The Cainite Order

CHAPTER 27

KUKHALA WOYAMBA PAPHWANDO NDI LOMALIZA PA NKHONDO

CHAPTER 27

"Be first at the feast and last at the fight."

A large cloud of dust covered the area from the expertly placed C-4 charges of the Rangers. After scouting the area where the escape hatch was supposed to be they decided to blast their way down to the hatch. Even with enhanced strength digging would take too long. The Rangers set a few shaped chargers to help the Semtex blow the escape hatch free. Beathen wiped the sod off of his face as they began to file towards the new hole leading to their newest confrontation.

One by one they dropped into the fresh fissure. The Rangers regrouped with their comrades with the instructions to let no one but the Order reinforcements thru. Gott had several of the spare weapons they had brought charged and handed over to the Rangers incase anything got thru them. All the of the Orders group hoped these men never had to use them. Most people rooted in the normal world didn't fare well against the supernatural.

Clearing his mind, Beathen activated the Helios charm and noticed Volkov staring at him. The rest of their group was moving stealthily forward, but the Reaper was crouched next to him staring right in his eyes.

"What?"

"I need to know I can count on you." Volkov asked bluntly.

"Of course you can. I didn't think that was in question." he stammered, shocked at Volkov's question.

"You misunderstand. We go to a fight of unknown numbers and challenges. You will most likely face the worst of it. I know dis because I have been alive long enough to see things repeat. You have signs that say it will be you. I may be wrong but I think a big thing may happen and you will decide how. Can I count on you to make the best choice for both worlds?" demanded the Reaper.

He stared in contemplation for a long moment, trying to conceive what he was being told. "I can't make any promises save one: I'll do my best." he finally answered.

The Russian smiled and patted Beathen on the shoulder "So far your best has been enough."

Beathen relaxed slightly, before he remembered what they were on the way to do. The pair moved as quickly as possible thru the escape tunnel. A few seconds after they caught up to the rest of the group a small explosion removed the hatch, and part of the wall that held it, that sealed the abandoned chapter house. Once again they were covered in the dust of an explosion. The team quickly pored thru the opening into the barracks.

"Natsumi, Volkov, you two hold here as planned. If we don't accomplish our mission Sergei, try and get Natsumi out to help the reinforcements with planning and you take as many as possible down with you." Gott repeated his order from earlier more for himself than for the Reaper. Volkov only nodded.

Ruaraidh and Natsumi exchanged uncomfortable glances. "Don' worry lass. You'll be fine." he said with a smile.

"It's not me I'm worried about." she sighed, "I just know you're going to do something foolish and get hurt."

His smile grew even larger, "Akh, I knew I was rubbin off on yah."

"You wish. I just don't want you to die before I can make you pay for earlier in the week." she snorted.

Beathen stifled a laugh as he peered through the crack in the door to the hallway. No one had shown up yet but he knew it was only a matter of time before they did in force. As he watched for attackers, Ash placed several claymore mines the Rangers had given them around the doorway. Volkov wired them to separate detonators in preparation for the siege to come.

...

"Ma'am, the Order has breached the facility. We don't know how many yet but none of our sentries are reporting in either." shouted Miss Wakahisa's assistant.

"Then why are you here and not dealing with the situation?" she scolded coldly.

"I..I...I thought you wanted to know as soon as they arrived?" she replied, swallowing hard.

"You should have sent a runner or texted me or one of a hundred other things. But you chose to tell me in person. Gather anyone not already fighting and deal with it. NOW!"

"Yes ma'am." she replied, rushing out of the room.

"You should just kill her for her incompetence." snapped Dobhail.

"She may not be perfect but you don't kill someone for a few mistakes. That's just a waste of resources. Also, I don't have time to train a new assistant." she answered coolly.

"If you will not stop them properly, then I will." he growled.

"You will do no such thing! You will report to your post to guard the gate while the attunements are finished. You will NOT move from there until that is finished! I am still in charge here and you will obey me. Am I understood?" Wakahisa snapped at the Barguest.

All he would say through his devilish smile, "As you command."

Through the years of her forced employment to the Briarwoods she had been forced to work with some truly foul creatures. But that Barghest was one of the worst fiends she had ever come across. She truly hoped the Order would kill him before the reinforcements could come through the Arch. Once the wizard finished fine tuning the gateway they could move all their forces through. They couldn't be stopped now but they could do her a favor and kill that beast. She may even let them live if they do.

...

"I think we made them mad!" joked Ruaraidh.

"What makes you say that? They seem downright ecstatic that we're here." Beathen replied as he fired three rounds into a Djinn.

"You two are ridiculous! We're fighting for our lives and you're making jokes!" intoned Ash after ducking behind the cover of a dilapidated overturned sofa.

"You think Gott and the others are doing any better?" yelled Ruaraidh.

...

Leo buried the bayonet of his rifle deep into the heart of the were-wolf before releasing the rifle. Drawing his saber with lightning quickness, he lunged at another of the beasts trying to draw its attention from commander Gott. Ezra was using one of the Púca as a club to fend off a Yakshas. They had agreed to try and draw off some of the forces to give Beathen's group more of a chance to get to the Arch. So far they had drawn more than they had hoped for. They all knew this was the best course of action but they didn't have to like it. Only four people moved on the other group. Leo wondered if that would be enough.

...

Clara Seagrave attacked from the outside, trying to get the enemy to commit to yet another front. Gudahi was beside her providing cover fire for others to flank the latest group exiting the church. Bob was busy uprooting a small tree to use as an improvised cudgel. The remainder of the Order's meager forces were positioned at key places around the church to maximize the amount of damage they could inflict on anything foolish enough to fight them. Even with her meticulous planning, Clara was unsure how long they could hold the line against this many different beings. Having to change between the charms that would hurt them was taking its toll on all of them. So far they had done well against them only because the enemy was being funneled thru choke points like doors and windows.

Sooner or later they would break off and start attacking separately. When they did that she wasn't sure how long they would hold. If they had ten more people it may have been different. But thinking about what may have worked wasn't going to help her. She needed a way to quickly kill these things that didn't drain her already low magik reserves. Either that or the teams inside needed to signal they had won. But again the what ifs weren't going to help now.