“Is this really necessary?” I asked.
“No names, call-signs only. Let me hear them.”
“Banshee Leader,” I said with a growl.
“Ironheart,” Andrews said with a smile and entirely too much good cheer. I guessed he hadn’t been briefed on the odds of our survival.
“Fan,” Kano said with another slight bow.
“Stick,” Noh said quietly, mimicking his brother’s bow.
“Gibraltar,” Gibbons said, staring at me. “You and I have a conversation to finish after this mission, Banshee.”
“Excuse me?” Andrews held up a hand. “Why is he going by Banshee? Does he intend to scream at our enemies?”
“Because he’s bringing those blasted crying blades of his.” Gibraltar pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can feel the headache coming on already from the bloody wailing.”
“They’re called the Sorrows.” I returned his stare.
“Bloody nuisance is what they are, but we can discuss that after this mess.”
“Provided there is an after, we can converse to your heart’s desire.”
Zava gave a short cough. “Gentlemen, operation Hand of Fate depends on you five. No one, except for a select few, knows of this mission. If you’re captured, stranded, or injured, there will be no assistance, and no backup. You will be officially disavowed. Is that clear?”
“Why is he the leader?” Gibraltar pointed at me. “He’s just a battle mage.”
“A few reasons, actually,” Zava replied. “He’s an accomplished battle mage, for one. The defenses around Oblivion have been inscribed in an obscure older runic tongue that he can decipher and, most importantly, your approach is on the north side of island, and Trist—Banshee is an expert infiltrator.”
Gibraltar scoffed. “He’s going to get us all killed is what he’s going to do. When was the last time he infiltrated anything?”
“Around the time you and your brother were caught by the enemy and about to be retired violently, remember that?” Zava replied.
“Every day, yes,” Gibraltar answered, his voice slicing through the sudden quiet. “My brother died in that rescue.”
“As did many of my friends. We both lost people on that day.”
“Is this going to be a problem?” Zava asked.
“Not a problem at all.” Gibraltar leaned against the wall and crossed his arms while glaring. “At least not for me.”
I made a mental note to keep Gibraltar under observation and pointed to Fan and Stick. “They don’t wield magic.”
“Maybe not like you three,” Zava said. “They wield weapons that will come in useful on your visit to Keyes. Provided none of you pulls a Jenkins and gets the team erased.”
I shook my head slowly. Zava was sending these men to die. “They won’t last five minutes out there without being able to use magic. They should stay here. No offense.”
Zava gave me a hard look.
“Let me be absolutely clear about one thing. Your chances of surviving this thing are about as thin as the shadow of a hair. The odds place half of you dead before you hit the island and the other half dead before you get off.”
“There are only five of us,” I pointed out.
“Your point?” Zava snapped. “I don’t expect to see any of you again. If by some miracle any of you survive, and I find that highly unlikely, we can discuss the intricacies and logistics of planning suicide missions at your leisure. Until then, we have people stranded on Ellis and a city to save.”
“Well, he’s cheerful,” muttered Ironheart under his breath.
“Cheerful?” Zava whirled to face him. “I’m not here to cheer you up. If you need cheering up, I’ll shoot you now and save everyone the trouble of worrying about your hurt feelings later.”
Ironheart raised his hands in surrender. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Commander, why don’t you brief us one last time?” I said, trying to deflect attention to the matter at hand, our suicide mission.
Zava shifted over to the center of the conference table. He rearranged the maps and smoothed out the one containing the plans to Oblivion.
“The north side is sheer, which means you’re going to have to shake off the dust and find a way to scale that wall.”
“Opposition?”
“The usual, runic traps that no one can read, wolves, vamps, and other assorted nightmares waiting to make your acquaintance.”
“Where are the lines?”
“On the lower level. From what I understand, the guard is light due to the defenses of the island. Once the ley-lines are down, you should be able to cast a circle and port to the center of the city.”
“Where hell awaits.” Gibraltar looked down at the map of the city. “They’ll have a horde of nastiness waiting for us.”
“You’re war mages.” Zava glanced at Gibraltar. “Are you scared?”
“Of course I’m scared.” Gibraltar nodded. “I’d be daft if I weren’t.”
“We can’t risk a large-scale assault. We tried that, twice. It didn’t end well. Even without the defenses from Keyes, you’ll be facing ogres, vamps, wolves, and an insane amount of rummers. And those are just the things we know about.”
Gibraltar crossed his arms and glared at Zava. “So, certain death.”
“Nothing is certain, until it comes to pass,” Stick said, leaning on a short staff and examining the maps on the table. “Not even death.”
“Well, now I feel safe,” scoffed Gibraltar. “The little man with a twig is going to protect me.”
“You’re free to decline this mission if you feel the risks are too great.” Zava glared at Gibraltar, who towered over him. “I’m sure I could find another defensive mage willing to take your position while you remain safe and sound at HQ. Staying or going? Make up your mind.”
It was a lie. I knew we didn’t have time or another mage insane enough to take on this mission. The seconds stretched out until Gibraltar threw his hands up and laughed.
“Bloody hell!” he yelled, clapping Zava on the back. “Who wants to live forever anyway? Besides, who am I to pass up a chance to fight alongside the great Tristan—I mean, Banshee?”
“I’ll take that as staying. Now, where was I?”
“Ley-lines.” I looked around at the group. Overall, it was a solid team. A little rough, but capable. With a bit of luck we could walk away from this mission.
Zava pulled the large city map to one side and centered the Oblivion map.
“Lowest level. One way in, one way out. You’ll be exposed to ley-line bursts every three minutes. The three mages will plant the inhibitor rune and get out.”
Gibraltar whistled low. “Exposed lines will fry us. Even I can’t throw up a shield against that much power. Three minutes enough time?”
“You don’t want to know what we have to do to get you those three-minute windows.”
Mages would be risking their lives diverting the line and creating a runic dam to hold it in place for that long. The amount of power required to re-route a ley line was staggering.
“We’ll make it enough time,” I said, my voice hard. “What’s our approach?”
Zava traced a finger along the map.
“You launch from the forward base at Fort Wadsworth under the Verrazano and approach Keyes from the south. We’ve provided a tug boat to give you cover.”
“A tug?” Gibraltar followed Zava’s finger. “Isn’t that a little slow? Aren’t we pressed for time?”
“It’s the only vessel on the water that will allow you to get close enough to Keyes Island without setting off the defenses. If they go off, we won’t need to send a team to find your remains, there won’t be anything to find.”
“That would be a short mission.” Gibraltar nodded. “Fine, we tug it to the island. Then what?”
“You make your way undetected to the north side. Let me say that again—make your way to the north side undetected. The island has several patrols that the five of you—war m
ages or not—will not engage.”
“Is that why we’re doing a night approach?” Gibraltar asked. “So we can go in undetected? I’m just a bit confused since most of these creatures are bloody nocturnal. Maybe you can clear that up for me, Zava?”
“You want us to avoid the guardian,” I said. “Every ley-line tower has a guardian—a creature enhanced by the ley-line energy.”
Zava nodded. “This one is particularly nasty. Our best intel only managed to get us that it’s some kind of super ogre.”
“A super ogre?” Ironheart looked around at the group. “Then why not attack during the day and avoid this creature?”
“You’re going in at night because the defenses that kick in during the day will fry you where you stand the moment they detect the slightest magical ability. We lost a lot of good people to learn that the hard way.”
I nodded.
“I activate the wall and get the rest of the team inside Oblivion where we find the ley-line and place the inhibitor rune.”
“Once the line is inhibited, Omega Free Force will move in on Ellis and get our people off.” Zava pointed to the larger land mass farther up on the map. “At least two mages have to activate the rune to stop the flow.”
“How will you know?”
“We have teams monitoring the flow of energy to Ellis, and once it’s down we’ll scramble Omega.”
“That’s when we port into the belly of the beast,” Gibraltar said, pointing at the red circle on the map of the city.
“That’s the center of the city,” Ironheart said, shaking his head in disbelief. “No way can we get that deep into enemy territory undetected.”
“Noticed that, did you?” The commander tapped the map. “Look closer.”
“Well…fuck me,” Ironheart said as he checked the map again. The commander nodded.
“That’s not in the center of the city.” I leaned over the map and looked at the elevation of the target area. “It’s under it.”
“You have to get clear of the inhibitor rune before you can cast a circle to teleport or you’ll have too much interference.”
“Right, we get clear, port under the city while Ellis is evacuated,” I said. “You have the exact coordinates?”
Zava handed me an envelope covered in runes.
“Eight hours from the time of line inhibition to the restoration of defenses,” Zava said. “That’s your window to the artifact.”
“Bloody hell, that’ll be tight.” Gibraltar shook his head. “If anything goes pear-shaped, we’re done.”
“We’ll make it,” I said. “We have to.”
“If you don’t complete the mission in three days, your orders are to evac and return to HQ,” Zava said, looking at me. “Under no circumstances are you to continue if your three-day window is closed. Are we clear?”
All of the men nodded.
“You leave tonight.”
THREE
WE DROVE IN silence to the forward station located at Fort Wadsworth. The darkness wrapped itself around us as we approached the pier. We all had our reasons for being here. For the mages, each of our sects had the final word. The Golden Circle elders had been sending me on missions like this since I joined the war effort.
It would be the same for the other two mages. What I didn’t understand was why the two brothers were here. What was their purpose? They weren’t mages but they weren’t normals either. Did they work for Zava and the Free Forces or were they just freelance operatives for hire?
Gibraltar’s grunt of disgust broke me out of my reverie.
“What the bloody hell is that?”
We stopped and got out. Moored to the pier was an object that loosely resembled a boat.
“That is your way onto Keyes Island.” Zava pointed. “She looks a bit rundown but she’ll get the job done. If anyone does notice you, they’ll think it’s just a piece of junk floating down the river. Happens all the time. Fan will be your ship’s captain.”
Ironheart grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to the side as we jumped out of the truck.
“Swimming was never my strong suit,” he said quietly as he stared at the tug. “That boat looks like it’s about ten seconds from being a submarine.”
“I doubt your swimming skill or lack thereof will be an issue. In any case I’m certain there are life preservers on board.”
“That’s inspiring.” He shuddered and made his way down to the pier.
Fan and Stick undid the mooring and stepped onto the tug.
“Rundown?” Gibraltar placed a tentative foot on the edge of the tug. “It looks like it’s about to sink any second. Are you serious?”
Zava looked around the pier.
“I don’t understand. For some reason, the state-of-the-art luxury yacht I requested was turned down by Command. Can you imagine?”
“Bloody hilarious, Zava.” Gibraltar jumped on the deck. “You’re not the one getting on this floating disaster.”
Ironheart stepped on and Zava held me back.
“Fan knows the route. There should be no contact until you get on the island. I know she looks like a piece of junk, but she can run dark and silent. As long as you don’t use magic you should be fine.”
I looked over at the tug and shook my head.
“It’s not inspiring confidence. I’m not eager to sink on the way there.”
“You won’t. But if you make contact before Keyes, abandon her and get on the island. The mission comes first.”
I nodded. “I’m less eager to swim there, but understood.”
He reached out and took my hand. “You have seventy-two hours from the second you launch. After that, Command will rain down hell, raze it all, and sift through the bodies and ashes for the artifact.”
“Revelation Protocol. Do they understand how many lives will be lost?”
“Acceptable losses if they get the Black Heart.”
“Myopic as usual,” I answered. “I doubt they’re acceptable to anyone on Ellis or in the city.”
“Ours not to question why.”
“Ours but to do and die,” I finished. “Tennyson is apt. I still think the protocol is overkill.”
“Says the mage who blows up buildings.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “They’re itching to use it, don’t give them the reason.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you. How did you manage to get this mission sanctioned?” I stepped on the deck of the tug as the engine started with a low rumble and it started pulling away from the pier.
“What mission?”
FOUR
ZAVA WAS RIGHT. The tug glided silently along the surface. It resembled a large piece of flotsam being carried by the current. A dark shadow against darker water. As disguises went, it was effective. I entered the wheelhouse where Fan held the large wheel and gave me a nod. Behind him sat Stick, silent and immobile.
“How did you two find yourselves attached to this mission?”
Fan didn’t take his eyes off the water ahead of us except to glance every few seconds at the instrument panel. He spoke to Stick in a language I didn’t understand.
“What did he say? Doesn’t he speak English?”
Fan muttered some words in response.
Stick turned to face me. “He says he could speak with you and get us killed or he could focus on getting us to the island alive.”
“Please tell him I’d prefer to get to the island alive.”
Fan nodded with a grunt and kept making minor adjustments to the wheel.
“We are not with the Free Forces,” Stick said. “My brother and I have fought the supernaturals on every continent. It is our duty.”
“Your duty? You mean you go around the world fighting supernaturals?”
“Correct. What is your duty?”
“To get everyone out of this mission in one piece.”
“That is not a duty. That is an objective, one I doubt you will fulfill.”
I was about to answer when the tug rocked sideways. I began to g
esture when Stick held my hand and shook his head.
“What are you doing?” I hissed. “We may be under attack.”
“And your response will get us killed. No magic.”
Fan said something quick and turned the wheel to the right.
“Outside,” Fan said and pointed with his chin. “No magic.”
I stepped onto the main deck with Stick by my side. Behind us I sensed a large energy signature.
“What is that?”
Stick closed his eyes and leaned on his short staff.
“Dark rays, one of the defenses of the river, the last thing we want to do is use—”
“Magic?” I said, looking up as a large orb of orange energy crashed into the river behind us, hitting whatever was in the water. I stepped to the gunwale.
“That was unwise.” Stick looked into the water.
“How far away from Keyes are we?”
“Not far. Several hundred yards. That is not the difficulty.”
“What is?”
“Avoiding the dark rays on the way there will prove challenging.”
Stick looked ahead as Gibraltar approached with a smug look on his face.
“Were you going to pet it, Banshee?” he asked with a grin. “Sometimes you have to show these creatures who wields the power.”
Stick looked at Gibraltar and then looked to the rear of the tug. “We should move to the front.”
“Why? I finished it.” Gibraltar leaned over the gunwale to look in the river. “There’s nothing down there now.”
I was already moving to the bridge when Stick drove his short staff in between Gibraltar’s arms and rotated, flinging him to the front of the tug in one smooth motion.
Behind us, a large shadow surfaced. It was the largest manta ray I had ever seen. Its span was easily forty feet across with steely blue skin that illuminated the river with energy. Breaking the surface of the river, it leaped into the air, and I stood mesmerized by its graceful ascent.
Stick pulled me back as it crashed into the main deck, shearing the end clean off the tug. We started drifting and taking on water immediately as the engine sank to the bottom of the river.
A Montague & Strong Short Story Collection (Montague & Strong Case Files) Page 8