No Surrender, No Retreat

by L. J. LaBarthe

  Uriel scowled and stood up. “Fine.” And grudgingly, he added, “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” Adramelek watched without changing expression as Uriel extended his wings and stepped off the edge of the roof of the apartment block. They flared and caught the wind, carrying him upward into the lowering gray clouds.

  “Annoying, isn’t he?” Adramelek said without turning.

  Ondrass and Markus joined him by the edge of the roof. “More than a little,” Ondrass agreed. “How do you put up with him?”

  “I content myself with daydreams of how I’m going to kill him when the End of Days arrives.” Adramelek grinned. “My daydreams are very vivid and colorful. I’m very fond of them.”

  Ondrass grinned back. “Perhaps you’ll share one with me.”

  “I might. Later, when this is all taken care of.”

  “I have a question, sir,” Markus said.

  “Go on.” Adramelek looked at him.

  “Why does nuclear radiation play a part in hiding an angel?”

  “A very good question.” Adramelek nodded in approval. “Let me answer by giving a demonstration. Reach out, the both of you, with your power, to the sarcophagus over there that protects the broken Chernobyl reactor.”

  Ondrass and Markus raised their eyebrows but did as Adramelek said. When he could feel the inky fingers of their powers around the sarcophagus, Adramelek nodded to himself.

  “Tell me what you sense.”

  Markus’s expression was confused. “Nothing. Nothing at all. No life, no death, not even the Earth itself.”

  “Precisely.” Adramelek nodded once more. “As I understand it, the radiation renders all life signs undetectable by any supernatural power. No demon, no angel, no monster, none of us can feel or see what lies beneath that area or within it. I know, for example, that birds make their nests in cracks in the concrete of the sarcophagus. I know this because I’ve seen it. I can’t feel it with my power, however. I can’t rationalize this with my abilities, because the radiation works as a block. It is antilife, and as we and our powers are connected to life in our own ways, it closes us out.”

  “Extraordinary,” Ondrass said. “I had never considered this would be possible. Are there many of these spots on the planet?”

  “Anywhere there have been significant spills of plutonium or uranium, or leaks of high levels of nuclear radiation, yes. Also in uranium mines, both active and closed.” Adramelek hummed. “It also works, interestingly enough, in hospitals, in their nuclear medicine departments and in nuclear stations that provide energy to cities.”

  “How remarkable.” Ondrass sat down in the chair that Uriel had vacated.

  “It is. I am no scientist, and alas, Uphir is, so he would know better than I how to manipulate that for his own ends. Thankfully, we will not be bereft of those of our kind who are physicians or scientists once he is… dealt with.” Adramelek pursed his lips. “I may have to recommend to Lightbringer to promote a few demons to Archdemon.”

  “I think you and I should sit down with Melcherisa and Lix Tetrax and draw up a list,” Ondrass said, his expression serious. “I don’t think any of us want a repeat performance of Uphir’s betrayal down the line.”

  “Quite.” Adramelek nodded in agreement. “Life is never dull, eh, gentlemen?”

  Markus and Ondrass laughed at that.

  “Are you planning on staying here for a while?” Ondrass asked.

  “Another hour or so, perhaps. Why?” Adramelek tilted his head as he looked at Ondrass.

  “Perhaps when you’re done here, you’ll join Markus and I at my penthouse in Hong Kong for dinner?”

  Adramelek smiled. “I’d be delighted. Should I change clothes?”

  Ondrass nodded. “Perhaps that would be best, yes. Dinner suit, tie not essential.”

  “I can manage that.” Adramelek stood up and furled his wings behind him neatly. “I shall see you both in a few hours, then.”

  Ondrass gave Adramelek a polite bow, and with Markus in tow, he vanished.

  “I’M BACK,” Uriel announced as he appeared in the living room of Tzadkiel’s apartment.

  “So I see.” Tzadkiel looked up from his desk where he, Sophiel, and Brieus were working. “Do you have something useful?”

  “I do, actually.” Uriel walked over to the desk. “Adramelek was surprisingly forthcoming.”

  “He was?” Tzadkiel blinked, taken aback by Uriel’s announcement. He hadn’t thought that Adramelek, or any Archdemon for that matter, would be concerned about angels being kidnapped. If anything, Tzadkiel thought, they would find it an asset in achieving Hell’s long-term goals. The fewer angels there were, the more thinly the Archangels and their troops would be spread. So he frowned, his bemusement sounding in his voice as he asked, “Why?”

  “Lightbringer’s really annoyed.” Uriel grinned, a feral expression.

  Tzadkiel snorted. “I bet. Okay, let’s hear what you’ve got.”

  “In a minute. Where are the others?”

  “Gabriel and Samael are in there with Shateiel.” Tzadkiel jerked his head in the direction of the bedroom. “Raziel’s upstairs in the guestroom with Remiel. The two of them are using their powers to try to do Raphael’s work, but it’s taking its toll.”

  Uriel’s tone of voice instantly became worried. “I’ll be back.” He half ran up the stairs to the guestroom.

  Raziel was sitting on a sofa, a cup of tea in his hands. He looked up when Uriel entered the room, his face lightening immediately. “Uri!”

  “Raz.” Uriel moved and sat beside him. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m perfectly fine.” Raziel rolled his eyes. “Remiel’s been a wonderful nursemaid.”

  “Hey,” Remiel objected. “You’re a grumpy patient.”

  “I’m sitting still. How much damage can I do to myself being still?” Raziel demanded.

  Uriel sighed. “Razzy, please don’t overdo it.”

  “I’m not!” Raziel set down the teacup and flopped back, sprawling gracelessly on the sofa.

  “Okay, fine, you’re not.” Uriel slipped an arm around Raziel’s shoulders. “I just don’t want to be nursing you back to health.”

  “You won’t have to.” Raziel leaned into the embrace. “I’m glad you’re back, though,” he added.

  “I am too.” Uriel paused. “I need to fill everyone in on what I learned.”

  “Dare I hope you know where Raph is?” Remiel asked.

  “I do,” Uriel said, nodding, “and a few other things besides. Michael’s going to be displeased.”

  “Michael’s always displeased,” Raziel said. “Michael’s a grumpy bum.”

  Uriel laughed. “I can’t argue with that, brat. Give me a kiss. I missed you.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Raziel reached up to tug Uriel down for a hard kiss, pressing against him.

  They kissed for several long, blissful moments before Uriel regretfully pulled back. He touched Raziel’s pale cheek with gentle fingers, noting the two spots of color and the faint sheen of sweat on Raziel’s face.

  “Not overdoing it, my ass,” Uriel growled. “You are totally overdoing it.”

  “I’ll be all right.” Raziel shook his head. “It needs to be done.”

  “Well, soon we’ll have Raph and Agrat back, so you won’t need to keep doing whatever the hell it is you’re doing. And before you ask, no, I don’t quite understand it all myself. But it’s important and, from what I can tell, holding back the mud monkey illnesses a little so we’re not drowning in a world of untreatable epidemics and dying humans.”

  “And animals,” Raziel said.

  “Fucking hell,” Uriel murmured. “I’m going to hit him twice.”

  “Who?” Raziel asked.

  “Uphir. And Marchosias.”

  Raziel sat bolt upright. Remiel was on his feet with a startled exclamation.

  “Uphir and Marchosias are behind this?” Raziel’s tone was sharp. “Are you sure?”

  “Y
eah, positive. Why?” Uriel looked confused.

  “I’m going to fucking gut him,” Raziel snarled, running his hands through his hair. “That fucking two-faced, smug, self-righteous….”

  “Why are we so pissed off?” Uriel looked from Raziel to Remiel and back again.

  “Uphir called Tzad while you were out,” Remiel said. “Offered his condolences and his assistance should we need him for anything. Said he was very sad to hear that Raphael’s kidnapping meant that medicines no longer worked and that humanity as a whole was growing ill.”

  “Fuck me,” breathed Uriel. “He’s got a damn nerve. He must not know that Adramelek and Lightbringer know about him and Marchosias. Or that Adramelek told me.”

  “I’d say that’s a good guess,” Remiel agreed. “Wow. What an ass.”

  “I’m going to hang his entrails over a barbed wire fence and invite some Hellhounds in to feed,” Raziel muttered, flexing his fingers in impotent fury.

  “Raz, calm down.” Uriel touched his lover’s forehead. “I know you’re pissed and I am too. But… fuck. Part of the deal I did with Adramelek to get this information was that we can’t kill or permanently maim either Uphir or Marchosias. Adramelek has plans for them of his own.”

  Raziel pouted. “Fine. Then will you do something for me?”

  “Anything, love of my life.”

  “Punch him really fucking hard.”

  Uriel grinned. “You can count on that, babe.”

  “This is why I love you.” Raziel grinned. “I want a full report, as I gather I won’t be going with you.”

  “No, because you’ll be staying here and getting your strength back once we get Raph and Agrat.” Uriel was firm. “I don’t want to carry you home. You’re heavy.”

  Remiel laughed. “You two are like an old married couple.”

  Uriel pulled a face at him. “So you and Ish keep saying.”

  “Hey, Ish is a very wise woman,” Remiel said, his grin broadening. “I wouldn’t dream of disagreeing with her.”

  “You, my friend, are henpecked,” Uriel said, pointing a finger at Remiel.

  Remiel shrugged. “So what? I love her. Anyway, you’re more henpecked than I am.”

  Raziel hid a laugh behind a cough as Uriel’s eyes widened. Then Uriel scowled. “Shut up.”

  Remiel gave him a mocking bow, grinning the whole time. “Yes, oh mighty Uriel, Archangel of Sanctification.”

  “I’m going to report to Tzad and the others.” Uriel stood up and, blushing, left Remiel and Raziel alone in the guest room.

  “He’s such a child sometimes,” Raziel said in a voice that was full of nothing but fondness. Uriel could hear his lover talking as he stood just outside the guest room, taking a deep breath to compose himself before going back downstairs and joining the rest of the Brotherhood to make his report.

  “Isn’t that why you love him?” Remiel asked.

  “A good part of it, yes.” Raziel leaned back, getting comfortable in his seat, the creaking of the springs speaking louder than words to Uriel what his lover was doing. “Okay, so, let’s get back to work, Remi. We can’t relax until they’ve got Raph and Agrat out.”

  Remiel nodded. “Right.”

  URIEL went back downstairs and made his report to Tzadkiel. Sophiel and Brieus listened very closely to him, and when he repeated what Adramelek had told him about the Internet, the two of them immediately turned to their computers and began tapping away at the keys. Uriel watched them for a moment, then shook his head in bewilderment and went to talk to Gabriel and Samael.

  Gabriel and Samael were sitting on either side of Shateiel’s prone body. Uriel paused in the doorway of the bedroom, staring at the unconscious angel. It was an uncomfortable sight. Shateiel twitched violently every so often, and even though he was unconscious, his face was twisted in an expression of unbearable pain. Uriel gritted his teeth, watching as Gabriel leaned over to touch his lieutenant’s forehead as Shateiel opened his mouth in a silent cry.

  “Will he be all right?” Uriel realized how gruff he sounded as he spoke.

  Samael looked at him and shrugged. “I cannot say, Uriel. He is in a great deal of emotional and psychological pain.”

  Gabriel sighed. “I don’t know what all else we can do for him. As it is, we’re keeping him alive by pure will.”

  Uriel moved into the room and stood at the foot of the bed. “I hope Agrat’s stronger,” he said. “With Raph not being able to reach his power, he won’t be able to keep her going like you two are with Shateiel.”

  “I know.” Gabriel’s expression was grim. “Do we have good news on that front?”

  “We do, actually.” Uriel nodded. “As soon as Michael shows up, we can move out.”

  “Thank fuck.” Gabriel let out an explosive breath. “I’ll need to get a group of my Seraphim to take over here for Sammy and me.”

  “Good plan. We’ll need your sword of shiny, pointy death in Maralinga.”

  Gabriel and Samael started in surprise and both turned to look at Uriel.

  “Maralinga?” Samael asked. “In Australia?”

  “That’d be the one, unless you know of any other Maralingas.”

  “No, I do not.” Samael’s brow creased in a frown. “Why are they hidden in Maralinga?”

  “Radiation, Adramelek said.” Uriel shrugged. “I didn’t understand half of what he said.”

  “Radiation blocks us,” Tzadkiel said from the doorway. “I know what he meant. Radiation kills the Earth, so our power, which is connected to life, can’t feel it. It’s like trying to get a read on a brick wall.”

  “Huh.” Uriel considered that. “Won’t that make it hard to find them? I mean, Australia’s pretty big.”

  “It is,” Tzadkiel agreed, “but I’ve been looking at maps and aerial surveys done with infrared cameras since you made your report. There’s a cave system not far from the spot where the major tests were carried out. Logic suggests that would be where Raphael and Agrat are.”

  “So how are we going to do this, then?” Gabriel asked. “I’m all for just dropping in and blowing the place apart like the angry fist of God, me.”

  “I confess that I like the sound of that,” Samael agreed.

  “I don’t see why not.” Uriel shrugged. “They won’t be expecting it.”

  Gabriel nodded. “Then let’s do that. Get a location, ’port over there, materialize and just… smash into the damn caves.”

  “Destroy them completely?” Tzadkiel asked.

  “Maybe, after we’ve got Raph and Agrat.” Gabriel looked at Uriel again. “What sort of guards are in place?”

  “Some humans who wear robes that Uphir and Marchosias have made. The robes protect them from the radiation.” Uriel had the satisfaction of seeing Gabriel’s expression turn chilly.

  “Uphir and Marchosias are behind this?”

  “Yup.” Uriel nodded.

  “That shit bag.” Gabriel scowled. “I want to kill him.”

  “Which him?” Tzadkiel asked.

  “Both hims.” Gabriel flexed the fingers of one hand.

  “Well, you can’t.” Uriel shook his head. “I’m sorry, guys, I really am, because I feel exactly the same way. We can’t kill them. That was the deal I made with Adramelek. He wants them—badly. He has plans for them, and Lightbringer’s pissed too. So they won’t get out of this at all well.”

  Samael nodded slowly, running the fingers of his free hand over his bald pate. “I see. That is a little more comforting than letting them go free.”

  “Still,” Gabriel grumbled, “I want to hit them.”

  “That we can do. Just nothing permanent.”

  “Good. Are we taking it in turns to punch them in the head?”

  Uriel grinned. “We are. I bet every single one of us wants to do that. Oh, and I get to hit Uphir twice. Once for Raz.”

  “That’s fair.” Gabriel nodded. He paused, his eyes growing distant, and Uriel knew that Gabriel was talking to Michael. He could hear the whisp
er of Archangel power, and a moment later, Michael was there.

  “Gabriel has informed me of what has transpired,” Michael said. He was wearing his armor and held his sword. “When do you wish to proceed?”

  “Am I calling this op?” Uriel was surprised. “Well, well. Okay. Wait, what time is it in South Australia?”

  Tzadkiel looked at his watch and thought for a moment. “Around two in the morning.”

  “How about we do this at dawn? We don’t really need any great plan here, do we?” Uriel looked around.

  “I reckon we ring the area with Seraphim,” Gabriel said. “Make sure it’s totally blockaded so no one gets in or out until we’re done. Then we smash down into the caves.”

  “Remi and I will remain here with Sophiel and Brieus,” Raziel said from the doorway. He moved into the room. “I think between the four of us, we can make sure these Internet auctions on Raphael and Agrat go down at the moment you do your cave smashing. Sophiel seems to think she can track the previous auctions too, and find out where the first group of angels ended up so that we can mount rescue missions for them.”

  “Good,” Michael said, nodding his approval. “What else?”

  “If you, me, Sammy, Uri, and Tzad go in, leading a force of two dozen Seraphim, have the rest of them surround the area, we should be good to go,” Gabriel said. “Oh, and I’ll let ’em know they ain’t to stop Adramelek and whoever’s with him from collecting Uphir and Marchosias.”

  “Oh, this came for you an hour ago,” Tzadkiel said, turning to Raziel. He held out a large box full of glass bottles.

  “Ah, excellent. The potion for the collars. Everyone take a few bottles. Whoever gets to Raphael and Agrat first, smear this stuff over the locks on those things. They should be able to be removed at that point.” Raziel leaned against the doorjamb as Tzadkiel turned and handed out the bottles to the other Archangels.

  “I need six angels to sit with Shateiel and do what me and Sammy have been doing,” Gabriel said, taking the bottles Tzadkiel gave him and pocketing them.

  “I’ll have six of my Ophanim do that.” Tzadkiel set the now empty box down on the cabinet in the corner of the room. “They’ll make sure he stays alive.”