The Cainite Order

CHAPTER 17

NẾU BẠN MUỐN MỘT KHÁN GIẢ, BẮT ĐẦU MỘT CUỘC CHIẾN

CHAPTER 17

"If you want an audience, start a fight."

The drive to the Key Building felt like a cross country trek. In truth it took only a little over an hour for the trio to get to their destination. The constant checking and rechecking of weapons and gear did little to ease any of the tension in the box truck. They stopped in Akron to pick up a surveillance expert that owed Ruaraidh a favor. As he was an active member of the Akron police force, they told Officer Baker only that they were going to talk to a potential terrorist threat hidden in the Key Building. He was asked to monitor anything unusual at the building entrance and surrounding area.

If necessary, he was to stall the authorities as long as possible. Ruaraidh had decided during the drive that he and Beathen would be the only ones to go into the lion's den. Natsumi was furious at first saying that they didn't trust her. Ruaraidh assured her that was not the case. His reasoning was because someone had to get the van and any info they found back to Gott. As well as having two people ready in case they actually made it back out; one to drive and the other to give first aid.

The plan that had been agreed on was that Ruaraidh and Beathen would enter the building and make their way to the elevator Gudahi had specified. Once inside they would continue to pose as mercenaries hired by Mr. Wakahisa and make their way to the 58th floor. Once there, they would submit to any search that seemed standard procedure in an attempt to get to a meeting with their target. If by some miracle they were able to get in private with her they would use any means necessary to get as much information out of her as possible. Anything that would identify them as members of the Order was carefully removed and set aside; ID's, weapons and Ruaraidh's charms all stayed in the van. The charm Horn of Hephaestus could be used to get Beathen his equipment; at least they hoped. As they pulled up outside the building, the tension in the van was thick enough to drown Aquaman.

"Right lad. Now, pull inta the lot under the buildin. We'll use ta pass we got from dat thief. You two be ready ta tap inta security like we planned. I don'a expect much out of it, but we might be able ta use the cameras ta our advantage if they have reinforcements on other floors." Ruaraidh said, giving the final orders. "And just in case we don'a comeback." he leaned over and quickly kissed Natsumi, passionately holding her head in his hands. He gently let go and looked her in the eyes, debating what to say next. His smile was sharply replaced by searing pain as she kicked him square in the crotch.

"If you think you can just kiss me, leave, and have everything be okay, you are seriously mistaken." she said, pushing him out of the van and closing the door after him.

"Well that's an auspicious start to our suicide mission." Beathen chuckled, offering his friend a hand to get up off the ground.

"I told ya, tis not suicide, just a very low chance a survival. Now let's get ta dat elevator." Ruaraidh said, waddling more than normal.

"You think one of the floors has an ice machine?" Beathen questioned, trying to break the silence while they waited for the elevator to reach them.

"I like you Beathen. Don't make me change my mind."

"Calm down old man, we still got a long way to go." Beathen said, as the doors opened.

They rode in silence for a few floors doing last minute mental preparations until Ruaraidh broke the silence, rubbing his crotch. "Gods, I didn't expect her to be able to get that much leverage sitting down."

Two men in suits entered on the third floor discussing whether or not the Cleveland Browns would make it to the playoffs this year. The first argued that with the improvements to the offense they had a great shot this year. The second man's argument was that they had no defense. The second said that "Without both sides of the field playing well and making key plays, a new quarterback didn't mean much." They exited the elevator on the thirtieth floor, neither one giving way in their debate. Beathen was happy for the distraction from Ruaraidh's balls.