//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: In Motion // Story: The Conversion Bureau: New Tactics Part III // by no sh*t sherlock //------------------------------// Chapter 6: In Motion Late Summer, 2033 "You scared?" Jacob asked casually. Matt thought hard for a moment about how he would answer. He took in account all that had happened in the past few weeks. The first event that set off this rapid chain of events were the two Russian helicopters that had landed on their air base. One Russian who exited the chopper had told them the news of the barriers weakened state. It had taken Hudd no time at all to want to launch an invasion of Equestria, but preparing for it had taken much longer. Only in the past three days had things actually began. A convoy consisting of 92 people had driven east to the Atlantic coast. They had secured a few mid size boats and were already enroute to Equestrian shores. Now it was everyone else's turn. Matt had also been asked question after question by Hudd and Rebecca to find out more on Equestria. He drawn for them a very crude map of all the places he remembered. The spot he recommended they set up a base was one that was really close to the shore. Matt recalled a very large flat clearing that he felt would be ideal to land in. As he far as he could remember, it wasnt too far from Ponyville, which wasn't far from Canterlot. After that, it became a mad dash to gather as many supplies as possible. A few tons of food and water had been loaded onto one of three huge quad rotor V-44s. The aircraft had been found in hangars at another base in South Carolina. Matt wasn't sure exactly how many aircraft they did have. But as helicopter pilots went out to nearby bases they almost always returned flying Blackhawks and tilrotors. They were much needed as only around 400 people could be taken to Equestria at one time. So far over 35,000 ponies had been converted, which left tens of thousands waiting for their ride. Hundreds, if not thousands, of ponies came to the Bureau to be converted everyday. Unsurprisingly, Almost all of them were willing to at least help out in some way. Hudd had a plan for them too. His eyes were set on expansion. As the line for conversion rose higher everyday, It became apparent to everyone that one Bureau would not be sufficient. And with that realization large groups of people had begun to spread out. Older and much smaller Conversion Bureaus in Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina had become available. They were planning to transport security and the conversion serum to them sometime in the near future. People had taken to calling the first humans to go to Equestria the "First Wave". At first Matt had tried to get out of going. He was no soldier. Though he did okay during the base takeover, he wasn't interested in being in an all out invasion. Then something came to his mind. The name of the pony who had forced him into his slavery. He knew that she and her lap dogs had fled to Equestria. He was also aware that they had a very large operation outside of Ponyville. Matt told himself that he would find her. And he meant it. Matt thought about the hundreds of different weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition. He looked out a circular window he was reminded of what was going to be flying next to them. It was still early in the morning and dark out, but he could see the lights of an AV- 28 Wasp. The dual rocket pods and gatling guns looked menacing to him. He thought about how the ponies didn't have guns or artillery that he knew of. Lastly he thought about the thousands of humans waiting to follow behind them. Each of them would be carrying their grudge with them to Equestra. As Hudd gave the order and the V-44 lifted off the ground. Matt had thought of his answer. "Nope." _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ***************** Four ponies stood around the council table in Canterlot Castle. It was quite early in the morning and the sun was many hours from appearing over the horizon. Gale, the pegasus who had first been aware of the barriers weakened state stood next to Soarin, the pegasus in charge of most of Equestria's aerial forces. On Soarin's right was Shining Armor, commander of the Royal Guard. On the end was Storm Hammer, a pony who Shining Armor considered to be a bit slimy, but highly intelligent. Together, the last three of the ponies were in control of all Equestrian forces- and they had much to talk about. "So." Shining Armor began by first addressing Storm Hammer. "Where do we stand?" Storm Hammer cleared his throat. "The emplaced weapons have finished production. They've already been strategically positioned in Canterlot as to not cause a panic. The rest are on a train to Ponyville and to the cites in the east. Soarin, what about you?" He asked. "Almost all of our war balloons have been called in." He reported. "They've each been outfitted with you weapons, Storm Hammer. Though it does make them even slower than they were before. There is still one High altitude Reconnaissance Balloon remaining over the Atlanta area." "Any updates from that?" Shining Armor asked. Soarin shook his head in grief. "The human numbers continue to grow at an increasingly large rate. And our most recent heat maps show that a considerable number are spreading out in all directions from the Atlanta bureau." Shining Armor sighed then went on. "My Royal Guards have all been previously trained in advanced combat magic. I can only trust that our unicorns around the country have been getting the crash course over the last few weeks." Gale suddenly cleared his throat. He had been quiet until now while the other three reported in. "Sorry to interrupt, but I feel I should point out something." Gale said confidence lacking in his voice. "It has been weeks since the barrier has been weak and so far there have been no reports or even rumors of humans in Equestria. I know that I was the one who brought this to your attention, and I think maybe I over-reacted just a bit. If they haven't shown up by now, who's to say that they ever will? We don't know whether they've even discovered something wrong with the barrier. I'm just saying, maybe we've been preparing and provisioning for a non-existent threat." Shining Armor wasted no time in countering. "Gale, there is most definitely a threat. We've seen what these humans can do, and more importantly, they have too. What was happened at the bureau has made them focused, determined and most of all angry. They're not going to stop at Celestia, they want it all and they'll do what it takes to get it. So thats why we do this now. We are not just preparing for today, but tomorrow as well. Because whether it be a week or months or even years, those humans will try for an attack. This is something I'm certain about. They will come. Storm Hammer looked back and forth between Shining Armor and Gale. There was a long pause as the realization that this would be their future from now on. Always conscious and wary of an attack that may or not occur. Now more than ever Storm Hammer understood just how dependent they were on the Barrier. For the past 13 years it had protected them from Equestria knows what and now it was gone. The thought left him feeling more vulnerable than he cared to be. "I agree with Shining Armor." He said after a few moments. "That out of the way, whats the next move?" ______________________________________________________________________________________ ************************ About Three Hours Later... Matt had at first thought that he wouldn't be able to get any sleep . He had been so anxious after takeoff that he could feeling his heart beating heavily throughout his body. But it was a long way to Equestria and the V-44 rocked back and forth ever so slightly in its flight- just the way Matt liked it. In some ways, the ride reminded him of a train he had taken from New York to Boston, a trip which he managed to sleep through entirely. On the V-44 he was able to rest for over two hours. He was only woken by an alarm bell that rang loudly for a good 30 seconds. Matt jolted so suddenly that he smacked Jacob in the face with his back right hand. "Oh what the hell?!" Jacob said half to Matt and the other about the alarm. Those around him grabbed their rifles and started looking out windows nervously. Most of them had droopy eyes and were still waking up. But their nerves were calmed when Hudd walked down the aisle shouting. "50 miles people! 5-0 miles." He said walking up and down. "We gotten no word from our boats yet so we're expecting some resistance." "Holy shit." Jacob said quietly. He sat straight up and gripped his rifle tightly. For a short while after that, there was a bit of scattered light chatter. However it all ended when Hudd ,again, walked down the aisle. "25 miles, we just passed Bermuda." Mat leaned forward in his seat and looked down the walkway into the cockpit. He was able to catch a quick glimpse out of the from window of an that was fast approaching. Equestria was close and so was his objective. Matt's heart starting pounding again, but not from fear. He was going to face his old overseer, no matter how many diamond dogs he had to go through. Matt's goal was revenge, everything else was on the side for him. "10 miles!" Hudd shouted. "Get ready!" Matt pulled his gun from under his legs and readied it in his hands. A few moments later the V-44 slowed as the four rotors repositioned to hover. The hold rattled and shook as the smaller as more heavily armed Wasps flew past. They were to provide provide whilst the transports landed. Matt's V-44 was hardly moving forward now. It slowly circled as it descended into what Matt assumed was the field that he had told them about. Finally the wheels touched down and bounced Matt up slightly. Moments later he heard the hydraulics lowering the ramp at the rear. Sunlight spilled into the hold as Hudd walked towards it with his rifle. As soon as the ramp hit the ground, he ran outside. Matt rose behind Jacob and the pair were the second to exit. After that people started flooding out of the back. Matt took his safety off and started pointing aimlessly around in sky for pegasi. There was much confusion, but after a few minutes it became clear that there was no initial opposition to their invasion. A slight smile grew across Jacob's face. "I guess no welcoming party after all." He said over the sound of the second V-44 Landing.