//------------------------------// // Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 7: Treason // Story: The Virgin Company (currently editing) // by Pone_Heap //------------------------------// Over the last 10 days the division had completed the destruction of Port City. The Centauri Army had staged a considerable amount of material and troops, starting to move into what used to be the Sprawl. None of the city looked all that city-like anymore; it looked more like Hell if Hell was made of splintered wood and stone and steel instead of whatever Hell was actually made of. Their difficulties in occupying the city could not be understated and much time was spent clearing the debris-ridden roads to make their way to the prairie. Moving through the city was treacherous, buildings blowing up and sending deadly shrapnel in all directions, even in places thought to be “safe”, but the Equestrian forces had finally spent their defensives in Port. Most of the division was sitting pretty, west of the Galloping Gorge, north of the pine forest in a sheltered portion of the prairie. They were ready to move quickly south across the forest roads once the Centaurs reached the prairie east of Port. Miles south of the main army Zip’s platoon was situated on the south side of the pine forest on the scrubland. As part of Zip’s “punishment”, they’d been chosen to keep an eye on a pass within the Unicorn Range; it was the only navigable way through the mountains for hundreds of miles in any direction. Only a hundred yards across, it was nestled about 15 miles southwest of their location. The locomotive tracks snaked right through. Even though they’d managed to take cover in the tall grass and shrubby growth, Zip felt exposed. Still, it gave them a good view for miles to the northwest. What was bothersome were the lack of tents and the fire ban. The platoon slept on the ground and ate cold rations, other than what could be heated with magic; they’d been doing so for more than a week. They were to remain quiet and hidden, maintaining watch on the gap. About the only thing in their favor was the continuing lack of rain and the spring-like warmth. At this time of year, snow wouldn’t have been abnormal at all. But they could’ve done with a breeze; they were living outdoors, and it was still stagnant. “A whole damn week and no shower…” somepony muttered to another. “I woke up this morning… a bull snake had crawled into my blanket with me… The days may be okay, but it gets cold as a well digger’s ass at night… Snakes out this time of year… it ain’t right…” Zip sat beneath an erstwhile defoliated shrub, which had formed new buds due to the trick Mother Nature was playing on the northwestern part of Equestria; he half-jokingly called it platoon headquarters. He’d been listening to the rumblings of his platoon for five days. It was difficult to blame them. As Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek had stated, they really had gotten the short end of the stick. The division had tents, fire, bathing facilities, and just about every other luxury that could possibly be afforded in the field. Zip had made up his mind that he didn’t regret standing up for his private, Pvt. Linseed Oil; it may have saved him some trouble. As a result, it had turned Zip into something of a pariah among the whole of the officers. But because of his “centaur slaying” abilities… and their ignorance to what went on… the hoof-soldiers still hero-worshipped him. It was “good for morale” that the “Dragon Slayer”—the “Centaur Butcher”—and his platoon were guarding the south. His fame wasn’t the only thing lauded among the division; Linseed’s penchant for cold ones had become the joke of the year. Recently, Zip, Amethyst, Sgt. Razor Wire, and Cpl. Stardust Painter had been the only ones in the platoon to know; everypony knew now, from the generals to the mares in Zip’s platoon. Zip felt terrible about it but there was nothing to be done about it. Sure, Linseed had been out of line, breaking rank and fighting noncoms and addressing their division’s general as he did, but Zip felt he’d shown more guts and conviction than he’d likely seen in his whole life. And the private knew what he was talking about, to boot. It had become so dry that Zip hadn’t seen anything green growing since they’d arrived in their current location. Linseed saw a bare-bones level of tolerance from the platoon. He also didn’t seem to care. Zip was unsure if this was commendable or downright weird. Having some response would be normal, but Linseed didn’t appear to care. Zip was flummoxed and straight-up asked him; he was given the response, “I’m used to being not liked.” It was mind-boggling. Nopony had seen Amethyst for 10 or 11 days; she was still doing whatever it was Army Intelligence had roped her into. The consultation had turned into much more. Zip and Cpt. Cross may have been the only ponies to suspect she was doing more than “surveillance”. Everypony knew she was former intelligence, so the idea was more than feasible… to those ignorant of what the beautiful sergeant was. Zip had been turning over in his mind how to talk to Amethyst once she got back; he’d still been unable to “put himself in her horseshoes”. Whether or not he would’ve come up with something wouldn’t matter much longer, for late in the morning she walked into camp unannounced. Many ponies approached and welcomed her, very glad to see their platoon mother again. “It shouldn’t have been that easy to sneak up on you,” she ruffled Cpl. Lily Hawk’s mane as others buffeted her. The little medic giggled as she straightened her mane, “We’re on the lookout for bigger things than you, Sarge…” Amethyst moved on, “No worries. I’m joking; if I didn’t know where you all were, it might’ve taken a bit to find you.” Zip heard that. Horseshit! But he smiled as Amethyst approached him; he sensed no animosity off her. “It’s good to see you again, sir,” she grinned. “Likewise, Amethyst,” Zip nodded. “No problems?” She caught his meaning, “Routine, sir.” “Good.” Jacinta bolted up and gruffly hugged her friend, “Amethyst!” The sergeants embraced a moment. Amethyst broke off, “I could really use some food. It’s been a long week…” Willing hooves led her to the makeshift kitchen that held their chow supply. Once Amethyst had a nice portion, Zip looked over the assemblage, “If I could have a few minutes alone with Sgt. Flare, that’d be great… We have a few things to discuss before the squad meeting later.” Left alone, the two friends had a bit of privacy. “I’m sorry there’s nothing much to eat. I… caused a little trouble and got us bivouacked out here,” Zip hoofed the back of his neck. Amethyst was already tucking in, “You and Pvt. Oil did cause a bit of an uproar. But even I’m starting to get scared; it hasn’t rained in a friggin’ month! But for now, I’m just happy to have food in front of me. One thing ponies forget-” Poof! The bowl of questionable mush she had to go with her apple warmed up in an instant. “I really hope you’ve been having the unicorns at least heat up this slop…” she simpered. “Naturally.” “I could really go for a beer right about now…” she lamented. Zip chuckled and let her eat a moment, “Planning on sharing what you’ve been up to?” She shook her head, “Nope… Not much to say; I really was observing. How do you think division knows what’s going on down by the bay?” “How are things back with the division?” Zip got updates but felt left in the dark, miles south of headquarters. “You don’t give a dead hooker’s twat at the bottom of the deep blue sea what’s going on with them…” Amethyst had made a dent in her chow, scraping her bowl clean. Zip admitted, “You’re right; other than a couple things, I don’t care.” She sighed, “Then no more screwing around… Sir, I’m sorry.” Zip shuffled his hooves, “I’m sorry too.” “I’m sorry I called you a child… You’ve been nothing but reasonable with me, even when I’ve done foolish things. I… did want to prove myself.” He figured he didn’t have to, but spoke anyway, “Don’t ever think you need to prove anything to us… Yourself, though… I can’t say. I don’t know.” “That was so very foolish of me… and not just because I’m out of practice… I’m feeling my age, sir, I really am. You can say I was unlucky, getting stunned, but I’m not the mare I used to be. And that just confirmed it.” Zip began to talk but she held up a hoof, “Please… no more on that. I know what I’m talking about and… it’s enough to know you forgive me… You do, don’t you?” She looked awfully young to him, asking that question; he thought it was obvious she had it, “Yes.” “Then the other related matter,” she exhaled sharply. “That was so embarrassing…” “Amethyst-” “I’m ashamed of myself, sir… letting you see that. I’ve spent almost 16 years trying to leave behind that weak, stupid mare… but deep down, that’s all I am.” Zip had gotten used to seeing her weep, but she looked so very sad; he scooched over and put a hoof over her shoulder, pulling her close, “You’re anything but that, Amethyst. I won’t let you talk about yourself that way.” She sniffled, trying to smile for him, “But I called you a child… I’ve been rather childish… I magicked you out of the tent when you were making sense…” “No, you-” “But I have, sir… The two things on your mind as far as the division goes are your own infamy… and Pvt. Oil…” “What’s that have to do with childishness?” he wondered. “The former, nothing… The latter, a lot more… Seeing Pvt. Oil’s reputation, though I can’t blame anypony, dragged through the mud had me feeling just rotten. Besides us, only Sgt. Wire and Cpl. Painter and a few higher-ups knew about him, and only what they read in the file. The things I said to you… stayed between us.” Zip was genuinely confused, “What are you getting at?” Her eyes leaked anew, “Sir… you’re so very kind. You never treated him differently than anypony else, despite what I told you… But I wasn’t truthful.” “How so?” Zip wondered if it was worse than she’d told him. “Lieutenant,” she bawled. “He’s a little odd, and he did get caught… doing some things… but he’s a kind soul. I only told you to keep him away from mares because… he creeped me out. I could see his thoughts well enough; he neither denied nor reveled in what he’d done in his own heart. He just wanted to move on.” Zip was disappointed but underwhelmed, “Why tell me this now?” “I don’t know…” she admitted. “There’s more to him than what his file says. Talk to him yourself if you’re curious.” “…Okay…?” Zip was growing restless. Sniffling again, she wiped her nose, “You really are such a kind stallion, Lieutenant. If you weren’t… you would’ve taken my word and run with it… I’m so very glad you’re better than that… better than me.” Zip, never thinking he was better than her, had to find an endpoint to this brief dialogue, “But it stayed between us… so no harm done. The harm came last week when that asshole general started spouting about it… You should’ve seen Jacinta’s, Trip’s, and Silver’s faces! Ugh. And now there’s nopony doesn’t know.” “I still don’t know what Silver sees in him,” Amethyst shook her head. Zip meant no reproach, “You wouldn’t.” Looking at her hooves, “You’re right.” “Well, I don’t get it either… Best not to think about it.” Sitting another moment in the makeshift kitchen area, Amethyst stretched, “I think I’ll catch a quick nap before our meeting later; I haven’t slept in about 36 hours.” Zip stood, “I’ll make sure somepony wakes you.” “Thank you, sir… for that and other things.” “You’re welcome. Rest well.” Zip caught Linseed when he was out in the meadow west of their camp during his break. The private was doing what he’d been doing several times a day since he arrived in Port: checking the weather. “Linseed…” Zip called to him; he’d taken to calling him by name since they’d been humiliated together. The dank-looking stallion turned slightly, the ghost of a smile on his face, “Hello, sir… I tell you, it was almost worth getting my ass slung to get away from the damn forest. You can’t imagine what a relief it is to be out of there… not that the prairie’s much better…” “I wouldn’t go that far… that really sucked… for us both,” Zip countered. As if he didn’t hear, Linseed consulted nature, “No change yet… A month! Winter’s four weeks away and we haven’t seen a bit of precipitation in as long… or any wind worth mentioning. This is unprecedented…!” “…” Zip tried to think of something else to say. “So, what’s up? ‘Sgt. Psychic’ tell you something?” Zip was floored, “How would you-? How…?” Linseed, for the first time Zip saw, gave a real smile, “Ponies are almost as easy to read as the weather, sir. I knew I freaked her out the first time I met her. It was no surprise she wanted me elsewhere. But it turned out okay; Blood’s been a real good friend. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. And as far as Sgt. Wire and Cpl. Painter go, they’ve been good too. My stupid stunt doesn’t quite measure up to some of the screw-ups that landed a lot of us here… It’s just more public, now. Coulda done without that, but… it happened.” “I, uh…” Zip wasn’t sure what to say. “Why I did it? Was it a normal thing?” Linseed chuckled. Zip stammered, “I wasn’t gonna ask-” “Meh… You wanna know…” Linseed checked a hoofful of soil. “It was a prank… a very stupid prank with the guys in our laboratory. We got drunk… we came up with the worst idea we could… and I got caught. I was the only one to get caught; I never ratted out the others.” “You just took all the blame?” Zip wasn’t surprised. “Like I told you, sir… I’m used to being disliked. I could live with it; they wouldn’t have been able to… at least not so easily. It was a one-time thing, despite what those brain-pickers in Canterlot reported.” “I see…” Zip said. “I could say that ‘everypony’s done something that stupid’, but I won’t accuse you of doing something that foolish, with you being a teetotaler…” “…” Linseed continued, “A few around here know the truth… Lemme tell you, that wasn’t the easiest talk to have with Silver.” Zip watched the private laugh, “Yeah? You really told her?” “Let’s just say… we’ve come to terms, Lieutenant. I’d like to clear the air with everypony else, but…” Zip laughed himself, “Hmm. That sounds like a fun thing to try to explain.” “So, I just don’t worry about it much,” Linseed mused. “Things are good between Silver and I… It’s not like she’s a saint, either.” Zip was curious and found himself sucked in, “…How so?” Linseed guffawed, “Unless you’re gonna dish on SSgt. Petals’s kinks, that’s between us.” Zip’s jaw dropped, “You… know?” “Don’t fret, sir. But, yes, I think a few ponies suspect it; you two’ve been giving each other the eyes for weeks, now.” Zip had had enough weirdness for the moment, “Good talk, Private… I’ll leave you to… your stuff. Get a little rest while you’re on break… and get a snack; we just cracked open that fresh crate of oranges.” He watched the lieutenant trot away, “Yessir.” Leaving Linseed to his own devices, Zip made his way back to “headquarters”. Maj. Gen. Rocky “Asshole” Creek, as Spc. Trip Wire had taken to calling him, had requested (demanded) a “crystal ball conference” with Zip and his platoon leaders to be held with his own staff every day at noon. Zip hated these; about all they consisted of was the general being an asshole and ridiculing his concerns. With his squad leaders and clerk present, they could begin. Sitting around the small crystal ball, Zip tapped on it. Within a few seconds, an image came to them. The general and his staff were seated at a table, eating shepherd’s pie. Zip was fuming mad, knowing they did this just to mock his platoon’s circumstances. “Ah, Lieutenant… is it noon already?” the general leered at Zip. “Good afternoon, General,” Zip began, pushing his frustration down. “Sgt. Flare rejoined us this morning, so she’ll be joining us. Sgts. Clover, Wire, and Trove are accounted for, as well as Spc. Duster as recorder. SSgt. Petals is preoccupied, so she’ll not be here.” Jacinta had taken Zip’s offer of sleeping instead of joining them; she’d been up most of the night covering for a pony suffering from exhaustion. Whether the general cared or not, he didn’t ask. “I see,” the general took a bite of pie; the gravy steamed and the lot of them watching began to salivate. “Sgt. Flare… I’m sure it’s good to be back. Thanks for your work this last week. How do you feel? You look exhausted.” It was obvious to anypony that the stunning mare had bags under her eyes and had probably lost 10 or 15 pounds with her week-and-a-half of hard living. Amethyst wasn’t in the mood for his crap, but answered, “I am, sir… Lt. Jetscream offered to let me sit out for sleep, but I wouldn’t stand for it. I’m back and ready to work.” “Good, good…” more pie was consumed; with little conviction, he talked with his mouth full. “I tell you… It’s a mighty admirable thing, what you’re doing down there. Everypony’s feeling good knowing the southern watchline is in good hooves.” Zip didn’t care for the general razzing them, so he got to business, “Status is the same down here, sir. No change from yesterday. We’re patrolling west into the foothills and east to the forest… No sign of the enemy or any such activity. I-” “Always business before pleasure, eh, Zip?” the general chuckled. Swallowing the “fuck you” he wanted to say, he instead said, “I mean no offense, sir. We just have a lot of ground to cover and we need to get everypony fed. We’re most thankful for the crate of oranges delivered last night.” Zip meant what he said about the oranges and he spoke for them all. Eating porridge and apples the whole time they’d been down there, something different was welcome. “Glad you like them; they are quite good,” the general waved a hoof. “Anything else to report?” Zip knew he was in for some ridicule, but he wouldn’t leave it alone, “The weather’s still the same… no sign of change or any indication we’re in for a change.” “Oh, would you lay off that?! The Centauri Army isn’t gonna try to burn us out; they’d wind up dying right along with us! They’re here to conquer us, kid… not die in a fire.” Having heard the same lines in previous days, Zip simply said, “Yessir.” “Good.” Zip turned to his squad leaders and Silver, “Anypony have anything to add?” Trying to hide their unhappiness with many things, they all shook their heads. “New orders, General?” Zip turned back to the ball. Leaning back, the general yawned, “No. Maintain your current assignments. You see anything worth reporting, do so.” The crystal ball faded out, leaving the six of them. Breaking the silence, Sgt. Treasure Trove grinned, “Well, it was nice chatting with him… Anypony have some yellow star-thistle I could munch on?” Zip was horrorstruck, “You know it takes a few seconds for the ball to cease transmission…” Amethyst, Razor, and Silver laughed, but Sgt. Sweet Clover didn’t get it (the plant is quite toxic to horses and essentially turns their brains to mush with enough ingested overtime; it ain’t pretty to see). Zip hung his head, “I’m… sorry you’re all in this boat, too.” Amethyst smiled, “Don’t even, sir… we’re just upset about Gen. ‘Fuckstick’. I heard yesterday he teased you all with hot sandwiches… I never thought I’d miss that shepherd’s pie…” “What did I just say about the crystal ball?!” Zip pleaded. “Meh,” she was unconcerned. Corporal Little Song strolled up, “Oh, good! You’re done with your little meeting with Gen. ‘Twat Waffle’… We threw together a stew; Pvt. Sapphire provided the heat!” Turning to his trusted commanders and clerk, all guffawing at the mild-mannered engineer’s obscenity, he sighed and began to walk, “Let’s just go get some chow… Stew does sound good.” All looking grateful, they followed. Stew sounded better than lousy oatmeal with a couple pieces of fruit; but it had surely kept them regular. Another night had come to the prairie. Zip and Jacinta would never set up the alert/watch schedule to benefit their time together; it was unfair to their platoon and violated their agreement to keep a semblance of a lid on their relationship. However, Zip saw no issue in trading duty with a pony that wanted to sleep in, so he and Jacinta decided to disappear into the scrub for a while. After a little fun, the two of them lay under a blanket, observing the sky. A half-moon illuminated the landscape, but the starry night was still rather impressive. The lack of clouds in late autumn was freaky, but the night sure was pretty. Neither knew crap about the names of stars or constellations, so they just appreciated it. “Any idea what Amethyst was up to this whole time?” Jacinta rested the back of her head on her hooves, looking straight up. Zip, for once, didn’t have to lie about Amethyst’s mischief, “Observation… they just wanted to make use of her skillset.” “Did she… ever tell you how she wound up in a place like this?” The question caught Zip off-guard; it was as if Jacinta had jumped a few steps in reaching that point, “Did she tell you?” She was confused at his fluster, “Uh, no… that’s why I asked…” Zip recalled with great discomfort Amethyst’s behavior when she herself even alluded to the subject. He didn’t enjoy jerking Jacinta around, but the little mare knew little of Amethyst’s actual hurts and demons. Zip chose to give an answer, but also wished to steer the conversation away from such things. “Jacinta… you said it yourself… Amethyst hasn’t had the happiest life. And whether she lets on or not, she’s a complicated mare. It’s a… sensitive subject to her, her past. I don’t know much, but… I’ll give you the same advice she gives you. Don’t worry about it.” She winced at the finality of his statement; he’d said it with as much tact and kindness as was necessary, but it was a heavy statement… which she seldom heard from him. “Oh…” she pulled the blanket up to her chin. Zip knew she might respond in such a way but wished she didn’t; rather than explain in gentler terms he tried something else, “I know how much you admire Amethyst… but you have some things she admires too.” This was a little hard for her to believe, “Like what?” Not missing the sarcasm in those two words, he didn’t need to bullshit her, “You’re a leader, Jacinta.” “Oh, right,” she scoffed. “Before you showed up, half the combat vets were ready to frag me…” “I mean it, Jacinta. This may sound odd, considering I’m supposed to be running the show, but if Amethyst is the platoon’s mother… you’re like the father…” She mocked him for this, “That does sound odd; you’re the platoon’s father.” He shook his head, a little smile pasted on, “Jacinta… I’m the bachelor uncle… I spoil them… I try to impress them… but I didn’t ‘raise’ them… I don’t do much to instruct them, either. Whenever we or I do something stupid, you’re always there to keep us in line. I’d have no idea how to even begin to run this show without you. Without you… we’d just be a mob.” Never really realizing she was that important, she blushed a little, “…” Zip wasn’t finished, “There’s really no other way to put it, so I won’t try. She wants to impress you. They all want to impress you. Compared to me… that’s a whole lot more remarkable than anything I’ve encouraged.” “What are you talking about, Zip?!” Jacinta couldn’t believe this. “They’d move mountains for you!” “No… I’m their friend first and their lieutenant second. You’re the opposite.” “I’m confused…” she murmured. Zip shifted a little and snatched her up. She giggled as he pulled her in. “C’mon, Jacinta… That’s enough of that. Like I said, don’t worry.” “I’ll try,” she snuggled close. For a moment, Zip just considered the sky, then, “I remember the first time I saw your name, Jacinta.” “Hmm?” she perked up. “With my orders when I got here… I knew I’d seen it somewhere before, but I couldn’t remember exactly where, other than it was a plant of something. I actually looked at a field guide… ‘hyacinth’… My mother used to keep a few.” “Did she? My mom loves flowers. I guess I haven’t told you, but she named all of us after flowers.” “Yeah?” “Daisy, Rose, Amaryllis, Gardenia, Marigold, and Dandelion.” “Dandelion?” it didn’t seem to fit to Zip. Jacinta giggled, “Mom couldn’t decide on a colt’s name… it works better than Amaryllis, I think. He hates his name; we call him ‘Ryll’…” “And Jacinta…” She grinned, “Yes… and Jacinta…” “Why Jacinta?” “Hyacinths are my mom’s favorite. They’re also my aunt’s favorite. My cousin is only a week older than me… she’s Hyacinth.” Zip laughed, “I see.” Full of mirth, she scrambled to be on top of him, “Why Zip?” Zip sighed, and eventually smiled, “My dad… I guess I never said, but my mom’s a unicorn. My dad, though… he’s an Earth pony.” “How’d that happen?” Zip waved a hoof, “Both of my parents came from pretty diverse families. I guess I never mentioned only two of us among siblings are Pegasi; the other two are unicorns. “What’s that got to do with your dad, though?” Jacinta inquired. He ruffled her mane, “Patience… Dad’s been a fruit vendor his whole life. My grandad was too… and his dad before that. He once told me that he named me ‘Zip Jetscream’ because it… looked good. He… dreamt of me being fast… getting out of the life he had… Of course, that didn’t happen. I was always decent at most things, but I was never the best. I was content to peddle fruit like him. But he wanted more… Like I said, I’m decent… I’m average. Getting into a university wasn’t an option; too expensive without a scholarship. So, I joined the air force.” “To get a leg-up for university?” Jacinta asked. “That’s why I joined… kind of…” “No, I just joined.” Jacinta raised herself, “Why?” “Dunno.” She laughed and let her body flop back down; Zip let out a fwoof, “That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense…” “I know… and look where it’s led,” he pouted in mock-sadness. She nuzzled into his chest-floof, “Oh, it’s not so bad. Right now… I don’t think there’s anywhere else I’d rather be…” He held her close, “Same.” The following day saw the same uneventful crystal ball conference with the general and his cronies; that day the cooks had made apple cobbler… with ice cream. Now they’re not even hiding their mockery, Zip bemoaned. Walking away from the meeting to their own less than stellar, though appreciated lunch, Amethyst fumed, “I am sick to suicide of that waste of life talking down to us!” Sergeants Sweet Clover and Treasure Trove kept their distance, unused to seeing Amethyst on a tear; they knew she was just grumpy from camping out for a week and not sleeping, but it was scary… While Razor tried to stifle his laughter, Jacinta tried to soothe the belle, “Now, Amethyst… calm down. Just take a breath.” Zip smirked as Jacinta coached the sergeant through a few breathing exercises; what was funny, was it worked. Amethyst’s eyes lost the bloodlust he’d seen in them a couple times. Zip realized just how angry she really was; it wiped the smirk off his face. But he let it go. As the others realized, Amethyst was just burned out. After lunch, he’d see she got some sleep, even if he had to order it. Lunch was okay, and ponies were laughing at Cpl. Raspberry Jam’s story; the gist was it was wise to never enter a room one can’t escape from with a mare. The merriment ended quickly when Linseed suddenly booted in his own lap, secondhoof wild rice and vegetable soup splattering onto his closest neighbors. A roar of shock and disgust went up among all nearby. “Oh, what the fuck, Linseed?!” Spc. Cocoa Butter’s usually laidback manner eroded quickly when he was covered in vomit. Linseed was coughing, but as quickly as the barf hit his neighbors he was already on his hooves. Not even bothering to begin to clean himself off, he ran. “Lieutenant! LIEUTENANT!” he crowed. Seeing crazy behavior from Linseed wasn’t the most unusual thing most of them would see on a given day, but the used soup drenching his uniform and the feral look about him as the weaved his way through everypony at least got the platoon’s attention. Linseed burst through the threshold of “headquarters”, “Sir!” Zip looked up; he, Jacinta, Amethyst, and Silver were consulting a map on a tree stump while they ate their own soup. Silver blanched at her friend’s appearance, “Linseed! What happened to you?!” “Lieutenant!” Linseed babbled. “The weather! It- it- it- it- it-” Zip was thunderstruck; he’d never seen Linseed demonstrate this kind of vigor, other than the time he attempted to confront the general. It took him a moment to realize the private was covered in his own lunch. Since Linseed wasn’t making sense, Zip had had enough of the noise. “Private!” he barked, standing up. “Calm down!” At least the stammering stopped, “Sir! The weather… it’s… about to change!” The conviction evident in Linseed had Zip’s ears open. He probably didn’t need to ask, knowing Linseed’s sensitivity to the weather, “How do you know?” With no hesitation, “I… feel it, sir. It hasn’t started, but I feel it!” Before Zip made any kind of mental call on this, another pony burst in. “He’s right, sir!” Pvt. Blood Sapphire gasped, having run from his watch duty out on the line. “The front’s about to move off the sea.” Choosing to ignore the fact the private left his post to tell them, Zip thought about this; over the last week, a storm had been brewing far off the coast… and it was about to move east. Mulling things a moment, Zip retrieved a towel, “Linseed… clean yourself up.” Catching the tossed towel, “Yessir… Sorry…” Bemused, Zip had to say it, “That’s a pretty strong reaction to the weather… My old aunt… her knee ached before a good thunderstorm, but this…” Not catching or not caring about Zip’s jibe, Linseed wiped off what he could, “I can’t help it… I felt the air change and I got sick…” Silver patted Linseed’s back, imploring Zip with her eyes. Zip sighed, “Silver… please take the private and help him out.” Looking grateful, she nudged her friend, “Yessir… let’s go, Lin…” Amethyst, looking sickened and horrified, scrunched her face and mouthed to Jacinta, Lin? Jacinta decided she didn’t want a horse in that race; she shrugged. Zip’s attention had already turned, “Private Sapphire… tell me more.” “There’s not a whole lot more to say, sir,” behind his sunglasses it was anypony’s guess what his eyes betrayed. “The front’s moving; we’ll see a change in the wind in less than 24 hours… It’ll be abrupt. We’ll see rain… a storm… in a few days.” Zip exchanged glances with Jacinta and Amethyst; their miens told him it was his call. The lieutenant stood up, “Jacinta… Amethyst… alert the squad leaders; we’re having a meeting. Private… return to duty; bring Cpl. Painter with you and tell Sgt. Wire I need him back here.” “Yessir,” Private Blood Sapphire trotted away. Zip addressed those remaining, “I’m going to find Silver and Linseed… The meeting is in a half-hour… Have Trip come along, too." Briefly explaining the situation to his squad leaders, Zip decided to pull everypony in for an announcement. Zip didn’t feel the most confident standing before his platoon, but he spoke with authority, “Pvts. Oil and Blood predict the weather will change tomorrow.” A few smirks and some muffled laughter greeted the statement; Pvt. Blood Sapphire looked more put off than Linseed, both taking gawps from their comrades. Zip brushed it off; they’d still all follow orders. What he said next might’ve been a little more meaningful, “All of you are to get together as teams and reorganize your wagons; you must be able to abandon them, leaving behind as little as possible, at a moment’s notice. Make sure your kits are fully outfitted. I’ll be holding an inspection later… Be ready. It’ll be staggered, so there’s no need to alter the schedule. Those of you on duty, return to it; upon relief, check your kits.” Any amusement in the audience died pretty quickly, replaced by murmurs. Zip had already hopped down off the tree stump from which he’d addressed them; noticing they’d not even made a move, he bellowed, “Soldiers! Carry out your orders! SSgt. Petals! Squad leaders! Spcs. Wire and Duster! Pvts. Oil and Sapphire! With me!” In a trice, everypony moved with purpose. Zip didn’t even notice Jacinta’s look of admiration as he strode past. Turning to Sgt. Treasure Trove he said, “Prepare to hail division headquarters.” “Yessir,” the sergeant looked a little apprehensive. In a moment, the 10 of them were in the clearing, surrounding the crystal ball. Zip himself tapped on it. A moment later, Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek appeared, “Zip? What is it?! And… Ho-ho! Pvt. Oil… how’s your face?” Linseed had taken a pretty good kick from the general; Lily wound up giving him six stitches. Zip could see the anger festering behind the normally passive private’s eyes. Thankfully, the general jumped ship quickly. “And… oh, so many! All your leaders and your ‘staff’… What do you want?” “Sir…” Zip tried to remain calm; he had to convince the general to at least listen. “We’re all in danger. The weather’s about to change. That storm off the coast? It’s moving. The wind will come off the sea tomorrow and worse will come after. We-” “This again?! I just told you two hours ago to give that shit a rest, Lieutenant! Why do you keep bringing it up?” “Sir! Pvts. Linseed Oil and Blood Sapphire know what they’re talking about! I trust their judgement and so should you! Fire! If you think the Centauri Army’s use of fire is out of the question, then… then…” The general’s eyes were dangerous, “Then what, Lieutenant?” Zip gulped, “Then you’re-” “Don’t answer that, kid…” the general lounged. “Quit while you’re ahead.” “No, sir!” Zip found words coming out of his mouth. “Please listen!” Looking as if he’d rather pet a shark, Pvt. Blood Sapphire came forward; taking off his sunglasses, dread could be seen in his eyes, “Please, General… we’re sure of this… I’m sure of this. The prairie’s just a tinderbox now. We-” “We need to follow the plan, Private!” the general shouted; he turned to Zip. “Lieutenant, you little fool… I’m not taking the word of some claustrophobe and some muff-diving necrophile over my scientists!” Muff-diving…?! I never did that! Linseed mouthed. Silver looking aghast beside him, hearing "more" about her possible coltfriend. This situation was breaking down quickly; none of Zip’s squad leaders seemed willing to speak. Other than Amethyst, “General. I know how you feel about all this but please listen to me. I trust these two know what they’re talking about.” “You’re suggesting we abandon our position on their word alone and move south?” he looked more than amused. “Sgt. Flare! I think you’ve lost it in your old age…” Zip was surprised to see Amethyst shrink at that; whether it was simply a sore spot or there was something else driving her lessening presence, he didn’t even bother to consider. He was about to say something when Jacinta spoke. “General… You can’t possibly cast this aside without any consideration. It’s irresponsible! It’s… fucking stupid, is what it is!” The general’s jaw dropped a fraction of an inch; it wasn’t much, but it was noticeable, “You little…” But his desire to mock her overrode his desire to give her a verbal lashing; he laughed. Zip attempted to remedy this, “Sir…” More laughter. “Sir.” The general began to reach for the crystal ball, “That’s enough of this…” Zip finally blew his stack, “I’m talking to you, motherfucker!” As if a chain had popped off a gear in some machine, the general clattered to a stop; his eyes slowly revolved towards Zip, full of rage, “What was that…?” Zip spat on the crystal ball; the wad dribbled down, right in front of the general’s face. Zip’s comrades, already beside themselves, were close to fainting. “You’re a dead stallion, Zip Jetscream!” the general hissed, lowering his gaze. “You-” “You need to shut up and listen!” Zip roared. “If you stay there, you’re putting the whole division in danger! You could all die! Pack up! Move south through the forest! And meet us at the pass!” The general, the murderous look rising with each word, “That’s it… tomorrow… we’re coming for you, Lieutenant… You are hereby relieved of duty, Zip.” Zip gave no response to this. The general continued, addressing the rest of them, “I’d put somepony else in charge, but I don’t trust a one of you. Expect a fresh commander tomorrow at 13:00… when we come for a certain Pegasus. You’re to detain Zip Jetscream immediately; clip his wings and guard him. That’s a direct order. He’s a traitor to the army and to Equestria.” Zip’s friends looked more and more ill by the second, but Zip only glared at the general. Concluding his statement, the general grinned viciously, “I’ll be closing the connection in a moment… Zip… since your wings will be clipped, I don’t see any reason to tie them back when we hang you tomorrow… If the former lieutenant isn’t ready to come back with us at 13:00 tomorrow, you could be labeled traitors, and you’ll all hang in his place… or alongside him. It doesn’t matter.” The crystal ball flickered out. All that was left was silence. It was quiet… too quiet. It was so quiet, that despite the last few minutes of lunacy they’d endured, Trip asked, “Why’s it so quiet?” Amethyst smiled, in spite of herself, and pointed around them, “Sound-proof bubble. I thought we’d need it…” Zip sighed audibly, “Oh, shit…” Looking like ghosts, the rest of them took in the moment. Jacinta of all ponies spoke up, “So… Can I assume you’ll all keep your mouths shut about this?” Zip jerked in surprise; he didn’t expect them to tie him up then and there, but he didn’t expect Jacinta to commit treason. His mouth moved, stammering out, “But… treason… You can’t-” Amethyst pounded his shoulder, looking at once terrified and resolute, “If you think we’re just gonna let all that happen like he said, you don’t know us very well, sir.” “But-” “Shut up, Lieutenant,” Razor hoofed Zip’s other shoulder. “We’re not going to tie you up or clip your wings.” Zip looked around the little clearing. He could see in their eyes, even his two privates, that they were with him. He didn’t want to or expect it to happen, but he broke down and cried. Trip weaved in and hugged him, leaking tears of her own. The rest were content to sit. Zip found his words, “Thanks…” Somepony had to say it; Linseed normally wasn’t unsure, “But sir… what if we’re wrong?” Zip could’ve said they were positively right, but he refused to do so, “Then you’ll clip my wings, tie me up, and let them take me away.” Nine faces blanched. Jacinta couldn’t help herself, “Zip…!” The significance of her using his name was lost on nopony. Zip steeled himself, “I’m still in charge. This is an order… if it comes to it… you’ll do what the general tells you. I’ll have none of you die for me. It can’t happen… not that way.” That was a hard statement to swallow, but they tried. Sergeant Sweet Clover looked up, “Then… what now?” Zip gently uncoupled Trip from himself, “You’re to keep quiet about what happened here. Go about your duties.” “Yessir,” they responded. “Other than Sgts. Flare and Trove…” Zip continued. “You’re to gather all the crystal balls not in use. Try to hail Canterlot—any channel. Tell them what’s happening. You’re to use my name; you’re not taking any blame for this. If you get through, let me know and I’ll take the ball; I don’t care if I’m sleeping, eating, or on the can.” They nodded. Zip knew Amethyst might come through. Dismissing the rest, he pulled her aside. “Do whatever you think works… anything and everything. I trust your judgement.” Her eyes wet, she tried to remain still; she was shaking, “Yes, Lieutenant.” “Promise me…” he swallowed hard. “Promise me that if this all falls apart, you’ll condemn me… that you’ll see everypony else complies… I can’t simply order this of you… I’m asking… begging… that you’ll do everything in your power to keep them safe… while keeping yourself safe.” Choking up with eyes streaming, she was unable to give him a verbal answer; she hugged him tightly, weeping bitterly. Zip realized he’d have to take that as a response. He himself had been crying for a while already, and they allowed themselves a moment. “You didn’t let that bubble down yet, did you?” he marshalled a smile. She hiccupped, “It’s up…” “Good. Now clean up our faces right quick. We’ve got work to do.”