Thanks for bearing with , said Jas, shoving the phone back in his pocket. Lets get to the details. First off, Id like to introduce Serenity. Shes a Supplicant Level 1, and Id not be standing here today without her.
Serenity stepped forward and waved, her smile brazen even as she flushed.
Were both going to be heading up the Crimson Hydra crew. Ive been told the smart guys behind this operation have organized us into teams of nine, three teams per triad nad after so kind of monster. Once I quit yapping at you, I want you all to get up and find each other -
Actually, said Cindy, stepping tentatively onto the stage and taking the mike, weve got signs stuck up on the walls for each triad, so simply look for your monster poster, and there youll find the others who have been assigned to your groups.
Jas took the microphone back, bemused. Well all right. Looks like the DRC is on top of this stuff. Lets et up with our teams, then Ill co back to the stage and call the highest ranked Crimson team mbers to co talk about how were going to implent this attack plan of ours. Clear? Oh, and theres gonna be pizza.
So half-hearted cheers sounded at this last announcent, and Jas turned off the mike and descended to where Jessica, Cindy, and Richard stood.
Thanks for that, Cindy, said Jas. Youve done a great job here. I really appreciate it.
Oh, say nothing of it, Im an old hand when it cos to these kinds of shindigs. She bead at him. I had to stop myself from setting up a rch room and gaming tables.
Jas, great to et you, said Richard, stepping forward to pump Jass hand. Im the nerds thats gonna weaponize everything for you. Richard Stokes, forr coder, current monomaniac when it cos to everything demon apocalypse.
Good to et you, said Jas, unable to resist smiling. Thanks as well.
Dont thank . This is all really basic thus far. Without being able to see what powers and challenges are coming down the road, its hard to do more than educated guessing. Once we have a clearer picture as to the third Benedictions and whatever the Miracles prove to be, Ill be able to give better insight.
Great. Well. Jas handed the mike to Jessica. Were going to go et with Crimson Hydra. Serenity?
Right with you, boss man.
They joined the slow flow of foot traffic that was walking along the ballroom walls, reading the signs till they found their own. Basilisk, Mothman, Bigfoot, Cockatrice, Wyvern Hydra.
A crowd had already gathered, and Jas saw that everyone was wearing a color-coded lanyard with their na and team prominently displayed on the laminated card.
Nothing surprised him anymore.
Hey everybody, said Jas, and the twenty-five or so individuals all turned to stare at him with frank curiosity. How about we break into our nine-man teams, get to know each other a bit, then gather as a triad? Sound good?
People nodded, and the crowd separated into three smaller groups.
Jas rubbed his palms on his hips and joined the group wearing crimson tags. He felt awkward, unsure of himself suddenly, knowing he had to continue taking the lead, but already feeling worn out by the constant attention.
Crimson Hydra was diverse.
One guy looked like a wilderness survival expert dressed in a crisp tailored suit, mid-30s, his hair bound back in a rough ponytail, beard growing up his cheeks like Jas, but clean and ruggedly handso with a self-contained and commanding air.
He stepped up and extended his hand. Bjrn Larsen, CFO of CovenantWealth, but now simply ndicant Level 5 with the Bless Benediction. Thanks for your video. Going Aura early made a huge difference.
Good to et you, Bjrn.
A vibrantly healthy and muscular lady with short blonde hair and a square jaw raised her hand to give the group a small wave. Joanna Masters, professional CrossFit competitor and owner of Masters Dojo in Queens. ndicant Level 6, and I went Shield of Faith.
It was becoming clear that half the group was confident and out-going, while the rest were hanging back, hesitant, or simply quiet.
Another of the obviously confident types raised her hand, a matte-black rifle slung over her back. Her long black hair was braided, and if she looked less obviously muscular than Joanna, she still looked fit and hardy.
Becca Locklear, I work for Aegis Private Security. We provided security for Indian Point Energy Center, the nuclear facility in Westchester County, till the army took over. I kept my Bushmaster XM-15, however, and together weve put a dent in the Neses ranks. Her smile was mirthless. ndicant Level 9, Smite specialty.
Jas managed nod, but his mind was reeling. A CFO, a private security specialist, and a professional CrossFit/martial arts studio owner? How the hell was he supposed to lead these people?
Still, if life on the streets had taught him one thing, it was how to keep a stoic expression.
The final one of the obviously confident types looked pure army, from his buzz cut to this thick neck, direct stare, and fatigues. He wore a pistol on each hip, and had another impressive looking rifle held in the sa muzzle-down position Jas had seen other soldiers use. He couldnt have been more than twenty-five, but his gaze was clear and his shirt strained at the shoulders. Jason Webster, dically discharged from the army after two years of being screwed around by the review board. ndicant Level 6, focus on Bless.
Jas could almost hear the sir that Jason swallowed at the last second.
Becca Locklear eyed Jason up and down. You look fit to , soldier. What they discharge you for?
Jasons expression didnt change, but sothing about his eyes tightened. Four months into my deploynt to Camp Shorabak in Afghanistan I touched a wrench to a positive connection on a chopper that was supposed to be good to go. The electric shock blew across the hangar. When I woke up they told I was having upwards of 20,000 extra heartbeats a day. I was sent to cardiologists here in the US for a couple of years, but finally the board gave up. They promoted to E-5 and discharged .
Serenity frowned. That an youre liable for a heart attack?
Hasnt happened yet, maam.
Good to have you here, Jason, said Jas. Sorry about your heart.
Wont be a problem, sir.
That left three other people in their group, none of which were eager to speak up. Finally a young man in a varsity letterman jacket with striking blue eyes and black hair shaved almost to the scalp spoke up, giving Jas an up-nod and stepping forward.
Denzel Brown. I help - helped - my father run his grocery store up in Harlem. ndicant Level 5, Shield of Faith. Good to et yall.
Denzel.
The next guy looked around the group warily. He was a high school kid, eyes hooded and encircled by dark shadows, as if hed not slept in a week, and his hair was frizzy and ford a black cloud around his head. Striking cheekbones, pursed lips, and a deadpan stare, he wore a large black hoody and jeans.
Yadriel Sanchez, he said. ndicant Level 8. Bless.
Level 8? Joanna bead at him. Thats aweso. What was your approach?
The CrossFit lady was Yadriels opposite in every way. Where she was tanned, vibrant, her skin glowing, her body muscular and toned, he was angular, pale, his skin ashen, his energy so muted he looked sullen.
Aura, like Mr. Jas here recomnded. Yadriel shrugged his shoulders and stepped back, averting his eyes. Just been walking around ashing demons since this went down.
Joannas smile subsided but didnt go away altogether. Really impressive.
Her complint seed to an nothing to Yadriel, who stared at the ground.
Jas turned to the last mber of Crimson Hydra. Of everyone present shed had the greatest impact on him, her presence powerful, everything about her raw and intense, almost feral. She looked like shed been living on the streets for years, but if that was the case, she was exactly the kind of person folks like him would have given wide berth. Her caral blonde hair was thick and long, coarse and with strands curling before her striking face, which was lined and weathered, her nose strong, her brow furrowed, and her eyes - damn.
Her irises were of the palest blue and rimd in thick black, so that her gaze went beyond piercing and seed instead to be otherworldly. Maybe in a different life she would have been striking attractive, but in this one she had all the poise and presence of a wolf, and though she stood amongst the others she seed on so level to stand alone.
Sarah, she said softly, accent strange though Jas couldnt place it. Supplicant Level 1. Shield of Faith, Circle of Protection.
Becca Locklear looked Sarah up and down. Youre Supplicant 1?
Sarah didnt move, though her eyes flickered over to take in the dark-haired warrior. She frowned and then very obviously chose not to answer.
Good to have you, Sarah. Frankly it was a miracle shed shown up, he realized, and pushing her could easily drive her away. So weve got a good spread going. , Serenity, and Becca here with Smite; Jason, Bjrn, and Yadriel with Bless; and Sarah, Joanna, and Denzel with Shield of Faith. Sarah, how big can your circle get?
The holess lady rubbed at her jawline. About three yards a side.
Big enough for all of us, said Jas. Which ans well keep you in the center. The Smiters will take the front line. Does Bless stack?
It does, said Bjrn, his voice calm, rich, confident. The limiting factor is ones Arete, though Im sure we all have enough to cover our group.
So thats a 6 bonus to all physical stats going in. Great. He rubbed at the back of his neck, aware of them all staring at him. The Nesis 2s are resistant to normal bullets, so Serenity and Becca will be doing most of the damage, while I protect our front from anything that gets too close. Shields, you reinforce Sarahs circle, and Blessers, you support us with regular firepower. Sound good?
Joanna smiled warmly. Thats roughly what Richard outlined, yes, though he suggested Shields could use their ability for crowd control, funneling demons to where we want them and protecting our flanks.
Like baffle plates for herding swine, said Denzel abruptly, then just as abruptly closed his mouth.
Yeah, chuckled Jas. Just like that. Well move in slowly, around two or three triads per block, and kill everything that we find.
The Crimson Hydra crew nodded, and Jas felt his brow prickle with sweat.
Serenity clapped her hands. Aweso, great chat, everyone. Hail Hydra.
Yadriel smirked.
All right, lets et the Ivory and Ebon folks, and then Im going to circle round with the other Crimson leaders, said Jas, ready to transition, doubts assailing him.
The three teams gathered, and Jas introduced himself again, listened as everyone spoke their na, rank, and Benediction, and then repeated the rough plan.
Should he try for so kind of inspirational ssage? He already felt like an imposter, so he decided not to. He never felt more relief than when Cindy announced from the stage that the pizza had arrived.
Youre doing great, said Serenity, taking his arm as they moved toward the stage. Seriously.
I feel like an idiot. He kept his voice to a low rasp. What the fuck am I doing, trying to lead these people into a fight? Im good at finding places the wind cant get to when you need to sleep, not fighting demons.
Au contraire, said Serenity. Youre literally certified as a bad ass. We both are. You see that many other Supplicants around here? Whats that? You dont? And oh, you want to ask the Blair Witch to lead out group? No? Then suck it up and quit whining.
Jas chuckled. That what Im doing?
Yeah. They stopped before the stage. Look, the way I see it? You dont need to be Napoleon here. Its more like youre hosting a bowling party. Youre responsible for getting to people to show up and move to their own lanes, and then you just focus on scoring your own strikes, and theyll do the sa thing.
Im not sure I agree with you on that one. He stared out over the crowd which was massing before the two hundred pizza boxes that a crew of dazed looking delivery guys were carting in. But given thats about as much as I can do, Ill take it.
Atta boy. She punched him lightly on the arm. I an, what it cos down to is, are you a glass half-full or demons are going to eat all out faces kinda guy?
Jas frowned.
Dont answer that close to a microphone, Serenity said.
Jessica erged from the crowd, her hair artfully disheveled, her office-wear sohow looking sharp and crisp despite her having worked through the night. How did it go?
As well as it could have, said Jas. I feel like they expected more from , but Im all out of rabbits to pull out of my hat.
Fortunately theres pizza, said Jessica. Its amazing how people of every walk of life respond to free lted cheese and pepperoni. Were just shy of midday. I suggest you et with Richard, wholl review his proposed plan of attack with you, and then share that intel with the team leaders before heading out. And dont forget, Serenity, I have a small surprise for you.
Oh, Ive not forgotten. Serenity did a tiny clap that consisted of just tapping her fingertips together. Im so excited. Ive never owned a tank before.
Its not a tank.
A minigun, then.
Its not a minigun.
Serenitys face fell. One of those Rambo machine guns?
Jessica glared at her. Maybe Ill find soone else to give it to, then.
Serenity sighed dramatically. No, its fine. Ill take whatever youve found. Thanks.
Anyway. Jessica turned back to Jas. Ready for Richard?
Sure. But, ah, how much should we rely on this guy for battle plans? Jas rubbed the back of his head. Hes a freelance coder, right? Not an actual military tactician.
To put it succinctly, said Jessica, hes the best tactician weve got. You should talk to him.
Right, yeah, sounds good. Jas turned again to survey the milling crowd. No matter whom he looked at they were all scarfing down their slices eagerly. Im just yeah. A little overwheld by the reality of all this.
Thats a logical emotional response. A week ago you were holess, and now you are the leader of the DRC and Crimson Hydra. If that didnt give you emotional whiplash, Id deem you a sociopath. But stick with it. You gave a very good speech, have good people supporting you, and everybody here has proven themselves capable of defending themselves and killing demons hundreds of tis over. If its of any comfort, you are a figure head as much as you are an active leader; your presence is what makes this departnt viable, and the sight of you is what keeps all these strangers in this room.
That and the pizza, said Serenity.
Yes. But Jas. Jessica reached out and touched his wrist. You are doing a fantastic job. Im being sincere. And I genuinely believe that the thousand people in this room can clear a demon symbol, after which their confidence and esprit de corpse will only improve.
Esprit de corpse? asked Serenity. Like, spirit of a dead body?
De corpse, said Jessica, frowning at her. No. Like the guiding spirit of a cohesive military unit.
Oh god, finally, said Serenity, grinning. Youre absolutely right. Love it. Keep using that.
Jessica frowned at her again, then dismissed her. Everything is going according to plan. In forty-five minutes well be heading out, and events will take their course.
We believe in you, tiger, said Serenity, and hip-checked him.
Jas stood up straighter. Got it. All right. Im done doubting. Wheres Richard?
Jessica smiled. Waiting for you. Lets go talk battle plans.
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