//------------------------------// // Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 1: Strange Developments // Story: The Virgin Company (currently editing) // by Pone_Heap //------------------------------// On a dreary Sunday afternoon, full of rain and chilling winds, 3rd Platoon, in civilian attire, was crammed into the back room of the Old Oak Pub near company headquarters. There was cause for celebration. Zip stood up on a table, pulling Sgt. Razor Wire up alongside him, “I just want to say, in front of everypony here, that I’m happy to have a full roster of sergeants again!” The ponies sitting around them, crowded to the breaking point, roared their approval, raising beers or whatever they were drinking. After getting recommendations from Zip, SSgt. Jacinta Petals, and Cpl. Stardust Painter, the pony Razor figured was a shoe-in to take the place of old Sgt. Sagebrush Trail, Razor was officially a sergeant and 3rd Squad’s new commander. It’s possible to say nopony would’ve had it any other way. Razor grinned at his comrades, his own squad in particular, “I can’t say I expected this… When the orders came down from battalion, you coulda knocked me over with a feather! But I’ll take a swing at it and try to do you all proud.” Zip pounded Razor’s back while everypony whooped. Corporal Stardust Painter sat back in his chair, an ale in his hoof, “Razor! I guess I can still call you that… You need to pick somepony to take 1st Team. Given it any thought?” Razor smiled wide, “As a matter of fact… I think I know. Spc. Hemp! Get up here!” Zip got down off the table to give them room. Willing hooves propelled the blushing Spc. Hemp onto the table. Razor jostled his friend, “What do you say?” Specialist Hemp gave a self-deprecating laugh, “I can’t refuse you. I’ll do it!” The two slid off the table, and Spc. Hemp received many a hearty clap to the back as he sat down again. Razor sat down across from him, beaming at his new team leader. Zip again called out to his platoon, “Everypony, have a great time! And be ready in the morning to work. We have a large grain shipment coming in, so don’t overdo it. We don’t work until 09:00, but don’t count on that to save you. Squad leaders… don’t forget to meet at 08:15 to discuss assignments.” With that, Zip left the back room with Jacinta and Spc. Silver Duster in tow. He donned a cloak as they opened the pub’s door and was greeted by a blast of cold rain. The mares pulled their cloaks tight and trotted alongside. “I’m really sorry to ask this of you on a Sunday… but it couldn’t wait,” Zip apologized. Silver could only chatter her teeth in response, her spectacles awash with the storm; she flinched at the thunder overhead. Jacinta prodded him, “Don’t worry about it, sir… just keep moving! Pvt. Birch said he’d have some chow called in, so we’ll be fine for the night.” It was a great relief to be hit with the wall of warm air once they reached company headquarters. Zip had gained a new appreciation for a nice, solid roof. In the Dragon Lands they’d practically lived in shacks, which was no big deal in the desert. Shaking their cloaks in the front mudroom, they hung them to dry on the wall. Entering the front office, Pvt. Birch greeted them. “Good evening, everypony! Got fresh-brewed coffee, hot cocoa, and the kitchen just delivered a nice, big pot of hot lentil stew and fresh bread.” It had been seven weeks since Pvt. Birch’s leg had been broken; he was healing well but found it was easier to stay in one place when the weather was bad. He’d likely have the cast off in a week, and they could help whip him back into shape. “I really didn’t want to have to ask you to help us with this, but thanks very much, Private,” Zip said gratefully. “Oh, it’s fine, sir. Doc still said no alcohol while the leg’s healing. Party would’ve been nice but stumping around in the rain with a busted leg… Big pass. Who’d Sgt. Wire pick to lead his 1st Team?” Jacinta brought the private a cup of coffee, so he wouldn’t have to stand, “He picked out Spc. Hemp… I have to say, it was a good choice. He’ll do fine.” Private Birch nodded, gratefully taking the coffee, “Oh, yeah. He was pretty much doing it anyway… Sgt. Wire and Cpl. Painter were stretched a little thin handling everything.” Zip was dishing up food for all of them, “Let’s eat first… I’m hungry, and that storm’s not going anywhere for a few hours. I’m in no rush to leave.” Everypony agreed. They had a report to sweat out; it had been dropped on them from division headquarters that very morning. An “emergency accounting” of all their implements and parts of said implements had been called for… and it was due the next morning at 08:00. The army had taken a hit in its coffers in replacing all the dock equipment that needed changing. It was just bureaucratic bullshit, but the army wanted the numbers so they could work on a new budget. Zip and his three staff-members could live with this: they had brand-new equipment, and all it cost, Pvt. Birch himself joked, was a broken leg. The new machinery had made their jobs much easier, and the greater headache belonged to the greater army. The food was nice and the company pleasant. They’d have rather been at the pub with their friends, but life sometimes came knocking on the door of fun times, ready to drag you out and make you work. They went through the report easily enough; they were prepared. Whenever Zip’s immediate attention wasn’t needed, he found himself glancing towards Jacinta, his mind wandering. Sergeant Amethyst Flare had told him—and he believed her—that Jacinta had no recollection of the night of the ball past finishing her bottle of gin. She’d been apologetic to him for getting that trashed but went on as if nothing had happened. As far as she knew, she just blacked out, and Amethyst saw her to bed. He found a slight awkwardness between the two of them... and it was all on his end; she’d apparently not even noticed. Sir? Admittedly, he'd spent more time than was strictly healthy with Jacinta, given their professional relationship, and their friendship had deepened. If the wrong ponies knew... he'd have some tough questions to answer. She'd taken to letting her guard down a little more, telling him more about her old outfit, her family... her dreams. And he returned the favor. The two had even spent time alone in the city pubs when off-duty (a considerable jump in decorum for the fastidious little supply sergeant), while Jacinta drank, and Zip let her be herself. He liked Amethyst and Trip, but to his reluctance, given he was the superior and she was the subordinate, he was willing to say... she'd become his best friend... maybe... Lieutenant… He couldn't help but smile at the idea... A lieutenant and his platoon sergeant... the best of friends. Being realistic, he didn’t like the situation much. His uncertainties about her planting one on him when she was annihilated clouded his thoughts. He again harked back to his officer candidate days, thinking of just how well some of his mates could swing a mare, and how he'd only ever made it to second-base... and not with Jacinta... Lieutenant! And how great would it be if he could be more like Pvt. Mercury Rise?! He’d made it with the four fillies he’d picked up at the enlisted ball, the rumor-mill reported. It bugged him some kid that just turned 19-years-old was such a stud and he was just- “Lieutenant!” Zip looked up; Silver was looking at him with concern. “Are you alright, sir?” she inquired. “Oh, I’m fine,” Zip sat up straight. “Mind just wandered off a moment.” “Well, pay attention,” the little specialist said sharply. “We’re almost done.” And so, at 20:30, they set down their pens and closed the report. Jacinta was a little grumpy from being cooped up since before evening chow, “Let’s hope that satisfies them. I haven’t had an evening off in a week…” Zip felt the same, “Yes, let’s…” With that, they bade each other good night. It had quit raining so even Pvt. Birch had an easy time getting back to barracks. They’d meet again, the four of them, in the morning, along with the squad leaders. Zip had a few things to finish up, so he moved to his office for a time. It was more tedious work, put off due to the “emergency” report, but it wouldn’t take all that long. Zip yawned as he tried to complete the night’s business. He glanced at his clock: 22:15… Any time, now. Knock! Knock! “It’s open,” he had been expecting a visit. Zip could smell ale fumes waft into his office as Amethyst entered. “Hello again, Amethyst,” he glanced up. “Everypony have fun at the party?” “Oh, yes, sir,” she nodded. “And it was even a dry walk over. Sorry for being a little soused, Lieutenant. 2nd Squad put up for a keg… I couldn’t resist.” “It’s alright… We’d have talked about this much earlier, but that report had to get done.” “You finished it, the four of you?” she asked. “Yes,” Zip replied. “We finished well over an hour ago. Everypony had their stuff ready, so it was just a matter of crunching it out." “That’s good to hear, sir. What I have to tell you isn’t exactly urgent, but it’s something you’ll care to know. And I don’t have to be stone sober to relay it.” He had no doubt it was something worth hearing, and he grinned at her afterthought, “Okay, Amethyst, shoot.” “This stays between us; it’s that kind of thing. I’ve been looking more into Pvt. Rise. I… pinched his medical file late last night,” she stated without much preamble. Zip knew that involved breaking into the heavily guarded back rooms of the city hospital. He inwardly groaned... but if his former spy/assassin/whatever was going to go snooping around in places a “normal” sergeant shouldn’t be, like he could stop her. Amethyst lounged across from him, “I’ve been unable to figure anything out just by talking to or observing him. He’s smart… strong… agile… very kind… but that doesn’t mean much to our curiosity. But I found something… and it’s proof enough he’s been modified, even if he’s not showing the obvious things one might expect of a super-soldier... like super-strength or near-indestructibility… Not that’s there’s been chance to field-test anything like that.” Zip drummed his desktop, “What did you find?” Amethyst pulled out a medical text from her bag, opening it and passing it to him, “Give it a glance. This surprised me a lot, actually.” "You carry this with you all the time?" Zip smirked as he took the book. "No, sir... but I like to read it from time to time..." she hummed pleasantly. Zip read the title of the page and no further; it might as well have been in another language. He sounded out the title, “‘Equine coital exanthema’. And what’s that mean?” “Herpes.” The lieutenant grimaced inwardly; that sure sucked for Pvt. Mercury Rise. “Yes, Lieutenant, herpes…” Amethyst said plainly. “He went in the other day complaining of a breakout in his… parts… It makes sense it’d show up now, three weeks after he took those four fillies to bed. Given whatever the Hell his immune system is capable of, it seems odd it'd show up at all, but it did.” This was gross and all, and Zip may have laughed at such misfortune when he was a teenager, but he wasn’t seeing the importance; he still fell into a juvenile thought pattern, “So… Pvt. Rise caught the cock-pocks… Beyond that, what’s the big payoff?” Amethyst wasn’t put off by his manner; she could be the same way, “He went in the next day to begin treatment, and everything was clear… No sign of the outbreak… no virus… nothing.” Zip whistled softly, “Herpes is for life… Even magic doesn’t do much… and his body cleared itself of it overnight…” “Yes, Lieutenant,” she replied. “Nopony knew what to make of it. They figured—Pvt. Rise included—it was just hives or something, and the test gave a nonsense result. They had no other way to explain it and they don’t know anything to give them reason to think anything else.” “Are you sure he actually caught it? I mean, the thing about the hives and the test screwing up is… more than a little farfetched, but it could happen. Are you sure?” Amethyst shuffled a bit in her seat, “I did a little more checking around. I found the test they threw out; it was a shitload of fun rooting around for it… It was positive, and I’m very, very sure of that. They taught us everything at ‘spy school’. Also… I may have come across the med files on those four fillies in the city hospital’s records. Three of them have ‘love-bumps’…” Zip thought this was just great... Amethyst was breaking into public buildings and "rooting around". Helpful as this was, her sometimes bizarre manner and extreme actions, though far less terrifying than they’d been when he first met her, never ceased to scare him a little. He chose not to worry about the methods used to find out just who those fillies were. He was glad Amethyst was on his side. “Okay…” Zip thought aloud. “That’s proof enough for me. His body fought off herpes like it was a late-afternoon heat rash. Has he shown anything else?” Amethyst gave a nasty little grin, “He won’t have an accident, but if he does, the way his body responds will be a dead giveaway…” Zip shook his head, trying to suppress a smile, “Okay… don’t force the matter, but watch him. He gets a good scratch, take note, and see what happens.” Amethyst nodded. Zip grumbled to himself, “If he’s so smart, he shoulda seen something like this coming, dragging four townies to bed. I mean… he wasn’t even that drunk, and he drank enough, apparently, to kill three stallions. And you’d think he’d be curious about cuts and bruises and herpes just disappearing… This guy’s on another level, so-” Amethyst chuckled warmly at him, “Lieuteh-eh-eh-enant… he’s a kid. He may be some ‘they’ll fuckin’ kill us all if we find out’ experiment, but he’s just a kid… and he’s a good kid. He’s a good friend to everypony, and we’re blessed to have him. I just hope he can stay this way… that we don’t have to see why he was sent to us… why they wanted him to fall into obscurity.” Zip was often humbled by his friend, “You’re right, Amethyst. I’m… sorry.” She kneaded his shoulder, “No worries, sir… You’re still pretty young yourself. You’ll learn. Take it from this old heart-breaker.” Zip patted her hoof as it jostled him, unable to hide his little grin, “I’ll remember. Thanks.” “No problem whatsoever, Lieutenant,” she stood up and walked to the front door. “I’m heading to bed. Don’t stay up too late.” Considering how impaired she may have been, Zip wondered, “You’re not staying here tonight?” “I’m fine, sir. Not so bad off this time around. A bed’s better than the sofa any night… Plus… it’s rather pleasant, sleeping near Jacinta.” That was the strangest thing he’d heard that day. But Amethyst had said it as an afterthought; he’d learned to not think too much about some of her musings. He could drive himself nuts thinking about some of the things she said, and he slept better not worrying. Zip returned attention to his few minutes of remaining work, “Right… see you in the morning.” The platoon leaders and staff had a reasonably pleasant morning in company headquarters. The kitchen staff had delivered them a nice tray of waffles, eggs, and fresh fruit, which they enjoyed as their meeting was held. “Okay,” Zip said around a mouthful. “Docks #1, #2, and #3 will handle the big grain shipment. Amethyst… Dock #4 has a special assignment this morning. Battalion wouldn’t say what it is, just that normal commerce is suspended until 13:00. Wish I could tell you more, but I don’t know much.” Amethyst was draining another cup of coffee with lots of cream and sugar, “I’ll see everypony's on their best behavior, sir. If you don’t mind… could I have Silver for the morning? Something tells me I might need her.” This was a tall request; Zip wasn't sure, "..." But Pvt. Birch spoke up, “I’m stuck here all day, anyway. I think I can hold down the fort for a while. After all, SSgt. Petals managed the ‘clerk’ position alone in the past.” Zip smiled, “Jacinta… do you think you could set up Pvt. Birch with today’s paperwork?” “Certainly, Lieutenant,” Jacinta replied; she turned to the private. “You’ll have your hooves full today, Pvt. Birch. The lieutenant and I have been requested at Dock #4 for the morning.” Private Birch nodded, “I’ll do what I can.” Jacinta beamed, “I know you will. Thank you. Anypony have anything else?” Nopony had a thing to add. “Great,” Zip smiled. “Sergeants… to your docks. Silver… go with Sgt. Flare. Jacinta… you’re with me. There’s a quick matter that needs our attention; we’ll join Dock #4 soon.” Leaving Pvt. Birch with a nice, fat stack of busywork, the other seven took off. As Zip left, he couldn’t help but admire the new photograph gracing the wall of their corner of headquarters. There were his enlisted mares, looking lovely in their gowns, having a great time at the enlisted ball. Silver did look pretty good without her glasses. Smiling at the pleasant addition to their space, he followed Jacinta out the door. “You do know what’s going on, don’t you, sir?” Jacinta inquired. Zip shook his head, “I don’t. That’s why we have to stop by Cpt. Weaver’s office.” “We’ll learn the specifics, but I have a pretty good guess as to what it is… I’m sure Amethyst figures this. The navy’s berthing today.” “But that’s not a big deal, Jacinta,” Zip mused. “We see navy ships three days a week coming through.” “Well, it isn’t a normal navy ship. It’s either a dignitary… or one of the admirals.” This was odd… they’d had high ranking officials come through Port with little fanfare. “Why the secrecy, then?” Zip pondered. “No idea, Lieutenant. I just hope we don’t get roped into some special detail. Once when I was a recruit out east… my outfit had to host the prime minister of Saddle Arabia…” Entering battalion headquarters, Zip and Jacinta headed to Lt. Col. Spud’s former office. Zip knocked on the door. “Enter,” came the voice. Zip hadn’t been in the office since the colonel was around. Gone were the frivolous decorations. Gone were the questionable stains on the upholstery. Cpt. Basket Weaver wasn’t the kind of stallion to fool around with his staff. “Good morning, Lt. Jetscream… SSgt. Petals. I must thank you... I very much appreciate you spending last night on your platoon’s report; you were the only ones to get it to me on time. Please… be seated.” They sat. The captain's expression was pleasant, if even-keeled, "It's a shame this came up on a day of celebration for your platoon. I think Sgt. Razor Wire will do fine, as he's been doing." Zip was grateful, "Yessir, thank you. We still got to enjoy ourselves for a while. It is what it is." "Indeed, Lieutenant..." Cpt. Weaver betrayed little with his tone, but he was still pleasant. "Well, then..." Zip and Jacinta sat up straight. “Onto business...” the captain leaned towards them from behind his desk. “This was sprung on us only a few hours ago. We have a navy ship coming up the coast… a schooner. They’re doing a resupply. That’s all we know, and it’s all you need to know. I only tell you because you’re the ones dealing with it. It needs to seem totally routine; it’s important enough that I have to tell you that specifically. You’re not to let anypony else know that anything’s different… not even Sgt. Flare. Do everything by the book. Stick around there, but not too close, if you get my drift. Any questions?” Zip was a little intimidated but didn’t show it, “No, Captain. Just a routine resupply. Business as usual.” For about the first time, Zip saw the captain smile, “That’s right… just routine. Pay especially close attention to the materials you pull out of storage. See it done. And don’t report back to me on the matter. Just go about your day and duties as you see fit. Dock #4 resumes normal operations at 13:00.” “That was weird,” Zip commented, walking with his staff sergeant. “Well, stop acting like it is,” Jacinta muttered; Zip was acting rather nervous. “Amethyst is going to know something’s up... no matter how well we try to hide it.” “She’s fine, Lieutenant. She’ll pick up on it, but she gets it. Just play it cool.” He’d try… Something about this was bothering him. The moment they arrived at Dock #4, Zip could already feel Amethyst’s sky-blue eyes penetrating him, her naughty smile spreading. Zip didn’t let it phase him; he stood before 1st Squad, “Okay, everypony… just a routine resupply for the navy. They must’ve been diverted here, and we're to deal with it. Prepare to resupply a navy schooner… Standard resupply. “Pay special attention to the work order when you’re in the warehouse. They’re shuffling around in there, so make sure you get the correct bags and crates. I want you to check everything you pull out… and then re-check before loading the ship. I don’t want any mix-ups, with them getting a sack of gunpowder instead of a sack of flour. Understood?” There was a chorus of “yessir”. “Great… Sgt. Flare, here’s your copy of the work order,” Zip hoofed the papers to Amethyst and looked to the team leaders. “And here’s one for Cpl. Yellows. Cpl. Hawk… you'd best go along too. We’ll have to hurry as we haven’t had the normal time to prepare. Go.” The two teams trotted off with their task. Zip turned to Silver, who’d stayed behind. “Sorry for pulling you away from your work, Silver… I just wanted the full squad here; I thought another admiral was coming or something… Wanted to have the full roster and for things to look good.” The little bespectacled unicorn shook her head, “No problem, sir. Will you still be needing me?” Zip smiled, “We’ve got this, but thank you. Jacinta and I will help, just to move things along. I’m sure Pvt. Birch could use your help, though.” “Yes, sir. I’ll get back to it,” the little clerk trotted off. Waiting until Silver was well out of earshot, Amethyst gave Zip a feces-devouring grin, “Well played, Lieutenant. You almost had me believing this was normal.” Zip’s stomach was mutinous; he didn’t mean to glower, “Please, Amethyst… no jokes. Something about this really bothers me.” And he had a nasty—and probably accurate—suspicion Amethyst knew what this was all about. As has been said, Jacinta, Cpt. Weaver, and everypony else in and around Vanhoover was supposed to be ignorant of just what Amethyst was, but Zip sure wasn’t. Still, just judging by her tickled manner, it was impossible to tell what was going on in her head. Jacinta stated without any bravado, “Just act normal, both of you. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can get on with our day… Strange way to start a Monday, though.” The schooner showed up after about an hour; there was nothing remarkable about it. There was nothing remarkable about its crew of 40. Zip greeted them, explaining he and his staff sergeant would help to keep them on schedule. Normal. The squad returned pulling a bunch of wagons. Normal. They began loading. “Whoa,” said a private, shifting a crate. “What’s in here?!” The crate said “dry goods”, but it felt like bricks. Zip nudged him, helping pull a barrel of potable water, “The bottom’s probably just rough. Just move it up the gangplank, Private, you’re holding up the show.” Amethyst and Jacinta stood back, directing the operation. One hour later the ship was loaded and fully outfitted. Putting on plenty of bluster, the captain shook hooves with Zip, “Thank you, Lieutenant! You really pulled our nuts out of the fire. I was afraid we’d be here all day!” “No problem, sir. I’m glad we could help. Sure you can’t stay for noontime chow? They make a pretty good broccoli potpie.” The captain was already walking up the gangplank, “No dice, Lieutenant. We’re on a schedule. Thanks again!” Zip waved to the captain, who waved back, as the squad pulled away the gangplank. And like that, the schooner took off, heading west. The squad cleaned up, and all was ready for later. It was only 11:30. Zip called out, “Great job, 1st Squad! That’s the way to do it. The dock’s open for business as usual at 13:00, so feel free to take a long lunch, no strings attached. But no booze… That’s for later! I’ll personally put up a short keg for your squad tonight, after evening chow. So look forward to it. I expect everypony to be ready to work in 90 minutes! Enjoy yourselves, and behave yourselves!” Unused to, but very pleased with this luxury, the teams and their leaders galloped away and into town for early noontime chow, whooping and hollering. The broccoli potpie from the mess was pretty good for army chow… but indulgences had to be taken when offered. This left Zip, Jacinta, and Amethyst. Zip spoke to the other two, “Would either of you like to go get lunch?” Jacinta, predictably, declined, “No, thank you, sir. I’m going to get the night off if it kills me. I’ll use the extra hour to get ahead on my work for the day." Amethyst, on the other hoof, lit up, “I’d love to, Lieutenant. I’ve been meaning to try out that new Tenochtitlan place on the main drag.” Zip cocked his head, “The ‘Teno-what’?” She nosed him along, “You’ll like it. See you later, Jacinta.” Jacinta smiled, “Sure.” “Amethyst… what is this ‘Teno’ thing?” She giggled at him, “It’s southern Equestrian cuisine. You’ll like it; it’s got a real kick to it.” Entering the ornate little restaurant, they were seated with a view of the street; the chairs were rather sproingy. Zip had a hard time getting comfortable; not only was the seat difficult to perch upon, his insides were dancing, nervous from the odd morning. Amethyst smirked, “What’s wrong, Lieutenant? Got a spring up your ass?” That was part of the issue, “We’re in uniform, Amethyst… language…” “Oh, relax, sir,” she opened a menu. Zip did the same, “And I thought the medical text you handed me was hard to understand; this is really in another language.” “You’re not allergic to anything, are you, sir?” He continued shuffling in his seat, “No…” She already had her menu closed, “Then just close your eyes, and point your hoof at something. Order that... unless it has three chili peppers by it. You’ll crap fire.” “Lovely, Amethyst…” They both ordered a pineapple soda and whatever their hoofsies fell upon. Amethyst counseled Zip, “I see you’re concerned... but trying hard to not be curious about whatever happened this morning.” “…Yeah.” “Keep thinking that way. Whatever it is... we don’t want to know. I could guess—and I could do more than guess—but I shut out most of the morning. I was in la-la land so much I had trouble working. S’just as well… we’d disappear, never to be seen again… If we were ‘lucky’... we’d wake up with a different face sewn on and no memory of anything. And I mean no memory… Nothing, really. Lobotomy.” Zip scoffed, “I’d say you were blowing smoke, but I don’t know, sometimes, with you.” She giggled into her soda, “Oh, you’re so much fun, Lieutenant." He sat, watching her enjoy her drink; he had other things on his mind than some secret navy mission he was best off forgetting about. Seeing Zip lost in thought, Amethyst considered, “You’re still thinking about Jacinta, aren’t you, sir?” There was no point in trying to dodge it, “I’m having a hard time not.” “Well, would you feel better if you spilled?” Zip rolled his eyes, “I don’t think that would do anypony any good… and you know it. I mean, tell her, ‘Hey, Sarge… when you were blacking out after the ball you gave me some tongue’.” Amethyst didn’t appreciate this, “There’s no reason to be nasty, sir… She’s your friend, not some joke.” And Zip did regret what he’d said, “Oh, I know… but could we please change the subject?” “Very well.” But, “There’s just one more thing… it’s been bugging me, because it just sounded weird. Last night, you said something about Jacinta ‘being nice to sleep near’. What was that about?” He’d not meant to sound so invasive, but it was just bugging him; Amethyst took no offense. “Oh-ho! That…” she considered her hooves; then she gradually took on a dreamy air, apparently forgetting herself, “Well… Jacinta… sleeps well, sir. She’s just about completely at peace when she snoozes. She sometimes dreams about adventure and fun stuff, but mostly it’s just… serenity. True serenity…” Zip was... at a loss. It was just about the strangest thing he’d seen or heard from her, and she'd given him a bagful. She caught herself, “That was foolish of me… It’s nopony’s business what goes on with her. And… that was uncalled for… acting like that. I’m sorry, sir.” She stared down at the table, looking miserable. Sure, it was odd, but Zip had seen plenty of strange things, “Amethyst… don’t fret. I imagine finding any peace is sometimes difficult for you. Just… be careful who you go off like that around.” Quickly regaining her composure, which never fell for long when she was sober, she asked demurely, “Would you like to hear about some of them? Her dreeeeeaams?” Zip shook his head in amused horror, “Keep it to yourself, Amethyst.” She laughed openly at that, just as their lunch arrived. Zip considered his: it was some kind of corn dish. Taking a bite, it was pretty good. It had a nice spice to it. Amethyst was fanning her mouth; she’d hazarded a spicier dish, “Whew! And this isn’t even that bad. Some of the stuff they cook with back there can just about peel paint off a wall.” Zip just chuckled and continued with his own meal. Amethyst eventually managed to pick her way through hers but found it too spicy to enjoy; she poked at her plate, “She’s rather fond of you, sir…” Zip looked up, the sinking feeling rising again in this stomach. She’d said it as if she was merely thinking, that she wasn’t even aware of opening her mouth. He considered her, just sitting there, lost in her own mind, eyes somewhere far off. “Where did that come from?” he asked her in all seriousness; he knew better than to react, but the words still came out. Her glazed eyes cleared up, “Oh, I… uh…” She showed it a lot less to him than he did to her, but Amethyst flushed beet-red; she was already a little pink in the face with the spiciness of her food, but this couldn’t be pawned off on that. “I… said that out loud, I see…” Zip could sometimes tell—not often—when Amethyst was putting on an act. In this case she definitely wasn’t; she was genuinely unsettled. He’d had her confess plenty of things to him under her own drunken power or let her guard down a little, but she was legitimately shaken. It was strange for both of them. “Please, sir...” Amethyst found her voice. “Don’t think much about it. I’m…” As quickly as she’d turned crimson, her face turned splotchy. She looked ready to cry… and very ill. “Amethyst?” Zip leaned across the table. His hoof touched hers, and she recoiled, looking afraid. Now Zip was worried, “Amethyst?” She appeared to struggle with what to do next; she settled with tossing a few bits out of her bag and onto the table, “I have to go.” Before he could get in another word, the Equestrian belle was already to the door and galloping away down the street. Too flummoxed to do much else, he settled the bill and meandered back the way they’d come. Trying to put what just happened out of his mind, he considered Cpt. Basket Weaver’s order: just go about business. Zip headed to his office. Try as he might, Zip couldn’t stop thinking about what Amethyst had said; it was killing his afternoon productivity. The relief was he had barely anything to finish up. Once 17:00 rolled around, he elected to take evening chow in his office. It was bland, but it didn’t give him heartburn as lunch did. As 18:00 approached, he knew he’d be heading to their favorite pub to support a night of drinking for his 1st Squad. His thoughts continued to stray to Amethyst’s words… Maybe he shouldn’t have given them any more thought than he had when Jacinta said the same thing… about Amethyst. Amethyst was just having a little fun; you know she’s fond of you. Zip shook his head. He could think about it all he liked, but he had to start walking; his 1st Squad would be waiting. Arriving at the pub, the squad was already assembled; they cheered. Looking around, Zip realized Amethyst wasn’t there. Corporal Aster Yellows grinned, “Good evening, sir. How’d your day go?” Zip considered him, deciding to keep it to himself, “Oh, it went fine… I hope everypony enjoyed their break today.” This was met with ascent from everypony in earshot; 90 free minutes in the middle of the day was the stuff dreams were made up of. Zip had to ask, “I guess we can get started, but where’s Sgt. Flare?” His other corporal, Lily Hawk, slouched in her seat in a manner most uncharacteristic; she was really relaxing, “She wasn’t feeling well, sir. She took a light meal-to-go at the mess and went to the barracks. And then Silver decided not to come; she thought it was wrong since she didn’t help.” This upset Zip, the part about Amethyst, but he managed not to show it, “That’s too bad. Now… what’s everypony want? Remember, I’m only springing for a short one.” After a brief deliberation, they decided on a nice, mild ale. Zip purchased the little keg and got himself a pineapple squash; he’d managed to get most of the bars they visited to start making the stuff. With all work out of the way, Zip decided to stay with the squad for a little while. But it seemed hollow without Amethyst there, injecting her manner and fun into things. Much of the personality of the group was gone without her. He remained for a time but got restless. After a bit, he stood up. “Well, good night, everypony. It’s another later start tomorrow, but don’t go overboard. Be at the dock at 09:30… and dress warm. We’ve got some weather moving in tonight.” They bade their lieutenant good night and went on with their well-deserved fun, unaware of Zip’s worries. He didn’t wish to burden anypony with them. Figuring he’d stop by his office, where he’d left his cloak the night before, he hoped and prayed Amethyst wasn’t off somewhere doing something foolish. He recalled so shortly after meeting her that she sucked down most of a whiskey bottle when she became distressed over another mare’s dream. He had a nasty feeling he might encounter the same thing. He determined to find Jacinta. She’d sworn to get a night to herself, but Zip was afraid; he was worried for Amethyst, and he could think of no better pony to help deal with it. As it turned out, he needn’t knock on the mares’ barracks and ask for Jacinta, nor search for her. He found her sitting on a bench in between the barracks and company headquarters. “Jacinta,” he called gently. She looked up. And he knew something was wrong. The fur under her eyes was tear-stained; she wore no mascara to run, but it was plain as day. It was a fair guess it had to do with Amethyst. He resolved to do something. Rather than feel lost or eke his way back from whence he came, he offered a hoof. “I think we need to talk. I’ll buy you a hot chocolate or something.”