“Oh shit!” Inky managed to gasp just as a street grid four feet from him, burst upwards. The head and shoulder of a Shade thrust itself into view and immediately eyed up Inky. Without saying a word, Inky kicked it as hard as possible in the face. He was, as it happens from Islington and they didn’t mess about down there. The creatures head snapped sideways, slowly it turned back to offer Inky a yellow fanged snarl as it started to climb from the sewer grate.
“Oh Shit!” was fast becoming his favourite words.
He managed to grasp and lift the iron grid with the aid of fear driven adrenaline and brought it crashing down on the creatures head. That did the trick! Its squashed head and shoulders fell back down into the darkness. A huge puff of ash rose from the manhole, forming a giant circle of smoke.
Inky took off around the corner, only to side step another creature attacking a woman. He paused to kick it in the head, grabbed the woman and thrusting her away, shouted , “Run!”
He jumped over the prone figure of another monster feeding on a victim that lay prostrate and bleeding. The woman cried out of help. Inky skidded to a stop as he saw her walking stick lying on the floor, the end broken off. Yanking it from the ground, he thrust the broken end in through the side of its head. He was surprised at the little resistance and with a grunt thrust it all the way through. There was a very loud bang and the creatures head exploded! The body followed suite seconds later in a shower of hot smoking ash. Both Inky and the woman were covered in grey soot.
The woman getting her breath back sobbed her thanks, whilst Inky just stared at the walking stick in his hands. Shaking his head, he reached into his trouser pocket and pulled free a white clean hanky, “Here.” He offered it to her. She held it to the bloody wound on her neck.
“Better get her inside mate.” this from a male voice, standing directly behind Inky.
Spinning around, Inky raised the stick again. A total of eight men and two women stood there, all with drawn firearms. The man who had spoken had used his handgun to blow the creatures head apart. Even as Inky looked on, one of the females shot another creature that was feeding nearby on the body of a Labrador. She held a massive Smith and Wesson model 500 .50 calibre six shot revolver in her muscular hands .The thing exploded just like the first, “I fucking love dogs!” she sounded hurt and angry.
Inky should have asked who they were. He should have phoned the police telling them that armed people were on the streets. He should have done tons of stuff. But on this occasion, he simply grabbed the woman by the arm, pulled her to her feet and headed towards a shop entrance.
The woman with the gun shouted, “Get the fuck inside, lock the doors and hide…sir.”
This was Jennings team Beta, led by Susan Wilkinson, the animal lover and ex marine Sergeant attached to the Bomb Disposal Unit, with five tours on Afghanistan behind her. On her last tour, her favourite IED dog, Rosie a Cocker Spaniel, had been blown up saving her life. Returning from service she was due for retirement and had been snapped up by Jennings. Susan had been in charge of a guard detail for a US Billionaire and now here she was blowing away monsters on the streets of London.
All hell had broken loose with thousands of Shades and ghouls flooding the streets of London in broad daylight. The police couldn’t cope, at least not the unarmed officers. It would take an hour before the army responded. Mean while shops and office buildings were starting to burn. Hundreds of bodies lay on the pavements and in the roads and main streets. Cars, buses and lorry’s all stood abandoned or crashed. One or two were also burning. What people couldn’t see was the hundreds of souls in the In Between being gathered by the Shades for The Dark.
Gun fire could be heard everywhere, that and the continuous sounds of screaming, breaking glass and police sirens. The city of London was at war and burning. Down by the Houses of Parliament fighting was at its worse. Police here were armed and knew how to use there weapons but there were just two many Shades and ghouls. One police officer was dragged down by two ghouls who started to eat him alive.
A black van skidded onto the pavement near one of the entrances to Parliament. The armoured vehicle ran over a score of Shades which after being crushed under the wheels, exploded one after the other. An extra large Shade absorbed the impact from the bonnet, crushing in the engine compartment with its huge grey slime covered hands. The driver was stunned and momentarily trapped behind the steering wheel airbag. The side doors to the van burst open and out flew ‘Boom Boom’ with seven other heavily armed men plus one woman who was carrying of all things a flame thrower.
A police officer took one look at the armed men, raised his pistol and shouted, “Armed police drop your weapons!” Just as two Shades climbed over the security railings. Both ran at the police officer from two different directions. He hesitated, frozen with fear for a second before starting to bring his gun to bear on the right hand creature.
‘Boom Boom’ raised an old fashioned Thompson sub Machine Gun with a circular one hundred round .45 calibre drum attached underneath and let fly. The creature on the right exploded into a cloud of red hot ash. The man behind ‘Boom Boom’ was Paddy McGuire and he opened fire with a modified Israeli Uzi fitted with a hefty looking silencer and a fifty round magazine that fired nine millimetre parabellum bullets, at a rate of seven hundred rounds per minute. The Shade on the left was there one second and a cloud of expanded hot ash the next. Both ‘Boom Boom’ and McGuire’s bullets had been blessed with holy water. The woman pulled the trigger on her flame thrower. With a deep throaty roar, a jet of fire ignited another Shade, who staggered around blindly in circles until ‘Boom Boom’ blew it away.
‘Boom Boom’ smiled, “Still want me to put down my gun.”
He held out a security card towards the officer, who was just standing there with his mouth hanging open, “Starlight Home Office Security, here to help mate.”
The officer recognised the ID, he’d seen them hundreds of times during his stint on Government protection detail. He looked around at the hundreds of Shades running this way and that, he could see that several of his colleagues where already down. “I put round after round into those things and they hardly slowed them down.”
McGuire tossed him a Glock over the railings, “Use this.”
The officer was about to object when a drain cover burst upwards and a Shade heaved itself up onto the pavement no more than ten feet from the officer. He fired a short burst directly into its gaping jaws. The thing exploded into hot ash that scorched the exposed skin on the back of his gun hand.
Coughing he offered his thanks, “I think the rule books just gone out the bloody window.”
‘Boom Boom’ handed him a spare magazine asking the officer to do him a favour and if he could get through on his radio. To warn Police Command Control that Starlight Security has men on scene. He pointed to a yellow arm band he wore on his right arm, telling the officer that they wore this armband as identification, “Tell your boss we have weapons that can counteract this threat.”
The officer nodded and reached for his radio, “Will do but I’m buggered if I know what to call this threat!”
‘Boom Boom’ grimaced, “Bloody Armageddon mate!”
Jennings had already phoned New Scotland Yard. The police Commissioner and the Home Secretary knew and used Starlight security, together with other Government security agencies. Obviously word hadn’t gotten out as yet.
‘Boom Boom’ gave orders for his men to fan out and guard the main entrance, “How many inside?” Another two teams where arriving at other entrances.
The officer knew who he was talking about, “About one hundred MP’s, the deputy PM and the Home secretary, all shitting themselves I wouldn’t wonder. Five of those monsters came up inside the basement, managed to kill eight MP’s and three aids, before we brought them down. Took about fifty round a piece to blow them up.”
‘Boom’ simply jerked his hand towards the main entrance.
McGuire nodded, “You four follow me, weapons hot
. “ He held up his hand, “Not you Sally can’t have you burn down the bloody houses of parliament now can we.”
The officer looked at his Glock, “Apart from being a different make. Why did this blow that thing away, when mine couldn’t?”
Sally tapped her holstered pistol, “Bullets are filled with holy water from a church font.”
The officer shook his head, “Holy water! What the hell are we talking about here, Bloody vampires?”
’Boom Boom’ ignored him. “Set up the fifty cal over there by the guard hut.”
One of his men suddenly shouted a warning before being thrown clear over the top of the van, his body in rags. Two teenagers with wild red hair, fangs and elongated claws stood in the street, crouched over like big cats, ready to pounce.
“Oh shit!” ’Boom Boom’ shouted. He recognised there description given to him by the man called Anvil. Two of The Dark, Panther and Cougar.
McGuire entered the main hall leading to the House of Commons. People cowered in corners, a few MP’s he recognised were crying. One had even wet himself. A member of the Black Watch with pike in hand ran up panting for breath, “Five more in the House!”
McGuire charged in through polished mahogany double doors. He stopped for a moment taking in the fact he was standing right next to the table that should hold the ceremonial Mace that divided the House in two. But right now the deputy Prime Minister was using it to brain one creature whilst two other MP’s punched and kicked a third. McGuire saw that they were loosing. The creature gripped one by the arm pulling him in close and bit out his throat.
“Security get down!”
The deputy Prime Minister thought the request through clearly and responded accordingly, “Fuck that. Help me kill the bastards!” and crowned the monster again which this time fell to its knees. McGuire ran up and put three rounds into its head, with a ‘poof’ it exploded into a spreading cloud of ash.
Coughing the Deputy Prime Minister threw down the Mace, “Got a spare one for me?”
The other members of his team made quick work of the remaining Shades. They couldn’t help the fallen MP.
McGuire asked, “Where’s the rest of you?”
An elderly MP walked up waving the ash aside, “Most are back there in chambers, heavy doors with good locks, hard to break in.”
McGuire spoke into his throat mike ordering up as many police vans as possible. The deputy Prime Minster stopped him, “If you expect us to leave the house to the mercy of these things, think again.” He showed McGuire a ripped sleeve on his three hundred pound suit, “For once we’re going to earn our expenses. Now give me bloody gun.”
At that moment, Anvil stood in front of Nelsons column. His hammer raised for another blow. A giant Shade that was over thirty feet tall had absorbed one blow and was coming back for more. Anvil brought the hammer up and around, smashing his weapon into its chest. Part of it burst into a flame edged hole. The creature staggered back a step, feebly swung a blow that whistled over Anvils head and took a chunk out of the column. Anvil reversed his swing and brought the hammer up between its legs. Another flame edged hole appeared. It fell to one knee and Anvil finished it off with a downwards blow to the head. The cloud of exploding dust made Anvil break out in a coughing fit. He’d released eighteen trapped souls from within its body.
Slash was just finishing off another in one of the fountains. He’d used twelve throwing knives and one of his favourite slashing knife with a wicked looking twelve inch long blade to destroy it. He was bleeding from a broken nose but ignored it for now. A blur passed him and a Shade which had been about to join battle with Priest suddenly was minus its head. It staggered a step and exploded. The blur continued onwards, finally stopping with a splash in a cloud of super heated steam in the fountain next to Slash.
Speed sunk to his knees, enjoying the cooling effect of the water. Slash wiped his knife blade on the sleeve of his missing arm. “Don’t run so fast. You’ll burn up. HEY PATCH BEHIND YOU!”
Far across the Square, Patch was fighting five Shades. She was using every bit of her skill as well as her fathers sword. She had removed it from its velvet cloth prior to going into battle. Kissing the blade she had sheathed it through a silk sash around her leather clad waist. One shade was cut in two, another sliced from neck to hip, then a reverse thrust through the fourths stomach, whilst number five was about to grab her head from behind.
But Chris was there, Slash couldn’t hear him but he was sure he’d mouthed ‘be judged’ The Shade faltered, stopped, tried to amble away and exploded inside a ball of white light that seemed to fly from Chris hands.
“Slash, stop day dreaming!” Anvil warned.
Slash turned to see what the fuss was about and was struck a blow that sent him flying through the fountain to splash down under water. Try getting to your feet, when you’ve only got one hand is hard enough, even harder when that hands holding a knife. He saw the Ghouls legs striding through the water towards him, bits and pieces of rotting flesh were left behind in its wake. ‘Gross! Don’t swallow any of this stuff’
Rotting hands reached down into the water towards his face. Suddenly the arms, hands and legs lifted clear out of the water as id self propelled or launched. Slash found his footing, burst clear only to see Rage standing there with the ghoul held by the neck. Slash heard a loud crunch followed by a pop and the ghoul stopped writhing. Rage tossed the body over his shoulder. “You finished bathing yet?”
On the first floor hallway in the Old Bailey courts, Huntress stood perched upon the top of a table, her bow drawn to full extend. Witnesses, suspects, police officers and court officials all cowered on the ground. A Giant Shade was jammed in the doorway, a ghoul creeping in under its legs. The Shade had a body in one hand and with a casual bite, bit off the head and started chewing with its yellow fanged mouth.
A woman on the floor screamed and started to get up, “Stay down!” Huntress ordered. The woman fell back to the floor just as Huntress released her arrow. It flew straight and true, the barbed heavy point whistled as it cut its way through the air, to impact with a thud in the Shades right eye. Part of its head started to melt and catch fire, turning to dust. It threw away the body and with a roar, burst into the hallway. Like a runaway bull elephant it charged down the hall towards Huntress. Without even noticing, It crushed one unfortunate underfoot. Huntress drew and fired, drew and fired. The first hit it in the chest, a big flame rimmed hole appeared and yet still it came on. The second struck the beast in the throat. The roar was cut off in mid yell. With a titanic explosion that shook the room the Shade covered everyone in burning ash. But the ghoul managed to slide along the floor under the arrows path. Now it grabbed a woman by the ankle and bit down hard.
“Oy buggerlugs!” Hot Cross called from over by the entrance to court number one. The creature jerked its head around to stare stupidly at him.
“Here grab hold of this, “Hot Cross had a long cable striped from a floor polisher in his heads. He threw one end to the creature. Instinctively it clutched the cable and with a snarl bit down hard, like some wild pit bull.
“Thought you’d do that.” Hot Cross grinned as he sent a massive electrical current down the cable into the creatures mouth. It started to vibrate and shake; bouncing across the polished floor like it was having a fit. Smoke started to pour out of its mouth, its nose and finally from its ears before catching fire. Hot Cross dropped the cable and watched the thing flop down on its back with its head on fire.
“Not the brightest spark is he.”
Huntress jumped down and ran for the doors leading to the stairwell. At least twenty Shades were slowly climbing towards there level, “Everyone inside the court now!”
They didn’t need telling twice, even the court officials and police officers obeyed her. Hot Cross was the last inside and saw the first Shade slam the landing doors back against the wall.
He looked at the large brass door handles and smiled grabbing hold of both he waited. A sudden jerk almos
t tore the right door from his grasp. Grunting he held on tight and sent a lightning bolt into the brass which as everyone knows, is a marvellous conductor of electricity. There was a howl from outside, a sudden smell of burning that strangely smelt of rubber and peat and melted bronze.
Hot Cross looked down at the semi melted door handles, he felt exhausted and needn’t to re-charge. Staggering across to a wall, he saw a double electric socket. Sliding down with his back pressed to the white painted wall, he held one hand over the socket and sighed with relief as he connected with the current. Huntress moved down the court and now stood elevated next to the judges’ chair. Bow string pulled back to her lips, she waited.
After a long silence, the doors burst open, in rushed the remaining Shades and arrow after arrow flashed from her bow to strike each target. “Hot Cross only got three arrows left….make that two!”
Judgement (The Twelve) Page 23