by J Moon
Both cyborgs raised their hands in salute. “League Elite will comply.” Both pounded their chests and disappeared in a crack of white light.
Legion was entrusted with the task of crippling SMITE from the chairman of the Sons of Chaos, but gaining sweet revenge over the archangel would bring him satisfaction. This made all the demons in the collective tingle with glee. He had very little time to put his plans in motion but knew he would not underestimate Gabriel.
A grunt turned to him, “What should we do with them?”
“Annihilate them.” Legion commanded as he turned and marched off the dance floor.
Once the command was given, the Elite guard and grunts opened fire on the unlucky few patrons of Afterlife.
Chapter Eight
Gabe turned off the main road and followed a small off beaten path between high towering trees, and a rocky unpaved dirt road. The Ark rocked its way down the dusty gravel road with two plumes of dust corkscrewing behind.
“Why are you going this way?” Langston asked.
“Can’t be too careful.” Gabe said as he turned off the headlights and The Ark hummed along the dirt road. “I don’t want them to see me coming.” He pulled the car under the cloak of trees and removed the key from the ignition.
“This is it?” Nia asked as the engine quieted.
“I believe so,” said Langston.
Nia winced. “I don’t know Gabe this factory looks mad suspect.”
“Dear lord yes,” Josephine agreed as she clutched her sweater.
“Perfect place for evil to dwell.” Gabe loaded his eagle eye pistol. He leaned over the driver’s seat, “I need you all to stay here. I’m going to do a quick look around the place, and see if I can find anything.”
“What if Jimmy Lee is in there? You don’t know what he looks like.” Langston protested.
Gabe held his hands in defense. “Trust me. If he is in there, I’ll find him. If I don’t come back in twenty, then leave without me." He tossed Langston the key to the Ark.
“But Gabe—” Nia protested.
Gabe sighed. “Just do as I say please. You are more important to me.”
Nia’s breath caught as the words came out of his mouth. The way the words fell out of his full lips. His deep arching brow and the smolder in his burning brown eyes. She studied it all intently and it stirred something deep within.
“Your safety is.” Gabe corrected. “All of you. I won’t allow anything to happen to you, so please just stay here in The Ark where it is safe.”
Josephine patted Nia’s shoulder. “There there dear, let the archangel carry on with his mission. Go ahead Gabe, we will be right here waiting for you.”
“I’ll be back.”
Gabe got out, eased the door shut and walked softly down the little path towards the factory. Full dark clouds obscured the moon as the archangel flowed like water over the land, swiftly, without a sound, his eagle eye pressed between his hands. Before him rose a stand of trees, and a few yards beyond the trees a gate.
Gabe crept forward, tree to tree, and then froze. He swept around the perimeter to see if anyone was outside watching guard. All around was quiet. Gabe stuck his nose in the air. Yes, indeed there was a faint trace of Sulfur. They were definitely in the right place. Seeing no one, he marched forward.
He pushed through a tangled mess of branches and made his way towards the gate. With an effortless jump, he leapt across the gate. There were only a few cars in the lot. He would have to be discreet as he looked around. He made his way around the side of the factory. Something caught the archangel’s eyes in the far right.
A few yards past the factory hung bright lights and machinery. He could hear men working over there. The archangel wondered to himself what was going on. He concluded that he would check out the factory first, and then make his way over to the site on his way out. Out of nowhere, he heard whispers and footsteps behind him. He swung with his gun raised.
“Chill son, it’s only us.” Nia said as the others gasped.
“I thought I told you to stay in the car?”
Josephine walked past him, “You didn’t really think we were going to listen. Did you?”
“No, but I thought I’d still give it a try.”
Langston joined Josephine at the door and pulled. “It’s locked.”
Gabe produced his smart watch and said, “I’ll fix that.” He pointed his wrist to the door handle as a small green orb emitted from his watch, and reconfigured itself into different key sizes. He performed one final adjustment to the smart watch and the artificial key went in. As the key twisted, they heard a satisfying click from the lock mechanism. “Got it!” he shouted as he held open the door.
Josephine was the first to walk through, “Thanks sugar.”
Gabe sighed and covered the smartwatch with the cuff of his shirt.
He looked over to Nia, “After you my lady.”
Nia nodded and smiled as she stepped in. Langston joined behind her. Gabe didn’t know what to expect walking through the doors of the factory, but once inside he noticed the usual machinery in a manufacturing plant.
Facing him was the open floor to which a long conveyer belt stretched. Hung above were machines almost like hands to pluck and fill bottles. Scattered all over were empty cola bottles and cartons. To the right, under bright arc lights, were dozens of refrigerators nestled along the wall. There were a few men dotted in the factory, walking back and forth. Gabe gave a quick, sour look around as the others trailed in behind him.
A pale fellow up to his elbows in dust walked over. “Excuse me sir. How may I help you?”
Gabe glanced down at the name on his jumpsuit. “Hello Henry, my name is Gabriel.” He reached in his coat pocket and flashed a badge then waited, “Don’t mind me and my people. We are just here to have a look around the place.”
Henry stared at the badge unaware of the mind trick that was being played upon him. He blinked.“Oh, you're with safety. We weren’t expecting you guys for another few months.”
“Well we like to pop up unannounced. It keeps everyone on their toes,” Nia added.
“Do you want me to grab my shift manager to show you around.”
“Thank you, but that won't be necessary.” Langston added.
“We will be quick and we do not like be bothered. Now tsk tsk off you go!” Josephine commanded with a flick of her hands.
The man trailed off while looking at the group sideways as he returned to his work.
Nia turned to him, “How did you do that?”
Gabe tapped his forehead, “It’s a simple mind trick us archangels use from time to time.”
Nia nodded, “That’s useful.”
“Tell me about it,” Gabe agreed.
Gabe waited for Henry to disappear before he ushered the group away from the entrance. The long wall of the factory occupied the far side and now a rhythmic engine thump became boisterous.
He spotted a rather plain grey door on the wall opposite. Gabe strolled across the hall to it, looking around the factory with the keen interest of an inspector as the others followed. He reached, and the door was unlocked. Gabe opened it then he and the others walked through, Langston leaving the door closed shut behind. They found themselves in a long hallway leading to an elevator. There was separation to the west corridor and the stairs led to the main floor.
“I think we should split up. This place is too big,” Langston suggested.
“No, that’s a terrible idea,” Gabe argued.
“But we’ll never find him like this.”
“He’s right,” Nia added. “I can take the elevator with Langston and see what’s going on downstairs while you two go up to the main floor and supervisor office.”
Josephine wrapped her hands around Gabe, “That’s fine by me.”
“No… no... no I’m supposed to be protecting you.”
“Yes, but you also have to get that staff. Plus, Langston wants to find his friend. I can handle myself. From Brooklyn
remember.”
Gabe pointed a finger, “Don’t do anything crazy. Ms. Carter and be careful.”
“She will be alright with me,” Langston said.
Gabe rubbed her shoulder, “Are you sure you’re going to be all right?”
“I’ll be fine,” Nia led Langston to the elevator. “Meet back here in ten?”
Gabe nodded. Josephine grabbed the archangel’s arm and gazed up to him. “Come on then Gabe. Let’s take a look around,” she said, the thought of danger turning her on.
Together both Nia and Langston hopped onto the elevator. Langston took the initiative to operate the device to which Nia had no clue how to crank. With a clunk, the elevator jerked into motion and descended to the basement floors.
It had been in the back of Gabe’s mind as he watched the girl descend, that he liked Nia and was excited by her-that she could be so remarkable. Nia had some of the qualities of one of SMITE’S best, the independence, the strength of character, the ability to work alone. It made the mystery of why she was so coveted by the League deepen within the archangel’s thoughts. She was special, and he knew eventually he would figure out why.
Chapter Nine
Colonel Brown studied the phone on his desk with care as he leisurely sipped coffee from his silver stained thermostat. He sat in the underground bunker of the Shepherd facility, located underneath the heart of Brooklyn. It was 1921 when the U.S. gathered some of the best engineers in the country to build a new underground facility dedicated to research of paranormal activities.
The decision to erect such a building was in response to an attack that happened to one of their bunkers in Germany three years ago. Something vicious had slaughtered soldiers, scientists, and research assistants with no mercy during the first World War.
They believed the monster was a weapon sent by the Germans but further research proved otherwise. Around two hundred and eighty-six kills were confirmed with only one survivor. His name was Ernest Brown and since that day the army has appointed him as Chief of Paranormal activity.
Colonel Brown refilled his cup while he watched rain sweep across the windowpane. As he waited for the phone to ring, he thought about the night he came face to face with evil. Before he could see the monster in his mind’s eye, he recalled the sounds it made as it butchered everyone in the camp.
There was a maelstrom of shots and cries of terror, as he ran into the medical bunker to seek refuge. The monster came as quiet as a thief in the night, and the sight of it still careened through his mind.
It had emerald green eyes that smoldered in the darkness of a ragged brown cloak, and jagged yellow claws that curled from its hands. When it slashed him it created the scar that marked the Colonel from the left side of his throat all the way to the right above his hip.
The creature had believed him to be dead as it went to maul the man it came after, Michael Tate. Ernest remembered himself bleeding all over, but somehow he was able to get his hands on a huge bayonet knife. Once he had the knife, he mustered enough strength to pick himself off the floor, then he crept towards the creature, and once he saw his chance, he plunged the blade hard in its back
The cry the monster made was the sound of pure terror. It was a sound Ernest never heard before, a high pitched squeal that sent icy daggers of fear down his spine.
Angered, the beast turned on him in a blink of an eye. With all of its weight it slammed Ernest on the ground. He held his forearm against the monster’s throat to keep it from chomping his face off. That’s when the cloak fell off.
Earnest saw the creature in all its horrific grandeur. It was bald, brown and furry on top with small green eyes. When it opened its mouth he could see a big eye at the back of its throat that was surrounded by rows upon rows of teeth.
Earnest stabbed the creature repeatedly to no avail. When he ran the blade to the back of the monster’s mouth, it finally keeled over. When Ernest defeated the creature, he went over to Michael. The man was all but dead. His face was recognizable but still he struggled to speak.
“Michael, why the hell is that thing after you?”
Michael moved his mouth, but the words struggled to come out as his energy faded. “I’m special,” he said.
Ernest was lost. He held Michael in the cradle of his arms and Michael started to go limp. Ernest shook him. “Special how?”
When Michael turned his head back over, his eyes became silver. “I can perform miracles.”
Ernest was stunned speechless. His mouth fell open as he held Michael close. Michael pulled at the collar of Ernest’s shirt and spoke in his ear.
“You have to promise me you’ll protect my daughter.”
Ernest nodded. “I promise you.”
Colonel scratched at the side of his neck where the scar remained, as he looked outside to see that the small drizzle of rain started to increase. From his periphery he spotted a woman before she entered the room.
“Anything yet?” She asked as she sat a fresh pot of coffee on his desk.
Colonel Brown grabbed the pot and refreshed his thermostat. “Not yet my dear, but any minute now.”
Concern was written all over her face. “Have you eaten yet?”
“Not a thing?”
“I swear old man, you determined to send yourself to an early grave?”
“No time for eating,” He declared as he looked over at her stone eyed. “We have an apocalypse on our hands. Two possible rogue angels and a demon on the loose in our city. I won’t sleep and I won’t eat until that staff is in our hands.”
Betty casted a long side eye gaze at him. “What are you going to do if you get your hands on it?”
“Get rid of it. That thing is like a bomb in the wrong hands. I don’t care if I have to throw it down a lava pit or bend it over my knee and snap it.”
Colonel Brown kept his promise as he looked at the girl, now a woman, he has looked after since the age of sixteen. Betty Tate was one of the many reasons he spearheaded the Shepherd initiative to gather and train those like her and her father, gifted with the ability to do miracles. Colonel Brown knew it was truly them who are needed to win in the battle of good versus evil.
Oddly the two of them made a great formidable pair. Him with his army background and her with her abilities. Colonel Brown was a tall and husky man, with full round cheeks like a seal. He was a very proud man who walked tall. His looks weren’t improved over the years. In his younger days, he’d both boxed and played rugby for the army. He looked heavy, dull and rather fixed in his ways.
Betty Tate was younger and slimmer, with a heart shaped face and shaggy brown hair that just barely touched her shoulders. She was a spirited woman with a warm smile, eyes burning with knowledge and a certain quietness that was alluring. Betty Tate, like her father, had abilities. She could project her spirit anywhere in the world and see what her spiritual self sees. She was the embodiment of being a fly on the wall. Originally the government wanted to get rid of her due to the dangerous nature of her powers. She could be anywhere watching a president or dictator discuss top secret information.
Out of nowhere the phone rang and Colonel Brown raced over.
“Colonel, we are in position,” The voice said on the other side.
He put his hand over the phone then leaned over to Betty. “They are there now. Get ready.” Colonel Brown uncovered the phone and continued asking questions. “Are you sure it’s her? Uriel?”
“Affirmative sir, we have located Uriel. We are following her now.”
Colonel Brown leaned in closer. “Does she have the weapon?”
“Sir, it’s hard to tell.”
Colonel Brown looked over to Betty. “Give me eyes now.” Then he spoke back into the phone. “Listen to me. Take her out and get that staff by any means necessary.”
The speaker on the other side paused before responding. “Yes, sir.”
Betty Tate closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As she did her spirit materialized on the corner of West Forty-Second Street,
across from the New Amsterdam Theatre. Thunder cracked as the rain picked up.
It was beginning to be one of those nights that it seemed the rain would never end. Betty Tate was on a busy corner teeming with people, but she could see clear as day the archangel Uriel wearing an extravagant red coat and matching hat. It began raining, a steady pitter patter hitting the pavement like bullets. Following not too far behind was the Shepherd team.
While her spirit continued looking on, Betty spoke to the Colonel with her eyes shut. “They are moving in position sir.”
Colonel Brown faced forward. “Show time.”
Chapter Ten
Uriel took a quick glance over her shoulder. She had noticed the men following her for the last two hours, and she had decided to finally deal with them. From creation she was trained to always be cognizant of her surroundings.
Before she went rogue, Uriel was exceptionally good at her duties as an archangel. She was excellent in hand to hand combat, efficient in the use of all weapons, well versed in battle strategy, meticulous, tenacious, and calculating.
The latter skills made her deadlier than Michael, Gabriel, Raphael or any of the other archangels. Uriel was painstakingly patient. Every move she made was a well thought out surgical strike. That’s why her decision to go rogue and compromise SMITE security was not an easy one, but a necessary one that had to be made.
Her walk stiffened. Uriel had an inclination that they were about to close in on her. She could sense the anxiousness of her enemies in the air, and knew she had to get rid of them before her meeting with Owney.
She strutted down an alley, and for a few paces she thought she had lost them. Sadly, she was mistaken.
Right behind her, coming out of the entrance of the New Amsterdam Theatre on the other side of the road, three men in raincoats and dark bowler hats followed. There was no trace of any drunken slumber, and they were silent as they marched behind.
Their stone faces, and matching attire, made it all the more obvious that they were one unit. Uriel wanted to laugh at how amateur they were. Just like a demon she was beginning to see humans as vastly inferior. She couldn’t tell if this idea came about after being away from home so long, or was it an enlightenment that came with separation from the Creator.