Episode 23
Chief Gnaeus stormed forcefully into the squad room where he
had issued orders for the Night-Watch Squad to be assembled and waiting. It was
long before nightfall and he was certain there would be questions that they
would be looking for answers from him for. He would answer the ones he could
but his primary concern was to explain just exactly what his intentions were
for the night. And while those intentions were anything but complex, he needed
his Night-Watch Squad rallied for the night ahead of them.
“We are going to hunt down that deranged demon,” Chief
Gnaeus affirmed angrily as he passed clear of the open doorway with fire in his
step. His old disheveled uniform had been replaced by a fresh crisp tactical
deployment one with his Python resting comfortably slung along his hip. It did
feel so good to be back out from behind that frustrating old desk. He felt a good
10 years younger as his blood was already pumping and he yearned to get out
there and take this terrible tyrant down.
“But, Chief,” Vedia objected behind confusion and a raised
eyebrow. “What about regulations; you’re required to remain here at your post.
You cannot go out into the field. So what’s with the outfit and the ‘we’?”
“As of now,” the Chief boomed with every ounce of thunderous
authority he had earned over the years. “I have re-categorized this threat to
warrant additional man-power. And as such I can assign any duly capable officer
that I deem fit. As for regulations Officer Corvan; you can stuff them. This is
bigger than regulations and I am going to see to it that whatever it takes we
finish this job. I will not permit some monstrosity to roam loose through the
night to slaughter for sport at its leisure. One way or another we are going to
stop this thing, tonight.
Now if you don’t mind we have some important matters to get
past before we get started,” Gnaeus declared as he placed his hands behind his
back and dared anyone to challenge him. After a few moments pause he decided he
seemed to be getting his point across and continued. “As I understand it, Mr.
Vincent, you have something important to share with me – officially. Is that a
correct assessment?”
“Yes, sir,” Gabriel admitted truthfully. “You turn into one
of those monsters yourself,” Chief Gnaeus pointed out more precisely. “Yes,
sir,” Gabriel confirmed. “And yet you have managed to overcome these tainted
impulses to safeguard my officers and innocent civilians?” Gabriel once more
nodded and added another “Yes, sir,” for good measure.
“Honestly, young man, I have to admit that I am proud to
have known you. You are every bit the man your grandfather was and a worthy
legacy of his good name. Thael would have been proud of you. And, for what its
worth; I’m sorry to have misjudged you. Can we still count on you to help us
fight this thing, Gabriel?”
“The job isn’t finished, sir,” Gabriel explained firmly.
“And I do not walk away from a job until it is. So you can count on me until
everyone is safe.” A flexed metal fist shined in the light of the squad room as
Gabriel slowly studied the steely exterior. “This creature has taken from me as
much as it could and left me with this patchwork existence. I would see no one
else suffer a similar fate.”
“Agreed,” the Chief replied simply. “How effective was your
alternative equipment Officer Corvan?” Vedia could answer him with facts and
figures easily enough, but instead hefted her Phoenix into her hands reassuringly. “I would
say they proved to be more than adequate for the task, Chief,” she confirmed
with a grin. “Indeed,” Oliver added confidently.
“Well then, let’s get down to business then, shall we?”
Chief Gnaeus began to pace back and froth, his hands still squarely held behind
him. “We have found a certain pattern forming with these attacks, and if my
understanding is correct this beast begins its hunt just as dusk is falling.
So, what we are going to do is gear up and make sure we are already out waiting
for it to show its fearsome face. Then when it does; we smash it in.”
Gabriel reached down to find his trust hammer still hung at
his belt. “I’m ready for work, Chief,” he said easily. Vedia slammed in a few
more power cells into her Phoenix
and pocketed a fresh handful. “Awaiting your orders, Chief,” she announced
automatically. Oliver eagerly rammed a clip into his waiting Thunderbolt and
chambered a round. When he answered himself there was no longer any waiver in
his voice, no doubt or anxiety. “Just give me a clear shot, Chief,” he said.
Chief Gnaeus felt a measure of assurance as he looked on at
his specially assigned squad. When he had thrown this group together he had
never expected it to be facing a serious threat, much less handling it this
well. He had every confidence that they would resolve this matter completely.
“We best be on our toes though,” Gnaeus warned as he stopped pacing.
“I have reason to believe that this thing didn’t arrive here
by random chance. It was delivered here by design, and it was done so by the
Magistrate Council itself,” the Chief explained. Everyone looked on in silence
at the unbelievable news. “If the Council itself is acting covertly against the
safety of Gallu then I think it is wise to assume that this is only the
beginning. We can take nothing for granted and must keep our guard up. Once
this beast is buried we cannot rule out that other threats might still exist.
Do we have any way of knowing for sure that there aren’t
more of these dead creatures you encountered before still out there somewhere?
Or, Gabriel is there any assurance that we have that you are the only person
this monster has so afflicted? I am afraid we do not…” Guilt still wormed its
way around in Gnaeus’s middle to bother at him.
No comments:
Post a Comment