by Siegel, Alex
"Let me get this straight," Aaron said. "Edward blatantly violated the legate's orders by calling you for no good reason in the middle of the night. He was in physical distress. He asked a suspicious question. And we brought Wesley to an address that Edward provided."
Marina ducked her head. "You make it sound bad when you put it that way."
"That's because it is bad! I want everybody to strap on their body armor and weapons immediately. We brought our gear, so let's use it. Stay in the van in case we have to leave in a hurry. Wesley, get down. Keep away from the windows."
"I know what to do," Wesley said.
* * *
Brother Norbert looked through a pair of binoculars at a dark blue van with tinted windows. It was parked in front of the Chapel of Eternal Salvation and Hope.
Nearly the entire Brotherhood of the Luciferian Child was here, at least what remained of it. Squads of monks were positioned on rooftops and behind buildings all around the chapel. There were no gaps for the enemy to slip through this time, and no civilians would get in the way. The trap was complete.
Norbert grabbed his radio and spoke softly into it. "Everybody, hold your positions. I want to see the Child before we attack. I need to confirm this is our enemy before we reveal ourselves."
The occupants of the van were being very cautious. Norbert could tell a man and a woman were in the front seats, but darkness hid their faces. He was hoping they were Aaron and Marina. There was no sign of the Child, but the full sized van had plenty of space in the back.
Snipers were placed all around with orders to shoot the Child on sight. Seeing him die would be the greatest moment of Norbert's life.
He was tempted to order his men to fire at the van on the chance the Child was inside. The rain of bullets would certainly kill the occupants. However, retribution wasn't the purpose of tonight's operation. If the Child wasn't here, Norbert would need to take live prisoners instead of dead ones. Then Dr. Ishii would have his turn with Aaron and Marina. That prospect was almost as pleasing as shooting them.
Norbert decided to wait a few more minutes before ordering any kind of attack. The enemy couldn't escape.
He spoke into his radio, "Move the barricades and spike strips into position. Get ready for the final battle."
* * *
It was difficult to get into body armor in the cramped interior of the van, but Aaron made sure every strap was secure. Fortunately, he had done it many times before. Ethel had trained him to prepare under any conditions. He armed himself with a pair of Brügger & Thomet MP9 machine pistols. They combined a high fire rate and controllability in nice little package. He could fire both at once or hold one with two hands to achieve greater accuracy.
When everybody was equipped, Aaron said, "Marina and I will go into the chapel alone. Yvonne, stay with Wesley and keep the engine running. If there is any hint of trouble, get him out of here. Leave us behind."
"I don't like this plan," Yvonne said. "I don't think we should split up."
"I want to deal with Dmitry now."
"We don't even know if he's in the chapel. We can't trust Edward's information. The best thing to do is get Wesley to safety before we find ourselves in a shit storm."
Her argument was impossible to refute. There wasn't any justification for taking extra risks, especially with Wesley involved. On the other hand, Aaron hated the idea of running away empty handed.
"We'll stay in the van," he said, "but we won't leave, yet. Maybe I can convince Dmitry to come out to us. Is that acceptable?"
"I guess so," Yvonne said. "Just do it quickly."
Aaron looked around. They were on a narrow road that ran through a commercial section of town. Parking lots and grassy fields created plenty of open space between buildings. Nobody was out this late at night. He didn't even see headlights in the distance. Seems safe enough, he thought.
"I need a smoke grenade," he said. "Look in the duffle bags."
Yvonne climbed around in the back of the van, where the luggage was piled high. In the meantime Aaron watched the road and checked the mirrors.
She handed him a metal canister with a pull handle.
He gave it to Marina. "Would you do the honors?"
"Gladly," she said.
She rolled down her window, pulled the handle, and threw the canister through one of the windows of the chapel. Glass tinkled. Aaron immediately backed the van to a safe distance.
White smoke poured out of the broken window. Half a minute later a man staggered out the front door. He was coughing fiercely but otherwise appeared unhurt.
"Dmitry," Marina said in a tight voice.
Her uncle had a full beard of curly gray hair. More gray hair formed a ring around his scalp like a puffy crown. He wore a blue bathrobe with holes where the elbows used to be. His pale face had plenty of creases and pockmarks, making him look twenty years older than he really was. A lot of hard miles on that face, Aaron thought.
He rolled the van forward. Marina held a gun outside her window and pointed it towards Dmitry. His eyes widened in surprise.
"Don't move," Marina called.
Aaron stopped the van a few feet away from Dmitry.
The old man leaned forward and squinted. "Marina? Is that you?" He spoke in a thick Russian accent.
"Yes, uncle," she said.
He clasped his hands together. "Oh, thank you, Lord! Hallelujah!" He stared up at the sky.
"What?"
"I prayed for a chance to see you again."
She cocked her head. "Why?"
"I need your forgiveness." He lowered his gaze. "It might remove one small stain from my filthy soul before I die."
"Bullshit!" Marina shook her head. "You're just saying that because I have a gun pointed at you."
"Then kill me. Do whatever you feel is right. I deserve it."
Her finger stroked the trigger of her gun. Her whole body was shivering but not from cold. Aaron couldn't believe she was holding back.
"I've wanted to kill you for seventeen years," she said in a low voice. "I was so angry I hurt other people instead. I spilled lakes of blood in your name. Filled entire graveyards. I turned myself into a living instrument of death just so I would be ready for this moment." She took a deep breath. "But in the last few days I've changed. I won't let my anger decide my actions. For the first time in my life, I'm the woman I want to be instead of the monster you created."
He looked up at her with a surprised expression.
"So," she said, "I won't kill you. Tonight, I'm in control. That doesn't mean I believe a word you've spoken. You were a pimp for God's sake. What the fuck do you know about souls?"
He stood and pointed to the sign above his chapel. "Eternal salvation and hope."
She snarled. "Just another one of your scams."
"It was a scam in the beginning." He faced her. "I only wanted the donations. But then I changed, too."
"Sure." She snorted.
He looked seriously at her. "When you're a preacher, you read the Bible. It's part of the job. Eventually, some of the words stuck in my brain. Words like forgiveness and redemption."
"Shut up!"
"Listen to him," Wesley said.
Aaron glanced at the boy and hissed, "Be quiet. Stay down."
Marina's gun was shaking.
"My soul will spend eternity burning in Hell." Dmitry said, "I just want the flames to be a little less hot."
"I'll never forgive you. You deserve to burn."
He nodded sadly. "Maybe I can earn your trust. I've lived in this neighborhood long enough to know every shadow. Right now there are too many shadows on the roof behind you."
Aaron very slowly turned his head. The enemy was well hidden, but when he looked carefully he saw the signs. There was a glint of light reflected from a rifle scope. A tree branch moved without wind. An unseen vehicle cast a shadow in an alley.
"We're surrounded," he said grimly.
"A couple of trucks are blocking the road up ahead," Yvonn
e said. "They weren't there before." She looked out the back window. "There is another blockade behind us. Why haven't they attacked? We're sitting ducks."
Aaron's mind was racing. "It must be the Brotherhood. They're waiting to see if Wesley is with us. That piece of information will determine their tactics. As long as we don't move, they'll just watch and hope Wesley shows his face. Damn! Somehow they got to Edward. The situation in Chicago must be a mess."
"Who is the Brotherhood?" Dmitry asked.
"Our enemies," Marina replied in a calm voice without moving an inch. "They want to kill us. This is a trap and you were the bait. And I'm the idiot who took the bait."
Aaron needed an escape plan. The van lacked armor, so bullets would pass straight through the sheet metal body.
He clenched his fists. "Marina, this is exactly why the legate wanted no contact with headquarters."
"Sorry," Marina replied softly.
"Once they see that Wesley is here, they won't need prisoners. They'll blast us with everything they got. If we try to run, they'll do it regardless. The police will have to collect our bodies with tweezers."
"I know! I already told you I'm sorry."
Aaron went through his options. Driving away was the most obvious one, which meant the Brotherhood would be prepared for it. Aaron didn't like the idea of trying to blast through a barricade with bullets flying in all directions. Fleeing on foot was even less attractive given the lack of cover. Of course surrender was pointless. So many ways to die, he thought. Which one do I choose?
He had an idea. It was a stupid idea, but it had one good quality. The Brotherhood would never expect it.
"Dmitry," he said, "are you serious about forgiveness? You're not just jerking our chain?"
"Very serious," Dmitry said in a solemn tone.
"Good, because we're doing God's work tonight. Help us protect the boy, and you might earn some divine good will. If you screw us though, the flames of Hell will be especially hot for you. Understand?"
Dmitry nodded. "I do."
"He's not lying," Wesley said.
"OK," Aaron said. "Get ready to move fast."
He threw the van into reverse and backed up at high speed. Then he dropped it into first gear. He floored the accelerator and aimed the van at the front of the chapel. Broken glass and bricks flew when he crashed through the front wall. He stayed on the gas until the van was deep inside the building.
"Everybody out!" he yelled.
The team spilled out of the van. Loose bricks, broken furniture, smoke, and shadows made the footing treacherous.
"Marina!" Aaron said. "Wesley is your responsibility. Hide with him and stay hidden. Dmitry, where are you?"
Dmitry came stumbling through the dust. "Over here."
"Show them where to hide, but don't go outside."
"I know the perfect place."
"Then move!" Aaron roared.
Dmitry picked his way towards a back door. Marina and Wesley followed.
"Yvonne," Aaron said, "we're on offense."
Yvonne nodded. "That's good, but I need to eat. I'm not at full strength."
He grimaced. "OK. I might have a plan. Grab a bag of explosives and smoke."
She went back into the van and searched through the piles of gear. She tossed a heavy duffle bag to him.
He looked around and spotted a bookcase against the wall. "Let's remodel this place. We'll have company very soon."
Chapter Twenty-Three
Brother Norbert stared in disbelief. He had tried to anticipate every possible move the enemy could make, but apparently, he had missed one. Driving into the chapel was brilliant. It gave the enemy precious cover to hide behind while they prepared some kind of defense. Now the Brotherhood would have to dig them out.
How did they even know it was a trap? Norbert wondered. Somehow the Brotherhood had tipped its hand despite taking every possible precaution.
Strategically, though, not much had changed. The Brotherhood still had a huge advantage in manpower and preparation. The enemy still couldn't escape. Victory would just take a little longer.
He grabbed his radio. "Squads two and three, watch the back door of the chapel. If anybody comes out, kill them. Don't hesitate. I'm getting less interested in taking prisoners."
"Yes, sir," his men responded.
"Squad four, cover the north side," Norbert ordered. "Squad eight, cover the south. I want everybody else to gather behind the pharmacy. Stick with your teams. Keep your eyes open. Stay away from the shadows for God's sake!"
Norbert studied the chapel. The van had made a huge gap in the front wall, but darkness and dust hid the interior. The lights were off inside. It was quiet.
What mischief are you creating in there? He was starting to get that familiar bad feeling. The enemy wasn't following the script. Lord God Almighty, if You're really on my side, this would be a good time to prove it. Grant us swift victory. Protect my men.
Staying low, he walked across the roof. He had posted himself on top of a pharmacy across from the chapel, a location that gave him a sweeping view of the battlefield. He was using binoculars, but he also had a sniper rifle in case he spotted the Child. He was a pretty good shot. For eight long years had prepared for this night.
He looked down into an alley. His monks had formed a line along the back wall, and the sight of them made Norbert smile. They were all good men. They deserved to win for once.
Norbert had brought a total of fifty monks, divided into ten squads of five. There were six squads in the alley. Each had a leader equipped with a radio. Everybody was armed with an assault rifle, a handgun, and plenty of ammunition. They had even practiced with the weapons that afternoon. This time there would be no missteps.
Norbert slipped off the roof and landed in the alley. "Gentlemen," he said loudly, "we will proceed into the chapel together. Our goal is to kill the Child. If we can't find him, we will attempt to capture a live prisoner for interrogation. However, don't hesitate to shoot if you're in danger. A prisoner isn't worth your life. We may outnumber the enemy, but they are extremely skilled and lack any capacity for mercy. Understood?"
The men nodded and muttered, "Yes, sir."
"Follow me."
Norbert walked around the pharmacy and crouched in the shadow of a wall.
The chapel was part of a strip of three stores, forming one building. A shoe store and a dry cleaning shop occupied the other two spaces. A wide parking lot completely surrounded the building. Sniper squads were watching the sides and the back. Norbert and his men would enter through the front, leaving the enemy no way to escape.
Norbert hesitated before sending his men across the street. While they crossed, they would be completely exposed to enemy fire. Supposedly, Aaron was a top marksman.
Norbert used his radio. "Squad two, have one of your men drive a truck around. Park it directly in front of the chapel. We need some cover."
"Yes, sir," the leader of squad two replied.
Norbert waited impatiently for the truck to arrive. Time was an ally of the enemy. It allowed them to complete whatever defenses they could throw together.
He heard a muffled explosion inside the chapel. All the windows in the building vibrated. What are they doing in there? he wondered.
Finally, a white delivery truck came up the street. It was one of the Brotherhood's transport vehicles. The truck parked in front of the chapel, blocking Norbert's view of the door. The driver quickly climbed out on the safe side and crouched down behind a tire.
Norbert waved to the rest of his men. The whole group sprinted across the street using the truck as a shield. They huddled together.
Another muffled explosion rattled Norbert's composure. He made sure to maintain a confident expression in front of the monks.
"We're going in," he said loudly enough for everybody to hear. "All at once. Have your flashlights ready. It will be crowded and confusing when we're inside. Maintain spacing and fire discipline. Check your targets. Listen for orde
rs. Most of all, don't panic when the fighting starts. Ready?"
"Yes, sir," the monks responded.
Norbert took a deep breath. "Go!"
Everybody moved at once. They streamed around the truck and charged forward. Norbert tried to stay in the middle of the pack so his commands would be heard.
The interior of the chapel was a mess. Piles of loose bricks and broken furniture made the floor into an obstacle course. He could see the remains of cheap wooden pews.
He stopped at the blue van and shined his flashlight into the interior. There was a surprisingly large amount of luggage inside. He unzipped one duffle bag and found it was full of bundles of hundred dollar bills. How much money does the Gray Spear Society have?
Norbert rejoined the flow of his men as they rapidly swept the interior of the chapel. They found a bedroom in back, a tiny kitchen, and an office not much bigger than a closet. Norbert saw no sign of the enemy anywhere. Even Dmitry Pavlova was missing. Where the hell did they go?
That bad feeling was getting worse.
"Sir!" one of the monks yelled. "Over here!"
Norbert hurried over. A bookcase partially concealed a rough, gaping hole in the wall. It was big enough for a man to walk through if he ducked. The explosions were for making holes, he realized.
"The enemy must be in the shoe store next door," he yelled. "Split into two groups..."
He heard automatic gunfire. Bullets sprayed through the wall in a random pattern. Norbert instinctively dived behind an overturned table. The other monks scrambled to find cover, but some were too slow and died right in front of him.
His men returned fire. Nobody could see the source of the bullets so the Brotherhood just aimed at the wall. Thousands of rounds chopped up the powdery drywall. Within seconds big chunks were falling out.
"Cease fire!" Norbert yelled. "Cease fire!"
The gunfire finally stopped. Brass bullet cases were everywhere, making the floor even more treacherous. The monks had wasted a lot of ammunition and had only succeeded in adding to the mess.
Norbert spoke into his radio. "Squads two, three, four, and eight, report. Do you see anything out there?"
"All clear, sir," the leaders responded.
