Wheeeeeeeeeew, hot damn man... what a chapter, what a chapter well done, well done How much longer does this go on for? I'm not complaining as to its length either, I am just very curious as to how much is left

Awesome work, awesome work well done.

I must confess. I hadn’t expected see you again under these circumstances.”

hadn't expected to see you again

She took a seat and closed his eyes.

closed her eyes yes?

“What do you expect to me to do?”

do you expect me to do

In short, I hate Hoarfrost. What a heartless bitch. There is no sensible justification to the idea of shelling civilians entangled in civil war. If you want to make an example, try making the populace happy with the outcome instead of looking like a big strong military to appease your superiors.
That's one way to get in. Once more unto the breach, into the Tower.

7262726
You are at Chapter 62.1/62.2 of 77 total chapters + epilogue (not to mention the sequel, Homelands)

Source: Google docs index page

This chapter in a nutshell.

Rampage poked her head up from the pile of groaning pegasi and spat out a bright wad of fecal-green hair. “Split up? You never split the party. What are you, crazy?

“This came from Councilor Ironfeather’s office, and given the incompetence of the commander in the field, you have no authority to countermand it. I have been given battlefield commission to Colonel and placed in command of this exercise,” Hoarfrost’s icy voice dripped menace. “You can’t pick and choose your orders anymore, Storm Chaser. Do you acknowledge the order, or not?”
“Galeforce, Blizzard, and Sirocco have weapons aligned with us,” a mare intoned, her voice numb.
“Do you acknowledge the order?” Hoarfrost asked coolly.
“This is outrageous. The Enclave cannot--”
The Castellanus lurched as the rear of the ship was hit with something that made the whole vessel groan ominously. They were firing on their own now? “Do you acknowledge the order?”

pngall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Angry-Meme-Transparent-PNG.png

These comment sections are getting shorter and shorter towards the end of this story. I have to wonder if people just gradually stopped reading it.

7844378
or they are too riveted to read the comments and just jump to the next chapter.

From a writer's standpoint: why isn't this chapter just two chapters? Where it leaves off here is certainly enough to have called an arc closed. Just wondering.

Man, all the politics are killing me. D: First the rigamarole about who killed Stratus, now suspicion about Blackjack's true motives, then the Enclave turning on its own. I was really despairing toward the end, there, but thank god the crew rallied around the General. I wasn't wrong to put my faith in her. :) I'm also glad BJ wasn't dumb enough to take Hoarfrost at her word.

Funny how Doctor Octopus showed up just when I'd been wondering where he'd gone. Also nice to see that the memory-delving thing is having a positive effect on not just Rampage. I'm kind of surprised you didn't show us more of that, but then that's like calling for more water in the ocean, I suppose. :B Don't feel bad.

That said, that scene really slowed things down. We've already had one scene in the previous chapter that stretched on too long and put the civil war on hold, as it were. Definitely an issue in this stretch.

Am I right to think that something is up with Boo? It seems like something is being built toward in regards to her. I'm just waiting for her to say something.

8063418
Eh, there's normally more of an action break between chapters than there is here. Granted it's not seamless, since there are 2-3 sentences at the start of 62.2 that don't quite fit with just a scene break, but it's not as clear cut as a lot of cases. Also, incidentally, regarding your last point... With that, 8063488, what, just wanted to avoid something even longer? :V

General Storm Chaser was something I thought the Enclave really needed: someone who was in a position of authority who was basically decent, not fully described by "sky Nazi," and competent. And she didn't just clear that low bar, she blew those expectations away. :D

“No,” I said.  “It’s too dangerous.

The ultimate cliche

I groaned as I rose and turned to Glory and moved away from really important questions to issues of survival and whatnot

...wut

“Oh.  You were being sarcastic.  Right.  No quickie.”  Damn it.

Dear Faust, Blackjack, how have you not thrown a super orgy yet?

We finally began to part ways when Boo suddenly darted for me.  She slid on her belly and grabbed my rear hoof in a bear hug.

As we turned away, Scotch Tape lunged.  “Take me too!” she shouted, forehooves outstretched to hug my hind leg too, when suddenly she jerked to a halt and landed on her face.

Pony pile on Blackjack!

“Relax.  We’re armed,”

Yup. Because military just loves armed suspected terrorists.
Amiright, guys?

Oh!  Let me do it!  Please?  Pretty please with murder and mayhem on top.”

Oh don't stop there , Rampage!
Murder and mayhem with radiation and viscera on top!
Oh yeah! Let's do this!

So we finally get a good look at the Core.
Bizare place to say the least.

I'm imagining some end-game scenes csosmsisng along now.
War is raging, and massive machines if destruction are opening their maws wide, ready to devour civility and decorum.

While our little hero enters in a high level zone that would be, like, level locked or something until now.
Luke a lv.50 area and the Enclave are lv.40
...and BJ is, what was it? Lv.12?
Lol, yeah.
This is why you never fight an enemy the same level as you.

Or even above.

I always go for anybody of lower level, or beat up a high level noob with no skill.

If you're lucky, he won't accidently cremate you.

reading about politics makes my brain hurt

“Permission to speak freely?” the brown Coms mare said as she rose to her hooves. The formal request made Storm Chaser sit up a little straighter in her seat and she nodded. “Every single pony on this ship, from the commanding officer down to the lowliest private, knows what’s at stake. We didn’t join the Enclave to stay safe, get connected with the powerful muckity mucks, and retire after twenty years. We serve because we believe that the Enclave does the right thing. If things really are so bad that some windbrained nag thinks shelling one of our own settlements is anything short of an atrocity, then we’re finished. We need ponies like you if the Enclave is ever going to have a chance.”

Ooh Ra!

Boo doesn't have to say a word to be the best pep talker ever. So cute!

8153504
Agreed

expected see

Expected to see

See, the thing Glory doesn't seem to be realizing about the infection...
The only cure for a prion disease is a bullet in the head. They're incurable and untreatable.
Also something one of the thinky ponies didn't think of, ballistic missiles make for very poor biological agent dispersal devices. You risk vaporizing whatever you're trying to disperse.

I'm finally back to reading this, and with another chapter (half?) completed I am still left contemplating on the reasons I took such a long break in the first place. I hope to get back into a chapter a day, it was nice last I did that.

Enough rambling about that. This chapter has helped cement one thing (more, actually): Boo (or was it Bloo?) is the best character. She is kind, loves to be pet, and above all else... can dodge better on accident than anypony else can on purpose! Not just that but she has the potential to be the best'ist' pep talker ever! Because she was brought along at the end, I am left to ponder about what she ends up doing in the next chapter (half?) or the chapter after that.

Is it bad that I liked the politics?! It was almost fun to read about and to see the way they handle the different situations. The General is somepony whom I will respect -- she followed her ideals and morals, even in the face of adversity. I enjoy the fact I chose to root for her. And not that mule of a pony Hoarfrost... I'd say I would like to see her die... but that seems like it would be a waste -- I look forward to the way it gets resolved, whatever the case may be. And to wander back to the topic of this paragraph, politics; I just don't understand why fiction's politics can end up being interesting when non-fiction's politics is something I could sleep to.

With hopes I'll be back for more of this wonderful story filled with "real" characters, Desh.

Man, this is really ramping up! Although, I'm really nervous that something will happen to Boo for coming after BJ! Stay safe silent one

Finally, somepony else is reading this at the same time I am! Sweet!

Ch 62: What a thrilling read this chapter is.

Boo seems so much more than she is. Is she really a blank? Wonder if there's more to her or if she's a slice of wholesome to contrast the sad sad wasteland

Well, I just did something so stupid I'd make chapter 1 Blackjack facehoof. I got so angry with Hoarfrost taunting Storm Chaser after she lost her position that I went out at 1am and pulled out an old boxing bag. Needed to vent, have not done boxing in years. Went all out and got tired after 20seconds, but kept going. 5 round I told myself. On the third I had to stop myself, it felt like I was about to puke. Fourth came and I had to stop the round baler again. Few second on fifth and I was kneeling on the ground, begging my insides to still. If I kept still it might have settled. But I was severely underdressed for standing still and decided that I'd rather risk puking than getting sick. Well, you can guess what happened after.

It's not like I recently ate a lot or am out of shape. Cycling daily. Fuck me, this is going to be so embarrassing when I look back at it.

As we turned away, Scotch Tape lunged. “Take me too!” she shouted, forehooves outstretched to hug my hind leg too, when suddenly she jerked to a halt and landed on her face. I raised my gaze to P-21 biting the filly’s tail.

LMAO. Nice try, Scotch.

“Oh please,” I said with a smile and a roll of my eyes. “If I were here to kill you I would have teleported directly behind you and cut your head off or blasted four magic bullets down your throat. Heck, I could probably just jump and crush you under my hooves right now!” I chuckled, and Rampage guffawed. Then I became aware that we were the only two laughing and it tapered off to a slack grin. “Um. But, um. I’m not… So. Yeah…”

Smooth

There was every possibility that this would get me killed, but, for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel the slightest selfish hope that I’d die.

She’s getting better. But for how long?