Chapter 8: Stand
Hindsight is a wonderful demonstration of natural irony. For instance, Soothing Salve was now wholly regretting the choice to head through the maze of elevated platforms instead of simply the longer way around the outside of the town. The rough terrain was turning her stomach something terrible, but it was worth it to reach her home away from home.
When the city had become flooded some thirty years ago, years before pod-living had been established beyond the mega-factories, the dogged World Corp machine had come up with a cheaper solution then building an entirely new infrastructure elsewhere. Sealing off the flooded levels, constructing floating roads up the main arteries and linking the tallest buildings together with sky bridges, the corporation had saved millions in building costs. Over the years the shanty town had blossomed like a forest canopy of rusted metal and sloppily poured plasta-create.
Originally a hub of oceanic travel, its good transport links and mag-rail and had made it a perfect location for a brand new Bureau. Unusually elegant for the monotone world, the custom made building stood like a beacon of hope for humanity, clinging to the banks of the tepid river and calling all into its sweeping embrace.
Now the sky above the town had become a vast ocean of sapphire, kept clear by the army of newfoal Pegasi. Through a renewed spirit of community a prosperous town had sprung from the ruins closest the Bureau. The old shacks had been reinforced, made sound and decorated in all manor excitable colours. Beneath the newly constructed streets and walkways, derelict buildings acted as the trunks supporting a veritable treetop utopia with the Bureau at its heart, their chapel to all that was still good in the world and worth saving.
But this island of hospitality was buried deep in the still derelict city. Even with the waters now retreating from its roots, the shanty town resisted the colourful advance of the revitalised city. After following the outer ring as far as possible, Fax at last turned onto a side street and took the plunge into the spider web of highroads. All around the convoy the squall of buildings sprouted, blocking out the world beyond and obscuring any landmarks. And then there was the stench, the remnants of the river drying and decomposing in the renewed sunlight.
Finally, with the helpful directions of a passing Pegasus, they reached the short slope that lead to the Bureau. As it turned out their two day setback at the broken bridge had been most fortuitous. Detritus and crude signs littered the road in front of the elegant building, a large protest having been dispersed only the day before. By the look of things, events had become heated, the once pristine windows pocked with chips and glistening cracks from the improvised projectiles hurled by the irate rioters. Gas canisters from the subsequent crowd control crunched under hefty tires as the convoy drew up to the front doors.
Journey’s end, Salve heard the crunch of the handbrake and listened for a moment as the clattering thrum finally died entirely.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” announced Fax, rising from his seat to address the passengers, “We have arrived at Portland Bureau. Please place your tray tables up and retrieve your belongings from the overhead compartments. Thank you for flying Fax airlines.”
Stretching out her cramped limbs, the unicorn waited for the humans to disembark before slinging her saddle bags and trotting towards the exit. Hooves on familiar ground once again, Salve rubbed her fetlocks against the exposed sandy earth, nickering as relief spread up through her legs and sent a shiver down her spine. Maybe there was a bit of earth pony in her blood, but it felt so good to be back on something that resembled equestrian soil.
Nearby the small crowd of passengers milled around nervously, some gazing up at the imposing structure while others stood waiting for someone to make the first move. ‘Odd,’ thought the pony ‘even humans herd sometimes.’
Away from the rest of the mingling travellers, Katrina lent against the transport talking to Fax.
“So you’re really not coming with us?”
The older man seemed preoccupied with checking something on the exposed engine.
“Yep.” He confirmed, retracting a charred pipe that looked important, “Gonna take this beut to be stripped for parts and set myself up as a courier.”
Kat tilted her head uncertainty, “Oh, but I thought everyone on the convoy was headed for the Bureau?”
“Well, most of them are. Me though, can’t stand the idea of some ju-ju juice rewiring me from the inside out. Whole thing just seems a little... weird, yah know? Besides, every town needs postmen and Portland is just my kind of terrain.”
It was difficult to tell if Kat was disappointed by this revelation, though the forever twitching girl didn’t push the matter or protest. If anything she seemed understanding, nodding sagely as though choosing to remain in the dying world was a most agreeable choice.
“Don’t fret though.” Continued the tinkering man, “Still be around. Back in my home town, the Bureau was my biggest employer, no worries. People always need stuff run from one place to another.”
Suitably convinced that the rickety engine would reach safe port without exploding, Simon dusted his oily hands on his shirt and briefly considered the short lass.
“Wadabout you?” He asked, Kat’s hummed note of puzzlement prompting further elaboration. “Just wondered if... well if you were really serious about this? Can’t exactly drink the goop and then say ‘woops, actually this ain’t for me’. What I mean is; going pony on your own’s kinda’ a big decision. If you needed time to think about it-"
“No, I’m good thanks.”Kat interjected, her ever present smile growing distant, “My mind’s made up. Plus this seems like a nice enough place for things to end. Cosy.”
Fax cocked an eyebrow at the odd young girl as she gazed up at the sweeping glass and concrete fascia. His gaze briefly flicked to the nearby cyborg, searching the inexpressive face for an explanation. There was, of course, no response, but at least she wasn’t painful to look at anymore. The usual disconcerting glimpse into the uncanny valley had been masked somewhat by the appalling multicoloured hat adorning the hairless head.
“You know what,” He at last resigned “I don’t even wana know. Good luck though.”
Giggling as though happy with Fax’s general confusion, Kat leant forwards and gave the unsuspecting auzie a peck on the cheek before skipping up to the unicorn.
“Lead the way miss pony!”
--
Picking up a swift trot, the wayward unicorn approached the metal framed doors, entering the subtle airlock that divided the world into within and without. There was but a moment’s pause before the inner doors hissed opened. Yet in such time, dozens of discrete cameras and biometric scanners recorded her vital statistics, determined her identity and logged her presence for the World Corp infoCloud.
Crisp freshly processed air wafted her dusty mane, welcoming her to the foyer. Shaped like a squat acorn, the reception area sat at the heart of the Bureau, the three tiered levels spread out behind it with three massive clinics on each. Though the building itself was only a meagre four stories high, the transparent skin of the atrium dome rose away from the facade of glass and steel, reaching far above the uppermost walkways to fall protectively over what would soon be the roof top garden.
Even now, Salve still found its scope breathtaking.
Making her way to the reception desk, Salve glanced behind her to see the other travellers filled through the doors like bedazzled sheep. Babbling excitedly to one another, the crowd was utterly oblivious to the plethora of personal data already being assembled by unseen eyes. Even if they knew, it was doubtful they would care. They were here, after all the hardships and horrors they had endured the gateway to an otherworldly paradise lay open before them.
A chirpy voice broke her smiling reflection, “Hello there! Welcome to - OH MY GOSH SALVE!”
Professionalism disregarded, an excitable earth pony leapt over the reception desk and swept Salve into a hug. Orange coated with a mane of vivid lightning blue, the young mare seemed to condense more energy into her small frame then a jet turbine. Compounding her lively nature, her cutie mark depicted a stylised tornado, surrounded by a hammer, a pen and a flower. As a proverbial ‘jack of all trades’, Dizzy Lizzie’s true talent lay in multitasking, with the added side effect of never being able to sit still or concentrate on anything for more than ten seconds at a time.
“Salve, Salve, Salvie-Salve! I can’t believe you’re back!” she squealed, trotting on the spot and beaming in pure joy, “Oh I’m so happy you’re alright, I couldn’t sleep for the longest time- OH! And you brought friends too!”
Gathering behind the reunited friends, the troop of humans looked on with expressions ranging from glad smiles to confused irritation. Thankfully, several other employees must have seen the coach arrive and were already taking up station behind the recently abandoned desk.
Salve smiled sweetly at the distracted mare, “It’s wonderful to see you again too, Dizzy, but we’ve all had a really long journey and-”
“Oh gosh sorry!” Dizzy blurted, realisation flashing across her face like confetti from a cannon. Turning to face the crowd the mare’s ecstatic grin spread even further, threatening to spit her head clean in two, “Hi everyone and welcome to Portland Ponification Bureau! When you’re ready, step up to the reception desk and we’ll get you all logged in and ready for orientation.”
Without waiting to see if the newcomers would respond, Dizzy swivelled on hoof and headed back behind the desk, gesturing for the unicorn to follow. As the candidates lined up the happy equine continued to chatter. “Blimy you’ve missed a lot of brill things- Hi there welcome to the Bureau, can I take your name? – Like, firstly, Maple had her foal! You just missed her actually she headed back to Equestria last week. – Okay now place your hand on the id scanner there-”
While this odd duality continued, the last stragglers idled near the back of the excruciatingly slow line. Having said her farewells to their loyal driver, Katrina finally entered the vast lobby and was struck the strangest sensation to clean off her mud encrusted boots. Despite the surrounding urban sprawl, the interior of the Bureau was utterly immaculate. Quietly, the unshakable feeling that her mere presence was somehow sullying the air quality stole over the youth, never feeling so out of place and unworthy in her pitiful existence.
Craning her neck, the dusty girl gazed up in wonder at the high dome, reveling in the clean sunlight pouring through the transparent film far above. “Whoa, wonder how the roof stays up?”
“This location is strategically flawed.” Sarah observed, glancing momentarily at the BlackMesh guards posted at far sides of the room.
Sighing, Kat ignored her guard’s observation and stepped up to the front desk, the excitable pony beaming up at her around an adapted touch-stylus.
“Hay there! Are you signing up for Ponification too?”
--
“Sir. An anomaly has been flagged for your attention.”
Jessop Whild, security chief for the Portland Bureau, snorted awake at the eloquent summons in his comlink.
“Wazzit?” He complained, straightening his back and looking at the plethora of glowing monitors before him.
“I do not recognise that command, sir.” Retorted the butler like program, “However, an anomaly has been registered among the recent arrivals.”
Lazily the chief slid a tablet off the desk upon which his feet were rested. Seining into the secure terminal the information presented itself immediately.
“Huh. Biometrics shows twenty six entries. Footfall counter shows twenty seven.”
With an idol flick, Jessop removed the security flag from his screen and placed the pad back on its stand, settling back into his comfortable chair.
“Probably just on the fritz again, Harvey. Ignore it.”
Lacking any kind of emotional processing, the security AI ‘Harvey’ was unable to express the contempt for its commander that most humans may have harboured. However, it could emulate some human reactive patterns. Sarcasm, for instance, was as flees to a dog among the older generation AI’s.
“Should I leave the doors on full open tonight as well, sir?”
Jessop glowered at the smart talking consol and set his cap lower. “Look, I ain’t spending another three days trawling cctv footage looking for something that don’t exist Harvey. Run a diagnostic on the airlock and check off the candidates as they’re logged during their medical’s. If there’s a problem, then wake me up.”