Winter - Part one: Night Warden.

Three

Incoming transmission from Raige Said Lee. Lee was head of communications for the Night Wardens and one of Winters closest friends, just like Raige.

Raige, this is Winter.

We have a problem. The van taking the prisoners to the docks last night never made it, intact, anyway. It exploded just feet from the gate with no sign of neither guards nor prisoners. Although there are signs of raider interference. I have found a beacon that looked like it was used before being discarded.

Damn! What happened?

Im still looking into it but from what I can see the guards were paid more than their loyalty was worth. They jumped ship with the prisoners and rigged the van to explode. I would say they were with the raiders. At least that is what I have gathered from the scene. I dont really see any other explaination

Unbelievable! Any injuries?

No, he van exploded before it reached the dock gates. There was no one inside it which is why Im assuming that the guards were involved. I traced the road back and found buggy tracks leading into the tree line. So the raider buggy was waiting, which means they had an idea of the transport schedule and where to wait. I just need to find out who orchestrated this and where the prisoners have gone. Ill radio back when I have another update. If it is raiders, there will be no mercy and an example will be made. Raige out!

This was worrying news for Winter however she knew that Raige was more than capable of handling this but regardless it was still unsettling. Something didnt feel right. Who would have been paying off prison guards to release a few rag tag prisoners? Raiders certainly wouldnt and these seemed too well thought out to be a Raider plan. She had a strange notion that maybe the Templars were involved but that quickly subsided when she reassured herself the Templars would have just killed them, not freed them. And she doubted that they were bold enough to compromise the treaty for a few prisoners that were already sentenced to death. Winter decided to withhold the information until there was something more solid to report. There was no point raising alarms just yet. As it was, she already had a busy day ahead with her cadets. She had arranged a visit to one of the Covens most important places, the synthetic blood production facility.

They called it the distillery. So, she headed back to the hanger where she had arranged to meet her cadets to get ready to go. It was early in the morning, but the Night Warden armour was specially designed to negate the effects of sunlight on vampires, another invention that resulted from the unity between the vampires and witches.

Winter arrived at the hanger and her cadets were there already. Her trainees included one witch and three vampires. It was unusual for a witch to want to become a Night Warden but inspired by Raige there have been a few willing to test their mettle. Raige had acquired his own fame among the Night Wardens for being the first witch among them.

Right. So, I have two treats today. One, we are going to the Distillery, and two, we are taking a Stalker. Announced Winter, much to the delight of the cadets. The Stalker was a recon jet loaded with the most advanced technology and capable of incredible speed. Mixed with stealth equipment it was virtually undetectable and was able to pull off rapid air strikes in quick succession. When under the control of a skilled pilot, the Stalker was death incarnate.

Who can tell me where the Distillery is? Asked Winter.

The female witch raised her hand for Winters attention, eager to prove herself to her superior.

Yes Lola?

Its located inside the Coral City stronghold. Lola replied.

Thats correct. And what can you all tell me about the Stalker?