Christmas Eve dawned under cloudy skies and drizzle in Las Vegas, but that was going to change. A blizzard was moving in, and would be there just after sunset, going through the night and into Christmas Day. When the forecasts were confirmed the day before, Colonel Hal Sleet, adjutant to General Blue Blizzard of the Nevada Aeronautical Survey, was pressed into service as leader of the Volunteer Posse, a citizen’s group organized to help fix up the city when city services would be overwhelmed. He decided that if he was going to be dragooned into leadership, he was going to have some company. He named his wife Raven as leader of the unicorn contingent, his housemate Wordsmythe as Earth Pony coordinator, and his neighbor and associate Harper Tune as the pegasus leader. They all swore vengeance on him afterwards.
The night of the 23rd was spent getting forces in order for the approaching storm, the four of them running up the phone bill coordinating ponies. (fortunately, he could claim it as an expense and get repaid by the city) The morning of the 24th was similar, but the afternoon was reserved for the two families, plus one more.
Seeing as all the adults in the Sleet and Morrow households were going to be working on Christmas Day (Bruce Morrow being a city fire department rescue squad member and Summer Sun is the Energy Secretary for the city) a babysitter was needed to look after the Sleet and Morrow children. For that, Hal called upon some new friends, Max and Katie Lindenberg.. Max works for the Dust Devils, while Katie is a jeweler. Max, being a relatively new member of the Dust Devils, got stuck with the overnight shift on Christmas Eve. What with the storm moving in, it might be longer. Hal and Raven invited the couple to spend Christmas with them at their house on Calico Ridge, as well as offering Katie five hundred bucks to be the sitter for as long as needed.
Max and Katie arrived at the Sleet villa by noon on Christmas Eve, Max packing along some small gifts for the Sleets and the children. “Damn. And here I thought suburbia was dead,” Max said as they walked up to the door.
“Raven said Hal hit the lottery with a submarine in the Tasman Sea. Not bad, considering the supposed monsters that lurk in the ocean,” Katie told her husband.
“He sure knows how to go on a shopping spree, that’s for sure,” Max said as he knocked on the door.
“I’m just glad they asked us to come by,” Katie replied as the door swung open, revealing a pink pegasus filly with blonde mane and tail and snow-white wings.
“Hi! You must be the Lindenbergers! I’m Angela Morrow. Do come in. We’re making popcorn balls!” Angela said before letting the couple in.
Max chuckled at the adorable mispronunciation of his name then looked around the foyer. “Where’s Hal? He run off to work already?” Max asked as he slipped off his saddlebags.
“Hal’s on the phone, getting storm updates,” a burly rust-orange earth pony said, coming out from the kitchen area. “I’m Wordsmythe, chief cook and bottle washer for this menagerie. Want something hot?”
“Oh god, yes please...” Katie said with a sigh. “Coffee? Tea? Hot Chocolate?”
“Mocha coffee if you want,” Wordy said, leading the couple to the kitchen/dining area, which had a very long table set up. In the living room stood a seven foot tall Douglas fir, liberally bedecked with lights, ornaments and tinsel. Packages surrounded the base of the tree like a defensive rampart. In the dining area, Raven Blacklight had all five of the children involved in making popcorn balls, but the two youngest, a pegasus colt and an earth pony filly, seemed more intent on wearing the caramel and popcorn than forming them into balls.
“Max, Katie, take a load off!” Raven called out from her place at the table, Angela quickly ducking in to her spot to make more popcorn balls.
“Thanks, Raven!” Katie said as she found a cushion. “You sure you got all the presents, hun?”
“For the fifth time, yes.” Max said, heading back to the living room and setting up the small parcels they had brought. “Or… maybe not.” he said, digging through his bag before digging out a small box. “Okay, nevermind. I got it.”
Katie rolled her eyes, sat down, and started working with Raven and the kids, making not popcorn balls, but popcorn figures with her telekinesis.
Wordy came out to the living room, bearing a steaming mug. “You look like you need this. How bad is it out there?” he asked.
“It’s fu-” Max stopped himself mid sentence remembering there are kids around. “Freaking cold. I knew Vegas got cold in the winter, but damn. Feels like home.” Max said as he took the mug and had a sip. He then stared at the mug. “What’s in this? Doesn’t taste like the corner store brand.”
Wordsmythe smiled. “I have a connection out west who has a friend who runs an import-export business. Every month, he sends me two pounds of exotic coffee. I save it for special occasions. None more special than Christmas, right?”
“True that.” Max said lamely. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been in an actual house. It’s real… uh, homey...”
“We all work hard to keep it that way. Between my jobs at City Hall, The Review-Journal and Newsreel, Sunny being the head of the Energy Department for the city, Raven’s professorship and Hal’s jobs at the radio station and at the N.A.S., we want a place where we can come home to, leave our work personas at the door and become real ponies for a while. Harper Tune and Bruce Morrow next door feel the same way. Besides, the kids make it so that we really can’t be official at home. They demand attention from us, and they get it.” Wordy explained.
“Lovely… gonna have to remember that. Katie is…” Max started to say before a loud squeal came from the dining area. The two looked to see Raven and Katie hugging each other, the kids all joining in the hug. “...pregnant,” he concluded.
“Raven would know. She’s six months along with one herself. Sunny and I are trying to give Nightlight a little brother or sister, but her seasons are erratic at best.” Wordy said, looking on at the hug fest.
From the hallway on the left, Hal came running out, his rainbow mane flying about as he hurried in to see the hug party. From the hallway on the right came a yellow unicorn with a black mane. They both made it to the dining room and asked at the same time, “What’s the matter?”
“Just confirming Katie’s pregnancy is proceeding normally, Hal.” Raven informed her husband.
“She’s pregnant? I didn’t know that!” Hal exclaimed, followed by a bowl of melted caramel landing on his face.
Wordy snorted. “Hal’s never been one to be considered truly sharp, especially when he’s distracted,” he said to Max as Raven shouted, “I told you that last month, Hal! Get your head out of the clouds, get cleaned up and join us!”
“Yes, dear,” Hal said meekly as he headed up the left hallway.
“Are they always like this?” Max asked Wordy.
“Every day and twice on Sundays,” Wordy answered.
Raven soon had everyone hard at work, making popcorn balls and garlands, all except Wordy, who was busy in the kitchen, cooking up a string of lake trout, corn and potatoes for the pegasi and a rather festive looking noodle, cheese and three bean casserole for the others, along with a vanilla cake for dessert. Harper Tune and Bruce Morrow, Angela and Charger’s parents, came in about one. Both of them would be busy during the night and tomorrow, as well as the rest of the adults. That was why Max and Katie were asked over, so Katie could babysit the kids for the next day or so. Max was going to be on duty for the Dust Devils that night and into tomorrow. He was supposed to be working on the streets this evening, but he found a way to get out of plow duty and into a nice heated warehouse.
Dinner was spectacular, Max and Katie finding out that Hal’s bragging about Wordy’s cooking skills was not all bragging. Dinner was served with wine for the adults, a rare treat all around. After dinner was the gift giving, mainly for the children, of course, but what surprised Katie was that not only did both Hal and Wordy visit Ivanpah Jewelers for jewelry for their wives, but that they bought jewelry that she had worked on. Both Summer Sun and Raven told Katie that finding out she had worked on the jewelry only made them all the more special to them.
Max and Katie received nice gifts from Hal and company. Katie received a scarf that Raven had knitted, which included both Katie’s and Max’s cutie marks and colors in the knitting, and Max received an unlimited pass to the movie theater nearest to their apartment, for two, good for a year. “Pays to know ponies who owe you a few, yes?” Wordy said with a snicker.
Hal gave Max and Katie autographed pictures of their favorite deejay, DJ Dirty Mixtape from Evolution Radio One. “Something told me you wouldn’t want anything from the old folks station or the older folks station, so i persuaded Mix to sign these for me,” he told his friends, also giving them some Evolution Radio One promo stuff. “Hope you like it.”
Wordy and Summer Sun gave the couple a thousand buck gift certificate to the best foal supply store in the city. “This is going to come in very handy in a few months.” Katie said after hugging the couple.
“That’s what I thought you would say.” Wordsmythe said before looking at Hal. “Pay up.” Hal, face looking like he had just bitten a particularly sour lemon, headed up his hallway, returning with a tenner, giving it to Wordsmythe.
“Is Hal always like this?” Katie asked Summer Sun.
“Oh, yes. It’s his way of coping with life. Good for a laugh, yes?”
Max and Katie then passed out their own gifts, mostly gift certificates which did go over well, especially the one from Nanapoli Pizza, one of the best pizza places in the city. But, what went over the best was a small sculpture Katie made, a sculpture of Raven carved of black obsidian standing on her rear hooves, brandishing a skillet. The horn, mane, tail and hooves were of amethyst, small red garnets were the eyes, and on the base of the sculpture, the word ‘HAL!’ was engraved and filled in with ruby dust. Everyone laughed at the sculpture, which got a central place on the fireplace mantle, even Hal. “Sometimes I deserve it.” he said with a smile.
“Sometimes? Try every day, Hal!” Raven snapped, setting the whole crowd laughing again.
The children got age-appropriate gifts and toys, Kaleidoscope receiving a Skydancer uniform which she insisted she wear right away, she being absolutely enraptured by the Skydancers, a pegasi performing troupe. Black Onyx was captivated by an elaborate puzzle toy, one that would take concentration and focus to complete. The kids were thrilled with their presents, and the adults were happy as well.
All too soon, it came time for the adults to leave, Raven, Wordy and Summer Sun to City Hall, Harper Tune and Max to Nellis, Bruce to Fire Station Two and Hal to the N.A.S. offices atop the Silver State Building, the tallest building in Las Vegas. The drizzle had changed to snow by then, the wind had picked up from out of the west, and the temperature was dropping fast. Raven gathered the children together for hugs and admonishments. “You all better behave for Miss Katie tonight and tomorrow. If you all misbehave, Miss Katie will record your misbehavior and let me know.”
After getting the kids agreement, the adults bid the kids and Katie good-bye and headed off to their jobs. All took the tram down Calico Ridge Road to Oasis Trail, where Harper Tune and Max got on the westbound train, while everyone else went eastbound to Central Station, it being a short walk from there to City Hall and a little longer to the Silver State Building. Hal thought he would fly up to the 23rd floor pad, but decided to take the elevator instead.
Letting himself in to the N.A.S. headquarters, Hal went directly to what is officially known as the City Status Display Room, or, as everyone called it, the War Room. General Blue Blizzard was there, as was three other low level staffers. “How was your Christmas, Hal?” Blizz asked.
“Not bad at all, Blizz. Got someone to watch the kids while we’re all busy, so now I don’t have to worry about them.” Hal replied as he looked over the situation display board. “Is this right? Pahrump is reporting heavy snow?”
“Just came in twenty minutes ago. Heavy snow, winds west at thirty, temp twenty-five and dropping. Mesquite is getting light snow, as is Saint George. Riviera is not, but soon, I would say.”
Hal looked at the maps. “What’s the latest from Reno?”
“Dropped off the air an hour ago. Awaiting a telegram from them. Last report was blizzard conditions easing, but thirty inches of snow down.”
Hal nodded, looking at the readings from the different stations across Nevada. “Looks like we’re really in for it. Your instincts were right, Blizz. This is going to be a whopper.”
“Good thing I sounded the warnings yesterday, to get the Posse set up.” Blizz said with a small smile.
“Yeah, and thanks for saddling me with the job.” Hal said drily.
“It could not happen to a nicer pony.” Blizz riposted with a smile.
As Harper Tune and Max rode the Red Line out to Nellis, Max had to ask Harper Tune a question. “Just how did you and Bruce meet? Not at work, I’m sure.”
Harper smiled. “In a way, it was. Three years ago, tomorrow, Hal and I were doing a shift for Ace and the Dust Devils. We were overflying Old Town early Christmas morning. I was west, he was east. He had overflown the Strip and turned around south of McCarran. Bruce had Returned outside of a pub by the university, the Crown and Anchor.”
“I’ve heard of that place. A British pub, with good beer and fish and chips.”
“That’s right. He was there, debating on whether to go to UNLV or not, when the Event happened. One minute he was trying to flag down a bartender, the next he was standing in the desert, with nothing but the clothes on him and his beer glass, now a dark blue and white pegasus. He spotted Hal flying overhead, and used the bar glass to reflect light up.
“Hal called in the sighting to me and Base, and flew down to introduce himself. Turns out Bruce and Hal are both from New York, but at different times, Hal having left New York before Bruce was born. I arrived, and we did pick up on him, getting him to the Returnee center.”
“Must have been hard on him, appearing like that. I know it was on me.” Max told Harper.
“It was, but it was a delayed reaction. The unease came a little later. He did ask Hal and I to check up on him, which we did. Shortly after, Hal went on his trip to Australia, and I kept on seeing Bruce. He was having a rough time of things, feeling more and more useless by the day, despite my best efforts. I liked him, and he me, but he just could not figure out what use he could be.” Harper Tune told the young earth pony.
“I do know that feeling. It took me a while to get my confidence. Time, and meeting Katie. We did wonders for each other.”
“I could tell, the way you looked at each other during dinner and the gifts. When Hal came back, Bruce was hitting rock bottom. He had graduated basic and poofta, but was nearly last in his class both times. When Hal found out, he damn near blew his stack. Hal went right over to Bruce’s apartment and bullied him into a training flight.”
“Hal? Bullying somepony? I can’t picture that at all!” Max exclaimed in surprise. “He’s the nicest pony I’ve ever met, if a bit on the weird side.”
Harper looked out at the blowing snow. “Believe it. He was real upset at Bruce. On the flight, Hal gave him a severe tongue-lashing about not making the best of his new start. That was when they spotted a high-speed sports car Returning out of Goodsprings. The car crashed, and Hal and Bruce went to investigate.”
“Lucky Hal, to be on scene for a Return,” Max said quietly.
“Lucky for Bruce, but not for Hal. There were two ponies inside, an earth pony driver, and a little pegasus filly in the back seat. The car had caught fire, and while Bruce went for the filly, kicking out the back window, Hal tried to rescue the driver.” Harper explained.
“A little pegasus filly?” Max asked.
“Yes. Turns out the driver was the filly’s father, and he had just murdered the filly’s mother and kidnapped the filly. When the filly told Bruce about it, Bruce tried to warn Hal, but the gun went off, shooting Hal through the wing, breaking the wing bone here,” Harper said, indicating the spot on her own wing, not far from the shoulder, “and causing the wing to flop into the fire, burning the feathers and the wing. It fell to Bruce to get help.”
“Ouch. Hal never mentioned that,” Max said with a grimace. “That had to hurt.”
“It did. Once Bruce got Hal clear of the burning wreckage, the driver we found out later being already dead from a broken neck, he managed to get the little filly on his back and flew to the nearest source of help, that being Primm Station and the weather team there. Once there, Bruce had his cutie mark, that of a red Maltese Cross with white wings.” Harper explained. “After that, he knew what his calling in life is, and embraced it.”
“What is a Maltese Cross?” Max asked.
“The symbol for firefighters, Max. It’s been in use for a long time. Once he got the mark, he knew what he had to do in his life, and once back in Vegas with Hal and the filly, he called me and asked me an unfair question,” Harper said with a grimace as the Red Line train neared Nellis.
Max looked a little confused. “What sort of unfair question?”
“If I would marry him, so the filly could have a proper set of parents. Obviously, I did. Angela now considers both Bruce and I to be her real parents, and she just adores her little brother.”
“Angela was the filly he rescued? Wow…” Max said. “She’s a nice filly, even though she messed my name up.”
“She is. She’s happy she’s a pegasus, and loves us being her parents. She said we were much better than her old ones, because we support and protect her. The old relationship was not good, from what little we can get out of her.”
“May my foal be as good as she is.” Max said as the train zoomed through the increasing snowfall.
“Up to you to make it that way, Max. You and Katie need any help, you can call on any of us.”
“We will. What is it like, raising Charger?”
“He can be a hoofful at times. He’s always on the run, except when he’s napping. The good thing about him is that he will listen to us when he’s told to slow down.” Harper Tune then snorted. “For about five minutes at a time, then he’s at top speed again.”
As the Red Line pulled in to Nellis Station, Max could only say, “I hope Katie has a better night than I will.”
“It’s tomorrow during the day that should be all the more worrisome,” Harper Tune added.
In N.A.S. Control, Hal got to work, taking in the real-time readings from Sloan, Primm, the Stratosphere and Nellis. Once an hour, either him or Blizzard or Major Snowcap, pressed in to service for this emergency, sounded the EAS alert for blizzard warnings throughout the greater Las Vegas area. Meadville started reporting snow at about eight p.m., Riviera an hour later.
Hal coordinated with Colonel Strong Wing at Weather Control, getting reports from weather monitoring outposts scattered north and west of the city. All of the outlying outposts reported weather conditions so severe, they were hunkering down and riding the storm out, similar conditions progressing eastward. By ten p.m., both the Stratosphere and Nellis were reporting whiteout conditions, and midtown was reporting heavy snow.
When pressed for estimates of snowfall, Hal told the officials calling that they were to plan on thirty inches. All trams and trains were to be kept running, to try to keep the tramways and tracks clear for the next day. Summer Sun reported power lines down west of the city. “Ugly, uglier, ugliest.” Major Snowcap said when she heard the lines down report.
“I have always loved your optimism, Snowcap.” Hal replied. ‘Problem is, you’re right. I just hope Sunny has a crew near the break.”
“I’m going to add to the EAS broadcast next hour. If anyone is in distress or needs help after the storm passes, they are to fly a red flag or put a red sheet out on the snow. The Weather Service and other agencies will be doing overflights and will put out the word to get help to those who need it.” Blue Blizzard told his staff.
Both Hal and Snowcap nodded in agreement. “I’ll call upon Poofta to lend a hoof as well.” Hal told his boss, heading to a phone.
“Tell Black Dart that if she puts up a fuss, I’m going to go to the Chancellor!” Blue Blizzard called out, heading to another phone. Black Dart is the current headmistress of the Pegasus Flight Training Academy, better known as Poofta, and a long time rival of Blue Blizzard. Fortunately for all, Black Dart had anticipated the call, and told Hal she was already gathering her instructors and students for morning overflights.
All through the night, the winds howled, the snow fell, and ice accumulated on eaves. The three officers in N.A.S. control took shifts napping and monitoring storm conditions. About four a.m., a report came in from a farmstead on the north side of Mount Charleston that the blizzard conditions were easing. That was followed up a half hour later by reports from both Primm Station and Goodsprings that the blizzard was petering out, which made for an optimistic five a.m. press release.
By dawn, the blizzard had run its course, light winds pushing loose snow about. The sun shone down on a cityscape blanketed with snow, a good twenty-four inches of snow in midtown Las Vegas, more elsewhere. Hal, as commander of the Volunteer Posse, gave the word for snow teams to get out and shovel, and the pegasus wings to get airborne and search for those in need. It would have been better for the pegasi to head to the outlying areas before the storm hit, but holiday plans squashed that idea.
Hal put on his multi-channel radio. “Rainbow King to White Queen. Commence operations.”
“Commence operations, White Queen aye.” Harper Tune replied. She looked at the crew present in Weather Control’s hangar. “Teams one through four, launch!” she shouted, Immediately, four teams of ten pegasi each took wing, heading for the cardinal points of the compass first before heading to the western communities.
Harper Tune then went to the phone and dialed a number for the Meadville detachment. “White Queen to Gray Bishop. Teams Nine and Ten, launch!” she ordered.
“Nine and Ten, launching.” came the response.
Hal changed channels on his radio. “Rainbow King to Black Queen. Roll out!”
“Okay, Hal. Doing so.” Raven said. Turning to her group, she called out, “Spread the word, let’s get moving! Let’s get the tracks cleared first, then work on the back streets.” Her group started at the tram maintenance yard and spread from there, unicorns alternately plowing and melting snow from the tracks. Keeping the trains and trams running all night helped in keeping accumulations down. Each station they passed, they cleared.
Hal changed channels again. “Rainbow King to Red King. Move out!”
“On it, Hal.” Wordsmythe answered, before calling his posse members, who were scattered around the city. “Let’s do it to it, fillies and colts! Start shoveling from the top down!”
Wordy’s teams started at the tops of the hills and worked down the streets from there. Where Raven’s tram clearing team had the tracks clear, they hitched wagons to the tram cars, the shoveling crew putting the snow in the wagons, bringing the snow down to the lake for dumping.
It was the airborne detachment that saw the most work in the morning hours. Outlying farms, ones that did not have much time to prepare before the blizzard hit, flew the red flags mainly to request supplies, a few for medical aid. Harper Tune and Elena Strong Wing were kept busy handling aid requests for areas north, west and south of the city. The Meadville team, led by the Gray Bishop, Orion Twister, handled calls east of the city of Las Vegas.
City Services were not idle that morning, despite it being Christmas Day. The Sanitation, Road Crew, and Track departments were out there with the Posse, working away at clearing the city. The snowfall was such that the city services would not have been able to get the roads and tracks clear on their own for several days. City Service ponies guided the Posse around, getting the streets clear.
Spirits were high during the cleanup, with most ponies singing carols while they worked, led by radios placed out to play one of the seven radio stations in the city. Ponies not on the Posse worked around their own places, clearing snow from villas, apartments and houses. Some shopkeepers made their way to their stores and opened, passing out hot drinks and snacks to the busy workers.
The Energy Department was kept busy repairing downed power lines, mostly in the outskirts. Summer Sun was extremely thankful that the high-tension lines leading out from the dam remained intact, and that none of the transformer fields had any major malfunctions.
Everything was going well, as well as can be expected, until about half past noon. Reports started coming in of a fire at a retirement home up on top of Skyline Boulevard. From the top of the Silver State Building, the NAS staffers saw the smoke rising from the building. ”Hal, you are in charge now. I’m heading to the scene of the fire and assist.” Blue Blizzard told his chief subordinate.
“Whatever for, Blizz?” Hal asked as Blue Blizzard made his way to the roof access.
“Because my grandfather lives there!” Blue Blizzard shouted as he opened the roof door and went out, the door swinging closed behind him.
Hal and Snowcap looked at each other and shrugged. “That’s Grandpa for you.” Snowcap said.
“Wait- Blue Blizzard is your grandfather?” Hal said in surprise. At her nod, he went on. “Nicely kept secret, Snowcap.”
“Nobody else could yank me in to work on Christmas Day other than him.” Snowcap sighed.
Meanwhile, Bruce Morrow and his partner Raindance were winging in to the scene to survey the situation. What he saw of the five-story building was not encouraging. Bruce activated his two-way radio. “Rescue Two-One to Chief Two. Have significant fire involvement on the east side of the building, starting at the third floor and going up from there. Recommend full call-up, and I will start trying evac from the roof.”
“Chief Two to Rescue Two-One. Acknowledge report, do what you can. Engine Two, Ladder Two, and Truck Two responding. Calling in other assistance as well.” Chief Two told his rescue leader.
“We’re going to need more than that, Chief Two. You’ll see why.” Bruce reported as he flew next to Raindance. “Rain, go down to the main entrance and pass the word about evac to the roof. I’ll be up here to get casualties down.” Nobody called Raindance ‘Dance’ to his face more than once. He is a very well-built strong pegasus stallion. With a temper.
“Will do, Bruce!’” the orange and black pegasus called back before winging his way to the front entrance.
Hal was not sitting idle up in NAS Control. “Rainbow King to White Queen and Chessmaster One. I need all heavy-lift rated pegasi to report to Skyline Retirement Home to assist in evacuation. Fire in progress, assistance required.”
“White Queen aye, Rainbow King.”
“Chessmaster One ten-four.”
Hal changed channels. “Rainbow King to Black Queen. Fire at Skyline Retirement Home. Suspend snow removal on Skyline Boulevard and send forces to assist evacuation. Alert Vegas General for incoming.”
“So that’s where the smoke is coming from. I’m on it, Hal.” Raven told her husband before switching her radio to call the teams nearest the fire to assist. She herself was over on Calico Ridge.
Hal changed channels again and told the same news to Wordy. “I’ll pass the word, Hal. I’ll take orders from the fire chiefs there. I’m not too far away.”
“Sounds good to me, Wordy. Have your crews keep working on the streets, except those you take with you. Put priority on clearing roads between the scene and Vegas General,” Hal ordered.
“Give me a few minutes to set things up, and I will. Now, bug off and let me work!” Wordy snapped.
“Okay, Wordy. Go get it done.”
“He always talk to you like that?” Snowcap asked Hal.
“Always, except when he doesn’t, which is never.” Hal sighed as he went back and watched the fire from his vantage point.
Blue Blizzard flew to the roof of the Skyline Retirement Home. Spotting another pegasus there, he went over to him. Seeing the other pegasus was a fire services member, Blizzard snapped, “You, come with me. We have to rescue an old pony from the third floor! He’s bedridden! Come on!”
Bruce nodded. “Yes, General. Let me call in while doing so,” he told the worried sky-blue pegasus as he followed Blue Blizzard to a door.
“Rescue Two-One to Chief Two. I’m being co-opted into rescuing an elderly stallion from the third floor, General Blizzard doing the co-opting,” he told his boss.
“Be careful, Bruce. Pull out if you need to. ETA three minutes.”
“Rescue Two-One aye.” Bruce then followed General Blizzard into the building, through the roof access.
Hal received a call from the fire department chief, Smokehouse, also known on the radio as Chief Zero, requesting the call-up of the Griffin Volunteer Assistance Corps for help in evacuation of the elderly residents. Hal was able to tell the chief that he had done so, and the griffins should be leaving the aerie within five minutes. “I can see the smoke plume from here, Chief. Once Blizz flew out of here, I called G-VAC. They’re gathering up materials for safe recovery of victims..”
“Good to have you up there running things, Colonel. You think ahead, not like some others.”
“Thank you for saying so, Chief. I’ve given priority to getting roads and hydrants clear, as well as access to Vegas General. I just don’t know if all stations are cleared yet.”
“So long as east side stations are able to get out, I’ll call that a plus. I’ll call west side stations and have them dig themselves out. Let me get to work.”
“You do your thing, Chief, I’ll do mine.”
As the first crews neared Skyline Retirement Home, Bruce and Blue Blizzard came out on the third floor, having passed ambulatory ponies in the stairway, telling them to get to the roof on the west side, away from the smoke. On the third floor, the smoke was quite dense, Bruce using his breather apparatus, Blizzard just enduring. ‘We need to get to room three-twenty-one, that’s five doors up on the left.” Blizzard said before coughing.
“Okay, General. You head down the steps, I’ll go get him.” Bruce said.
“No, I’m coming. Chinook’s my grandfather. We have to get him out.”
“Okay, General.” Bruce sighed. From ahead of them, they could see the fire blazing merrily away, but fortunately was not moving in their direction, seeming to spread more in the other direction. At room 321, Bruce checked the door with a hoof before opening it, to reveal an elderly gray and blue pegasus lying on a bed, looking very frail indeed. “You’re late!’ Chinook growled “I’ve been ringing for a nurse the last ten minutes!”
“Grandfather, the building is on fire. We’ve come to get you out.” Blue Blizzard told his grandfather. “Let me get you up on the firepony’s back and we’ll get out.”
Chinook swatted at Blue Blizzard’s hooves angrily. “No, get my wheelchair!” he snapped. “Just because I’m a hundred ninety six doesn’t mean I’m to be carried about like an invalid!”
Bruce looked around the smoky room, spotting a wheelchair tucked into a corner. “Here’s your wheelchair, sir. General, get him into it and we’re out of here!” he said, bringing the chair to the bed.
As Blizzard got Chinook into the chair, an explosion from the fire area shook the building. The room door blew open, sending in a lot of smoke. Bruce went over to shut the door, Blizzard and Chinook starting to cough. “Rescue Two-One to Chief Two. There has been an explosion on the third floor. I’m trapped in room three twenty-one, fifth from the south end on the west side along with two others. We can use some help up here.” Bruce radioed in.
“Chief Two to Rescue Two-One. Get the windows open and we’ll set something up. We’re on scene, setting up hose lines. Help is coming.”
“Roger that, Chief Two.” Bruce replied as he locked the stout door to the room. He then went to the large west-facing window. Pulling a tool from his equipment pouch, Bruce started to pry the window out of its seat.
“What are you doing, young fellow?” Chinook rasped.
“Getting the window out so we can escape, sir! Help is coming, but we need to help them too! General, go wet some towels and wrap them around both your noses!” Bruce ordered as he worked at the window.
Outside, Fire Station Two’s apparatus had arrived, and were setting up on the east side of the building, where the fire had burned through the wall and up to the fourth and fifth floors. Raindance was inside, supervising evacuation from the building. At the explosion, he searched up the south stairway, looking for those who needed help and getting them outside.
“Chief Two to Chief Zero. Call for a second and third alarm here, and assistance with evacuees. This is not looking good.” Chief Two called out on his radio to his boss.
“Chief Zero to Chief Two. Stations Three and Five are on their way, as is the Volunteer Posse. Shelters and warming tents will be set up soon.”
“Chief Two aye. When will you be here, Chief Zero?”
“I’m coming up Skyline Drive now. Three minutes max.”
“Good. We’re getting some evacuees on the roof. Anyone coming for them?”
“Yes. Heavy Lift pegasi and G-VAC are on their way.”
“Good. Chief Two out," the chief said before switching frequencies. “Engine Two, Truck Two, get some water on the fire! Ladder Two, set up aerial guns to hit it directly! More help is coming.”
“Engine Two, water up!” was reported as a stream of water came from engine two’s deck cannon.
“Truck Two, one minute.”
“Ladder Two, setting up.”
From over Frenchman Mountain came two flights of pegasi, all those in the Volunteer Posse and a few NAS regulars who were rated heavy lift. They could see the fire clearly, and they increased speed. Out of the north came three flocks of griffins, thirty in all, arrowing to the fire scene. The griffins arrived first, calming the nervous ponies, both residents and staff, on the roof before beginning evacuations. On the ground, ambulances were queueing up to take those who needed help to Vegas General Hospital. The unicorns of the Volunteer Posse who were there were rapidly setting up warming tents away from the building for the evacuees. Earth ponies were clearing snow from the area to set up the tents, as well as clearing roads. Local residents and shopkeepers began showing up, bringing hot food and drink to the workers. The whole area dropped what they were doing to pitch in, word being spread by radio and word of mouth.
In room 321, Bruce finally got the window free. “Rescue Two-One to Chief Two, window is off, we need evac!” he radioed in.
Before he could get an answer, a large griffin was at the window. “Someone need a rescue?” the sea eagle-cougar griffin asked.
“Yes! Get Chinook out first!” Bruce said, wheeling the elderly pegasus to the window.
“Okay!” the griffin said cheerfully as Bruce helped Chinook up out of the chair and into the window frame. “Come on, sir, let’s get you out of here and into someplace less smoky.”
Chinook protested feebly as Bruce boosted him out the window and into the griffin’s arms. "That’s one, we have another, then me!” he told the griffin.
“Don’t worry, there’s more where I came from!” the griffin shouted as she moved away from the building.
Bruce turned to get Blue Blizzard, only to find him unconscious on the floor. “Oh, spiffing!” he muttered as he went to pick up the pegasus, managing to get the unconscious general on his back before going back to the window, where another griffin awaited. Handing off his load, Bruce scrambled up onto the window frame as the griffin left with Blue Blizzard. Once clear, he took wing, heading out away from the building before heading up. Clearing the roof wall, he could see the G-VAC crew, as well as a bunch of pegasi, evacuating ponies, and Ladder Two’s extension gun pouring water onto the fire.
“Rescue Two-One to Rescue Two-Two. Where you at, partner?” Bruce called out over the radio.
“Second floor, by the south stairwell. I’m going to do a sweep of the second floor. Suggest you work from the top while I come up. Also, make sure you turn your mic off when you get spiffing again, okay?” Raindance told his partner.
“Oops.” Bruce said, feeling glad that nobody could see him blush.
“Chief Two to Rescue Two-One. Come down for a fresh air tank before you start a search of the top floor. Rescue Three and Rescue Five are pulling in. I’ll have them do floor sweeps as well.”
“Ten-Four, Chief Two.” Bruce called in before a bell started ringing, his tank low pressure alarm. The air tanks for rescue workers are not as large as for regular fire ponies, to save on weight. He winged down to change tanks.
It was almost four in the afternoon before the fire was declared out and cleanup began. The evacuees were resettled either in hospitals, with family, or in suitable shelter. The building was not a total loss, but would require extensive repair before being usable again. Thanks to fast actions, no residents of the retirement home or its staff were killed, but there were numerous cases of burns and smoke inhalation. By six, all fire units were back in quarters, and the shifts were changed, allowing fresh personnel to take over the job of protecting the city.
Shift change took place elsewhere as well, the Volunteer Posse going off duty at sunset, and up in NAS Control, Colonel Sleet turned over the duty to his relief, Captain Aquila Twister. “I’m going to the hospital first, to check on Blizzard, then heading home. You should have both my office and house numbers here if you need me.
“Please, don’t call unless you really, really have to, okay?” Hal pleaded with Aquila.
“Sure thing, Hal. Forecasts are quiet for the next few days, so go home and get some sleep. Oh, give this to Kaleidoscope, okay?” Aquila said, passing Hal a flat package, which he put in his saddlebag.
“What is it, if I may ask?” Hal asked.
“Who’s the leader of the Skydancers?” Aquila said with a smile.
Hal thought for a few seconds, then smiled. “Andromeda Twister,” he said.
“Or, as I call her, Mom. Tell Kalie that we’ll arrange a visit to the Skydancers sometime soon.”
“When you hear windows shattering from Calico Ridge on down, you know I told her.”
Hal did stop at Vegas General to look in on Blue Blizzard, who was in a room with his grandfather, recovering from smoke inhalation. “Aquila’s on duty, and all is quiet. Just wanted to see how you are doing,” he told his boss.
“He’ll recover, the young whippersnapper!” Chinook snapped from his bed.
“Granddad, I’ll be fine,” Blue Blizzard said to his grandfather before looking at Hal. “The doctors want to keep me overnight for observation. I called Squall and let her know. She read me the riot act over the phone. She’ll be here about seven for a lecture.”
“And I thought Raven was bad.” Hal said with a small smile.
“Snow Squall has to be Raven’s role model. Eighty years married, and she still puts me in my place.” Blue Blizzard said mournfully. “You go home and I’ll be in touch, okay?”
“Will do, General. Get better.” Hal said to his boss before looking at Chinook. “Pleasure meeting you, Mister President.”
Chinook let out a big smile. “I like this kid! He has manners! Good meeting you too, son.”
As Hal left the room, he could hear Chinook say to Blue Blizzard, “Why can’t you be as respectful as he is?”
Hal was the last one of the adults to reach the villa on Calico Ridge that night, Max beating him by half an hour. There, he was greeted by his family and friends, as well as finding that Wordy had made a tuna casserole just for him. “What did I do to deserve this?” he asked the ponies there as he dug the package for Kaleidoscope out of his saddlebag.
“You kept a cool stool and a hot pot up in control all night and day, Hal.” Wordy told his housemate.
“While we were down in the trenches, you kept a steady hoof up there, giving good leadership,” Raven told her husband.
“What with Blue Blizzard getting laid up for a while, I suggested that they give you a break today,” Bruce told his friend.
“You’re going to need the peace and quiet now, Hal,” Summer Sun said. “Later won’t be as pleasant.”
“What do you mean by that?” Hal asked as he sat down at the table.
“You DID co-opt us into running the Volunteer Posse, Hal.” Harper Tune said. “We did promise vengeance. Trust us, it will be EPIC!”
“Merry Christmas to you all, too.” Hal said as he had a bite of the casserole, which indeed lived up to Wordy’s reputation, as a loud SQUEAL came from Kaleidoscope after she opened her package, followed by Hal wearing a filly hat as he was snugged tightly by his daughter.
“Thank you, Daddy! It’s a WONDERFUL Christmas!” Kalie shrilled in absolute delight, rendering Hal half deaf for the next week, but for the joy of his little filly, Hal would bear any pain.