"For real?" Mezzo asked, not quite believing his ears. "Me? You're sure about this? I don't know anything about law."
"You don't have to," Growl answered. They were walking through the commissary, reasonably far from medical, and a certain psychic filly. "It's not like I would just hand you a weapon and uniform, and assign you a post. I'd have Micah show you the ropes. He can put together a training regimen that includes appropriate classes."
Mezzo was silent as he mulled it over. He wasn't sure what to think of this offer. He would love to help, but he wasn't sure he was the right fit for it.
"There is another component to this," Growl added, seeing his hesitation. "During Vizor's attack, you kept Ribbon stable enough to do her job. That alone helped countless ponies. So did wiping out those monsters in the cargo bay. It would be enough if you just stood around medical whenever there were problems, or tagged along whenever Ribbon responds to an emergency, but I'm guessing you would be happier providing active assistance."
He nodded slowly. "I would." He sighed. "Has Ribbon told you about Clak?"
"The Krikid? The one who agreed to train you and Ribbon in harnessing her powers?" Growl nodded. "She has, and Clak approached me as well, amazingly polite fellow. He ran his rough plan by me, and if you're fine with some of the details, you have my approval."
"Which details?"
"Well, his photo album had a lot of married couples."
"Oh," the colt chuckled nervously. "He showed you that? He's proud of that scrapbook, isn't he? Ribbon and I talked it over. Nothing's set in stone, but if things turn out... you know, then, we're ok with that possibility."
"That's a big decision to make at your age," Growl told him, watching him as he watched the crowd around them. "But, you've both had more than your share of hard times and tough decisions. Something like this must be very different."
"It is," Mezzo agreed, but he smiled, "Whatever the future brings, it's just good to know I had a say in it." He looked around the commissary, at everypony going about their day. Some he recognized, some he didn't. Happy, safe, and most of all, free. "Growl, did I ever thank you?"
"Thank me?"
"For this," Mezzo held his hoof up, "all of this. I don't think I ever realized what you risked, what you gave up, to help the Tankrit. And you still are, helping us, I mean. You put so much into this station, and I'm only now starting to see it."
"You're a good kid, Mezzo, and you're growing up right." Growl clasped her hoof down on his shoulder. "Needle Scratch would be so proud of you, and your mother."
"I wish he could have seen this," Mezzo said quietly, voice breaking. "I wish he could have known Minuette, and Ribbon, and heard mom's music again, or aunt Tavi's."
"He gave his life so you could do that for him. He knew going back would be the last thing he ever did, but he never even considered staying away. Nothing I give, no matter how long or hard I work, will ever come close to his sacrifice. That's why I'm here, why you're here, and why this station exists. Nothing happens with just one pony, but it only takes one to start it. For us, your grandfather was that pony. He gave us the push to fight back, to build this home, this family. He deserves the thanks, Mezzo, not me."
"But, you didn't have any reason to get involved, and you still came back for him. And you stayed for the rest of us. It can't have been easy throwing away everything for ponies you didn't even know."
Growl smiled. "Your grandfather told me once, 'The right choice is never the easiest to make, but always the hardest to regret.' I don't regret choosing to get involved. I only regret not getting involved sooner."
The colt nodded. He could understand, but he wouldn't share that regret. "Growl, sign me up."