Ghost shook his head, "Negative, boss. They had nine members killed today, three hospitalized, and waiting charges, and a one on life support. He probably won't make it."
"What about this Miller character? Was he among the wounded or dead?"
It was Gretchen's turn to shake her head. "No, sir. He was not there for the raid. We have initial testimony from two of the thugs that Miller was the one who gave the orders. Must have just missed him. We've got BOLO's out on his vehicle and the locals will pick him up for us. DHS will take custody as soon as the locals get him."
"Does Miller have any resources?"
Ghost shrugged. "Unknown, boss. ZT was new to us when we landed. We have no intel on current members or resources. Spooky is going through the computer drives, but they used good encryption. It will take some time, much to Spooky's chagrin."
Smith raised a quizzical eyebrow, "Anything else for me?" When he got negatives from both of them, he continued, "Ok. It's late, but within time limits. Go present your finding to the Queen. Let her know it was the Unseelie Court. Do not offer to help. If they ask for help, contact me, and we can get concessions. Good luck." Smith signed off the transmission.
Out in the lounge area, the rest of the team, plus Captaen O'Beirne, were sitting and talking about the events of the day. Both Boomer and Dancer had showered and changed, scrubbing the grime from their bodies. As much as she had fought it, the youngest member of the team had fallen asleep in one of the leather loungers. Boomer had gently put the feet up and laid her back, covering her with an available blanket.
Ghost and Gretchen walked out of the conference room as Boomer was tucking in Dancer. Ghost looked at the teenager and said, "I guess it all finally caught up with her. I hate to do this, but we will be leaving for an appointment at the Seelie Court in two hours. Let her sleep as long as possible, but she needs to go with us."
The Knightmare team leader addressed the rest of the room, "Good work, everyone. No casualties on our end, no innocents killed, and the locals get credit for taking down a terrorist cell. That works on all levels for me, and for our boss. It's good to have you back, Boomer."
He walked over to an empty chair and sat heavily. "Spooky, make sure you have all the electronic files tagged and ready. You'll be joining us inside, try to wear something halfway appropriate. Doc, you have the physical evidence from the club. O'Beirne, you will accompany as liaison for Europe. And then me. Any questions?"
"Yeah," Heavy's bass voice was weary. "Can those of us who don't get to meet the queen not actually go. I'd like some rest after the activities of the past couple hours."
Ghost shook his head, "Sorry, big man. We might need all hands if things go wrong. Anyone else?"
Heavy muttered under his breath about stupid duties and the distinct lack of monster killing.
Kicking his own feet up on the recliner, the team leader laid his head back and put his hat over his eyes. From underneath the hat came a muffled, "Someone wake me in an hour-and-a-half." Snoring soon followed.
The only Knightmare team members not sacked out shortly after that were Boomer and Spooky. Boomer caught Gretchen's eye, and the two walked into the conference room. Spooky started double-checking his files and footage for the right cues.
JUST OVER TWO HOURS LATER, the Wunder Buggy pulled into the driveway at the Queen's court. The truck was quickly waved through and directed up to the parking area. As arranged, Ghost, Doc, Spooky, and O'Beirne all climbed down from of the heavily modified bread truck. It was early evening, and the sun had begun its descent from the sky.
Although Captaen O'Beirne was wearing his dress uniform, every member of Knightmare was dressed and armed for battle. Even though Ghost's team was supposed to be unarmed, the DHS leader still had his cane sword, and the priest had her cross/dagger combo.
Inside the truck, Boomer sat in Spooky's seat, monitoring the radio earpieces worn by her teammates. Every team member left in the truck was fully dressed for battle and had their weapons within easy reach. There was a nervous energy in the truck as if the past several hours were merely the prelude to something bigger.
Ghost led the human representatives up to the front door once again greeted by the big minotaur called Tar Katel. After pleasantries were exchanged, the creature led them in to the anteroom. Here they met Tó Coferal, the Queen's Knight.
"Well met, Tó Coferal. I bring news and resolution of the mission that her majesty has requested of my team."
The elf appraised the tall human, "Well met, Special Agent Jonas Vanhof. I understand you had some delays in your resolution?"
"None that related to the resolution of the mission directly. A foolish group decided to kidnap one of my own. It did not work well in their favor."
A thin smile brushed across the lips of the Knight, "With your reputation, I would think it would go poorly for them. Her Majesty is eager to review your findings."
Ghost bowed. "We are ready when she is ready to receive us."
The Queen's Knight turned and led the group of humans to the receiving room. Outside the massive oak doors stood two more elves, both standing ramrod straight. One of them opened one of the massive doors and announced their presence. Her Majesty offered a simple, "Come."
The Knight led the human group before the queen, and all the ritual greetings were once again performed, this time adding Spooky. With her Knight now standing beside her throne, the Queen began, "Have you found the information that satisfies your mission?"
Ghost bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty. We bring physical evidence from the scene as well as video surveillance from the actual event. I will now let my experts present their findings."
Doc stepped forward and described her physical findings. She described, in detail, the physical evidence collected and conclusions she drew from such evidence. She included that she was skeptical that there was any real evidence of a human-based attack.
When Doc finished, Spooky began setting up his monitors and screen, as well as his portable projector. He was nervous, so he took an extra couple minutes to set up his projection equipment and screen. When the electronics specialist was finally ready, the Queen indicated that he should begin.
Over the next thirty minutes, Spooky explained his steps, his theories, and his methodology to get the clear video before the stunned Court. The Queen's Knight was outraged when he saw the recovered camera footage from outside the club. The footage from inside the club horrified all the fae present, and a couple of the attendants fainted before continuing to watch.
Ghost explained that the brutality and speed with which the Unseelie fae raided the club showed that they had been planning this for quite some time, possibly several years. The fae had seemed to know precisely where to strike, how many guards were on duty, and had been prepared with a fake video stream, which they had uploaded to the video surveillance system in the club.
Based on the weight of the gathered evidence, the human team had no choice but to conclude that the Unseelie Court was behind the major attack on the Seelie-held property. The Unseelie had likely intended to drive a wedge between the Seelie Court and the human representatives of the Accords.
When Ghost was done speaking, he waited for the Queen and her entourage to absorb his findings. It was a few tense minutes before the Queen spoke.
"We acknowledge the findings you have presented and agree with your conclusions." The Queen's voice was as melodious as ever, but there was a hint of anger buried in her tone. "We ask that you be available to present this evidence to the Seanachaidh on the morrow. I will call for them to convene as an urgent matter."
Ghost nodded, "We would be happy to assist you in calling for justice. Have your Knight contact me regarding the time and location of the meeting. Is there anything else for us to discuss at this time, Your Majesty?"
The Queen of the Seelie Courts shook her head as a loud explosion rocked the house.
NATE MILLER SAT in his red Chevy Impala in the parking lot of a large grocery store on 28th Street S
E and waited for his soldiers to arrive.
He had been lucky enough to miss the raid on his ZT compound by just a couple minutes. He considered that as a sign of God's protection over him and his mission. He had pulled up to the end of the road leading to the compound and had seen the police cars blocking the road. He had quickly realized that they had been compromised and had left.
While driving, he had placed several calls to ZT members that had not been at the compound. It had been a call to arms. This federal agency had attacked his men and women, and they would get a surprise soon. He had known that they were based on their transport plane and had figured that they would no longer stay at the hotel where he and his men had kidnapped the vampire.
Miller had arranged for his remaining soldiers to gather what arms and explosives they had available, and to start toward the airport. The Zero Tolerance leader had then driven his car to a small industrial park outside the Grand Rapids airport and had simply waited for the their truck to leave the airport.
Being careful to maintain his distance, the young fanatic had followed the truck as it had made its way north and east into a much wealthier area of town. When the truck had turned off into the gated estate, Miller had slowed enough to get a look at the guard who had let the federal agents' truck pass. It had definitely not been human.
Knowing he finally had a location for the hit, he had placed a call to his second-in-command. Once he had set the location for the meeting, he had hung up and had driven slowly past the house once more. Miller had then parked at the corner of Burton Street and Candlewick Court and had pulled out a large pair of binoculars.
Four hundred yards away, Miler had watched the various non-human guards and escorts talk to the arriving federal agents, and then they had gone inside the house. He had then driven less than a mile to the rendezvous point for his soldiers, and that was where he still waited.
When the soldiers finally arrived, they were split between three vehicles. There were five men armed with rifles and pistols in a white panel van that advertised one of the Zero Tolerance soldier's electrician competitors. Two more rode in a white Ford Crown Victoria, and were armed with pistols. These two had several pipe bombs loaded and ready in the trunk of the sedan, and the sedan was painted in the livery of a local security company. It was also outfitted with and amber light bar on top. The final three were in a dark blue minivan. Armed with rifles and pistols, the men also had two satchel charges ready in the back of the minivan.
Miller climbed out of his car and shook hands with his crew. He quickly told the team in the Crown Vic and the minivan that they were to create massive diversions for the security of the monster's compound. They were to limit the casualties of humans to a bare minimum, and none would be preferable. They were to blow up several places around the monster's house, enough to get their attention.
Two of the men in the van were to drive up to the gate and crash it. Shoot the guard at the gate and take several potshots at the compound. When the security guards responded, they were to resist a little, but drive away slowly. This would hopefully entice some of them to follow. Miller's job was to attack the compound when they were distracted. He and the remaining men from the van would be in his car. They would drive around to park in a small subdivision that sat in the midst of the golf course. There, they would trek across the golf course toward the woods that flanked the target house.
The men stowed their rifles in the duffle bag in the trunk of Miller's Impala, and the four teams checked the time. Miller told the explosives teams to set them for thirty minutes from that point. That would offer enough time for him to get into position. The teams separated, driving to their assigned tasks.
Thirty minutes later, Miller and his three companions were waiting in the woods to the west of the house. The first explosion went off to their south, just outside the property lines. The Zero Tolerance leader was pleased to see the activity in the parking area as guards and attendants began to look for the source. Then three more explosions shattered the air, all of those being to the east. A large fireball and a plume of black smoke rose from a building on the other side of the property. There would definitely be damage from this one.
Guns were suddenly drawn by many of the guards in the parking area. Miller watched as one particularly tall beast with a full set of horns unlocked a cabinet and grabbed a large rifle. The creature pointed in both directions and two guards ran, one toward each of the explosions. He raised his gigantic fist to his mouth and talked into it. The beast was obviously communicating by radio with others, likely his boss in the house.
Two minutes later, Miller heard an engine roar and the rending screech as the van tore through the gate. Automatic rifle fire chattered from down the driveway.
The creature in front of them with the rifle yelled and ran toward the gate. As the guards and attendants left the parking area, Miller looked at his three companions and pointed. "Frank, Smitty. You guys hit the house. Wipe 'em out. Bill, you and me will hit the truck. I want to kill that vamp once and for all. Kill everything you can, then bug out. Got me?" Three heads nodded.
"Go!"
20
REVENGE
SEELIE COURT, BURTON STREET SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
When the first explosion had gone off, Heavy was chatting with Tar Katel, talking about the various weapons available to fae. It was actually a pleasant, if surreal, conversation to be having with a living minotaur. Both the human federal agent and the minotaur looked toward the blast, then at each other. Before either could speak, the second series of explosions rocked the estate to the east.
Heavy looked at the lead guard and said, "It looks like you have work. We'll stay put, but we will get ready. If you want us to help defend the Queen, just ask."
Tar Katel nodded and went to gather his exterior guards by the garage. Heavy watched him send a uniformed security person in each direction, and then the big fed heard the crash at the front gate.
Turning to see if it was part of this or just a coincidence, his question was answered by the rattle of heavy-caliber rifle fire. Recognizing the distinctive sound of an AK-74 variant on semi-auto, he climbed into the truck and told the others what was happening. Do-Right already had his armor on and was helping Scout into his own. Boomer was helping Dancer get into her custom made armor. Heavy grabbed his flak vest and was fastening all the straps and velcro as Tar Katel ran past the van carrying a very large rifle of an unfamiliar design. Several of the security detail followed the big creature.
His next step was to unlock the gun locker and draw out his AA-12. The big man caressed the big automatic shotgun lovingly, then reached back in and drew out several of the drum-shaped magazines for the big auto-loader.
Do-Right and Scout drew their rifles and loaded them, and Dancer grabbed a suppressed MP5K-PDW submachine gun. She rammed a magazine home and pulled the charging handle. Flicking the selector switch to "SAFE", the young woman slung the weapon over her shoulder and grabbed a couple extra magazines.
Heavy reached over an otherwise occupied Boomer and grabbed the microphone for the earpieces the inside team was wearing. "Ghost, this is Heavy. There is an attack on the compound. We are holding for direction from the Seelie guard force." He watched two figures with rifles dart into the open garage door and continued. "Update. Two bogies just entered Queen's residence. Humans with rifles. Keep your heads down."
Heavy looked out the front of the truck and flinched as sparks flew from the windshield in front of his face. There were two more men firing at the bullet-resistant glass of the Wunder Buggy.
Heavy yelled over his shoulder, "Two assholes trying to shoot us. Take one of them alive."
NATE MILLER and the three soldiers with him had burst from the edge of the woods. Two of the men had veered toward the open garage door with their rifles raised. Miller and his partner had run straight for the Wunder Buggy.
The men Miller called "Frank" and "Smitty" ran through the open garage door and stopped at the door le
ading into the main house. A silent three-count and Smitty pulled open the door.
Frank peered around the edge and saw a figure in the adjoining hallway. He quickly aimed and pulled the trigger on his rifle four times. The figure in the hallway was just turning around to see who had opened the door when the first round hit them in the right shoulder, spinning them around to face the intruders. Frank's second and third shots hit the female creature in the chest. His fourth bullet blew the top of her head off as she fell. She was dead before the empty shell case hit the floor.
He paused, hearing shouts further in the house. When no one immediately appeared at the end of the short hallway, he waved Smitty into the house. As they reached the end of the entryway, they swung right, looking for the main rooms. They quickly glanced inside each open doorway they passed and moved on to the next. Looking up in the hallway, they saw two large creatures similar to the horned creature that was leading the guards. They both opened fire as the hulking guards at the same time.
The gunfire was deafening as multiple rounds struck each guard in the torso and head. Frank noticed that rounds would ricochet off their horns, but their bodies were certainly soaking up the bullets. The onslaught of incoming fire kept the guards from drawing their own sidearms and returning fire. Both rifles ran dry, and the two men dropped the empty magazines and slammed fresh ones into the magazine wells. The loud "clack" as the bolts slammed forward and loaded fresh rounds lost among the groan of pain from the two downed guards. Smitty smiled cruelly as he put one more round into each of their faces, ending the moans from these creatures.
Both men heard footsteps running down the halls toward them. Frank tried the handle on the double doors that the creatures were guarding. The handle moved. He quickly motioned to Smitty to get ready, then he threw open both doors.
MILLER and his partner Bill reached the federal agents' truck quickly. They stopped to aim at the windows and Miller saw an agent peer out from behind a partition. Both of the men opened up, firing multiple rounds at the federal agent in the truck.
INCURSION: Faeblade (Knight's Bane Trilogy Book 2) Page 16
