Black Rain was in a surprisingly good mood.
He and Full Wing were waiting outside the door, both had small duffel bags slung over their shoulders. Before Black Rain said anything, Full Wing launched into a frantic tale of how they had almost been kicked out of the casino, but then Black Rain had “bet everything on this one table and then won”.
Full Wing had apparently been given fifty bits of his own and made twenty more over the course of four hours which was totally amazing since he didn’t even know how to play. Black Rain didn’t even tell him to shut up and he listened proudly to the Pegasus gush on about their luck.

“First damn good luck of the year, I’m looking forward to the rest of this trip.” Said Black Rain, as close to cheerful as he could be. He nodded to Red Field. “Hey kid, good to see you. Let’s go grab Bren and get something to eat, my treat.”
Even Siplinski was a little surprised at the about-face of the dark pony.

Bren, still in his room, said he wasn’t sure if he was coming, then Black Rain told him everypony was going. Bren appeared at the door of his room in a minute. He looked like he’d been napping.

“Oh, Red said he’s going?” He asked. “Yeah I’ll come.”

“Got a gay crush on him?” Asked Black Rain. “You know what, I don’t even care, fuck it, I’ll even pay your cover to the Meat Stack if that’s more your style.” He said. Bren wiped the sleep from his eyes and shoved Black Rain.

“I’m going so he doesn’t get stabbed or kidnapped.” He said.

The sun was already starting to descend and Red Field realized he and Siplinski had spent most of the afternoon working on the kit. They stopped at another grocer for something to eat. Black Rain advised Full Wing not to get a lot to eat, lest he puke his guts out upon seeing a stripper for the first time. At the checkout, Black Rain produced a crisp hundred bit bill and shoved it proudly the cashier. He then told burro to buy himself a better job with the change.

The Hoof and Halter was a “gentlepony’s club”. Nopony actually called it a strip club. The Hoof and Halter was not particularly exclusive, which was one of the main reasons for its high attendance. Red Field saw the square, single-story building with the cursive neon sign and his heart fluttered a little in his chest. A line had already formed outside of the door and Black Rain told everypony to shut up as they took their place.

The clientele seemed to break all of the stereotypes Red Field held about the kind of ponies who went to strip clubs. Many were the typical tall, tough working-types who couldn’t seem to go a single sentence without an obscenity, but amongst them were other ponies who Red Field didn’t think belonged. Several unicorns a few meters ahead of them were conversing about their studies, and Red Field caught that they were on vacation from the Cantorlot Academy of Advanced Magic. Behind Barracks Six were two young mares, well-dressed and talking about home decorating.

Carnality was apparently a commonalty for everypony in Las Pegasus.

They waited for half an hour as the line slowly filtered up to the pair of stallions standing outside the doors to the club. Red Field saw that the doorponies had declined a number of patrons and he wondered what kind of disqualifications existed for viewing nudity. Black Rain took point and led Barracks Six to the bouncer.

“Five of us, I’ll pay.” He said, motioning to the group.

“Oh hey, Rain, long time.” Said the stallion. “Uhhhh, those two have IDs?” He asked, eying Red Field and Full Wing. Black Rain nodded and told everypony to show their cards. Bren once more produced Red Field’s ID from his backpack.

“Sorry Rain, just been a little crazy here.” The bouncer said. “Had some asshole come in here and grope a couple mares, management’s not too happy about that and we’re supposed to turn away anypony who might cause trouble.” He cleared his throat and leaned in toward Black Rain. “You’re cool, but can you vouch for those two colts?”

“Yeah I dunno.” Black Rain pointed toward Red Field. “That one might be good to keep your eye on.” The stallion squinted at Red Field as if he weren’t sure if this was serious and Black Rain laughed. “I’m kidding.” Black Rain said. “They’re all fine.”

“Dammit Rain, you’re not supposed to make my job harder.” The bouncer said with a grin. “Go on in and get the hell out of my line.” He said, waving them past the velvet rope. Black Rain thanked him, then told everypony to follow him. Red Field’s heart was pounding again.

At first Red Field thought that the club might be on fire. Upon entering the building he was enshrouded by a thick fog that swirled around his legs and obscured his hooves. The pounding bass of a house song throbbed in his ears and made his heart feel arrhythmic. He couldn’t see anything in the fog. Black Rain stopped just inside the door. They were standing on what looked like a platform that stood a few steps above an open foyer.

“Okay, so here’s where we part ways.” Black Rain said over the music. “I’m just getting the lay of the land. Keep an eye on your wallets and meet back here in two hours.” The bombarding music, coupled with the fog of the club, his own adrenaline, and Black Rain’s orders made Red Field feel as if he were about to storm an enemy stronghold. Siplinski and Black Rain exchanged some dialogue which Red Field couldn’t make out. Full Wing poked Red Field’s shoulder.

“Hey dude, do you want to stick together maybe?” He looked as frightened as Red Field.

“Uh, yeah let’s do that.” Red Field said.

“Okay, see you guys later!” Said Black Rain, stepping into the swirling fog. Bren and Siplinski followed him, leaving Red Field
and Full Wing alone on the platform.

Red Field found the unmarked stairs a few steps into the mist. For a tentative second Red Field walked in grey blindness before his hoof pawed at thin air and he tumbled forward. Thankfully the stairs only had two steps and he kept his balance as he staggered into the main floor of the club. However the fall was enough to spook him.

“Whoa you okay?” Full Wing asked, steadying Red Field.

Red Field had stopped before a table. From the chair sitting aside the table protruded two thick red legs, a stallion’s legs. Atop those legs, and blocking the rest of the stallion’s body, was a mare. Her body shone with oil and her wings were outstretched like those of a rising phoenix. She squirmed atop the stallion. She faced away from the stallion and had been looking out into the mist with an odd expression of disinterest and bored concentration. But she immediately looked down Red Field as he stepped into view.

Red Field’s parents had taught him that strippers, prostitutes and sex workers in general were subservient persons. Cowed by an abusive life of what his parents had called “paid rape”, sex workers ought to be pitied as animalistic ponies who led mindless and miserable lives.

Red Field knew none of that was true as he looked at the mare.

The mare looked down at Red Field, the chair sat her much higher than him. Her eyes were clearer than those of anypony Red Field had ever met. A suggestion of liner ringed them. She smiled. In her smile, in her icy clear eyes, waited something predatory, something so richly crafted that it stood out as much as her bright white teeth.

Her gaze unnerved him and he moved his gaze from hers. As he made sure to look away, she arched her back. The light caught her bent body, showing a contour running down her slick chest and toward her navel. Red Field followed the contour; he wasn’t sure why. He knew exactly where it ended, yet his eyes still traced the contour down her body. His view came to rest for only an instant and he felt sick. He looked back up and ran straight into her eyes. She winked at him.

He hadn’t known he was playing a game until he lost.

Full Wing tugged at his shoulder.

“Hey, let’s go, this is really weird.” He whispered. Red Field nodded and quickly turned from the mare without looking back.

The club was set up like a cabaret of sorts. Round tables and booths populated the body of the room, and a large stage with a thick brass pole lorded over the tables. A bar sat along the right wall of the building and Full Wing led Red Field toward it. Red Field saw more strippers, cantering and strolling through the sea of tables, some stopped when called by seated patrons. Red Field felt hot and sick and was certain he was blushing. He took a seat at the bar beside Full Wing.

“Dude, I don’t know about this place.” Full Wing whispered. “Like-”

“What can I get for you?” The bartender stood across from them, hooves planted firmly atop the granite. He had appeared so suddenly that Red Field pulled back.

“Gin and tonic, for both of us!” Said Full Wing loudly. He produced a twenty bit bill and laid it in front of the pony. The bartender looked at the two, then turned to fix their drinks. Full Wing turned to Red Field. “Sorry, that’s the only drink I know and he’ll probably get mad if we don’t order anything.” The club smelled as if it had been bug bombed with cologne and every breath tugged in more of the biting fragrance into Red Field’s lungs. “God, I’m really nervous.” Full Wing laughed. “Maybe I’m gay or something.”

“Your drinks.” Said the bartender. The pair looked up and saw two squat glasses sitting atop napkins. Full Wing laughed nervously as he lifted his.

“Hey.” He held his glass to Red Field in a toast. “To straightness.” He said with an anxious laugh. The pair clinked their glasses.

Red Field had never consumed alcohol, but he knew what to expect. He’d seen the staggering, swooping actions of the Tartlets when they’d imbibed on their foul cider, so he expected the arid juniper. He sipped, frowned and set the glass down.

Full Wing drew a mouthful and nearly coughed it out. He gagged and hit the side of the bar before taking a deep breath.

“Damn, that’s some heavy stuff.” He said, wiping his eyes.

This was apparently going to be their evening.

Red Field planned to finish his drink, and as many as Full Wing would order for him, then switch to ice water and sit at the bar until it was time to leave. He was trying to think of some way to explain his odd behavior to the security, should they find out his relative teetotalism, when Full Wing nudged him again.

“Hey, what do you think we should do?” He asked. “’Cause I dunno, I’m kinda nervous but we are here to get mares.” Red Field took another sip of his gin and tonic and tried to think of something to say. Unfortunately, their decision had been made for them.

Two mares, both slick with oil and glitter, approached them.

“Hi.” The black one spoke first. Her voice was an audible version of the sweet-smelling cologne of fumigating the building. She was an earth pony with a fiery Cutie Mark and equally burning red eyes. She put her hooves on Full Wing’s thighs. “I’m Ember, haven’t seen you here before.” The other mare, a brilliant white Pegasus, drew close to Red Field. Her wing curled around Red Field’s seated body.

“I’m Kaya. What’s your name?”

“Red, Field.” He swallowed. “I’m Red Field, and you are?” She giggled and poked his shoulder.

“Forgot my name already?” Red Field could feel himself sweating. He hoped he wasn’t supposed to do anything. Kaya and Ember stepped back and faced the two ponies.

“You guys look new to this kinda thing.” Ember said gently. “We thought maybe we could talk for a while until you guys are more comfortable to, you know, go a little further.”

“Yeah sure!” Full Wing did not speak for Red Field. But he did anyway. The mares giggled.

“Great!” Said Kaya. “Do you wanna sit down here?” She pointed to a smattering of couches that sat on the fringe of the mass of tables.

“Uh, yeah, can we take our drinks down there? Do we need coasters?” Asked Full Wing. Ember laughed.

“It’s fine sweetie.”

Ember took Full Wing to a couch, and Kaya pulled Red Field in another direction. Red Field watched helplessly as his only acquaintance was seated in couch several meters away and promptly accosted.

Kaya sat him down in the couch. The couch was thick and cushy like a peat bog and only grew more slippery with his sweat. Kaya sat beside him and her hip rubbed on his.

“So! What’re you here for stranger?” She asked. Red Field licked his lips.

“Uh, my friends brought me here, we’re on leave from the military.” Kaya gave a demure “awh” and put a hoof on his shoulder.

“You’re a soldier! A big strong stallion fighting wars; that must be hard work.”

“You could say that.” Said Red Field. Kaya planted a peck on his cheek.

“So how long have you been in the field?”

“I’m sorry.” Red Field said. “I don’t really like, I mean, it’s not really my thing to-”

“Shhhh.” She put her glossily painted hoof over his mouth. “I get it, you’re shy.” She smiled. “That’s why we can just talk.” She held up his gin and tonic. “You better drink this before it gets warm though.” She said, giving him his cocktail. “Now tell me a little about yourself captain Red.”

Red Field told his life story to a stripper. Arriving at Gale Force at the start of the summer, he had not postulated himself giving an oral history of himself in the hopes of preventing an unwanted sexual encounter. However if Gale Force had taught him anything, it was how to adapt. In the misty and lewd cavern of the Hoof and Halter, Red Field brought his military training into action.

He told Kaya of his home, of his school, of the countless times he’d been attacked by the Tartlets, and even of his fabrication of Appleseed’s felony records. He told her everything he could think of, and when he was done, his glass was empty and the room rocked slightly.

“Oh wow!” Said Silica breathily, though she also could have been sighing. “You must be so mad at the world for putting you in such a terrible, no-good place.” She leaned over. “I could help you blow off some steam.”

“And what about you?” Asked Red Field under the haze of light drunkenness. Kaya blinked. She did not seem used to stallions conversing with her.

“Um, well, I’m pretty boring.”

“Try me.” The alcohol emboldened Red Field and he began to make a game out of avoiding her advances.

Unfortunately, Kaya noticed.

“Well.” She swung a leg over him and planted herself on his lap. Her face was millimeters from his and their snouts bumped a little. Red Field panicked and looked away from her gaze, which stampeded into his. But when he looked down he found himself staring directly between her legs.

Red in the face, Red Field looked back up at her.

“I like to take walks on weekends, I have a little art studio I do some drawings in.” Kaya shifted her weight and her open thighs rubbed on his lap. “I like ice cream.”

“T-that’s nice, what kind of art?” Asked Red Field.

“Erotica.”

“Interesting, what medium-” Red Field was silenced as the Pegasus laid herself down on top of him. Her warm chest pressed over his mouth and Red Field felt her spread her body over his. He felt feverish and began to hyperventilate. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Full Wings’ legs poking awkwardly out from beneath Ember. Full Wing hadn’t taken too long to relax. Kaya breathed and her chest pressed against his.

Despite the voluptuous weight surrendering herself onto him, Red Field was not horny. Head pressed down into the cushions of the couch, Red Field wondered about his sexuality. What was stopping him from enjoying himself? He had testicles, presumably working ones, and Kaya was a sexually attractive mare. Red Field didn’t know why he didn’t have, or even want an erection, all he knew was that he was not turned on. The experience proved only uncomfortable and slightly claustrophobic. He poked her in the back with a free hoof and she lifted herself.

“Excuse me, but I’m a little cramped here.” He said.

“What’s your deal colt?” She asked with a coy smile.

“No, I just, think maybe you aren’t my type. You are very pretty and if you have a comment card I will gladly give you some positive feedback.” He said. Kaya looked him like he was a crossword puzzle that had stumped her. Then she put a hoof in her mouth and gave a whistle. Red Field looked up at her, trying to understand this.

“Well let’s find your type then.” She whispered.

Over the next three minutes, seven additional mares backed up Kaya and trapped Red Field on the couch. They were a rainbow of loose and purring pleasures, all trying to crack into the tiny black and white vault of celibacy under them.
First came the preliminary questions about his sexual preferences and dislikes, of which Red Field confessed none. Then they asked him about his parents, his siblings, how it felt to be an only child.

The crowded mares went to great lengths to infiltrate his flaccid defense and coax something out of him. Red Field was petrified. However he fended them off as best he could and shot out answers as fast as possible.

The interrogation went on for some time.

Finally, a black and blue unicorn by the name of Mystique sighed in exasperation.

“Baby please.” She laid a hoof on his head, which was the only part of him not covered in mare. “Just tell me what you want.” She stared severely into his eyes. “I will make your deepest fantasy come true.” Red Field doubted very much that she could get him a scholarship at the Academy of Advanced Magic along with a personal tutoring schedule with Queen Twilight Sparkle.

“I’m sorry.” He said. “I really can’t say what I want.”

“Is it anal?” Asked Mystique. Red Field’s cheeks burnt and she patted his mane. “Baby, you look like a bunny and I doubt you’re a sicko. Just tell me, trust me, you won’t scare me.”

“Hey, would it help to hear the things I’m okay with?” Asked Licorice Whip. “You can tell me if I’m getting warmer.”

In a few minutes everything but Red Field’s physical virginity had been taken. He was cramped and uncomfortable and growing somehow more embarrassed from the barrage of fetishes and fantasies.

Like a drunken and irascible comet, Black Rain broke through the mist and approached the couch.

“Red, Goddamn it, it’s quarter till, did you forget your damn calculator watch?” He said. The mares pulled away at the sight of the unicorn who smelled of whiskey.

Red Field could have hugged him.

“I’m sorry.” Red Field said to the mares. “I’ve got to get going.” The looming black figure of Black Rain, who was still muttering curses to Red Field, pushed a few mares away. The mares looked at one another and in a moment they were trotting away from the couch. Red Field realized his body was wet with the various oils and perfumes of the mares. Kaya reached out and touched his shoulder gently.

“Red, will you be back again?” She asked breathily.

“Mmhmm, so calm down, you’ll get to suck his cock some other time.” Said Black Rain. Ignoring the crass stallion between them, Kaya gave Red Field a hug.

“You better come back.” She said kindly. “Because I’m going to milk you like a cow.” She whispered as she pulled close to him. Red Field’s blood ran cold. “G’bye!” She said as Black Rain tugged Red Field up and out of the misty depths.

The next morning everypony besides Red Field was hung over. Deep in an alcohol-induced slumber, Bren unconsciously tugged the covers away from Red Field. Red Field knew better than to attempt to recover them. The extra sleep felt like morphine and Red Field lay on his back in contentment. The room had no clock, and without any windows, the pair were suspended in an odd state of timelessness.

Bren awoke in an hour, Red Field had made about a dozen or so constellations out of the flecks of paint that dangled from the ceiling. Bren rolled out of bed and groaned that his head felt like a rotten coconut.

After briefly washing his face in the bathroom, Bren led Red Field to the rooms of the rest of Barracks Six. Siplinski looked almost as good as Red Field, while Full Wing seemed to be ruing his multiple gin and tonics. Black Rain kept them waiting, and when he finally joined the four in the lobby, Red Field saw just how much he’d been drinking the night before. Black Rain’s green eyes were bloodshot and each step he took dropped a dead hoof into the mushy carpet.

“Where we eating?” Black Rain asked. Bren suggested Talon’s again, but Black Rain shook his head. “Let’s go somewhere quiet.” He said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle.
The group stopped at a diner. They ordered only the most bland meals and everypony besides Red Field downed tarry black coffee.

“So what are we doing today?” Asked Siplinski after they’d finished eating.

“I don’t know.” Said Black Rain. “I’ll probably catch a fight or something.”

“Oh, can I come?” Asked Full Wing. Black Rain nodded.

“Sure that’s fine.” He said weakly.

“I’ll probably just spend most of the day in my room. Just want to sleep this shit off.” Bren said with a yawn.

“Red, do you want to hang in my room?” Asked Siplinski, licking the last of his syrup off of his plate and leaving a gooey splat on his nose.

“Sure.” Said Red Field, not sure why he’d been invited. They paid their bill and Black Rain and Full Wing parted ways with them. The morning was overcast and sleepy and couldn’t have fit the sluggish mood of the group better.

Bren groaned that he wasn’t going to touch a beer again, at least for a very long time, as he slunk into his room. Red Field wondered what it was like to be drunk, and why everypony considered it worth the repercussions. Siplinski seemed equally glad to return to their room and Red Field wondered if he might sneak out once his companion fell into another stupor.

“Okay, I waited like all night for this.” Siplinski was rooting beneath his bed before the door to the room even shut. He tugged out the thin plastic board of the electrical kit. “So you said this might be a transmitter or something?” He set the board on the bed and looked at Red Field as if the past eighteen hours had just been a pause in their conversation.

“Uh, yeah, depending on what’s inside I suppose.” Red Field said after a second. Siplinski had already pried off the radio and was attempting to find a way to open it. He took all of five minutes to pry the top off of the plastic box. He held it out to Red Field. “Okay what is it?” Red Field, knowing practically nothing about radios, peeked into the cube. It was a mess of tubes and tiny circuits.

“I have no idea what I’m looking at.” He said. Siplinski gave his shoulder a shake.

“Dude come on! You’re supposed to be the genius! Look harder.”

“How the hell am I supposed to know what that is?” Red Field asked. Siplinski tossed the piece back onto the board.

“Fine, whatever.” Siplinski sat down on the opposite side of the bed. The mattress dipped and board slid off of the bed. It fell to the floor with a thud and landed onto its face.

Siplinski did not move to pick it up.

Red Field didn’t enjoy being treated like an ambulatory manual, but, Siplinski had just been excited. Red Field spent a minute or two mustering his strength for an apology he didn’t think necessary.

“I’m sorry for snapping at you. Maybe we could take it apart and see if we recognize any of the parts.” He said.

“You think I’m gay.” Said Siplinski.

“No.” Red Field had no idea why this was still an assumption. “I just don’t like it when ponies treat me like a book on hooves.”

“I wasn’t!” Said Siplinski. “You’re really cool and the only pony who knows anything. I just was hoping you didn't think it’s gay or stupid that I buy shit like that.”

Red Field’s anger dissipated.

“You’re out looking for an education, that’s the opposite of stupid.” Red Field said softly. He knelt down and righted the kit. “Let’s see if we can figure out what this is.”

They took apart the radio. Neither could understand what it was. Siplinski recognized a few transistors, but the main component of the radio, a thick mass of circuits, was still foreign to them. Red Field gave up after ninety minutes, but Siplinski still mulled over the black box. Red Field had never met anypony who had out-concentrated him on anything before.

“What’s so interesting about electrical stuff?” He asked. Siplinski shrugged.

“Dunno, I like figuring out all the systems of all the different types of circuits.” He said. “If I ever make it into tech school I’m going to see if I can get a job as a wiring inspector for like new buildings and apartments and stuff.”

“Is there something about tech school that’s hard?” Red Field asked, a dry mirth making him grin a bit.

“Yeah I have trouble reading sometimes.” Siplinski said, still peering at the radio.

“Oh.” Red Field never liked it when somepony got made fun of for having problems with learning and he had practically done so. Siplinski still hadn’t looked up and Red Field was glad for that.

“Yeah.” Said Siplinski with a sigh. He picked at the cube, which had been almost completely dissected. “You should do my reading for me so I can get in to college. And I’ll be your spotter while you’re a sniper.”

Red Field and he shared a laugh. Red Field wanted to ask what a spotter was and why he needed one, but thought better of it. They passed the rest of the afternoon talking and picking apart the rest of the kit, which had already started to crumble after falling off of the bed.

At around five, Bren came to their room. Red Field and Siplinski made sure to hide the kit before opening the door.

Bren looked like he’d spent the afternoon asleep.

“Hey, I checked at the front desk and it sounds like the fight’s going to go late, something about fifty guys fighting over the course of like three hours. Those guys won’t be back till late, so we can just go to the club now if you want.” He said, leaning against the doorframe. Red Field unhappily pondered his impending milking at the hooves of Kaya.

“Yeah I don’t really feel like it.” Siplinski said. Bren nodded.

“Yeah me neither, you guys want to just order some pizza and play cards or something here?” Siplinski said that sounded good idea and Bren consulted Red Field, who said it sounded like a great idea.

Red Field had a hand of two pair and cracked his neck. He’d read that the correct poker posture needed to blend visible and plausible emotions and actions with an overall sense of reservation. Siplinski was slurping the cheese from a slice of pizza and Bren sat at the foot of the bed, flicking through the burn pile.

“Sip, go.” Bren said. Siplinski nodded and swallowed his mouthful of cheese.

“Gimme five.” He said, throwing his cards face up onto the burn pile. Bren shrugged and began to count out the cards.

“So you hear Red’s gonna be a sniper?” Siplinski asked, wiping some grease from his face. Bren paused mid count, then resumed dealing.

“Uh yeah, how’d you find out?”

“Shipley.” He replied. Bren nodded and shoved him his cards.

“Oh yeah, forgot you and he are friends. Does that mean you can see everypony’s medical records too?” He asked tentatively. Siplinski, who had taken another slice of pizza and was in the process of leeching off the cheese, nodded.

“You have no idea how many of the new guys aren’t vaccinated.” He said. “Also check.”

Red Field bet seven pepperoncinis, which were the currency of the game since the pizza had arrived with a hefty bag of them.

“So uh, what do you think of that?” Asked Bren, shifting through his hand and picking out discards. Siplinski tossed the soggy slice to his plate.

“I think he’ll be good.” Said Siplinski. “He’s smart so the math won’t be hard.”

“Yeah and I bet you’re pretty good at focusing, which will be good for those long distance shots.” Bren said to Red Field. “I hear their new qualification course has like three thousand meter shots.”

Red Field stopped mid-yawn. He hadn’t imagined sniping involved shooting at particularly long range. He nervously recalled being struck in the face by the scope of KKAT.

“Uh, so, what else can you guys tell me about sniping for Gale Force?” He asked. Siplinski spoke first.
“It’s like nine-tenths crawling and hiding.” He said. “But there’s obviously a lot of shooting; you need to know math and like a ton of conversions. Most of the time you aren’t even shooting but just like scouting and stuff. It’s not about physical stuff but there’s a lot of waiting and hiding and most guys don’t have the patience for it.”

“Yeah, mostly that.” Said Bren. “The training is a lot of everything, but in practice they don’t do a ton of shooting. You’re a pretty good shot right?”

“No he’s not that good.” Said Siplinski. “He didn’t do that well in most of the live fires.” Bren looked to Red Field to verify this.

“Uh, it was just that there was too much recoil.” Red Field said. “I just have trouble with it hurting my shoulder is all.”

“Show ‘em.” Bren dropped his cards. He looked back to Red Field. “Oh, well then that’s not a problem. I think there’s like some training or maybe like a gun upgrade or something to make you less sensitive to recoil.” Everypony dropped their cards and Bren won with a full house.

“Yeah.” Said Siplinski, shoving his peppers across the carpet to Bren. “But you better not be too sensitive with that one big rifle, I heard it can break your shoulder if you don’t hold it right.”

“Uh, what is that?” Asked Red Field, trying to understand the odds of Bren obtaining a full house.

“It’s one of a bunch of rifles you guys use. Can’t remember the name.” Bren said. “For some odd reason, sniper teams get the most equipment out of everypony. But look, it’s not really anything to worry about, they’ll teach you everything. And I think they have ways of bringing down the recoil, none of the guys I know who went into the program complained about it.”

“How many ponies went into sniper training that you know of?” Asked Red Field.

“Six.” Said Siplinski. “Zeiss, Icicle Hoof, that guy who ate snow all the time, somepony, somepony, and now you.” He thought for a moment. “I think only Zeiss and that snow guy got in.” He knocked Red Field’s shoulder. “We’re about due for somepony to pass.”

Next came the question Red Field hated most of all.

“How difficult is it to be a sniper?”

Both ponies answered simultaneously.

“It’s pretty hard.” Said Bren.

“You’ll pass.” Siplinski said. “You’re a genius and the quietest pony ever. I know you’ll get in.” He said, picking up a used slice of pizza, which was gory with tomato sauce. He glanced over at Red Field. “Your deal?”

They played for another half an hour. Red Field stopped caring about perfecting his poker expression and kept replaying the question over and over in his mind.

“How difficult?”

“You’ll pass.”

The peppers had dried and the room reeked of congealing pizza grease. Siplinski was sprawled over the bed, in a light, dairy-imposed sleep. Bren lay in the carpet playing solitaire and Red Field was watching him.

“Wonder if they’re back yet.” Full Wing said through the door. The door opened and both Black Rain and Full Wing entered. They were both covered in a thin dusting of sand and encrusted in sweat.

“How was the fight?” Asked Bren from the floor. Black Rain carried the same small satchel he had brought his casino winnings back in and tossed it onto the bed, more specifically, onto Siplinski’s face. Siplinski jerked awake and swatted away the satchel.

“Heh, good. Bet on second place, made four hundred bits.” Black Rain said. Siplinski opened the satchel and pulled out a thin stack of bits.

“Whoa, money!” He said, flipping through the bills. Black Rain didn’t seem to care and looked back to Bren.

“Hey, I need to use your shower, ours is full of broken glass.” He said.

“Uh, ok, why?” Asked Bren.

“Company tonight.”

“Oh I see.” Bren seemed to know exactly what this meant.

“Uh, me too.” Said Full Wing unsteadily. Bren looked to Black Rain with a look of disapproval.

“Hey! Everypony has to grow up some time.” Black Rain said. “I mean, you don’t have to.” He shot a glance at Red Field as he said this. Siplinski stood up from the bed and tossed the satchel to Black Rain.

“Well! I’m off to bed. Please don’t make too much noise or I will make more jokes about you banging minors.” He said. “Congrats on the winnings.”

“Why don’t you go first?” Black Rain said to Full Wing, pointing to the shower. Full Wing slipped into the bathroom. Black Rain slung the satchel over his shoulder and walked over to the bed. “So how was the Halter tonight?”

“Good, it was good.” Bren had started to pick up the rows of cards. “Red got a lesbian couple to make out, he kept acting like they were just a couple of clubbers trying to act cool by pretending to be lesbians. They got so mad that he didn’t believe them that they went to town on each other.” Bren chuckled. “I’ve never seen anypony make that happen.” Black Rain didn’t believe this, but acted as if he did.

“Oh wow.” He said. “That’s pretty cool.” He gave Red Field a poke. “Nice job.” He raised an eyebrow. “What were their names?”

“Affirmative Action.”

“And?”

“Moonlit Night.” Those were the only two female names Red Field knew offhoof, and the mental image scalded his mind.

“What were their colors?”

“Purple, and light grey, like moonlight.”

“Didn’t pay a thing for it either.” Bren said. Black Rain chuckled again and began to stroke the satchel slung over his shoulder. He laid back in the bed.

“I guess he didn’t.”

Red Field knew that sex changed ponies, but only as a fact and not through personal experience. After both Black Rain and Full Wing had broken the ice and taken a pair of prostitutes back to the hotel, both Bren and Siplinski had followed suit over the next few nights.

Bren changed the least. The next morning he had eaten a bit more at breakfast, however he seemed just a little quieter than usual.

Full Wing underwent the oddest change. He seemed to oscillate between pride and self-doubt. Upon “feeling a little itchy” the morning after, he’d panicked and consulted the other ponies to see if they ought to track her down and see if she had anything. However he was also calmer. He ordered quite a bit more at breakfast and continued the conversation with next to none of his inanity. As much as Red Field disliked the stereotype of “getting laid smoothing a pony out”, he had to admit that Full Wing seemed a bit older. Or at least he acted that way.

Red Field couldn’t tell how Black Rain had changed. While most certainly not his first coitus, the romp with whomever he’d hired changed Black Rain’s demeanor the following morning. At first he had been rather tranquil, leading everypony to the diner and only making a few passing comments about what he planned to do for the rest of their trip. Then Bren proposed the question of what everypony thought of the diamond dogs, and what Gale Force might do about them. Black Rain descended upon the topic with a passion. While he had always enjoyed armchair analysis of nearly every issue related or even unrelated to Gale Force, Black Rain spoke with vibrancy.

Of course they were planning something. You’d have to be a total dumbass not to see that they’d had something to do with the Blast. If he were commander he’d already be bombing their sorry asses. Most of the diamond dogs hated Equestria and it wouldn’t be too hard for one of them with a college degree to raise up at least a small militia.

Siplinski was only too happy to join him in the intense but meaningless conversation. Siplinski hadn’t technically had sex. He’d only had a private dance back in the Halter. Red Field had read that no sex could legally take place in the strip club…but he was hard pressed to find another explanation for why he’d seen Siplinski washing something off of his chest later that night. Siplinski hadn’t spoken to Red Field any more about college afterward and he’d thrown away the electrical kit when the others were out buying more liquor.

Everypony was different after sex.

Everypony except Red Field. Because Red Field had not had sex.

He had, however, been swarmed every night by the mares of the Halter. This had given him at least a soluble excuse with which to avoid appearing virgin to the rest of Squad Six. However, as with all of his defenses disguising his atypical maleness, his Casanova facade was bound to fail.

“I dunno, we’ve been here all week.” Siplinski said as they rounded the corner that signaled they were two blocks from the club. The path had become almost routine and they were on their last night of leave. “I’d be good just to hit the club for a bit then head back to the room to get some sleep.”

“Yeah, I could go for that.” Said Bren.

“I know I’m going.” Said Full Wing. “We’ve got what? Another four months before our next leave? I’m going to get full up on mares before I go back to four months of cock-filled showers.”

“You must be taking some interesting showers.” Black Rain said with a laugh.

“Aw screw you.” Said Full Wing.

The Halter was nearly at capacity. Bad Check, Black Rain’s bouncer friend, allowed them to the front of the line.

“Last night boys, live it up ‘cause you ain’t gonna see it for a while.” Said Black Rain as they entered.

“I’m going to get a drink and just hang out at the bar if anypony wants to join me.” Said Bren, starting off toward the bar.

“Yeah, I’ll go with you.” Said Siplinski, trailing behind him.

“You know where to find me.” Full Wing said to Black Rain as he hopped down the stairs. He wandered into the misty crowd and was gone in a moment.

“Well Red, last night, you got a lot of heartbreaking to do.” Black Rain said before shuffling off.

Red Field looked out over the dense crowd of burros and ponies. The mist was chopped and thinned amidst all of the movement. He walked down the steps and into the floor.

Red Field didn’t mind the club so much anymore. Kaya and her ilk had grown tired of him and his unbreakable demeanor and had given up on teasing him. He’d met a dancer named Prance who he had held a rather pleasant conversation on magic with. He was looking forward to spending his evening greeting and chatting with other mares he knew.

However tonight all of the dancers seemed busy and Red Field took a solitary seat at a booth and sat staring into his water glass. For the first hour or so, he sat alone and tried to avoid calculating how many ejaculations the building had absorbed. A few mares came to his table offering a selection of dances or performances, then left once he said he had no money. Red Field looked out over the crowd. The heads and shoulders of the dancers poked up like prairie dogs as they ground their clients. He saw Kaya, she was embracing some black pony as she rode him. She caught sight of Red Field and smiled to him. He waved, which felt more than a little odd.

“Heyhey! Reddy!” Bren practically sat on Red Field as he slid into the booth. His breath smelled like a rotting evergreen and by his misuse of his outdoor voice, Red Field guessed he was drunk.

“Redwhatisupdude?” The intoxicated version of Siplinski talked so quickly that he was almost unintelligible. He slid into the booth after Bren and Red Field was shoved up against the wall.

“Uh, nothing.” He said. “What are you guys up to?”

“Psh.” Bren snorted and threw his head back like something hilarious had just taken place. “This guy!” He struck Siplinski, though Siplinski didn’t seem to mind or even feel the blow. “Fuckin’ spends like two bits on a soda, then he says ‘heyBrenwannadrinktilloneofusssspassessssoutandthenthatguypays’” He ended his impression of Siplinski with a long “pthbbbb”.

“Hey I don’t talk like that!” Said Siplinski, though he did not seem capable of taking much offense.

“Oh, great.” Red Field said with a smile, not wanting to be punched. “That’s great!” Bren jabbed a clumsy hoof into Red Field’s snout in an effort to point at him.

“Dude, what did I tell you. Like it’s totally true right?” Said Bren.

“Uh, I dunno?” Siplinski said. They held a brief intermission as both ponies attempted to recall what Bren had said. Red
Field gently eased the hoof from his snout in that time.

“So we got you a dance!” Bren said, deciding to overlook whatever he’d forgotten.

“It’s okay dude.” Said Siplinski. “We told her everything. We just figured that we owed you something for like, always having our backs and stuff.”

“Well thanks but-”

“Shhhhhh.” Bren put his hoof over Red Field’s mouth. “We’ll leave you in peace.” He whispered. “Remember, no grabby grabby.” He broke into giggles. They got up to leave and Red Field tried to extricate himself from the corner of the booth.
“Guys, thanks. I know you mean well but I’m really okay.” Both had started snickering and galloped back to the bar. Red Field scrambled out of the booth. His companions took their seats, then looked back at him. Bren started laughing once he saw Red Field.

Siplinski grinned and pointed to Red Field. He made a swirling motion with his hoof. Red Field cocked his head. Were they serious? What should he do? Had he simply been credited with one free dance redeemable at his discretion? Siplinski made the swirling motion again and Bren doubled over in laughter as he saw Red Field’s confusion. Finally, Red Field comprehended the gesture.

He turned.

“Wha’ hai shug!” He leaped back in fright. An apple green mare with a thick blond mane and an apple wedge for a Cutie Mark had apparently been stood behind him. She smiled sweetly and put her hoof atop his snout. “Easy there darlin’!” She said gently. Red Field pulled away from her pedicured hoof and she giggled. “Hang on nao!” She brushed some of her silken mane from her face. “Am ah gonna hafta sit on ya’ll?”

“N-no, that’s quite all right.”

“Ya’ll just relax, lemme do all the work.” She pulled him back to the booth and sat him back down. Then she slid herself onto his lap. She fit into the already tight gap between his lap and the table like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle. She started to grind on him and Red Field tried to squirm out from under her. The mare placed her fore hooves atop his and shushed him. “Ya’ll feel tense, lemme work on ya’ll fer a bit.”

“Look, I’m sorry but I’m not into this kind of thing.” Said Red Field, trying to slide himself out.

“Nao ya’ll look skittish as a maht.” She kissed his nose. “Is this ya’lls first tahm?”

“Y-yes, and my friends are playing a joke on me. I’ll give you a great review if you’ll just let me up.”

“Nao ya’ll needt’just trust-”

“Hey get out of here.” Black Rain was again Red Field’s savior. He appeared aside the booth and flicked his head at the mare. “I need to talk to my buddy here.” He said.

“Ah’m workin’ him, ya’ll kin just wait till aftir or jus’ talk around me.” She said, locking her hips over Red Field’s. Black Rain reached into his wallet.

“Here’s forty five bits, go get that guy up there.” He pointed to Siplinski. “The one who talks fast.” The mare paused, looked at the money, then slid off Red Field without saying another word.

“Hey, thanks.” Red Field said. “I apprecia-”

“Yeah whatever, it’s fine.” Black Rain leaned over the table. “So I got a surprise for you.” Red Field smelled the foul odor of liquor on his breath. “Scoot!” Shouted Black Rain over his shoulder.

A small mare, even smaller than Red Field, strode up to the table. Her body was a rich orange, and a long purple mane ran down her shoulders and into her face.

She had no Cutie Mark.

Red Field turned to Black Rain in horror.

“Yeah, I looked for somepony small. I didn’t want to be an asshole and get you a beefer for your first time.” He said in a strange tone of consideration. “She’s all paid up for tonight, don’t even need to tip her. Oh and don’t worry, she’s legal.” He said, winking to Red Field. Red Field looked in silent horror at “Scoot”. His blood pounded in his ears and he felt as if he might crumple and vomit.

“I-”

“Get outta here, those two jackasses are just going to keep sending bitches at you all night.” Said Black Rain. He produced a key and set it before Red Field. “Here, use the kid’s bed if you plan on making a mess.” He said, chuckling and shaking Red Field by the shoulder. “You’ve been flirting with these sluts all week, better actually put some time in.” Black Rain said proudly, before his tone darkened. “Unless you weren’t really flirting and this is just a big misunderstanding on all of our parts.” Red Field looked up. Black Rain’s eyes were bloodshot and twitched about, like a pair of misbalanced tops. The tops waited for Red Field’s response. Red Field glanced to Scoot, who was cracking her neck. She looked to Red Field, then raised her eyebrows in impatience.

“Okay.” Red Field said softly. He slid the key off of the table and Black Rain stood aside as he exited the booth.
Red Field stopped at the door to look back. He saw Black Rain had seated himself in the booth and had ordered another drink. He glanced up and saw Red Field. He waved. Then Red Field turned and left the club.

Scoot was standing outside. A cold desert breeze rolled down the street and she looked back as Red Field exited.

“Ready?” She had a hard, distantly unimpressed voice.

“Y-yes, sorry to keep you waiting.” He said. The signs and lights of the city still blinded him a bit, which, coupled with his already rising nausea, nearly made him dizzier. Scoot started away from the long line of patrons, some of whom were eying her, and toward the Lotus Garden.

She knew where they were going.

“You know my name’s Scootaloo actually.” She said presently. They were walking down the last stretch of road leading up to the dilapidated hotel. “You can call me whatever but I really hate Scoot.”

“Oh okay.” Red Field nodded. “Scootaloo, that’s an interesting name.”

“Yeah I guess.”

That was the end of their conversation until they reached Black Rain’s room. Red Field was trembling so much that he had difficulty shoving the worn key into the mouth of the lock. The room smelled foul and Scootaloo rolled her eyes.

“You should tell your buddy he smells like cow apples.” She sniffed Red Field. “At least you smell okay.” Scootaloo led Red Field into the room. Red Field saw a pair of beds and judging by the accumulation of feather conditioner atop one, Red Field guessed that was Full Wing’s.

“God, it smells bad in here.” Scootaloo said.

“Maybe we should open a window.” Red Field said.

“There aren’t any windows at this place. Perverts keep peeping into the windows of all the ground floor rooms here and they remodeled it.” Red Field looked up at the fan that housed the lights. He looked around for a switch.

“Do you know if that fan-” Scootaloo was standing in front of him as he turned. Red Field wondered why sex workers were astoundingly quiet. He swallowed.

“Dude, it’s okay.” Said Scootaloo with a flick of her mane. “It’s not the worst smell in the world.” She poked his chest. “Now, how’d you like to start?”

“See, um. What.” Red Field took a step back and half-fell half-sat on the bed. “How does this work?” He asked anxiously. Scootaloo smiled; it was the first time she’d smiled. Instead of a typical sugary flash of teeth, Scootaloo’s smile was amused and just a little condescending. She tossed her mane out of her eyes.

“Well, your buddy gave me two hundred bits, sooooo,” She shrugged. “Anything you want is pretty much up for grabs.” She paused. “Except watersports, I don’t do that.”

“I, see.” Red Field said. Red Field was more uncomfortable in that single moment than he’d ever been in his entire life.

Unfortunately, Scootaloo was trained for such a situation.

“Hey, buddy.” She clapped her hooves and he looked up. “What’s your favorite spell?”

“Uh, I.”

“Your favorite trick or summon; look at the ceiling and tell me your favorite spell.”

“I, don’t know any spells. I wasn’t taught any spells.”

“Okay okay. What’s your favorite-” She saw his Cutie Mark, “chess piece, that is chess right?”

“Yes.” Red Field paused. “The queen, she’s the most valuable piece and aside from the knight and a castling rook can perform all of the actions of the other-” He felt something touch him between his legs and he jerked up. Scootaloo pulled her snout back. “I’m sorry.” He said quickly.

“Lay back down. And tell me more about the queen.” Brain frozen and escape nullified, Red Field laid back down in despairing obedience.

“Sh-she’s the most valuable piece.” He started. He felt something warm and moist kiss against his body and his voice cracked. “From a point standpoint you know.” The warmth spread. “She’s also a very ornate piece.” Scootaloo bit down gently and his entire body quivered.

“Mmhmm.” She said.

“The, I. She’s the most valuable piece, did I say that already?”

“I dunno.” Scootaloo said dreamily. “Why don’t you go over it again?”

Red Field had grown sweaty, so sweaty that it began to soak into the greyed white linen. His heart thumped and pounded in his chest and he felt as if he might faint.

“She’s- I’m sorry!” He cried as he sat up. She pulled away. He was panting and beginning to shake. “I-” He stopped, as he had no idea what to say. Scootaloo looked at him with a frown that said she was losing patience.

“Look buddy, I’m not going to bite your dick off.”

“It’s not that.”

“Okay.” She rose to her hooves and shook her mane. “How about a looksee at my parts, maybe that’ll flip your switch.”

“No, I don’t think so.” Red Field said wiping his brow.

“Are you a switch hitter or something?” She asked in irritation.

“I don’t know.” Scootaloo closed her eyes and let out a long sigh.

“This isn’t going to work.”

“Yeah.” Red Field said shakily. Scootaloo hopped onto the bed and he flinched back.

“God, I’m not going to rape you.” She said, crawling up to the headboard and propping herself up. “The owner’ll think it’s a deal if I leave in five minutes so I’ll just hang here for a bit.” She said, making herself comfortable.

“Okay.” Red Field didn’t care what she did, so long as it had nothing to do with his body.

The pair sat for a time. Red Field was so close to the edge of the bed that after a bit he began to cramp from keeping himself from falling. He tentatively shifted closer to her and took a better seat. Scootaloo, who had been sitting back with her eyes closed, looked over at him and giggled.

“You’re kinda adorable.” She said. He thanked her and they sat for a little longer.

“You know your cock isn’t that small.” Red Field blushed. “What is it? Virgin jitters? Your mom going to get pissed if she finds out you banged a hooker instead of saving your juice for your wedding night?”

“I don’t know.” Red Field said. “I just don’t feel anything.”

“What do you think of when you masturbate?” Red Field had never masturbated and he admitted this. She looked at him.

“Really.” She said, then she cocked her head as if it didn’t seem so implausible after all. “Where do you do for a living?”

“Equestrian Army, my friends and I are on leave.” She snorted.

“You’re a soldier?”

“Yes.”

“What do you do?” Red Field hesitated, then imagined no harm could come from telling a prostitute.

“I’m a sniper.” He asked. Scootaloo cocked her head.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a job that requires a lot of concentration and focus.” She blinked, as if the description were in some way nonspecific.

“It’s a job for a smart pony.”

“They have smart ponies in the army?”

“I imagine so.” Said Red Field. Scootaloo shrugged, then swung her legs over the side of the bed.

“Well, I’m outta here.” She said. Red Field got up to see her to the door. Scootaloo saw this, shook her head and laughed once more.

“You really are the cutest thing.” She walked to the small minibar that sat beside the empty table and pulled it open. “Most of you virgin types have the sickest fantasies, but you’re just a cute little foal.” She pulled out two of the small bottles of clear liquor and walked to the door. She looked back at him as she left Red Field was still a little intimidated by the compact little harlot and he shrank back.

She giggled.

“You have a free fuck from me if you ever come back here and start getting frisky.” She said good-naturedly. “Oh and I’ll tell your friend you fucked my brains out- that should shut him up, he seemed like an asshole.” She added with a wink. She lunged out and stole a quick kiss from him. Red Field flinched harder from that kiss than he had from all of his time in Beast.

Scootaloo was still laughing to herself as she strolled down the hallway.

Next Chapter: Chapter 11 Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 54 Minutes