Chapter 22: Tipping Scales

=== The Conversion Bureau: A New Age, A New Life ====== Chapter 22: Tipping Scales ===

          Explosions. In many a cinematic opening, from actual movies, to video games, to television programs, a good way to get the viewer's attention is to have lots of things blowing up. Especially when you want to convey a sense of everything is going to hell around you, and there is not a damn thing you can do about it. It's one thing to watch it on the holo-screen or the movie projector; it's quite another thing to have to receive report after report, and video after video, of things exploding purposefully from every which direction.

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[ Washington D.C. -- June 14, 2081 ]

"MADAME PRESIDENT, MADAME PRESIDENT!" shouted a somewhat shrill female as she ran through the halls toward the Situation Room, which was more like the 'Situation Oversized Bunker' at this point.

"Yes, what is it now?" President Aguillar asked, clearly exhausted and frustrated from the last three weeks; yet not wanting to take it out on her Cabinet or other aides.

The Homeland Security aide gathered herself for a moment before giving her report. "Yes ma'am. We have reports of more paramilitary action in Los Angeles proper. The official police forces are reporting high rates of desertion, and the backup from many of our private contractors is almost nonexistent. Civilian casualties has already reached 2,000. It's as if these actors have no regard for any collateral damage, physical or personal."

"Dear God, it's happening everywhere..." President Aguillar said in a soft voice; beginning to realize the true severity of what was befalling her... and she wasn't the only one.

"MADAME PRESIDENT, MADAME PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE AN URGENT CALL FROM TEN DOWNING," one of the Defense Department liaisons shouted.

"Put it on my screen, if it's coming directly from there, it's bad," President Aguillar replied, head resting against her tented hands on the video-desk.

"Madame President, I am truly sorry to be contacting you under these circumstances," the relatively old man greeted the President, the tone somber.

"Yes, I understand your concern Prime Minister Heath. Is anything better in the United Kingdom?"

Prime Minister Heath cleared his throat before delivering the bad news. "No ma'am. From Manchester, to Birmingham, there are explosions and seemingly organized gunfights breaking out; only London has been untouched by this violence. These militants are trying effect nothing more than open rebellion."

"I wish not to use such terms until we can ascertain the exact nature of the perpetrators. Yet, the mixture of ethnicities does not imply African or Middle Eastern terrorists," President Aguillar responded, before getting another call from another nation.

"Good Afternoon, I believe the time would be right now, there in Washington," Prime Minister Hayashi stated, far more grey streaks in his hair since last March. "And I see I should give a good evening to Prime Minister Heath. I would assume that you all are having the same issues that I am."

"If you mean paramilitary actions against your police forces and civilians, then yes. Unfortunately we are having the same issues." Prime Minister Heath responded, all the while giving commands to his closest aides at his work office at Downing.

"It seems it won't be long until you're camped out at a secure location like we are, Alexander," Hayashi chuckled, trying to bring any manner of levity to the situation. "Anyway, to be more serious, I'm afraid this is might be it."

Prime Minister Heath and President Aguillar's eyes went wide at that assertion; Aguilllar was the first to respond. "Prime Ministers Heath and Hayashi, would you mind if I turn this into a public call so that the rest of my aides can listen and watch. I believe this situation has grown in scope to where we are going to need as many minds working on it as possible."

Both Prime Ministers gave their agreement, and within moments the giant projector in the Situation 'Bunker' was full with the images of the two men.

"Mother of God..." U.S. Secretary of Defense Richardson said out loud, when he began reviewing the pictures from all over the world.

"This is far more expansive than mere acts of terrorism that we get usually. As you can see from these images, the paramilitary organizations are waging nothing less than open warfare against the police and armies in just about every major nation." European Union Minister of Defense Ruiz (from Spain) said, as many of the world's military leaders were on their own conference call.

"New York City, Barcelona, Hamburg, Cape Town, Osaka, Shanghai, Baghdad... everywhere... everywhere in between..." Richardson said as he leaned back in his chair trying to understand the scope of what was going on. In all of his years in the military, the worse he had to deal with were rogue factions from a given state, or relatively small stateless actors. This was too co-ordinated, too well planned... his mind began to wander.

While it wandered, it ran right into the thoughts of another minister, who dared utter the words NO ONE wanted to hear. "If you ask me, you only have to look at where these attacks are starting. The most populous, and therefore richest, cities for a given region that aren't the capitals," South African Defense Minister Coetzee asserted, as he brought up a map as evidence.

Everyone fell silent as the implication began to wash over them.

"If it is what we think it is, this might mark the end. If they are making their move now, especially given what is starting to creep into the world, I don't know how any of our governments survive long-term," Richardson said, suddenly feeling incredibly ill. He might have been a bit of a war-hawk, but his loyalties were to his nation and his President above all.

The Chinese Federation Defense Minister Li was quite confused by the last couple of phrases. "Are you suggesting that the Equestrians have something to do with this?"

Defense Secretary Richardson shook his head in disagreement. "No, at least not directly. The Equestrians were more a catalyst for this. We've all feared that eventually the Domes would make their move. They've hollowed out the ability of practically every government to operate without their consent, like some sort of parasite feeding on our metaphorical flesh."

"Except our death does not necessarily mean theirs, in this case..." Defense Minister Li concluded.

"The citizens of the Domes might fear the Equestrians and their plans for Ponification, enough to begin asserting themselves more forcefully. Then again, with this level of planning, all of this was most likely in the works anyway." Defense Minister Cortzee rationalized.

"This cannot stand either way. But..." Japanese Defense Minister Yoshida started before he was interrupted by one of his subordinates. "" everyone else heard in Japanese from the background while Yoshida was turned around and talking. "Gentlemen. As my Native-English speaking friends would say, things have gone from bad to worse..."

A pall came over the room as Yoshida began elaborate on the situation.

"Three hours ago, we requested an Equestrian thaumatologist to help the investigators at the Nagoya incident. He has now issued his analysis, along with corroborating footage and documentation. The preliminary conclusion is that this paramilitary has begun to integrate Thaumatic-tau Radiation into their weaponry."

Everyone looked on in shock, as the video and the reports were soon sent to their terminals.

"This is horrifying..." Cortzee said as he watched Japanese forces engulfed in a seeming never ending stream of flame.

"There is no respect for the rules of war, no respect for civilian casualties, no respect for anything... this... this is nothing more than a slaughter of anything looking official..." Richardson said as he saw machines collapsing civilian buildings that were in the way of the now rebel troop movements.

"Such brutality... they aren't out to wage war; they are out to crush whatever is left of the spirit of those outside the Domes..." Ruiz said as he covered his mouth, seeing waves of water wash away tanks and entire platoons of the Japanese Self-Defense Force.

"I think it may grow beyond that even. They hardly see the Outsiders, I believe the English-speaking Dome Citizens use, as equal. They clearly would not flinch leveling entire city blocks to get what they want," Li said as he watched poison gas being blown and directed to suffocate and kill the federal troops.

Richardson reached for the phone to call the White House. "Get me President Aguillar on the line, ASAP. Tell her that I strongly urge that she issue the order to go to DEFCON 1. We are dealing with no terrorists, this is something far larger."

Please God, or whatever out there is listening, see us through this. Or there might not be a future for any of us... Richardson prayed silently as he slunk back into his chair, wanting any bit of respite from this stress.

=== --- ===

Sister, the situation on Earth has truly taken a turn for the worst. If it persists, everything that we have worked for with our Human allies could go up in smoke, quite literally...

I know Luna, tell Edwards that he is clear to begin Project Safe House. Nothing they do will make us retreat in full. Nevertheless, while myself or yourself can recall everypony back to Equestria, we cannot leave our Allies that do not wish to convert high and dry.

What of the Isegawa's Research Materials? The rebellion has not reached St. Louis, yet it is only a matter of time, given the significant Dome population there.

The research documents and digital files have already be secured in a bunker of the HEA's construction... the Isegawas know exactly what Project Safe House is.

But theydo not. At least not as this time, do they, Celestia?

No, none of them know exactly how dire the situation is, nor our plans if the true worst case scenario comes. All they know is what the general public knows at the current time.

You know, as our direct subordinates, that will have to change, right?

Yes, Lulu... I know...

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[ St. Louis, U.S.A. -- June 16, 2081 ]

"I figured it'd come to this eventually... but, I'm honestly at a loss for words," Blue Vague said haltingly as they all watched the continuing news reports.

"Horrible. That's the only word I have for it... horrible," Rarity added, stomach queasy form watching the footage.

Eventually Twilight turned off the holo-vision set, feeling that it wasn't really worth it to keep watching live. She did however keep a newsfeed on a computer terminal up, just in case anything came over the wires that was new.

"Is this our fault... I... I..." Pinkie stammered, searching for some way to rationalize the events since the beginning of June.

"No Pinkie! And don't any of the rest of you start thinking that way!" Blue Vague shouted and snorted, before realizing the tone he was taking, and settling back down. "It's... it's... I..." he tried to start, before rolling over on his side, still not able to find the words to express his disgust.

"I'm just worried what's going to happen if and when it reaches St. Louis proper," Twilight said, already beginning to see some disturbing trends.

"What makes ya say that, sugahcube?" Applejack asked, not sure where the lavender Unicorn was going.

          Twilight went over to another computer terminal to link its output to the holo-vision projector, and then brought up a map she had been making: every major incidence, since June 1, 2081, of 'terrorism'.

"Look, these are all incidents since June 1st of this year of 'terrorism' as the national governments have declared them. As you can see, they are all clustered around..." Twilight started as she flicked her hoof over the touch-bard. "... these areas, the locations with the greatest Dome populations that are not national capitals."

"What does this all mean though, Twilight? Usually standard terrorists want to strike where they can affect maximal impact," Red Blaze inquired, wanting to test Twilight's theory.

"Yes, but they would not just ignore national capitals. Not only that, but the frequency and ferocity of these attacks imply an extremely robust supply chain," Twilight said, pacing back and forth.

Blue Vague was visibly trembling now, his mind was already starting to race towards a conclusion, and he was desperate that Twilight wasn't anywhere behind him in her rhetoric.

"And given what we know about how money works on this side, that doesn't leave us with a lot of people that can fund this kind of operation," Twilight continued.

Blue Vague was still trembling, as a voice began to perk up in his head. But it was not the Will Of the Earth, as they ten Elements and Conduits resolved to call her. This voice was masculine, it was deviant... but it was his own.

You know where she is going with this... don't you...

SHUT UP... Shut up... just...

It's just like we've always thought... and now that day is upon us...

NO... not this soon... not this early... we... we just got started... how could it be happening so soon...

The better question to ask... would be why this hasn't begun earlier...

No one noticed the mental logjam Blue Vague was in, aside from mild quaking here and there. Then again, everypony in the Dorms was on edge the last three weeks, so it seemed reasonable enough.

Twilight continued with her theory, and eventually reached her personal conclusion. "I can only conclude that the perpetrators behind these mass attacks are Dome-based, and quite possibly coordinated at a global level."

Do you see now Vague... even she agrees with us...

NO! They couldn't... we all saw the images... not even those in the Domes are that inhuman... that evil...

Are you so sure... besides... what about your dear mother....

No... I'm not going back there... I'm not going back to that place...

Yes... your dear mother... she left you behind with your ailing grandfather, for the allure of the Domes... kept claiming that those that God smiled upon would be showered with material reward... and your father was too weak-willed to resist following her, wasn't he....

No... stop... please... stop...

Oh very well... we'll have to continue this discussion another time, I guess...

Just like that, Blue Vague suddenly snapped back to attention, the only indicator that he was even in that conversation -- a mildly vacant stare past the holo-vision projector with the globe still on it.

"Is something wrong Vague, you look like you kinda checked out for a few moments there," Twilight asked, wondering if anything was wrong with the cobalt-dreadlocked Unicorn.

"I... um... no... I... kinda zoned out there. But, um... do you really think this is some kind of Worldwide Dome phenomenon. I mean, usually those rich twits spend 90% of their time arguing amongst themselves," Blue Vague asked, trying to find any bit of news or conjecture that could refute Twilight's theory.

"If you ask me, it doesn't have to be everyone in the Domes. Just enough people who get angry enough to want to do something to keep their spot," Golden Storm chimed in, his disdain evident in his face.

"As much as I'd hate to admit it, they probably would think nothing of leveling everything if they truly felt threatened," Midori Hana added, looking as forlorn as she did before she converted.

"Honestly, while I was still active in the Intel circles, we'd occasionally get murmurs along these lines. Nothing solid to pursue, but it always popped up here and there," Red Blaze added, tapping a hoof in frustration.

"It seems that another of Grandma Will's predictions is coming true then, too," Pinkie Pie said, voice low and soft.

"Yeah, she warned us that whatever was here now, wouldn't once everything was said and done. This just might be the start..." Rainbow Dash said, legs drawn close to her belly in fear.

"This is truly awful. So many people could be hurt, or killed..." Fluttershy gasped, wondering how the hospitals could even begin to process the injured, or the morticians the dead.

All of this talk, and all of the ramblings in Vague's head, were making him physically ill and tired. He wearily stood up and began to trot towards his room. "I'm sorry guys, I need to go lie down for awhile. If I sleep too long, wake me up for dinner, please."

"VAGUE! VAGUE! WAKE UP! COME TO THE HOLO-VISION! SERIOUSLY!" Storm shouted through the door as he banged on it, trying his best to wake Vague up. Thankfully, after a few moments more, Vague opened his door groggily.

"Man Storm... what's up now..." the blue Unicorn said to the gold-yellow Pegasus, before he was 'air-lifted' to the recreational room where the Doctors Isegawa had joined the other Ponies already.

"You finally got him up. That's good, everyone is going to need to watch this..." Dr. Hayato said, voice full of concern and dread.

"What do you mean... what's going on..." Blue Vague said, as he grabbed a cushion in his electric blue aura to sit on.

"Just watch the news broadcast, dear," Dr. Jun said, voice full of the same concern that Dr. Hayato had.

          An anchor lady came on a joint-news feed, logos of all the major news organization lined along the bottom of the desk she sat at. "Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. We are still following the breaking news from earlier this afternoon: a mystery group claimed responsibility for the sustained attacks on many of the non-capitals around the world. Anti-Terrorism experts say... wait a minute... yes... I see.. we are getting word that the group has recently demanded time to air a message. In the intr... wait... what do you mea..." and suddenly, for the first time in forever, there was static.

"This cannot be good at all. Twilight, check the international news feeds from one of the computer terminals, we'll see if there is anyone saying anything at all on the international news stations..." Dr. Hayato said, as Dr. Jun and every pony besides Twilight were left completely stunned by the sudden cessation of the broadcast.

A few minutes of checking the different holo-vision stations revealed that seemingly every news station was completely off the air.

"Twilight, I am not finding anyone still on the air. Are you getting anything from the news feeds?" Dr. Hayato asked, not taking his eyes off the remote-pad that controlled the holo-vision.

Twilight turned around slowly as she began to come to a realization of what was going on. "No."

"No? What do you mean 'No.'?" Dr. Hayato asked.

"See for yourself..." Twilight started, as she switched the Holo-projector to a dual feed from the satellite and the computer terminal. "Ever since 7:50 PM Central Daylight Time, every single news feed from a reputable source has gone absolutely silent. The other feeds are exploding with speculation."

"Dear God... then it must be true..." Dr. Hayato said as he looked around at his wife, who had a stern look on her face, and at the other nine Ponies, whose looks went from thoroughly confused to downright terrified.

"Wha... what's true Dr. Hayato..." Pinkie asked, voice quivering in fear.

"They are making their move, and big time," Dr. Hayato replied, as suddenly every video news feed displayed a test pattern. "I suspect they themselves are about to give an explanation now..."

With his control-pad, he reset the holo-projector to only show the feed from the satellite T.V. Suddenly the test pattern changed from the normal bars and color blocks to a black background with a simple white-outline icon: a shield with the acronym 'S.P.H.' at different angles filling the space inside the shield.

"This message is from the Society For the Preservation of Humanity. Please do not adjust your holo-vision sets or projectors, nor refresh your internet connections or browsing software..." a eerily calm masculine spoke.

"Ok, what in the hell is this?" Golden Storm asked, confused as anyone else.

"Well, I have no clue honestly. I guess we just keep watching," Twilight replied, hating the fact she had nothing else to say besides that.

Everyone then looked at the projector, which now showed silhouetted figures. The assumed male in the center began to speak. "We would like to begin tonight's remarks with our sincerest condolences to the families of the civilians that were caught in the crossfire. We would like to publicly state that it was not our intention to harm any civilians during the hostilities conducted so far..."

All twelve of the viewers in Isegawa Dormitories Recreational Room looked on with about as strong an incredulous look as they could manage.

The silhouetted 'man' continued. "Despite that, we believe we are entirely correct in our actions against the governments of the world. Ever since the Day of the Aurora Barrier, over one year ago, we have seen the aliens now known as Equestrians arrive in our midst. At first, it was logical for our governments to not be too aggressive nor passive with these Aliens, as they announced their plans. Yet, ever since the Equestrians announced their plans to assimilate our peoples to bolster their ranks, we have waited for the proper response from the governments of the Earth. Yet, as we waited though the months, and the numbers they have assimilated to date grew from the hundreds, to the thousands, to easily six-figures now, we heard NOTHING from the Earth's Government regarding this affront against our species' stability and continued survival. To that end, we have come to the conclusion that the governments of Earth are in active collusion with the Equestrians. In regards to the Equestrians... we not only believe they are simply attempting to bolster their ranks on Earth, but we feel reasonably confident they will execute a full scale invasion once they have assimilated a critical mass."

All twelve of the viewers in the Isegawa Dormitories could do little more than maintain the same looks of incredulousness they had collectively maintained for the duration of the still going pronouncements by the S.P.H. The voice of the point-man, as far as they could assume, was beginning to swell as he was reaching the end of his statements.

"To wit, we call upon the Peoples of the Earth, both Dome and Outsider, to join us in this grand resistance. Join us in tearing down these corrupt governments of the world, these collaborators that would damn our species to a slow and inexorable assimilation into feeble-minded Ponydom. Our species has survived war, drought, famine, plague, and other disasters both of our own doing, and not of our doing. With our own two hands, we will rise above these current trials! WE will build a new and greater humanity! WE will re-build our world! WE will prove to the Equestrians, and any other sapient species, that humanity is the pinnacle of both physical and mental strength! We shall persevere and thrive, for that is simply what we do! Thank you, and have a wonderful evening."

Just as suddenly as the video feed from the joint news organizations cut out... they cut back in... the anchors and presenters around the world just as stunned as anyone following the message had to have been.

"So... that really just happened?" Golden Storm said, trying to figure out just what in the hell that man was babbling on about.

"Yes... yes it did," Dr. Hayato responded, sighing heavily as he began to contemplate what would happen next.

Richard, we have to get Project Safe Havencompleted as soon as possible. I have no doubt that they will come after every human 'collaborator' that they can find, once they feel they have disrupted the governments enough to where they are a non factor... Dr. Hayato thought to himself, as he looked at his wife, his Ponified daughter, and his extended family, as it were.

          In his offices in the Manhattan Domes, Richard Edwards was pacing around the room, wondering just how long he had now. His worst fears were coming to light, and he genuinely feared for the his own life and the lives of his employees.

"Candice, what is the status report on the launch of Project Safe Haven?" he asked, attempting to project as much calm as he could given the situation.

"Thankfully, none of the SPH forces have found our worksite. We believe the construction of the main laboratories, food growing areas, and dormitories should be completed in 21 days, give or take," Candice replied over the video-intercom.

"All things considered, that should be good. I guess I'll just have to pray that the idiots running the SPH are more concerned with toppling or executing coup-de-tats than they are trying to get revenge or whatever on us 'collaborators'," Richard said has he laughed, finding some humor in this decidedly tense situation.

"I will pray for the both of us, Mr. Edwards," Candice replied as the intercom clicked off.

Pray for everyone Candice, pray that we survive this phase, and still have a chance to fix this world before it's wrecked forever... Richard thought, wondering if his words were not just idle hopes of man with dwindling power.

          Meanwhile, in the Atlanta Domes, a middle-aged couple were bickering over something or another. Usually this would not be anything of note, but the world has a funny way of working...

"Those Ponies, those damned Ponies! They're the reason... they're the reason why all of this is happening! I bet that Evening of the Black Sky was their fault as well!" a middle aged woman shouted as she threw cushions all around.

"Honey, calm down, please. We've worked so hard to build this up, we can't just let it all break now..." her husband said, picking up the cushions and trying his best to keep her from throwing anything more expensive.

"That's right... we've worked so hard... we've all worked so hard... just for them to waltz into this world from wherever the hell they came from and upset the order..." she said, as the wheels began turning in her head.

"Oh no, I know that look... please don't tell me you thinking what I think you're thinking..." he said, suddenly very much afraid of his wife's visage.

"The Society For the Preservation of Humanity wasn't it? Yes... yes, that is it... they're the ones... they're the ones that will make sure all of our work doesn't go to waste," she said, almost drunk on the idea.

"Come on, you seen what they've apparently been doing all this time. What are people like us gonna do?" her husband responded, not knowing whether or not she had finally jumped down that slippery slope.

"Look at this..." she responded, as she handed her husband one of a couple of print brochures.

He began to read the brochure out loud. "We will accept all comers, our technology will allow anyone of clear mind fight against the Equestrian threat and their government collaborators."

"See dear, we will be able to more than contribute to their cause. And just think of the wonderful world we can build once those accused Ponies and their Quislings have been dealt with?" she said, rubbing her hand along her husband's chest.

"Well... I... I... I guess." he replied, silently praying to God he didn't just make the worst decision of his life.

"Oh good, well Atlanta Recruitment Center is already open, so we just need to go down, get trained up, and we can start sweeping with the best of them," she said, giggling with dissonant glee at the idea of wiping out those candy-colored demons.

Just who the hell did I marry? he thought to himself, wondering if there any way he could back out of this now.

Do you see now Vague, they are beyond redemption... this entire damn species is beyond redemption...

No... I refuse to believe that... they can't be this bad... they can't be this corrupt...

They would wipe out their last avenue of salvation because of their damn pride... As if they would rather cease existing than accept our help...

No... stop... stop with these lies...

Are they lies... are they really lies?

Sister, it is as we feared. They have already begun to move against our allies... the only solace that we have is that they will move against the governments first, before they begin sifting through the civilian population for sympathizers...

Despite that notion, those like Richard Edwards would probably still be targeted early. As he is a prominent supporter of ours...

He has so far refused Ponification, and I doubt in his current frame of mind, it would be right of us to ask...

No, I do not want to go down that route...

But what are we left to do?

Hrm... We begin to move our Royal Guard to guard the Bureaus... and we pray that our Human Allies can hold fort until Project Safe Havenis fully operational...

That leaves too much to chance, Sister!

I am afraid that unless we are prepared for outright war against the human aggressors, we will have to risk gambling against their intentions...

I know you are a master at chess 'Tia. I pray to all Creation that your are as good at rolling the dice...

I do too Lulu... I do too...

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[ St. Louis, U.S.A. -- June 29, 2081 ]

          The attacks continued apace, many of the governors and the mayors states, administrative regions, and cities were under intense pressure to acquiesce to the demands of the SPH -- which was total turnover of administrative control to their allies in the Domes, the so called legitimate axis of power. They were even so bold as to begin skirmishes outside of the major national capitals -- as if to tease what was left of the national armies that they could move in and decapitate the governments any time they wanted to, but simply didn't. No one knew exactly what the aim of such a strategy was, most figuring it was to pressure the national governments into acquiescence without necessarily collapsing them, yet it was difficult to be sure.

"I will say this for President Aguillar, she's almost literally staring down the barrel of a rifle, and yet she's holding firm," Golden Storm remarked off-handedly during one of her speeches imploring the population to not give in to the rebels. He remembered when he met her while still Ethan, as it were.

"The problem is, she may be the mouse being coiled up by the snake of the SPH. I don't know how she or any other leader can hold under this kind of pressure," Dr. Hayato remarked, noting how Fluttershy flinched at the metaphor.

"Do you really think they'd execute a siege of the national capitals?" Dr. Jun asked of her husband, wondering just how much danger they were in themselves.

"Honestly, I don't know. There cannot be that many Magi in the employ of the governments at this stage, yet I cannot tell the greater military strategy of the SPH. It appears they simply want to kick in what appears to be a rotted infrastructure to them. The danger is... they might be entirely right," Dr. Hayato said as he sat down in a chair to contemplate things.

"Well, doesn't the government have those big tanks and really big guns and really weird looking armor?" Pinkie Pie said, failing her forelegs around.

"The problem is, Pinkie dear, that the forces that are under the direct control of the governments are small. So much has been outsourced to private contractors over the decades..." Dr. Jun started to say.

"... that a lot of them might have already defected to the SPH and their allies. The arms dealers ought to be making an absolute killing, literally and figuratively," Golden Storm concluded while perched up on a countertop, snorting in disgust.

"This is an absolute disaster... the governments of the world can't have that much time left if things continue the way they have. Oh dear Reggie and Rosa, please be safe..." Rarity began to fret, not knowing how well President Aguillar's family was doing in all of this.

This is a race against the clock indeed... all twelve residents of the Isegawa Complex heard in their heads. Soon a bright flash of light heralded the return of both Princesses Celestia and Luna to the Isegawa Complex, though this was most definitely not a happy reunion.

"Care to elaborate on what you would mean by a 'race against the clock'?" Dr. Jun asked of Princess Celestia.

Celestia indeed obliged and answered her. "It is quite simple. Eight days."

Twilight Sparkle cocked her head to the side. "Excuse me Princess Celestia, but what do you mean 'eight days'?"

Luna answered the Element of Magic. "Eight days is the approximate amount of time before Project Safe Haven becomes fully operational." The Doctors Isegawa nodded in assent at the assertion.

"Um, Princesses? Would you mind explaining to us just what Safe Haven is?" Midori Hana asked sheepishly, the stress starting to wear on her.

"Quite simply put, Safe Haven is a gigantic, mostly-underground complex for our still Human Human-Equestrian Alliance members to reside, should this Society for the Preservation of Humanity begin marking them as targets. It was designed and is now currently being built to house 4 times the current total human roster as of the Project's start of construction thirteen days ago," Princess Luna stated matter of factly.

"Effectively, a shelter of last resort should it really hit the fan..." Red Blaze surmised.

"Should the 'what' hit the fan?" Rainbow Dash asked. Red Blaze whispered the operative word in her ear. "Oh... I see... yeah that would be really bad, and worth ducking and covering from."

"Yes, the Conduit of Fire is correct in her assessment. This is to be the last option, short of Ponification, for our Allies should the governments indeed collapse, and we lose what little police protection we enjoy," Luna stated, sighing heavily at the prospect.

"The SPH hasn't found anything out about this have they?" Fluttershy asked timidly, just as nervous and tired as Midori Hana.

"No, the very fact construction remains on schedule implies they know nothing about it. We pray that this remains true until it is complete, and we can place it under full magical and electronic cloaking," Princess Celestia replied.

"Wait, ya mean it ain't bein' cloaked now? Ain't that dangerous?" Applejack asked, confused why they couldn't veil the entire construction site.

"We could erect the magical cloaking, but the nature of the spell would cause the drones performing the main construction to operate at only 60% capacity. Which would stretch construction time to approximately 30 days. That week plus that we gain maybe the difference between Mr. Edwards and the other central leadership of the HEA being alive or dead, to be perfectly blunt," Luna stated with her almost dissonant matter-of-fact'ness.

Everyone figured it was worth the risk to keep the HEA leadership as contiguous as possible.

"So how is the Royal Guard holding up protecting the Bureaus?" Blue Vague asked, his voice terse.

"As well as could be expected. The SPH has yet to turn its attention to the Bureaus, and we are seeing quite a lot of traffic. So much so that we have had to move in extra staff to process everyone," Princess Celestia responded, noting the seething anger in Vague's voice.

Lulu, the Conduit of Water is showing some dangerous signs...

I would imagine so, he still retains grave animosity towards the citizenry of the Domes, and being a Pony does not exactly cut one off from feeling rage...

No, it's not simply that... There is something else... Something I believe that you are very familiar with...

... I see... Do not fear 'Tia, I shall do my very best...

Just then the entire complex was rocked by a massive explosion...

"Good God what was that!" Dr. Hayato said, as he stumbled around for a second.

The giant plume of smoke rising in the horizon soon answered everyone's questions.

"Luna, did you feel anypony's life force suddenly be cut off or severely weakened?!" Princess Celestia asked excitedly, desperate to not hear the worst.

"Let me check... no... nopony within 10 miles of where we stand has suffered an appreciable reduction in their life force... but that plume of smoke is still far too close for comfort."

"Let me and Twilight go and check; if we need to, we can message for help the fastest," Vague requested of the Royal Sisters.

"If Twilight agrees to it, then you may proceed. But do so with the utmost caution." Princess Luna replied. Twilight nodded in agreement, and then both blinked out of the Dormitory Hall.

"GET A TRIAGE OVER HERE NOW!"

"GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY WHAT IN THE HELL WAS THAT!"

"HELP ME, PLEASE FOR THE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY HELP ME!"

          Blue Vague was assaulted by the screams of horror of the police and army remaining loyal to the government suffering mightily under the assault of the rogue private contractors and the SPH's forces. The fighting was still quite a while away from the St. Louis Conversion Bureau, but there was no doubt in his mind that some asshole in one of those groups would take the opportunity to take a few 'potshots' at the Bureau.

"VAGUE! VAGUE! SPEAK TO ME!" Twilight yelled, trying to snap him back to reality. Finally he shook himself loose out of his trance to listen to the lavender mare.

"Oh God I'm sorry, it's... this... this is horrifying..." Vague stated, his mind racing at all the sights and sounds still assaulting him.

"I know, it's scary for me too, but we have to find the Royal Guard contingent and help these men as best we can." Twilight said, her voice quivering, but resolute to do something while they were out here.

They ran through the backlines of the police and infantry formations, until they found a gray armored Unicorn helping who appeared to be a field commander for this operation.

"Oh my, Twilight Sparkle, I almost forgot the Elements of Harmony were based here in St. Louis..." the dyed gray Unicorn said, genuinely surprised to see the star pupil of Celestia and Element of Magic in his presence.

"I would take it she is someone high ranking in your military?" the Army Captain said, thankful they had a moment to discuss the new arrivals. "Oh excuse me, sorry for not introducing myself, I am Army Captain Tyler Johnson, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kansas. This here is..."

"Captain Sound Crash, 3rd Unicorn Corps Regiment, sorry we couldn't meet under better circumstances," the gray Unicorn concluded.

"Capt. Johnson, Capt. Crash, can you all tell us what is going on, well besides the obvious," Blue Vague asked, trying to keep himself as calm as he could while they moved to a bulletproof trailer.

Once inside, the three Ponies and human all sat to discuss things as best they could.

Captain Johnson was the first to speak. "We were performing a routine patrol when we were ambushed by the SPH's forces. Although it had been a stalemate before, they've begun to bring in the heavy artillery."

That can't be good... both Vague and Twilight thought in unison.

Capt. Crash then levitated a photograph to Twilight and Vague. "This... this is apparently what is known as a Red Bomb informally amongst the human military these days. It seems to be a device filled to the brim with Thaumatic-tau radiation, and once it's been triggered... well... you all probably heard it from wherever you are based. Anyone caught within its blast radius and, isn't somehow protected against Fire Magic, is practically vaporized. Those just outside of it suffer severe burns and pressure injures, which, in my humble estimation, is probably worse than being vaporized."

Twilight and Vague stood aghast, looking at the small black and red sphere could apparently deal so much devastation.

You see... look at the weapons these animals use against their own kind... and with the magic you all released for them...

STOP IT... It... it wasn't supposed to be this way...

She warned you... she warned you all...

PLEASE... Please stop... please...

There is only one solution... yes... only one solution...

Twilight, for a brief second felt a pang of utter dread, as she looked over at Vague's face. He stared out into 'space', at seemingly nothing. Something was not lost on the two Captains sitting next to him.

"Excuse me Miss Sparkle, is your friend alright? I mean, I can understand if he's a Native to your world and never heard of anything like this..." Captain Johnson said, as he tried to snap the blue Unicorn back to reality.

Twilight then saw, for the most brief of flashes, something she wished she would NEVERsee in her lifetime again.

That eye... I know it... I saw it... she thought to herself.

Eventually Blue Vague was brought back out of his trance.

"Captain, Captain, the workers from the St. Louis Bureau have begun to mobilize. They have managed to clear enough room to begin processing our most severely injured!" a voice shouted over the comlink for all to hear.

"Good, get them any armor you can spare for both species, I don't care if it's just a helmet for the Ponies. I will not have Princess Celestia on our asses about her Ponies being injured or worse on my watch," Capt. Johnson shouted back over the radio.

"Duty Calls, Miss Sparkle. If you wouldn't mind, I believe you know a few of the shielding spells your brother does. Could you help us protect the injured while we get them in the Bureau?" Capt. Sound Crash asked of Twilight.

"Yes Sir. I'm not going to let anyone die out there if I can help it!" Twilight said, steeling her nerve as best she could.

"Blue Vague, I feel something within you. What was it... what was it... OH RIGHT! Princess Luna sent us the information a couple of weeks ago. I can only surmise your main Terran Magic is, I think, Water. Anyway, if I’m correct, can you try and carve some trenches to keep them from being able to engage us face to face... if we can keep them limited to ranged attacks, we might be able to use Twilight's Shields to hold on until more help arrives."

Blue Vague took a couple of deep breaths before he spoke. "I will do the best I can!"

Capt. Crash smiled that wide Pony smile they all shared. "That's all that I ask of anyone."

          The battle wore on for another ten minutes, the combination of Vague's pressurized water and Twilight's Shield managing to keep the SPHs forces at bay long enough for all but the least wounded to be moved into the Bureau. Just on cue, another platoon arrived, with one of the military's few enlisted Magi in the region.

"Private Second Class Eric Patterson, Thaumatic Corps Geo-Branch, reporting," the fresh faced looking man said as he arrived on the scene.

"Oh thank God someone else with Magical Ability arrived. Do whatever you can to block their advance. This battle is lost, but I'll be damned if I let anything touch that Bureau. We also have two Pony VIPs, make damn sure nothing happens to them either," Capt. Johnson said to Priv. Patterson.

"Sir, yes sir." the private responded, flexing his hands in his focusing gloves.

          Within a few minutes, giant stone walls jutted out from all around the Bureau. Patterson had managed to create a wall thick enough to stop most of the fire from the SPH forces.

"Leave, everyone out, we've made our point!" they heard being shouted from beyond the wall. The recon drones showed most of the mercenary and SPH forces leaving to God knows where, as both Captains breathed a sigh of relief at the rapidly lessening prospect of a siege.

After some time, the two platoons closed ranks around the Bureaus, hoping and praying that no other forces from the SPH would come near them, while they tried to sort out the casualties.

"Everywhere it's the same goddamned story... what the hell is the SPH even thinking." Capt. Johnson thought out loud to himself as he sat in his bulletproof trailer.

"Permission to enter Capt. Johnson?" shouted a slightly younger male voice from his door.

"Permission Granted, Capt. Rodriguez," Tyler replied, thankful to hear his compatriots voice.

"Tyler, just what in the hell have you gotten yourself into now?" Capt. Julio Rodriguez asked incredulously, obviously knowing what the answer was.

"Nothing besides those SPH bastards trying to blow us to Kingdom Come," Capt. Johnson replied.

"So you encountered the Red Bomb as well. How many did you lose..." Capt. Rodriguez asked, almost not wanting to know the answer.

"Three, three were caught in the blast radius, I don't even think there's anything left of them. Two more suffered third-degree burns and shattered limbs of every sort. Another two, first-degree burns and temporary blindness, which I believe has passed for both of them already," Capt. Johnson said morosely, wondering just what would possess anyone to use a weapon like that.

"Monsters, that's what they are. Here I thought it would be the Ponies that somehow turned into Monsters, like some damn sci-fi movie; and yet it's our own people doing this to us," Capt. Rodriguez thought out loud, not caring in particular if anyone heard them.

"This is what makes me think the Domes are orchestrating this whole thing. Only they would have such a blatant disregard for anything not themselves, I guess you could say. How they could get any Outsider to join them is beyond me," Capt. Johnson said, as he looked out the window at the Ponies and HEA volunteers doing their best to care for the injured soldiers that weren't undergoing emergency Ponification.

"It must be brutal for the ones that had to choose between either living on as a Pony, or dying as a mangled wreck. I honestly don't know what I would ask them to do to me in that case," Capt. Rodriguez said, as he looked out the same window.

Capt. Johnson stood up from his seat and leaned against the trailer's windowsill. "I could be all macho and say 'I'd choose death, no doubt.' But honestly, if I really faced that choice... I couldn't tell you what I'd do. I can only think that I couldn't answer that question until that time came."

"So this is how my run 'ends'... turquoise fur, hooves, and a pair of wings..." one of the privates who choose Ponification said to Twilight and Vague, as he laid in a hospital bed.

"Are you sure you are going to be alright like this? I mean, I... I just don't..." Twilight began to ask, stammering and trailing off before she could finish

"Don't strain yourself, Miss. I should have figured it would come to this when the month started. At least I'm one of the lucky ones, who got damn near killed near a Bureau. The others... I can still hear their screaming... it'll probably never go away, too. And don't think to blame yourself either, neither of you. You did everything you could to protect us long enough to even give me this choice. I'd be dead easily if it weren't for the two of you and Patterson," the now Pegasus said, waving a hoof as he seemed to be instinctively learning Pony non-verbal communication.

"I can only imagine you'd want to go to Equestria as soon as you can," Blue Vague said, voice still seething with anger to some extent.

"Yeah, to be perfectly honest with you all. When I got my discharge, I was going to head to the Bureau here, since it's the closest to base. I guess I get discharged early... but..." the Pegasus said before pausing a bit.

"But what, Private... Private... we never got your name did we..." Twilight said, before suddenly realizing that they never did ask the stallion his human name.

"George Bailey. 24. From St. Paul, Minnesota. Seeing as I'm a Pegasus now, I guess I'll be hailing from Cloudsdale in a few days time," he said with a brief chuckle.

"Well, at least you are taking this well... anyway myself and Vague have to return home too, we're actually 'stationed' on Earth, I guess to use some of your military terms, anyway it was nice talking to you," Twilight concluded, and both she trotted out of the room.

Before Vague could leave though, George called him over the say one last thing. "Vague, I've only been a Pony for what, 30 minutes? But even I can tell something's really wrong with you. Please, talk to that mare, or whoever else you are living with. If you bottle that up too long, it's gonna blow up in your face."

Vague nodded in agreement as he walked out of the room after Twilight.

What does he know... Vague thought to himself dismissively as he and Twilight thanked the rest of the staff, then found a quiet area to teleport back to the Isegawa Complex.

          The rest of the evening was filled with Blue Vague and Twilight Sparkle recounting their harrowing tale to the rest of the Ponies and the Isegawas at the Complex. After a light dinner, and no further explosions, everyone eventually went to sleep.

Vague was tossing and turning in his bed, as that inner voice continued to assault him with questions.

Do you persist in believing they can be saved?

They have to be able to be saved...

Do you truly believe they deserve to be saved?

I can't just let them die... I can't let them die like this...

Does this world deserve to continue?

...

Does a world, where it's dominant species would be this cruel and horrible to its own, deserve your salvation... or does it deserve your damnation?

... .... I... I don't know...