//------------------------------// // 23 - Quarantine, Part 3 of 5 // Story: The Last Cutie Mark Crusader // by Jatheus //------------------------------// Scootaloo kicked at some pebbles, scattering them across the railroad tracks where she was waiting at the north checkpoint of the training grounds. It seemed as if she'd been there for over an hour. The sun was getting low on the horizon, and she still hadn't heard anything from inside the quarantined area. The zebras aside, Ponyville was quiet. "Sergeant Scootaloo!" a muffled voice called through the barrier. Looking up revealed that it was Sparklefly speaking. Scootaloo trotted briskly over to the magical shield and saluted. "At ease," Sparklefly said, her voice distorted by the magic that separated them. "What's going on?" "About half of the battalion is infected with a fever," Sparklefly replied. "It's some kind of virus that came from Baltimare." "What about my squad?" she asked, feeling rather helpless at the news. Timberwolves were one thing, but what could be done against a fever? "Several are sick. Doff is dead," Sparklefly replied solemnly. Concerned for her friend, Scootaloo asked, "What about Duster?" "He lives... Do you remember the first day we went into the Everfree Forest?" Sparklefly asked; she seemed understandably pre-occupied. Scootaloo nodded as her mind returned to the events of that day. "Pibs found that purple moss everywhere, and I'm certain she said it was medicinal." Brightening up as the realization struck her, Scootaloo replied, "You're right! She said it helped with fever." Sparklefly nodded. "I've already been in contact with Zecora, and she says she can make it into medicine, but Mane Crusher won't let any civilians into the forest, and Brax won’t let anypony break quarantine. See if you can get a squad to go with you." "I'm on it, LT," Scootaloo replied with a salute. A look of deep concern was etched into Sparklefly's face as she added, "Hurry.” Scootaloo smiled in an effort to be reassuring, “I’ll be back before you know it. I’ve got this.” "One final thing," Sparklefly said as Scootaloo was turning to walk away. She stopped and looked back at her lieutenant. "How was your trip?" Scootaloo took a breath and answered, "Rarity and Sweetie Belle made up. They actually got along rather well. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see any shows." At that last statement, a knowing look overtook Sparklefly's expression. She nodded slowly and said, "I see. You'd best get going before you lose the light." Saluting, Scootaloo turned and trotted briskly away. The two of them had previously agreed to not talk directly about the impending coup, so as to not be overheard and found out. The last thing they needed was for any of the traitors to suspect that they were trying to warn Shining Armor. It was Sparklefly's idea to use the code of whether or not they were able to go see a show while in Manehattan as a way for Scootaloo to inform her whether she was successfully able to warn the prince or not. While not a perfect solution, she was at least able to let Sparklefly know that her secret mission had not been successful. This did raise the problem that further communication would likely be necessary, but Sparklefly would be able to figure that out. Of the two, she was far better with cautious planning. Walking briskly through Ponyville toward the castle, Scootaloo had made it half-way there when she spotted Apple Bloom by her distinctive pink bow. The chance encounter could help her save some time. "Hey, Apple Bloom!" she called out. Turning around, the farm pony grinned, "Welcome back." Scootaloo approached and stopped. "I need your help." "What is it?" "My whole battalion is under quarantine. They caught some virus from Baltimare. I've been ordered into the Everfree Forest to find some medicinal moss that grows there. I need you to find Zecora and let her know that we'll be coming back tonight, and I need her to make it into medicine." "I'll come with you," Apple Bloom offered. Scootaloo shook her head, "No, General Mane Crusher won't allow civilians into the forest anymore. It's too dangerous." Seeming rather offended by this, Apple Bloom replied, "Too dangerous? I'll show him too dangerous!" "Easy, I've got this," Scootaloo tried to calm her friend down. “Fine, Apple Bloom sighed, “I’ll go find Zecora.” She galloped off to her task. Scootaloo continued on to the castle. It only took her a minute to climb the stairs and find the corps clerk's office. "No, no, no!" Scootaloo could hear Filefolder, the clerk, shouting in his squeaky voice. "Combat readiness reports! These are supply reports!" Looking inside, Scootaloo could see an exasperated look on the stallion’s face. The subject of his frustration was a zebra that was trying to give him files while staring at him somewhat blankly. The zebra in question dropped the files and started rummaging around for new ones. Scootaloo knocked on the open door with her bandaged hoof. "What is it?" Filefolder squeaked as she entered. "Oh! Good, an Equestrian." "I'm Sergeant Scootaloo of Major Brax's battalion," Scootaloo introduced herself. "I've been ordered into the Everfree Forest on a foraging mission, and I was instructed to see if I could get a squad to go with me." Looking alarmed, Filefolder’s voice pitched even higher as he asked, "Wait, aren't you supposed to be under quarantine?" "I just got back from leave in Manehattan," she replied calmly. "Oh, I see," he looked a bit more at ease. "Would you take some zebras? We're practically giving them away," he spoke sarcastically. "Anypony you can spare," Scootaloo said impatiently. "Okay, but don't think this is going to be a field day. These zebras have only been taught basic commands, so don't expect to get much conversation out of them." "They don’t speak our language?" Scootaloo asked. It made sense enough to her, given Zecora's accent. “Hardly,” he replied. "That's why I've been having trouble with this one," Filefolder gestured at the zebra in his office as it tried to give him another folder. "No!" he squeaked, "these are tactical reports!" The zebra continued sifting through files. "I don't know what they’re even thinking about, assigning zebras to help in clerical positions." Scootaloo's attention was grabbed by this, and she decided to probe to see his reaction, "There's been a lot of that going around lately." "What do you mean?" Filefolder asked as he watched the zebra. A brief moment of panic struck Scootaloo. It was a good thing that the clerk was looking away, but she wouldn't be able to feign repose for long. Her mind grasped wildly, catching the first thing she could think of. As Filefolder turned back to her, she blurted out, "I mean the way they used Las Pegasus as bait. We know where the timberwolves are. There's no need to risk civilians to go get them." “I know what you mean. It seems like were in a sitting war lately. I for one don’t like sitting.” "I can't argue with that," she agreed with him in hopes of drawing this out further. He tilted his head questioningly at her. "I just mean that I signed up to fight and save Equestria. I've been in two actions, and ever since the siege here at Ponyville, I haven't been able to get out and face the enemy. What are we training for if not to go on the offensive?" "Aren't you serving with The Hero of Canterlot?" the clerk asked. "Yes, Lieutenant Sparklefly is my superior, and a dear friend. But at this point, I'm sort of stuck in her shadow. I've got nothing against her; it's just I want to get out where the action is," Scootaloo was wondering what she was even saying at this point. She felt like she was in over her head. "I'm sorry to be trouble, but I really need to move out ASAP," Scootaloo said, trying to end the conversation and get out of there. "Fine, fine," Filefolder replied. He began writing an order for her. "Deliver this to the zebra CO in CIC. Red armor, you can’t miss him. He'll get you sorted out." "Thanks," Scootaloo replied. Relieved to be out of the situation, her thoughts turned to Mane Crusher, but she knew that there was nothing she could do about him yet. First she had to get that medicine for her battalion; she’d have to deal with everything else later.