//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5 
// Story: The Covert Mare Corps 
// by totallynotabrony 
//------------------------------//

	South Africa, 2012
It was actually a very leisurely wait, despite the conditions.   The three mares only had to lay around in the scrub outside the mine security fence and give the spy gear time to work.  Aside from watching out for security patrols, it gave them all time to relax.  They had already planned for extracting the information when it was time, and it shouldn't be too difficult.  After that, they could go home.
They all checked their equipment and weapons, despite the lack of use.  They kept watch on the off chance that extra intelligence could be collected.  Mostly, it was just nice to enjoy each other’s company.
Sweetie Belle stretched out on her sleeping bag beneath the camouflage tarp they had rigged for shade.  “It’s nice to have some time to unwind.”
“You can say that again,” agreed Scootaloo.  “Sometime surveillance jobs are better than others.”
“It’s almost like camping,” noted Apple Bloom.  “Heck, aside from the exotic locale, it’s almost exactly like that.”
The other two nodded, remembering the last time they had gone camping…


• • •


Sweet Apple Acres, 2009
The old treehouse was still there.  Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle looked up at it in the gathering darkness.
“This thing must have been built really well,” commented Scootaloo.  “I mean, not only did it survive your sister, Apple Bloom, it survived us.”
The three of them laughed.  With all the Cutie Mark Crusading, they’d eventually found their cutie marks, but in all honestly it had been a little underwhelming, sort of like one more birthday when you already had dozens behind you.
Sweetie hadn’t really minded working with her sister instead of going out on her own into the music industry.  It had kept the two of them close.  Scootaloo had a good moment in the spotlight, and had retired at the top of her game.  Apple Bloom had not really enjoyed her time in the military, but at the time she joined it seemed better than staying home.
The house where the earth pony’s family still lived was not far away.  The three of them had come from there.  Scootaloo and Sweetie had been with Apple Bloom, just to give her the courage to knock on the door.
Four years was a long time to cut off ties from your kin.  Apple Bloom had already forgiven them for whatever they had argued about so long ago.  They had forgiven her, too.  The reunion was a perfect end to the day.  Tomorrow would be the start of something new for all of them.
After agreeing to work for Princess Celestia, the three mares had begun planning how they would handle the tasks she gave them.  Training was first on the list.  Soon, Sweetie Belle would be leaving for California, Scootaloo would go to Israel, and Apple Bloom was prepared to start a tour of Europe.
But tonight the three of them were together.  It was just like old times.  Carefully they climbed into the rickety tree house, spreading out their borrowed camping gear.
The paint on the walls had faded and peeled.  Most of the decorations still showed however, including an image that featured the acronym that three young fillies had proudly given themselves to represent their bond. 
The trio of mares lay down for the night.  It was peaceful, and they were together.   While that might not always be true in the future, it didn’t diminish their friendship – no matter what they called themselves.