When Burt was finally able to open his box, he immediately smiled. Siting inside was a complex holster rig and two pistol boxes. Opening the boxes, Burt caressed the gun inside each box. While they appeared to be normal Beretta 92FS series pistols, Burt knew these were his. A quick check of the serial numbers verified that they were his, and a function inspection verified that the guns were immaculately cleaned and highly customized. Grabbing the gear, he headed toward his room.
The team met together in the commons area when they were finished dressing and packing. Gretchen led them out the door and to the warehouse. As they were leaving the block of apartments, Gretchen pointed out the spot reserved for "go bags" for assignments. As the team members dropped their go bags, a series of lights lit up along the wall. Gretchen explained that this summoned the staff to take care of their bags.
Walking to the warehouse, they went through another warren of corridors. Eventually the corridors widened out, and the team came to a large vault door that stood open and towered over twenty feet tall. It was about three feet thick. A small sign stenciled on the wall said "Logistics." When Burt remarked about the thickness of the door, Gretchen quietly pointed out that the weapons, gear, and equipment stored in the warehouse could actually affect the course of a nation.
The warehouse was impossibly large inside. Easily thirty feet high, the large space opened up into three distinct areas. Gretchen offered a running commentary for the introduction. "On your right is 'Equipment.' All of your tactical equipment and gear is here... secure radios, armor, electronics, and virtually anything you could want for the mission. If they don't currently have it, they can procure it within twenty-four hours. Normally, you are given more prep time for a mission and can have a list ready for the Equipment team."
Standing behind the equipment staffer was an enormous series of racks and bins. All of which was neatly labeled and ready to supply a mission deployment.
Gretchen continued her tour. "On your left is the 'Armory.' We stole Master Sergeant Russell Garner from the Army, and he is the one who will give you anything that goes bang or boom and anything that makes critters dead. Almost any type of weapon or ammunition is available, and what he doesn't have, he can get. Russell is also a master armorer. If your gun is broken or needs tuned, he can make it shoot better than it ever has. Once you've decided on a normal load out, Russell will have it ready for you on deployment."
Russell Garner was a large, burly man with a rough, blocky face and a salt-and-pepper buzzcut. Looking every inch the former Army sergeant, Russell was wearing a polo shirt and cargo pants, and the distinctive grip of a Colt M1911 stuck out of the holster on his waist. Behind the armorer was a cage of steel that contained a series of racks that held everything from pistols to rifles and shotguns. There were sections where bins of grenades were stacked, and even a section that contained anti-tank rockets. Along the wall to the armorer's right was a series of bins with names, including the names of the team members.
Gretchen led the team to the final area, straight ahead. "And last, but certainly not least, is 'Esoteric Research and Logistics.' Because of what you do, we have an entire staff dedicated to researching how to effectively find, track, and kill monsters. Think of them as the Section 28 'Q' branch. And the head of this rather eccentric group is Norbert Guffy. If you look up 'mad scientist' in the dictionary, I do believe Norbert's picture is shown. On the other hand, if you need to figure out how to kill a particular incursion monster, Norbert will have the equipment for you. From holy water to silver ammunition, and stakes to wolfsbane, if you know what you are hunting, Norbert probably has something to kill it."
Norbert Guffy was a wiry little man around five feet tall. Seated behind a simple wooden desk, his unkempt hair and stained, disheveled shirt suggested a distinct lack of sleep and hygiene. The shirt was barely covered by the worn and frayed lab coat that used to be white, but now tinged gray. His thick, black-framed glasses gave him a slightly bug-eyed appearance. The strange, mechanical keyboard on a metal stand to Norbert's right was connected to a vast machine behind him. The machine was composed of large racks separated and entangled with a confusing nest of rails. Both large and small containers traveled along rails to be stored on the racks. Manipulating the boxes was a complex series of mechanical arms, using pulleys, wires, and bits of copper. John was fascinated by the complex mechanism in front of him and stared in wonder.
Gretchen turned to the team and watched them gaze in amazement as they looked around the Logistics warehouse. She cleared her throat to get their attention. "I know this is short notice, but requisition your gear, weapons, and any esoteric gear. We have about fifteen minutes to get to the plane outside." She then stepped back as the team members dispersed to gather their equipment.
10
LOGISTICS
SECTION 28 WAREHOUSE, LANGLEY, VIRGINIA.
Burt, Jesús, and Rebekah immediately headed for the Armory. Nodding to the armorer, Burt reached out his hand and grasped the former sergeant's. "Mr. Garner, it's nice to meet you. I'm guessing it was you who cleaned up my Berettas."
"Yes, Agent Holstein," Russell responded. "And please, call me Russell. I think you'll like shooting them even more now. Would you like ammo for them for the mission? What else can I get for you?"
Burt laughed and responded, "Please, call me Burt. Let's go with four magazines for the Berettas and two boxes of additional ammo. I'd like to make the Beretta M9 the standard loadout for each member of the team, unless they have a different preference, except for our priest. Also, I'd like an M4, select-fire, with foregrip and an ACOG on top for the sights. I'll trust your judgement for the setup. Four full magazines and a hundred rounds of extra ammo."
The Beretta M9 was a classic semi-automatic handgun chambered in 9mm. The pistol had been the standard U.S. military sidearm since 1985, and the civilian variants were often used in law enforcement from the mid-1980s through the 1990s. The M4 carbine was the shorter, adjustable stock variation of the venerable M16 rifle that had been in service since the Vietnam Conflict. Updated for modern usage, the M4 had an adjustable stock for individual shooters, a shorter sixteen-inch barrel, and was capable of semi-automatic shots or firing three-round bursts, selectable with the flick of a switch.
Burt turned to Rebekah and asked, "Any experience with a rifle?"
"Some. But I'm better with a shotgun," Rebekah said. "I preferred the Mossberg we used on ship."
Burt turned back to the waiting armorer. "So, Mossberg twelve gauge. Thirty rounds, split between buckshot, slug, breeching round, dragon fire, and rubber."
Russell went to a rack and grabbed a black Mossberg 590A1 Tactical shotgun. The jet black, pump-action shotgun held five rounds in the tube, a pistol grip, and a collapsible stock like the M4 carbine. By racking the pump, the shotgun would strip out an expended shell and replace it with a fresh round that was nearly a half inch in diameter. While not great for long distance targets, the shotgun was devastating at shorter ranges.
Rebekah spoke up. "Nice to meet you Russell; I'm Rebekah. What do you have that will make stuff go bang?"
Russell smiled and accepted her handshake. "You must be the EOD Tech. I like how you think. I have everything from Semtex to C4, and even dynamite, available. Anything more exotic will have to meet you on-site. What do you want?"
Both Semtex and C4 were considered "plastic explosives." Unlike dynamite, plastic explosives are an inert, moldable clay-like material that will only explode when the proper trigger is used. Safe to transport and mold, this type of explosive needs the concussive shock of a detonator or blasting cap to start the explosive reaction. Due to its energy potential, it only takes a little to generate the explosive energy of the kinetically-slower dynamite.
"I might just fall in love with you, Sarge," Rebekah said as she smiled. "How about two pounds of C4. And an assortment of detonators, you know... motion, timed, remote. The fun stuff. I'll also take four flashbang grenades and four fragmentation, if you've got them."
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Russell nodded, and Burt chimed in, "I'll take the same grenade load, as well."
Russell said, "OK, give me five minutes to gather and crate it. I'll send it out to the plane for you."
As Burt and Rebekah walked toward the area marked, "Equipment," Jesús stepped up, placed his rifle kit on the bench, and shook Russell's hand, "I'm Jesús. Great job on my rifle. She hasn't been that smooth in a while."
Russell grinned. "I'm glad you liked it. I was going leave it for you, but we got notice you were being assigned immediately, so I thought I'd help. Can I ask you something? Why did you choose .338 Lapua? I would think that .308win would allow for more selective application. Your magnum is going to shoot through a lot of things a .308 wouldn't."
Jesús nodded. "It might seem that way, but you have to remember I was on the HRT. Most of the time, if I was pulling the trigger, I was shooting through glass, a wall, or even a car door. I had to have the long distance and heavy penetration. Besides, if you hit a bad guy with the magnum round, they don't survive for trial."
Russell nodded again. "You'll need that penetration for some of the critters that you guys are going to tackle. By the way, I tweaked the scope mount and mounted a new scope of my own design. With a simple click, your scope goes from regular to night vision to thermal. I sighted it in at one hundred yards, but you'll want to verify in the field." Russell reached down and grabbed a small hand-held electronic device that looked like a calculator. "Here's a new bullet computer. I've pre-programmed it for all the commercially available rounds, as well as the custom rounds we make here. I've even included the fun rounds that the guys in Esoteric come up with. Since you don't have a spotter, you'll need the computer."
"Instead of the M9, I'd like a good 1911," Jesús said. "It's what I carried for the HRT, and I know the gun inside and out."
Russell's grin grew wide. "Damn. I'm glad at least one of you likes to play with the 1911. I've got a custom built one that you can use, decked out with all the bells and whistles. She shoots through one ragged hole at 25 yards."
"That sounds great. At least four extra magazines, if you will," said Jesús.
Jesús thanked Russell and wandered toward the Equipment section. There, Burt had already ordered Level III flak jacket armor for all of the team except the priest and the whiz kid. For those team members, he had requisitioned level IIIA armor that they could wear under their clothing. Full battle helmets, night vision and thermal goggles, and secure radios with self activating throat mikes rounded out the tactical requisitions. The three teammates wandered toward the other team members at Esoteric Research.
When the three combat specialists walked toward the armory, Noelle and John looked at each other and immediately went to talk to the man behind the Esoteric desk. On the plain wooden desk sat a nameplate that read "Esoteric Research – Guffy." Behind the desk the man looked at them quizzically. Realizing that they were waiting for him, he started enthusiastically talking in a running stream-of-consciousness.
"Oooh, you must be the new team. It's nice to finally meet you. I've been waiting hours or maybe minutes." Looking at Noelle, he glanced at her collar and clothing and said, "You must be the priest. Of course you are the priest. Only the priest would wear that collar. Right? Let's see. I know I had a box for you." Bending over his keyboard, he began hesitantly typing letters. "Let's see, that was 'P' for priest, no... 'V' for Vatican? No... Ah. 'B' for box. B-01-DF-6."
Behind the desk, the worrisome contraption of arms, pulleys, tracks, and boxes whirred into life. After a few minutes, a pair of arms brought a medium-sized box right to the desk. Opening the lid, Norbert pulled out a small box, what looked like a cross and a rather full pouch. "OK. Let's see. You have a crucifix, silver, with a wooden stake carved into the end... a box of, hmmm, what was that... something your Vatican recommended... oh, dead man's blood. And a full pouch of consecrated salt. You guys must be going after vampires! Sounds like fun!"
Noelle accepted the items and asked, "Do you have anything else that might help? Like a way to deliver the blood?"
Norbert's face lit up, and he furiously pecked away at the keyboard, muttering to himself. A few moments later, the same arms whisked the box away and bought another one. Opening the lid, Norbert lifted out a rather strange looking handgun. He smiled and proffered it to Noelle. "Tranquilizer gun. My design." His face fell momentarily, and he began digging in the box again. Crying out triumphantly, he handed a small box to Noelle. "And here are the darts. Hypodermic. You should be able to figure it out. I hope so anyways... I lost the instruction book. Anything else?"
Noelle shook her head and stepped aside for John. John looked at Norbert and said, "OK, so what kind of gear do you have for me?"
Norbert looked him up and down and suddenly gasped. Muttering and punching furiously at the keys, he had another box brought to him. Inside were two small black pouches. Unrolling one, Norbert looked at John and said, "Let me see your glasses. Come on, come on, you don't have all day."
Reluctantly, John handed Norbert his glasses and cringed as Norbert's deft fingers disassembled his prized glasses effortlessly. The researcher's fingers moved way too fast for John to follow, and it seemed like the glasses almost reassembled themselves. Handing them back to John, Norbert smiled. "Try 'em on. I think you'll like them!"
John placed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose and was instantly amazed. Not only was the world around him sharper and crisper, but he noticed that by simply scrunching his nose a certain way he could switch between the various lenses. John started laughing and thanking Norbert.
Norbert handed John one of the tool pouches that was before him. "Amazing creatures, gremlins. Their stuff is always fun to play with." Norbert's eyes got wide as a thought struck him. He turned back to his keyboard and started muttering again. "Oooooh. One more thing. Let's see, was that 'B' for bullet? No... 'P' for pistol? No... Aha! 'G' for ghoul. GX-3-D-414-Z."
Again the boxes whirled around, and the mechanical arms brought a small but armored box down from the racks. The excitable Norbert gingerly pulled out a small padded carrying case with an explosives symbol on the side. Setting it on his desk, Norbert opened the airtight case. Inside the case, John could see a small box of ammunition completely surrounded by foam padding. Norbert smiled at John while he closed the lid and secured the box.
Handing the box to John, Norbert said, "OK, special surprise for you. Use on a vampire. Be VERY careful. Don't shoot anything you want to keep around. Have fun!"
Norbert turned to the team members coming up behind John. "And what can I get for you?"
Burt, Rebekah, and Jesús had walked over to the Esoteric Research area and were listening to the conversation between Norbert and John. Burt smiled at Norbert's greeting and said, "Do you have anything that we can use? It looks like we're vampire hunting this trip."
Norbert nodded and smiled, and then said, "Yes, yes. Let me see what I have here. What calibers are you carrying?"
As Norbert started typing on the keyboard, Burt answered, "Nine millimeter, and five-five-six. And Rebekah has a twelve gauge. And Jesús has three-three-eight Lapua, and apparently a forty-five auto." Burt looked at the holstered pistol strapped to Jesús's waist.
A fair amount of clicking and clacking sent the arms scurrying through the racks. Norbert muttered, "Only two vampires. Newbies. Calculate one hundred rounds of nine. Ninety rounds of rifle. Twenty for the pretty girl with the shotgun. Thirty for the scary sniper..."
Eventually, the arms retrieved four of the containers, and the researcher dug into them. He began placing boxes of ammunition on the desk. "Two hundred rounds of nine millimeter. One hundred rounds of forty-five. Ninety rounds for the rifle. Twenty shotgun rounds. And thirty for the sniper. My own design. Brand new. Should work." Norbert shrugged. "Should, anyway."
Burt and Jesús opened their respective boxes and compared rounds. The rounds inside looked like a standard jacketed hollowpoint design with a couple major distinctions. The outer c
oating of the jacket appeared to be silver, and Burt expected that it would test as silver as well. Inside this actual hollow cavity sat a piece of wood. Noelle leaned over and looked at the round. Nodding appreciatively, she turned back to Norbert. "You've combined silver shot with a wooden stake in a form that can be delivered from distance. How ingenious. I'm going to enjoy working with you."
The researcher blushed crimson. "Thank you. It just sounded like it should work," Norbert said as he shrugged. The researcher looked up and saw Gretchen pointing to her watch across the hall. He said, "You guys need to get going. Vampires waiting. Have fun hunting!" And he began sending the cargo boxes back to their proper places.
The team turned and saw Gretchen waiving them forward. As they reached her, she said, "Your gear is on the plane. It's time to get 'wheels up.'"
The team followed their administrator through a couple short corridors and out into the bright Virginia sunlight. On the tarmac before them was a beautiful white jet. As the engines began to spool up, John emitted a sound that was very close to a squeal. "That's a Cessna Citation X. They aren't even really out on the market yet, and we get to fly in one?"
Noelle turned to the young computer wizard and said, "So? It's a plane. What's so special about this one?"
The pure fanboy adulation instantly made Noelle regret her question. John began speaking rapidly, "It is literally the fastest private jet in existence. It has a top speed of over point-nine Mach, or nine-tenths the speed of sound. We should be in Colorado in less than three hours with this thing cranking up..."
INCURSION: Knightmare (Knight's Bane Trilogy Book 1) Page 8