The Conversion Bureau - The Lost Brother

The Conversion Bureau : The Lost Brother

The sequel of The Conversion Bureau : Lab Rat

Prologue : A lie and a life

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It was night when the small cameraman named Marcus managed to run away. He was sent on a mission to secretly film the riot on the bureau and bring it back to his superior. Unluckily, after having their ideas changed by the girl... or the guy they were trying to get back, his friends were trying to get him to join them. The thing was that he would follow the HLF no matter what.

So, it was during the day of the big defeat that the cameraman was walking slowly down the hallway of the Human Liberation Front headquarters. He was sure that the defeat of Jack, his superior’s troop would cost him his life, but what could he do? Even if Jack was a bit... dumb, he isn’t stupid... even if it’s the same thing.

A lie, that was his only solution, but what kind of lie? Trying to hide why you broke a dish was easy, but trying to hide losing a whole squad to the enemy's hoof was a bit harder. Maybe he could just tell him that the police arrived and arrested every member! That was perfect, but what about his camera? He was supposed to film the whole scene. What could he do?

He turned right and went to his quarters. He deposited his camera on his desk and left. My camera will be okay there, he thought. He walked toward Jack’s office, trying to remember what he had to say. He knocked few times before hearing “Enter”.

He entered the room and saw Jack. He was a tall and muscular man with a small mustache. His face was full of scars, received during wartime. But, under his big musculature, he was tender and kind. The only thing was you didn't want to see him angry; it was likely to be the last thing you'd ever see.

This day, however, he was happy. This is my lucky day. He walked to a chair and sat.

“Are you bringing me good news?” Jack asked. Marcus started concentrating to what he had to say. He was hoping his lies were realistic enough for Jack to fell into his story.

“Yes... and no. Which one you want to start?” He said. Jack put his head on his hand and sighed. His smile turned into a frown.

“The good one first.” He said in a monotonous voice.

“The target has been killed, along with his friends.” Marc said. The superior’s body straightened up and his smile went back at the speed of light.

“But, a good news need to have a bad side, right?” Jack asked. The cameraman nodded. “What is it?”

The moment of truth. If his lies weren’t enough good, he was dead. “Your whole team fought hard, but they all got arrested. Some of them got even killed and even some went through conversion to run away from the police. I’m sorry master.” He said. The superior’s smile disappeared from his face, but wasn’t replaced by a frown.

“I managed to run away after, but my camera got destroyed in the process.” I added. He stood up and walked towards me. No, don’t kill me boss. He helped me standing up and said: “That had to be hard on your mind. Are you okay?” ...what? My lies... I did it!

“Nah, it’s okay. Can I quit the HLF mister, I want to be something else.” His eyes grew big and a bit of rage passed by.

“Are you going to a bureau?” He asked. Marcus shook my head violently.

“Nononononono, I was going to be a reporter. I want a new job in the neutral side.” Marc quickly told the superior. He stared at him, but shook his head “Only if you follow me. You got information that none of my guys have. Can you help us make a plan to blow up the bureau.” It took a bit of time until Marcus answered: “Why not?”

They both walked in silence to a conference room. In there, there was a table with 12 chairs, 10 of them were taken. I guess that I’ll sit beside Jack.  He walked toward a chair and sat on it.

Jack started: “Today, our group that we sent to the conversion bureau in Montreal got beaten by the authorities. The only man that managed to run away was Marcus Person, the cameraman who was supposed to film the event. Sadly, his camera got destroyed during the time he ran away. He’s here today to help us. So, what did you learned?” That question surprised him. He needed new lies, and quick.

“Well, tell me your plan and I’ll check out what I can do.” He said. They all nodded and started explaining it. Their plan was to send a spy into the bureau and place explosives into specific spots. Obviously, they’ll run into the bunker beside the cafeteria, but, in it, there will be more explosives that you ever saw in your life. I shook my head and turned the conversation around.

“Nah, this won't do. Remember, we may be killers, but we have a reason. First of all, who ran away from the beginning?” There was some of the high ranked person telling ‘Anthony’.

“Who managed to get to the bureau?” ‘Anthony’

“Who got rid of all our guys?” This time, the tone used to say ‘Anthony’ was more of a comprehension one.

“So, we need to revenge our guys. I say, if Anthony is dead, attack his family. We’ll show all the HLF members what we do to traitors. Kill them and all of his family. Does somebody have any information regards Anto’s family?” Somebody raised his hand. He took some sheet of paper and began told us.

“There his brother, Loic Duquette.”

There was some approving voices in the room. Marcus said the last thing he had to say: “Find this Loic, bring him here and torture until death arrives.”

***

What did I get myself into? Marcus thought. He just put a new target on the HLF list and he couldn’t do anything about it. He was no longer a killer, but he managed to ruin another person’s life. He was thinking what he could do when Jack arrived behind him.

“You did a great job back there. It’s sad that you quit, I need more guys like you.” Wait a minute, I could save him before the HLF arrives. GENIUS !

“Yeah, but I want to go see the world, learn new thing, ya know.” Marc said while entering his room. He got out with a small back on his back. “Anyway, there must be somebody like me who got a good leadership.”

“I must say that your plan that you talked about was really nice. The last thing I’ll do for you is to complete this mission.” He salute. “Good luck in your new life, Marcus Person.”

Marc saluted back and walked towards the exit, a plan in mind and he needs to do it fast.

***Loic***

I closed my diary. Everyday since my brother went to the theater to try playing piano and that he never came back, I’m writing a diary. It’s my closest friend, my only one. I almost never come out of my house because of all those ponies. It’s becoming more and more dangerous to go alone.

I received a letter a long time ago from my brother. He was telling me that he joined the HLF and that I need to stay human until the very end. For my brother, I’ll do anything. So, I kept his promise and stayed human.

I walked toward the three-vee and opened it. It was my only source of information from the exterior. I changed the channel to 03 and listened.

“Today, the number one criminal in the Human Liberation Front has been killed. The mare, named... Anthony Matias Duquette, has been killed in the conversion bureau in Montreal. This ex-man was a traitor that managed to escape the HLF headquarters with Nathaniel Levesque and an outsider. More information at 8 o’clock.” My world froze, freezing me in time.

I checked the burned picture on my wall. It was a picture of me as a baby with Anthony. Now that my brother died, I’m the last Duquette alive. Anthony is dead, my father and my mother disappeared, why I had to be the last one?. I was shocked that I wasn’t informed of anything. Like why was he at a conversion bureau if he was a HLF member? Why did he become a she? The list could go long, but I stood up, tears forming in my eyes.

I was starting to lose it. This information hit me like a firetruck right in my face. I turned around, took my coat and walked outside. I quickly made my way to the Drunken Mare. This place was well hidden in the back of a building, but was very popular among the last survivor of the dying city.

I learned about this place when I talked with the owner. He was a very charming man and controlled most of the bars in the country. He told me that this place was perfect to chill out and get away from his problem. Now, for the first time, I took his advice and entered the small place.

The place was almost empty. There was me, the barman, the owner and a random dude. I walked to a chair in front of the bar. The owner walked beside me and sat down.

“Hey Duquette, what’s up?” He asked. I pointed the roof. He laughed a good shot and told me that he will pay me a drink.

“Give me the hardest thing ya’ got.” I said. The owner checked me in surprise.

“You told me that you don’t drink alcohol. What happened?” He asked. I shook my head and said, “Nothing.” The barman gave me my drink and I chug it in one shot.

“More,” I said.

“You shouldn’t drink it this fast, it could be dangerous.” The barman said. I shook my head and shouted, “MOAR!”

The barman gave me the drink while the random dude came out on the bar. I chugged it faster than the other.

***

It was 2am and I was as drunk as an old pirate. I drank as much as I could afford, but it was worth it. Without knowing it, I said the whole story to my friends back there. But, I feel great. No longer sad, but drunk as hell. I came out after losing my last dollar and started walking towards my house.

On the road, a cloaked man walked toward me. In his hand, a strawberry flavored candy.

“Hey man, want some candies? It allows you to negate any ponification processes imposed to your body.” I could stay a human forever! If I wasn’t drunk, I would be trying to run, but my mind was so blurry that I accepted the candy and ate it immediately. I continued to make my way to my house.

When I was in the corner of the road, a group of five HLF member came out of nowhere and started running at me. I was so drunk that when I was running, I was more like drifting with a car.

I tried to run, but didn’t went too far. I was on a bridge when I knew that I had no chance to survive. I walked on the side of the bridge and did what I had to do. I closed my eyes and took my last step.

To be continued...

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Here you go folks. I think that the reason why I was so bad at writing lately is that I wanted so bad to do this story that my brain stopped me to write anything else. Also, sorry for the lack of update, I got so much stuff on my shoulder. School is finishing and the final exams are coming :(

Anyway, hope you'll all like it and see you later.