The Conversion Bureau: The Palladium Wings

The Conversion Bureau: The Palladium Wings

Chapter 8

Ouzo

After hours of intense fighting, the Equestrian Sky Fleet began to turn towards the Pegasus Corridor.  Many of the human ships began to hit them with all they got. A few were sunk while the others continued their escape.  Whatever crews remained alive, they were taken in for interrogation.  The Privateers reported capturing many ships, which equaled a large amount of Escudos for the prizes.

The Chimera received a message that two defectors wished to be under the protection of the ship. The request was accepted on the condition that the two defectors would not be treated as special guests, but as part of the crews. No special treatment will be given to them, defector or not, everyone puts his or her part to the ship.

The dropship landed in the deck of the ship. The many soldiers formed two lines and raised their swords as a salute. The hatch opened up, revealing the two ponies. The soldiers turned to the white unicorn stallion as they murmured how the Captain beat him in a fight.

Shining Armor didn’t like the idea of being on the ship commanded by the Dragon of the Skies. This was the same ship that destroyed many settlements, raided many innocents, and humiliated Princess Celestia.  The First Officer came into view with his hands on his back.  Ordering the swords to be sheathed.

“We welcome you to the Chimera. The Captain will speak with you in his private dining room. Follow me.”

The two ponies followed the man. They reached what seemed the Mess Hall. The man pressed something on the wall.  A portion of it opened up, revealing a secret elevator. Getting in, it went up followed by a stop. The door opened up, revealing a fancy room with several ornate decorations along with several yellow flags of two-headed eagles with their heads looking at opposite directions.

The two ponies stepped in. The elevator door closed behind them.

“Sit down…”  Said a Greek accented voice.

The two looked at the chairs and did so.

The chair in front of them turned. There he was. Green eyed and wearing a black uniform with several pins and medallions on it. “Oh it’s you.” Nikolaos said with a grin. “Came back for the rematch?”

Shining’s nostril flared. “This time I came prepared. There will be no more sneaky knife attacks.”

Nikolaos countered. “Rather than using a knife, I have a new friend who is just dying to turn you into shreds.”

Shining’s horn began to glow aggressively.  Niko responded by whipping out his TT-33, his thumb pulling on the hammer. Both getting ready to blast each other into oblivion.

“Stop it you two! You’re like foals with toys.” Cadence frowned.

The two looked at Cadence.  They took their seats.

“Feta cheese… back in Equestria, this thing is expensive.” The light pink alicorn commented.  “Only the highest of Canterlot nobility can access it.”

Nikolaos raised an eyebrow.

“Back in Canterlot, it was common in the diet of the nobles to eat it. A single block costed about 10,000 Bits. And here you are, eating this like it’s frequent. How is that possible?”

“Unlike in your world, it’s part of the Balkan diet.” Nikolaos explained.  “This cheese has been around since the times of the Byzantine Empire.”

“All this food looks so good.” Shining started to dig on the dakas. “It’s all vegetarian. I was expecting seeing more meat-based food.” Levitating a dolma, a vine leaf stuffed with rice and vegetables.  The stallion ate the roll in one bite, liking the flavor so much, he stuffed his face with them.

Nikolaos sighed. “To be honest, meat is scarce.  Unlike Equestrian propaganda which says we value money more than life itself, it’s wrong. We value every morsel of meat we can find. When we raid, and I mean every privateer out there tends to go for the farms: Livestock and poultry are more valuable than a sack of gold.”  He took a bite of a dolma.  “But in my ship, its Greek food that’s King.”

Cadence took a sip of her glass.

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Hold it there!” Nikolaos bawled. “You can’t drink ouzo like that! Drinking it dry hammer?”

Cadence put the glass on the table. “What now?”

“Drinking it dry hammer; Drinking ouzo without eating something. Eat something before the alcohol gets processed by your metabolism… trust me, the hangover will not be pretty.”

“WOOOO HOOO! I am Queen of ze Vorld!” Cadence hiccupped.

“Uh…” Shining looked at her with concern.

“I cannot torture ze Changelings without powah, Celeshya, you go turn it on.” The Princess of Love got up, stood up on her hind legs, trying to regain her balance. “Don’t vorry Aunt Woona, I vill buy you some Wodka after zis.” She fell to the floor. “Shining! Ze evil block of moon cheese is after me! KILL IT VITH FIYAH!”

The man and the stallion looked at each other and then at the drunken princess.

“I think you should let her sleep it off.” Nikolaos suggested.

“Hey-its-a-Me, Cadenza.” Cadence said in a cheery tone as she got up.  “Chrysalis kidnapped Shining!? I can’t let that monster get away! Onward with the quest!” She started to jump.

“Uh…sweetheart?” Shining cooed. “I think you need to get some sleep.”

“I’m fiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeee.”

Shining enveloped Cadence in a field of magic. Nikolaos opened the elevator door for him. “I’ll have your food delivered to your room.”

“Thanks.” Shining levitated Cadence, putting her in the elevator. Entering, he poked the button and it went down.

The Greek sat down and took a sip of his glass of ouzo followed with a bite of dolma.