My field of view slowly changed from a black screen, to a hazy gray with a circle around the number three. The circle moved clockwise, counting down like when a film would start. When it reached one, the hazy gray was replaced with the logo for the old Equestria News Correspondents. Below that it gave the opening topics of: Broken Ceasefire, Parasprites, Rationing, Recruitment. The date on the newsreel indicated it was made about one month before the time the system said that the memory experienced by Private Fire Tail had been.

The title card changed to just the big words of Broken Ceasefire, setting it as the first topic. I then heard a voice startup, distorted by poor recording equipment they had at the time. The image that appeared along with the dialogue, was a zebra hoof stepping on a scroll.

“The hope for an expanded ceasefire today, was crushed by zebra force launching an attack across the southern plateau of Equestria. The zebras moved quickly, and captured several of our bravest stallions and mares across the front lines,”

The image changed to a old map of equestria, showing an arrow moving up the south west section of Equestria.

“Though it was a fierce and surprising attack, the Equestrian armed forces state that only a few casualties occurred among the fighting, and the ponies who were captured have since been returned. However, the zebras were able to grab and keep hold of many of the supplies that had been sent down to that region.”

The scene return to a gray as the word “Parasprites appeared on my E.F.D.

“Along with the push from the south, several Zebra infiltrators yet again entered across Equestria’s northern borders and released dozens of parasprites among the rural farmlands. Their attack struck the large farm lands North of Mainhatten, causing catastrophic damage to the main crops in the area.”

The gray faded away and was replaced with images of rows and rows of destroyed corn, and strange creatures that looked nothing like any sprites I have seen. The ones I have seen had been a bloatsprite or a sprite bot. They looked nothing like what was in front of me, a far cry from the ugly things flying around the wasteland now. To me, they were kind of cute creatures of famine back then.

“However, the quick thinking from the Saddle High marching band prevented this from becoming a massive crisis. The school band successfully lead the swarm away from the fields and into a location where they could be dealt with accordingly. The quick actions of the young ponies have yielded them as young equestrian heroes, and the young heroes will even be receiving honors from Princess Celestia herself.”

Ah..a marching band? My mind pulled up a image of the brass section chasing down the small creatures and swatting them. The truth made less since. The image that appeared on my EFD was of the marching band trotting in formation down a dirt road playing their instruments to some song that was not recorded. While the small sprites just hop along happily following the band.

The title card changed again to Rationing. Which I had a feeling was caused by the previous story. The title card faded away and was replaced with ponies standing in single file lines in front of shops.

“With the recent farm attacks, the Equestria government has been forced to do something that has not been done in many many moons. Strict rationing has been ordered for all citizens across Equestria. Each market and shop has been instructed to reduce the amount of different foods sold in order to ensure that nopony goes hungry in this time of strife. Please, contact your town government to find out which items are limited, and how many can be purchased per month. The image shifted to Princess Luna standing in front of Canterlot Castle. Luna spoke in front of the Royal Palace yesterday, saying that the rationing will only last a few weeks while the farms are replanting and existing food stocks are tallied and organized. She was quoted as saying. “I praises the citizens of Equestria, for enduring the inconveniences of this crisis during such troubled times.”

The image of the old Princess faded away and was replaced with the final title card, Recruitment. The text faded away as images of ponies marching in uniform lines took it’s place.

“Last month, the recruitment for the Equestria Army had fallen experts say. Mostly due to the ceasefire and peace talks, however officials believe that due to the ceasefire being broken, and the recent attacks on Equestria food supply, the numbers of new recruitments is expected to once again increase. Even with the lowered numbers from last month, the Equestria military has created their first official troop divisions as they are calling them. Formed to support the increasing range of the war, one Lieutenant reportedly was quoted in saying that they were happy with this idea. Saying “It’ll be nice to see other squads within trotting range, instead of just me and my ten ponies trying to hold a whole Manehatten’s worth of land.”

The image faded away to the dull grey again, with the Equestria News Correspondents being brought up in front of me.

“Thank you for watching this ENC news update. We’ll see you again next week for more news around Equestria.”

My EFD returned to it’s original black, with text appearing in white saying “Newsreel complete...Loading and activating associated memory orb.”

When my senses returned, my field of view was still black. Even so, I could hear my own slow and rhythmic breathing. Or, wait... no, it is my host breathing. I then started hearing hoof steps coming towards my host. My field of view began to brighten as my host opened their eyes. Both my host and I started to take notice of a mare with a green body and brown mane standing imposingly over us.

“Hey Fire Tail, wake up. It’s time to get up and get ready.” The mare said, not using a forceful voice, but something still stern enough to consider friendly.

“I don’t remember asking to be woken up.” My host replied groggily.

“You kind of did when you told me those exact words last night. Remember? After you had watch, you said that you wished you’d gotten up earlier so you could get something to eat.” The mare said with the same voice accompanied by a smile. “So, time to get up and have something to eat. Then you’re on watch again.”

Oh great, I get to start a memory on a watch. Let’s hope the system remembers to fast forward through that section.

“That wasn’t asking, that was commenting.” My host snapped back. I could tell my host just wanted to flip over and fall back to sleep. “There is a difference, and you should learn it.”

“True, but it’s better to get something to eat before work then going to work hungry.” She said back, losing the smile and assuming more of a motherly tone. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

“You’re not my mother.” My host replied in a rather childish way.

“Nope, but I am a work pony. Oh, and a manager of a bunch of bucks back home, so that’s kind of like a mother,” The mare said, now wearing a devilish smile. “and, as you know, mothers know best.”

I would have to say, I’d hate to have her in the squad. Mornings already suck enough to have this mare telling me to get up. At least Apricot is a lot more gentle at waking me up usually.

“Also,” She continued, “you have to wake up because I’ll just keep talking to you ‘till you get fed up enough to move.”

“That’s... that’s really evil of you.” My host said slowly sitting up. “Fine, I’m up. Happy?”

My host sat up onto their hooves and slowly moved out of the tent that he was sleeping in. The land around my host was a lot different from the other two memories, and this area was much more empty than the others. From what I could see, they were camped out on a hillside that opened up into what looked to be the old badlands. Stretching out on the the horizon, mostly desert areas met my host’s eyes. It seemed they were on one of the few hills that just happened to litter the immediate area.

Without another word, the green mare pushed my host out of the way and climbed into the the tent.

“Wait? what are you doing?” My host asked.

“Well, since I did my job and had watch a few hours ago, I’m going to get some sleep.” The Green mare replied as she climbed into her own sleeping bag, “Besides, it’s really cold today.”

“You kicked me out so you could have the tent to yourself, didn’t you.” My host said in a annoyed tone.

“Well, it is true that you should get something to eat before sitting staring at a tree line…” The Green mare replied without so much as trying to hide the lies in her words. “but, if you already happen to be awake, I can enjoy a nice, quiet rest. You know, you snore really loudly and it makes you a pain to sleep next to.”

Wow, she dropped the niceties quite fast there at the end. Yeah, I think I’d go insane if somepony like her came out here on a trip like the one we’re on.

“I should just go back to sleep but... I can’t now.” My host said turning. I could see the campfire to my left side with some ponies sitting around it. “On top of that, now I gotta go.” However my host started to walk down the hill and away from the camp fire.

“Where are you going?” The mare asked through a yawn.

“Same spot I always go to when somepony wakes me,” My host replied, not bothering to turn around.

I could tell he was headed towards a small structure that sat behind a well worn wagon. When my host passed it, I could tell that it had some supplies in it. However, from the quick glance I had, they looked to be in a bit of disarray, and a lot different from what I seen given to the soldiers in the memories before this one.

My host circled around behind the wagon, and quickly approach the small crudely built wooden structure. It took me a few seconds to realise what it was, and when my host was finished with his business inside, I’d learned that he was a stallion.

With my host’s bladder empty, he headed back up the hill side. I could see the camp was a bit more spread out than I’d thought it should be, with about six tents and a campfire all perched on the hillside. Next to the campfire, I could see the small kitchen area that had been set-up. Above them at the highest point, I could tell the ground been dug up. It looked like they might have set up some trenches or something, but I couldn’t tell from where I was.

My host soon approached the campfire, the four ponies sitting around it. One of them was wearing the same royal guard armor I’d seen before, and I figured that it was their lieutenant. It seemed that the officers were still wearing the gold armor, and had yet to be equipped with anything that might actually be useful in combat.

Alongside of him, was a pink unicorn mare with a Aqua mane. I could see a red cross knitted under her squad patch, and she looked less like a soldier at first glance. If I remembered correctly, some of the old training orbs we had been required to watch back home reminded me that she must have been the medic of the squad. Along with the cross as a dead giveaway, I could also see a small medical pouch slung around her neck.

Directly across from them sat a rather prim looking unicorn stallion. I was unsure how he could keep his white coat looking so clean and shining out in the field. Even stranger, was how he could keep a single large curl sticking out from his lime mane. At the very least, he wore standard combat gear, so there wasn’t any guess as to what his job here was.

To my surprise, next to him was what I thought was the old comic book character of Hyper Mare. Amazingly, she even had the light blue body and white mane of that character. The sleek, pulled back style of it made her look even more like the her, but I doubted that she was one and the same. On top of being real, with how out of it she seemed, I don’t think she could take down that cybernetic minotaur villain from the comics.

On that topic, I wished I could remember his name. Maybe I could convince the Elder to order a clear out the old comic shop of our town. I’d love to go back to my old stomping grounds and reminisce in the times before it became infested.

My train of thought was broken when the Hyper Mare looking pony spoke up.

“That was the annoying thing. If he forgot his lunch, I’d have to call a skycab to come pick me up and run me all the way up to his office.” She definitely didn’t talk like Hyper Mare. “Took me forever to figure out exactly what window was his.” The mare said with an annoyed snort. “I wish I could just walk in and give him his sandwich, but they’d rather have me fall to my death.” She shifted nervously seemingly just at the thought.

“I’d think your husband would’ve met you at the bottom floor.” The stallion next to her said. “Not just make you have to find his office in that non pegasus deathtrap they call Stratosphere scrapers.”

“I know, but he needed to work more and more to earn us as many bits as he could get. Even with that, we still don’t have enough to make the necessary expansion to our house.” She dragged her forehooves down her face in exasperation. “You wouldn’t think it from out here, but wood is not a cheap commodity out by Las Pegasus. It’s mostly farmlands or shaded grass since the city is so big.” Hyper Mare or whatever her name was replied.

Her story made no sense to me, from what I remember Las Pegasus was a cloud type city. At best, maybe a unicorn or two with the right spell could live up there, but it would be dangerous. Her body shape suggested that she was an earth pony, at least, she didn’t look like she had any wings. The pegasus in the last memory had his wings exposed, but maybe she had hers covered by her uniform. My train of thought fell off when the shiny stallion spoke.

“Maybe you two should just move to a different city? I bet your husband can find a easier banking job on the ground anyway. I know the Applewood City bank was hiring before I left, and usually it takes them a bit of time to find themselves a new pony for any position.” The stallion said.

“Oh no, I love Bridle Hill. We have so many friends there, I’m not sure it would be the same if we moved. I mean, it's like going from Ponyville to Cloudsdale. We got some great pegasus friends, and besides, I don’t think my husband would want to work at another bank. Sure his job is annoying, but I think when I get back I will just have to try to talk to him more about it.” The mare said.

“Wait, Rain Heart, you never told us why you’re even here in the first place.” The Lieutenant asked.

“Oh? Sorry sir, I mentioned it to Soothing Wave and Wheat Grain on the wagon ride here. I guess I kinda figured that since Wheat has a big mouth, he would just tell everypony.” Rain Heart said, lazily pointing at the medic pony who I guess was Soothing Wave.

“Anyway, Bridle Hill is were Earth ponies like me and Unicorns can live under the city. Lets us be close to the are love ones who work up there. Its nice most of the time, except when it’s weather training session. I’d never thought I would see a sunny hail storm in my life.” Rain Heart said with a giggle.

Both Rain Heart and the stallion who I soon learned was a private named Crown Gem, continued to talk about their hometowns. It seems they both lived near the old city of Las Pegasus, with her living in ‘Bridle Hill’ and him living in a place nearby called ‘Applewood’. Both were places I’d never heard of, however, since Applewood was supposedly near to this Bridle Hill place, it was probably another little town with a corner store and a library. In other words, they were unremarkable towns of little importance to me.

Before my host could take a bite of the watery mush, a loud metallic clank met his ears. I recognized it as the sound of a tool striking a tool box, like if some pony dropped it. I only knew this because Melon Seed had a bad habit of getting distracted and dropping his tools when we were colts. At least he had the excuse that we were trying to figure out our magic at the time, or some filly had been walking by. He was always the more ‘go get her’ kind of pony, anyway.

I wonder how he is doing right now. To me, it had been hours, if not days worth of memories that I have experienced. All in the time span of what, a few hours, maybe that? I was about to ask the A.I. how long the session has been running, but I was distracted by a question from Crown Gem.

“What in Celestia are they working on in there anyway?” Crown Gem asked, pointing to a tent near by. My host turned to look at the drab, standard issue tent. It was closed up, but I could tell there were at least two ponies in the tent working on something inside.

“Not sure,” My host replied turning back and looking at Crown Gem. “All I know it supposed to help stop swamp attacks.”

My host turn to the stallion in royal gold armor. “Sir, you should know what it is, right?” My host asked casually.

“I don’t even know much about it,” The Lieutenant said with a light shrug.

Me and my host mirrored the same response of, “What?”

“Yes I know about it, but I can’t say what it is.” The Lieutenant said as dismissively as possible.

In a foalish response from my host he replied with, “Why?” Even I knew when to keep my muzzle shut, and my host should have had the common sense for it as well.

Leutitent Elmwood raised his eyebrow at what I could figure was a rather inappropriate responses to a pony of his rank. Still, he seemed to try to answer to the best of his ability.

“As you said, it is designed to help stop swamp attacks. Field Commanders have been complaining that they wanted a new defence to stop these attacks, and Equestria has been hard at work.” Elmwood said. “Their answer to our problem is in that tent.”

What are ‘Swamp attacks’? I asked myself. Unfortunately for me, no one in my hosts squad wanted to ask that particular question. I only wanted to know because finally I have something new to put into my report. I knew that swamp attacks have not been mentioned in our training routines, but I guess maybe it could be a lost tatic. Still, no pony asked the question which started to annoy me.

“So why the sec-”

“Pause!” The system stopped Crown Gem in mid sentence. It was strange having such a ability for a memory orb. Crown Gem was just now sitting there in my field of view mouth open and the flame of the campfire stood still.

“A.I. what is a ‘swamp attack’?” I asked.

“A ‘swamp attack’ is a early zebra tactic that was designed to demoralise and overwhelm pony forces in the early years of the war. A large number of zebra forces would perform a coordinated and timed attack in mass. The goal is to overwhelm an entrenched pony squad, with the end result usually being an immediate surrender of the encampment with little to no casualties. This tactic was effect at securing land and supplies at little cost to themselves in supplies or zebra fighters. This tactic was replaced when counter tactics and equipment were implemented.” the A.I. responded.

I could see why this tactic fell out of favor, especially when more advance weapons were implemented. Though such an attack nowadays could be dangerous due to the fact that even us Steel Rangers only have so much ammo supplies to spare for a mission. I thought of the locals launching a swamp like attack they could overrun us if we were not careful, and I doubt they’d accept a surrender.

“A.I. is there a way that the swamp tactic file be sent to another system?” I asked, only then releasing that my question may give me away as to not being the pony that design the memory archive. The paused time did not help me anxiously expecting that any second the system will kick me out accusing me of not being Dr. Winter.

My fears were ended when the A.I. simple replied with “File sent to transfer port and ready to be downloaded when this session is complete.”

“Umm...Good thank you. Resume memory, please.” I added the please thinking that maybe Dr. Winter was a little nicer to the system since she made it.

“-retes about this thing?” Crown Gem finally said as the memory resumed.

“Apparently, there may have been some sabotage done to a few of the parts that make up the weapon, including the one sent to us. So now Smith and Light are in their tent trying to make a replacement part. Hopefully soon, seeing as Green Log told me about more campfire smoke coming from the treeline. I fear that there are more zebras out there, and they may try to swamp us.” Elmwood said looking at Crown Gem.

I could see my host lifted his spoon up to his mouth and took a sip of the hot soup. I was surprised when he immediately spit it out.

“BlAAA! Crown what in good taste did you make?” my host asked.

“Dinner.” he replied simply.

“This is just salty water posing as soup!” my host snapped at him.

“Hey, I’m working on what supplies that we have, not what supplies you wish. If you want more then a can’s worth of carrots and corn, then go ask the zebras. Or, better yet, find one of the parasprites that ate half of Equestria's crops and add that for flavor instead.” Crown Gem snapped back.

“Eww, why would you even mentioning eating a parasprite?” Soothing Wave spoke, scrunching her muzzle in disgust.

Lieutenant Elmwood laughed a bit. “Probably be better than what I had last mission.”

“Weren't you on a diplomatic mission? I would think the griffins would give you good food,” Soothing Wave asked.

“Oh they did. The problem was I wanted to look tough in front of the griffin guards. So, during my break I joined them for one of their meals. They offered me what they called a delicacy in their land,” Elmwood said.

“Let me guess parasprites,” my host said.

“Nope parasprites would have made a little more sense. It was chicken.” The Lieutenant replied. “Well a chicken leg,”

The look of disgust on the other ponies probably mirrored my host. “Why would they eat chickens? They are birds, and aren’t griffins part bird? That be like me eating a goat or something.” I could tell my host shuttered at his own though.

Soothing Wave just looked at my host with a rather strange look of this pony next to be just suggested cannibalism. Maybe the first time in Equestria that such an idea had even been mentioned in passing.

“I thought the same when they showed me the cook chicken leg. Looked strange, almost like a maraca, except greasier.” Elmwood said drawing out the shape of it with his forehooves in the air.

“Gross.” Soothing Wave said with matching face. Even so, another look slowly crept across her face as everypony seemed to nod in agreement. “What did it taste like?” She said, her curiously obviously peaked.

“Chicken, I guess. I can’t think of anything that I’ve ever eaten that be able to compare it in taste. I took a bite, chewed it, and swallowed. The griffins look impressed for about five seconds before I threw it all up.” Lieutenant Elmwood said with a slight shudder.

The ponies around the campfire started to laugh including Elmwood. However the laughter soon stopped when a pony called out from on top of the hill. “Sir, we got zebras!”

“Shit.” Lieutenant Elmwoods smile dropped, and I could tell he was switching to a combat mindset. “Ponies, to the line!.”

Crown Gem and Rain Heart quickly stood. My host follow suit dropping his bowl of soup into the fire causing a puff of steam and smoke. He turned and followed the others to a wooden rack nearby with rifles resting on it. My host collected his rifle and charge up the hill to where the other pony had called out.

At the top, I could see that the hill was slightly dug up in a trench. The pony that was on watch was a Earth stallion with Tan body and Yellow mane. My host quickly laid down on the dug up embankment, pointing his rifle down the opposite side of the hill.

I could see a sparse hillside leading down to a rocky brush area. There was a small area down at the bottom of the hill to the left of my host that had tall grass sprouting up in a tight clump. It seemed almost unnatural among the barren hills. A fair bit beyond the odd, rocky brush ground, was a forest. It seem to be a good distance to run between the hillside and the forest, so I could see why this was a good place to set up a defence. On top of that, this hill was the only high ground in the area.

The Lieutenant had finally made it up the hill. I could hear him talking to the watch pony he asked in a harsh whisper. “Wheat Grain what did you see?” he asked.

“Sir. I saw about five zebras running across the field into the tall grass.” the stallion apparently named Wheat Grain said.

“Only five? Well not a swamp attack, but what in Celestia’s good grace are they doing?” A mare spoke up. I could hear her running up the hill behind us.

My host turned to look at her. She was near mirror image of the Lieutenant, maybe a sibling? From what I could tell when she reached the top of the hill and laid prone, the two were indeed almost identical. The rank of three sun rays on her shoulder seem to indicate that she was the Sergeant of the squad.

“Sir, Rifle in the grass!” Wheat Grain called out. Before anypony could respond, Wheat Grain aimed his rifle and fired down the hill toward the attackers.

Other squad members joined in retaliating, including my host. I could see the grass get pushed around by the shots, whooshing through them and breaking some of the stalks apart. The zebras then returned fire. From the sheer number of strikes in the dirt around my host, he seemed to be the favored target by their opponents.

My host ducked down and wiggled back a bit behind the dug up dirt. He seemed to close his eyes for a few seconds, either fear getting the best of him, or he had some dirt in his eye. Shots continued to be fired. The sound seemed louder than it had been before, almost to the point of being deafening.

“Come on, Fire, get up!” The voice of the Sergeant said in the stern way only an leader could.

My host’s eyes opened. I could see the Sergeant standing next to my host. Her name was Sugarcane, at least from what the name written on her armor said. She had a hoof on my host and was trying to help him get back on his hooves. Her face was covered in some dirt that was probably kicked up by the zebras gunfire.

“Yes ma’am.” my host replied back in a bit of a fearful voice, but he began pulling himself back up. Pressing himself forward again, he pointed his rifle over the ridge. This time, all I could see were four silhouettes running towards the forest. My host held his fire, and it seemed that most of the others did as well. Only one rifle kept firing, one of the shots striking one of the fleeing zebras in the neck. It’s body quickly collapsed onto the ground. After a few seconds the zebra staggered back on his or her hooves and try to catch up with the others who had already made it back into the tree line. The zebra made it a few more hoof steps before collapsing back onto the ground and remained motionless.

“Wheat Grain!” Lieutenant shouted, trotting up to Wheat Grains face. “What kind of pony are you? You don’t shoot a retreating enemy! That is not how the royal guards, nor Celestia would have it!”

“Sir, Celestia want’s us to protect Equestria. They are part of the zebra military and should be stopped.” Wheat Grain replied back with a stiff salute. I would have expected another pony in his horseshoes to be quivering in fear, or perhaps humbled. However, Wheat Grain seemed to stand his ground under the lieutenant's anger.

“We do not shoot any pony, zebra, griffin, or anything in the BACK! You got that, Private Grain?” Elmwood shouted, this time loud enough that I think the zebras could have heard him.

“Yes, sir.” Wheat Grain replied, but the look on his face was more of just following orders. I could tell that he had more he wanted to say, but he knew better than to run his mouth. It seemed that Equestria’s military training was starting to take a better hold on the ponies during this year of the great war.

Everypony was silent, simply watching the two stallions having their argument. My host and Crown Gem seemed to look at each other for a second. The silence was broken by a moan. The moan was loud, and wasn’t the kind of moaning anypony wanted to hear. It was the sound of pain.

I could see Soothing Wave looking around, trying to see who was hurt. The nursing side of her was kicking in. She looked up over the hill, catching the lieutenant’s gaze. “It’s...it’s coming from the grass,” Soothing Wave said.

“Sir, only four zebras ran out of the grass.” Green Log said. Apparently, she’d joined the battle without me or my host noticing.

“Green Log, Fire Tail, and Sugarcane. You three escort Soothing Wave down the hill and retrieve the surviving zebra.” Lieutenant Elmwood said.

“Sir, I’d like to check on the other zebra as well.” Soothing Wave said adjusting her medical bag.

“No, they are too close to the tree line.” Elmwood replied back. “ I don’t want you to get caught that far out.”

“But sir, I have these three with me.” Soothing Wave said back pleading with her Lieutenant.

“I don’t want any of you that close to the tree line. With more enemy campfires in the distance, and no idea how many of them are actually out there, I don’t want us to be more at risk then we already are.” The Lieutenant said, placing his hoof in front of Soothing Wave. Even though I could see the disappointment on her face, it ended her plea to help the probably dead zebra.

My host and the others slowly travel down the hill. Each pony holding their rifles out, ready to open fire at any sign of an aggressive move by the wounded zebra in the grass. From the sound of the moans, I was doubtful that the zebra was even able to stand let alone fight. Surgarcane pulled Soothing Wave to the side and whisper something into her ear I could not make out what it was but the glance at my host from her told me it may have been something about him. When my host and the others entered the grass, I found it was surprisingly thick. So thick in fact, that I could barely see Green Log, who was only a few hoof steps ahead of my host.

“Hey, I found him.” Soothing Wave called out. My host turned to what he believed was the direction of Soothing Wave’s voice. Pushing his way through the tall grass, he nearly bumped right into Sugarcane.

After a few more seconds, Sugarcane pushed away some grass to reveal Soothing Wave standing over the zebra. The injured fighter was laying on the ground in a pool of his own blood. He’d been shot through the left shoulder, and it seemed to have shattered the bone underneath. The bullet itself looked like it had continued and passed through the underside of him, and out of his left fore leg. Green Log was standing nearby with one of her hind hooves holding down the zebras riffle to make sure he could not get to it. Though, with the fact that his left fore leg was nearly blown off, I wasn’t expecting him to have fighting at the forefront of his priorities at the moment.

“Hang on, I need to stop the bleeding.” Soothing Wave said, speaking down at the zebra. “Do you have a medical bag by chance?”

“Why are you asking him?” Green Log asked in surprise, mirroring my own curiosity.

“Zebras have a very good compound to stop heavy bleeding. I’m not sure I could stop a wound like this with only my pressure bandages.” Soothing Wave picking up a bag that was around the zebra.

“Third pouch from opening.” The zebra said. Pointing with his good hoof weakly at the bag.

“Okay hang on, What's your name?” She was trying to be friendly to the zebra. However it seemed that he was starting to pass out from the blood loss. “Come on can’t fall asleep yet, you still got to tell me who you are and where you from. Hard to get a family history when you're asleep.” She then found what she was looking for. A small bottle with a few zebra gliffs on it.

“Sooth, how do you know what that even is?” Sugarcane asked.

“I’ve seen it a few times in the past, and it was mentioned in my medical training.” Soothing Wave said opening the bottle and pouring the contents onto the wounded. “They have one of the best compounds to stop massive bleeding. Hurts a lot unfortunately, but it works really well.”

The zebra shrieked in pain, waking him. Soothing Wave placed her hoof on his forehead and kept him pinned as he whined and tried to thrash about. ”I know it hurts, and I’m sorry, but this will save you.”

“Third pouch from opening,” The zebra said again.

“I already got the bottle to stop the bleeding.” Soothing Wave replied back confused. “Blood loss must be getting to him.”

“No, there another bottle two lighting bolts.” The zebra said in between heaving and whining breaths. “Stops the pain.”

Soothing Wave dig threw the bag again finding the bottle. She open the bottle and was about to pour the contents onto the wound.

“No I need to drink this.” The zebra said grabbing on to the foreleg of Soothing Wave.

“Hey, don’t let him get that! We have no idea what it does!” Sugarcane said, leaning down to the zebra. “We just saved your life, so you can deal with the pain for a short time.”

“He knows what it is, and I think it will help him.” Soothing Wave said, pouring the bottle into the mouth of the zebra.The painful moans of the zebra slowly drifted away, and he started breathing much more slowly again.

“Well I think he’s comfortable, but i'm not happy with his breathing.” Soothing Wave asked. “Fire Tail can you help me carry him back up the hill please.”

My host nodded and stepped forward, pulling the zebra's body onto his back before he turned and started to walk out of the grass. I could hear from behind my host that Sugarcane asking Green Log a question.

“So you think this is natural grass?” Sugarcane asked.

“You know, as I told you on the cart ride here, that just because I work at a logging company doesn’t mean I know every plant in Equestria.” Green Log replied back snarkily. “But, it doesn't seem right, I’ll give you that. This area is kind of too dry for this much grass, let alone all in just one spot.”

“You just kind of proved my point from the cart ride, you know?” Sugarcane replied in a bit of a jovial tone.

“Shut up, ma’am.” Green Log snapped back.

“I could bust you for saying that, you know.” Sugarcane replied dropping the happier tone with more of what I would expect from a Sergent. “But, you are already a private, so I’m just going to give you the third watch tonight.”

My host counted trotting stepping out of the tall grass and back up the hill with Soothing Wave trotting at his side checking on her patient. When my host made it to the top of the hill, he stopped. Elmwood and Crown Gem had been busy talking. However, with the arrival of my host he halted his conversation and walked over toward him.

“I see you found him.” The Lieutenant asked as he looked over the injured zebra. “How is he Soothing Wave?”

“I’ve stopped the bleeding with one of his blood clotting brews. He also seems to be in little or no pain with the help of a second brew.” Soothing Wave said with a note of hesitation. “But, I am worried about him after I gave him that second brew. Something in it slowed his breathing, and I think that without help it’ll only get worse.” She placed her hoof on the zebra's head, trying to give some comfort to him.

“Okay take him to your tent and proved treatment. When the supply waggon arrives, I’ll ask if they can take him to a hospital.” Elmwood nodded before looking over to my host. “Fire Tail, stand guard make sure he does not try to hurt her or try to escape if he recovers enough to do so.”

“Yes sir.” My host replied, trying to salute but stopping short to avoid dropping the zebra.

“Sir, I don’t think you really need a guard for him. I'm not even sure he’d be able to walk with his leg like that.” Soothing Wave said sternly. “I’m sure the better equipped ponies at the hospital will be able to mend his leg, but before they do, he’s not going to be able to even use it.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Elmwood said. “This is a warzone, so we are going to have to have a guard on him.”

“Yes sir.” Soothing Wave replied back. “Okay Tail, let's get him down to the tent.”

“Right.” My host replied, stepping over the trench and walking down to the camp and towards the medical tent. Entering inside of Soothing Waves tent, there was what I could guess was her sleeping bag, but it seemed to be more of a mess than anything else. Next to the sleeping bag was a spare bed roll with medical supplies next to it.

“Okay, Fire, lay him down I want to get a better check on his heart.” She called out, entering just after my host.

“Uh sure.” my host replied, kneeling down and turning so that the zebra slid off of him and onto the bed roll.

“Thank you.” Soothing Wave said, walking over to the zebra and kneeling down next to him. She turned around and pulled one of her medical bags close, rummaging through it. “Here we go.” she said as she pulled out a stethoscope from it. She began examining him, checking for other injuries.

After a few minutes she sat up from the zebra. “Okay, so beside the nearly missing leg and slow breathing, he seems to be okay.” She gave out a sigh of relief and sling her stethoscope around her neck. “His motor reflexes are still a bit slow, and his eyes were not responding too quickly either. But, I think that was more from what I gave him then the injury.”

“Arnt you doctors supposed to know all this?” My host asked quite bluntly.

“Again, I’m a nurse not a doctor. Even if I was one, I would have to do blood test to be one hundred percent sure. Even then, I’d have to have an idea of what I’m looking for.” Soothing Wave replied.

“If you don't know, then why would you give him that stuff?” my host asked, pointing the pouch still strapped around the injured zebra.

“I told you I’d known of their blood stopping goop. On top of that, I’d also heard rumors of some powerful painkiller that the zebras can brew, but they were just that. Rumors. I’d never really seen or gotten to read that much about it, but I figure that was the stuff he wanted.” Soothing Wave said, holding up the empty bottle with the two lighting bolts on it. After a moment, she looked back down at the zebra. “I don’t think he’s going to be able to respond for awhile.” She sighed as she sat down and looked up to me. “So, what about you, Fire Tail? What's bothering you?”

“Ummm, nothing.” My host replied back hesitantly. “I wasn’t hit in the fight.”

“True. But Sugarcane told me how you… oh how did she phrase it?” Soothing Wave paused, looking for the right words. “You froze up during the firefight.”

“I didn't freeze up.” My host spoke up defensively. “And when did she tell you?”

“When we were walking down, she pulled me to the side and asked me to check on you.” Soothing Wave replied back. I was correct about what I saw. I was surprised that my host seem to have missed the look that Sugarcane gave.

“I’m fine... mostly.” My host’s tone wavered enough to where even I didn’t believe him. “Okay, so the noise got to me.” My host replied back, looking down with what I could guess was an embarrassed look across his face. “The rifles are loud, and I just wanted to cover my ears.”

That didn’t sit well with me. The rifles are loud I agree, but there was something else to it. The rifle sounds I heard were near deafening, but that was because of their design. Maybe he’s more sensitive to the sound than the memory machine can relate too, but it didn’t make sense to me even then. The sound would be constant but the gun shots got louder and louder like one of the ponies were shooting right next to my host head.

“Is this your first mission?” Soothing Waved asked, grabbing a bandage from her medical bag.

“No, this is my second one. Helped guard supply runs that were running from Appleloosa to Soot Ridge. We keep the bandits from wanting to try to take out the supply teams.” My host replied back.

“So, you never fired a shot, in all that time?” Soothing Waved asked placing the bandage over the zebra’s leg. She seemed to be trying to keep the shredded leg attached as best she could.

“No, as soon as they’d found out that Equestria’s Army was protecting the wagons, they just sort of left us be.” My host replied back.

“Okay, so this is your first combat then.” Soothing Wave said, looking up and smiling at my host. “You might have just gotten startled by it is all.”

“Startled? No. Surprised, maybe. But I mean it was the first time I’ve ever been shot at. All I remember was seeing the dirt pop up left and right of me. They were trying to zero in on me, I know it. Then just seeing Wheat Grain shoot that one in the back like it was nothing…” My host paused. “I mean, I couldn’t help but imagine myself as that zebra. How painful it’d be to have been shoot in the back.”

Soothing Wave’s smile became a frown and she seemed to grow angry. “That idiot. What the hay was he thinking?” She looked down at her patient. “They were running away, and now there is another dead body on the field. That zebra didn’t need to die.”

“I don’t think Wheat Grain is a idiot, he just over reacted.” My host replied back. “I mean, they were shooting at us, and they could've hit one of us.”

“You don’t think I know that? I was part of the medical team at fort tumbleweed. All the casualties from Soot Ridge came right to us.” Soothing Waved said with tears forming in her eyes. “The zebras pushed in hard. They tried to swamp the ponies on the Ridge, but they held. They held that place for a full day and a night before they could get reinforced. Only then did they pull back the wounded and dead. I saw so many ponies worse off than him.” Soothing Wave cried out pointing to the zebra. “One of ponies who came back told me that there was so much blood spilled that the Ridge turned red. Its not the point of it Fire Tail. We’re suppose to be better.”

She wiped a hoof at her cheek as tears rolled down it. “As foals, we didn’t even have to think about something like war. Life was just about having fun, and try to be the best pony you could be. And now? I see all these lives lost.” Soothing Wave shouted as she really began to cry. “That zebra that Wheat Grain shot was a colt or filly once too. All they did was grow up just to die out there on that field. All Wheat had to do was let them go, to let them get back into the tree line. Maybe they would have left, or if they did attack, at least it would be self defense… not murder.”

Sergeant Sugarcane opened up the tent flap. “Whats going on in here? Is everything okay?” She asked.

‘Yes ma’am. I’m sorry, I was just reminded of some bad memories I’ve had.” Soothing Waved replied, quietly wiping away the rest of the tears from her eyes.

“Okay...umm, the Lieutenant wants to know the condition of the prisoner. He would have come in personally, but he is currently arguing again with Wheat Grain about what he did.” Sugarcane said, looking out the tent flap. “I’m surprised he hasn't bucked him from duty for insubordination.”

“Hope he knocks his stupid flank back into place.” Soothing Wave replied back at a grumble.

“Maybe... Wheat really trying to get busted from what he is saying. Anyway Fire Tail the supply wagon is coming in soon go out and help them unload. I don't think Wheat Grain’s going to be helping with that this time. I keep a eye on the zebra” Sugarcane said, looking at my host.

“Yes ma’am.” My host replied. He got up and stepped out of the tent, walking down the hill towards one of the large clearings. My host sat there and waited several minutes later Green Log joined him. About ten minutes later my host could see a pegasus flying over a hill towards the camp.

My host looked up to see a light brown pegasus with a white mane flying down. He seemed to have what my dad used to call a three thirty shadow on his chin. Attached and flying behind him, was a single pony wagon. When he landed in the clearing, there was something even more different with him that I noticed. All the ponies I’d seen so far in combat armor had their cutie marks covered. This pony's cutie mark of an open wooden crate, was exposed from under the overcoat he wore. The pegasus was wearing what I guess was a lighter model of the armor underneath the overcoat. At least, it looked lighter and smaller than the standard model. All over, he was a far cry from the look of the other soldier's I'd seen in the memories so far.

“All right, I’m behind schedule, so let's get your stuff off the wagon so I can get back in the air.” The pegasus said with an annoyed sounding rough voice. “Got two more squads to resupply before it gets dark.”

“Yes sir.” My host and Green Log replied back. I didn’t notice at the time, but apparently this pegasus was a sergeant. However, the squad patch he had on didn’t have a gem on it, instead it had a stack of crates on it.

My host and Green Log began unloading the crates of different supplies into the clearing. Though something seem wrong, and my host had noticed it as well. The crate he was moving said Summer Gear. However, it was winter time by the time indicated in this memory orb.

“Hey why are we getting summer gear?” my host asked.

“I don’t know.” The pegasus responded, even more annoyed than before. “Look, I just deliver what’s on the order form, I don’t make the selections. I leave that to the four rays to make these choices, gives me less headaches,”

“Four rays?.” my host asked.

“You know, the Lieutenants? The rank with the four sun rays on their uniforms?” The pegasus replied back pointing to the three rays on his rank patch.

“Oh... but still, I mean what the hay are we supposed to do with all this summer gear?” My host asked.

“Don’t know, and it's not really my problem.” The pegasus replied back raising his nose in a bit of a snooty way. “Take it up with your four ray if you care that much.”

“Umm... Lieutenant?” Green Log shouted up the hill. “We’ve got a problem!”

My host snickered a bit “I think my friend just made it your problem too.”

The pegasus just snorted.

Elmwood walked down the hill, followed by Crown Gem, “So then, what seems to be the problem?” Elmwood asked.

“Supply sent us all this summer gear...” Green Log said then started looking around one of the crates that was pulled off the wagon. “and no food sir.”

“What, you mean no food?” Crown Gem said alarmingly.

“Calm down, Gem.” Lieutenant Elmwood said before turning to the pegasus. “Now, why is there no food, and why are we being sent summer gear when it's the middle of winter?” The Lieutenant asked.

“Just like I told your squad members, sir. Its what's on the order form.” The pegasus said, pulling out a clipboard and flipping through the pages to one of the order forms. With an annoyed look, he showed it to the Lieutenant.

“There has to be a mistake. Can't you see that?” Elmwood replied.

“Probably, but those are my orders.” The pegasus said reading off the sheet. “Your squad gets a set of summer gear and ammunition.”

“Well, at least we got the ammunition that we needed.” Green Log snarked.

“You do understand it’s winter right?” Elmwood asked.

“Why yes sir I do. That’s why I’m wearing this state of the art winter coat. Its light, but still keeps out the air when you fly. It’s quite fantastic.” The pegasus replied, sitting up a bit to show off the winter coat.

“So you wearing a winter coat, and you're delivering summer gear.” Elmwood said with a facehoof. “Do you not see the problem?”

“I’m not an idiot, I can see the problem. But as I keep telling you, there is nothing I can do about it.” The pegasus replied. “Don’t know what to tell you other than the order form is the order form.”

“Well, how about you take this gear back with you and get it fixed.” Elmwood said, pointing to the creates. “Tell command that I ordered you to return so we can receive the correct supplies.”

“Sorry, no can do. This is only a delivery run, not a return to sender run.” The pegasus said back. “Like I said, I’ve got other orders to fill, so I need to keep going.”

“So what the buck are we suppoesed to do with this stuff!?” Crown Gem exclaimed with a heated groan.

“Well, I might be able to trade it at one of the next camps for something your squad can actually use.” The pegasus replied slowly. “If you’re up for that, that is.”

“Wait, so you can trade this stuff away?” Crown Gem asked in shock. “What about all that order form junk you just fed us then?”

“Order form is the order form. It doesn’t cover secondary trades.” The pegasus said with a sly tone. “How you think I got this coat.” Wow, even before the wasteland, ponies were still trying to rip each other off.

“Okay, so let's trade this summer gear for some proper winter gear.” Green Log said. “What can we get for it?”

The pegasus started to laugh. “Are you kidding me? There is not enough light uniforms in that box to equal one insulated one right now. Try back in the summer when that stuff is in demand.”

“But, we won't need it then.” my host replied in a annoyed voice. At this point in time, I expected someone to shoot him for being this much of a idiot.

“So what can we get for this stuff?” Green Log asked.

“Hmmm. I got a squad up north that could use this stuff.” The pegasus replied.

“Great what will we get?” Green Log asked with a smile.

“Mosquito netting.” The pegasus replied back. “That’s the best I could offer.”

Green Log did what I wish I could have in this machine, and just face hoofed hard at that. Honestly, I was surprised that none of these soldiers had outright murdered the pony yet. However, that was probably just wasteland living leaking into my own thoughts.

“Okay, okay, forget the supplies. We’ll just keep them.” Lieutenant Elmwood said with a flat expression and a groan. “Can you relay a message to forward base?”

“I'm not a courier, I’m a supply delivery pony.” The pegasus said with a frown.

“Oh come on!” Elmwood said now starting to lose his calm. “Can’t you just deliver this one message to the base?”

“Can’t. I won't be returning to command anytime soon.” The pegasus replied back.

“Oh for Celestia’s sake.” Elmwood said almost losing his control. “Listen, I don’t care if it’s not in your job description. I’ve got an injured zebra that needs treatment somewhere that has better medical care than here.”

“Ah zebra? Aren't we supposed to be fighting them?” The pegasus asked confusingly. “Ya’know, like all the radio’s and papers are talking about and such?”

“Yes, that’s why I said he was injured. Now I order you to run him to a hospital immediately.” The lieutenant ordered.

“You're not my boss.” The pegasus said starkly. Now I was only guessing, but this pony had to be insane, or just beyond stupid to be acting like this. “Listen, I got my four rays getting yelled at by their field commanders about supplies arriving on time and you're putting me behind. I would consider helping ya if it was worth my time...” The pegasus continued, letting his words drift off.

Okay, now I believe he genuinely had to have been insane.

The lieutenant just looked shocked at what he was seeing. I was waiting for his sidearm to come out, but again, that was probably just how the wasteland worked.

”Okay...okay fine how about a trade.” Elmwood said grinding his teeth. “You take the zebra to the field hospital, and you can keep this summer gear for yourself.”

“Not for that gear, it’s not worth enough for that.” The pegasus said. “But I tell you what since I know you’ve been kind of screwed over by command...”

“Kind of!?” Green Log interrupted, flailing her hooves in annoyance.

The pegasus just looked at her. “As I was saying, you kinda got screwed, so I tell you what. For the summer gear, I can run your zebra friend upto a courier that is set pass by my next stop up at Slim Hill. If I take off now, I have a good shot of getting there before he leaves.”

“Fine.” Elmwood said. “Fire, load that summer gear back into the wagon. Green, I want you to go tell Sooth that we got the zebra a ride to the hospital, but he needs to be down here right damned now.”

“Yes, sir!” my host and Green Log said. Green Log ran up the hill back towards the camp. While my host quickly loaded up the wagon with the summer gear.

“Okay, how about one more trade.” Lieutenant Elmwood said, keeping his voice down as my host inclined his ear to listen in. “I’ll give you two bits if you pass a message to Lieutenant Spruce up at Pearl squad.”

“Eh sure, why not,” The pegasus replied back.

“Good.” Elmwood said, grabbing two bits from a small bag under his armor and throwing them over to the waiting pegasus. “Tell him Spruce the Moose.”

“What in Equestria does that mean?” The pegasus asked quite loudly.

“Code phrase. Can't tell you, but I need you to pass it along. Please, it is very important.” Elmwood replied back in an authoritative tone.

Green Log and Soothing Wave came down the hill with the zebra lying limply across Green Logs back.

“Okay here he is. He is stable and ready to go,” Soothing Wave said. “Be careful with him. Stable doesn’t mean healthy in the slightest, so treat him gently.”

“Hey he's not going to get up is he? I mean he is the enemy and I don't want to get hurt by him if he ends up waking up midway there.” The pegasus said with a concern in his voice.

”He’s got a point.” Lieutenant Elmwood nodded before turning around to my host. “Fire Tail, bind the zebras legs so he can't try to escape.” He ordered sharply.

“But sir, he can barely walk.” Soothing Wave said in alarm of the treatment of her patient. “There is little reason…”

“I understand your concern,” Elmwood said, cutting Soothing off while still sounding very annoyed that he had to say that the pegasus next to him was in the right. “However this supply pony is correct. He needs to be secured.”

Soothing Wave looked like she wanted to say more but then stop and then walk over and nudge my host out of the way. “Fine. If you wish to do this, then I will bind him so we don't risk causing any more injuries.” It only took her a moment to do, but she bound the zebras hind hooves very careful to his good fore hoof, and then secured the rope to his body. She did a once over, making sure she did not cause him any pain before stepping back from him again. “Okay there, he's as ready to go as I can make him.”

“Are you sure?” The pegasus said. “Looks like you did not tie him down that hard.” In response, Soothing Wave simply gave him a rather angry look. With a sigh, the pegasus simply pointed to his cart. “Okay fine, whatever. I should get going, as I don't want to be late. Got deliveries to make and trades to do. See you all in three days time when I swing down this way again.”

“Fine. Get going.” The Lieutenant ordered with a grunt.

“Yeah, we sure don’t want Jasper Squad to be without their...” Green Log began to say, looking over the clipboard that the delivery pegasus was still holding. “Snorkels.”

“Yeah, that one did seem a bit weird. Must be for an upcoming water mission or something.” The pegasus replied scratching his head.

‘You’re a pegasus.” My host grumbled in annoyance. “You seen any lakes around here while flying? At all?”

“No. So I don’t know why they’d need them then.” The pegasus said then spread his wings and took flight pulling the cart with him. “But that’s command’s problem. The order is the order. Can’t change it.”

“Who in Celestia’s name is running requisitions these days?” Green Log shouted up at him. The supply pegasus did not respond and simply flew off to the east, all too quickly disappearing over one of the hill tops.

“Does anypony want to tell me what in the hay just happened?” Green Log asked.

“Not everypony has a generous spirit.” Elmwood replied.

“Not much common sense either.” Crown Gem said with a snort. “Sir, we still have the problem of food. We’ve used up almost all our rations, and I’m not confident we can make it stretch another three days to see if command gets it right for the next delivery. On paper, we still have the right amount, but we gave some to Topaz squad when we relieved them last week, so we’re running on almost nothing.”

“So how much do we have left then?” Lieutenant Elmwood said.

“Well, really only about a day's worth.” Crown Gem said. “and that’s only a maybe if I can find some way to stretch it.”

“Nothing we can do about it, Crown. Food stocks are low for everypony in the army, and we’re all paying for it. Lieutenant Elmwood ordered. “Make do with what we have, even if it means no pony gets to eat tomorrow.”

“Sir, that’s just not going to be enough.” Crown Gem said with a sigh that I could almost feel the disappointment resonate off of. “What we have left is about a can and a half of corn. That’s it.” She kicked at the ground before looking back up at the Lieutenant. “I was hoping we could be restock for Heartswarming Eve. I even had a great meal planned. But it seems we just going to have to have watered down soup again.” Crown Gem said giving a salute and walking back towards the camp. “I’ll make it work, sit. You can count on me.”

“Sir I don't think we can last on such little food.” My host said. “I mean, we have barely eaten anything since last week to begin with. How long are we supposed to go on like this?”

“I agree with Fire Tail, sir. We should be pushing command for a food supply. With it getting colder, we’re going to be need more to keep us warm and active.” Soothing Waved said sounding more like a nurse then a soldier. “From what we’ve been eating, we are getting to dangerous levels of malnutrition. None of us are going to be in fighting condition soon if this continues.”

“I understand. Everypony on the line out here and everywhere is suffering from this damn parasprite attack. Equestria needs to be strong, and so that’s what we’ll be. Am, I understood?” Lieutenant Elmwood said, sounding more the commander than ever to counter Soothing’s pleas. “If we have to go with only a single can of corn for dinner, then we will enjoy it together. Being together and being strong together, that’s what Heartwarming Day is about.”

“Yes sir.” Soothing Wave said, sighing in defeat before turning and slowly walking back toward the camp.

“Sir, why don't a few of us go and try to scavenge some food? I mean there has to be some fruit bearing trees somewhere in that forest,” My host said slowly, seeming to test the waters when it came to the Lieutenant.

“No. I don’t want anypony leaving the line.” Lieutenant Elmwood said. “I don’t need the zebra's seeing us with less ponies to defend it. We’d be giving them the perfect opportunity to attack. Let alone the risk of them taking you while you're in the forest.”

“Yes, sir.” my host replied back, giving a stiff salute before heading up the hill to join the other ponies assembling at the camp fire that Rain Heart was building.

The mid day turned to evening as the temperature seem to drop more and more. Out of the corner of my host eye I could see a jug of water had been slowly freezing. My host finally had some of the water down soup that was passed around. From what I could tell about all it did for him and the rest of the squad was keep them a little bit warm, but it seemed to not help that much. I could hear teeth chattering and stomachs growling.

Rain Heart moving some wood around trying to make the fire warmer. “How can they let it get this cold?” Rain Heart said, poking the fire weakly with a stick.

“What you mean?” my host asked, looking up from his now empty soup bowl.

“Well, the pegasus control the weather, why don't they just keep it warm on the front lines? I mean, it's hard enough to fight with no food but now it's getting colder.” Rain Heart replied back, rubbing at her shoulders with her hooves.

“I will ask the courier pegasus during their check in tomorrow if they could run some warm air in, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up. We are almost out of the influence of the pegasus magic, and they’ve been trying to keep a lot of the cold air they brought down earlier this year out of Equestria proper so they can allow crops to grow,” Lieutenant Elmwood said.

“I don’t know what's worse, the cold or the lack of food. I could probably deal with the cold if I could have a hot bowl of oats or something with substance. Not this water soup that I’m forced to make. I mean it's Heartwarming Eve tomorrow and I got nothin,” Crown Gem said with exactly zero effort to hide the resentment in his voice.

“Look at it this way, we get to re-enact the Heartwarming Play a lot easier this way. We’re already cold and near starving, that’s two parts of it we don’t have to try to recreate!” Elmwood said with a shivering laugh. He then stood and walk towards one of the tents. “Well, I’m turning in. I suggest you all do the same. Might be warmer in your sleeping bags.”

“Good night, sir.” My host said in unison with all the others around the fire.

The conversation quickly grew quiet around the campfire. Nopony really wanted to talk they just wanted to stay warm. After a bit Crown Gem stood.

“I can't stand this cold. I’d rather freeze in my bag where is at least uniformly cold. Not this annoying ‘one side of me is almost warm and the other is a brick of ice.” Crown Gem said before heading off towards one of the tents.

“Maybe he’s right. We should turn in as well.” Rain Heart remarked before getting up and following Crown Gem.

“You go ahead, I think I will check in on Green Log. She’s taking third watch and I want to make sure she has a blanket.” Soothing Wave said with a yawn.

Wheat Grain just sat staring at the fire he seemed to be in deep thought.

“I think we should do it, Fire.” Wheat Grain spoke up oddly.

“What?” My host replied looking over at Wheat Grain, who was now staring at my host.

Soothing Wave turn and look too. She seem to have the look of confusion I’m pretty sure I’d have been wearing if I were there. She hesitated to say anything, almost looking torn if she should give my host and Wheat Grain some private time, or to sit and listen to what he had to say.

“Your idea about going into the forest, we should do it.” Wheat Grain spoke in only a low whisper. “But instead of trying to find some fruit trees in the dark let's, just go to where we know there some food. The zebra camp.”

“Thats crazy!” My host said back in his own sharp whisper. “The Lieu-” my host began to say, but then lower his voice when Wheat Grain raised his hoof to his mouth. “The Lieutenant said we can’t go into the forest it's dangerous.” my host said now in a softer whisper than before.

“I know it's crazy, but we’re starving here! Am I right Wave?” Wheat Grain said turning to Soothing Wave.

Soothing Wave seemed to want to not reply. I could tell she was still upset with Wheat Grain’s proposal. Any good soldier would have given pause at that idea. It was pretty much outright going against orders, and it was incredibly risky. However, after a moment, she finally gave a quick and simple response.

“Yes.” She said simply with a quick nod.

“See, even Soothing knows we need to get some food.” Wheat said before turning his gaze back to my host. “Besides, we might be able to steal some other supplies from them, or even find some information about what they are planning. Look, we’re going to be stuck here a while, and with all these new campfires, we might be attacked any day now. We need our strength to defend ourselves, and we’ll only have it if we get some food to eat.” Wheat Grain, stood up, but still kept to a whisper.

“But how are we supposed to get into the zebra camp?” My host asked pointing his hoof off towards the forest.

“Simple, we just sneak in.” Wheat Grain replied with a smile. “You’ve played hide and seek as a foal, it’s just like that.”

“I don’t think this is a simple game of hide and seek.” My host replied back. “We could really screw ourselves over if we get caught.”

“True, but we need the supplies, and we only be gone for a little bit.” Wheat Grain said with a quick shrug. “We be back before dawn, the Lieutenant will never even know we left at all.We can just said a pegasus patrol flew by after raiding a zebra supply stash.”

My host though about it for a minute. “Fine I’ll go. But only because I don’t want to eat that slop soup again.” My host smiled as he spoke. “I would like something resembling a good meal, even if it’s zebra food.”

“Fire, I want to remind you that this is a really dangerous and probably horrible idea.” Soothing Wave said, giving more of a voice to my host then Wheat Grain.

“It’s been dangerous since we got here. Being shot at I think I can take. Deadly cold I think I can take. But starving is just one too many things on the stuff we have to deal with list.” My host said standing up and walking over to where the riffles were being stored. “We just need enough food to last three days, that’s all.” As my host picked one of them off the rack, Wheat Grain walk over and collect his rifle as well. “You should come to Soothing,” My host said, throwing me for a loop.

“What?” Soothing Wave and Wheat Grain asked at the same time.

“We need the extra back to carry stuff, and we might be able to get a few of their medical supplies as well. Hell, maybe you find it, you could snag the recipe for the goop stuff you were talking about before.” My host shrugged as he slung his rifle around his shoulder. “If we are going to be in a big battle soon, we will need that stuff, so we might as well grab it when we’re there.”

Soothing Waved thought about it for a second. “Fine. Let's get going.”

My host, Wheat Grain and Soothing Waved walk up the hill to wear Green Log was standing watch. I could see ice crystals on the dug up hill side. Even the simple log barriers now had a distinct layer of frost on them. Green Log was laying on a tarp in one of the dugout spots. She had place the rest of the tarp over herself trying to keep the frost from forming on her.

“Hey Green, how are you doing?” My host asked.

“It’s freaking cold out.” Green Log replied back sharply, rubbing her hooves together before blowing on them.

“Yeah, listen, we're going to go into the forest and find some food. We’ll be back by dawn.” My host said.

“The Lieutenant let you do that?” Green Log asked, looking somewhere between confused and suspicious.

“Yeah, of course.” Wheat Grain said interrupting my host.

“Um... yeah. He said it was okay, we just need to be back before dawn.” My host replied as well, rubbing at his mane nervously.

Soothing Waved just remained silent. Good for her. I still have problems keeping my muzzle shut with the rangers when I need too sometimes...

Green Log look over my host. “Okay then, I trust you’ll be back on time then.”

“Thanks, Green. We’ll single with a flashlight if we run into trouble, okay?” Wheat Grain said. Again speaking up for my host who was now silent.

“Okay, be safe out there.” Green Log said with a light wave before going back to rubbing her hooves together for warmth.

My host and the others walked over the embankment and quickly made their way down the other side of the hill towards the forest. They crossed the field the zebra had been shot in earlier with ease, even though it was nearly pitch black out. Only Soothing Waved tripped a bit on one of the rocks strewn about, but she kept her pace with my host and Wheat.

Towards the tree line, we could make out the body of the fallen zebra mare from earlier. Soothing Wave ran over to the mare shining her flashlight into the mare’s eyes hoping to see some life left in them. I could see as my host approach that Soothing Waves hope was gone. The mare’s eyes were blank. Her body already had frost from the cold night forming on it. The flashlight illuminated the spot where the zebra was shot. It went straight threw her neck. Blood had pooled and dried under her. Soothing Wave sat up and lowered her head. “I wish I could have saved you.” She then careful closed the zebra’s eyes and turn back to the group.

“Was there anything you could have done to help her?” My host asked quietly.

Soothing Waved just shook her head “No. She was gone as soon as she was shoot. It just took her body a second to realise it, was all.” Soothing Waved said with sadness in her voice. “We should take the body with us and leave it outside the camp so they can find her tomorrow.” Soothing Wave said softly.

“We don’t have time and it’d be too risky to carry her around with us.” Wheat Grain said. “They snuck up on us once already out here, they can do it again to retrieve her on their own time.”

Soothing Waved nodded and sat up from the zebra, turning her flashlight off and plunging us all into darkness again.

“Okay let’s get moving.” My host said.

Stepping into the treeline it was once again nearly pitch black. My host and the others had to hold onto each others tails to keep together. There only guiding light was the light of a campfire somewhere in the distance, presumably from one of the zebra camps. I had to remark about the way these three moved into the forest. This time, the ponies were much quieter than the other ponies from the other orbs. It seemed that they learned a few tricks in training, and were taking lighter steps in the forest.

After about an hour of slow travel, they were standing just outside the edge of the zebra camp. I could see several tents around a large campfire with one tent having the zebra empire flag standing outside of it. Around the the other tents I could see crates and barrels of different supplies. Now that they were this close to the camp they had less darkness to take cover in and the guards were much closer.

“Okay, is there anything that looks like a supply tent or maybe a kitchen area?” My host asked, looking back to the others.

“Over there,” Wheat Grain pointed to one of the tents. “In there I’d bet.”

“Are you sure?” Soothing Waved asked softly.

“No, but we gotta start somewhere. We can't just stand out here and hope that a zebra puts up a sign that says ‘supplies are in here’.” Wheat Grain said. “Even if they did, we couldn’t read their scratch worth two bits anyway.”

“Fine. Let's just start checking their tents instead. There are about... eight tents, at least that I can see.” my host said looking back over at the camp bobbing his head as he counted the tents. The others grunted in confirmation, and the three of them turned to get moving again.

My host and the others slowly creeped towards the camp. Approaching closer and closer to the first tent. It was the easiest one to approach, as it blocked the campfire and let them see better around themselves slightly. They had to stop and drop down at one point to avoid a patrolling guard walking by, but they successfully remained undetected.

Wheat Grain was the first to reach the tent. He quietly lifted the flap and peaked under it. After a second he lowered the flap back down and shook his head. He then pointed to one of the zebras and then held his hooves up to his head and close his eyes. It seem he was telling the others that the tent was where some of the zebras were sleeping.

The next tent was only a few meters away, but required them to wait several minutes behind some barrels to avoid the patrolling guards that were nearby. My host took a few seconds to see what was in the barrels, hoping for some food. Only to be disappointed as it was only filled with water.

At the next tent, Soothing Wave was the one that leaned and took a peak. She quickly closed the tent flap, almost making an ‘eep’ sound. She had red blush across her face, and blinked a few times in shock. Wheat Grain and my host look confused by why she was blushing but it then became apparent by the sounds that were coming from the tent and the vagueness of the nearby tent flap that was moving back and forth. Everypony wanted to get out of that spot but were stuck till a patrolling zebra walked by.

The third tent was just on the other side of the outhouse that the zebras had set up. It was the easiest one to get to so far, as it seemed that no zebra wanted to be stationed near it. My host stepped forward and lifted the flap to peak in. It was a supply tent, but from the look of it, it only had crates of ammunition. From what I’d seen back at the camp, that was the one thing the squad already had plenty of.

There was now a problem. The other tents were on the other side of the camp, and that required them to sneak back into the forest and walk around to the other side. It had already taken far too long to get to this point, and going over there would take up more of the time that I knew they were running out, but there was no other way. The three of them slowly moved back out into the forest area and tried to move as quickly as they could but they were forced to stop and wait as my host step on a stick that he was not paying attention too and caused a guard to investigate. After the zebra walk off they were able to continue their progress. Soothing Wave made to the tent first. They finally hit something useful It was the medical tent. My host and Soothing Waved slowly slid under the tent while Wheat Grain stayed outside to kept watch saying he would tap on the tent incase a zebra approached.

Inside the tent it there was a dim light from the campfire outside At best I could make out the some of the boxes that were in the room along with a table that might of been used as for injured soldiers.. The light also revealed what was going to be the real difficulty for moving around undetected, only a meter away on another table,was a sleeping occupant. It was a zebra who had been shot. The injury seemed fresh and may had been another zebra that was injured in the fight earlier during the day. The bandages were lit up enough to show that she was shot in hind leg. Sitting on a tray next to the mare, I could make out what looked to be a few empty bottles that were roughly the same shape as the brews that Soothing used on the zebra earlier.

Soothing Waved slowly moved over to a shelf that had several papers sitting on it. She began to quietly look threw the papers carefully reading each one.

With a low hiss, Soothing got my hosts attention and waved him over. My host slowly crept across the tent and leaned into her. She put her muzzle up to his ear to keeping as quiet as possible.

“I found what we need but we need to find the plants and roots we need to make the goop,” Soothing Wave whispered and then pointed over to the boxes in one of the corners.

My host nodded and slowly crept over to the corner with three boxes sitting next to a empty table. Soothing Waved joined him careful nearly bumping into a box. She then began to look at each one careful inspecting the symbols on the box. She then pointed to one under one of the boxes it had what looked like a root symbol on it. Soothing leaned into my host and whispered “Help me move this box, I needed to get to the ingredients under it.”

Most host grab onto the box above and along with Soothing Wave they both careful and quietly lifted it and moved it over to the empty table. Soothing Wave then quickly but quietly rummage through the now exposed box. Inside had several different plants and roots. She pulled out some roots and what looked like some kind of berry.

Even from here, I could make out her smile in the darkness. Stuffing the ingredients into her medical saddlebag, she then turned and grabbed onto the box on the table again. My host followed suit, and they carefully placed it back on to the create without much of an issue.

As they were leaving, the zebra groggily woke up. I could feel the sudden tenseness that occurred between my host and Soothing. It must of been a very strong feeling, because that it was one of the first feelings I’d even felt from this host. The spells used to record the memories must have been getting better by this point, so that strong feelings were starting to get through to the viewer. My host turned to face the injured zebra. Soothing Wave was half way around the table when the zebra woke up. The look on Soothings Waves face was near terror

The zebra eyes stayed closed, but she began to speak in the zebras native tongue. Both my host and Soothing Waved look at each other. Not knowing what the zebra was saying. Soothing then notice the zebra pointing over to a canteen hanging from the table she was laying on. She grabbed the canteen and slow bringing it up to her own muzzle before sniffing softly at it’s contents. She seem satisfied that it was water, and placed it carefully in the hooves of the bandaged zebra. The zebra mare tooked a soft drink of the water and gave it back to Soothing Wave. The smile on her face seem to show enough thanks to Soothing Wave for her kindness. She then joined my host as they slipped under the tent flap to where Wheat Grain was hidden by a create.

“What took you so long?” Wheat Grain whisperd.

“Shhh,” My host replied back in a whisper. ‘There was a zebra in the tent.”

“I had to give her some water.” Soothing Waved whispered back. “Got recipe and ingredients for there bleeding goop.”

Wheat Grain looked surprised for a moment, then just shook his head.

The next tent to search was another bulky one. Much like the medical tent, it was large enough that multiple zebras could fit inside at once, so it was at least promising that it would have some sort of supplies inside if. It was Wheat's turn to look in it seemed, as he stepped up ahead of the others and gave a quick peak inside. The smile that graced his muzzle when he pulled it back out meant that he had probably found what they were looking for.

My host and the other slip inside the tent he stopped dead still to take in the sight before him. Fresh food nearly lined every table that had been set up inside here. Even I was jealous of the stacks of fresh grain and carrots that sat out, waiting to be taken. My host quickly sat his rifle down and grabbed a nearby bag and started to load some carrots and grain into it. Wheat Grain grabbed some cans of fruit as well as slid a whole platter of potatoes into the sack he’d grabbed. Soothing Wave simply collected some corn, carefully placing each ear into her medical bag.

“Okay, while you two were tucking in and reading bedtime stories to the zebra in the other tent I think I found the camp commander's tent. Though i'm not too sure how we are going to get to him.” Wheat Grain said placing another can into my host bag. “We’ll have get really close to the campfire, but I saw a workbench that I think one or two of use can fit behind and wait for the guards to pass. Actually, maybe you two should wait here while I go and see what we can steal from there.”

“No. We got what we needed.” Soothing Wave said. “We should get out of here. This is too dangerous now.”

“We need that information, Wave.” Wheat Grain replied in a harsh whisper. “It could help us!”

“I know bu-” Soothing Wave began to say but was suddenly interrupted.

The tent flap pulled open and a zebra mare walk in. They all looked at each other. My host glanced over at his rifle sitting there where he’d left it.

In that moment, everypony and from what I could tell the zebra whispered out the same statement.

“Shit.”

Wheat Grain charged the zebra, shoving her out of the way as he shouted back at us. “Come on let's go!”

Soothing Waved followed suit, stepping over the shocked zebra mare who was still too out of it to get back to her hooves in time to do anything. My host began to follow as well, but by the time he’d started to move. the zebra had grabbed the standard issued sword that was sheathed on her side, holding her hoof out at my host as he slid to a stop.

“Place the bag down and surrender” the zebra ordered, glaring at my host as he simply stood there. My host had no real choice in the matter, and followed the instructions. The zebra mare angrily stepped up behind him and shoved him quite forcefully out of the tent.

Outside, I could see that Soothing Waved and Wheat Grain did not make it too far either in their escape. They both had their hooves up in the air, and were surrounded by five zebra guards pointing their rifles at them.

My host and his squad members had been captured. This was going to be a very interesting orb from here on out...

Author's Notes:

Special thanks to GammaDeekay for taking up editing. Go give his stories a poke.