As we walk away from the landing zone I turn and briefly watch as the skywagon takes off. I see the gunner, Spit Shine wave one last time to us as the sky wagon turns then disappears into the morning mist just above the hillcrest and trees.

Xyliana motions with her hoof and says, “This way, please. Hurry now, patrols maybe.” Then she turns and begins to head south. We have been inserted much further north to make our story more believable. Unfortunately, this has added many more kilometers to our trek, but if it helps us it is worth it.

We all shift our gear on our backs to make it more comfortable to carry and begin the trek deeper into the hostile country. Soon we fall into our old habit of walking an hour and resting ten minutes and I notice how surprised our guide is. As we stop for our third break, she looks first at the sun above, and then me, and says in a surprised tone, “Always fast this?”

I shake my head, and tell her, “No, normally we are faster,” and am treated to seeing her eyes go wide in surprise. I simply smile and tell her, “You should have seen us in the old days.”

I see a bit of confusion on her face when I say this but I don’t know how to tell her it otherwise. It is times like this I wish Epona was with us. But I know deep down she is better off safe back at Hackamore. After our ten minutes are up, we reset our gear and are at it again.

After six hours we take a break and eat some of the rations we have with us. We eat the military ones first and save the civilian ones for later. Before we leave the area, we bury our trash in a pit so it can not be easily found.

As we move forward through this portion of the waste, I notice not only how dry it is, but how few animals, insects or even plants we come across. We are almost ready for another break when we come across an area that was an oasis, but the settlement that was once there is nothing but a burned-out ruin.

We spread out to begin to investigate them when one of my security unicorns calls to me, “Colonel, this did not happen too long ago.”

“How can you tell?” I ask.

They simply point towards some old electrical poles that run into the town from opposite the side we came in on. I can not tell what they are talking about at first, then I see what made them say that. I see the bodies hanging there. I feel sick to my stomach at the sights of the civilian ponies left to rot like that.

One of them asks, “Ma’am, should we cut them down?”

While a part of me feels we should, I know that raiders or mercenaries would not bother. So, I shake my head and tell them, “No, its too late for them, besides they could be booby trapped like those from that village near Bare Withers.”

When I say that the security pony goes pale and their jaw opens wide as does their eyes. Then they say, “I had not thought of that ma’am.”

I nod my head in understanding and I tell them, “That’s ok, but better to error on the side of caution."

The trooper then asks me, “Ma’am, who did this and why? I know raiders would, but they use it to mark their territory. This town is dead.”

I hear Xyliana and turn to her as she tries to figure out what to say. She finally tells us, “Legion, opposed, warning to others.”

I then hear Sergeant Cupcake of my security detachment ask, “Do you mean that they were left like that as a warning to those who oppose the Legion?”

“Yes, yes. What mean I.” Xyliana tells her as she quickly nods her head.

We find little in the wreckage that is of use as we search it. Soon enough we are done and continue on our way. I notice the smaller two of my escort look back at the town and the hanging bodies. Both shake their heads then they look at each other. One shrugs to the other and they continue on with us.

When we stop for the night, we are almost to the Praefect’s camp according to Xyliana. “We be met tonight. I think.”

Silently I thank the Goddesses and Sweet Cream that we are done marching for the night. All of my legs are sore, especially my right foreleg, where I was shot, as well as on my side. I am just glad that this time I decided to wear a shemagh to cover my head and face instead of my normal helmet or soft cover. I can only imagine how those almost healed head wounds would feel too.

As we get ready to bed down, Sergeant Cupcake and her security detachment put on their zebra cloaks and disappear into the surrounding area, away from the rest of us. Before she goes Sergeant Cupcake whispers to me, “Ma’am, we will be a short way off, but still in sight. From here on out I guess we best remain cloaked all the time.”

I nod my head and tell her quietly, “Thank you sergeant, and if they find us, just follow at a distance. Do not engage unless I call your name.”

While I do not see her nod, I hear her quietly reply, “Roger that ma’am.” Then she is quiet again.

To the side I watch as Xyliana sits down with her hind legs crossed and her forehooves stretched out. Her eyes closed as she begins to meditate. I am surprised as I had not expected her to do so. Of those others with me I have them set up a watch of two ponies awake at a time so the others can get some rest. The first two up are the short pair. I notice how quietly they work together and how they use their body language with each other in a manner that is very similar to what Ginger and Xochitl used. I laugh silently to myself as I think about how those two may have influenced the other scouts in their field craft. I only lay down for a short period of time and I feel myself fall asleep from the sheer exhaustion.

During the night I feel the need to use the restroom and I make my way away from the camp for a bit of privacy. As I am finishing, I see her again. Her cloak covering most of her, but her muzzle and fore legs exposed enough that I can tell it is her.

“Good evening my child,” she says to me in the Trottingham accent.

“Good evening Mareigan. What can I do for you?” I ask her feeling no small amount of nervousness and trepidation as I ask her this.

She nods her head and tells me, “That is a good question to ask, but I ask you, why are you here?”

I am nervous as I tell her, “Mareigan, I cannot let stand what he has done to my troopers, my children, nor those under my protection. He used deceit to attack me like he has and I will return the favor.”

In the dark I watch as she nods her head. She puts a hoof under her chin and replies, “Ah, vengeance it is. This I can keen my child,” I see her look back toward the camp and she tells me, “It is late and you will need what rest you can get. But hark my words, not all who are with you are what they seem. Keep this in mind and be wary.”

I am surprised when she says this and I ask her, “What do you mean Mareigan? Who is not what they seem?”

Instead of answering she turns and walks off into the darkness, before she disappears, she says, “Remember I will be watching.”

Once back in camp I see Xyliana is awake and I hear her ask, “You Shaman?”

I wonder what she is talking about and I look back at her and ask her, “Why would you think I am a shaman?”

She shakes her head and mutters something in zebrican, then she tells me, “Get sleep, they here soon.”

I next awaken to a kick in my side. It is still night when I look up and see a zebra on his hind legs holding a gun on me. He grunts and says something in Zebracan that I cannot understand. But before I can react, I hear Xyliana to the side saying, “They meet us have. We follow them now.”

I nod my head and slowly get up. As I do I see almost a dozen zebra’s surround us. I look over and one of my escorts shrugs and says, “Ma’am, our guide saw them as they were approaching and said they were who we were expecting.”

I nod my head. OK, this makes sense then. I look at the various zebras and ask, “Any of you speak Equestrian?”

I see one step forward and notice the rank embellishments on his uniform. Between those and his attitude I assume he is the one in charge of them, and I have this confirmed shortly afterwards when he says, “I do, I am Centurion Xenos. I have talked with Xyliana, our lost child, but I want to hear what you have to say. Why are you here?”

I am suddenly glad of the deep practice and planning of those meetings as I am not thrown off. Instead I reply, “I am clan leader Boiled Water. Those with me are my personal escort. I have many more back at our camp. But I heard you have been looking for ponies to hire to help fight the NCR, so here I am.”

He looks suspicious and asks, “And why would you want to join us to fight them?”

I smile cruelly as I tell him, “The NCR hates those they consider raiders or who oppose them for just surviving. I know you have been fighting them too. Everyone in the region knows about your big fight a couple of weeks ago and how close you came to winning. We both are fighting them so that puts us on the same team. Like the old Saddle Arabian saying, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

I hear him blow out air forcefully from his nose and he tosses his head, “We will see about this, friend. What is it you really want?”

Still smiling I turn my head so my scars show and I tell him, "Vengeance and perhaps a few caps to boot.”

I see him wince slightly at the scar on my face, then he looks at the still healing scars on my foreleg and side. Then I hear him say, something in Zebracan that I know is an insult along with the word raiders. He then says, “Fine, you will be escorted to our main camp. If the Praefect chooses to see you, then you may talk with him. Other than that, I care not.”

I nod my head and tell my escort, “Ok, on your hooves. Grab your gear, weapons slung. We have found who we were looking for.”

Around me I watch as the rest of my ponies get up and grab their gear. The mouth pieces for their battle saddles in the safe position. As I finish kitting up Xyliana comes over next to me and simply nods. Once we are all ready, I tell the centurion, “Ready when you are.”

He snorts and then calls out in Zebracan to his troops and they fall in around us with their weapons at the ready. Then we follow two abreast as he leads out.

We are marching as the daylight begins to rise behind us. In the distance ahead I can see the light as it falls upon the rolling hills, the darkness still hiding in the valleys between. Eventually the sun has fully risen and we can once again see the bleakness of the wastelands before us.

We take a break after a couple of hours of walking. I grab something quick to drink and eat, but am stopped when I go to step away from the others to make water. I explain what I am going to do and the Centurion says something to one of the mare guards and she goes with me and stands watch over me. This is repeated with all of the members of my teams and it surprises me to find out that one of the smaller troopers is female while the other is male. I had no idea as they are so well covered that I can not even really see their eyes through the gasmask clearly.

I hope that is what the Mareigan was talking about. But now I am suspicious of some of the others. I worry that perhaps I was wrong about Xyliana. But no, I will not believe she would betray us like that. Especially the way she is when she is with Barrel Tap.

We only walk another hour before we come to the road leading to their camp. I am stunned when I see the size of it. It has a wall completely around it. Some parts of the wall are made of cargo containers, others from wood or parts of buildings that were there before that were simply incorporated into it. There are guard towers on each corner as well as several along each wall at spaced intervals. It is simple and efficient, but I can imagine Bailey Bridge telling me how much harder it would be to defend with it being shaped like a rectangle rather than a star, which would allow converging zones of fire. But I am not going to complain at this point.

Once we reach the gate the Centurion tells those on the watch points above it who he is, and that we have business there. As we wait afterwards, I hear wood sliding on wood, then I see one of the two doors open up and we follow him inside in a single file line. I can only hope my security team is able to sneak in with us.

Inside the tents and building are laid out in straight lines. With foot paths intersecting them allowing easier travel from place to place inside. I notice a large building to the side that has two guards outside of it and am told by Xyliana, “Hospital.”

I nod my head and hear one of our escorts tell us, “Silence,” as we keep moving towards the center of the camp.

I am surprised as we continue through the busy camp by the number of ponies who are with them. I also see many young zonies among them. But what really surprises me is that not all of the ponies are slaves, but instead soldiers, members of the legion itself.

I ask the Centurion, “You have ponies as part of the legion?”

He nods his head and grins, “Oh yes, if they prove themselves well enough, they are integrated into us. They all start out lowly, but can earn such privilege and rights.”

This makes me feel that perhaps I was wrong about the legion until I hear him say, “But all of them start out as slaves, weather in the fields and markets, or on the battlefields. But they prove their use and their loyalty.”

“And if they are not able to work as hard as you want?” I ask.

He scoffs as he says, “Then they are; eliminated.”

“Even the young and the old?” I question.

“Especially the young and the old. Does this bother you mercenary?” he says to me.

I reply, “No, just getting the lay of the land.”

We pass one area that has been turned into garden plots. Across from it I see simple shelters that have been erected for the workers that are empty right now.

We finally reach the largest tent which is in the center of what I had thought was simply a base, but I now know it is a much larger settlement than I had imagined. We see a small pavilion that provides shade with some simple matts under it and the Centurion tells us, “You will wait here while I talk with my commanders.” Then I watch as he walks away and his troops remain to guard us.

As we wait, I tell my people, “Go ahead and eat and get something to drink while we have time.”

As I am eating, I notice the two smaller troopers move to the side and sit with their backs towards the rest of us as they watch the rest of the base and barely lift their mask so they can eat and drink. I find this odd, but at least they are on watch. Goddesses, they really are getting into their roles, I think to myself. Then I settle back and wait to see what happens next.

We wait here several hours before the Centurion finally returns. He approaches me and tells me, “Get up. The Preafect awaits.”

As I get up, he looks at the others with me with a bit of disdain and then he says something to Xyliana in Zebrican and she replies back in the same language, but she seems slightly angry. He shoves her and she gets right up into his face, ears pinned back and she looks like she is ready to spit in his face.

I step up and put a hoof on her chest and ask, “Is there a problem?”

They both step back from each other with an expression of hatred in their eyes. The centurion then tells me, “Nothing, I just questioned her about where she was. Her cousin, the Praefect, was worried about her.”

I see her spit onto the ground when he says this and I see flames in her eyes. She then says something in Zebrican that I know is very insulting.

The centurion then laughs and tells her, “I am sure he looks forward to seeing you again too. Now if you have had enough of this game, follow me.”

I hear Xyliana huff out a snort and I see her ears are still laid back some and her tail is tucked in tight as she starts to follow him. Once she starts the rest of us follow her the short distance to the entrance of the Praefect’s tent.

Two guards hold the flap of the tent aside as we enter. The inside of it is different than how I would have imagined it. Instead of an office or a command post, we enter what I would consider to be an imperial throne room or court. On one end is a very large, sturdy chair that looks like what I imagine a throne appearing to be. On each side of it are zebra guards each armed with a short sword as well as a spear.

There are torches and lanterns lining the side and top. There are also benches to one side. As the last of us enters the two guards from the flap also enter and guard the doorway. Beside the throne I see a pony wearing an explosive collar on his neck. He is sitting with his eyes downcast and his head down. He glimpses up and I see a spark of recognition in his eyes but he says nothing. I recognize him also; he was one of the troopers from Luna’s Lancers that was reported missing in action after the battle of Harness. One of my troopers being held as a slave. I almost lose my temper at this, but manage to keep it in check.

As we stand there before the empty throne waiting, I find myself starting to rub one forehoof against the other, sometimes running it over my PipBuck, like an old habit of someone who is not fully used to wearing one all the time.

I see Xenos look at me with a smug smirk while I do this. I also take the time to look around the room. I realize what they are doing and take advantage by playing the part they expect, as well as noticing the layout of the room. Finally, the Preafect enters this pretense of an audience chamber. He comes in, looks over the room and then walks to the throne and takes a seat.

He is an older zebra stallion. He has a scar like mine on his right cheek and another over his left eye. His stripes tend to form circular patterns on his coat. He is wearing light leather armor and I notice both a short sword and dagger on his tack as well as a pistol in its holster on his left hind leg.

His expression is that of at first boredom, then when he sees Xyliana, disdain. When he looks at me, he says something to Centurion Xenos in their native language. Xenos then asks, “The Praefect ask why you have asked for an audience with him.”

I look over at Xyliana and then back at him and I tell him, “As I have told both Xyliana as well you yourself Centurion, I have come to offer the services of my clan in the fight with the NCR.”

He translates this for the Preafect, even though I know he speaks equestrian from the radio. I know he is playing ignorant. Well at least I know who he is and what he is doing.

Next, he has the centurion ask me, “What makes you think that I would want your assistance?”

I simply smile as I tell him, “It is well known how close you came to winning against the NCR last time, rumor has it that you even almost killed their commander. I thought you might appreciate some fresh troops to help you push your victory over the top.”

I hear him snort slightly and again he has the centurion ask me, “You say you want to help us, but what do you really want?”

I tell him, “Caps of course, vengeance against those who have hurt me and mine. A chance to live in peace.”

After I say this, I see the praefect look at a stone on the arm of his throne that is glowing. A truth stone. He knows what I have said is the truth so far. I am so glad Xyliana has warned me of zebra fetishes that can create such a device. This knowledge has allowed my answers to be truthful, yet close enough to what he wants to hear.

He looks very thoughtful as he sits there with his forehoof rubbing under his chin. “Interesting, then he asks, would you order your troops before mine into combat?” he has Xenos ask me.

I nod my head as I reply, “But of course I would gladly order my troops before his in combat.”

Again, he glances at the truth stone and nods his head. Then he talks to me directly in Equestrian, “Well pony, if you and your ilk are willing to prove yourselves then we will talk about integrating you into the legion. What do you say to that?”

I merely grin and nod my head at him. Then I answer, “That is the offer I had expected.”

Then the Praefect says something in his language to Xyliana that gets her to gasp and shake her head as I hear her giving the words in Zebracan for a negative answer. As she says this I watch as the two smaller of my troopers begin to form up close behind her. I notice they are signaling each other with their ears. One of which when I take a second glance, I notice is dripping hair dye off of it.

It can’t be, I tell myself and refuse to even think about it for now. I shift my attention from them as I feel a light nudge to my side but I cannot see anything. But I know one of my guards is now with me, as this was a prearranged signal.

Then I hear the Centurion tell me, “The Praefect was to be wed to his cousin here before she was captured. The one who was captured with her has returned and told us that both were released and told they could go on their way.”

Xyliana yells out, “I no marry him. I no want him.”

I see the Praefect is becoming angered and I hear him order his guards, “Take her, what she wants is of no concern. She will do as she is told.”

Xyliana yells out, “No, I will not. I am free mare! Not yours.”

I see the two smaller troopers step in front of her as they take a fighting stance. I step between the now advancing guards and Xyliana and the troopers.

I know now is the time, As I step, I move my hoof one more time to my PipBuck as if nervous, but instead I am activating the broadcast feature and I know Windy will hear me as I tell the Praefect, “We seem to have a problem here.”

The Praefect looks at me with both disdain and anger as he asks, “What do you think you are doing little mare? We do have a problem, don’t we?” he says as he stands up and draws his gladius short sword.

I move my head down slightly as I look up at him with what feels like an evil grin and I tell him, “What I am doing is paying a return visit to my enemy. You dared to send assassins into my headquarters now I am returning the favor personally. You may call me Lieutenant Colonel Mollygirl of the Second of the First Manesville Regiment of the NCR.” After which I turn my head just enough to draw my sword Sacrifice. As my head goes to the side, I hear a bullet crack by and the one smaller trooper draws her submachine gun and begins to return fire at the additional guards that are starting to run inside.

As I have Sacrifice fully drawn and am starting to advance on the Praefect I hear him yell out to his guards, “Into them, do not let any survive.”

Next, I see my three unicorns appear from nowhere as they drop their cloaks and assume the fighting stance. A shield appears in front of me just as a burst of gunfire is directed at me. Beside me I see Cupcake's horn glow and she uses her TK to grab the guard who is firing and spins him so he fires into his own troops. Xyliana is now fighting hoof to hoof with Xenos as the Praefect approaches me. I see him thrust with his short sword and I perry it, then I spin and kick with my hind hooves. Forcing him to move back to avoid them.

All of us are involved in the shooting, kicking, thrusting, and slashing of the fight. I see one of my unicorn’s guards go down as he takes several bullets across his side and neck.

Some of my other troopers return the fire and I see out of the corner of my eye his killer goes down. I am then distracted again as I see the Centurion advancing on me with a grin on his muzzle and murder in his eyes. He leaps at me and tries to connect with his hind leg into my head. Instead, I drop down, roll on my back as I connect with his midsection and his stallionhood.

I hear him scream out in pain as he hits the floor and tries to get back up. Xyliana is on him instantly and I see her start to strike him repeatedly in the head, then as she draws her knife, I am hit alongside the head by a hoof and I feel a hard punch into my side. I am sent reeling and I notice that my canteen that was in my right saddlebag is leaking. It prevented the Praefect’s gladius from getting through to me.

The two smaller troopers are on him as he is trying to recover his stance and I watch as they attack his legs with several kicks and they then roll to the side away from him. I hear one say in their muffled voice, “I can’t see with this damned mask on,” and I am stunned as I watch the mask being pulled off and Epona is underneath it.

I am staring at her stunned and she yells out, “Ma, to your left!”

I automatically drop to my right and kick to my left just in time to make contact with one of the guards who is charging at me. He had his spear forward but it goes over me as I double barrel kick him right in his chest. I see him fly back and I hear him scream in pain.

We are fighting for our lives and then from outside I hear a pony screaming, “DRAGON!” Next, I hear the sound of dragon’s breath and the crackle of fires. I see the Praefect is back on his hooves and coming at me again and as he gets close, I laugh at him and then spit in his direction, as I tell him, “It seems some of my people have arrived, shall I introduce you to them?”

I see him become angrier and more desperate. His ears are fully back alongside his head, his teeth bared, and he charges forward leaping at me. Just before he passes over me, I dive for the floor and scoop up Sacrifice in my muzzle and bring it up. I feel my teeth being slammed by the hilt as he lands on it and takes it to the muzzle guard. Blood pours out of his wound and down my weapon onto my muzzle.

I feel his body tense as he lets out a scream that hurts my ears. It is a scream of pain and frustration. The scream of one who is not accustomed to defeat or failure. I feel him kick me hard with his hind legs several times, then he stops and I drag myself out from under him, bringing my saber with me.

I look around the room. I see most of the guards are either dead or have run away. The centurion Xenos also lies dead on the floor. His throat sliced wide by Xyliana. Most of my team are wounded and injured. Epona is next to Tater as he grabs a couple of the zebra infantry rifles and a bag of magazines for them.

I then see Epona grab one of the short swords and a scabbard and she has him attach it to her tack.

Looking around and listening to the mayhem outside I tell them, “No pony left behind, grab our people, and let’s go.” I look over and I see them grabbing the wounded slave who is one of my troopers as well as my wounded or dead bodyguard and other escorts.

I finally can activate my battle saddle and I have Duty, my Death Bunny SMG back out and ready for action as we begin to head out the flap of the tent and into the chaos that has enveloped the camp. Through the smoke, in the distance, I can see sky wagons approaching, and above us, I see George and her escort as they get ready to make another run at those on the ground who try to fire at them or simply run for their lives.

I am in the lead heading for the gate, Sergeant Cupcake is on my right, Xyliana on my left. Right behind us are Epona and Tater, both with their weapons drawn and at the ready. I almost laugh at the absurdity of the dye dripping off their ears from the sweet and into their fur.

We come up to an intersection and stop to catch our breaths. As we stand there with our backs to the wall, Epona slides ahead of me, quickly looks around the corner and then yells out something in Zebrican that causes Xyliana to have to stifle a laugh with a hoof to her muzzle.

She then looks at me and says, “She say Praefect order to retreat. That infiltrators in supply dump.”

As she is saying this, I hear several zebras around the corner yelling and then I hear hoofsteps retreating from that direction. Soon Epona glances slowly around the corner again and waves us forward.

We are soon near another large tent and when Xyliana sees the writing on the sign her eyes get wide. Then she asks me, “Please wait? back soon.”

I nod my head and tell her, “Ok,” and I watch as she runs off and into the tent. Several minutes later she returns with two other zebra mares and a half dozen zebra foals all of them terrified and crying.

Epona runs up to her and talks with her quickly in Zebrican then she comes back to me and tells me, “Ma they are her family. The mares are her sisters and all but one of the foals are theirs, the oldest foal is her son.”

I am surprised, to say the least, and I nod as I tell them, “Welcome, now let’s move.”

I hear Xyliana say something to them and they all nod their heads and fall in with us.

We advance slowly with some of us providing an overwatch or cover fire for the rest of us on our way to the main gate. At one point we are engaged by several legionnaires from the windows and doors of what I assume is their mess hall. My two healthy bodyguards teleport to just below the windows and I am providing cover fire when Duty jams.

I am trying to fix it when Tater runs up to me. He yells to Epona, “Cover fire, Colonel I got this, hold on,” and he begins to work on my SMG without removing it from the battle saddle.

As he is working on it, I see both unicorns use their TK to pull the pins on several metal apples and lob them inside the old brick building, which is followed by a series of screams, explosions, more screams and then silence.

Minutes later Tater taps me on my hip and yells, “Your good Colonel.” And I see him move up next to Epona and lay some fire down the crossroad. I move up and tell them, I will cover you and they run across the road next to the mess hall. I go next, then the rest of my team. The unconscious wounded being dragged on a travois by some of my other escorts.

We are almost to the main gate when we begin to take fire from some of the shipping containers on the main wall. We take shelter behind a stone wall that surrounds a garden. As we are returning fire, Cupcakes says, “ma’am I got an idea.” She whispers it to me and I nod my head. Next, I see her peaking above the fence and glancing at where the shooters are. As she is doing this, she takes a grazing wound to her neck. I quickly bandage it for her and she says, “Ok Ma’am, ready?”

I nod my head and then pull out three metal apples. I pull the pin on the first one and it disappears and then I hear screaming on the wall as it reappears and explodes. We do this, three more times before we are out of metal apples.

As we begin to get up and move again, I see the guards on the wall shift their fire to something on the outside and I begin to hear gunfire from that side also.

I look at my team and I tell them, “Hold on for a couple of minutes, no need getting shot by our own people.”

I hear the gunfire begin to become very heavy. Soon I begin to hear automatic anti-machine rifles firing as well as some grenade and rocket launchers. Then I look up and see dozens of pegasus fly over the walls and begin to take covering positions. The main gate doors are blown open and then through the dust as I look up, I see Windy walking in being escorted by her staff.

I get up and we walk over toward her, I see several guns begin to turn towards us and I yell out, “Hey Windy, it’s me Mollygirl and my team, Roam is in retreat.”

I see her swing her head and weapon my way and then relax when I say this. As she comes over to me, I see more and more of her troops pour through the opening of the gate and I hear the gunfire lessening in the distance. She takes a look at me and those with me and while smiling shakes her head, “You look like hell, are you ok?”

I nod my head and I tell her, “Eh, don’t worry about the blood, it’s not all mine.”

She laughs lightly then says, “Damn it Mollygirl, you can’t bring the entire wastelands home to Manesville.”

I smile back at her as I tell her, “But Ma, they followed me home, can’t we keep ‘em?”

We both begin to laugh and exchange a quick hug. Once we break the hug she looks around and tells me, “You know this really is not so bad looking. Maybe we were wrong about them.”

I shake my head and I tell her, “No Windy, we were right, looks can be deceiving, they are slavers first and foremost. That reminds me, do you have your engineers here? We have slaves with explosive collars that need to be removed.”

“Yeah, I will have them come on in, give me a minute to call their platoon leader.” She tells me.

She steps aside and begins to talk into her PipBuck. As she is doing this, I walk back over to Xyliana and her family and I stick out a hoof as I tell her, “Thank you for your help Xyliana, we could not have done it without you.”

I see tears in her eyes as she says, “No, Thank You. Help my family, thank you.”

I cannot help but smile and tell her, “I am glad we could. Will they be coming to Manesville too?”

I see her look at her family and then she begins to speak to them. As they are talking Windy comes back to me and tells me, “Ok, Blasting Charge is bringing up his engineers and will be here soon. Once we have the collar off of this one, they will begin to help the rest.”

I nod my head and tell her, “Sounds good Windy, thanks again.” I see her look around and she says, “You know this is a really well built place for a base and a settlement, it would be a shame to just leave it.

I look around and then at her, “Yeah, it would, but it is so far from the rest of our territory. We better see what the higher ups want to do.”

I see her nod her head and she tells me, “You did good Mollygirl, but seriously no more of this ok. You are too high of rank to risk it.”

I smile at her and say, “Ok, but just so you know, you are starting to sound like Sutures.”

She laughs and tells me, “Well she doesn’t want to lose a wife, and I don’t want to lose a sister.”

I half smile as I nod my head in agreement and I tell her, “Ok, not unless ordered to by the higher ups ok.”

She sticks out a hoof and tells me, “Ok, agreed.”

As we shake hooves, I look over her shoulder and on the top of the gate, I see a single crow. It seems to be watching us and then I see it preen its feathers a bit before it flies away towards Hackamore. As it flies away I cannot help but smile.

Later after midnight we receive a message back from the high command in Junction Town. The Second of the Second will assist in setting up a militia in what is now being called, Fort Hope. Most of the Legion has scattered. However, there are many civilians, both zebras and ponies, who want to stay here. To them this is home, and now it will be our furthest west settlement for the Hackamore region.

Windy and I are sitting in her new headquarters when it comes in. I smile as her clerk brings the message to her and tells her, “Ma’am, looks like we will be here a bit longer.”

She takes the message from him and begins to read it absently telling him, “Thank you Pass Book. I appreciate it.”

She reads it and hooves it over to me. I nod my head when I read it and I tell her, “Sounds like you are going to be out here a couple more months. Sorry to hear that Windy.”

I see her sigh as she stares at the note in my hooves. Then she says, “Well it is only a couple more months, I guess. Damn it, I was really looking forward to going home soon.”

I put a hoof on her shoulder and I tell her, “I understand how you feel and to tell the truth I am going to miss not having you there. But once you are back, we have a mare’s night out, OK?”

She looks at me funny and then I tell her, “Ok, but with no drinking on my part.”

I then see her smile as she agrees to this. Then she tells me, “We both need to bed down soon. Tomorrow I will have you and your team taken back to Hackamore. “

“Thanks, Windy, I appreciate it. Do you think you could take a few extra passengers with us?”

She smiles and jokingly tells me, “Why not, Yes, you can keep them,” then she gives me a quick wink and gets up to catch some sleep herself.

Come morning, my team and I are up early. Xyliana, her sisters, and the foals are awake and ready to go. I see Epona sitting with the mares and talking with them in their language and I keep seeing them nod their heads yes. I call over to her, “You ready Epona?”

She nods to them then turns to me and calls back, “I sure am Ma.”

Then we all walk outside the gate of the base and climb into one of the sky wagons that are normally used to haul ammo. The big buck who is harnessed to it smiles back at us and asks, “You ready Ma’am?”

I look back at those with us and tell him, “Whenever you are trooper.”

With that, he begins to trot forward with his wings starting to flap, and soon we are airborne. I find myself standing up with my front hooves on the side of the wagon looking out over the land below. In the distance I can see George making another patrol. Windy flies up for one more hoof wave goodbye and then she peels off and heads back to Fort Hope.

Soon I can see the valley for Harness below us followed by Hackamore.

As we come in to land, I see Sutures along with Millie and Moon Lily waiting for us. Beside them is a very distraught and unhappy looking Chain Lightning.

Behind me I hear Epona say, “Tater, your Pa looks upset.”

Tater then says, “Yeah, I forgot to leave him a note to tell him where we were going and why.”

I hear more than see Epona facehoof. Then she says, “Tater, there was a reason I said to leave the note.”

Hearing this exchange, I turn to them and ask, “Is there something you need to tell me you two?”

“Ma, please don’t be mad. We just knew you would need the help and would still say no, so we told Sergeant Cupcake that you knew and that we were just playing the part completely as raiders.”

From the front of the wagon, I hear Sergeant Cupcake exclaim, “You lied to me? Colonel I am so sorry ma’am, I thought you knew.”

I do not get upset instead I simply shake my head and laugh lightly. Then I look up at my chief bodyguard and tell her, “Not your fault. I think it has to be something in the way I raise my daughters, sergeant.”

Shortly after this, we land and I am once again reunited with part of my family. Before I can say anything to Chain Lighting, I hear Tater say, “Pa, don’t be too mad, I am sorry I did not leave a note or anything.”

“Son, I am not mad, I was worried. I love you and was afraid I would lose you.” Chain Lightning tells him.

Tater looks up at him and tells him, “I love you too Pa. Oh, I got something for both you and Papa Tail Spin too.”

I see the Sergeant Major turn his head slightly and he asks in a suspicious tone of voice, “Ok, what did you bring us?”

I watch as Tater slides a stiff and oblong blanket roll off of his back. He lays it on the ground and unrolls it displaying two full good condition zebra infantry rifles with silencers and scopes. Tater grins up at his father and says, “Sorry about the blood on them. I was in a hurry when I took them off of their previous owners.”

I watch as Chain Lightings jaw drops a bit. I see him form some tears in his eyes that he refuses to let fall and he puts a hoof on Tater’s shoulder and tells him, “Thank you son, but I would not risk you for all the world.”

I see him pick up the weapon with a sense of awe and pride in his son. Then he puts in alongside the other and tells him, “Tater, let’s take these back to our room. Tonight, we will clean them and we can go to the range to try mine out soon, okay?”

I see Tater smile brightly and he gives Chain a big hug and tells him, “Thanks Pa.”

Xyliana is still behind me along with her family as this is going on and I see Chain Lighting look at her and the other zebras with her and he asks, “Colonel who are these mares and foals?”

Before I can say anything Xyliana points towards herself with her forehoof and says, “My Family. We go Manesville soon with you.”

I see Chain look at me and then back at them and finally her and he says, “Sounds good, but you need to go introduce your family to Barrel Tap ma’am.”

I see the surprise on her face when she notices he called her Ma’am. Then she smiles and says, “Yes we go see my husband.”

None of us correct her on Barrel Tap being her fiancé and not her husband, we all know that will change soon enough anyways. I look over and I see Summer Solstice coming our way and I ask her, “Lieutenant, could you do me the favor of escorting Miss Xyliana and her family over to medical so she can see her Fiancé Barrel Tap.”

She nods her head and tells me, “Sure thing Colonel. Later today if we could, I really need to talk to you, ma’am.”

I look over at Sutures and I notice her nodding her head to me. I then look back at Summer Solstice and I tell her, “Sure thing, Let me get cleaned up and my gear taken care of first.”

With that, she takes them away towards medical and I begin my trek to my quarters for a long awaited and desired hot shower. The rest can wait till later.

Dear DJ Pon3

Recently we have been attacked and those I care about threatened and hurt. My sister was almost killed. I have seen many of those we are sworn to protect injured and killed. We are now taking the fight back to them. The hoard before us that calls themselves legionnaires have done this to us and now, we repay the favor. Could you please play Battle Dawn for us and all who were involved?

Thank You

LT. COL. Wind Rider, 2^nd of the 2^nd Manesville Regiment.

For those who desire to listen to this chapters dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKEqKDvRdo4