The Orion Project (Rewrite) (indefinite hiatus)

Chapter 30

Devon entered their safe house, finding the rest of his team inside and watching the report of the explosion. The fire department was putting out the fire while the police secured the area. The woman he met earlier turned out to be a high ranking officer in the force. Rose suddenly embraced him as he neared the table.

"Are you okay?! We saw the report and Hydros said you were near it! Did you get hurt? Should we take you somewhere to get checked out?!" She frantically asked.

"I'm fine Rose, really. I don't know how but, it's radius was controlled like crazy. The crater it made went deeper rather than wider. So I think the spell was meant to burrow into something." He said, hugging her back.

"Deeper? What? Like an armor piercing spell or somethin'?" Alyssa asked.

"I dunno, I was busy interrogating an arms dealer after the explosion went off. He seemed to allude to knowing it was going to happen. So I...persuaded him, to help me."

"What'd he tell you?" Hydros asked.

"He told me about where he got his arms and spells, said that terrorist just handed them to him and told him to give him a small cut of the profits." Devon said. "Apparently, the arms dealer believed that the man was trying to get weapons into circulation within the city."

"Was that explosion one of his?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah, he said he sold it three days ago."

"Then we need to get a move on." Hydros muttered.  "We need to locate him, and quickly. I've got a bad feeling about this."

"He moves in a convoy right?" Alyssa asked. "We have our airship and equipment with us, we could just wait for him to make the first move."

"It'd be better to know when he's on the move so we can be better prepared. He could have something that takes you by surprise." Hydros mused.

"Then we just need to hit him harder." Devon said as he walked over to a table. He activated a map of the city on a holo-projector.

"We can use the same strategy anywhere in the city. We have height advantage and the element of surprise wherever we go." He said. "I can take up a sniper position on any of the skyscrapers while Eune, Rose, and Alyssa follow after them in an assault vehicle. And Lucas can divide the convoy with ease whenever they go."

"Hmmm....there are too many unknowns if you try to wing it." Hydros said. "It could result in more destruction and casualties than if we planned it out better."

"We can do it." Rose said. "We just use the airship to deploy us on to the road he's on while Lucas and Devon are sent to their positions. It doesn't seem to be that much of a problem."

"Yeah! We got this! I'd love to smash up a convoy!" Lucas laughed.

"Trust us." Devon said as he saw Hydros' unease. "We'll take him down quick and easy. And if things go south, I'll jump in as well. I could be the one to cut them off if the others aren't able to."

"Hmmm.....I'll report this to Solaris and Doctor Seraph. But for now, keep an eye out for his convoy. If I get the green light for this then you can deploy." Hydros said.

"You can count us." Eune chimed in.

....

Hydros contacted headquarters and filled Solaris and Doctor Seraph of the situation and of the Zealots' plans.

"Hmmm....well, I am rather curious as to how they perform under the circumstances, however, it doesn't seem well thought out. You haven't gathered much 'useful' intelligence on your target." Doctor Seraph rubbed his chin.

"This plan of theirs is careless and has too many risks involved. I am against it. You must convince them to create a more efficient strategy to eliminate the target." Solaris growled.

"I understand sir, I tried to tell them about their plan but said I would talk to you both to get your opinions on the matter. I am sure they will concede if you order them to." Hydros explained.

"Well, I do not approve, however, it is your decision Doctor Seraph." Solaris sighed.

"You are too kind old friend. Let them proceed with their plans. And do record the encounter, I am curious to see how it plays out." Doctor Seraph said.

"Of course sir, I'll let them know. Hydros out." He cut the communication and entered the main room to find the team scouting the city through CCTV cameras and anything they could easily hack into with Hestia's help.

"Your plan has been approved Zealots." He announced. "Find him and we'll get a move on."

"Yes sir!" They echoed back to him.