The Conversion Bureau: The Palladium Wings

The Conversion Bureau: The Palladium Wings

Chapter 19

Epsilon and Gamma

The two towering rock islands that made up the entrance to the Kingdom of Skiri and acted as first port of entry was unnaturally quiet, not even the zeppelins which patrolled the seas of Skiri were docking to resupply.  The griffins stationed were given reports by Border Patrol Command that several Equestrian fleets would enter the country to put down the riots that have been going. A gryphon began to scan his surroundings.  Several airships flying the naval jack of Equestria began to approach the Kingdom’s territory. There was nothing they could do, they lost several Units to the riots, depriving them of their airships to fly.

The Equestrian fleets began to get ready for entering the Kingdom.

From above, a large projectile exploded on one of the flagships.

“ADMIRAL! THE SHOT CAME FROM ABOVE! THE ENEMY FLAGSHIP IS FLYING THE BATTLE BANNER OF THE POLISH LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH!”

The Earth Pony Admiral turned pale. “The…the Humans!? Here!?”

“Send in the signal! Warn these demons that they either turn tail or we will open fire!” The Polish Admiral said.

A light began to blink several times towards the Equestrian armada.

“We’re getting a message from the humans.” The Unicorn Comms Officer said. “Equestrians! This is a warning to your fleet! You are about to violate the Gryphon and Diamond Dog sovereignty, an act which we will not tolerate. Turn back to Equestria or be destroyed.”

The Pegasus Vice-Captain frowned. “I’ll be damned if we let these filthy apes have the dirty Dogs and Griffs on their side… ALL UNICORNS! PREPARE FOR COMBAT! SIGNAL TO ALL SHIPS TO AIM UP!”

Several green flares hissed out.

“The Equestrians have signaled to begin attacking!”

“We warned them. I want all ships to prepare for rapid fire. All ships are to fire at will when ready. We are taking the Equestrians down with one single blow. Gunners! You are clear to engage the Equestrians! Signal the rest for a joint alpha strike.”

All the guns aimed down.

“FIRE!”

Thunderous sound exploded as countless projectiles rained down on the Equestrian fleet. The Gryphons looked as the ships caught fire, exploding from the inside out. Some rammed against each other violently,  the explosion of one dragged the other. It ended in a few minutes; the ships were crashing against the sea along with scrap metal, to forever float in the waters. More explosions were seen from the downed vessels, a blue fireball would erupt out, casing the waters to shake violently.

The gryphons looked amazed as the airships descended from the skies and began to head towards the rocky islands. A light began to blink several times.

This message is for the Skirian Port of Entry.  We are here with an offer of peace and aid. We are aware of the plight of Scylas and the Diamond Dog Confederation. We are bringing food, water, livestock, and seeds to help you with your crisis and plights. We also offer you military assistance in the form of technology and training. This is your only chance to get back at Equestria for all the transgressions against your kind. The choice is yours.

The gryphon pulled out a light and responded.

The airships signaled back.

The airships began to enter in a single line.

The Gryphons noticed how the human airships were Equestrian models, only that they were modified with guns and other upgrades that told them apart from their pony counterparts.  They noticed many warship sailors with different models of guns saluting the port guards, they saluted back.

“I hear that the Azure Guard is working with Princess Luna…”

“I got a letter from Lukia a week ago.” The second Gryphon said. “He says that they met a human, a Russian.”

“A Russian?” The first Gryphon raised an eyebrow.

“A human from a great nation. He told me he’s a veteran from a war. He’s training the Azure Guard in human weapons such as the machine gun.”

“The weapons I saw in the hands of the humans…could of they’ve been machine guns?”

“Who knows…but if they are…I can hope we get them soon…I want to strangely burn Canterlot to the ground.”

“Not until we reclaim the Units in our ships.”

Private Residence, Dragon’s Maw Island Archipelago

“Damn you Celestia!” Grozny hissed. “How can you send the privateers to such a vile place?”

“That sky prison is known for holding most of the dangerous of prisoners.” Luna explained. “Such as the Nazis, Communists, the MS-13, the warlords hailing from the Colonies and most of them are Newfoals.”

“So the scum of Europe and Latin America found a way into Equestria? Interesting.”  Grozny scratched his chin.  “But what about the captured Privateers?”

“There’s about 1200 of them, all awaiting Ponification in a week.” Luna said.

“Then we’re going to have to break them out.” Grozny thought. “This is going to be a war of attrition.”

“Why are the Privateers so important for this?”

“Your rebellion needs to be funded and rescuing the Privateers would prove essential.” Grozny explained. “Way back then, privateers raided the Spanish Treasure Fleets and stole millions in gold, gems, tobacco, and spices. We can do the same to any ship flying the flag of Equestria. You are going to need money, wars do not fund themselves. Money can buy many things, even power.” He pulled out a platinum Escudo.

“Why are you showing us a coin?”

“This coin…it has many uses. Mostly the power to buy what you need and it can corrupt a person to do your will.” The Russian explained. “The Azure Guard is attracted to money. Money is power, without it, the world would be a miserable place, we would be bartering for what we need.  12 hours of hard labor for a basket of oranges? Money makes our lives easier.”

“We see.”

“Princess, call the Azure Guard,” Grozny smiled. “We are going to rescue them. Operation: Gold Phoenix begins.”

Canterlot

“IT’S PRINCESS CELESTIA!” A Newfoal clad in red pointed a hoof. “GET HER!”

Several of the inactive Falconships sprang to life and began to spread machine gun fire at her. Spent bullet cases being ejected out of the machine rapidly, sending a large number of rounds towards her.  The while alicorn summoned a shield, the bullets began to fall on the floor but the machines continued to fire. Spider webs began to appear as the fire concentrated on her. The magic shattered, exposing her to the quick shots. She began to trot away. The birds engaged in flight mode.

Her ears registered engine noises. Several bullets flew past her. She turned, finding the machines behind her. They began to do maneuvers, displaying the pilot’s skills with the mechanical bird. She continued to flap her wings, and performed a roll as the machine guns fired at her.

One of the birds got ahead and began to hover, the wings expanded; revealing micro-rocket pods. The warheads hissed out. Celestia gasped as the rockets headed for her.

The pilot pressed a button in the control sticks.

The warheads detonated, sending the Princess down below.

The birds flew back to Canterlot.

Ponyville

Princess Celestia woke up with a groaning pain in her head. As she opened her eyes, everything was blurry, ears ringing from the explosions and the machine gun fire. From afar, gunfire exploded, it seems either the Nazis or the Communists managed to set foot in the town. She noticed a dead human body, it uniform had a patch of a Privateer ship. She noticed that his hands were disturbingly hugging a CETME Model B rifle, as if he was going to need it for whatever afterlife awaited him.

More gunfire exploded.

“EAT THIS METAL BIRD!”

A grenade was lobbed towards a quailship, the Nazi equivalent of the Communist Falconship. The bird gave a strange shriek as the explosive detonated. The mechanical avian moaned as it went down.

The Princess entered a abandoned building and began to watch.

Several mechanical quails landed, revealing their machine gun barrels.

Several residents, mostly Unicorns popped out of cover, their horns glowing. Celestia looked at the objects being held. Human weapons, those rifles according to a few Newfoals who worked in the Bureaus said they were antiques but still found use in the ranks of the HLF. As long as someone makes the ammunition for it, it will still be in service.

One rifle cracked.

A Quailship hissed out hot gasses and dropped with a mechanical moan.

Another rifle fired.

The next Quailship took a hit to its chest. Blood began to seep out of the hole.

“Celestia abandoned us!” One of the Unicorns yelled. “And Luna’s a joke!”

An Earth Pony resident began to buck grenades at the remaining Quailship.

A unicorn fired on the grenades.

The blast killed the pilot of the mechanical bird, the machine went down.

A large zeppelin with a Swastika on it came into view. The airship was armed with several rocket pods. Several pegasi began to head towards it. Around the vessel, several automatons popped out. The machine’s arms reached for its back and pulled out a weapon. They extended the stock to fit their proper shoulder level and began to spray automatic fire at the intruders.  A Pegasus got hit, plummeting down to their fate. The others maneuvered around the rifle and submachine gun fire, landing on the wings and outer deck of the craft. The droids began to aim down the sights of their weapons.

A Pegasus colt bucked the machination. The droid fired its rounds wildly in random directions before going down.

Seeing a robot on the wings of the zeppelin, a Pegasus landed and hoof-punched the machine. It gave a near-shriek of terror as it fell to its fate below.

Princess Celestia watched as the zeppelin caught fire and exploded in midair.

The populace of Ponyville cheered in victory. The Nazis would be back but they were ready.

“No…my little ponies have been driven to violence…” Celestia whispered to herself. “But why?”

“DOWN WITH CELESTIA! DOWN WITH LUNA!” They chanted. “DOWN WITH THE TYRANTS! DOWN WITH THE NEWFOAL!”

“THEY HAVE BROUGHT NOTHING BUT PAIN AND MISERY!”

“THE NEWFOAL HAS BROUGHT ONLY SUFFERING!”

“THE NEWFOAL HAS BROUGHT NARCOTICS INTO EQUESTRIA! THEY HAVE BROUGHT CRIME!”

She only listened…has the serum done nothing to improve the humans? As she revealed herself, the inhabitants of Ponyville began to hiss and scowl at her. Others began to fire the leftover human weapons at the air, howling and screaming insults at her.  They began to chase her until they became sore from following her.  An angry mare began to yell questions at her, mentioning where was she when the pirates raided the town, when the other pirates came and planned to sell them into slavery if not for the intervention of one. Why were most of the Newfoals the majority of criminals?

Celestia could only take flight and take refuge somewhere safe…away from them all.

Sargasso Sky Zone, Equestria

“At attention!” Grozny called. The Gryphons saluted.  “Gentlemen, we are heading for a dangerous mission in the Sargasso Sky Zone. We are going to pull the escape of the century.” He pulled out a cigar and lit it. “Princess Luna has informed me that 1200 Privateers have been incarcerated and will be ponified by the end of the week. We have estimated that we’ll reach the Prison in two hours.”

“All this for a 1200 humans?” Lukia raised an eyebrow.

“These humans play a valuable role in Luna’s rebellion. If we don’t rescue them, they will be ponified.”

“What kind of opposition do we face?” Sorush asked.

The Russian began to remember. “Mostly Diamond Dog mercenaries. Armed with Flintlocks and revolving rifles. But don’t underestimate them, these fellows are well trained to do their job.  We may have the advantage with our weapons, but they have served in that prison for years, they have the advantage in knowing the area.”

“Nothing we can handle.” Lukia replied.

“We’re going to be fighting mostly on the insides of the prison complex. That means mostly sweeping rooms. Submachine guns and shotguns will do nicely.”

“Can’t we use assault rifles for this?” Steelclaw  argued.

“No. This is a closed quarters fighting situation. Even thought an assault rifle would be suitable for attacking them, the rifle would no good at shorter ranges we are fighting in unless we use assault carbines or personal defense weapons to attack. The reason why I dislike assault rifles in this situation is due to my experience back at Chechnya. Mopping up insurgents in close spaces with a rifle seems good, reality is, and you need a lot of space to maneuver with a rifle in such conditions.”

“I see.” Lukia nodded.

“Get your weapons and gear, we are getting privateers out of that prison.”

A yacht launched from the captured battleship. The personal flag of Princess Luna was flown on the back and front. The observing Diamond Dogs nodded and allowed the ship to dock in the complex. The mercenaries expected the Princess of the Night to come, but they were puzzled. Was the ship abandoned during a day or night cruise? They stepped on the deck and began to investigate. Opening the door, they heard something click followed by a blue beam of light dot the head of one. A chirp was heard, the Diamond Dog dropped. The other one raised his flintlock carbine, only to be put down by a well placed shot to the chest.

Grozny removed the suppressor from the PPS-43. “Mission is a go! We kill any guard and Newfoal. They are not worth rescuing.”

“How can we tell?” Sorush blinked.

“Look for canine teeth, if you can’t tell, listen if they start babbling about Nazism, Communism, Marxism, racial hygiene of ponies, worker’s paradise, or anything like that. You are authorized to use force on them. We will keep in touch through radio on the open frequency. Call me if you need anything.”

The gryphons split up, each one clearing a sector of the prison.

Grozny switched to a shotgun. It was a TOZ-194 with a M4-style stock and a double blast feature. As he walked across the first level, several Diamond Dogs were firing their pistols at him. The shots missed him by mere inches. Raising the shotgun, the trigger was pulled several times, followed by the cycling of the weapon. The Diamond Dog mercenaries screamed in pain as the felt buckshot tear them to pieces.

“Let him have it boys!” An Akita Diamond Dog yelled as they all fired weapons. The lead balls flew everywhere.  The Akita fired his revolving rifle at the gryphon carrying the strange weapon. He noticed that the azure armor stopped the bullet. “AH CRIPE!”

“Your weapons are no match for this!” Lukia pulled out his Kiraly 43M and began to pull the trigger. The muzzle flared as several lead projectiles left the barrel. The Diamond Dogs screamed as they were impacted by the fast moving projectiles.  The weapon clicked empty. Pulling out a fresh new magazine, the gryphon gave the bolt a gentle pull. The submachine gun roared again, putting them out of their misery. Walking on his hind legs, he began to search the room. “I found little puppies who misbehaved…woof woof.”

He kicked a door open, he pulled the trigger. The last 20 bullets were quickly fired. The room was left a pulpy mess. Holstering the weapon, he was curious of the shotgun he carried. Pulling it out, he extended the stock and continued his way across the sector.  Furniture was being moved around, forming makeshift cover.  With a grin, he pumped the shotgun, just like how Grozny demonstrated. Two Diamond Dogs popped out, firing their pistols at him. Lukia took a shot to his exposed torso but it was nothing serious. With a scream, he slam fired the weapon several times. Howls of pain echoed across the hallways.

Steelclaw cackled as he fired his M1921 Thompson. “NO MERCY!” He cried as he mowed down the Diamond Dogs that dare approach him. A few began to fire from cover. Remembering the human’s lessons on how bullets can pierce through soft cover like wood or sheet metal,  the gun was aimed at the furniture that hid them from his attacks. “NOW DIE!” He emptied the magazine on the tables. Blood began to pool out.

Sorush took cover behind a corner and heard several orders from the Diamond Dogs. Taking a deep breath, he popped out of cover. Revealing his MAT-49/54 with a 32 round magazine, putting some pressure on the pistol grip, a green beam of light appeared. Dotting over the chest of a Diamond Dog, the machine gun released a burst.  Red mist flew out of the chest out of the canine.

Clutching his chest, the dog began to pant in pain.

“Heart break?” Sorush aimed at the dog’s head. “Let’s end it.” He pulled the trigger once.

Red mist exploded from the dog’s head.  The others looked in terror. Sorush pulled on the trigger, rapid fire flying out of the barrel.

Grozny walked with ease across the hallway. His face changed, his calm demeanor was replaced by an insane look. The killing drove him back to his Terror of Chechnya persona. The shotgun thundered, a Diamond Dog was decapitated violently, the others cried in anger, firing their weapons at him. A bullet from a revolving rifle impacted his leg, but he ignored it. Switching to the PPS-43 with a wooden stock, he tucked the weapon on his arm and began to spray machine gun fire everywhere.

A Saluki Diamond Dog pulled out his saber and charged towards the human. Bringing the sword up, he got ready for the slash.

With an unnatural instinct, the submachine gun’s barrel blocked the blade. Looking at the man, the Dog growled as he tried to break the lock. The human showed his teeth and gave a savage roar. Letting go of the pistol grip, the free hand grabbed the canine by the neck and threw him to the way of the others. Approaching them, he gave an insane grin as he reloaded the submachine gun and aimed it down at them with one hand.  The Diamond Dogs pleaded to be spared. Machine gun fire ended their misery.

Several Diamond Dogs began to open fire on the approaching gryphon.  The bullets managed to hit his armor while others whipped past him.  Lucci pulled out a SPAS-12 and raised the muzzle towards them. Pulling the trigger, a large flame hissed out. The Diamond Dogs screamed in pain as the fires began to devour their flesh.  Seeing them miserable, the gryphon pulled the trigger. The all dropped in pain, their last expression was one of pain and repentance. What have they done to deserve this?

Grozny continued to walk. His PPS-43 in one hand, scanning every corner with it, making sure that not one of them could escape.  A Diamond Dog popped out and fired his revolving rifle several times. The bullets impacted Grozny around his chest and torso…but nothing made him stop. A savage roar of anger echoed across the hallways.

The Diamond Dog pulled the trigger again, only to hear a loud click. Throwing his weapon, two personalized flintlock pistols were pulled out, he ordered the human to stop.  It refused to comply and pulled the triggers. The two bullets impacted his shoulders…but he didn’t even flinch. “No…YOU SHOULD OF DIED! WHAT ARE YOU!?”

“I…” Grozny grabbed the Dog and slammed him against the wall. “I am the psychopath who will kill you. I am the product of countless years of torture and suffering. I am the one who will find your family and torture them slowly, they will beg for death but I will not grant it yet…” A maniacal grin exposed his teeth. “I am DEATH!” He hurled the dog into the hallway and pulled out a grenade.  “FIRE IN THE HOLE!”

The explosive was lobbed.

The Diamond Dogs taking cover saw a green object roll towards them. They looked at it curiously before they saw a fire kill them all.

The Russian gave a maniacal laugh as he walked. Pulling out a drum magazine, he loaded it into the weapon and began to spray 7.62 Tokarev fury into anything that opposed him. Radio chatter began to enter, the gryphons managed to clear off their sectors and began to head towards the cell blocks and free the privateers. Without giving a care, he proceeded to go on his way… only to find more to kill.

You’re in it only for the killing! A voice in Chechen said. You’re no soldier of Russia! You are just like those maniacs sent to my country and kill us all! You’re nothing but a common killer! A thug sent by the criminal overlords to bully us and do what Mother Russia wants.

“SHUT UP!” Grozny yelled at no one in particular. “SHUT UP! SHUT UP YOU DISGUSTING MUSLIMS!”

MURDERER! YOU KILLED ME AND MY FAMILY! WHY!? WHY DID YOU BURN US ALIVE!

The Russian screamed at the hearing of the Chechen family that he killed by burning their house. “SHUT UP! LEAVE ME! LEAVE ME ALONE! MY CONSCIENCE IS CLEAN! I AM NOT GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES! MY DUTY IS TO MOTHER RUSSIA! THE MUSLIMS OF THE NORTH CAUCASUS ARE DEMONS! YOU ARE DEMONS AND I SENT YOU ALL BACK WHERE YOUR KIND BELONGS! IN HELL!”

Hell is for the real demon. YOU!

“THE TSARS SHOULD HAVE WIPED YOU OFF THE CAUCASUS!” Grozny yelled violently, firing the contents of his weapon everywhere. “ALL OF YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXTERMINATED! YOU PEOPLE ARE BITCHING AND WHINING BECAUSE OF YOUR SICK RELIGION OF PEACE!”

The Diamond Dogs that remained cowered in terror. They could smell him, they sniffed anger, hatred, fear, and guilt.

The Russian saw Chechen civilians running away from him. His weapon changed from a PPS-43 to an AK-74, he was no longer in Alicorn Prison but in a mop up operation to clear the insurgents from the town.  He fired his weapon at them, some died while others crawled to get away from him. Looking down at them, he pulled out his knife and slit their throats, stabbed them in the stomach, or stomped their chests violently.

All he could do is scream after the violence. He passed out next to the Diamond Dogs he killed brutally, everything went black.

Somewhere in the Unicorn Mountain Range

Native Equestrians, Gryphon-Equestrians, Diamond-Dog Equestrians, Zebra-Equestrians, and Dragon citizens of Equestria were looking at a stage. Murmurs and whispers spread around the crowd, wondering what was going on.

A pegasus mare named Thunder Quill came in. “Equestrians of all races! We have summoned you here to announce the situation that currently plagues all of us. Despite our differences, we can all agree that all of us here have been the victim of the Newfoal and their hatreds.”

The crowd began to talk, everyone remembering how the Newfoals affected.

“They have segregated our society and tore our country apart! We have seen crime rise to impossible numbers. Gryphon-Equestrians are target of lynching for what they are! I understand that all of you are not bad at all. You came when Scylas and Skiri fought a war and we took you in with open hooves. The Diamond Dog here, your ancestors came when the Dust Bowl hit you, like our Gryphon friends, we took you in with open hooves and gave you a country with plenty of jobs and land to settle. But then came the Newfoal.”

“The Newfoal is not one of us! They are the humans who converted and the Princess took over their lands and gave it to them along with many who left to purse better opportunities. But the humans sent in their pirates to attack the settlements, killing all who is a pony.  And here in Equestria, they have brought the ideas of Nazism, Communism, and other beliefs that are dangerous. They have turned the country against us, who lived here for generations! We were and still are proud of country! Regardless, it seems the Princesses have failed to understand what the Newfoal is. We cannot live like this anymore! It’s time to take OUR COUNTRY BACK!”

The crowd cheered.

“IT IS TIME TO EXPEL THE NEWFOAL!”

The cheers got louder.

“IT IS TIME FOR THE NATIONALISTS LIKE US TO RECLAIM EQUESTRIA! WE ARE THE SPIRIT OF EQUESTRIA! THE FOUNDATION! WE ARE THE PILLARS THAT SUSTAIN THE FOUNDATION OF THIS BATTERED KINGDOM! TOGETHER! ALL OF US TOGETHER WE CAN STAND UP TO THE BEAST OF EQUESTRIA!”

Two unicorns came out and unveiled the flag of the Nationalists. It was white with a sky blue, the edges were decorated with dragon runes and Old Equestrian script. The center of the flag had two crossed Mameluke sabers, below them, three arrows and an olive branch.

Appleloosa

The Earth Ponies and Buffalo looked at the skies as a large battleship flying several flags came into view. On closer look, the flags had swastikas and eagles. Around the battleship, zeppelins formed up, as if they were expecting orders to move. Large pods were located under the frames of the dirigibles. Their propellers gave a soft purr as they cruised.  Quailships flew around the zeppelins, doing maneuvers to show what they were capable off.

The Nazis threatened the Appleloosans and the Buffalo to hand over the land.

They all refused to do so.

They came with all their might.

From the Zeppelins, objects fell.  As the dust cleared, they revealed mechanical beings resembling humans in many ways. Their eyes became a blood red and pulled out their weapons, mostly submachine guns based on the MP18, MP28, and the Steyr MP34, and a assault rifle which resembled the FG42 in many ways. The machinations began to spread rapid everywhere. Quailships landed and entered walker mode, and joined the killing.

Bullet casings were ejected as the projectile left the barrel.

Screams filled the air.  Young ones cried over the corpses of their dead relatives, and they joined them in death. From the air, the pods released their payloads, destroying anything in the range of the blast. No one was safe from this attack.  A buffalo tried to attack a quailship but was brutally mowed down by its quad machine guns.

The attack was over in minutes.

Whoever survived was executed. If a Buffalo was still living, the Newfoals who composed the Nazis would feast on the insides, devouring the flesh as if it was the greatest thing they tasted. Eventually, the pain would kill the large beast and they continued to eat it with no remorse or guilt.

The Appleloosan Flag was lowered, and a new one with a swastika was raised.

“HEIL!”

The uniform clad Newfoals performed a salute.

The word got out about the Nationalists.

Native Equestrians and the minorities began to pool whatever resources they had for the acquisition of weapons and vessels if needed. Many Gryphon-Equestrians began to compose the bulk of the militias, along with their Diamond Dog counterparts. The Native Equestrians became financial officers, technicians, nurses, and other supportive roles, a few went into the Nationalist militias to get a piece of the action themselves. Dragons became the heavy hitters and raiders, destroying or damaging any airships with swastikas, hammer and sickles, or Royalist emblems.

Across Equestria, whatever Native remained loyal to Celestia or Luna was seen as an enemy and killed. Newfoals were attacked, regardless if they were affiliated with any movement in which they were the majority. The Nationalist flag flew across many towns and cities not conquered by the Newfoal.

We are free in the land of Equestria

We ain’t going down like this

Come on now