The Cainite Order

CHAPTER 26

I DÖDENS DAL RED SEXHUNDRA

CHAPTER 26

"Into the Valley of Death rode the six hundred."

Nejem took a deep breath, happy to be in a place that actually had weather that changes. Granted he hadn't expected it to go through all the seasons in just a few days but that was normal for Ohio according to the guys who had been here for a while. No matter what, random was better than the bottom of a dormant volcano any day of the week. Just because he was "made of smokeless fire" and was immune to all forms of fire didn't mean he wanted to live in Hell. He almost regretted that he had to kill his former lord and swear allegiance to someone he'd never meet before, but this also meant he and many others of his kind would one day be free to live where they wanted and do as they pleased. Something his people hadn't been able to do for several centuries now.

Scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement was difficult here. The clouds made it hard to tell if it was the Order's response team or an unusual amount of cover. He laughed to himself one minute I want change and the next for everything to stay the same as back home. If Nejem was going to get used to the weather here, now was as good a time as any. Now he just needed to keep his focus on the task at hand. He was going to be the last one to be caught unaware tonight.

Of course this all depended on whether or not he could get these damn mosquitos to stop biting him. A monstrous one just got him in the back of the neck. He reached back to smack the insect away only to strike a fuzzy metallic object instead. Nejem pulled the thing from his body and inspected it. Someone had shot him with a tranquilizer dart. It couldn't be the Order; he was still standing.

(Thwap)

(Thwap)

(Thwap)

Several figures stepped from the shadows dressed head to toe in blacked out military dress. The last thing Nejem heard was a strange sound that sounded like a cross between tearing and buzzing.

...

"Last subject detained Sargent."

"Triple zip tie that one Corporal. These things can break out of normal bonds quicker than you'd believe."

"All clear on the south side Sargent, over." commented Captain Maxwell.

"Copy that Sir. We just got eyes on what I think is the Order's response team, over." replied the Sargent.

"You think it's them? Is it or isn't it them?" demanded Captain Maxwell.

"Well Sir, several heavily armed and strangely dressed individuals are getting out of two SUV's and a bread truck. If it's not them, we have more to worry about than we thought." he replied.

"Copy, move to the rally point. If it is more hostiles we need to intercept them asap." ordered the Captain.

"Understood Sir, over and out."

...

Beathen surveyed the area as everyone split into teams. There was a strange lack of movement in the area. He had expected all the civilians to be gone. It was the lack of sentries or even a sniper in the distance that worried him. If they didn't have anyone guarding the surface the fight in the abandoned chapter house was going to kill everyone before they could do anything. Even if backup came in the next hour it wouldn't be fast enough to save any of them.

"Beathen! You awake boy!?" Ruaraidh softly barked.

He was about to reply when Beathen spotted several figures moving from the cover of the nearby building straight towards them.

"Contact right!" Beathen replied gently.

The entire group snapped to the area Beathen was pointing his rifle. A group of twelve emerged from the shadows. Everyone dressed in urban camouflaged from head to toe, balaclava's, and more pouches than should fit on a human body. The unknown group slowed in response to the sudden movement by the vehicles. For an eternally tense five seconds neither side dared breathe deep for fear of retaliation.

"Thunder!?" called the lead voice across the street.

"Flash!" replied Volkov.

The ragtag Order forces stared at their comrade in shock. Did he actually know them or was he just guessing? Either way they were making their way across the road, weapons lowered but at the ready. Thankfully the Sight of Helios allowed Beathen to see that they were all carrying almost twenty pounds of explosives apiece. If it was C-4, they had enough to level this block several times over. His best guess was that their orders were to turn the whole area into a crater if they couldn't accomplish their primary mission.

"And who are your friends Volkov?" Gott asked the question that was on all their minds.

"No idea which unit but I know they're Rangers." replied Volkov.

"And how do you know that?" intoned Beathen.

"The countersign they asked for was set up in WWII. The Order never changed it. Usually only Reapers deal with them in extreme situations." answered Volkov, "Drop the shielding charms so they can see us, it's safe."

"I was hoping someone would know that. My grandad told me about it years ago. Nice to see that he wasn't just telling stories again." Captain Maxwell interjected.

"And why are you and your men out here Captain? Can I assume you will help us tonight?" asked Gott.

"Well sir that depends on what you're doing and what you want us to do and how did you know I'm a Captain? Not one of us has any markings of any kind." Maxwell countered

"Telepathy. I won't expect you to fight side by side with us. Even your best equipment won't help you much against the things were fighting. They would just regenerate the damage or shrug it off completely. Have your unit setup a perimeter. We just need you to hold the line till reinforcements arrive. I do need two volunteers to setup the explosives you brought."

Captain Maxwell stared dumbfounded at the Order commander. How did he know they all had extra with them? Who were these people really? Before he could ask, Sergeant Stevens stepped forward.

"Well I guess that's one." he finally choked out, "Lieutenant you're in charge. Do whatever they need you to. Sergeant Stevens and I are going to be setting charges for these folks for a while."

"Yes Sir!" replied the smiling lieutenant. Beathen noticed several eye rolls from the other men in the unit.

"Ruaraidh if you would." motioned Gott to the now consolidated packs of C-4 the Rangers set down. He sauntered over the packs and easily shouldered huge amounts of weight. The soldiers stared in awe of this diminutive man carrying five times what any of them could lift, and he was doing it with ease.

"Let's not just stand here with slack jaw's and our collective dicks in our hands. We have things to do and shit to blow up!" demanded Ruaraidh.