“I don’t know what to say,” he said.
“How about move out?” she replied.
“Sure, let’s move out,” he told her, and they headed in the direction of the stairs.
“One thing,” she said.
“Yes?” he asked.
“You ever tell anyone I let you order me around you’ll be sorry, mister,” she told him.
Bodies were everywhere. Most of the ceiling on this floor had collapsed. The building was heavily damaged and stress on the supports ruptured the floor and ceiling where the beams had buckled. Between debris and asphyxiation, there were no survivors. They reached the stairwell and when they opened the door, thick hot smoke rolled out and they could see the light of a fire somewhere below.
“Next option. The elevator,” he said.
“Very funny,” replied Chelsea.
“No, I’m serious. If the car isn’t there, we have a clear way up. If it is, we climb up through its emergency hatches in the floor and roof and ascend. Either way, we use the shaft as a tunnel up to 14. Those holes in the ceiling are another option. The elevator shaft is a sure bet to 14, the holes are just going to get us to 11 and no guarantee we can find another way to get further up from there,” he told her.
“It’s a sound plan. Let’s try it,” she said.
They went to the elevator and pried open the doors and the elevator was nowhere to be seen. “Great, the shaft is clear. Do you like rock climbing?” he asked her.
She started climbing the shaft using the support columns as her grip. “It’s a good thing I keep my fingernails short,” she said, and he followed behind her.
As they were climbing up, they felt a small aftershock and heard a loud crash above them. Pieces of debris started falling past them. One large piece caught Chelsea on the shoulder and knocked her off. She screamed and fell past Sebastian, but he managed to grab her hand and stop her fall. He was hanging off the structure by one hand and she was dangling. He was losing his grip and it took everything he had to hold them both up.
“I’m slipping,” she said.
“I won’t let you fall. Start swinging. I’ve got you,” he said as she started swaying to swing herself back to the wall. His grip was holding but barely. She managed to get a grip again on the support column and once he was certain she was secure, he let go.
“Thanks. I thought I was gone. It’s a good thing you have excellent reflexes,” she said as she approached their destination.
“I swore to protect you for eternity remember? I’ll always be there to catch you,” he said.
She didn’t respond to that but just smiled to herself.
They arrived at the door to 14 and it was sealed. It took them a minute or so of joint effort to force it open and get onto the floor. The electronic locks were offline, so they had to pry it. It was more damaged than the last one they opened, and it took a lot of effort with the two of them as precariously positioned as they were. The floor was a bit hazier than 10 and felt slightly warmer. “There must be a fire on 13 or 15. We need to hurry. Warden facilities are fire resistant but something really hot is causing this fire. It will eventually reach us,” she said.
He nodded and followed her. They worked their way through the floor, having to break through several security doors as they went. They got to the commissary and found the survivors huddled on one side of it where the floor was more stable than the rest of the room.
They quickly went over to them and started an assessment. Abraham was in charge and Sebastian ran up to him and hugged him. “Dad I thought I would never see you again,” he said.
“Son, I am so glad to see you. The reactor caught fire and is going haywire and is interfering with incoming frequencies. How bad was it? Is L.A. hit bad?” asked Abraham.
“Dad, you don’t know? It’s not just LA, it’s global. Solomon’s Seal was broken, and it triggered global earthquakes and eruptions and the quakes caused tidal waves. It’s a global catastrophe. The death toll is in the billions. Martial law is in effect worldwide,” he told his father.
“I think I need a drink,” said Director Abraham.
“I think we need to get you out of here and to safety,” he told his dad. “Chelsea, assessment?” he asked her.
“Nine survivors. It looks like they lost one since they started broadcasting. Most can move. Two have debilitating injuries. One unconscious with head injuries the other with two broken legs and possible spinal damage. Triaging the rest now,” she replied.
“Does anyone have medical training beyond standard Warden first response training?” Sebastian asked loudly.
Everyone shook their heads no.
“You there,” he said pointing to a muscular man. “Break up three tables. Turn two into stretchers and secure those two for transport. Get the other one over to that corner and break out the window.” Everyone turned to look at him. “You have your orders.” He pointed at two more. Help Lady Chelsea treat the injured. Just follow her orders. Dad, anything else we need to know?” he said.
“No, you have it under control,” the old man replied.
“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. Everyone who is uninjured help ready the rest to move. We can’t get those two down to the landing pad so I’m bringing the shuttle up. I’m going to fly around to that window and open the bay door. We’ll use that table to create a gangplank and get everyone on board.” People started doing as he ordered, and he helped secure the two unable to walk.
“I love you,” he told Chelsea and kissed her as he ran back to towards the elevator.
“Did I miss something?” asked Abraham.
“You’ve missed a lot. It’s been a crazy night,” she replied.
“When did he get put in charge?” the old man asked her.
“He always was but he’s just now finding that out,” she said smiling as she bandaged someone’s arm.
“Anything else?” he said.
“Well, let’s see. The Seal is broken, global devastation, martial law...let me think. Oh. Merlin’s back along with magic. We had a prison break. Merlin thinks me, and Sebastian are the reincarnation of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. I think that about covers it,” she said.
“Make that two drinks,” he said sitting down and taking out a flask.
“By the way, I have a personal question if you don’t mind,” said Chelsea.
“Sure, what the hell. Ask away,” he said taking a drink from the flask.
“Do you prefer dad, daddy, father, pop or something else?” she said smiling at him.
“What the hell are you talking about?” he said.
“You’re going to be my father in law. Sebastian and I are getting married,” she said.
He looked at the flask. “This won’t be enough.”
She took the flask from him. “Sorry, Abraham but we need you sober, and this is better used as antiseptic. This is going to be tricky enough loading everyone without you stumbling around.”
A few minutes later the shuttle came to the window and turned to put the bay door next to it. Sebastian engaged the autopilot once it was lined up. The shuttle’s design let it get close but there was still a gap of about a meter and a half and they laid down the tabletop to create a bridge. They loaded the stretchers first. It was tricky but with the help of Chelsea, his father and one of the uninjured survivors they managed to get the stretchers and everyone else on board. They closed the shuttle and started to fly out. He swung the shuttle down to street level and Chelsea came over to him.
“What are you doing?” she said.
“We have medical supplies and food on board and we’re going to be at a Warden facility in less than half an hour. We’re going to give our supplies away. Take out the narcotics and painkillers, we don’t want to give out addictive drugs,” he told her.
He saw a small group of people huddled near a barrel with a fire in it and he parked the shuttle near them. He got out and ran the supplies over to them. “It’s not much but there are some food and med
icine here. I can’t take you with me because I don’t have room on the shuttle but hopefully, this will help. I’ll let the local rescue groups know you’re here and they will send help as soon as they can,” he told them. He spent a few minutes helping with some minor injuries and returned to the shuttle after they said their goodbyes.
While Sebastian was outside, Chelsea and Abraham were talking in the cockpit of the shuttle. “So, you’re really marrying my son?” he asked her.
“I am. Are you happy for us?” she asked him.
“Of course. I don’t really know you that well but what little I’ve seen of you I like. You’re smart, funny and easy on the eyes. If I were younger, I’d give you a go. You’re also one tough bitch and he needs a tough bitch to keep him steady. He’s got a hero complex and it can get him trouble if someone doesn’t keep him grounded,” said Abraham.
“Bitch? If you were younger I’d kick the shit out of you for that,” she said laughing at him then added, “And you still couldn’t handle me if you were half your age. Now, Sebastian, he’s got stamina.”
“Ha, that’s why I like you. As I said, you’re tough and he’s naive. He only sees the good until it’s too late. He needs someone who can keep that in check and keep him in reality. He thinks he’s a god damned savior. That’s what got him kicked out of the military,” he told her.
“Kicked out?” she asked.
“He didn’t tell you? Well, that’s something he should tell you about, not me. Don’t worry, he’s not a traitor or anything. He was wronged but it’s his story to tell not mine. The moon is a cold place,” Abraham said staring up at it through the window.
“The moon? He said he helped suppress a mostly non-violent Trip-L situation,” she said.
“Is that what he told you? That’s as good a story as any but you should talk to him about it,” he told her. The radio came on and interrupted them.
“Don’t tell him we had this talk,” said Abraham.
Sebastian came back on board. “Message came in while you were outside. We’ve been asked to route the survivors to the Montreal Facility. It’s mostly undamaged and their medical center is fully functioning,” she told him.
“How did you know those people wouldn’t attack you,” asked Chelsea.
“I didn’t but I trusted in them to be people first and animals second. Most people are good at heart and it’s better to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. They were huddled around a fire just trying to keep warm, not looting or fighting. I’m armed, well trained and the chance a small group could overwhelm me is highly unlikely, so I gave them a chance and I’m pleased I did. Worst case there is a very good agent sitting here to back me up,” he said and smiled at her.
“Setting course, let’s go,” she said. The remainder of the trip to Montreal was fast and quiet. After they dropped off the wounded, Chelsea, Abraham and Sebastian headed back to NYC.
#
Mordred sat in his study reading. He had been away from his library for far too long. Camelot had to be abandoned. Soon they would come to it and he couldn’t be there when they did. If he was at full power, he would have just destroyed it but it would take too long and weaken him too much until he was back to normal. He was patient. He had been waiting almost two thousand years and could wait a little while longer to conquer the world.
“My lord, what is your command?” said the dreb. “Go to Camelot and wake the lich as I taught you,” he replied.
“Yes, my lord,” said the creature which bowed and left.
#
“Lady Anna, we stopped the beast,” said the man in a brown robe. “As we suspected it was a blood drinker and fell to a wooden spear. We have checked the area around the farm and found no indication of others,” he told his superior.
“Very good. Until we have another threat, you are to join the illumination and work on the transcription of the tomes from Camelot’s library. High Lord Arthur has commanded us to archive them before they are hidden,” the leader told him.
“As you command my lady,” he replied as he bowed and walked away.
He arrived at the illumination chamber and was assigned work on a grand tome of magic. Without arcane assistance, all of them had to be hand copied and part of their charge was to create an archive of knowledge, so they did as every other enclave did, most of them duplicating and copying from each other's books so they would have redundant copies for the ages. The world was in disarray and the Wardens would be its secret weapon against the coming darkness. Eventually, the light would shine again, and they would be there with their ancient knowledge and help restore the world to what it once was.
#
Repairs from the quakes were going slowly but progressing. Much of NYC was spared the devastation. Its sea and airports were still intact and were more important than ever with so many other transportation hubs destroyed. It had only been a short time since the catastrophe and the death toll was still climbing. Starvation, disease, and violence now added to the causes of death. A planet that once numbered over twenty billion was now estimated to be under ten. The riots in NYC had been suppressed but elsewhere people were not so lucky. Many cities were declared off limits until order could be restored and even the military pulled out of some calling them no hopes, the new term for places they felt were beyond saving. Some were ravaged by disease or damaged beyond repair, mostly coastal cities that were hit with the worst of the tsunamis but a few inland cities on major fault lines also fit that category.
Coordinator Anna looked around the room. “Where do we begin? The world changed. In that time, I have been in constant meetings with the Directorate and the President’s office. I have a lot to cover so let's get started.”
“In light of recent events, namely the opening of the Seal, the Wardens are going back to our roots. Since our inception by Master Merlin,” she paused to acknowledge him, and he nodded back at her, “We have been first and foremost a vanguard to protect humanity from whatever dangers it may face, be it a monster in the darkness or fear and ignorance. The tasks ahead of us are going to be difficult but as we have for over eighteen centuries we will get through them as a team.”
She continued, “Master Merlin has graciously agreed to teach us to imbue our weapons with magic. This is why so many fey are immune to our attempts to kill them because they can only be hurt by magic. Now we will be able to fight back instead of just containing.” Several people cheered at this and she continued.
“It’s not easy and I’ve learned the basics myself over the last few days. We are only as strong as our weakest member and if I can do anything about it, no Warden under my command will be weak. A training regimen will be developed immediately by Facilitator William working with Master Merlin. This is our highest priority,” she said.
“We are planning a survey expedition to Camelot to see if we can determine if the Seal breach was natural or intentional. We believe we have located the hidden castle thanks again to Master Merlin and a group led by Sir Sebastian will be going there within a couple of days to investigate. Camelot is a powerful location, not just strategically but magically and if we can reclaim it, we will have a new stronghold for the Wardens,” she said sounding pleased.
She took a moment to let that sink in. “We’re also going to start actively hunting for the other Masters. We know seven were left in addition to Merlin: Ra, Nefertiti, Alexander, Solomon, Socrates, Boudicca, and Morgana. They didn't just awake as predicted. Merlin thinks this is because the stasis chambers were made too well and didn't fracture when the Seal broke. We must find them if possible. We don’t know what threats we will face as magic strengthens and it would be nice to have seven more Masters on our side.”
“Now, some other news. First and foremost, the Dragon’s Roost reopens today. The bar is as dingy as ever and the beer is still watered down but the quake damage is repaired, and their staff will be available once again to get your drink wrong and blame you for it. We are having a grand party tonight to celebrate many
things. The reopening itself is enough cause for celebration as is the return of Merlin to us and celebrating the survivors of this disaster and the strength of the human spirit that will get us through.”
“The main reason for this celebration though is to celebrate something rare and special. Most of us will go through life alone. Our existence is often a solitary one. We are constantly on the hunt and the secrecy and isolation of our position rarely allow us to form bonds. Because of this, it is very rare when a Warden marries. Two of our own have decided to take that step though and tonight we celebrate the engagement of Sir Sebastian and Lady Chelsea. She finally managed to beat someone senseless enough to marry her so tonight, we celebrate. In the words of the ancient philosopher Augustine, eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die. After tonight, things are going to get busy and get busy fast. The world is in disarray and we’re needed more than ever so enjoy your night off because it may not happen again for a long time.”
“I'm sure you all have a lot of questions but hold them for now. Trust in your command staff. Follow the training regimen as you are assigned to it and continue to be the best in our field.” She then adjourned the meeting.
After the room cleared, Facilitator William remained. “We haven't had much chance to talk with your schedule. This imbuing. What exactly will I be expected to do?” he asked the Coordinator.
She looked at him. “It’s very strange but invigorating in a way. Merlin can tell when people are sensitive to magic and according to him, you show that trait as do I, Sebastian, Chelsea and all the team to varying degrees, some stronger than others. We can take the essence of the Arcane and put it into inanimate objects. Just as we fold in silver or cold iron to the metal, we can fold in magical energy. Summoning and channeling that energy is the part you must learn and once you do, you can direct it. I’ve barely scratched the surface myself, but it works. You can feel it once it's done. The metal is different, alive somehow. As one of the highest natural aptitudes according to the Master’s assessment, you’re going to work with Merlin to learn and then teach. He says you have great potential and I am certain you can handle this.”
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