//------------------------------// // Checking Up // Story: The Conversion Bureau: Dominance // by Barrobroadcaster //------------------------------// Dr. White Veil wiped the sweat from his brow with a cloth from his coat pocket. The work of converting the serum from liquid to vapor form involved more physical labor than he anticipated. Despite the fact the director had said he was supposed to receive additional staff, he and Silver seemed to be doing most of the work. The only thing the new associates cared to do was to deliver more ponification serum to the hospital. It was offloaded to the room Silver and White Veil were in and then the new ponies disappeared without so much as a word, only to return later with more. "All right... new canister ready," Silver said, hovering above the machine. The Pegasus loaded the canisters into place, one liquid and one empty, on the machine. They then screwed the containers on; Silver using his hooves and Veil using his magic. The doctor then flipped the switch on the machine and the liquid drained into it. The empty canister then filled with pink gas, converted serum. When it was full, they unscrewed both canisters and placed them on appropriate carts to be removed by the 'additional staff'. White Veil threw the switch again and watched as the machine worked. The doors behind them both opened. Expecting to see a group of ponies arrive to retrieve another load of serum containers, the doctor was surprised to see Director Clarabelle enter. "I've come to check on your progress. Where are we with production?" Silver wiped his forehead with his hoof as he descended. "We've loaded up about half a dozen carts so far," he said, somewhat tired. "We'd be making a lot more progress if you assigned us some of that 'extra staff' to help with more than just bringing us more canisters to fill." Dr. White Veil didn't know what came over him when he said that. It drew a glance of concern from Silver Lining. The director just looked back at him with her same stoic expression. "You're saying your production would increase if you had some assistance?" The doctor swallowed. "Yes, ma'am. That's exactly what I'm saying." She thought for a long moment. "Very well. I'll assign some of the new arrivals to help with you directly." She turned and started to walk out the door. "Thank you, ma'am," the doctor said back. The director turned. "Nothing can jeopardize this operation, gentlecolts. The future of this world, of an entire race depends on it." "Begging your pardon ma'am," Silver spoke. "But this seems a little... drastic." Dr. White Veil was a little surprised to see his friend ask the question. He wasn't acquainted with the director like he was though. The Pegasus didn't know the consequences a display of perceived insubordination could have. "Of course it's drastic," Clarabelle replied. "It must be drastic. Humanity forced it upon us, forced it upon themselves. Their refusal to embrace the best virtues fully was leading to their downfall as a race. And their natures led them to attack us in fear and confusion. If humans are not converted, they will destroy themselves. What a waste that would be." "Yes, I... thank you for telling me, ma'am," Silver replied. White Veil knew they were doing this for the sake of the humans. Their civilization was so backwards; they were like newborn foals. He hadn't objected to forcing conversion on humans for their own good, especially when offering it voluntarily had caused them to attack the conversion bureaus. But now, things were getting out of hoof. The memory alteration, the way they were dealing with a human that was immune and the barrier stopping... those things made him reconsider what they were trying to accomplish. Was this really the best course of action? "Soon, Earth will be but a memory. Humanity and the disharmony it caused will be a thing of the past that will eventually be forgotten. There will be two Equestrias and new ponies in between both of them. This will present both our worlds with new opportunities for growth and healing. And harmony for us all," Clarabelle said before walking out the door. The two were silent as she exited. "Wow," Silver said. "I had no idea. Are humans really that bad?" The unicorn doctor thought for a very long time, considering his answer. "Not all of them are that bad. In many ways, they're... a lot like us." Silver looked confused. "How?" "Some of them may not accept the same virtues or embrace them the same way we do... but they do have their own ideals. Like ponies, each one is different though it can be more difficult to see. They have unity and order even in the grips of chaos. A few may act irrationally at times but on the whole, they're very similar to us. They're just trying to do what they think is right... and live their lives in peace." They were both quiet again for a long time. The doctor placed another canister on the cart with his magic. "Doctor," Silver asked. "Is what we're doing right? Is all... this... really the right thing?" White Veil opened his mouth, an automatic response was at his lips but he stopped it. He reconsidered his words and then said, "I don't know. But I don't think we have any other choice." The two went back to work without another word, filling container after container. --- Nathan trotted on the sidewalk, following the route the school bus took to take him home. He kept his gaze mostly focused on the ground, still distraught about his situation. The wind felt cold against his new fur. He'd removed his clothes and thrown them away before he'd exited the school campus to eliminate the chance of anyone else recognizing him he might know. He'd found galloping easier than he thought it would be; it almost came naturally to him. But nothing else about his situation felt natural. The hooves were easy to walk with; put one in front of the other. But his mane kept flipping to either side, not sure of which way it wanted to go. He thought of going to see a stylist or something about it. Or maybe he'd needed a haircut before being transformed; he didn't know. The tail was an adjustment, though. He felt the wind blow around it, brushing it up against his... flank? Was that what he called his... rear now? There wasn't much he could do about it so he did his best to just trot on. Literally. A lump formed in his throat as he thought about how his parents were going to react to him being a pony. Would they believe it was him? Would they call the police, send him away to Equestria or somewhere? These unpleasant thoughts wouldn't abate. A bad feeling hit him in the pit of his stomach, like the one he'd felt when he was transformed. Unlike the last time, he knew exactly what was bothering him now. He looked at the houses as he walked into his neighborhood. Some people were outside, doing things. A few neighbors worked in the front yards of their homes, managing the upkeep of various plants, bushes and trees. He saw some kids playing basketball in the driveway of one home. Thankfully, they were too busy with their game to notice him. Nathan even saw a pony family. What looked to be a mother, father and two brothers played in the front yard of their house. Their home was just like all the others on the block, only it was a home to ponies. Nathan noticed the father was a Pegasus, the mother and older sibling were earth ponies and the younger brother was a unicorn. How did three separate species get along so well? It made him kind of happy to see and sad at the same time. Would humanity ever get this way? Would it ever get the chance? Finally, Nathan reached his own home. His heart heavy, he took a deep breath and walked up to the door. He didn't know how he was going to open it with his hooves and he couldn't ring the doorbell either. He decided it would be best to knock. Nathan rapped the door three times with his hooves. And then he waited. He knocked again; still there was no answer. It was just then he remembered the conversation he'd had with his father this morning. Both of his parents had needed the car this morning and weren't able to take him to work. They were both out on some errand, probably having something to do with relocation. They wouldn't be home until later meaning he was stuck outside. He felt exhaustion hit him. He turned around and sat down on the doorstep, thinking he might as well wait. He had to get up abruptly and shift position; he almost sat on his tail. Carefully, he pulled the thing up and sat down. Even that was more uncomfortable than it should've been. He sat and held his head in his hooves, not knowing much else to do. A car drove by slowly. He looked up to see if it was his parents but no, it was a black SUV. It was just then Nathan remembered back to the day before. The black SUV he'd rode with that woman in! That couldn't be her car... could it? There weren't that many people driving yet with relocation still happening. It had to be her! Nathan got up off the doorstep and galloped out to the edge of the street. He began chasing the vehicle; he had to stop it. He didn't know why but maybe she could help him, do something. Like a dog chasing a car, he ran alongside of it in the street, hoping it would stop.