The Conversion Bureau: The Last Job
By Da Bunnana King
Chapter Three: Ulysses the smooth talker
-At the Conversion Bureau out side Tallahassee-
As the group followed Doctor Neil down a maze of corridors, Ulysses weighed the options in the back of his mind. ‘I could turn into a pony and start a new life in Equestria as I have nothing tying me down to Earth. But I don’t think I could just abandon Earth or my species. And what’s with those rocks, I know I have seen a formation like that some where and why are they pointed directly at the bureau...?’ As Ulysses pondered this, he barely notices that Neil said that they were almost at their destination,
“Now when you meet the Princess either salute her or kneel before her, and don’t turn your back on her. Understand?” Said Neil in a monotone voice,
“Yes, Ulysses did you get that?” Questioned Jack,
“Wa, oh yes… Kneel or salute got it.”
“I can’t believe I get to meet one of the Princesses. I wonder if they’ll recognize me?” said Bronze as his excitement was causing him to bounce up and down as they walk down the corridor.
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When the group arrived to the double doors. A sign overhead said 'Cafeteria'. “Uh, Doc, are you sure the Princess is in here?” Ulysses asked,
“Well, they said if anyone important calls, they would be in the cafeteria since this bureau wasn’t built with a hall, so we use the cafeteria for introductions.” Said Neil as he pushed the doors open to reveal an empty cafeteria, “Is there anyone here... or anypony?” He peered inside the large room, and empty, room, “Strange, looks like they all disappeared.”
“Not disappeared but in another room Doctor Butcher.” Stated a regal sounding voice,
All members of the group turned around to see an alicorn, whose multicolored mane moved as if it were lifted in a gentle breeze. Her coat was a pure white and her flank was adorned with a picture of an intricate sun.
“Pr-Princess Celestia?” Stuttered Bronze whilst bowing as low as he could, all of the men in the group were saluting the Princess and Ulysses stood awkwardly in awe of the Princess,
“Now gentlemen, no need to be so formal. It is, after all, a casual visit.” Said Celestia to the group while eying Ulysses,
“So this is the famous Ulysses I presume?”
“I see my reputation proceeds me.” Replied Ulysses while staring at Princess Celestia, “The question is why you know me, because I was only known for two things. Being frozen and being a highly trained killer for the SASR who assassinated a lot of people.”
“I know you because of your skill set you have acquired through your training. The reason for my beings here is to ask something of you.” As she said those words Ulysses felt that she was going to be sent on a suicide mission as she went from sounding regal to stone cold,
“What is it you need done Ma’am?” Questioned Ulysses as his voice turned cold to. He knew in the next days he would be hunting a target that the Princess wanted dead,
“I need you to infiltrate a HFL captured military outpost and acquire all the Intel you can find. Especially the whereabouts of their labs.”
“That can be done, but I'll need a squad and at least a day to prepare.”
“Okay. I'll send you your squad mate’s names and details to where you can find them. I want that Intel Lt. Valera, please. Do not fail me, the lives of millions rest on your shoulders.” And with that, Princess Celestia’s horn became a blinding flash of light engulfed and the next second she was gone.
“Well. That’s was an interesting visit. Does she always act like that or did I do something to upset her?” Said Ulysses sarcastically,
“Well first of all she isn’t like that, two you didn’t salute her. Three; you're not the most charming of people.” Retorted Jack,
“You're just mad since your stuck with me.”
“What do you mean? Oh, YOU'RE KIDDING ME!!!” Yelled Jack to Ulysses as he figured out what he was said,
“Jack you’re the only person I trust now besides Neil and you seem to know more about the world and this whole Equestria thing. Not only that, your also a Marine, and in my books that’s pretty high on the people not to mess with.”
“Alright, but only because you would be loss without me.” Replied Jack, as he finished the sentence a swirl of dust appeared in front of Ulysses and a scroll formed out of the dust. The wax seal bore the same mark that was on the princess' flank. As he opened it noted what Princess Celestia had said earlier and two names on them with details of where to reach them.
“So who’s going to be the newest member of our squad sir?” Question Jack,
“Rafael Santa-Domingo, says here he was in the Marines too.”
“Go figure. Where is he now?”
“Here.” Said a gruff sounding Hispanic voice, “I do believe you names are Jack and Ulysses?”
“I’m Lieutenant Valera of the SASR and that there is Sergeant Powell. So now all we are missing is… Wow, that is…” said Ulysses staring at the last name on the scroll of parchment,
“What is it sir?” Question Jack again,
“The grandchild of my old Captain... James Milner.”
“Must be lucky then, so where is he?”
“Alcatraz, being held captive by HLF none the less. Looks like were going to have to bust him out.”
“Well let’s hop to it then.” Blurted Rafael eager to do something,
“Well first we have to collect our equipment and do some plan how we are going to do this. Because I don’t want to balls up our first mission,” Said Ulysses, turning to Jack, “Jack, I want you and Rafael to gather our equipment and meet me back here while I talk to Doctor Butcher to see if we can find a spare room to stay the night and then plan from there.”
“Yes sir.” Replied Rafael and Jack while saluting their new commanding officer, with that they were off to recollect their guns, armor and anything else they had to give to the guards.
“Mister Valera?” asked Bronze who was still standing there,
“Yes Bronze?”
“Is this the last time we will ever see each other?”
“Bronze, what makes you say that?”
“Well, it sounds like your going to have a big adventure with your new friends and I don’t think your going to come back…” said Bronze as tears started to form in his eyes,
“Bronze, I promise you right now that I’ll see you again. And who knows, I might be a pony.”
“Really?” replied Bronze sniffling a bit,
“I promise, I'll be sticking around for a bit Bronze, but for now can you take me to Doctor Butchers office?”
“Okay, Mister Valera.”
“You don’t have to call me that, it makes me feel old. Just call me Ulysses.”
“Ok then. This way Mister Ulysses.” Replied Bronze chirpfully while happily trotting down the hallway. He stopped at a door labeled as 'Doctor N. Butcher. PHD',
“Thank you Bronze, now run along since I have to talk with Doctor Butcher in private.”
“Ok Mister Ulysses.” Replied Bronze and he trotted away happily. After that Ulysses knocked on the door.
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“Just a minute.” Responded Neil from beyond the door, Ulysses could also hear another voice. Even thought it was higher than most male’s voices it was still gruff and somewhat low enough to be recognized as male. He couldn’t make out what the conversation was be he knew this new voice and was not please about it.
“Come in.” Replied Neil, “Ahh, we were just talking about you.” Said Neil standing in front of a gray pegasi. To be honest, he was more silver, almost white; he had strong blue eyes with a dark blue mane. The mark on his flank was a blue shield with a red trimming to it.
“So you’re the SAS sniper. Let me be the first to say, welcome to the Tallahassee Conversion Bureau.”
“Thank you Captain Silverwing.” Replied Ulysses to Silverwing causing him to give a questionable look to him,
“How did you know my name? Are you really working for the HLF!?” shouted Silverwing causing his wings to flare,
“No, Jack. One of your guard told me about you when we were walking here. Also I’m stealing him from you to help me on a mission from Princess Celestia herself. But I am really here to see if my men and I could acquire a room for the night before we leave. Would that be possible?”
“That could be arranged, what do you think Captain?” Neil asking Silverwing,
“No. I have heard stories of the SAS, none of them any good. I'll only let him stay if he can promise me not to attract any attention from the HLF.”
“How would I attract their attention if I am sitting down planning how to get my men in and out of Alcatraz without arousing suspicion?”
“You’ll probably blow a hole in the wall.”
“We don’t play with C4 anymore, and why are we arguing about something so pointless.”
“Fine, but you leave here by 0930 hours tomorrow.” Relied Silverwing giving him a long cold stair as if to say, ‘I’m going to watch you like a hawk.’
“Deal.”
“Then it’s settled, Ulysses and his squad can have the last two staff rooms near the security room.” Said Neil trying to break the staring contest that was between Ulysses and Silverwing.
“See you in the morning. Captain.” Said Ulysses to Silverwing breaking the intense stare off that they were engaged in and exited the room. He continued to walk down the halls following the signs that led to the Cafeteria.
Ulysses entered the gigantic room and saw his squad at one of the dinner tables with three large duffel bags.
“Come on lads,” Said Ulysses to the group, “We got some planning to do and were also leaving at 0800 hours tomorrow, so lets get a move on.”
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Authors Notes: Well here we are again, this one doesn’t make a whole bunch of sense but don’t worry next chapter will be them invading Alcatraz prison. As always thanks to Cailet and Caleb1197 my editors. Especially Cailet, since she is now also editing my Authors Note when I am not paying attention. Once again Cailet, I have noticed and you will face the wrath of Da Bunnana King.
And please don’t forget to comment on where I have gone wrong or right. That’s it for me.
BUNNNANA AWWWAAAYY!!!
-Bunnana King