The Conversion Bureau: The St. Louis Massacre

by Cloudhammer

Epilogue Two - Two Months Later

Year 5, Week 28, Wednesday

Flare shifted his shoulders to settle the armor, looking over at Nimbus. “So how do I look?”

“Like you’re ready to take on the world sweetheart.” Nimbus said as she reached out and adjusted a plate. “Now come on, you don’t want to be late for this.”

“I know, I know.” Flare looked over to Breaker, the little colt bouncing on the enormous hotel room bed. “Come on now Breaker, it’s time to go.”

“Aww, but I want to play some more!” he protested as he flopped to the sheets with a huff.

Flare chuckled and levitated his son into the air. “Now, you’ll have more time to play once we get out of the ceremony. Think you can behave yourself until then? We might take you out for pizza....” he let the word trail off slowly, a grin spreading as Breaker’s eyes lit up and his legs started flailing about.

“Really Daddy? Can we Mom? Please please please?” Breaker looked at Nimbus with the best begging face he could muster while floating two feet off the floor.

“Now how can I resist that face? Alright, if you behave yourself the whole ceremony, we can go get some pizza.”

Breaker cheered as Flare set him down on the floor. “Let’s go then!”

The two parents laughed as they followed their son to the elevator.

The assembled crowd was composed of Royal Guard, St Louis Police, US National Guard, US Marines, and assorted civilians both pony and human. The rebuilt front of the downtown Bureau was now composed of two sets of stairs, and a divider in the middle with a sheet-covered statue standing atop it.

In the front row, Aegis sat with his marefriend, along with the other guards and their families. Once more Aegis found himself trying to avoid making a ruckus in the uncomfortable human-style chairs. There still wasn’t much market penetration for pony seating on Earth, as when a pony decided to sit, they didn’t need a chair to do so. Fireball nudged Aegis, again, giving him an admonishing look. Flare stifled a chuckle, earning himself a similar look from Nimbus.

With a warning glance from Cloudhammer, they quieted down as the Mayor of St Louis, Adam Nielson, stepped forward to the microphone stand. “Okay, I want to thank you all for coming to this historic ceremony. As you know, two months ago, St Louis was the victim of a heinous terrorist attack the likes of which has not been seen on US soil since the September 11th attacks. Our city was gravely wounded, with many citizens, both human and pony, losing their lives. However, during the chaos of that day’s events, there were those who stood up as symbols of calm and order. Police officers like Corporal Mark Burton and Officer Helen Whitt. US Marines like Ian Hodges. National Guard like First Sergeant Ronald Wallen and Master Sergeant Emmet Webb. Ordinary citizens like Jesse Morales and Cirrus. And even those not from our city, such as the Equestrian Royal Guard.” He nodded respectfully to the small gathering of guardponies. “It is in their honor today that I officially declare the St Louis Downtown Conversion Bureau open again, and commemorate their heroism with this statue.”

At his signal, the two police officers standing on either side of the statue gripped the sheet and pulled it down. Revealed, the audience stared in awe at the gleaming bronze sculpture. It bore six figures standing proudly on the plinth, three humans and three ponies. A US Marine and a National Guardsman flanked a police officer, and arranged in front of them was a pegasus, earth pony, and unicorn guard. All six figures had looks of stern determination as they faced outwardly from the Bureau, their metal eyes staring resolutely at the assembled onlookers. On the base was a plaque with an inscription, stating simply,

In honor of those who fought to defend this city, and for those who paid the ultimate price without hesitation. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten, for the ideals they died for are eternal.

The audience broke into light applause as Mayor Nielson indicated for the row the Guards, police, and four newfoals sat in to stand. “It is at this time that I wish to honor those who stepped forward and fought to protect our city and citizens from the terrorism of the HLF.” He turned as an aide presented a case filled with medals, each one bearing the city seal. Moving slowly down the line, he placed a medal around the necks of each officer and pony in the row. Reaching the end, he saluted the row. “You have the gratitude of this city, and for those of you who are not citizens, you are always welcome to return.”

The applause returned in greater force, accentuated by the stamping of hooves from the ponies present.

‘Well,’ thought Fireball to herself, ‘no time like the present.’ She gave Aegis a congratulatory nuzzle. “Have a second to talk?”

Aegis smiled at his marefriend. “Of course, always time for you.” He glanced at Leapfrog, who had already made herself busy entertaining Breaker. “No time like the present, right?”

“Weeeell....you remember our trip, several weeks back? To the beach?” Fireball blushed a little. That had been a very good trip.

“Of course. That was real fun, all the sand and surf. Heh, now it’s just a day trip.” Aegis thought back to Leapfrog kissing that unicorn colt. “Mostly...” The two teens had kept their promise to write each other. Thank Celestia they lived across a nation, and now, an ocean, away.

“Well, there was also plenty of sun, too. A lot of, um, sun.” Fireball, usually brimming with confidence, was starting to waver a little. She fluttered her wings in nervousness.

“Yeah. Are ya wantin’ to head back to the beach? I’m sure we’ve got plenty of time before I go back on duty.” Aegis wasn’t helping anything.

“Ah, no, not quite yet. Um, there’s something I really need to tell you...”

“Oh? what is it, oh love of my life?” Aegis smiled, leaning down so as to hear a little better over the crowd. They’d been together for nine years. Pretty soon, they’d even have enough for a very nice wedding.

Fireball smiled at her coltfriend and bit her lower lip. Then, with a tiny whisper that just pierced the noise of the crowd, spoke.

"I'm pregnant."

Aegis Exemplar, Captain, ranking officer of the earth pony branch of the Royal Guard, who had before that faced the terrors of the Everfree Forest without so much as blinking, who had ran headlong into enemy fire to protect both human and pony kind, who had never once backed down from a challenge lain before him, and the new, eldest son of General Cloudhammer, turned towards his marefriend with a look of incredulity...

...and promptly passed out.

Bright Hope trudged slowly to his home in Baltimare, not even noticing the sad looks his neighbors gave him. What could they know of his pain, his loss? He still remembered the loving smile on Sparkleberry’s face as he kissed her goodbye, leaving her to play in the daycare with her friends. He remembered waving to his daughter Cross Stitch as she finished the morning laundry. He remembered his wife High Hope blowing him a kiss as he walked out the front door of the Bureau, to be at the grocery store in time to pick up supplies for the kitchen. His eyes squeezed shut as he remembered seeing that black truck driving by, the top opening up like some hideous flower to reveal that horrid weapon. He could still hear the screams as it tore through his friends and the pain as a stray round zipped in front of his eyes as he dove for cover, so close he could feel it. He remembered seeing the large shelf falling over onto him, the heavy metal cans raining down and striking him on the forehead, knocking him unconscious.

When he’d awoken, hours later, it was over. He’d rushed to the Bureau, only to learn that it was too late. The light of his life was gone, his beloved wife and children dead. They couldn’t even find Cross Stitch’s body, and while he’d held out hope for the first two months, he finally had to admit that his family was gone, that his last hope was truly broken.

Looking up as he approached the mailbox, he could see that the flag was raised, indicating that somepony had sent him mail. That in itself was odd, he’d already received the day’s mail. Opening the box, he saw a single pamphlet inside. Gently levitating it out, he opened it and read the short message in the interior.

Humans profess to be good at heart, but willfully perform violence on anything they fear, not caring in the slightest for the morality of their actions.

They feel that they have somehow ‘earned’ the right to share in the Equestria we have created through over a thousand years of labor and sacrifice. What right have they to wear our form and proclaim themselves our equals?

We know the pain of losing a loved one to their barbarism, and hope to extend a hoof in sincerity to help you through this difficult time.

Included with this pamphlet are directions to a meeting place two days from today at sunset.

Equestria for Equestrians.

Bright Hope stared at it for a second, then looked up toward the setting sun, a single tear making it’s way down his face before he made up his mind. He tucked the envelope into his saddlebags and walked into his house. Maybe this group could help him after all.

Comments

[djthomp]

They couldn’t even find Cross Stitch’s body Oh, she is totally one of the captured unicorns, isn't she.

Not bad. For someone completely new to TCB stories, this has been a really interesting universe to follow. I'm very much looking forward to the next one.

[Midnightshadow]

it's really over? No post-epilogue-epilogue?

A wonderfully realized story! Could have done with a bit more BANG! during the climax, and really, Celestia's speech was "hi, thanks for coming, see you soon"?

Anyway, an ripping yarn, a rollercoaster ride. I cried at all the right spots and cheered at the others. Moar!

[Cloudhammer]

1991660
Believe me, I know the feeling. Part of the style of characterization I use is to put myself mentally into that same situation...

I had to spend some time decompressing after that scene

[MLPFanForever]

Wow... What a story! Awesome job!

[Beegirl Scribbler]

I'm not familiar with Conversion Bureau stories, but I really enjoyed this one. I think the big weaknesses are, first, how much is going on (I have a lot of trouble following things) and, second, how unrealistic the children generally act.

Otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised, enjoyed the Big Damn Heroes moments, and want to know how this ends! Nice job on an excellent NaPoWriMo work!

[keroko]

7797593
Annoying? Stirring the pot? On the contrary, I think this is a well thought out post. Even if I do disagree with some of the assertions. While I do agree that research into a better cure must continue (and it is, even if the results are not to everyone's liking) but there is an important factor the HLF are overlooking in their arguments: Time.

It takes time to create enough potion to have enough to save every last of the seven billion people on earth. It takes time to create the facilities to distribute the potion in a safe manner. It takes time to do a proper, safe conversion. Time, time, time, every step of the conversion of earth takes time. And the earth doesn't have much time to waste. Rejection is happening, the veil of deadly magic is advancing and the clock counting down on it can't be stopped. Earth has to start acting now, because if they don't then even if a true cure is found somewhere down the line, it will be too late to build enough bureaus, manufacture enough potion and treat everyone in time. People will die by the millions, if not more, simply because there was too little, too late.

Yes, conversion is a bad solution to a terrible problem. Nobody in their right mind, human or pony, is twisting around that. But it's a solution, one that's better than the black-charred alternative. Humanity may not ever have given up on something just because they have a lesser solution, but they don't leave it lying at the wayside either. That's why people with cancer go into chemo treatments, despite the complete and utter agony those treatments are. Like conversion, it's an imperfect cure for the problem, but it's still taken because the chance they give to survive it is still better than certain death.

Now on PER, I interestingly had a direct opposite reaction. While yes, forced conversion is a terrible crime that should be punished without relenting, I found it odd how the President seemed to regard the PER agents with a more extreme reaction than the terrorists shooting up his city and his people. Celestia, too, seemed to react far more strongly against the PER agents than the hundreds of her own ponies being gunned down in the streets. This in contrast with her reaction in the previous story, where the death of even one of her guards was almost enough to make her snap.

As for the critique against the investigation of PER... this honestly seems to go two ways. HLF was so lightly investigated that they became entrenched enough to be able to calmly ride trucks full of heavy weapons into a city and begin carving it up while also knowing exactly what, who and where to strike to accomplish their goals, while also being able to enlist the help of Equestria's enemies without anyone even knowing such contact was made.

Investigation on both sides seem to be massively dropping the ball here.

[Cloudhammer]

9351310
I actually had to take some time to think on my response to this, because I didn't want it to come off as too cheesy, but good lord I've been wondering if someone would ever get the point I've been trying (probably too hard) to layer in through my stories. Conversion, despite all the advantages it offers, is still not the ultimate desire for humanity insofar as the wish to try and preserve their genetic legacy, something Celestia agrees with in not wanting to be a bystander to a species' extinction. Especially when the events causing said extinction were brought about due to their own actions to try and save Equestria during the events of In Duty's Name. Ultimately, the much preferred goal was to complete the research and testing of Project Thesan (which would have the FDA in the hospital if they'd been told of it prior, at least for the current real-world equivalent).

The experimentation continues as far as finding means to allow unmodified/unConverted humans to survive in the presence of magic radiation, but as far as the argument of just trying it with otherwise healthy people, if someone came up to you and offered an experimental treatment where it might work, they have no idea or other means to test if it does work, and the alternative is horrifyingly painful death, would you say yes? Not many people would, and the ethics of using terminally ill patients doesn't sit well with most modern Western nations (some dictatorships in the Cloudyverse have probably tried I'm sure though :/)

As far as the investigation dropping the ball, I based the fumbling somewhat on Robert Hanson, who was able to keep himself hidden and operating as a USSR agent for years in the FBI, up to and including being put in charge of the investigation to find himself (as the mole). The HLF are in a very similar position, having numerous government officials and corporate directors/executives providing just the right amount of obfuscation if not outright support. However, the attack on St Louis will have far-reaching consequences for the HLF (though that's a tale for another time ). The PER, on the other hand, were able to take advantage of the trusting nature of their fellow Equestrians to sound out membership, apply at positions in Bureaus to learn the timetable for a potion transfer as well as the spells for charging the potion, and really, they only got away with a single tanker's worth. At 3oz needed per person, that's still a lot to use for their attack and to figure out how to make more.

Ultimately, this story was more the vehicle for the two 'staple' malicious organisations of the overall TCB setting to step out from the shadows and into the world stage. I have some planned ideas to more address those repercussions of their actions in St Louis in future stories, but my writing tempo has slowed drastically from what it was while I was in college.

So, to wrap up what turned out to be a much longer than planned reply, thank you for the comment, it was very refreshing to read. Also may have resulted in goofy grins while at Walmart

[Cloudhammer]

9404360
Heh, hopefully I didn't mangle the city layout too badly. Hope you're enjoying the story far!