The Eyes of Fate (Currently in Rewrite)

Chapter 71

"How's it looking, Sentinel?" Fang's voice spoke in his ear. Sentinel wasn't exactly sure where he was hiding at, but he could bet that it was somewhere he could make a dramatic entrance from. 

"It looks like a lot of people." Sentinel answered. As it was, he was peeking through the curtains where the choir normally stood, looking out into the slowly filling pews. He lifted up the sunglasses he had on and looked again to see if they were messing with his vision.

"Any kids?" Fang asked.

"A handful," Sentinel could count a dozen so far. 

"Make sure you get them out of there. No innocents are getting hurt today."

"I know, captain." Sentinel took a deep breath. "I'll get all the innocents out."

The comms went silent again, and Sentinel was left with only his own thoughts and the dull roar of chatting churchgoers. He couldn't believe that this was the plan they went with. It seemed insane, even though he knew it was probably about as safe as he could hope for. He still wished he was in his original spot, though, instead of this massively important one.

Before he could stoke the fire under his nerves any more than he already had, He caught a glimpse of Ranger and Chesyr, both wearing sunglasses and suits like they were impersonating the secret service, walk into the room and shut the doors behind them. Ranger had put a trilby hat on, and Chesyr was disguised as the woman they had seen in the video when they first arrived, a lifetime ago.

"All clear." Ranger said. Chesyr gave a discreet thumbs up towards the stage where Sentinel was waiting. "Hit it."

"Oracle, lights." Fang ordered. Oracle didn't respond, but the lights began to dim until they were almost out. "Jam the cells, too."

"Already done." Oracle said, sounding almost bored, "Show's yours, Sentinel."

 Sentinel stepped out from behind the curtains, and a spotlight immediately lit up and framed him.

So that's where Fang's at. 

"Brothers and sisters," He began, "Thank you all for coming here tonight. I greatly appreciate you letting me into this wonderful house of worship to speak this morning. I would give you my name, but we all know that in this house my name is insignificant compared to the name of the Lord. Can I get an amen?"

The crowd gave an echoing "amen", and Sentinel smiled. This was going to be easier than he thought. It was about time something came easily. Fang said something about him being a natural over the comms. He walked to the edge of the stage, the spotlight following him.

"Cardinal could not be here this morning, as he is giving this same sermon to his Knights of Justice. However, he asked for me to check on some things before I get along with the sermon. You see, today we are talking about ascendence." 

The projector screen behind him lit up. On it was a painting, The Ascension of Jesus. He saw the entire crowd's eyes go up to it.

"First of all, do we have any new people in this flock today. Anyone's first time or first time in a long time?" 

Several people stood up, looking almost sheepish. Sentinel nodded at each of them.

"Welcome, my friends. Glad to have you here, although it is a touch of an unfortunate day for it. I would ask that you leave this place at this time and return for our ten o'clock service."

The people looked surprised, and a murmur went through the entire crowd like a ripple, but Sentinel wasn't done.

"I would also ask that anybody with children would do the same. Lastly, and this is an important point, I would ask that all of you listen."