The Conversion Bureau: Behind those Walls

The Conversion Bureau:

Behind those Walls

Chapter 1

The drive was boring and Alex and Filip didn’t talked a lot. Just a few memories, like the old coffee bar, where both always talked about games and girls. Or the old bar where they talked a lot about games and girls.

He realized that they actually never talked about something else on a ‘just guys’ day.

Alex looks over his shoulder and wasn’t surprised as he saw Filip sleeping. Poor guy was probably up all night again. Crazy, little party pony.  He smiled a bit as he remembered an other party pony he met last year on the Christopher Street Day. But that smile vanished as he thought about the chaos those two can cause together.

He turned forward again and leaned back in the soft seat, trying to ignore the soft buzz sound of the electric car. It was hypnotic and he felt how his eyes closed. He didn’t try to stay awake anymore and drifted into a light slumber.

A memory.

It was almost noon and there was a great crowd outside of the fenced off U.N. HQ. People of every age are waiting. Waiting for the leaders of the new world which just raised in the middle of the ocean. They hold big signs above their heads, some to welcome the new alien race. And others to show them that they are not welcome here on earth. And again others which showed... well, he don’t want to go too deep into the details. Police and military blocking every way into the place, while uncountable servants running around, preparing the tables and speakers for the big event. Photographs and reporter carried their equipment to good view points where they could oversee everything.

Alexander was dressed in his formal military uniform and stands right next to the president of the European Federation, Catherine Francois who wears a three piece suit for women. She looks pretty good even the fact that she is already over forty and lived through the third world war but was still on her feet, showing the world her strong character.

Alex respect his president a lot, was it her who lead Europe through that hard time.

Francois noticed that Alex was watching her and turned at him.

“Is something, Major?” she asked. Alex eyes widened a bit and he looked quick away.

“No ma’am, sorry.” Francois smiled a bit and shook her head. “It’s okay, young man, I’m afraid too. Something like today never happened before.”

Alex nod slowly before he answered “Indeed. I just hope that they are friendly.”

Now was it Francois who looked at him “Do you think a alien race comes all the way to earth just to start a war with us?”

Alex kept his emotionless look, directed at the horizon. “You know the drill of us soldiers. Hope for the best, expect the worst.” He nod towards the soldiers who standing around the place. “Otherwise we wouldn't need them.”

Yes, she know. The first rule even she had to learn the first days as the new Federation was still in child's shoes. It was hard, but she managed to give her people some kind of solidarity, to say, we are not just France, Germany, Poland, Spain, but to say that we are Europe.

She looked down a bit as she remembered the sleepless nights, alone in the office to finish her work. The days, she wasn’t together with her family. Or the war, as she feel crying asleep in a bunker with the hope that she and her loved ones will survive the night and next day.

Alex can imagine it. But he know how to make her look a bit happier again. With a bit dark humor.

“Once, there was an ugly, ugly bird. It was so ugly, that everyone died. The end.”

Francois looked at him with an confused expression on her face. “Is that really the time for such jokes?”

“Yes ma’am.” he answered dry, but with a smile on his face.

A edge of her lip moved up and she shook her head a bit, eyes closed like she wouldn't believe what just happen.

“You are a odd boy. I wonder sometimes if I was drunk as I subscribed the piece of paper that makes you to a Major.”

Alex giggled. “Maybe you was. Ma’am.”

She knew his behaviours. Some are good, others are... not so good. But she can always trust him that he treats her like a person. And not only as a politician. A quality she highly appreciate. She felt always better with him at her side as with some General who got a stick in the ass. Which got a stick in the ass.

“Just don’t forget who the boss is here.”

“Don’t worry, that will not hap...”

Both got distracted as a extreme white light began to raise on the horizon. Alex hold his hand up to cover his eyes as he tried to look through it. Francois did the same, but without success. The light was too bright and Alex could swear that he saw the bones in his hand.

But after a short while it became weaker, until just the sun was shinning from above again. Alex looked towards the point from where the light came. He almost gasped at that what he saw.

A chariot. A golden chariot was flying to them, pulled by four... pegasi? Was he hallucinating?

The chariot flew soundless through the air and was sinking already towards the ground. Alex saw that Francois had the same fascinated and shocked look in the face like he did.

“Well...” he began “...that is... actually extrem unexpected.”

“Tell me about it...” said Francois, not really paying attention to him.

Alex looked around. Everyone here was stunned, servants, politicians, the people around the park... even some of  the soldiers didn’t moved an inch and they holding their rifles so tight in their hands, like it would be an talisman which protects them against that thing.

It was already close enough that Alex could see three forms in the chariot. A... winged unicorn? The fur was pure white and the mane was floating in a different way as it should. And the crown shows that, who ever that is, it is the leader of them. At the sides of it are two other equine creatures. Both unicorns. One had white fur and a blue mane and was wearing a red dress, looking like an old military uniform. The other one had purple fur and wearing a saddleback.

In an obviously well-practiced maneuver, the four pegasi angled in and smoothly came to a halt on the ground. The red dressed unicorn immediately disembarked and took up position with the pegasi unhitching themselves from the front. The winged unicorn and the purple one got off next, flanked by armored bodies on both sides.

Finally, the honor guard from the U.N. was almost running into position around the visitors and creating a path to the building, after the officer gave some orders. The pegasi in the golden armour switched in defence state, but relaxed as the red dressed unicorn said something Alex couldn’t understand.

“Look who finally decided to come.” whispered Francois. Alex looked to the direction she is pointing.

He saw how the American President, Paul Bedford, walked to them with quick steps. The Vice President of Russia, Oleg Naljotow, was at his side. Both waited somewhere else, avoiding the two Europeans as long as it was possible.

“Do you think Bedford is still mad that we burned his White House with the orbital laser, ma’am?”

Fracois peeked over to Bedford and noticed his aggrieved expression which he got since he signed the unconditional surrender she gave him personally. “Yes.” she said with an emotionless voice.

Bedford took his place at the right side of Fracois and Naljotow at the left of Alex. All of them managed to keep some kind of poker face in front of those newcomers.

“Miss President.” said Bedford, his displeasure for her was quiet hearable.

“Mister President.” she gave in return, ignoring his attitude.

Noljotow greeted Fracois and Alex with an short but not so cold “Добрый день“. Alex russian is not that well, but he guess it means something like, good day. At least the Russian Vice President was in a better mood. Maybe that was the reason why they send him and not the actual president.

Damn, that is a lot of Presidents those days...

Alex looked at the trio, who now approached the three leaders and him, followed by the pegasi in golden armor. He also noticed that the purple one got an curious but afraid look in the face, eyeing everything around. The poor thing is probably new in this and a lot younger as the other two equines. Alex saw how the purple unicorn talked from time to time with the other one who got that red suite and a amused look in the face every time when it talked with the smaller one and with the winged unicorn, who always keeps that smile, too. For some reason they looked more like a little family on a holiday trip as ambassadors of a new world.

They stopped right in front of them. The winged unicorn was in front of Fracois. Looking at the winged unicorn, she smiled the best politician’s smile she could, what the other two politicians did, too. The winged unicorn began to spoke. But no one of the humans could understand what she said.

The winged unicorn seem to realise the problem pretty quick and talked with the purple unicorn who looked eager to help. The horn lit up. The security nearby tensed slightly, the four armoured pegasi doing the same. Fracois gave them a short look and they relaxed again. The uniformed unicorn did the same with the pegasi who calmed down again for a second time.

“I believe we can understand each other now.” Alex blinked with his eyes. The winged unicorn talked. In English. Why does it have to be in English? And with an pretty nice, feminine voice. And quiet sexy, too.

‘...okay, what? Stop that brain.’ Alex thought.

Fracois nodded and began to speak, “Greetings, my name is Catherine Fracois. I am the President of the European Federation. This is President Paul Bedford of the United States and Vice President of Russia, Oleg Naljotow. And this young man is my personal aid, Major Alexander Bauer. I am very pleased to extend this greeting on behalf of both myself and the people of this world.” The winged unicorn inclined her head gracefully.

“I am Princess Celestia, one of the rulers of Equestria, along with the captain of the royal guards, Shining Armor,” she indicated the white unicorn standing next to her, “And this is Twilight Sparkle , my personal protégé. I am also very pleased to extend my sincerest greetings on behalf of all of our subjects, with the hope that our two races can come together for the benefit of us all.”

President Fracois took a step forward and extended her hand. Looking at her hand curiously for a moment, Princess Celestia took a step forward and extended her hoof. Taking it gently in her hand, Fracois gave it a delicate shake, and then released it. The two leaders regarded each other for a moment with their best smiles on.

That was the moment as a wall of flashlights exploded around them and the crowd began to cheer. Celestia used that moment to wave with her hove to the humans on the other side of the cordoned off place. Twilight did the same, just not so noticeable and with a sheepish smile on the face. She is probably not used to be in public like the others. Only the captain was still focused, his eyes scanning the crowd for any danger.

Bedford and Naljotow shook Celestias hove later as well and all four waved to the crowd before they walked into the building. Celestia and Fracois talked a little bit about the Royal Guards and where they could stay. Two of them standing later at the side of the main entrance, together with two human guards, the other two stayed with Celestia until they where at the back door for those who will talk at the podium in the giant assembly hall. They waited then outside as well, again with two human guards. There was not much talking on the way, but it seemed that Fracois and Celestia got along quiet well, there was even some chit-chat between them from time to time.

‘Maybe it was because they both are female... woman... no matter what species, they are still alien to us males...’ Alex thought with an grin on the lips.

Fracois turned at Alex after they got through the door and the grin vanished quick. “Major. You can wait here.” Alex nod “Affirmative, ma’am.“

Celestia turned to Shining with an smile before she said, “You can also wait here, Captain. Maybe you can talk with the Major a bit. I have the feeling that you two will get along pretty well.”

Shining nod as well, “As you wish, Princess.” He walked over to Alex and stood at his side like a statue. Alex peeked at the pony who was only half as high as he was. Well, his head was already near his chest, and that pony looked like he could kick the living hell out of Alex, and there was also that horn.

The two Presidents and the Vice President walked with Celestia and Twilight into the giant hall where the delegates of the UN waited for them. Fracois was the first one who began to talk and did the introduction speech, together with the U.S. President and the Russian Vice President. They had a lot to explain to the rest of the world, what their scientists found in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and why there was so much military included.

“This is gonna to be a long day...” mutters Alex.

Shining looked up at him, “Excuse me?”

“Oh... I just thought loud. Captain.”

Shining smiled at Alex. “Don’t worry Major, it’s true. This will be a long day.”

Now there was his chance to start a little conversation to make the waiting not that boring anymore. “You know, you take that pretty well. For visiting a new world and all.”

Shining looked up at him. "But you too, Major. Faceing a new race."

Alex waved the comment away. "Ach, nein. To be honest, I'm afraid to the bones."

The pony smiled and said, "Well, you are hiding it pretty good."

Alex smiled back at the compliment. "Thank you, Captain." He then turned around at Shining and extended his hand. "I guess we didn't met yet for real. I'm Major Alexander Bauer. Commander of the European Federation Enforcers Corps Battlegroup 1."

Shining took his hand with a hoove and shook it. "And I'm Captain Shining Armour. Commander of the Royal Guards in Canterlot."

Alex released his hoof and both got in their normal observation state. Alex began to speak again, "You know, you are pretty friendly for a Captain of the Royal Guards, Captain."

“Well, the princess want to make new friends in this world. What kind of Captain whould I be if I don't help her with it. And It’s not our first time doing this.”

The human eyed him with an surprised look. “You mean to get in contact with some other species outside of your world?”

Shining gave him a amused laughter. “No, no, not outside of our world. There is still a lot to discover in our home, old myths of ruins and creatures which may already extinct.”

“Sounds dangerous.”

“Oh, it is. You can have some nice adventures in Equestria. Well... when you are not bound on duties like I am. But Twilight and her friends, they got in some nice ones from what I heard. Some where pretty dangerous, but they always managed to get out of them with almost no harm.”

“Heh, reminds me of my little sister.” Alex added.

“Oh, you got one ,too?”

“Oh, yes. She is a really nice girl. But as stubborn as her older brother."

Shining smiled at him, “Yes, sounds like my sister as well.”

Both began a little chat about their sisters. How they played with each other and visiting her older brother in the night when the big bad monster was in her room again. And how they became older, followed by the same problems every big brother had to face when the sister got in her puberty. Fun times, indeed.

Shining lowered his head after a while and a sad sigh was to hear. "I just wished I could be there for her more often... but..."

Alex knew what he means. It was the old story.

“Duty. Yes, I know. It’s hard not to be there for those you love. But... I know, that what I do in my duty helps my sister and my family to live a life in peace.”

The pony nodded, “Indeed." and looked up at him, adding "Well, you seem like a nice guy. How about you visit us someday? I'm sure, Twilight would like to talk with you about your world."

Alex smiles and answered, “Maybe one day."

Both distracted as they heard how the hall became louder and louder, and then there was an deafening “ENOUGH!” to hear. Shining wasted no time and galloped quick to the door and Alex followed him. There was a light around the horn of the unicorn and the door opened a little, just enough to look into the hall without been noticed by the people inside.

“I never saw the princess that angry before,” whispered Shining to Alex.

“I guess some politicians played out the ‘Religion Card’.”

Shining gave him a puzzling look “The, what?”

“I swear I could hear that there was someone in there who just began to talk about religion. Something like that you are just devils coming with honeyed tongues and promising peace. Or whatsoever.” He shrugged and adds “I know why I leaved that stuff behind me.”

Shining was still confused what the human was talking about. He returned to watch the events in the hall and gave a sigh in relief as the princess began to talk again with a smile on her face. Alex wondered how someone could always wear a smile the entire day. Shouldn't it face start to hurt after some time?

Shining walked back as well and took his old place and Alex got at his side again and they began to talk about family, and even their duties and what their differences are again. They also talked about how the Princess and the others managed to get here so quickly. He couldn't believe his ears as he heard about the magic stuff they have in their world.

And then, finally the meeting came to an end and the princess and the three human leaders returned into the backroom.

Twilight was almost rushing over to Shining and began to talk with him about the events in the hall. Alex gave them some space and walked over to Fracois who looked amused about what just happend during the conference.

“I have to say, you got an interesting way to get the attention of the people, princess,” President Fracois said.

“Experience, miss President. I just wish I didn’t had to use the Royal Voice.it’s so rough and old fashioned.”

Fracois gave the princess a smile and looked over to Alex. “And Major? Everything okay here?”

Alex nod and returned his smile “Yes, miss President. I just figured out that we share a lot of commonalities with the ponies. Well, except for the magic part.”

Fracois looked at Alex like she thought he was kidding him “Really? Magic?”

“Yes, ma’am. Magic. They even control their weather. We can talk about that more while the dinner. I’m so hungry, I just could eat a hor... an entire apple tree.”

‘Damn, that was close Alex,’ he thought to himself.

“Well, then we should go to the dinning hall. Princess? What about you?”

Celestia, still with that beautiful smile on her face, gave the President a nod, “That would be a great idea. My throat if pretty dry after so much talking and I didn’t eat since this morning.”

The American President stepped from behind Fracois and said, “Fracois, the Russian Vice President and I wish to talk with you for a while.” He looked over to Alex and the ponies and back to Fracois, “Under six eyes.”

Fracois smile faded away and her expression became serious again. “Of course. Major, would you please escort our guests to the dining hall? We follow later.”

Alex nod and gave a quick salute. “Yes, ma’am.” He walked over to the door and holding it open. He even did a little gesture with his hand and smiled at the princess, “Ladies first, Princess.”

Celestia was watching the three human leaders walking away before she turned to him and smiled warm. “Well, you are one gentlecolt, Major. Thank you.” Alex nodded in return and smiled as well. He waited until all ponies are out and closed the door behind him. He take the lead and Celestia followed him at his side, Twilight and Shining are behind them and still talking.

“So...” Celestia began, still looking forward, “I have to say, your way of making politic is... pretty different as ours. Some things are the same, but still... And I still didn’t met the leader of this world yet. Is he or she not here in the moment?”

Alex gave Celestia a questioning look, “The leader of... oh, okay. I know what went wrong. Let me explain it. The U.N. is not some kind of World Government. It’s just a place for all the different nation in our world to come together and discuss the problems of the world and how to fix them.”

Celestia makes a ‘Oh’ face and nod slowly. “Then had the spell gone wrong a little bit. Does that mean, all of your nations are actually on it’s own?”

“Partly yes and partly no, princess. But every nation can call for help from the other nations which are here in the U.N. They discuss about it and how they can help. No matter what it is, aid project, about the climate and even war. Which can actually take a lot of time, days or weeks, because every nation have it’s own interests.”

Then, he saw how the expression in the princess face transformed from warm and friendly to sad and sore for the first time. “ War? And your people are talking so long to give someone else the help he needs, just because of their own interests?" She shook her head a little before she continues, "Is there no harmony between your people?”

Alex wanted to say the differ, but he knew she was right. He saw it first hand. “Well... not really. But you can be sure that there is at least one nation who wants to help the other immediately.” He smirked at her, trying to warm the mood up again, “And now, that everyone knows that we are not alone... well, maybe that will changes a lot of things.”

It seem to work, because Celestia smiled again. “Yes, I hope so.”

“Well, I guess here is our stop.” Celestia said. She looked at the door to the dining hall.

“Yes, it is.” gave Alex in return. But Celestia moved her head closer at his and said “Alex, we are at our stop. Wake up.”

Alex eyes became wide open, “...uhm, what?”

“I SAID WAKE....”

“...UP!” Filip was standing on the edge of the doorframe with his fore hooves and bending forward to be face to face with Alex, almost barking at him. A big mistake. Because Alex shot forward and hit Filips head with his.  It sounded like two big wodden beams smashing against each other. Both rubbing their heads, trying to make the pain go away.

“Dammed, man, what the hell?” Filip asked.

“Your fault. Ouch. You know that you get hurt when you wake me like this.”

“Well, sorry, Sleeping Beauty. Next time I will kiss you then.” Filip said and jumped off, walking to the backside of the car where the driver already got their stuff out.

“Blargh. Forget that, if you want to keep your head.” Alex and stepped outside, stretching his body a bit. Then he walked to the driver who already unload their luggage and gave him a piece of paper. “Here. They will take care of the financial.” The driver takes the paper and opened it. He overflew it and nod. “Okay, mister. Take care and have a nice travel.”

Alex said “Thanks,” as he helped Filip with the saddlebags.

The driver returned to the car without a second look and waits for his next customer.

“You got everything, Filip?”

Filip gave him a short “Yeah.” and Alex took his suitcases as well and both walked into the airport building. They followed the signs to the channel where their aircraft will start. The Airport was full with people and ponies alike of every age. He even saw some humans and ponies together and some of them probably had an 'closer' relationship with each other than other couples. He even saw some Griffons. Still pretty rare, at least in this world. They got quite often problems with the human laws. Maybe because of their rough behaviour they showed sometimes.

“FILIP! ALEX! OVER HERE!” Both looked around to find the source of the voice, which just sounded too familiar.

Alex found it and he smiled as he saw who it was. “Jessica! Hey, what are you doing here?”

Jessica, a young woman who wasn't older as Alex and with an well kept body was walking over to them with quick steps, takeing both in a tight and friendly hug.

"Did you both thought you could disappear just like that without saying good bye?" Alex giggled, "Seems like we can't."

"Are the others here as well, Jessica?" Filip asked. But Jessica shook her head, "No, they are not. Daniel awaits his second baby and the others are busy as well... it's actually sad that you can't stay untile it's born."

Alex put an hand on Jessica's shoulder. "Im sure he will do fine. Even without us. Tell him we are happy for him and that we wish him all luck for his family."

Jessica nod and the smile returned. "I will tell him that." She looked over his sholder and pointed to a cafe. "Hey, how about a coffee before you two have to leave? Only if you two got enough time for that."

Alex looked at the clock. They had still two hours left before the start. "Sure. But first, we bring our stuff to the luggage check-in. Then we come to you. Keep our seats free, okay?"

Jessica nodded and walked off. "Just don't need to long you two!" she shout to them. Filip simply smiled after her and walked to the check-in with Alex. "It's nice to see a friendly face before we have to leave." Alex smiled as well and looked down at Filip. "Sure thing. But she is right, it's sad that we won't see the second baby." Filip shook his head. "Nah, can't be as special as after first. Like the landing on the moon. It was awesome the first time, the second time was just meh, and no one had anymore interest for the third." Alex gave Filip a rised up eyebrow. "You will be a great father someday..." he said sarcastic.

They got to the check-in after some walking and avoiding some running people and ponies. Oddly enough, the line before the check-in was pretty short. Or better, non-existent. The reception lady behind the counter looked at both with an smile. "Guten Morgen. How can I help you?" Alex smiled at her. "Guten Tag. I and my friend want to go on a special trip." He gave her also a piece of paper just like he did by the taxi driver but this time together with his ID card. She read it and checked the picture on the ID card with the person who was standing in front of her. She gave Alex the ID card back after she was done with typing the informations in the computer. "Everything seems okay, Mister Bauer. Whould you please put your luggage on the conveyor?"  The Alex placed his suitcases on the conveyor and helped Filip with his saddlebags. The woman took a few labels and fixes them around the handle of the suitcases and the saddlebags. The conveyor came to life and thier stuff was now on the long way to the airplane.

"Do you want to boarding now, Mister Bauer?" Alex shook his head. "No, not yet. We wait a while in the cafe over there." He pointed at it to show here where they wait, and the woman nodded. "Of course, Mister Bauer. There will be a call for you over the speakers, thirty minutes before the start." Alex looked at he clock. 'That will be in one hour and twenty minutes. Enough time,' he thought. "Thank you." He turned around and went ahead to the cafe, Filip close behind him.

Jessica had already ordered some coffee for both. Alex could tell that from the smell. She smiled wide as son as she noticed them. "Hey! I got already the coffee for you. Alex, yours was just with milk, right?" Alex sit down on the seat and put the cup in his hand, holding it under his nose and smelled the strong sent. "Hmm... perfect like everytime Jessica. Thank you." He took a sip and the hot liquid flowed down his throat. Filip had some problems with his coffee, because the cup wasn't made for ponies. At least not for earth ponies. He balanced it between his hooves, taking a sip. "Yup, better as the stuff Alex brews in his house." Alex pierced him with his eyes. "Hey, my coffee isn't that bad!" Than he took another sip. "...okay, maybe it is." All three began to laugh and Filip was almost dropping his cup. But he recovers oneself again before something happend. Like that the coffee lands between his legs. 'What whould be pretty hilarious,' thought Alex.

Jessica looked over to Alex, elbows on the table and head on the hands. "Alex... you never actually said where you two are flying." Alex coughed and almost spitted his coffee on Filip. "Well... that's because I'm not alowed to talk about it." Jessica did an amused sad face at him. "Aww, top secret, huh?" Filip turned to Alex. "Come on man, it's Jessica. What is the worst that can happen?"

Alex sigh and looked at Jessica with an serious expression. "Swear you will not tell anyone."

Jessica eyed him like she does not know if he was jokeing or not. But she lifted her hand and said, "I swear. Nothing will come over my lips." She let her fingers slide over the lips like she used a zip to close them.

Alex scanned the place for curious ears before he leaned a bit in and made a gesture with his hand to show her that she have to come closer. She leaned in as well and Alex whispered. "Filip and I... well... we fly to Equestria."