The Guardians of London: Fourth Echelon (Chapter Two)

[Lord_Ascendant]

Spoiler: OOC

Yeah I gave Huss the go-ahead for a time-skip. Sorry to eff up the time flow

The shadows flickered, a thousand tiny red eyes dancing in the dark. the eyes and ears of Silas, Shadow Wraiths he had teased out of the Far Veil and had put to work. They swarmed like starlings in the corners of the room, keeping their ever-vigilant eyes on the team as it prepared. Ready at a moments command to fly away to begin their extensive reconnaissance of the gulag's interior and to give Silas a view of every part of the battle.

Your plans made, and weapons loaded you prepare to move against your enemy. Zhivot is a bastion, and few have ever seen within it. The SHadow Wraiths flicker and are gone, rushing through the blackness towards the gulag. They swarm through every crevice and crack, exploiting every shadow. Soon their eyes are inside, their canny sight revealing all hidden wards and weapons. Land mines, pressure sensors, tripwires and silent alarms. Imperiomantic wards blocked sight inwards, and Silas in his sanctuary began the task of studying the lay of the land. Unable to send aid, he was a ghost in his study watching the battleground and waiting for it to unfold.

An ugly looking structure, concrete walls around a central tower two layers thick and on the ends in great turrets were massive artillery pieces and anti-aircraft guns. The tower itself sported an imperiomantic focus, able to broadcast orders and attack minds from within the safety of its heights. Deep below, snaking underground for 100 miles was the prison itself and in the darkest of cells he lay, in his own filth. Shadow Wraiths leaping about in the shadows, waiting and watching. Unable to help or hinder. In the highest room of the tower he sat at his desk, the man in charge. He twirled a pencil while watching some American television, sadly in black and white.

 

[Hussmann54]

"Glad you both asked. The second layer of defense is an almost maze like interior. Fighting will be tight, and it will be easy to get lost. Im gonna need versatile fighters who can handle the inside, and the immediate hell of walking out into the open courtyard afterwards."

"Now in the middle of this prison is a massive pit, the only way out is through an elevator. We need to hold that elevator at both ends. I dont even want to think about what happens if if gets knocked out while some of us are at the bottom. This pit was carved through the mountain itself, and the bottom branches out into several long tunnels, each rigged to explode and cause cave in should a jail break be attempted. I need a geomancer aside from myself to jam the detonation signal when it comes, it should be easy, as it has to travel through several hundred feet of rock and mountain. Kin should be down one of these tunnels. Kujo, Hadrian and Karishima I want you guys getting up close and personal with anybody trying to breach."

He turned to Rena. "The tunnels at the end will be tight and guarded. You will fair a better chance than most thanks to your size. You Anastasia and I will break Kin out."

Roger Stern spoke up. "What is out entry and exit strategy?" He asked, leaning back in his chair so it balanced slightly as he looked over files.

"Our entry strategy will be an artificial avalanche of snow, chaos, panic and misdirection. Our exit strategy... I need a good auramancer, or similar to the like... anyone?"

 

[Trasch17]

Sam hesitated for a moment.
"For what purpose? Maybe I can help."

[font color="grey"]Please only if it involves as much fun as possible. And by fun I mean killing or blowing up things.

"Dendra wants to help, too. I guess you can imagine what she's thinking about..."

 

[Hussmann54]

Nathan looked at the map for a second. "We will need something done about short range artillery. Its the stiff that can pin point us before we even hit trees for concealment. That also needs to be taken care of. Also Rena I have to ask you for a second favor. Kins condition will in all likelihood be non ambulatory which means he isn't gonna run out on his own. Roughly a mile from the gulag we will be concealing a dog sled team. They won't be able to haul two fully grown people back, but you and Kin should be small enough together for them. I'm going to need you to deliver him to the safe house back here."

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

Out of sight and mind it watched. Curious, and silent. Fingering the handle of its blade. Sensing the seething minds of Illrians and the low melody of mortals, it was too dangerous. They were on edge, they were scheming and planning. To enter in the presence of the Illrians would mean death, so instead it faded into the Far Veil and quickly moved itself to its master who sat in a high-backed armchair flicking peanuts into his mouth and watching the talking box.
"They are coming my lord. They are coming soon." and here it blinked once, cocking its head. "What will we do, my lord?"
"For now, wait. I will put the guards on alert...if STG54 is coming, I want to be ready." said the man, while the Silent One stood and waited before being dismissed. It faded back into the Far Veil, to await its summoning for its next patrol.

 

[Darth Caelum]

The still dominant Baltreth moved his hand, curiously studying Sinclair's body.

It's been a while since I've possessed a body.

I'm sure it has been. I myself don't typically make it a habit of being possessed by external forces, as a Thaumturgist, it would be a terribly stupid death to be so easily possessed by one of Lucifer's horde.'

Indeed. You don't strike me as a person to leave anything to chance.

Exactly. Now, could you stop your possession? I wish to enter the plan formulation already.

Hmm....I think not.

Sinclair really didn't feel much at that response. All he felt was a sudden coldness pervading his being and a hot shriek of rage that went through his soul. None he showed to Baltreth of course, but that was irrelevant anyway, as he undoubtedly felt that rage as well.

Would you kindly explain what you mean by that before I try to rip you out of my skull?

Baltreth snorted

Fair enough. Straight to the point. What were you talking about with that man? In fact, who was that man anyway?

Sinclair sighed exasperatedly.

You're going to have to be more specific than that.

The Crimson Eyed Illrian grimaced and worked his magic over Sinclair, bringing to mind the event in question.

Spoiler: Event In Question

Six Days Ago

Sinclair entered the room, a cursory sweep of it with his Imperiomancy confirming there were no assassins or similarly dangerous things, at least not consciously thinking ones, in his immediate vicinity before sighing.

?I was expecting my first real deal involving my soul to be to something like a demonic entity, not the head of the Illrian Knighthood you know? Sinclair thought, dropping his suitcase and weapons onto a nearby table, except for his machine pistol which he kept with him at all times.

Baltreth gave a telepathic shrug.

Well, if you want to get out of that, all you have to do is ask. At the end of this mind you, and you have a two day start.

Sinclair snorted at that as he rolled up his sleeves, exposing his skin and pulling out a sharp ivory knife. ?Yes, yes. Piss of the Immortal leader of yet another globe spanning organization. I?m sure that?s a recipe for survival.?

What are yo-

With a swift movement, he slit the knife across a vein in his left wrist, crimson blood quickly welling up in the wound in response to the slash. He began using the blood as ink, writing complex mathematical formulae and demonic symbols across the floor. The circle was a simple one, none of the complexities that typical communication arrays would have. It would show his face and voice, and that would be enough. He would be three fourths of the way complete, having worked for only 3 minutes, when Baltreth inevitably spoke.

What in the hell?

?Hush Baltreth. The big, grown up Thaumaturgist is gonna do grown up work now.?

I loathe you at times Mr. Sinclair

Sinclair smirked. He completed the final symbol, the chemical sign for Mercury. ?I loathe you too Baltreth.?

The circle erupted in sapphire fire. The blood evaporated within seconds, leaving only fire as it turned into a single ball of flame, roughly the size of his closed fist, which eventually reformed into a familiar face.

?Who?s on this line? Who are you??

Sinclair snorted. ?It?s me Adam. Alex.?

The reaction was immediate and amusing.

?Alex! You fucker. What the hell happened to you? We were about to bust you out when we heard you got your fool ass caught and we got your location out of this pansy ass guardian. But then you up and disappeared on your own! Where the hell you?ve been!!??

Alexander snickered. ?Yes well, it?s a pretty long story. Rest assured, I?ve got another job. No specifics right now. My employer is watching me, and would rip my ass apart if I say anything I shouldn?t.?

?Yeah, yeah I get the drill. Anyway, I?d like you to know, asshole that you got the Guild worried enough about your disappearance to have prepared a team of guys pop open as many forts as we needed to, real hard assess too. Now we gotta bring these guys back out without anything to do. So thanks for wasting everyones? time with your shitty assassination. We told you to get the fuck out after you burned his ass, but nooooooo you had to stay to stick another round into his skull.?

?Yes well, I?m glad you got worried enough for me as you did.? Alex said, his voice losing it?s light hearted tone as he thinking seriously. ?What?s the status? Did anything mess up??

In the sapphire flames, Adam?s head shook.

?No. There were a couple of idiots who tried to take over from your ?responsibilities? in the Guild but we dealt with them easy enough. You killing that punk High Master gave you some points on the Guild?s end anyway, even if he wasn?t a real one yet.?

Sinclair nodded. ?Good. Now, I want whatever information you have on Lazlo Mercer, the Dragon?s Keep and the Red Star?s relationship with them.?

Adam raised his eyebrows at the request.

?Mercer as in former inquisitor Mercer? I?ll save you the trouble boss, we don?t have anything on him. The Red Star?s protecting him pretty badly, they got him working on something in the Dragon that we don?t know nothing about. And we don?t know anything about that Gulag unless we raid the Red Star?s records for it, and I don?t think you wanna do that.?

He nodded. ?Fine. New orders from me. Keep operating as normal and rent out our services to whoever asks, but begin reminding some of them of favors that?ll need to be collected soon. And keep a watch out for suspicious looking guys placing hits on the Face side of the equation. If they?re Heels and part of some cult, doubly so. Keep me updated on that.

?Right boss. Some of the others won?t like that though, doubly so on Lyta. *****?ll think your moving on a power play.

The Black Nail smirked. ?Well she?d be right, but she doesn?t need to know that.?

Adam stopped for a a few seconds, his eyes wide before snapping out of it.

?I see... Who are we with??

?Too early to tell, but I want us on the alert and consolidating our gains for a push. I don?t want you to waste any personnel watching my ass when they could be being a lot more useful otherwise. Unless there?s absolutely no way for me to handle any problems, the best you?ll be providing me with is information and supplies for my weapons and resources.?

?Aye. It?s good to hear from you again Alex. It?d be a shame to have your body sinking into the abyss before I could get back what you owe me.?

Sinclair snorted as he slapped his hand across the burning face, the flame wrapping around his hand as it dissipated.

Who is this Adam hmm? And this Lyta as well? Answer me truthfully Mr. Sinclair.

Ah. Those two. I had assumed you were content with me communicating with Adam?

Ah yes. How could I not be alright with you talking to your Thaumaturgist friends?

Now, now Baltreth. No need to be so angry.

Are you so certain?

A sigh on Sinclair's end.

Adam Kessler is my oldest friend in the Thaumaturgy. He's the one who introduced me to my first master in the Art, and he and I graduated at the same time. My own activities within the Guild has given me a certain amount of pull with a portion of it?s members, and so I utilize them to great effect for myself, with Adam typically sending out my orders. Lyta Johnson is a member of the 'Old Guard', as I like to call them. Families within the Thaumaturgy that have operated for more than three centuries, ruling the longest lasting Covens in the Guild. For ah, certain reasons, they are not pleased with me. At such a combination, I have had some clashes with them. As I?ve said before, the Guild is not united, and sometimes it is as though we?re a few steps away from civil war, if you get my meaning.

A moment of silence.

Baltreth?

I will Not have Malachi's rage upon me Sinclair. I....I will NOT. Now I trust you, as this partnership should, but I expect that my trust is well placed yes?

Something in Sinclair softened for a split second before he nodded. Well, metaphysically anyway.

Your trust is well placed Baltreth, I promise you that. My actions will only help our cause in the long run.

.......

Baltreth?

Very well.

Sinclair felt his control over his body reassert itself, the crimson power of his eyes disappearing as does his horns. He made sure to show no sign of the conversation he had with his Illrian.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

Silas, in the Far Veil, tapped a few orbs which showed multiple views both inside the gulag and inside the small building where his Knights planned. The orbs were silent, they could not transmit sound. He then leaned back and opened the book next to his chair, "The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde" a few Illrians, not Knighthood Illrians mind you, still waited on him and he said "All I need is a glass of water and my slippers, friends. Nothing more, then you can go about your business. But do call if something comes up elsewhere."
He glanced over the top of the book, and tapped one orb and began to hear inside Sinclair's mind. There was only silence before he heard Baltreth say "[font color=darkred]Very well.[/font]" Silas tutted and said "Some day, Alex, you're going to have your faith tested. I pray you choose the right path." and then turned back to his book muttering "What are you up to now, Mr. Dorian Grey?"

 

[Trasch17]

"If it's against artillery, I can do something about that.
First protecting the group if you stay close enough to me, and second destroy the artillery as soon as I'm in sight distance.
I can also do something about armoured vehicles with my ... er... barrier bullet. Theoretically I can eliminate a tank all by myself. But I'd need someone to support me."

[font color="grey"]I'm there.

You don't count.

 

[Hussmann54]

Nathan looked at him. "Then I'm going to need you to pull double duty. Knock out artillery, then meet us at the entrance to the middle tier. When were move Kin out, you and I are going to create a magnetic barrier against enemy fire, between your barrier magic and my geomancy we should be able to deflect anything coming at us. Its a strategy we have used before to move severely wounded out of hot spots. As for the artillery, Wallowitz can help you."

 

[Trasch17]

Sam nodded.
He looked around him.
"Who's Wallowitz?"
A young woman raised her hand.
"Ah, Ok."
He was on one side a bit proud for getting such an important part, on the other side he was nervous. Maybe it would have been better, not saying anything.

[font color="grey"]Then why did you?

Because someone had to.

[font color="grey"]That's a lame excuse, sissy. I bet, deep inside you, you're just like me.

Dream on.

 

[Yokillernick]

"Excuse my interruption but..." he stopped to gather his thoughts for a moment, "would it not be easier if we did the following?"

"We wait for the cover of night, so Samuel will have an easier time destroying their Artillery if he can infiltrate properly. Once their Artillery is down one squad should act as a diversion team while the other one finds a way into the complex. That way the infiltration team can find and extract the target with very little resistance. If the diversion team manages to draw out the defenders then they will not cave in the tunnels as there is no need for that. The diversion team can also have sniper support to make their job easier. Once we find the target we can come back the way we came without any resistance. If the defenders are not taking the bait maybe we can use some Artillery shells to make them come. So what do you think?"

 

[Trasch17]

Sam thought about it. Not a bad plan.
"Both plans have their flaws.
Your plan", he looked at Nathan, "has the advantage of the group staying together at the difficult parts. The downside is, that some of us might not survive an open confrontation."
He looked at the darkling.
"Your plan is a bit safer, but the groups extremly split up. Once we're detected, we're as good as dead. Also I have no experience in infiltrating, but that also goes for open combat."

 

[Hussmann54]

Nathan looked at the map. "We plan on using a different advantage during the day, we attack early enough we may have the snowblind effect on our side. In fact the origins of our traditional white armor go back to Switzerland where our organization statues. The demons we hunted would retreat into the mountains when not terrorizing locals below. Our armor along with the sun made it hard for them to fight back. Now if we trigger an avalanche, we flood their fortress with snow and they suffer the same effect. Plus the sun will be to.our backs as we enter, allowing us to get in close, and in their eyes during our retreat but a good idea you propose nonetheless. They won't try to cave the cell in unless its absolutely nesocarry to stop us, he wants Kin alive or he would be dead by now. They quill also wait till caving in would trap or kill some of us, so we decided when they actually pull the trigger in a way. We knock out the signal to the explosives before we make our move, they will be helpless."

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

Spoiler: OOC

We interrupt this broadcast for a special bulletin. Get a move on! We now return to our regularly scheduled fluff post.

In the places betwixt hither and yon lies a dark realm under a cloud of darkness so deep no mortal can see through it. But its denizens are not clouded in this realm, given the sight to see where the dark would blind a mortal. The Shadow Lords were fewer in number than long before, with the loss of Sulerain and Azariel as well as their overlord, Baltreth. Seeking guidance from their master, the Destroyer, they agreed to take council as they once did before the loss of their brothers and sister. Astos the Deceiver spoke first, his shadowy form flickering around the edges.
"We must unite if we are to crush the defenders of Terra, divided as we are we will be weak and easily felled. I have no wish to join my brother Azariel or my sister Sulerain in the madness of the Primal Nether. I am sure none of you wish this upon yourselves or on any of us. I propose we set aside our differences....for now"
Myra the Lotus Blossom stood, pointing an accusing finger at Astos
"You are in no position to make any offers, Astos! Every agreement you make you conveniently "forget" later and you think we'll have the wool pulled over our eyes again! You killed my beloved and MADE A MOCKERY OF HIS SHAPE WHEN EVEN THEN YOU HAD HIS HEAD IN YOUR BAG!"
"I will admit I was vulgar in the past but I confess I was quite bored then, you see. Not my fault, only the fault of this place being so utterly boring and mundane." said Astos, brushing it off.
"YOU MADE LOVE TO ME! TWICE! YOU UGLY, PATHETIC BRUTE! IS BOREDOM YOUR EXCUSE FOR EVERYTHING?!" screamed Myra, throwing a ball of black flame over Astos's shoulder.
"Calm yourself, I am offering you a truce so that when the Light's champions come for us perhaps you will not face them alone when they wipe out your carefully laid defenses. Believe me, Azariel thought he was safe...then some upstarts broke into his citadel and murdered him. Would you like a sword down your gullet from some heartless champion of the Light?" said Astos, looking into the angry eyes of his fellow Shadow Lords.
Belial the Ravager stood and said "You have no authority, Astos. Though you are my brother, you are also a liar, a crook and a thief as well as an assassin and a rapist as our dear sister has already related. If there is to be any unity among us it shall be for us and not for you. You have gone against us far too many times and we are done letting your stupid whims drive wedges between us. You have caused the divisions that keep us fighting one another, you are the one who cackles as our forces fight among themselves. I could just crush your bones where you stand!"
"Brothers, sisters! Can we not have mercy?" said Astos, backing away.
Belial leaped over the table and grabbed Astos's arm, the bones popping and crunching under his grip. With one punch he sent Astos flying out the door, smashing it and breaking a few ribs in the process. Astos landed and coughed up blood before limping away his left arm hanging limp and useless. As he did so a long spear was thrown, passing through his calf and momentarily blinding him with pain. He cursed as he limped, his former brothers and sisters hooting and cajoling him. I will see them all dead. he thought to himself I'll make sure the Light's champions gut their filthy flesh and leave them rotting!

 

[Hussmann54]

The meeting went on and on. Meticulous details, down to the number of explosive charges to be used to knock out a specific gun, or the number of steps through a given tunnel.

"Sinclair, if you see Mercer, engage, but don't get in over your head."

Finally Nathan concluded.
"Any last questions?"

 

[Kuroneko Aisha]

Rena listened closely to the briefing while making sure to keep an eye out for any activity in the sky. She didn't know if the enemy had any flying enemies so it was better to be safe than sorry. She knew that her place would be at the front as soon as they got through the defenses so she mentally prepared herself for heavy fighting. As an Avenger, she would do her duty and rescue her old friend from the Dark Skull incident.

When Nathan asked if anyone had any questions, she shook her head and said. "I'm ready when you are. We're going to bring this place down to its knees. Well..the people in the fortress at least."

 

[Trasch17]

"Uhh... I have one" said Sam. He was a bit embarassed to ask this but...
"Why is this Kin so important that we storm a heavily guarded gulag to save him?
I mean, is he strong? Does he have vital information or something like that?"

 

[Hussmann54]

Nathan spoke up. "Nicholas Kin is a Rhyle knight who has information regarding end of the world prophecy. He may have the key to averting the end of the world. And to answer your other question, yes, he is quite powerful."

They concluded the meeting. "Sleep well tonight. Tomorrow we begin the two day trek to Zhivot where we meet up with the Dalton brother's. They have set up a small forward camp with supplies and munitions. Dismissed."

A short time later, Nathan stood outside, watching the snow fall and smoking a cigarette. Ana emerged and leaned agency net the wall next to him.
"You okay? " he said, not averting his gaze from the dark sky.
"Yes, just... shaken a bit."
"Once we get him back we will be fine. Its as simple as that."
" I wish it were that simple to me, but a part of me won't believe it, wants to, but can't."

They sat outside, mostly in silence, few words between them.

Eventually Nathan spoke again. "Cmon, time for bed, we need rest, especially for tomorrow."
It was true, the wilderness was a harsh, unforgiving one where they were going. In fact, some even said it was the tough layer of protection for the gulag. Even if you managed to somehow escape, you still had to move across over 100your miles of frozen wastelands while evading search parties, to reach a town which may or may not (depending on who you know) be friendly. Not an easy task.

 

[Daft Sikes]

Snip

Hadrian, hands in his pocket, and his eyes narrowed, stepped outside into the cold. He was still wearing his usual suit, despite the blisteringly freezing weather. It didn't really bother him that much. He was used to it anyway.
He then noticed Nathan and Ana standing about, though it appeared that they were about to head inside. He gave them a nod of acknowledgement, before turning his gaze to the swirling snow in the air.

Why are you standing out here, mutt? Shouldn't you be sleeping?

'I'm just not feeling very tired.' He replied simply.

Phaedra was silent after that, probably retreating back into his mind to get some of his own rest, that is if they even need it in the first place.

Hadrian let out a sigh as he let the cold air wrap around him in it's gentle embrace.

 

[Hussmann54]

Two days later....

The group had assembled near the gulag. All wearing heavy white fur coats, any weapons had been guillied to blend in as well. They were joined by the Dalton Brothers. Gunslingers, cattle rustlers, rascals, and some of the last people on earth you want pointing guns at you. But they were slightly crass.

"Fucking took ya long 'nuff."
"Been freezing our asses off out here guarding your stupid fucking drop box."

Behind them lay a massive crate, parachute still attached. Inside were all manner of supplies. Bullets, bandages, food and fuel. Everything they could need. The group took whatever it needed and they trudged on. Parting ways with the two assigned sniper duty a short way before coming into sight of the tower. Then another group split off and started heading up the mountain Zhivot was built into. They all waited patiently. The three fold attack slowly was set as the sun began to rise behind them. As they waited in cover, the Daltons slipped out and made a sprint under the tree cover towards the walls of the fortress like structure. They managed to beat the changing of the guard shift, and remained undetected. They began to plant explosives at the gate, enough to blow three of it up. They hugged the walls several meters away and waited to blow the charges.

An hour went by before a rumble was heard. The avalanche had been triggered by the team up top. The base went into panic, men scrambling for cover. As the white wave broke upon the gulag, the detonator charges were triggered. In a massive explosion, the two metal hulks used for doors were taken completely off their hinges.

The battle for Drakona Zhivot had begun....
Up in the tower, Lazlo Mercer began directing his troops. "Well played 54, well pla-" he was interrupted by a sudden force throwing him to the ground. Four hundred yards out, Ulrich looked through the scope of the dreadnought class rifle, an impressive weapon that fired custom made bullets of immense size through a four and a half foot long barrel at speeds so great, they could miss by two feet and still cause harm. These rifles had been used by Rhyle since guns were first invented and many no longer functioned properly, and the few that did were dispensed among rifle carefully.
As Ulrich slid the bolt back and pulled out the shell, his eye stayed in the scope. "Oh hi Laz...." he said with a grin.