Of Demons and Darkness

The Freedom Coalition

The old warehouse smelled of stale, dead air and years of decomposing animals. Decades old dirty windows forbade the sun entrance into the dank, decimated structure; a few shattered windows allowed only the tiniest amounts of sunlight in before it was swallowed whole by the darkness. Within the hideous building sat a small group of hearty souls desirous of the utmost privacy the forboding structure offered them as they met to discuss plans of a devious nature. Pacing back and forth until a trail began to appear in the layered dirt and debris on the concrete floor, the leader gathered his thoughts for the fast-approaching meeting. Many years had gone into the planning and development of their strategies. Long hours spent researching and reconnoitering the patterns of their enemy; laying in plans of attack and careful recruiting of like-minded individuals had nearly reached their zenith and the time was at hand to emerge into the light of day to reclaim their birthright.

Soft footfalls behind him pulled the man out of his ruminations abruptly; a small smile creeping across his face. Malachi Bishop was his second-in-command and the one in charge of pulling together their comrades; training them to function as a unified group of commandos. Malachi had eagerly embraced his calling as a warrior to the cause and was a willing disciple to its ideals and mission...so much so that he sacrificed his wife and child to free himself from the last tether that held him bound to a system he despise with every fiber of his being.

"Glad you could make it, Malachi." Josiah Mitchell, leader of 'The Freedom Coalition', purred quietly. "Have you completed your mission?"

"I have, Josiah." Malachi said, a hint of frustration coloring his raspy voice. "There is a problem."

"And what would that be, brother?" Josiah asked, his head turning slightly in curiousity. "Surely nothing that couldn't be rectified easily."

"I'm afraid that it is, Josiah." Malachi replied. "One of my two objectives still lives. The vile spawn of the woman I called my wife is apparently alive and in protective custody. I have failed you, Josiah."

"I think not, Malachi." Mitchell replied as he clamped an encouraging hand to his shoulder in support. "The child of your so-called wife is only a small child. She is no threat to us in any way."

"True Josiah." Malachi began. "But those who protect her are the threat. The 'whore' I married was a naval officer and her passing is under investigation by NCIS; an even greater enemy of ours."

Josiah pondered this information for several more moments as he and Malachi walked to the other members of The Freedom Coalition. Bishop's news could be quite problematic for them and their plans for Los Angeles at large. NCIS was certainly the threat Malachi perceived them to be and therein was the problem. Undoubtedly, Malachi's child was under their protection, but that mattered not. The girl was collateral damage, but the federal agents protecting her would need to be dealt with provocatively.

"We must eliminate the threat NCIS poses to our plans." Josiah began thoughtfully. "Find out who they are and neutralize them one by one. Use whatever means you have at your disposal and do what is necessary. We cannot have the minions of NCIS interfering with our plans."

"I will need just a handful of fighters to help me, Josiah." Malachi asked.

"Take who you need and complete your mission, brother." Mitchell replied. "Leave no enemy behind you."

Malachi pointed wordlessly to five people seated in the expansive warehouse and directed them to follow him at once. Feral grins covered their faces as they joined their commander on his mission. Josiah continued with his debriefing as if nothing was amiss. No one, not even NCIS, would stand in the way of their righteous war with their hated enemy...nothing.