Before I came on this deployment, I never could have imagined having eaten meat. I always tried to be a perfect pegasus both at home and in service. My time in the Enclave military was not really exceptional. But I had made sergeant and was a squad leader for several recon expeditions down into the wastelands. In fact, that is what got the attention of the CDF when I arrived along with Wind Rider and the other refugees from Thunderhead.

I think back to those days as I walk to the mess hall for breakfast. By the Goddesses I am still stunned at how we were driven out of the Enclave. Made to fly for our lives like a murder of crows being chased by a Roc. But we survived, and we found a new home. It is not perfect, but hay, what is? Once we settled in, they began to discuss forming a second regiment even. As they formed the second, they also created two companies for recon, one for each of them. I was offered my commission based upon my previous experience, and to tell the truth, how could a career-orientated mare turn such an offer down.

Once I arrive at the mess hall, I see the Lieutenant Colonel and her staff already sitting down and eating together. I am not really sure how I feel about her wife and foals being here with her, but at least she has stopped drinking. As I walk past them, I nod my head at them and I see our XO Dull Beak nod his head back at me and tells me “Good Morning Lieutenant.”

I smile back at him and reply with “Good morning to you too sir, I hope you slept well last night.”

He nods his head and replies, “Like a hatchling, and you?”

I reset my feathers and tell him, “Like a filly. For some reason once I laid down for the night I was just completely relaxed.”

“I am glad to hear it, now you best go get some breakfast before the morning meetings.”

As usual most of the others are too busy either talking business or dealing with the youngsters to pay any attention to me.

With that I know I have been dismissed and I trot over and grab my breakfast. I am really wanting some radhog bacon this morning. That is until the smell of the grease hits me. I feel my stomach lurch, but I am able to fight it down. Instead I grab some oatmeal with a few chunks of dried apple in it.

Even this sits rough on my stomach. It continues to bother me during the morning officers’ call. But I make it through without being sick. I get back to my scout platoon's bunker and am just about ready to hold muster and to pass out the plan of the day when I suddenly can no longer help myself and I have to run to a trash can, and I get to taste my breakfast a second time. I am wiping my muzzle with my hoof when our medic Hawes Carry comes over and asks, “Ma’am, are you ok?”

I straighten up and take a swig of coffee from a cup on one of the desks that are nearby to rinse my mouth. Then I tell him, “Yeah Hawes, I am fine.”

He looks at me with his head half-turned and eyes partially closed as well as his ears slightly back and he quietly tells me, “LT, that is the third time this week and every time it is early in the day. Is there something we need to check you for?”

I am slightly embarrassed when he asks this as I have a sneaking suspicion but, no, I couldn’t be that. I mean I am normally too careful for that to happen. As I feel my cheeks start to turn red, I tell him, “Well I don’t think so.”

I hear him take a deep breath and he has one eyebrow raised as he tells me, “Ma’am, if it is what I think it could be, go talk to Specialist Osteotome over at the hospital. She has handled a lot of such cases and has really learned to be discreet about them.”

I let out a sigh and I feel my ears go down to the side of my head and I ask him, “You really think I should get checked for that?”

He nods his head, “LT, what could it hurt? If it isn’t that, then we can try to figure out what else may be causing it. But until we know for sure, we should probably assume so and react as if that is the issue.”

I take one more sip of the cold coffee and then I head back into the formation. I finish telling my NCOs what I want done and I see we have two others who are on the sick roll for now. That sure beats the five we had two weeks ago from the battle, but still.

After lunch, I head over to medical and ask to speak to Osteotome. She takes me in the back and begins to examine me. Asking me how long the issue has been present, what other symptoms I am having, and such. Then she runs a couple of tests for me.

She steps out of the examination room to finish running the test and all I can do is think of what if the test is positive, or would it be worse if it was negative?

After what seems like an eternity she returns. She walks up to me and with a serious expression on her face tells me, “The test is positive, congratulations you are going to be a mother.”

I feel the blood drain from my face, what do I do now? I ask myself. I tell her, “But, but I can’t be a mother. Not and do my job.”

I look up when I hear her laughing and then she tells me, “You should have told that to the Colonel. Mollygirl never let being a mother stop her. And if she can do it, ma’am, I am sure you can too.”

She then discusses my options with me and tells me, “Take some time and think about it. Talk with the father and see what he thinks too, hopefully he will want the same thing you do.”

Without thinking my hoof goes to my belly and I tell her, “I am keeping it. Even if he doesn’t want me to, it is my baby.”

I watch as she nods her head and smiles at me. Then she tells me, “You know I think you will make a fine mother, now we best get you back out there, I am due to make rounds again soon,” she smiles at me and tells me, “The bedpans await me,” then she laughs and as I get up she guides me to the door.

Once out the door of the examination room I turn to her and tell her, “Thanks doc, let’s keep this on the down-low for now. But let Sutures know I really need to talk to her when you see her.”

Osteotome tells me, “Sure thing Lieutenant. Glad I could help; besides I should see doc later today or early tomorrow. She still likes to help around here.”

I am just shaking Osteotome’s hoof when I look up and see the Colonel staring at me with a curious expression on her face. I feel myself first go pale and then I blush again. I then quickly leave medical and head back outside. Once outside by myself I take off and begin to fly around the base. I notice a nice cloud bank in the distance and I decide I will take some time to just sit up there alone to think. As I am heading that way, I suddenly see a large shadow next to mine on the ground below me and I almost panic when I hear George's voice ask, “How are you doing Lieutenant? I am surprised to see you up and about by yourself this early in the day.”

As she shifts so her head is next to me, I look over at the strange dragon and I have to smile as I tell her, “Hi George. It is good to see you again.”

She looks at me funny for a couple of minutes as we continue our flight together and she asks, “So what ya thinking about ma’am? You seem preoccupied.”

I sigh and I tell her, “Sorry George, I just got some news that really surprised me and I need to think about what I am going to do.”

She nods her head and asks, “Would you like to talk about it?”

Again, I sigh some and I tell her, “Yes and no. George, it is not so much what has happened, but why and by who, that is causing me to hesitate. I mean being a pegasus from the Enclave means my parents might not even accept the news, or they might even disown me.”

I see her nod her head as she thinks, then she says, “I don’t know much about the Enclave and how they do things, but LT if there is one thing about ponies I know, it is that family is very important to them. But family doesn’t always have to be blood either. Look at the Colonel with her daughters Ginger and Epona, they are not blood, but she loves them like she clutched their eggs herself.”

I shake my head at that last part, but then I think about how right she is. I then ask her, “Because of where I was raised, though it does make a bit of a difference, and while I would love to talk to the Colonel about it, I don’t know if she would understand. Perhaps I should talk to Lieutenant Colonel Wind Rider?”

I see George nod her head in agreement. She then tells me, “Well, if it is the perspective of somepony who has a similar background perhaps the other Colonel, Wind Rider, would be a good choice. I saw her earlier coming back from a flight by Harness. She should be in her HQ. Now I best be on my way ma’am. Best of luck on your troubles.” And with that, I see her role away and dive toward the ground.

As I land on the cloud and begin to think I realize she is correct, then I get a message requesting my presence at today's planning meeting on my PipBuck. I contact my scout team leaders for a quick update and then I return to medical for the meeting with the CO, her staff, the zebra, and the buck she is engaged to that was made into a basket case.

“Good afternoon Colonel, sorry about being late,” I tell her as I enter the room after the others have already begun the meeting.

She turns to me with a raised eyebrow, “Is everything ok?”

I nod my head and tell her, “Yes ma’am, just wanted to verify the results of today's scout missions before I gave you the information.”

She nods her head and continues the meeting. From across the table I see Sergeant Major Lighting nod to me and look at me slightly funny. Then he shakes his head and returns his attention to the meeting. I also notice quick glances from several others as the meeting continues. I realize that I must just be paranoid, but I still wonder deep down if they suspect the truth.

As I am leaving after the meeting Dull Beak and Bailey Bridge ask me, “So will we see you tonight at the Flying Cow?”

I give a half-smile and I tell them, “Yeah, sure, I will see you guys there.” And I watch as they both walk away chatting. I see Colonel Mollygirl and she waves me over.

Once I am close enough, I give her a quick salute and ask her, “What can I do for you, ma’am.”

She returns the salute, then she tells me, “Lieutenant, I could not help but notice you were distracted during the meeting, and I saw you come out of the exam room. Now it’s not really any of my business what is wrong with you, but just take care of yourself. You are damn good at your job and I do not want to lose my chief of scouts because of something stupid. Ok?”

I nod my head and I ask her, “Ma’am, lately I realized I am getting old enough I should consider having a family before it is too late. But I don’t want to end my career either.”

I see he nod her head with a half-smile. Then she replies, “I can understand that, and when you are ready to begin to have a family, I will help you as much as possible. I know how hard it is to be both a mother and an officer. But lieutenant, to be honest, you remind me a lot of myself and I think you could handle it just fine.”

I am stunned when she says this and I tell her, “Thank you ma’am, I really appreciate it.”

She smiles almost motherly at me and then tells me, “You are not the only mare who has felt that they are being pulled in two directions like that. Lieutenant Colonel Wind Rider and I have had that very discussion.”

I take a deep breath and I ask, “Colonel, would it be ok if I approached her about my situation.”

I see her raise an eyebrow and tilt her head as she looks at me and she tells me, “That would be fine, but I am sorry you don’t feel you can talk to me about it.”

Again, I sigh as I tell her, “Colonel, it’s not that. It’s just I have found someone I care about and he is not a pegasus and, well, ma’am, being from Thunderhead like I am she can understand how my family might feel about it too.”

I see her relax and she smiles as she tells me, “Oh that I can more than understand. To be honest I had to deal with my wife Sutures family like that. Her parents were not too happy with her marrying into a family of earth ponies.”

I cannot help but laugh as I had not heard about that and I tell her, “I am sorry for laughing ma’am, but I just never imagined that, especially as close as you two are.”

She waves a hoof at me and tells me, “No problem Lieutenant, but do me a favor and talk to her soon. I need your head on straight for this next op. I am going to depend on you and your scouts more than you can imagine. Oh, and I may need to borrow a couple of them for it.”

I feel my ears start to slide back at the idea of her borrowing my scouts and am about to say something when she says, “Don’t worry Lieutenant, I know they are your people. Just like you are one of my people.” She laughs lightly and then tells me, “I understand how it is, it used to rankle me when I was in your position and Major Quick Trot called them her scouts.” She pauses and looks at the ground and I hear her sniffle a bit as I see a mild shake go through her body. She looks back up at me and tells me, “LT, here is Windy’s PipBuck tag, I will let her know you are on the way.” Then she turns and walks away back towards the battalion command post.

I look at my PipBuck and see the new PipBuck tag and take off toward it. She is right, I need to talk to her so I can concentrate on my job again. Once I arrive at the headquarters for the Second of the Second, I see their Sergeant Major waiting for me. He approaches me, we exchange salutes and he tells me, “Right this way ma’am, the Colonel is expecting you.”

As I enter her office, I see the pink coated mare with her yellow mane and tail both braided and coiled tight. She looks at me as I enter and she asks, “Alright Lieutenant, what can I do for you that my friend Mollygirl couldn’t”

I find myself nervous in her presence as she seems so formal. I steel myself and I tell her, “Ma’am, as I told Lieutenant Colonel Mollygirl, I am considering having a family but my potential mate is not a pegasus.”

I see her staring at me over the reading glasses she has on. She then takes them off and slowly shakes her head. She stares at me for a bit then says, “I see.”

“Yes ma’am, being from Thunderhead I am sure you understand what that means.”

She nods her head and says, “Yes, if we were in Thunderhead and part of the Enclave, that would be a problem. However, because you are so worried, now I am curious as to how you think of yourself, Lieutenant.” She pauses, takes off her eyeglasses, and sits them on her desk, and stands up, walking alongside me she asks, “Where do you loyalties lie? Are you loyal to the Enclave or to Manesville and the NCR?”

I pause and I hesitate to answer, “Colonel, I am loyal to the NCR. Manesville is my home now. You know as well as I do how we were forced from Thunderhead.”

She nods her head and then she asks, “How far along are you?”

I gasp for breath and ask her, “How, how did you know ma’am?”

She smiles at me and tells me, “Because I know how it is having been in your horseshoes. You would not be nearly as worried about starting a family with a non-pegasus if you were not pregnant already.”

I am stunned when she says this and I catch myself looking down. “Sorry Ma’am. I guess you are right. I did not think I was that easy to read.”

She smiles at me and tells me, “Lieutenant, you are not the first mare to be surprised by a pregnancy while in service. Now how far along are you?”

I slowly raise my head and tell her, “Just over two and a half months. I found out today.”

She then cautiously asks me, “Have you decided what you are going to do?”

I nod my head, “Yes Ma’am, I am keeping my baby.”

I see her smile and she asks me, “How did the father react when you told him?”

I cringe a bit and I tell her, “I haven’t told him yet ma’am. I was going to talk to him about it tonight.”

I see her nod then she tilts her head and she looks at me and asks, “What is it you are not telling me?”

I am about ready to cry and I tell her who the father is. She smiles and puts a hoof on my shoulder and tells me, “Dear, you will be fine, and I actually think he will be happy about it, so relax. Besides if Mollygirl and I both can have families and make it this far Lieutenant, I see no reason that you eventually should not be able to if you choose.”

I sniffle a bit as I look up at her and I tell her, “Thank you, Ma’am.” Then I catch myself laughing slightly and when I see the curiosity on her face, I tell her, “It’s just funny how much alike you and the Colonel are.”

I see her smile as she tells me, “Yeah, but that is what makes it interesting, she is almost like a sister to me,” then she chuckles a bit and says, “You should see my youngest around her daughter Millie, by the Goddesses, that little pegasus buck is almost obsessed with that little earth pony mare and neither family thinks a thing of it other than how sweet it is. Now if that does not say something, I don’t know what does about how we are changing.”

I feel myself smiling and I nod my head, “Thank you, Colonel, I really appreciate it. When we get back would you mind if I stopped by and talked to you and asked advice?”

I see her face become serious and she tells me, “Lieutenant, I would not mind that at all, but you should also talk with Mollygirl too. You do know that her wife Sutures used to be a medic for her company before she was wounded?” I nod my head then she adds, “How about that her husband Badger used to be a trooper in her squad when she was a sergeant?”

I feel my jaw drop and I tell her, “No way Ma’am. You have to be kidding me.”

She shakes her head and tells me, “I am serious, I have heard the stories from the whole family. Heck, she was even engaged to her corporal, Ivy, but please, do not bring Ivy up to her.”

Now my curiosity is piqued and I ask, “Why not? Was it a bad break up?”

I see her take a deep breath and she tells me, “No. Mollygirl found her dying along with her daughter Epona. She almost lost her life that day as well, so bringing her up would be reopening old wounds.”

I am again surprised and just nod my head. Finally, I tell her, “Thank you, I appreciate your time Colonel.”

She smiles and tells me, “By the way, she was doing your job at about the same point in her pregnancy as you are, so she will understand and she will not hold it against you. Have a good day Lieutenant.”

Again, I tell her, “Thank you, Ma’am,” Then I salute her and head back out.

On my way back to the base at Hackamore I think about what she told me as well as what I am going to say to the father of my child. I only pray that he understands and wants this precious little one as much as I do.

Once back at the base I return to my office and begin to try and catch up on my paperwork that needs to be completed by the end of the day. I am drinking my second cup of coffee when I hear a knock on the door. I look up and see Hawes Carry in the doorway.

I motion for him to come in and he closes the door behind him. Then he asks me, “Ma’am, did you go to medical like I suggested?”

I nod my head yes but do not say anything. He then asks me, “So what did they say?”

I let out a breath I had not realized I was holding and I tell him, “You were right Hawes, you were right. I am pregnant.”

I see his eyes go wide and he then tells me, “Well ma’am congratulations or condolences, whichever way you feel about it.”

I smile and tell him, “I would prefer to accept the congratulations, and thank you, Hawes.”

He smiles back and tells me, “My pleasure ma’am. Now does the father know yet? Or not to be crass or disrespectful ma’am, but your reputation is a bit wild, so do you know who the father is?”

I shake my head, “Well, to tell the truth, there is only one who could be the father, my reputation is much wilder than I really am. Unfortunately, I have not had the chance to see him yet and tell him. I plan on doing that later this evening.”

He smiles again and then says, “I am glad to hear that LT, now if you don’t mind why did you not mind having such a wild reputation if you hadn’t earned it?”

I laugh lightly and I tell him, “Because I am the chief of scouts, we are supposed to have a wild side and take risks. So, if everyone thought that, so much the better.”

He laughs, “Yeah, I guess so. Sort of like Bailey Bridge and his engineers. They actually have a wall made of empty whiskey bottles mortared together for their platoon rec room.

I begin to laugh when I hear this and I tell him, “I had not noticed that, but I will have to check it out. Thanks again Hawes, now I best get back to this paperwork so I can go tell the father. Oh and speaking of that, let's keep this quiet for now, ok?”

He nods his head and puts a hoof to his lips and says, “Not a word ma’am.” Then he turns and walks back out, closing the door behind him.

The rest of the work day passes more quickly than I had anticipated and I am an hour later finishing up than I had planned. After I finish, I quickly go to the officer’s barracks and clean up. I hurriedly braid my mane and put a simple ribbon in my tail to keep it neat and then I head out to the Flying Cow to catch up with Bailey Bridge and Dull Beak as I promised them I would.

As I get there, I see one of the owners, Buttermilk standing on the porch outside. I have to smile as I see her in her garters, stockings, and a short dress. When she sees me, she stops me and asks, “How are you doing tonight?”

I find myself blushing, but then I tell her, “Better than I expected to tell the truth. But Buttermilk, I have a favor to ask of you.”

I see her have a slightly worried expression on her face and she asks, “You can ask, but no guarantees.”

I nod my head, yes and I tell her, “I need to have a private chat with someone and I was wondering if I could borrow your parlor for a bit.”

She looks at me as she thinks about it and in a calm bovine tone tells me, “Yes, go ahead, but no fooling around in there.”

I laugh lightly and tell her, “I promise, ok.”

She nods her head and then motions for me to go on inside.

Once I am inside, I look around and I see Bailey Bridge and Dull Beak sitting at a table with a bottle already open. Their shot glasses are half full and an empty one is waiting for me. When they see me, they both wave me over to them.

Once I am there, I tell Dull Beak, “XO, I need to talk with you in private for a minute.”

He nods his head and stands up saying, “Sure Lieutenant, no problem, where do you want to talk?”

I tell him, “How about Buttermilks parlor,” and I begin to walk over to it.

Once we are there, we both go inside, I turn up the oil lamps near the chairs and I sit down.

As he sits down, he has a concerned look on his face as he asks, “Lieutenant is there a problem?”

I steel myself to tell him about it, then I look up and smile into his brown eyes and I tell him, “Dull Beak, we are going to be parents.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 90 Into the Dragon's Lair Estimated time remaining: 22 Hours, 37 Minutes