Jack turned and faced his warriors. “Let’s rock and roll. We want to catch them with their pants down.” Allister gave him a confused look and Jack smirked. “It’s just an expression. Means catch them off guard.”
“Ah. Perhaps you should have said that.”
*****
Laura sat on the front porch and watched as her family slowly began to show up. As each brother arrived, they would hug and exchange pleasantries, but inside Laura felt as though they secretly blamed her for her father’s actions. She knew it was because she blamed herself. Only Derek knew what really happened and he didn’t act like it was her fault. Why did she?
She knew why; because it was. She fought to break away from the teams and sneak her father a cure. It had taken far too long for her to make a clean break…her sense of duty overriding her devotion to family. She pulled her legs up under her and squeezed her knees to her chest as her eyes scanned the skies.
She felt the chill air begin to bite at her skin and chose to ignore it. She heard the front screen door open but refused to face whichever brother happened to step out there with her.
She felt the warm body sit next to her and she continued to stare upward. It seemed a long time before the voice spoke, and it surprised her when it was Crystal.
“Do you think maybe he’s staring at the same sky right now?”
Laura shrugged slightly. “I’m hoping so.”
She felt the arm wrap around her then the comforting warmth of the blanket that Crystal placed over her shoulders. “Don’t catch a chill.” She stood slowly and Laura continued to stare upward. “Try not to stay too long, Laura. You won’t do anybody any good if you get sick.”
Laura nodded slightly, her eyes still glued to the starry sky. “Do you blame me?” She surprised herself when she asked Crystal the question. She hadn’t even been thinking it.
Crystal sat back down beside her and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. “Of course not. Nobody blames you, Laura. You couldn’t stop him from…well, nobody could stop that man when he made up his mind.”
She turned a blank face to Crystal and stared at her. “Mom could have.” She didn’t even realize she had said it until the words escaped her. Her eyes went wide and she put her hand over her mouth. “Crystal, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…”
Crystal gave her a soft smile and simply nodded. “I know. Trust me, I’ve heard the stories about your mother.” She reached up and tenderly tucked a loose strand of hair behind Laura’s ear. She turned and stared at the night sky that had Laura so enraptured just moments before. “I think I would have liked your mother.”
Laura’s face must have registered surprise because Crystal laughed. “Oh, honey, I meant if she were still with us, I think she and I could have become great friends. Of course, your father would still be with her. He absolutely adored her.” She smiled again and Laura could tell it was genuine.
“It didn’t bother you that…well, I mean…”
“Bother me? Oh, heavens no. That was just one of the many reasons I loved your father so much. His dedication to her and his family was so…refreshing.” She leaned into Laura, bumping her slightly. “He tells me that you and she are very much alike.”
Laura snorted. “Yeah, I don’t think so.”
Crystal chuckled with her. “To hear your father tell it, you were a carbon copy of her. Well, except she had red hair. But as for your personalities? You were a chip off your mom’s block.”
Laura simply stared at Crystal, a newfound respect forming deep within. “You really loved him.”
“With everything I had.” She continued to stare at the sky, her mind elsewhere.
Laura felt a lump forming in her throat that she couldn’t swallow. “I’m so sorry.”
Crystal turned and gave her a confused look. “For what?”
“It’s because of me that Dad never married you.” She fought not to get choked up but she felt her eyes watering despite her best efforts.
Crystal slipped her arm back around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Sweetie, it wasn’t just because of you. I think somewhere deep down inside, he felt that he would be betraying your mother’s memory if he married me.” She pulled back and stared into Laura’s eyes. “And you know what? I was okay with that. I took what he was able to share and I cherished every moment I spent with him.”
“But, I thought you wanted to marry Dad?”
“Sure I did. But he wasn’t ready.” She shifted again and turned her eyes back to the sky. “At first, it hurt a little. But I soon realized that I didn’t need a license from the state or a preacher to tell me what I already knew in my heart. For the short time I had him, he was mine. And I was his. In our hearts, we were married.”
Laura sniffed back a tear and leaned her head against Crystal’s shoulder. “You’re a much stronger woman than I am.”
She chuckled again and gently stroked Laura’s hair. “No, sweetie, I’m not. You are your mother’s daughter. From what I hear, that makes you pretty damned strong.”
The two sat silently and continued studying the night sky. After what seemed forever, Crystal leaned forward and stretched. “I’m getting too chilly. How about we go inside and get something warm to drink?”
Laura nodded silently and slowly stood, her joints arguing against the cold. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”
*****
Mark took the command seat in OPCOM and watched as the team made a fast approach on the drop zone. He marked the log and turned to the communications tech. “Verify coms.”
“Coms verified, sir. Loud and clear, five-by-five.”
“Very well. Enter the time in the log and let’s split the monitors between the teams.”
The logistics officer turned and gave Major Tufo a confused look. “Sir?”
“First Squad has quite a bit of transit time ahead of them. Second Squad will be backing up Phoenix and his team. Their transit time will be nil.” Mark updated the command codes into the chair’s command keypad then spun to face the screen.
“Begging the major’s pardon, sir, but is Colonel Mitchell aware of—”
Tufo cut off the inquiry before it could be finished. “Of course he’s aware, Lieutenant. Second Squad wouldn’t be supporting without his blessing. Now, if everybody can focus on the tasks at hand, we have a dual operation to oversee.” He spun the chair and punched in the codes for the overhead flat screens. “Tie in coms from Second Squad.”
“Aye, sir.”
As the monitors flickered and came to life, Tufo slipped the headset on and turned the sound down to a dull buzz. His hearing was sharp enough that he probably could have heard everything with it hanging from the arm of the chair, but he did his best to keep up appearances. “Switch us to red light and let’s get the coms on the overheads.”
“Done and done, sir.”
“Helmet cams on periphery monitors.” He didn’t look up as he punched in more orders for the drone operators, ordering them to stand by. He looked up to the Logistics Officer. “Isn’t the 173rd out of Kinglsey?”
“I’m not sure. I think so, sir.”
Mark scratched at his trimmed chin and studied the map on his PDA. “Jack said she was holed up at an abandoned saw mill in Oregon. Little piss ant town in the middle of nowhere…” he trailed off in thought. He suddenly looked up and nodded to the Logistics Officer again. “Notify the 142nd in Portland and the 173rd. See if either has a drone we can commandeer. Use a NORAD Word of the Day.”
“Sir?” The logistics officer gave him a questioning shrug.
“They’ll be much more likely to loan a drone to NORAD for use in U.S. airspace than they would a black operation like us, Lieutenant.”
“Aye, sir.” The man smiled as he began processing the request. “And the Word of the Day is?”
Mark looked at his PDA and frowned. “Trojan? Who uses a condom as their word of the day? That’s just gross.”
“Perhaps they meant the people, sir? Or the horse?”
Mark shrugged. “I’m going with the rubber.” He shot the lieutenant an evil smirk. “They’re all dickheads at NORAD anyway.”
“Aye, sir, and I’ll be sure to have that stricken from the hard copy, Major.”
Mark shrugged. “Like anybody reads them.” He sat up straighter in the command chair and motioned to the clock. “Mark the time and tighten your assholes. It’s time to make the doughnuts.”
*****
Rufus slipped through the door and hovered near where Jack and his crew were still staging. He listened intently for any clues as to where they were going. He knew that his brother was doing his best to glean information as well, but he feared that even if they could pinpoint exactly where Lilith was, they would be too late in getting there. Those damned elves and their portals made travelling far too easy over great distances.
He listened, straining his ears until he heard one of the men say Oregon. His stomach fell as he tried to calculate how long it would take for Viktor to return and for the pair to travel across the continent. He slowly shook his head then swallowed hard.
Rufus stepped back through the doorway and toward the crowd. He motioned to Jack. “A word, if I may?”
Jack paused and dropped his gear on the table. “I’ll be right back.” He quickly closed the gap between the two and dropped a steely eyed glare on the vampire.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard one of the men mention Oregon? If this is where Lilith is currently hiding, I would very much like to be a part of the raiding party.”
“It’s not a raiding party. We’re going there to destroy her.”
“Yes, of course.” Rufus glanced to the side and lowered his voice. “Jack, I have not mentioned this before, but I feel I must be most forthcoming with you.”
He crossed his arms and stared down at the man he once trusted, his gaze indicated he never would again. “By all means.”
Rufus cleared his throat and tried to choose his words wisely. “After you… left my employ, I met with the council. They were quite clear in their decision. They would only entertain removing the edict if I were to remove the threat of Lilith.”
“That’s what we’re going to do. Lucky for you somebody else gets to put their neck on the line and you still benefit.” Jack shot him a smirk and turned to leave.
“Non, Jack, you do not understand.” Rufus reached out to stop him but held himself short. “The council…they will know. If I am not a part of the force, they will know. The edict will stand.” He maneuvered himself between Jack and his people. “I know you, Monsieur. You are many things, but you would not do anything purposefully when you know it would cost the life of another. Even if you hold nothing but disdain for that person. You simply would not allow yourself to be so callous.”
Jack hiked a brow and studied him. “You think you know me that well, do you?”
Rufus gave him a sad smile. “Oui. I know you that well.”
Jack inhaled sharply and let it out slowly, his eyes pinched shut. “Let me guess, you want to bring dear old dad in law and your deadbeat brother along as well?”
“My brother, oui, but Viktor is running an errand for me.”
Jack’s gaze narrowed. “Where is he? You didn’t tell me he was going anywhere.”
Rufus held up his hands again to calm the man. “He went to speak with his contacts at the Vatican. In case we cannot stop her, perhaps they can empty the churches. Minimize the damage she can do. That is all.”
Jack’s Bullshit-O-Meter pegged, but he did his best to give the man the benefit of the doubt. He ground his teeth together and clenched his fists. “Fine. Tag along if you must, but stay out of the way. It’s bad enough Second Squad is coming, too. I don’t need to babysit anybody else.”
“Merci.”
“Don’t thank me yet.” Jack turned to gather his gear. “We have to survive this assault first.”
*****
Bigby watched the hangar from the building across the street, his notes jotted down in the pocket notebook of his breast pocket. He tried to ignore the sighs of boredom coming from across the nearly empty office space.
“Tell me something.”
With clenched teeth he lowered his binoculars and turned to the werecat. “What?”
“Why are you really doing this? You told Simmons to piss off, so it’s not for money. Your army was actually his hired goons, so it isn’t loyalty.”
Bigby closed his eyes and tried to count before he said something he regretted. “What would you know of loyalty?”
“Quite a bit actually.”
“Well, you know nothing of mine. So try shutting your hole before I shut it for you.” He lifted his binoculars again and studied the hangar.
“I’m just curious. Indulge me. Nobody’s paying you for this job, and you’re obviously a mercenary.”
“A what?” He lowered his spyglasses and stared at the man. “You called me a mercenary?”
“Well, yeah. You whored yourself out to Simmons once then double-crossed him. That says quite a bit for your loyalties.” Mick smirked at him, a self-satisfied grin forming.
“Listen to me, pup, and listen well. It will do you good to watch your tone with me. First off, I’m nobody’s whore. I got into this mess because of loyalty. Loyalty to a good man. A man who saved my life plenty of times.”
“Ah, yeah. You mentioned that. The boys across the road killed him, yeah?”
“Yeah, they did.”
“And that’s why they have to pay? Because your mate turned against them and paid the price? So now you have to as well?”
Bigby took a step toward him then caught himself. He stared at the cat lying on the floor appearing relaxed, a stupid grin painted across his face. “You’re not worth it.”
He turned back to the window and continued staring at the hangar.
“No, go on. Tell me. Tell me how your mate screwed up so that now you have to go on a killing rampage, because I really don’t get it.”
Bigby clenched his teeth as he stared at the carpeted floor, his binoculars hanging from his neck. “It wasn’t like that.” His voice was barely a whisper.
“What wasn’t?”
“The bloody vamps got his family. Held them. Threatened Sherry if he didn’t…if he didn’t do what they ordered.”
Mick sat up straighter and cocked his head to hear better. “Go on.”
“They wanted him to kill another vampire. A vamp that had gotten hisself in tight with the Yanks. He was the leader of the Beastia clan.” Bigby turned and Mick saw the pain in his eyes. “They had his mum and his sister. Threatened to rip their innards out and mail them to him if he didn’t do it.”
Mick got to his feet slowly and studied the man as he spoke. For the first time since meeting Bigby, he saw an emotion other than hatred or rage. “What happened?”
“The Yanks. They got wind of the deal. They ruined Sherry.” He tilted his head back and stared through the ceiling. “Oh, they managed to get to his family and put them all in some kind of witness protection in the middle of nowhere. But they killed Sheridan. For all intents and purpose, the man was dead.” He turned and glared at Mick. “He stopped taking the bane. Found out that he could shift at will once he did. Then he came and found me.”
“Why?”
Bigby snorted. “To get the band back together, of course. Why else. Once an operator, always an operator.”
“I mean, to what purpose?”
“Imagine, boy. Monsters hunting monsters? For profit?” Bigby laughed. “Yeah, it was a dream, but he sold me on it.” He shrugged as he marched the short distance back to where Mick stood. He picked up a bottle of water and twisted the lid.
“I’m not following.”
“Aw, Sherry didn’t have to sell me on the idea. I’d have followed him to the gates of Hell. But the other boys? Yeah, some of them needed convincing.” He took a long swallow and shook his head. “Some couldn’t be convinced.”
Mick saw the look on his
face and knew without a doubt what became of them. “He killed them.”
“Made it look like an accident, but yeah.”
“And yet you followed him? They were your mates.”
“And he was my commanding officer. Like I said, to the gates of Hell.”
Mick leaned against the wall and let him continue talking.
“I couldn’t bring myself to stop taking the bane. Yeah, I knew I’d be stronger and faster, but to me, I felt like I’d be a slave to the moon, ya know? So I kept taking it. Not Sherry. He said he needed the added strength to overcome his wound.”
“What wound?”
Bigby hitched his jaw toward the hangar. “The one his ‘best Yank friend’ gave him. Shot him through the foot with a silver round. Ruined the bones of his instep, the bastard.”
Mick grimaced. “Damn. Some friend.”
“Look, if it’s all the same, I’d just as soon not talk about it anymore. Just accept that they have it coming.”
*****
Jameson leaned back in the chair and watched as the helmet cam feeds shimmered. The Titans had turned off their active camouflage and were now visible to their potential targets. Pandemonium broke out as targets began to panic and break away from the main groups.
Ingram let out a whoop as the first volley of rounds struck the main body of fangers and their bodies ashed almost instantly. The Titans had flanked the slow moving group and were firing at 45 degree angles into the advancing group. As they broke away and tried to retreat, the lead fangers ran into those in the rear causing even more panic. A tertiary group of Titans closed the gap and began mowing them down as they were bunched into a ball.
Ingram watched as the Predator came online and dropped a silver nitrate bomb into the main mass of bodies. They quickly dissolved into a large fireball of ash.
Jameson propped a foot up on the console and shook his head. “This isn’t a test, Robert. This is shooting fish in a barrel.”
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