Major Green Fields sat in his office reading the message, Captain Sentry, or General now after Princess Twilight consulted Princess Celestia and Luna on the matter of his rank, and Prince Shining Armour would be coming down later in the evening to assess the platoon’s progress. He then checked the roster for patrol, for the river Vigil and Mr Waddle.
Porter came in with the tea, the Major smiled “Thank you Porter. I just want a second opinion.”
“Yes, sir.”, the Major asked about Vigil and Waddle. “Who’s the better of the two in your opinion?”
“Well, in the normal way sir, I would say Waddle, but he’s got this unfortunate, bladder trouble, sir.”, the Major nodded “Yes, that’s rather risky, an enemy could invade up the river while he had his flank turned.”
Caramel started calling “Major!” he entered the office “Rarity’s arrived with the uniforms.”
“Oh,” the Major grinned “that good news isn’t it Porter.”
“Yes sir, marvellous.”, the Major went leaned to the door and called “Bring them in here and I take them.”
“Rarity’s already opened them.” Caramel called.
“She has no authority to; those uniforms were already paid for.” He glanced at Porter “We should have got the pick of those.”, Porter nodded and followed the Major out.
Rarity stood, with Spike at a table set out in the hall with a load of tunics set out.
Cold Steel step up as the Major exited the office “Permission to speak sir?”
“Not just now Cold Steel. Fall in every-pony.” He looked to Rarity and smiled “You couldn’t have come at a better time.” He looked the tunics, Service Dress. Rich purple, chosen as the colour of the Everfree Kingdom, with dark blue trimmings. Collars to fit around the neck, four pockets on the front, each buttoned closed by a flap with a straight, horizontal, edge, large, epaulettes over each shoulder. The front of the jacket closed by five buttons, usually of a regimental pattern, arranged vertically.
Porter took his tunic “I agree sir, instead of looking like partisan we’ll look like a proper army.”
“Dash it.” The Major said, “I knew we should have got here first, they’ve left me one without buttons.”, Porter checked his “I’ve got the same.”
The Major turned around and barked “Platoon…”
“Permission to speak sir?”
“Not right now Steel, Platoon…” he stopped when he noticed something “Have none of these tunics got buttons on?”
“None sir.” The all said, and Cold Steel continued “That’s why I wanted permission to speak sir.”
The Major frowned and turned to Rarity, the Fashionista held her head high “I didn’t have enough of the type you wanted, and since I’m not an official military tailor I can’t order them. And you refused to allow me to use gem buttons.”
The Major fumed, sighed and returned to the platoon “Oh well, this won’t stop us. We’ve should have plenty of buttons at home, and I’m sure you have the skills or can persuade any friends with them. Now I want you to parade back here in one hour, by which time I expect to have everything absolutely buttoned up.”, a few the platoon chuckled, they fell out and went home.
The returned one by one. The Major waited in his office, with his crown symbol sown onto the sleeve of his tunic. Porter came in, with his sergeant stripes sown onto his sleeve, he said “Platoon ready for inspection sir.”
“Good.”, he walked out and Porter called “Platoon attention.”, Cold Steel still went slow. The Major rolled his eyes before looking down the entire platoon “Soldiers, that’s what they all look like, hey Porter.”
“Yes, sir.”, he followed the Major as he passed the platoon, Cold Steel, Caramel, Lucky Clover and Zecora all look perfectly fine, although the Zebra’s button looked to be the same brass as her rings, her collar looked a little tight with her neck rings, but tradition of her people and all so he let it pass, she would also need an armband with the red cross to show her status as First Aid advisor.
Then the Major stopped at Vigil, her button looked like wooden pegs, he felt one and Vigil spoke “They came off my spare overcoat sir, I’ve haven’t worn it since 990 and the moths go at it.”
The Major nodded “Lucky you didn’t get woodworm too.”, Porter chuckled, the Major then stopped at Waddle, his button contained gemstones “Those are rather flamboyant, aren’t they Waddle?”
“My dressed stud sir, it’s all I could manage at such short notice. I’m afraid the diamonds aren’t real.”, the Major rolled his eyes and went behind the front rank to look at the others.
Time Turner’s did look a little greasy. And the Major told Windy Miller not the wear his conical hat on parade in future. He realised he would need to contact a hatter to supply the platoon, not to mention get himself a new pecked cap to fit with the new uniform, although Zecora’s mane style would make it impossible for her to wear one.
When he finished, he walked to the other end of the hall and called “Platoon, stand at ease.”, he paused, waited for Cold Steel and gave a short speech “Well now every-pony, I’m sure you’ll agree this is a great moment, this is a great step forward in our progress, and it couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time. Because tonight, Captain Sentry, and His Highness, Prince Shining Armour are coming down to inspect said progress. Now I want everything prepared and ready, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Fall out.”, the Major returned to his office.
Flash felt a little awkward as he and Shining Armour walked passed Sweet Apple Arches. The Captain of the Everfree Guard explained to his former superior officer about the need of this reverse. Shining seemed to be taken it in strides, even the part about including very old ponies.
They reached Kimblewick Hall and went to the Stable Hall.
They entered the hall and Porter called “Platoon, attention!”, he saluted “Good evening Captain Sentry, Captain Armour.”
Flash smiled seeing them in uniform and saluted back “Good evening Sergeant Porter. I want to speak with Major Fields.”
“Yes, sir.”, they walked to the office and Porter knocked, the Major called “Come in.”, Porter opened the door “Captains Sentry and Armour to see you sir.”
“Oh good,” the Major stood up “send them in.”, the two walked in and the Major saluted “Thank you for coming down,” he turned to the Prince of the Crystal Empire “Although I didn’t expect you to come down so suddenly Captain Armour.”
Shining smirked “Me, Cadance and Flurry Heart came down early for the special decree.”, the Major blinked “Special decree? You mean Her Majesty’s going to make the official announcement about the Everfree Kingdom?”
“In a months’ time, me and Cadance thought it would be nice to have a little holiday with our family, my parents are coming down too.”
“Splendid, we’ll be sure to put on a good parade.”, Flash nodded “I don’t doubt it with the drill I’ve seen, but I want an update on everything else. Also at some point I want to go through the details of the special defence exercise we’ve been talking about.”
“Yes, sir, we’ll talk about that at the weekend if it’s alright. As for now, we’ve been setting up.”, Armour held up his hoof “Can I just ask? Why are the button not stranded or in fact, uniform?”, Flash backed up slightly embarrassed. The Major explained. Shining raised an eyebrow “I see.” He turned to Flash “Have an order sent up to Goldings on Saddle Row.”, Flash nodded “Yes sir.”, Shining returned to the Major “Well, let’s what your ponies are able to do.”
They left the office and entered to the hall and the Major called “Platoon, attention.”, the Major turned back and saluted “May we carry on sir?”
“Please do.”, the Major nodded and turned to Porter, the Sergeant nodded and went over the side of the hall where a group of ponies sat looking at a poster with several silhouettes, Porter explained “These ponies are studying Aerial Enemy recognition.”, the poster included the silhouette of two Changelings, one Reformed like Cipher, with the word ‘Friend’ underneath and the other a Chrysalis Changeling with ‘Foe’ underneath, another of a Bugbear with ‘Foe’.
The Major spoke “We had debated putting a Griffon on but with the visit of the helpful Gabriella we consider the Griffons friend or foe on an individual basis.”, Shining and Flash nodded.
The Major then turned to a group, including Vigil standing at a table “Now here sirs we are learn the rudiments of map reading.”, Shining looked at the map of Ponyville and pointed to a symbol “What’s this?”, Vigil stepped up to the plate and glanced down “Town Hall sir, a building with a tower.”
“Map refence?”, Vigil’s eyes darted to the numbers “One, eight, six. Zero, zero three.”, Shining nodded and moved to another pointed “What’s that?”
“The Railway sir.”
“And that?”
“The North-Eastern Windmill.”
“And that?”, Vigil glanced down “A small speck of dirt.”, Shining frowned and look down closer “So it is.” He stood back up “Not bad, not bad at all.” He looked to one of the older stallions and called over Mr Waddle, he came over and Shining pointed “What’s that?”, Mr Waddle adjusted his glasses and peered down, after a few seconds he looked up “A map sir.”
Porter chuckled while the Major rolled his eyes and Flash grimaced. The Sergeant moved Shining and Flash over to a chair with a pony sitting in it and Zecora bandaging his arm, Porter explained “First Aid sirs, Zecora is our First Aid supervisor.”
Shining grinned “Twilight’s told me bit about you.”
“Nothing terrible I hope. Did she tell what happened with the Poison Joke?”, Shining smirked “No she didn’t I’ll have to ask, but I know what that plant’s capable of. How do you arrest arterial bleeding?”
“I tightly wrap the bandage making pressure here,” she pointed to one part of the leg “there,” she pointed to another and then to the neck “and there. Then I work with the upmost care.”
“What must you remember with putting wrapped pressure onto a patient’s neck?”
“It would kill the pony. Any who do that is a phony. Better to use your hoof. And relieve pressure any few minutes so not to cause any goofs.”, Shining nodded “You know your skills Zecora.”, she smiled.
The Major moved the officers on to Lucky and Caramel fighting each other “These two are practising unarmed combat.”
Flash spoke up at seeing their fight look more like a playground slap first “He wouldn't come at you like that. He's trying to kill you like this!” He charged. Lucky turned to let Flash pass and then bucked him in the flank. Flash went speeding into the wall.
Porter grimaced at the damage. Shining burst out laughing. The Major walked up to Lucky “Well done Clover. Coming along nicely.”
Flash got up and shook himself “A bit enthusiastic.”, the Major spoke “Every-pony here is keen sir. If you value your life, you won't trifle with them.”
Porter spoke up “Shall I fall the platoon in sir?” he looked to Flash “Have a more formal inspection while we all get our breath back?”, Flash nodded “Yes.”
“Fall in, three rank, quick as you can.”, the Major leaned in “Keeping Steel in mind keep the drill simple.”
“Yes, sir. At ease. Platoon, attention.”, after a pause the Platoon stood at attention altogether. The Major blinked and turned to Porter “Together, how did you manage that?”
“Well you see, there all taking Steel’s time. If you can’t beat him, join him.”
“Good thinking Porter.”
Shining and Flash looked down the ranks and stopped at the old ponies. Shining asked “How old are you?”
“Fifty.” Vigil said. Shining went Mr Waddle “Sixty-two.”, then to Cold Steel. “Sixty-five.”
“House.” Lucky called. The Major glared at him but Porter chuckled lightly chuckled.
Shining and Flash inspected Cold Steel’s medal ribbons. Flash raised an eyebrow “I don’t recognise some of those.”
“A bit before your time sir. One, two, three and four are general service. Five is the Saddle Arabian Campaign 958 to 961, my first campaign, joined the guard at eighteen sirs. Then we have six, Sultan Star given to me for fighting at the Battle of Ambleman.”, the pair’s eye widened Shining spoke “With General Kitchens?”
“That’s right sir."
“And Seven?”
“For try to relieve General Wide Fort. I’m sure you’ve seen the painted of his last stand.”, they nodded and Shining smiled “You must have some stories, Mr?”
“Cold Steel, sir.”
“We’ll have to listen to some of your stories.”, the two continued to inspect the ranks then returned to the Major. Flash looked to Shining and the Prince grinned and nodded twice, Flash nodded and back and returned to the Major “You’ve done well Major, you’ve got some way to go, but we’re impressed, congratulations.”, he shook the Major’s hoof, the Major smiled “Thank you very much sir.” He saluted as the pair left.
When they left, the Major called “I think we can leave for the rest of the evening, Platoon, dismissed.”
Next day in the office, the Major read a letter from Mr Waddle, he’d read it then asked Post-stallion Cipher to bring Waddle down.
The letter read ‘Dear sir. It is with much regret that I must tend to you my resignation, owing to personal reasons I feel I can no longer remain as a member of the Platoon. Therefore, I must ask you to accept my two weeks’ notice as from the end of the week. I remain dear sir, your obedient servant, Laurels Waddle.’
The Major wanted to know about these personal reasons before he could decide to either approve or dismiss this.
A knock came from the door “Come in.”, the door opened and Porter and Mr Waddle walked in, the elderly pony asked, “You want to speak to me Major?”
“Yes, I did Waddle. Sit down, will you? Stay here Porter I may need you. Now Waddle,” he passed the letter over “What’s the meaning of this?”
“It means I afraid I’ve got to leave sir.”
“You mean you’re feeling a little too old for active service now?”, he did count among the oldest of the Platoon, but Cold Steel held the record as oldest and he still seemed active enough, but then again, Steel did have years of active service under his belt. Waddle didn’t seem the Royal Guard type.
“No,” Waddle said, “Not really.” He put the letter on the table. The Major raised an eyebrow “What then?”
“Well, the other morning I got up a little earlier than usual, mind you I usually up about half-past seven because I help the kitchen staff at the retirement home make the early morning tea and coffee.”
“What does this have to do with your leaving?”
“I’m just coming to that. Now, where was it?”, Porter gave a prompt “You were just about to help make the early morning tea.”
“Oh yes, well I went to the larder to get the milk, and then I saw something that made me realise I couldn’t carry on any longer.”
“What in Celestia’s name was that?”
“A mouse.”
“A mouse?”
“Yes, you see, there was a great big pudding basin empty in the larder and this mouse had fallen into it and it was running around and around inside trying to get out. Of course, I knew I ought to kill it because the retirement home is infested with mice, so I managed to grab hold of it, and then, as I held it in my hoof, I felt its little heart beating and I could bring myself to do it.”
“So, what did you do?”
“I took it to Miss Fluttershy to take care of it.”
The Major sniffed and rubbed his forehead “Waddle, I’m still not clear to what this has to with your leaving the Platoon.”
“Don’t you see sir, if I couldn’t bring myself to kill that mouse, how could I possibly kill something like a Chrysalis Changeling or a Bugbear?”
“Well, you should have thought about that before joining the Home Guard.”
“Yes, but when the Home Guard started we seemed so desperate for ponies, I fought it would be different to what I expected.”
“Things are still desperate, there’s only three members of the Everfree Guard currently, we need every-pony we can lay our hooves on. What do you mean different from what you expected?”
“You see I didn’t think we’d be having to do too much military stuff. You see I’m a conscientious objector.”
The Major’s eyes widened “A what?” he exclaimed. He knew perfectly well what a conscientious objector meant. A pony who objects to serving in the armed forces. The Major couldn’t have heard Waddle correctly.
“A conscientious objector.” Waddle repeated.
The Major blinked “I can’t believe this Waddle, I just can’t.” He put his hoof to his forehead “I think you’d better go home.”
“Very good sir.” He got up and went to the outside door “I’m terribly sorry about this Major Fields. I’ve enjoy so much being with you all. I can only hope that my services have given every-pony satisfaction.”
The Major gritted his teeth “Get out.” He whispered. Waddle did so.
Porter waited until the door shut “Sir, don’t you think you’re being a little bit harsh? I mean I pony must follow his own inclinations.”
“I don’t know what to think. I’ll tell the Platoon about this, and Captain Sentry. Then maybe from their reactions I can see what’s best of the unit.”
In one of the special guard posts, set up in the town by the river, Caramel sorted out the evening coffee and tea. Usually Waddle did this but with the recent news of his views, well Caramel didn’t really mind but it seemed a lot of the former soldiers didn’t take kindly to the news.
He heard the door shut and turned as Vigil walked in “Evening Miss Vigil, had a nice patrol?”
“Same as usual.” She took her coffee as Cold Steel and Lucky Clover walked in. Lucky shook himself “Its half out tonight, summer’s coming and yet it feels like winter, how’s that possible?” He took a coffee.
Caramel rolled his eyes “You’re exaggerating Lucky.”
Steel looked around and smiled “Good old Caramel, I see you made so nice hot drinks.” He came over and took a cup of tea and took a sip and groaned “What did you put in this?”, Caramel frowned and took a cup himself and a sip, he turned back to Steel “Don’t you like it?”
“Well it’s not as good as what Mr Waddle makes.”, Vigil grumbled loudly “Don’t mention that name to me. To think we had a lily-livered conscientious objector in our ranks all time without knowing it.”, Bat Ponies pride themselves with the knowledge of their finest being the personal guard of Princess Luna, fine fighters and great soldiers, all brave to a fault.
Caramel looked to Cold Steel “What’s going to happen Mr Steel?”
“The Major’s going to keep him in the Platoon until he can find a replacement to keep up our numbers.”, Vigil shook her head “It’s a disgrace.”
Lucky spoke up “I don’t half feel sorry for the old colt, I think he’s a nice old gent. What do you think Steel?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been a solider all my life, I don’t think about conscientious objectors. Ours it not to reason why. Ours is to do or die.”
Steel referred a famous poem by Counsel Wine, about the bravery and loyal of a brigade of unarmoured and lightly armed members of the Light Calvary of the Fourth Regiment of Hoof, who after been given badly communicated orders charged into direct conflict with heavily armoured and armed Griffons. This happened several centuries ago.
The door opened and a familiar voice spoke “Am I too late to make the tea?”
Caramel walked away from the table “I didn’t think you were coming Mr Waddle. I’ve already made it, and the coffee.”, Waddle walked inside and Cold Steel and Vigil stood up, Vigil commented “Suddenly there’s an awful smell in here. Come on colts it’s time we were back on patrol.”, Lucky and Caramel followed.
Waddle carried a tin with him “I’ve brought some upside-down cakes. My friend Chelsea Porcelain made them specially, any-pony like one?”, Cold Steel looked ready to reach in and take one, but Vigil took his hoof and glared at him, Steel looked back to Waddle “No thanks Mr Waddle, I’m not very hungry.”
Caramel did take one, but Vigil flapped her wing and caused it to go out of his hoof, “Come on.” She said and stormed out. Lucky smiled at Waddle but left as well.
Alone, Mr Waddle frowned and took one of the cakes.
Flash stood next to a mock up hurt. Beside him Spike stood by and metal oven, the pipe going into the hut, and filled it with rags and set it alight to create smoke. Flash turned to him “I think you can stop put rags in Spike.”
“I hope this smoke test isn’t too much for some of the Home Guard Members Flash.”
“Don’t worry, they’re very keen I better they’ll fly through, some literally. Anyway, I’ll keep my eye on them.”
Hoof-steps sounded, Flash nodded “That sounds like them now.”
Porter called out “Platoon, halt.”, they stop, “Fall out.”
The Major saluted “Afternoon Captain.”
“Afternoon Fields. Ready?”, the Major nodded, “Right,” Flash looked to the Platoon “Gather around every-pony. Now this afternoon we’re going to do, rescuing an unconscious pony from a burning building.” He pointed to the hut “The hut is full of smoke. We’re burning damp rags.” He walked to the side “When you get inside the hut, you’ll find sacks full of straw, the sacks represent the bodies. When you get inside take hold of one of them, go out through the flap on the other side of the hut, and go over the wall with the body, some of you can fly over, the rest we’ve got a ladder.”
Lucky raised a hoof “What about all the smoke, we could suffocate.”
Flash smiled and shook his head “Not if you do it properly. I’ll show you.”, Spike unfurled a blanket, Flash got down on his knees “You keep your nose flat to the floor and you keep your mouth shut and breath the clean air under your body. Understand?”, the all nodded, Flash continued “Whatever you do, keep your nose on the floor and crawl along like this.” He shuffled along the blanket.
Lucky scoffed “You can tell by the shape of his noise he’s been practising.”, the platoon laughed, the Major glared at them.
Flash smirked as Spike giggled. The Captain cleared his throat loudly and to their attention again “This is a very dangerous operation so don’t take it lightly. Now Spike will go around the other side and count all seventeen of you off. If one of you doesn’t make it out I’ll come to rescue you, okay?”
They all nodded but the Major chuckled “I don’t think you need to bother we’ll all make it out okay.”, Porter looked unsure as the Major assembled the Platoon into a line “Now I shall go in first,” he said, “Won’t ask my soldiers to do something I can’t do.”
“Do you think that’s wise sir?” Porter asked.
“Porter, just get the Platoon ready to go through.” The Major went on his knees and crawled in.
Flash shouted over “First one coming through Spike.”
“Okay Flash!”
Cold Steel looked to Porter and asked “Permission to speak sir? Can I be the next one to go through the smoke.”
“Of you go Steel.”
“Thank you, Mr Porter.”, he got onto his knees and crawl into the entrance, but then he started moving backwards. The Major came out, Cold Steel sat up and saluted “Permission to apologise sir?”, the Major saluted back and stood up.
Flash walked up “What are you doing back Major?”
“There’s not enough smoke in there.”, Flash blinked, but shrugged and called over to Spike “Restart Spike, first one came back!”
“Porter?” the Major called as he stuffed more of the wet rags into the stove.
“Yes sir?”
“Start leading every-pony through, Steel in first.”
“Yes sir.”, Cold Steel started and Flash looked over and yelled “What in Luna’s name are you doing? Putting all those rags in, you’ll asphyxiate them!”
“If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.”, Flash fumed and muttered as he walked away “Famous last words.”
After a while all Seventeen entered and, as quickly as they could, crawled out the hut. Flash and Spike waited as they exited. Flash hurried them to the ladder, the ones with wings like Lucky and Vigil flew over the wall with ease. Although one complained of a splinter in his nose, Zecora sorted him out. Spike asked about the smoke and Flash grumbling explained.
Cold Steel came out backwards and without a sack. He tried to go back in but Flash told him, by ordering him in the end, to forget it and just get over the wall, he knew what to do now.
At the other end the Major got the last few in, Mr Waddle stood last. The Major looked at him “Now Waddle you won’t leave this one.”
“I don’t want to leave it sir.”
“Jolly well like to wouldn’t you. Off you go. I’ll be right behind you, none of his objection stuff here.”, the got onto their knees and entered.
Back with Flash and Spike they counted, “Only two more.” He looked to Spike “You go over Spike.”, the dragon nodded and scrambled up the ladder.
Waddle came through and Flash held him up, he looked back to the shed “Only the Major left.”
Then wings beating sounded and Rainbow Dash landed a little frantic “Flash, we need you back at the Castle fast!”, Flash’s eyes widened and he turned to Waddle “Wait here for the Major, then when over the wall explain it to Spike, he’s knows what to do.”
“Yes sir.”, Flash spread his wings and followed Rainbow into the sky.
Mr Waddle stood at the hut waiting. After a couple of seconds, no-pony came through. Waddle walked up the flap and spoke “Are you alright Major?”, no response. Mr Waddle went to the wall and called “Spike! Sergeant Porter! Miss Zecora!”
No-pony or dragon came, Waddle turned to the hut. He pulled from his top tunic pocket and handkerchief and wrapped it around his nose. He got onto his knee “Alright Major Fields, I’m coming.” And he entered the smoke-filled hut.
Nurse Redheart felt Waddle’s pulse. The elderly pony sat up in his bed with pillows at his back. Beside the Nurse stood an elderly female Earth pony with a pale purple coat, bluish-grey mane and tail, purple eyes, and a cutie mark of a tea set. Waddle’s friend Chelsea Porcelain.
The Nurse smiled “You’ll be as right as rain in a day or two Mr Waddle.” She turned to Chelsea “See he gets plenty of rest.”, Chelsea nodded “Will it be alright for Major Fields, Captain Sentry and the Princess to come in now?”
“Oh, yes of course.” She said putting her equipment away in her carrier bag. Chelsea smiled and went to the door “Waddle will see you now.” She said as the Nurse passed by.
The Platoon, all of them, filed into the bedroom, causing a real squash for Twilight, Flash, Chelsea and the Major, who stood closest to Waddle.
Caramel gave Waddle some flowers, from both him and Sassaflash. Vigil threw over a very small bottle of cider. Zecora, one her remedies to help him convalesce.
Porter looked to the Major “Well sir, aren’t you going to thank him for saving your life.”
“Of course, I am.”
Cold Steel turned to the other “Give the Major a bit of room.”, every-pony shuffled and allowed the Major to get closer to Waddle, Green Fields took a deep breath “Well Waddle, I may have said some unpleasant things about you in the past, and I hope you can forgive me for those, I certainly forgive you and thank you for what you did. I’d like you to know that, deep down, we’re all very…” he paused as he glanced up to the picture hanging on the wall above Waddle’s head. He narrowed his eyes “What’s that photograph of you in uniform?”, he pointed his stick to it grabbing every-ponies’ attention to it.
Waddle looked up “Oh, that was after a sanctioned expedition to the Dragon Lands sir.”
The Major narrowed his eyes further. The picture in question showed Waddle not just in uniform, but also in a Silver Enlightenment’s clerical collar poking from under his tunic collar, and he wore a medal. The Major leaned closer to examine it. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped “Waddle, you’re wearing the Clover Cross!”, the room went silent as all eyes, apart from those of Chelsea and Waddle’s, darted wide to the picture.
Waddle nodded “That’s right.”
The Major looked down at him “But you said you were a conscientious objector?”, Waddle nodded “So I was.”
“Then how did you win the highest medal for bravery outside of combat in all of Equestria?”
Chelsea answered “Well, you see Laurels here is ordained in the Silver Enlightenment…”, Flash and Twilight looked to each other but said nothing as the aged mare continued “He joined the Military Chaplains’ Department, they’re non-combatant. During that expedition, he rescued several of his teammates who were trapped in a dragon’s cave, many times only just escaping the fire of the dragon.”
“Oh, please Chelsea, it wasn’t like that you’re over exaggerating, it was only a few times.”
“Well,” Cold Steel said looking back to look at Caramel, Lucky and Vigil specifically “I think we’re all, very sorry to have taken such a strong judgement towards you, Reverend Waddle.”, the Platoon murmured and nodded in agreement.
Flash stepped forward and asked, “What rank were you in the M. Ch. D?”
“Oh, I never got passed Fourth Rank.”, both Flash’s and the Major’s eyes widened, the Captain of the Guard spoke “That’s still equivalent to a regular Captain!”
“Oh, is it? Oh yes, I forgot.” He chuckled and looked to the Major “Don’t worry sir we don’t possess the duties or responsibilities of command. And we are only referred to as Padre.”
Twilight spoke up next to Flash “Reverend, do you think we could make you Padre of the Everfree Guard?”
Waddle smiled but shook his head “Oh no, thank you Princess but I’m much too old. However, I will provide my name if you need a reference to get a younger one from the M. Ch. D.”
“Well,” Porter said, “you’re not too old for the Home Guard.”, the Major turned to his sergeant and smiled “A very good idea Porter, thank you.” He turned to Waddle “Yes, from now on you are appointed Padre of the Everfree Guard Reserves, to take up your duties as soon as you feel fit.”
Waddle nodded “Thank you sir.”
The Major looked to the platoon “Well I think we should give the Padre space to breath and time to relax.”, every-pony agreed.
Twilight took Waddle hoof “Is it alright if myself and Flash speak with you in private?”
“Not at all your Highness, Captain.”, the platoon said their farewells and get well soon as they slowly left the room.
Before he left the Major turned back to Waddle “One thing I don’t understand Padre? Why have you never worn your medals? Even as a ribbon bars?”
“They seemed rather ostentatious.”
Flash snorted “Ostentatious?”, the Major nodded “Quite Captain. Why if I’d won the Clover Cross, or indeed the Celestia Cross, I would have been so proud I would have worn it on my chest for the whole world to see.”
Waddle smiled “That would have been alright for you sir, you look like a hero.”
The Major laughed and left. Chelsea nodded to the Princess and the Captain and left.
Waddle looked to the two and smiled “What do you want to talk to me about.”
Twilight glanced at Flash, he nodded, she smiled and looked back “We want to ask if you can give us a blessing.”, Waddle’s eyes widened, but then a smile formed on his face.