleeping in one of the beds. She is alive, thank the Goddesses. If she had not risked her life, more would have died in the attack and things could have been so much worse.

One of the medics stops me and tells me, “Colonel, Doctor Treacle is in surgery right now, He is working on the Town Marshall.”

I nod my head and ask, “Any idea of how long he may still be?”

The medic shakes her head and tells me, “Ma’am, I am not sure, but it seems like a bad one. I know head wounds are normally bloody, but whoever did this to him, was not worried about him surviving.”

I shake my head, “Ok, I will wait here, let me know when he is ready to talk to me.”

I go through the ward and begin to chat with each of my troopers there. I try to cheer them up and ask if there is anything, I can do for them. Most joke and tell me, “Well going home early…”

I am sitting next to a still sleeping Scrap Pile when she begins to awake. At first, she panics and starts to flail wildly with her hooves. I put a hoof on her to make sure she does not fall out of her bed. She is screaming “Get your Goddess Damn hooves off me you raider!”

The medics come over to help me as I tell her, “Scrap Pile, it is ok, you’re in the hospital, you’re ok, it’s me the Colonel.”

She finally starts to calm down some, “I’m where? What, what happened?” she asks.

I tell her, “Scrap Pile you are in the base hospital. You were shot and my doctors took care of you.”

I see her have tears well up in her eyes, “Ma’am, I can’t afford this. I am sorry.”

I shake my head and I tell her, “Young mare, you were a hero today, you don’t owe us, we owe you. You saved a lot of lives.”

I see her still crying as I hear her sniffle as she realizes what I have just said. Then she asks, “Really? I do not owe you for helping me?”

“No, no you don’t. But I have to say thank you. Because of you, we took control of the town before things got out of hoof.”

After this, I sit and I simply talk with her. I treat her as just another pony. It seems weird to see how she responds to it. I can tell she has had a tough life.

Then she asks me, “How is Beach Shack doing?”

I sigh and I tell her, “I really don’t know for sure. Doc is still working on him.”

I see tears well up in her eyes, “Thank you for telling me that much even. I hope he will be ok. He is such a good buck.”

I nod my head and lightly pat her on her shoulder as I tell her, “I hope and pray he will be too. You are right though; he is a good buck.”

As she is laying there looking at me, I can tell she has something on her mind. So, I ask her, “You have something on your mind young mare, what is it?”

I see her blush and I watch as she starts to put her face into the pillow. So, I back off my question and just sit there waiting. Finally, she tells me, “It, it is nothing Ma’am, in fact, it is just something really stupid that I have had on my mind.”

Quietly I tell her, “Scrap, don’t worry about if I would think something is stupid, if you need to ask me something or just talk, I told you already I am here for you.”

I see her look at me with her cheeks blushing. She is not making eye contact with me. I know the look. I have seen Ginger use it too many times when she really wants to talk about something but is embarrassed. “Ok young mare, spit it out. I know you really want to and now I want to hear it.” I tell her.

She finally gets up the courage and quietly asks, “Can we keep this between us, you know like the other thing?”

I nod my head yes. She then asks me, “Ma’am, with a past like mine, do you think that I would ever stand a chance with a buck like Beach Shack? I really like him and I respect him,” She looks down at the floor and then she tells me, “He is the only one in town other than you and your daughter who know my past, and when I told him he just said, ok. He accepted that I wanted a new start.”

I sigh and I smile at her when she shares this with me. I then tell her, “Honestly, I don’t know about him for sure. I don’t even know if he likes mares, to tell the truth. He and I have always just talked business. But Scrap, I think if not him, then another one,” I think for a minute about their age differences and then say to her, “Back home it is not unheard of for a mare to marry at 17, and if you were in school I would say concentrate on that until you graduate. However, you are running your own business and have seen the world. Give him some time to heal and then see where things go. But if they do not go as you hope, do not give up on yourself. You are a good mare and you deserve good things in your life too.”

I see her look shocked when I say this. Then she asks me, “Do you really think I am good? Even with my past?”

I nod my head as I look her in the eyes and I tell her, “Yes I do. We all have a past, but that does not mean we have to stay there. We can move beyond it. Today, you went to help the Marshal. Then when you were wounded, instead of just getting help for yourself or even asking for it, you came here to let us know what had happened. Scrap, I say that at least starts to balance the books for you, and to tell you the truth, that puts you in the category of beings that I would want to have as a friend.”

I see a look of shock come over her face and she starts to stutter as she asks, “Y,y, you would want to be my friend?”

I nod my head yes and tell her so.

She then tells me, “ma’am, I have not had a real friend since I was a filly, and honestly, you are so much better than me, why would you want me to be your friend?”

I tilt my head and give her a half-smile. Then I tell her, “Because I think you are a good pony and I like the way you are trying to improve your life. I like your determination, and there is just something I like about your personality. SO, if you want, when we talk about anything other than business, I would be happy to have you call me Mollygirl, that is if you would like to.”

I watch as she quietly forms my name as if trying to taste a new food. Then she smiles at me and tells me, “I would really like that Mollygirl. Thank you.”

I continue to talk to her for a bit after this while we wait for word about Beach Shack. Finally, I see Doc Treacle come out from the surgery area. He tells me, and because I am next to Scrap Pile, her too, “He should be fine. I had to trepan him, unfortunately. Between the healing spells and removing the broken bone from his skull, it took a while. But he should be up and about in a couple of days.” Then he asks me, “Colonel, we are keeping him here until he is ready to leave, right?”

I nod my head and I see him let out his breath and I hear him say, “Good. He needs a safe place to heal at. You do know he sleeps in the back room of the Marshal’s office, right?”

I am actually very surprised to hear this and as I say no, I hear Scrap Pile say, “Yes sir.”

Doc Treacle smiles and then he turns to her and says, “Thank you for letting us know. If you had not gotten here so we could rescue him he would have died. As for that, you had a close one too, so please be careful for a bit.” As he pauses, I see her nod her head, then he tells her, “I would like you to stay a couple of days here also. I want to make sure your wounds are properly healed and that no infection appears. I am still worried as that bullet fragmented a bit and while I think I got it all out, I might have missed a bit.”

I see her eyes are open very wide and she slowly nods.

After this, he tells me, “Colonel, I will give you a full casualty report soon. But I need to rest now,” he then turns and heads to his office.

Soon after as I am getting ready to leave, I watch as they wheel Beach Shack out of the surgery and place him on the empty bunk next to Scrap Pile. I almost laugh at the expression on her face as they place him there next to her. I have had the expression on mine a time or two before also. I give her a smile which she returns and she tells me, “I will see you later Colonel. Have a good night, and tell your daughter hi for me,” Then I see her turn her head to look at the still asleep Marshal with the concern a mother would give to her foal.

“You have a good one too Scrap. I will see you later.” I tell her and then I go on to see the prisoners that we captured today.

As I go over to where most of the prisoners are, I miss having Taser there. I know his people are trained and capable, but I just trust him more. As I approach, I notice right away that two of them are zebras and that they seem to be trying to distance themselves from the others who are more obviously the run of the mill raider types.

Seeing the raiders, I sneer at them and then ignore them as I walk past them with Chain Lightning following close behind me. As I get near the zebras, the stallion gives me a dirty look and says something to the zebra mare that I recognize as an insult from when Xavier and Persimmon would fight at the farm. I look at him and sneer at him as I say the word that Persimmon would use in reply. Then I switch back to ponish, “Just because I choose not to talk your tongue does not mean I do not understand it. DO NOT INSULT ME AGAIN.” I all but growl.

I hear the raiders behind me jeering the zebras and I turn to walk over toward them. I notice the yellow coated and blue maned mare, Corporal Baton along with Barrier Tape standing between them and me. Trooper Tape steps forward towards them and they back away from his blue-coated bulk. The only pony I personally knew who was larger than him was Dusty’s husband Chance.

They seem to quiet down as I approach and I tell her “Taser will be back later, for now, I want you to keep in charge of the prisoners. Keep the zebras separate from them. Go ahead and use the stockade to house them..”

“Yes ma’am, do you mind if I have a couple of other troopers assist us in moving them?” she asks.

I nod my head and tell her, “Go ahead, Corporal. I will be back later,” Then I head back to my HQ.

At my HQ I go to my office and sit behind my desk then rest my head on my hoofs, my ears hanging to the side of my head. Soon afterward I hear Chain Lighting ask me “Ma’am, are you ok?”

I raise my head tiredly and nod to him. Then I tell him, “Yeah, just feeling emotionally drained is all.”

I see him nod back and he then tells me, “Colonel, do you want me to keep Epona out for a bit? She and Milo’s family are waiting.”

I think about how bad I want a drink, but I fight the urge and I tell him, “No, go ahead and let them in. I need to see them before they head back.”

As they enter my office Epona trots over and gives me a hug. I watch the expression on Cedar Box’s face when she first sees me. She looks shocked. I guess I look how I feel.

As I am holding Epona close, I see Cannel Coal come in next followed by Gus. Cedar asks me, “Colonel, sorry to bother you, but seeing Laura Lee is still in town helping things there, would it be ok if we stayed on your base tonight?”

Slowly I nod my head and tell her, “Yes.”

After this she tells the others, “Could you please wait outside for a few minutes? I have something private to talk to the Colonel about.”

They all leave the room, Epona gives me a quick hug again and I kiss her on her forelock as she leaves. I watch her close the door behind her.

Finally, I notice Cedar Box is directly across the desk from me and she quietly asks, “Are you ok?”

I look up at her and while I feel tears in the corners of my eyes, emotionally I feel nothing. I see the concern on her face and tell her, “I, I think so. But today something changed for me.”

She sits in the chair across the desk from me and she then says to me, “Mollygirl, may I call you Mollygirl?”

I nod my head slowly, “Yeah, sure. I am friends with your husband after all.”

She smiles at this and then tells me, “I know, and I am so glad you have kept him as a friend. This makes it easier for me to want to be your friend and that is why I am worried about you.”

“Thanks, Cedar, but I will be ok. I think. I have been through way worse than this.”

“Mollygirl, you may have been through worse, but from what I have heard from your troops you have already been through a lot. To be honest, it can build up. It just keeps chipping away at you until finally, the mine roof collapses on you.” She pauses and I see her tilt her head and she then tells me, “You remind me of myself when Milo and I first got married. He is a good buck, but he has a wild streak and no, I did not want to share him. At times I still don’t. Now do not get me wrong, I do love my family, but there is a part of me that just wishes it was only me and Milo.”

As she is talking, I begin to wonder where she is going with this, but then she says, “His being with others at first hurt me more than you can imagine. But I told myself that I could deal with it. But honestly, the hurt kept building and it almost ended mine and Milo’s marriage. That is how we ended up with Cannel as part of our family. She and I began to talk one day when she came to get some supplies for her department. She knew I was hurting and gave me a shoulder to cry onto. She is still one of my best friends, but at times I still need to talk to her just to vent off the pain.”

I nod my head again and tell her, “You can always talk to me if you need to Cedar.”

She smiles at that and then says, “Mollygirl, what I am saying is, I can tell you're hurting. I know you can’t just let it out with those who are here, but if you need a shoulder to cry on, I am here for you too.”

She comes around my desk and puts a hoof on my shoulder, and before I realize it, I have put my head on her shoulder and I am crying. Damn it, I am crying like a filly for no real reason. I should be able to hack this. But today for some reason I just can’t.

She stands there holding me until I stop crying and when I am done, she gives me a quick hug and tells me, “I am here for you my friend, and I may need to have you return the favor sometime.”

I sniffle slightly and tell her, “I am here for you if you need me too. And Thank you Cedar, I had not realized I needed that.”

She smiles and tells me, “Sometimes the strongest do not realize, or want to admit when the load gets too heavy. I have been there. I hate to admit I have weaknesses too.”

I nod my head and then tell her, “Talk to Chain Lightning or Paper Work and they should be able to get you all a room for the night.”

She smiles at this and tells me, “Thank you again. I will talk to you later Mollygirl,” and then I watch as she walks out of my office as if nothing has happened.

I sit back down at my desk and think to myself how much I wish Moon Pie were available to talk to. But wish in one hoof and such. Shortly after she leaves, I look up and see Epona peaking around the door. When she sees I have noticed her she asks, “Ma, can I come in?”

“Sure, dear come on over. Give me a few minutes and I will be done here and we can go get dinner and then I want to take you back to the barracks and we can read some.”

“Ok, ma,” she tells me, and then she adds, “Ma, after dinner can we visit Scrap Pile. I think she could use a friend.”

“You know what dear, I think you are right. I already consider her one, but I think she would like to have you as one also.”

Then Epona asks me the question that has been bothering me the most lately. “Ma, are some ponies just born bad? I know Scrap has changed from what she used to be, but Mister Radio Shack seems like there is something wrong with him.”

I take a deep breath and tell her, “Dear, while I will help anyone who wants to change, not everyone can or will. I think Mister Radio Shack is one of those. But dear, it can be hard to tell sometimes.”

With that, I sign a couple more reports and requisitions that were on my desk and I take my daughter to dinner.

I feel most fortunate though that while we are there we run into Milo’s Family and have dinner with them as well as what parts of my staff are still on post.

As we eat Dull Beak tells me, “I have sent a couple of the MPs to relieve Taser. He should be back soon.”

“Thank you, DB, I appreciate you taking care of that for me,” I tell him.

Then he asks me, “Ma’am, have you thought about what we are going to do for law enforcement in town as well as a new mayor yet?”

I nod my head and I tell him, “I have put Sticky Wicket in charge temporarily and we will have the town council set up a date for an election to replace the mayor. As for law enforcement. I want civilians back in that role as quickly as we can. Once Beach Shack is conscious, we should ask if he has any recommendations for a deputy marshal or two to assist him.”

As I talk and just enjoy the meal with the others, I start to feel equine again and I feel a slight bit of happiness creep in as I feel a bit like I have more family thanks to Milo and Cedar Box.

As he is walking by Baily Bridge tells me, “Colonel, I will have the gallows completed as soon as I can. And if you need a member for a military court for Radio Shack, I will be glad to stand on it.”

I nod my head and tell him, “Thank you, Baily. I appreciate it.” I pause briefly then ask, “By the way have you heard from Tar lately?”

He smiles and tells me, “Last mail call I got a letter from her. She and I cannot wait for me to get home again. She says the little fella is doing well and keeps asking where I am. Which is nice to hear cause I miss him too. Oh, and Ginger and Xochitl have been visiting her along with Sunny. She says those three are a hoot together.”

“I am glad to hear that. If you would, when you write her next, let her know I said hi and I can not wait to visit with her again.”

He smiles widely and tells me, “Will do Ma’am, now I best get going. I will talk with you more later Colonel,” with that he is on his way over to sit with his troops and I can hear them begin to talk about some of their projects.

Near me, I hear Cannel Coal say, “You know Colonel, I don’t know who this Tar is, but she is a very lucky mare. He is very loyal to her and would not even consider helping us to have a foal in our family.”

When she says this, I see Cedar Box blush and Gus changes the subject, “So Colonel, did Captain Pogey Bait tell you the deal he was able to get for ya’all on salt from that trader with the help of our mare Cannel here?”

Dear DJ Pon3,

Like most ponies, I have a past. But I am ashamed of mine and I have been trying to change my ways. It has been so long since I have had any true friends, but recently I have begun to find some. They have given me hope for my future and that others may forgive me for my past and judge me not by who I was, but by who I am now. To help any others out there who may be going through this could you please play My Past Is Not Today.

Thank you Very Much,

Scrap Pile, Hackamore, NCR

They say that friends are the family that we choose. In this chapter, we get to see several friendships form and bond together. We also get a reminder that no one can be strong all the time, and sometimes the strongest of us need help even when we do not want to admit it.

For those who desire to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4ltyeS2GbM