1

4 years before the blackout

Bass gave Miles a firm nudge in his side and motioned towards the small woman on the stage before them, her long sword pointed at the throat of the soldier now lying before her. Only moments before this bulking man had climbed the stairs towards her, filled with confidence. In seconds that confidence had vanished, his massive body hitting the stage floor with a loud thud as the woman knocked him down.

"Awesome", Bass sighed quietly, returning his attention to the stage.

"No it was not!", the woman spat, stepping away from the soldier and motioning for him to get off the stage. She placed her sword back into its sheath and turned those cool, green eyes towards Bass. "It is a bloody disgrace!", she hissed, her English voice echoing through the room. "A disgrace I have been sent to remedy!". She moved forward, shaking her head, "You lot are supposed to the best of the best. Hand picked for your skills in hand to hand combat".

"And yet, I just knocked down the biggest out of you with little to no trouble". She sighed, setting a firm gaze on the men before her, "Well, by the time I have finished with you, you will either be kicked out or have the ability to beat an armed gunman with nothing but a sword and your brain". The woman tapped on her head, "And you will realise it is this that is your greatest weapon".

"My name is Sergeant Ivy Jackson and I am going to change your pathetic lives".

2

Present Day

Ivy sat on her horse, eyeing Miles with a mix of annoyance and uncertainty. It had been several years since she had seen him and his arrival here had been unexpected. Normally she would have welcomed her old friend with open arms, but he had brought trouble with him and Ivy would need to think carefully on her next move.

"Why did you come here?", she asked firmly, circling the group on her horse.

"We needed a place to sleep!", Charlie spat, staring in contempt at Ivy. They had come a long way and been through so much, who was this woman to question them?

The small woman ignored her, fixing those green eyes on Miles.

"I asked you a question Miles, not the barn mouse to your side". Charlie stepped forward, clearly unimpressed by the comparison and ready to launch a verbal offensive on Ivy. Miles grabbed the young girls arm, squeezing it tightly as he shook his head.

"I've been looking for you Ivy", he looked up at her, offering a nervous smile, "Bass has made a bit of a dubious alliance and".

A raised hand stopped him mid sentence and Miles knew better than to continue.

"Number one. The term Neutral Militia is not just something I pulled from thin air. It does actually mean that we are neutral and do not get involved in squabbles between old friends". Those cool eyes softened, "Especially when it is you and Bass. I will not get involved Miles".

"Randall Flynn", Rachel blurted, instantly grabbing Ivys attention. "The man he has formed an alliance with is Randall". Miles was certain he saw Ivys face flush and knew she recognised the name. She leaned forward, gently placing her small hand on her horses neck and rubbing it. Miles knew that meant she was thinking and raised his hand so none in the group would speak. "Randall Flynn", she sighed, closing her eyes, "I kind of hoped he was dead. Guess we can not always get what we want".

Her eyes flickered open and Ivy moved her hand back to the reins, turning the horse away from Miles and the others. She stopped by one of her soldiers, "Step up the border patrols. None from beyond are to enter. And", she turned, setting a firm gaze on Miles, "get them some horses and bring them into town. Our guests still have 12 hours of refuge and we may as well show them some hospitality". Ivy turned away, clearly not interested in having a conversation with Miles.

"And Miles. Teach the barn mouse some manners before she arrives. Because you know how I feel about rudeness". Miles went to reply, but he didn't get the chance. In seconds Ivy had ridden off, leaving a trail of dust in her wake.

"She hasn't changed", Nora sighed, stepping towards Miles, "Still the same hardass she's always been". Miles turned to face her, a look of horror on his normally cool face,

"Trust me Nora, that woman may be strong willed and a fierce fighter but she is by means a hard ass".

"How the hell do you know her?", Charlie demanded, "Is she another of the Monroe Militia?". Miles shook his head and smiled, "Hell no Charlie. I've known her for allot longer than that".

3

3 years before the blackout

Bass, Miles and Ivy sat on the hill that overlooked the base, taking in their peaceful surroundings and enjoying each others company. In the year since they had meet, Miles and Bass had grown close to Ivy. Neither man could explain exactly what it was that they liked about her, but Bass said it was her ability to kick butt and look good when doing it that he loved the most. Whatever the reason, it was obvious that she instilled a great deal of respect from everyone she met and Miles often thought she would make a great Commanding officer.

Even now, sitting on that hill in silence, Miles noted a strength in Ivy. Those green eyes were filled with so much resilience and he admired that.

"Wakey wakey Miles", Ivy smiled, tilting her head, "What do you think?". Miles shook his head, confused by her question, "Think about what?". Bass let out a loud laugh, slapping his friend on the back.

"About the offer she made earlier you idiot". He leaned back onto the cool ground, "You know, having private lessons on sword fighting".

Miles had forgotten about the offer and shrugged, "If you think it's worth while and our Commander agrees, then yeah, I could go for that". Ivys gentle smile broadened.

"Great! I am meeting Sam in a couple of days while he is on leave. When I get back we can make a start".

"Or, you could just skip seeing your husband and spend your leave with us!", Bass quipped, offering Miles a mischevious wink. Ivy laughed, slowly rising to her feet.

"Oh, as much as I would love to do that, I think Sam might be offended".

She sighed, turning her gaze back down the hill, "Two weeks boys. In two weeks we will start your training".

4

4 Months later

Miles and Bass had known Ivy for just over a year and thought they knew her. That was until the moment their base Commander had arrived with the news of husbands death. It was then that normally strong willed, determined woman crumbled before them, revealing just how human she was inside. Standing between her two friends, Ivy had broken down, screaming at the Commander that he was wrong. That her husband was alive. Her small body trembled uncontrollably and Bass grabbed her, worried that she would hit the floor at any moment.

As Miles grabbed her hand, gently squeezing it, the friendship between the three became far deeper. "He is gone", Ivy cried, glancing fervently between Bass and Miles, "He has gone and left me alone".

Miles shook his head, "You're not alone. Your children, you have two beautiful children".

"And us", Bass whispered softly, "We'll always be here Ivy, no matter what".

5

Present Day

The old home creaked and groaned continuously, putting Charlie on a constant state of alert. "Calm down kid", Miles whispered, "This place is older than you can imagine and has its own noises". He looked down at the small dagger on her belt and shook his head, "I told you, no weapons at the dinner table".

Charlies hand ran over the knifes hilt, "I don't trust her Miles. There is something not right about her and this place".

"Would you rather be dining with Monroe?", Ivy asked coolly as she entered the room. "I could easily arrange it". Miles shook his head, turning to face her to reply, but was lost for words as he saw her. Those wild curls hung loosely over her shoulders and she wore a fitted maroon jacket, with small bronze buttons and a full skirt. Several leather belts adorned the skirt and jacket, giving that feminine outfit a military feel.

"You look", he paused, still struggling to speak. "Steampunk", he finished, offering Ivy a wry smile.

His comment melted the coolness in her face and Charlie was surprised to see her smile.

"You remembered". Ivy motioned to the dinner table, "Sit down for goodness sake. Just one thing". Her eyes were drawn to the small knife on Charlies hip, "No weapons at the dinner table". Miles pulled the knife from her belt, tossing onto the side table nearby.

"I don't see any, do you?". Once again Ivy motioned to the table, her smile broadening as Rachel, Nora and Aaron entered the room.

"Ladies and gentleman, I would like to welcome you all to Gettysburg", she pulled out one of the seats and slumped into it. "First we eat. Then", her gaze narrowed, "We talk shop".