//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven // Story: The Conversion Bureau: The First Choice // by Westphalian_Musketeer //------------------------------// Willard and Miles were given a new room, but neither were able to sleep much that night. They were only a few days away from getting on the ship to Equestria. Miles shifted in his bunk, facing Willard, he asked “Do you think what happened with Blank Slate is going to affect my erm... trial in Equestria?” Willard flipped onto his side and looked at Miles from the side of his eye. “I highly doubt it. Peace-loving or no, even Celestia’s got to see the merit of self-defense.” Before Miles could respond, the clock in the room gave a single beep. Turning to it, the two newfoals saw that it read “4:30 AM.” Willard rolled back on his side. “Gaaah! We need to get to sleep. We have our classes in a few hours.” “Right,” Miles said with a nod. A knocking sounded from the door. Willard rolled out of bed with a groan. As he looked at the clock, reading “8:30 AM,” Willard sighed at another knocking from the door. Miles whined into his pillow before finally snapping his head up. Smacking his lips, the unicorn moaned, “At least it’s better than a drill sergeant!” Willard stood up and trotted wearily to the door, stumbling a few times. “Up! Up! We’re up!” he yelled before the knocking could resume. He closed the distance as the door opened to reveal Monica. She leaped and embraced Willard in a hug with her forehooves. “Are you alright?” she asked, pulling back her head to see her uncle fully. “I’m fine, but you should see the other guy!” Willard smiled until he saw a frown form on his niece’s face. She was looking past him. Willard craned his neck to see that Miles was standing a few feet behind him, his head turned away from Monica’s gaze. “The other, other guy,” Willard clarified. Monica cleared her throat. “Well, now that this is over we can go get breakfast, and we don’t have to worry about Blank Slate causing trouble like this again. I talked with Karphal. He told me that Blank Slate is going to be in the infirmary for another day, then transported with all of us with a med-detail to Equestria. He won’t be allowed anywhere without a ConSec member or someone else breathing down his neck.” With that the three newfoals made their way to the cafeteria and gathered their meals. Miles and Willard opted for the biggest cup of coffee they could request. At the table Willard stared at the cup intently, as though willing it to fly into his mouth. “You going to drink that?” Miles asked, having already drained his first cup. “Yeah, I just... never really needed to drink coffee before.” Willard dragged the cup towards him with a hoof. “What? You mean to say you never drank coffee before?” the unicorn scoffed. “Didn’t believe it was a good idea to get dependent on it in my line of work. Besides, it’s easier when you know it’s going to taste like swill unless it’s from Equestria,” Willard answered. Monica spoke up at this point. “Well, it is from Equestria, and I have to say it’s quite good.” Willard took the cup and drank it, the bitter warmth stinging his throat as it went down. “Gwak!” the earth pony coughed. “Damn, the taste alone wakes you up.” The group continued their meal for a few more minutes in silence. Eventually Monica stood up. “Well, time for my last flight class before we head off for Equestria, going to be a long one. I better get going now.” The green pegasus walked off towards her class quickly, without offering any specific goodbye to her uncle or Miles. Willard looked over at Miles. “How have you been doing with your classes?” “Well enough I suppose, I can pick stuff up with magic, so there’s that, probably won’t be able to do any more complicated stuff until we get to Equestria. What about you?” Miles asked. “Strength and control tests mostly, the instructor started our lessons with a buck that sent a shipping container flying.” Willard whistled. “Damn, I was impressed when I was able to do the same thing.” “Good thing you held yourself back with Blank Slate,” the unicorn said. “Yeah, but recently what we’ve been doing mostly is spending time with a potted plant imported from Equestria, trying to use growing magic from simply being around it.” “And how has that been working out for you?” Miles questioned. “Bloody slow going, I’ve only gotten a flower while everyone else’s is already fruiting. Teacher suggested I sing to it, claimed it always helped her when she was in Equestria.” The former sergeant chuckled. “I’m guessing strawberries don’t like Ozzy Osbourne.” “Dang that’s old,” Miles commented. “Comes with working with the archives. You see lots of things that catch your interest, you look them up, find that you like it, and well, eventually you’re belting out metal to a little garden.” The two newfoals laughed heartily. Wiping a tear from his eye, Miles talked between gasps of air. “Hah! I just can’t imagine you... doing that! I mean... I can, but it’s just so strange!” Eventually they settled down and Miles asked, “So... thanks for helping me out like that before.” The unicorn leaned back for a few minutes and stared pensively into thin air before he finally asked Willard, “You never did start a family of your own here?” “Monica has been all the family I needed.” Willard grasped the mug of coffee and drank again. When he set it down, he burped. “Beg pardon. Where did this question come from?” “I was just thinking about what they said about the population in Equestria.” “What about the population?” the navy pony asked. “The gender ratio, I mean that sounds like a paradise for the stallions.” Willard looked at Miles, and eventually the grey unicorn’s eyes widened. “Yeah, ponyism, I know,” he stated flatly. “I don’t think they’d have to lie about that in order to get people to convert,” Willard replied. “I’m fairly certain the quality of food is enough!” he chuckled as he popped a final grape into his mouth. “Yeah... I had the culture class a few days ago,” Miles began. “When they told me about some of their marital practices that threw me right off. I don’t think I could ever bring myself to be divided between multiple partners. Glad to know quite a few advocate the one partner approach.” “At least you don’t have to worry about leaving town for a few weeks every summer!” Willard laughed. “You should have seen the look of relief on the faces of some of the folks in my class when we got that little issue with biology cleared up.” “Yeah... Soon we’re going to be heading for Equestria. To a better life?” Miles lifted up his cup of coffee with his magic. “To a different one, that’s for certain,” Willard answered. Miles tapped his mug to Willard’s and the two finished their meal on good terms. The leader of the PER was sitting in a lounge chair overlooking the skyline laid out before him. In the distance the Atlantic Ocean spread out. Somewhere beyond his sight, the barrier was expanding, encompassing Earth in the salvationary light of Equestria. Four hoofsteps sounded behind him as he continued glaring, pining over the loss of Carrenton. “One of our operatives in the Human Archives Project has contacted us. There’s going to be another shipment to Equestria tomorrow, shall I arrange to have it intercepted?” A purple unicorn stepped into the PER leader’s vision. “Not until it reaches Equestria, Veritas,” the leader answered. “Our resources here are too strained at the moment. Besides my love, I have a much grander plan for this city, and with the EarthGov scrambling to stop the saving of these people, we can strike at the archives with impunity while it unfolds.” “Of course, my love, soon all of Earth will be bathed in the light, and then we can work to wipe the stain of humanity from Equestria proper,” Veritas replied. She set a folder of documents on the table and stepped back outside. A smile pressed over her muzzle at the thought of the glory they were about to unveil, and plans beyond. Monica was in the upper levels of the Manhatten Bureau. Her hooves shuffled in anticipation and her wings twitched. In front of her was the wind tunnel used to train newfoal pegasi in the basics of flight. A set of hoof steps sounded from the open door and in stepped a light-blue pegasus with a dark navy mane. The class clambered around him as he stopped in front of them. “Come on... what are you waiting for? I want to fly!” Monica mumbled as the stallion pegasus cleared his throat. “Class I have some news for today: we will not be going into the wind tunnel.” A collective groan emanated from the newfoals as the message was delivered. “Instructor Soarin! Why?” one of the colts in the group called out. A murmur of agreements issued from the crowd. “You have all shown exemplary skill in flight,” the pegasus answered, “and as such, I have been granted permission to take you all for a flight... outside.” A wave of cheers sounded and instructor flared out his wings and flapped them for silence. “Now now, there’s a few rules. No trying to break the sound barrier, and no leaving the group once we’re in flight, now come on.” “This is going to be so fun!” Monica nearly squealed as she trotted towards the exit behind the rest of her class. The whole group, twenty newfoals in total, soon gathered on the roof of the Conversion Bureau. Soarin walked to the front of the group and cleared his throat once again before speaking. “Now what were the rules again?” Collectively, the newfoals answered, “No supersonic flight and no leaving the group.” “Good, and if anyone breaks those rules, they owe me some pie from the cafeteria. Now, lets see how you all do taking off without a running start.” His legs coiled and he jumped into the air, his wings unfolded and he began flapping. “Remember, your magic will let you be lighter in flight, it’ll come naturally, but don’t be afraid to try and squeeze as much as you can in order to make it easier.” One of the newfoals near the front of the group began flapping his purple wings. Slowly, without having to use his legs, he lifted off the ground. Most of the other newfoals had to kick off the ground in order to get started, Monica included. “All right! Now, follow me,” Soarin instructed. Soon the group was off and Monica was gaining on Soarin. The breeze flowed through her feathers and mane. It felt like meeting an old friend. The lime pegasus grinned widely as she started flying beside Soarin with a few others. “Mr. Soarin! What made you decide to teach newfoals?” she called out over the howling wind as the group picked up speed. Soarin tilted his wings slightly and inclined back towards the conversion bureau, setting the group in a gentle circle surrounding it. “I devoted my life to perfecting the art of flight back when I was in the Wonderbolts. When one of the new members joined, I realized the joy of showing what I had learned to others. Plus, training here makes me push my limits, less magic in the world, harder it is for me to pull off mad stunts in my free time!” the blue pegasus answered. “Who was the new member that got you into teaching?” Monica asked. “Rainbow Dash, always went on about how she was the fastest flyer in Equestria, and she was right! Hey, you mentioned you’d be moving to Ponyville when you get to Equestria, maybe you’ll get to meet her!” The pegasus stallion made a sharp loop before coming back to Monica. “I doubt it, I’ll be working in the archives for the most part, she doesn’t sound like the sort to be stuck in a library.” Monica dipped into a small dive and let out a whoop as she climbed back up. The teal-grey sky of earth cast the technicolor cloud in a dimmer light, but still, in the sky it was the brightest, most beautiful thing the humans hundreds of feet below had seen in a long time. “This plant has got to be the sorriest looking thing I’ve seen in a long time,” Willard mumbled as he stood over a lone, potted strawberry plant. On the plant was a single blossom, taunting him with the promise of letting him out early. The instructor had told him that if he could get the plant to bear fruit, no matter what else happened, he could leave early. Willard dipped his hoof into a pile of pollen he had been given and pressed it to the flower. Willard’s red-rimmed eyes stared at the obstinate flora as his head inclined downwards. He shook his head and started singing. “I am the very model of a modern major general, I’ve information vegetable, animal and mineral...” The plant continued to sit there, unmoving. “Come on, as soon as you fruit up, I get to see my niece fly.” The flower shifted slightly. “Wait a minute, I... really care for my niece? I’ve spent so much time making sure to raise her as well as her parents had.” The strawberry plant quivered. “Yes! Okay um... one time she came talking to me about boys, said that there was one she was interested in. When I asked her what he was like she started shaking, she said that he was black.” The earth pony chuckled. “She thought I was going to disapprove of that. When I told her that was silly she told me how one of the girls she knew had been teased for spending time with her friends who converted... She thought it was basically the same thing. I guess maybe it was, thinking back, or that maybe it made some sort of weird sense. But I managed to convince her... now this is going to sound cliche but,” The plant’s flower remained still and Willlard yawned. “I had to teach her that old lesson, ‘it’s what is on the inside that counts’.” Willard smacked his lips and lowered his head. His eyelids felt droopy and he let them slide down. “I should have had another cup of coffee,” he mumbled. Miles lifted up the a pink marker to the cube in front of him, his eyes strained to keep it on focus. He glanced to the side and he felt the flow of magic flicker before concentrating again. The marker had fallen a foot through the air. Raising it back into position, the grey unicorn pressed the writing utensil to the cube. The marker moved in a two gentle arches that he moved to join in a point near the bottom of the cube. Finishing, Miles cut off the magic, letting the marker fall to the ground. In front of him was a six sided cube, each side containing a depiction of a pink heart. “Excellent work Miles,” A teal unicorn commented, “you have now successfully made a companion cube. Might I add that all the hearts are perfectly symmetrical. To think, the first class you simply refused to use your magic at all. That you’ve made it so far is a testament to my skill as a teacher.” “Thanks Mr. Cave, can I leave now? I didn’t get much sleep last night and I’d like to spend some time with my friends before we head out for Equestria tomorrow.” Miles turned to face Cave. Seeing the bags under his eyes, the professor answered, “Alrighty then. Class!” he shouted. “You’re all dismissed early for today, you’ve all done wonderfully today and I’m sure you’ll all make fine models of Equestrian citizenry.” A tangerine unicorn stallion dropped a single, massive cube on the ground, sending a loud bang on the ground. The pony looked over and smiled sheepishly. “Except for you Mr. Feldwerp, you could do with some improvement over fine motor control with your magic.” Miles stepped out of the classroom and stumbled slightly. “Soooo tired,” he groaned, sitting down and clutching his head in his hooves. “But I still have to check up on Willard. He’s got to be having at least as bad a time as me.” With that they cyan-maned unicorn made his way to Willard’s class. He opened the door and entered in quietly, so as not to disturb the rest of the class. He noted it seemed empty at first glance and walked in. A series of bright ultraviolet lights were overhead, and on a number of counters there were assorted potted plants raised to about eye level. “Hello!” Miles turned around on his fore hooves to face a banana-yellow earth mare. “Jeez! You scared me!” Miles exclaimed. “Not that its your fault, didn’t get any sleep last night.” “Ah, you must be Miles, Willard’s friend yes? He’s right over there.” The mare indicated a prone, navy pony laying beside a potted plant. On it was a single, diminutive strawberry. “How long has he been out?” the unicorn asked. “Four hours, class ended an hour ago, but he looked so peaceful, and besides, he finally got that plant to fruit. Wouldn’t eat it though, it looks like it hasn’t ripened yet.” The mare extended a hoof to Miles. “Banana Stripes by the way. Would you two be a dear and shut the door when you leave?” “Absolutely ma’am,” Miles responded. With that the yellow mare left the room and the grey unicorn headed for his big blue friend. “SNUGHRK! But then she told me about Voltaire.” “Hey, jackass, wake up. I went and stayed up through my class, you should have been able to as well,” Miles chuckled. “Huhwah?” Willard’s eyes flickered open. “Ah, crap,” he said, standing up. “Now I’ve got to get this damn plant to grow...” The blue stallion eyed the dinky little fruit on his assignment. “Well that’s alright.” He turned to Miles. “Don’t ever call me a donkey again.” “Yeah well, it was either that or tickle you. Come on, maybe we can see your niece fly, assuming her lesson isn’t over that is.” Miles and Willard stepped out of the room and made their way to Monica’s class. When they reached it they found the wind tunnel empty except for one pegasus wearing what looked like combat armour designed to fit a pony’s frame. The two ponies entered the observation room and saw a gryphon and a human looking down at the pegasus in flight. “Shows promise, what do you think Sildinar?” the human commented. “It could still do with some refining. But we have guests.” The gryphon turned around to look at the two ponies. “Can we help you?” Miles lowered his head and stepped back. “Uh, nothing you need to bother yourself with I’m sure.” The beige gryphon rolled his eyes. Willard stepped forward and gave the truthful response. “I’m looking for my niece, she was supposed to be having a class here.” “Check the roof,” the human answered. “Thank you,” the earth pony said with a nod of his head. “Come on Miles.” The two made their way to the roof, walking along the hallways and looking for an elevator. “Mind explaining what that was about?” Willard asked. “Beg pardon?” Miles responded, glancing up from the floor. “You practically had your tail between your legs when that gryphon looked at us.” “Duh!” the unicorn answered. “That was one of the gryphons at Carrenton. I didn’t exactly want to hang around something that has every right to want to kill me!” “When you put it like that...” Willard trailed off. The two approached an elevator and entered. Looking out to the skyline, they could see a multi-colored cloud skimming over New York. “Woah,” Miles gasped, “are those pegasi? Okay, now I’m envious. I’m going to have to learn how to turn wood into gold with magic for me to feel alright again.” The elevator stopped at the roof of the building and the two ponies walked out of it with their eyes fixed on the sky. At that distance for the two ponies, the cloud was an undistinguished smudge of purples, greens, yellows and blues. As the group continued in a tightening circle occasional flecks of red and orange from two specific pegasi came into view. Willard looked to the sight, as the group drew closer still to the roof, he could make out his green-coated niece. His eyes began to pool with tears until one fell onto Mile’s hoof. “Hey, something wrong?” the grey unicorn asked, casting his look towards his friend. “It’s just... She’s growing up, and now she’s going somewhere I can’t follow, literally,” Willard responded. “Uh, yeah, I’m a little young to provide advice in that department. But don’t feel like she’ll abandon you. Conversion wouldn’t make a person forget the value of family.” Miles slowly raised a hoof, and settled it on the earth pony’s back. When Willard didn’t protest, the unicorn began patting him on the back. “You know, this would probably be more comforting if I still had hands.” Willard snorted. “It’s the thought that counts, thanks.” The pegasus flock began flying for the roof in a straight line, soon twenty-or-so newfoals landed on the ground behind a light-blue stallion. The group walked down a flight of stairs to head for the elevators. That is when Monica saw her uncle. The green mare ran up to Willard and wrapped her fore hooves around his neck. “Uncle did you see us up there? It felt soooo good to have the wind flowing past me, totally worth having to use hooves and wings to carry things.” “Yeah I saw you kid, you were doing fantastic,” Willard managed to squeeze out. He pulled himself out of his niece’s grip and chuckled. “You sure you couldn’t just fly to Equestria now?” “Pshaw! That’s way too long a distance for me to cover, what would I eat out there on the ocean? Fish? Blegh!” Monica feigned a blanch and started to laugh. “You could always try diving for kelp,” Willard suggested, pushing Monica to laugh even louder. “HAHA! Like I haven’t had enough of that in one way or another from being stuck on synthetic food!” The pegasus was rolling on the ground in sheer giddiness. When the laughs subsided she got back onto her hooves. “Come on, let’s go get something to eat. They recommend not eating anything twelve hours before going through the barrier. So that gives us time to start building up our reserves.”