//------------------------------//
// City by the Sea, Chapter 2: The Better Side 
// Story: The Virgin Company (currently editing) 
// by Pone_Heap 
//------------------------------//

Zip watched with a mixture of horror and amusement as his staff sergeant heaved along one of his supposed privates. She looked pissed. The private, a unicorn, whined and struggled, his horn sparking. She had a pressure point on him; he couldn’t use his magic. Zip had trained in this, holding drills in the past. He knew the kind of pain the stallion was in… It floored even the toughest of opponents and left them squealing like little fillies.

Zip had to say something, “Sergeant… What’s going on here?”

She rounded on him, eyes flaring; her wriggling quarry was held at length, “What in Hell do you think you’re doing out here, soldier?! B Company works the next set of docks! What’s your name? State your full outfit, and show me your identification!”

Staff Sergeant Petals was so worked up she hadn’t bothered to look at his insignia, much less his air force uniform. Zip was… something of a cold fish, but he still had that rather easygoing way about him. A yelling sergeant didn’t scare him quite as much as it used to… Not given to playfulness most of the time, he decided to have a little fun with his platoon sergeant.

Zip unfurled his wings, giving them a little flap; he grinned good-naturedly, “SSgt. Petals… it’s good to meet you. Having a little trouble with the kids?”

Her jaw dropped; not forgetting the dupe she was dealing with, she pinned him and sat on him, “…Lt. Jetscream?”

Smiling to himself, he figured the wings would tip her off; he was one of three Pegasi in the entire company, he’d heard, “Yes.”

The private craned his neck, slurring, “Lt. Jetscream?! Holy shit! It’s really you!”

“Quiet, you…" the sergeant twisted one of his legs, and it shut him up, other than the yelp it provoked; she looked to Zip. "Lieutenant… I’m surprised to see you here. Nopony alerted us you were coming.”

That couldn’t be right…

“I visited battalion headquarters not an hour ago. The clerk told me the lieutenant colonel was… out. He was supposed to be there according to the schedule I was given. She gave me directions here and said she’d notify the company…”

A troubled expression crossed the sergeant’s face; she began to look quite upset. This wasn't too reassuring to Zip.

She appeared to choose her words, “Lieutenant… There are some things… you’ll need to hear. But first, I’ll show you to the captain’s office. Just come with me. I’ll be dumping Pvt. Mill off in detention.”

She began to walk. The fact she dragged a stallion to his hooves and pulled him along didn’t even slow her down. The private continued to resist.

Zip grew tired of this show, “Sergeant! Stop.”

She did so, looking confused; she didn’t much like his tone.

Zip approached the pair, “Pvt. Mill… Will you cooperate and just walk for us?”

He looked back to his new officer, “Yes, sir…”

Zip looked to SSgt. Petals, “Let him go.”

She looked positively mutinous but did so, “Yes, sir.”

And the private did walk, looking forward and moving without resistance. This had SSgt. Petals fuming. All the crap she went through, dealing with the platoon, and the new officer is some kind of horse whisperer?!

Zip easily noticed SSgt. Petals's manner; he’d investigate it later.

The officer and his noncom dropped off the drunken private at the detention center, run by a small detachment of military police from the brigade. Zip didn’t envy his position. He’d been drunk while on duty; that merited lashes. Zip didn’t look forward to seeing that. The private also left his post to screw a prostitute; that could be a court martial. The private’s career as a soldier would probably be over. But he was blessed they weren’t in a state of emergency… He’d be hanged.

Staff Sergeant Petals looked quite surly. Zip decided to talk to her then.

“Sergeant… I know you’re upset, but let it go; his time here’s over,” he knew it wasn’t just the fact he reprimanded her in front of a private; she was upset at the apparent lack of respect she received.

In her blazing eyes he saw a determination… but also vulnerability. He hadn’t seen everything yet, but… it must have been hard… being a young mare in such a position.

She tried to maintain her front, “Yes, sir… Let me show you to the captain.”

To Zip’s dismay, she was beginning to look cowed. It was apparent, even to him, that she was wearing thin. He wondered what his squad sergeants were like and if they had anything to do with the obvious lack of discipline in the platoon. He’d find out soon, but for now, he’d meet Cpt. Stone Rig.







Staff Sergeant Petals excused herself as they entered the little building that housed the company headquarters; she had to write a report pertaining to Pvt. Mill. Zip approached the receptionist, a unicorn stallion civilian.

“Good morning. I’m Lt. Jetscream. I’m here to see Cpt. Rig.”

The unicorn looked up from a stack of papers, “We never received word you’d be here.”

Zip nodded, “Yes. SSgt. Petals told me the same… even though I went to battalion headquarters this morning.”

The unicorn sighed, “I see… Go on in. The captain hasn’t gone to lunch yet.”

Zip thanked him and went through the door. The unicorn that must have been the captain sat at his desk, reviewing some paperwork.

“Excuse me, Cpt. Rig.”

The captain looked up, “Who’re you?”

“I’m Lt. Zip Jetscream.”

The captain broke into a grin, standing up, “Ah, Lieutenant! Welcome to South Port. I’m surprised to see you, I admit. Nopony sent word you were coming this morning.”

Zip was growing tired of hearing this; something stunk, “Yes, Captain. I’ve been told that several times. The lieutenant colonel wasn’t in… His receptionist gave me my orders and told me to come to you.”

The captain looked nonplussed a moment, then snorted, “Close the door… Son, Lt. Col. Spud never leaves his office. I just spoke with him, over my crystal ball, not 20 minutes ago.”

Zip was even less pleased now; something was rotten, “I thought the mare at the front desk was acting strangely. I wonder-”

Captain Rig broke down laughing. Zip was startled by this. Seeing Zip’s bewilderment, he laughed all the harder.

“Zip… Red Spud was right there! He was right in front of you, but you couldn’t exactly see him! Little wonder nopony let me know you were on your way… His secretary was… distracted.”

The pieces finally fit: Lt. Col. Spud was fellating his civilian receptionist! Right in front of him, while he was supposed to be commanding the battalion, he'd been screwing around with his staff…! Zip felt… sickened. What the Hell kind of outfit had he landed in?!

The captain paid him little mind, “Ol’ Red sure is lucky. There are only so many pretty mares willing to do that job, and most of them are working at battalion headquarters! I’m stuck with the dregs… and a stallion or two!”

Seemingly unaware of Zip’s disgust, the captain was finally able to stop laughing. Zip didn’t need to hear the actual words; he was in a dirty outfit. What was this?! A dumping ground for garbage? He knew the company, especially his own platoon, was some cobbled mess, but this was worse than he’d imagined… He had more than a few questions, and a lot of them were being answered in ways he didn’t enjoy.

“Sir?”

“Zip… you’re a pretty laidback guy from what I’ve heard. But you know just how much pressure to put on a pony. You don’t do any of that stupid cadet stuff. So, don’t call me ‘sir’ except in front of the troops or the colonel. Just call me ‘Captain’. You’re just the kind of officer I need right now. Your platoon’s kind of rough... It has problems, but I think you can get hold of them. Only a hoofful have any combat experience, but that’s not our forte, anyway. You’ll have them eating out of your hoof, the hero you are!”

Zip had certain feelings about the word "hero", but that wasn't the issue at hoof; something else was on his mind, and he had to say it, “Sir… I don’t know about that. The first thing I saw when I got here was SSgt. Petals going after one of my privates from 4th Squad. He was drunk and with a mare off-site… She’s off writing the report. How bad are things here, really?”

The captain scowled, “Jacinta?! That little filly scout… She doesn’t get it. Your platoon may be a little rough, but they do quite a good job in port. She needs to get it through her head to just let some things go. Just because she can’t appreciate the fact a soldier needs a little R&R with a mare, sometimes… the sexless, little drip… Now we’ll have another court… and lose another soldier…”

It didn’t surprise Zip Pvt. Mill wasn’t the first soldier to meet such an end, though he hadn't heard about it. But for the captain to brush all this aside… to disrespect SSgt. Petals that way… and to see such corruption higher up… Zip felt his blood run cold. This was bad.

The captain still didn’t notice Zip’s growing discontent, “Zip… go straighten out Jacinta. She’s your problem, now. I don’t want to see any more trouble out of that pretty, little virgin flower. After that, go meet your squad leaders. You’re free to go where you wish around our docks. Get to know your platoon. You’ll love Cpl. Raspberry Jam… the guy’s a pisser when it comes to a good joke!”

Zip stood, upset with all this, but he held up his front, “Yes, Captain.”

The captain sat back down at his desk, still hooting with occasional laughter, “Join me at the officer’s club later. Maybe try your hoof at our poker game. Dismissed.”







Zip left company headquarters feeling quite dispirited. He knew the air force sent him for a cushy position, one he could mill his way through, maybe even have a little fun… but this was revolting.

He knew he was ordered to find SSgt. Petals and lay into her a little, but he decided to wait with that. After all, he “didn’t know” where she was, officially. So, he’d find her later. For now, he’d go do the other thing he’d been told to do—not that it wasn’t his plan anyway—and find his other sergeants. Zip started walking towards a dock. It was a start.

There were four docks under his platoon’s authority. Zip went to the southernmost dock first. This was Sgt. Sweet Clover’s sphere. The entire battalion operated in logistics, as did the platoon… as a whole. But each squad was arranged based on the talents of the ponies present. The 2nd Squad specialized in logistics. Each squad essentially did the same job on each of their four docks, but their special talents could be applied wherever they needed to be.

One of Sgt. Clover's teams was led by a specialist, not even a noncommissioned officer. The other team was led by Cpl. Raspberry Jam… mentioned by name by the captain. Zip approached. It was lunch; the navy and merchant ponies were having theirs and apparently, so was his 2nd Squad.

Seeing a Pegasus, those sitting by a cart waved him down. Zip looked around at their insignia: there were Sgt. Clover, Spc. Porter, and 1st Team, made up of enlisted ponies. There were a few mares in the platoon but not in this squad.

Sergeant Clover, a unicorn, stood up, eager to shake hooves with his new lieutenant, “Sir, it’s good to finally meet you.”

The other stallions joined in. Zip was told their names; it would be a while before he knew everypony. Zip was most curious why a specialist led a team but thought he’d try to find out later.

Zip didn’t wait for the introduction of one of them, “You must be Spc. Porter… How are you?”

The young-looking Earth pony grinned, “I’m fine, Lieutenant, thanks. We’re just having a little lunch before the next ship comes in. Care to join us? Talk for a bit?”

Zip figured the platoon had more than just assholes in it. Just talking to part of the squad told him it was probably a better element within his command.

“Thanks, but no. I had a pretty big breakfast on the train. We’ll be able to talk a little later, I’m sure. The captain told me to go around and meet the squads.”

Sergeant Clover nodded, “Yeah… Normally we’d assemble formally for an intro, but as busy as we are this week… we’re going 24 hours sometimes. We get off at 14:00, but we overlap with my other team. Cpl. Jam’s down at the dock now. Maybe go see him really quick before lunch is over. You’ll never get a word out of him otherwise.”

Zip thanked them. In turn, they gave him a crisp salute which Zip returned. The lieutenant headed to the dock. A ship was being unloaded, but it was going slowly; most of the crew was eating. A few kept things moving just to save time later. Zip saw the rest of 2nd Squad, the 2nd Team. They were moving busily, like ants. Their productivity was almost shocking. Zip could watch them all day.

“Alright… slowly… slowly… annnnnnnd stop,” a lanky Earth pony was guiding a crane, lowering a rather large crate. He had stripes. This was Cpl. Raspberry Jam.

Waiting until the corporal was through with his task, and on his way to sit, to address him, Zip spoke, “Corporal… isn’t it lunchtime?”

Corporal Jam turned around; he had a friendly face with what seemed a permanent grin pasted to it. Espying Zip’s uniform and insignia, he beamed and called over the rest of the team.

“Hey, fellas! Look who just showed up.”

Five stallions perked up, looking away from their work and lunches. They jumped up in a hurry, excited.

Corporal Jam introduced himself, shaking Zip’s hoof, “Good… well, afternoon, now, Lieutenant. We were expecting you sometime today or tomorrow. How was the ride here?”

Zip smiled, “Hello, Corporal… The ride was fine. A little bumpy for sleeping, but it was okay. It beat flying here.”

The team laughed; none of them had wings but could imagine the long, miserable journey that might have been. Zip had been told Cpl. Jam was a funny fellow… Maybe he was. But he could tell just from meeting this team that he was still in the good element of the platoon.

Deciding by the time he left the dock that lunch would be over, Zip elected to chat a while with the stallions at the dock. Good cheer held sway, possibly due to the early time of their shift.

“Lieutenant? I’m guessing you met Sgt. Clover,” Cpl. Jam spoke in between bites of his sandwich.

“Oh, yeah. He told me to come over here while there was a lull. Why were you guiding the crane operator? You only have so much time to eat.”

Corporal Jam yawned, “Somepony needed to help guide it down. Must keep moving… time is money to them, and we just try to keep things moving. The sergeant probably told you, but it’s been busy the last few days. We just got here… a few minutes off lunch isn’t much.”

Zip was glad to spend a few minutes there but felt it was time to move on, “Well, team… I want to check out the other squads before chow, so I’ll see you later.”

Giving the lieutenant a smile and a less formal, yet respectful, salute than the other team did, they parted.

Zip could see a little more now. This probably wasn’t the soft spot in the platoon. Sergeant Clover seemed to run 1st Team, though the specialist led it. It wasn’t surprising. While somepony might be leader in name and on paper, some higher-up might put on a “second hat” and take leadership of a lower segment in addition to his own. The 2nd Squad seemed like a decent bunch. He’d have to see more, but they seemed to have good leadership and practiced good soldiering. As the captain had said, not everypony was a combat veteran, but they were port authority.

Figuring he’d just hit up the next dock north of him, he headed there.







Sergeant Treasure Trove led 4th Squad. The squad focused on engineering and maintenance. The 1st Team was engineering and the 2nd Team maintenance. He’d been told most of these ponies were pretty smart. Zip was already worried about SSgt. Petals's platoon arrangement. Even if each squad specialized in an area, it was foolish to put too many highly intelligent ponies together; balance was lacking.

This squad had another case of a specialist leading a team, the 2nd Team. Specialist Trip Wire… that was some name. Zip was unsure if Spc. Wire was related to Cpl. Wire of the 3rd Squad. He was sure he’d learn soon enough.

If 2nd Squad was relaxed but efficient, 4th Squad looked pretty sloppy in comparison as far as appearances went. Their uniforms weren’t maintained as well; it wasn’t the fact they were covered in oil… They just looked unkempt and sluffed around too much. This was also the squad of which the foolish Pvt. Mill was a part. While most of the squad was directing traffic on the dock and in the yard, Zip was "fortunate" enough to walk in during a discussion of the matter of Pvt. Mill.

Sergeant Trove was roaring at Cpl. Little Song, “Damn it, Little Song! All you had to do was watch over that idiot Mill and keep him out of trouble. And now he’s gone?! You’re his team leader! You knew what would happen if SSgt. 'Frosty Flower' found him before you did!”

The little Earth pony mare didn't quite cower under the much larger unicorn screaming at her, “Don’t call her that… And don’t yell at me, Sarge, please! It’s impossible to keep an eye on that moron. I don’t even know how he got away. And don’t blame me because SSgt. Petals beat me to him! She’s got her hooves so full trying to keep a bridle on 3rd Squad, I couldn’t believe she’d take the time to chase him… She found him… drunk again… with that… hooker he likes so much… again.”

Sergeant Trove grumbled, “Don’t say ‘again’ like she was the one who found him before! She knew the trouble he got up to, but she never saw it for herself. All we had to do was keep her nose out of it, and we could’ve solved it ourselves.”

Corporal Song retorted, “Solve what?! There was no fixing him. Maybe it’s for the best he’s gone… I mean… he was nothing but trouble. And the stuff the psych ward told us… he wasn’t fit to soldier anymore…”

The sergeant sighed, “You’re right… I’m… sorry, Little Song… I just hoped… he’d have straightened up. He was a good engineer, for what it was worth. And…”

The little corporal sighed, “I know, sir… I know you two trained together. You fought together… He… just couldn’t get himself right after that…”

The sergeant sniffled, “Yeah…”

Zip had seen and heard all this; he was even more worried now. And he hadn’t been warned by 2nd Squad things were… different in 4th Squad. This wasn’t great efficiency he was seeing. While Sgt. Clover’s squad moved like a well-oiled machine, this one moved like a broken thresher.

He wasn’t looking forward to what the other squads looked like. It was clear now, at least, that his platoon sergeant was trying to run 3rd Squad… and it wasn’t going well. For now, he’d chat with this one. He tried to approach as if he hadn’t seen this mess.

“Good afternoon, Sgt. Trove… Cpl. Song,” Zip began. “I’m Lt. Jetscream. I got to the city this morning. Just having a look around the docks.”

Corporal Song put a hoof over her mouth; her eyes shined in admiration, obviously looking at the Wings of the Dragon Slayer. Zip hadn’t thought much about his decoration; nopony had brought it up. Sergeant Trove looked upset; it was obvious to him Zip saw what just happened.

Sergeant Trove lowered his head, “…Lieutenant… I…”

But Zip brushed it aside, “Relax, Sergeant… What happened with Pvt. Mill is unfortunate… It was the first thing I saw when I came to South Port today. I’m sorry for your friend… SSgt. Petals wasn’t exactly gentle with him.”

The unicorn and Earth pony both hung their heads.

By now, the other ponies in the squad had approached, except one… and not Pvt. Mill, naturally. The sergeant and corporal looked up. Together, they all saluted Zip.

“Welcome, Lieutenant,” Sgt. Trove said.

Zip saluted back; he looked around, “Where’s Spc. Wire?”

The sergeant called out, “Trip! Come here.”

Specialist Wire didn’t respond. Instead of waiting, Zip took it upon himself to look up the dock; he saw a pair of legs sticking out from under a lift. It was the kind of lift for things too heavy for a crane, allowing them to just slide things to and from a ship.

Zip took a guess, “Specialist Wire?”

To his surprise, a mare’s voice answered, “I dunno who the Hell you are, Mister, but could you please hoof me the 14mm wrench? Damn shitty foreign parts…”

Zip looked back to the rest of the squad, aghast at their little specialist’s ignorance of the situation. Zip decided to have some fun again. Things were too gloomy around there.

He hoofed her the wrench, “Here you go.”

She took it, “Thanks.”

Zip sat down by the toolbox she kept. He wondered how long the game would last. He could see the little mare kicking and struggling with something.

“Uh… I could use an extra set of hooves under here. Could you squeeze under?”

The game would last a while. Zip playfully winked at the sergeant and the rest before shimmying his way under the lift. Spc. Wire was… cute as pie and spotted with oil.

She pointed to a joint, “If you could hold that... I’ll be able to finish the adjustment. Then we can get the lift back online.”

“Sure,” Zip did as he was told.

Specialist Wire murmured happily, “Sweet… It’s finally coming together.”

They were done, and they pulled out. Zip was covered, to his amusement, in a whole lotta grease. The Earth pony mare sat up beside him, grinning from ear to ear.

“Wow, thanks… Uh… who the fuck are you? Never seen you before…”

The sergeant looked like he was about to die. Zip laughed as he shook the hoof she offered.

“I’m Lt. Zip Jetscream. It’s good to meet you, Spc. Trip Wire.”

The little mare gawked, from his wings to his decorations to his filthy uniform, its insignia barely legible. She squeaked, blushing profusely. She was in for it now…

But Zip patted her shoulder, “No worries, Specialist, it’s fine. At least you got your lift working again.”

While looking relieved, Spc. Wire’s eyes clouded up. Zip was discomfited as the little mare began to cry. Her squad looked on as if they’d been… expecting this. Before Zip could ponder this, Spc. Wire looked to him.

“I’m… sorry, Lieutenant… I… thought I’d be able to get through this without crying, but… nope… You… saved my dad’s life, sir.”

This was news to Zip, I did what?

She wiped her eyes, possibly not the best choice with her grimy hooves, “Gear Wrench… he was an old staff sergeant at your old outpost."

Zip's eyes bugged. This was SSgt. Wrench's daughter?!

The little mare continued, unaware of Zip's realization, "He wasn't in your wing... and he said he'd only spoken to you a couple times... What you did… the ponies you left behind were able to help him… They were able to help a few ponies that day. My dad had to retire, but… he’s alive and he’s doing pretty good, even without his leg. So… thank you…”

She wept anew. Zip tried to relax, sighed, and kneaded her shoulder. He hadn't known Gear Wrench all that well but certainly remembered him; it was hard to forget somepony when he'd assisted in such an awful field-surgery, not that he was about to tell her that.

It took Zip a moment to come up with anything, but he managed to wrap his mind around this.

"You're most welcome, Spc. Wire," Zip exhaled. "I'm... glad I was able to do some good that day."

Zip would never forget that day all of his days.

She cracked a teary smile, “Lieutenant... you did as much as anypony possibly could've! It was the bravest thing I can imagine... I know it’s out of order, sir, but… can I hug you?”

Zip chuckled, “Even if I wasn’t covered in slop I’d still say yes.”

She giggled and practically dove for it. He hugged her back, patting the back of her head. After a moment, they broke it off, and Spc. Wire was able to stop making a spectacle of herself.

For a few minutes Zip spoke with the squad. He had judged them for looking kind of sloppy, but they were good at what they did. He’d already begun thinking about ways to reorganize the platoon, just to even things out. He felt… a little bad that he’d possibly break up this squad; they were… friends. They really loved each other, despite the yelling and slovenliness. The squad had a few problems, but it still wasn’t the bad element he was looking for.

Also, Cpl. Razor Wire of 3rd Squad was Spc. Trip Wire’s big brother. Zip would have the pleasure of meeting him later.

Zip bade them farewell, still having to speak to the rest of the squads. The 1st Squad, specializing in magic, was the farthest north. Sgt. Amethyst Flare had command there.

Zip had a sick feeling in his stomach. He'd circumvent 3rd Squad, the combat specialists, for now and visit Sgt. Flare.