The Conversion Bureau: The Palladium Wings

The Conversion Bureau: The Palladium Wings

Chapter 14

The Beginning of the End

The airships ascent ended when the dark blue end of the sky gave a white glow.  The humans looked amazed at the spiraling winds that howled in a spiral, resembling those of the rifling of a gun barrel.  Thunder exploded around every corner, as if some demonic force laughed at them. The howls matched those of the dead, their souls trapped, forever to wander the air currents alone. To many, the Fall of Equestria begins right now.

The Navigation Officer of each ship prepared their routes to Equestria.

The engines of each airship hummed softly, the Star Swirl Units giving off their heartbeat rhythms. “Sometimes…” The Chief Engineer of the Chimera, soot black Unicorn with amber eyes and a cog with a machete cutie mark said. “I wonder if the ship is alive…”

The pink alicorn and white unicorn stallion looked at the C.E with a puzzled look.

“Star Swirl Units are the hearts of the ship; it’s what keeps them flying. When Celestia detaches them…I see a ship scream and then silenced as she is grounded…such a despicable little shrew… Many a Gryphon and Diamond Dog lost their ships on crimes they never committed.”

Nikolaos looked out from the bridge at the air currents. Ships of all makes began to make their way across the storm that connects the two worlds.  Flags of all colors flew, from the defectors who wanted Celestia dead, the Privateers who wanted payback, and the Envoys with the diplomatic cargo.

The days passed as they saw a massive golden orb glow in the distance.

“Brace yourselves! We’re entering Counter-Earth!” It was the message radioed to all ships.

The crews grabbed hold to anything they could find. The ships rumbled for seconds and then it stopped.

Maps of Equestria were rolled out.

“You just stood there and smiled…” The Armorer of the Chimera said as he clicked through his rosary beads. “10 years ago…you came here and watched us die out…and SMILED.” His mind began to flash him those memories, those years of suffering…the anarchy, the chaos, and the many that were kicked out of their homes. Putting his religious beads aside, he pulled out a hammer and continued to work on his current project: A souped up .454 Casull revolver dubbed Alicorn Killer.

“There is no force, no money, and no power to stop us now and change our fate.” A Croatian privateer said darkly.

The fleets continued their flight across the storm.

MACHINES WE ARE SENDING TO THE SKIES

ABOVE US ALL

AND LEAVE BEHIND THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW

OF THE FINAL DAY

WE LEAVE IN SLEEP THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW

AND WE LEAVE AT DAWN

WE ARE DRIVEN BY THE B-MACHINE

THAT NEVER STOPS

The Cossack captain raised his swords, giving a war cry to rally his crews.

Combat crews were refining their aim on the shooting ranges of their respective vessels.

Cooks were preparing for large meals.

Accountants opened up the ship’s vaults, making sure that there is enough space for the fillies and colts along with the loot.

“It ends now.” Nikolaos pulled out a customized TT-33 and racked the slide.

The airships began to exit the Pegasus Corridor. It was early morning, at this hour, Celestia would raise the sun.

The angel white alicorn gasped as she saw the many airships exit the storm. A golden light behind it. As she finished raising the sun, she turned towards Canterlot. They were here and now they were going to run loose across the country.  Landing on the balcony, her horn began to glow.  Black and red flares were seen all over Equestria.

We are driven by the B-Machine

Wild B-Machine that never stops

Let the sun fall into the ocean

Let the Earth erupt in flames

It is enough to have the strength and knowledge

To raise our dream machines into the sky

“Set course for Ponyville!” Nikolaos ordered. “All combat crews are to prepare for Operation Prometheus.”

The airships began to split up, each one heading towards a particular destination.

Cannons aimed down at the towns and cities across Equestria. There was the sound of thunder that echoed across the winds.

MACHINES WE ARE SENDING TO THE SKIES

ABOVE US ALL

AND LEAVE BEHIND THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW

OF THE FINAL DAY

WE LEAVE IN SLEEP THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW

AND WE LEAVE AT DAWN

WE ARE DRIVEN BY THE B-MACHINE

THAT NEVER STOPS

MACHINES WE ARE SENDING TO THE SKIES

ABOVE US ALL

AND LEAVE BEHIND THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW

OF THE FINAL DAY

WE LEAVE IN SLEEP THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW

AND WE LEAVE AT DAWN

WE ARE DRIVEN BY THE B-MACHINE

THAT NEVER STOPS

In Ponyville, a pink Earth Pony screamed as an airship came into view.  Everyone looked at her, her hoof pointing at the skies. They all saw the black hued ship with a golden lion with a goat’s head sticking out of its back and a snake for a tail mounted on the bow of the ship. Its guns aimed down at the quiet little municipality.  The barrel roared as a high explosive shell exited, smoke hissing out as the rest followed.