The Electric Archipelago (WIP)

Chapter 24: The Truth

The Church of the Ascended's local headquarters is much like their other buildings, a monolithic structure that conjures up visions of a past that likely never happened. These features are combined with elements that suggest a future that I pray will never happen.

Echo Industries made combat drones surround the building. Robed figures roam the area, their garments covered in the Church's symbols. There are cameras everywhere. Of all the places that they could have taken her, this one is as secure as any.

I am glad that I insisted that me and Mason spend at least a few minutes walking around in the robes before we started making our way toward the HQ. The garments are strange, and it take some getting used to. We wouldn't want either of us giving ourselves away by failing to look like we are supposed to be there.

I look at Anthony, "Are you sure about this? You don't have to do this."

"I'm sure. Anything for a friend."

I turn to Mason, "You will have a place with Mason's crew, right?"

"Of course," he says, looking distracted, probably thinking that he doesn't have much of a crew left. He is holding a duffel bag, which contains our contingency plan. Its just the three of us, each hiding a small arsenal under our robes. But our objective isn't combat, Anthony thinks that he can quietly get us in and out. I have my doubts, but it is the best shot that we have.

The anesthetic is starting to wear off. I begin to fear that the pain will hinder me.

We reach the perimeter, Anthony moves his hood back and waves to the drone commander. He nods his helmeted head at him, and we are inside the building.

The walk across the lobby feels like it takes a solid week; the wait for an elevator feels like it is twice that time. "Are you sure that he will keep her in his office?" I ask as we ride up to the top floor.

"Yes, I was his assistant for a while, he always keeps important things close."

"Smart man," Mason quips.

The elevator reaches its destination. We exit it, finding ourselves in a lavish office. The floors are immaculately polished tile, set in intricate patterns. Magnificent banners flank a set of doors that sit opposite a massive window. This window has a view that would throw the heads of major corporations into a jealous rage. A gigantic bookshelf lines one wall, its presence feels haughty, like the owner wanted to show off the fact that he possessed and read old style books. Two guards clad in an ornate version of the militia's armor and holding rifles at port arms are standing on the other side of the room. And there's Jill, sitting on a chair in one corner; her arms restrained, a defiant look still on her face.

The guards bring their weapons to the present arms position, a clear threat.

Anthony throws his hands up, gesturing for them to calm down, "Woah, guys! We're just here to help the Aryaleiter with something."

The one on the left speaks, "No one told us anything about it. I will contact..."

Predicting how he will finish the sentence, Mason draws his SMG, me and Anthony follow suit. The guards react, raising their weapons to the firing position. Mason is too fast for all four of us. The silencer on his weapon turns the already weak sounding shots into whispers, the damn thing probably costs three times the price of the weapon itself. He puts a burst right into their necks, one after the other, right in the spot where the armored plate gives way to flexible material.

The two men crumble to the ground, too busy clawing at their jugulars to shoot. "Damn, that was some great shooting, are you really some kind of android?" I jokingly ask Mason.