“The Castle Bravo test proved that Demons left unprotected could be destroyed. The ones on the islands certainly were. Those in ships were burned beyond recognition but still regenerated. Zeta Section watches those very carefully. We’ve fine-tuned the explosives since 1954, but the fallout will be about the same. It could contaminate Italy entirely and most of North Africa if we aren’t careful. The League of Nations will only allow it as a weapon of last resort.”

  “Where are the troops from the other members then?” Michael asked.

  “On the way. At least that is what they are saying. Most are in fact mobilizing their own troops to defend from attack. It’s up to us.” Mr. Right plopped in one of the chairs facing Michael.

  Chapter 3

  All the members of Team Wood were trying to sleep. Flight time to Sicily from Nevada was around twelve hours if flying commercial. But the super-secret souped-up aircraft ARCANE used could cut that time in half. Six hours of sleep was still better than nothing.

  “Do you always wear that belt?” Victoria pointed to the canvas and leather belt around Hamilton’s waist.

  Hamilton Sinn set aside the book reader he’d been staring at and met Victoria’s eyes. His right hand instinctively touching the belt in question. “Usually. I found it many years ago in a military surplus store in Greece.”

  Xavier, who’d been trying to sleep, opened one eye just a little at Sinn’s voice. The Earth Mage was still a mystery to the team even after several years. Any additional information about the man was collected immediately.

  “What were you doing in Greece? Isn’t it too dangerous for humans there?” Victoria asked with wide eyes.

  Sinn leaned back against the wall of the plane and sighed. Giving a slight shake of his head, he answered. “Not completely. As you seem to know when the paranormals came forward, mythology came to life in Greece. The country was already at war with itself. Too many of its neighbors wanted it for what it represented, a route into the Mediterranean. Greece was, is, a monarchy. In 1914 King Constantine I of Greece was presented with a quandary. What to do with the paranormals that suddenly appeared in his country.”

  “They took over, right?” Victoria stated quickly.

  TJ and Robert appeared to still be asleep, but Xavier was watching the two mages openly now.

  Hamilton’s eyes were gleaming in the light of the plane. History was one of his favorite subjects. Cutting his eyes to the left, he could see the boss watching. Grunting, he cleared his throat. “Not quite. They cut a deal. Greece didn’t have the power to fight both the Bulgarians and the Ottoman Empire at the same time. It was only a matter of time before they were dragged down. The allied armies…” He made quotation marks with his hands. “The allies were still trying to stop the Vampires on the Western front. They couldn’t help or even care about what happened in Greece. The Purge changed everything of course, but Greece was center stage before even that event.”

  Xavier spoke up. This wasn’t part of any history he knew about. Not one bit of it. “What sort of deal?”

  “A bad one. The King was presented with what appeared on the surface, a way to stop the invading fleets and ensure the safety of the nation. We forget that many of the paranormals are ancient. To them, history is just a memory. They’d been watching. The deal was that the paranormals would be given key positions in the government and laws would be enacted to prevent their death and destruction at the hands of the human population,” Hamilton explained.

  “Then they took over.” TJ, now awake, stated from across the aisle.

  “Yes, they did. Scylla and Charybdis turned out to be real. They were hidden behind centuries of carefully layered spells. Even modern fleets were no match for the monsters. Sirens and Harpies took care of the rest. The country was isolated from the sea. Centaurs, Satyrs, and Giants protect the Bulgarian side of the country. There have been sightings of even larger beings from a distance. Polyphemus is rumored to be in command of the army now. When King Constantine realized his mistake, it was too late. The beings he’d been negotiating with were not the ultimate authority. Queen Medusa keeps his frozen body beside her throne as an abject example to anyone that might raise objections to her rule.” Hamilton reached up and covered his face and head with the hood of his cloak.

  “And you’ve seen this personally?” Xavier asked the Mage.

  Hamilton was silent for a long minute. “I’ve said too much about it.”

  Victoria grunted. “And the belt?”

  The Mage shifted forward catching her eyes. “Belt?”

  “You were saying it came from Greece.” She pointed at his belt.

  “Sorry. Yes. I found it. It was designed to hold stripper clips for an M1903 Springfield rifle. I’ve modified it over the years adding bits of leather and steel to reinforce the canvas. The pockets are perfect for spell components and such. It’s been the one true constant in my life since I first found it.” Hamilton patted the belt unconsciously.

  Xavier opened his mouth to ask another question but decided to let it go. He looked up at the poorly disguised microphone in the light feature. Command could download everything at will. Checking his watch, he shook his head. So little time left. “We’re about two hours out. Now is a good time to get that last bit of rest.”

  Robert Jenkins, the team’s weapons specialist slowly took his hand off the gun on his hip. Talk of Magick and monsters from far away had broken him from the dreams that haunted him every time he closed his eyes.

  <<<>>>

  “Commander Cedar? Brigadier Spataro requests your presence in the command tent.” The speaker was a young man wearing mottled camo fatigues and a red cap.

  Field identification of foreign armies was more Robert’s job than Xavier’s, so he only nodded.

  “Which tent is it, lieutenant?” Robert asked. His hand ever present on his gun. This wouldn’t be the first time someone attempted to ambush the team.

  “The largest. I’m to escort only the commander…” The young officer’s voice trailed off as he stared into the dark eyes of the weapons specialist.

  Robert shook his head no. “We’ll escort you, lieutenant. Less chance of any accidents or misunderstandings that way.”

  The army camp was hastily put together. Tents and armored vehicles were set up and parked in all directions surrounding the airfield. The team could see missile batteries and anti-aircraft positions being erected. Robert just shook his head as they followed the Italian.

  “Problems, Jenk?” Xavier asked the stout weapon-studded man.

  “Not yet, Skip. They’re getting ready to fight things that will eat them alive. Demons aren’t like shooting at rebels and bandits. This is going to be very bad.” Robert gripped the pistol on his hip and kept the other hand on his main weapon. The aircrew almost didn’t allow him on board the aircraft back in Nevada when they spotted it. Not every day you see an experimental .50 caliber submachine gun.

  The unnamed Italian turned his head to stare at the specialist and almost tripped over himself. “Bullets are supposed to kill them.”

  Robert grabbed the younger man before he hit the ground. “They are. Most of the time they either pass right through them, or it takes more ammo than you can carry to do the deed. What you really need is either specially-made bullets or get some clergy in here and start blessing everything in sight.”

  “So all of this is useless?” The young officer spread his hands wide.

  Xavier spoke up. “Not really for us to say, son. You best run along back to your unit and pray.”

  Robert patted the young officer on the back and whispered something his ear as he went by.

  “What did you tell him?” Hamilton asked the specialist.

  “It was Latin, di te perdant te maledicto,” Robert replied as he turned back toward the tent guards.

  TJ nudged Hamilton and held out his hands. “What did he say?”

  Hamilton looked at TJ and shook his head. “So much education has been wasted on you. He said, ‘may the Gods guard you from evil.’ It’s actually a good benediction. I’m surprised that Robert knows it in Latin.”

  The tent guards knew the group was coming and let them in. Robert immediately stepped into the shadows by the door to guard the rear. Xavier took the point. Scanning the room, he fixated on an older man hunched over a map board wearing a general's uniform.

  “General?” Xavier asked as he approached the table.

  General Spataro looked up from the map. His eyes moved from Xavier to the rest of the team taking in details as a slight frown graced his face. “Commander… Cedar?”

  “Yes. You requested to see us?” Xavier stepped up to the map, Hamilton and Victoria moved into protection stances behind him. TJ scanned the room for threats.

  “Sorry. Yes. The Vatican informed us you were coming, but I didn’t know just what to expect. Aren’t there supposed to be more of you, or are they outside?” General Spataro glanced toward the doorway.

  “More are to follow. Team Omega should be here soon, they will beef up your defenses and stand against the onslaught. We have more teams in the air, but for now, it’s just us.” Xavier looked down at the map board.

  General Spataro looked down as well. “As you can see we have a problem.”

  Xavier nodded. “We were shown the aerial reconnaissance photos en route. We have a big problem. This is a Duke. He has the ability to call up a full legion of Demons if not eliminated. So far, the numbers inside the town are small. The valley has kept them contained. Has the fleet started operations?”

  “They started bombing and strafing the forces inside Montemaggiore Belsito an hour ago. They are only having an effect on the smaller Demons. We are unable to affect the big ones.” The General tossed aerial photographs carelessly on the table.

  “Demons of that size and strength need to be either exorcised, put down with holy weapons, or killed using Magick. When the other team gets here, they can discuss this with you, but we need to get moving. If we don’t, there could be even more Demons to worry about.” Xavier pointed to an area just to the east of the town.

  General Spataro tapped the aerial photograph. “The monastery. My contacts say this is the headquarters of the Strega. Is it true that they unleashed this upon us?”

  “We aren’t sure. They’re known enemies and have the capability of doing something like this. Recent photographs show Demons in the compound. We have to try.” Xavier reached across the table to point at Palermo. “More than two million souls are at risk here. Not even the fleet can evacuate that many.”

  The General shook his head. “As soon as the media broke the story, the roads have been jammed with those trying to flee. I had to divert an entire brigade of armor to divert traffic at Bagheria. We cannot have civilians in the way of the battle. There are not enough boats in all of Italy to evacuate the island. I agree. How are you getting in?”

  “Leave that one to us. We may need your troops in Aliminusa to let us through. Can you issue orders to that effect?” Xavier ran his hand down the map to a small town just east of the Horde.

  “I can do one better and send one of my officers with you. Only to Aliminusa. He can attach himself to the command there. Is your government sending help as well?” The general suddenly asked.

  Xavier winced. “We aren’t exactly part of the United States military. Some of our funding and manpower is a part of it, but most come from a source that is strictly independent. Ask the Guard or your Vatican representative. They can explain our situation better so you will understand. My commander informed me as the plane initially took off was that the American government is taking a hands-off approach. I don’t make policy or even vote. Your Government will have to negotiate with them.”

  General Spataro opened his mouth to reply but closed it as his eyes spotted Robert standing by the door. His hands were gripping his unusual looking gun as he scanned the room for threats. Looking to one side, Spataro could see the other members of Xavier’s team with similar stances. He realized that they could kill everyone in the tent with complete ease. He only nodded in response.

  “Which officer are we to take?” Xavier asked.

  “Lieutenant Galletti!” Spataro yelled suddenly. Despite his age, his voice was strong and clear.

  Seeing the look of shock on the teams faces the general explained. “In my day we still conducted field exercises without radios or phones. You need a strong voice to be able to direct troops. We’ve lost something with all this technology.”

  The young officer that originally escorted the team from the airport entered the tent. He still had a look of shock on his face but corrected it when he saw the general. “Sir!”

  “Commander Xavier, I’m assigning Galletti to you. Please leave him where we discussed. Good luck.” The General shook Xavier's hand and motioned for the lieutenant to step forward.

  While the Italian officer received orders, Xavier huddled up with his team. “Hamilton, get whatever current intel there is and add it to our mission plan. We need to know what’s in front of us. Victoria, get with Robert and find us transportation out of here.”

  Lieutenant Galletti tapped Xavier on the shoulder. “Sir, I’ve been assigned to you. Should I request transportation for us?”

  Xavier turned to look at the young officer. “We have one waiting already. Go on with my team and climb aboard.”

  “General? We’re leaving. If we can, we’ll send word. The Demons will freak out when the portal closes. Expect suicide attacks at that time.”

  “How will we know it for what it is?” Spataro asked.

  Xavier smiled. It wasn’t humorous at all. “The Magick plume will be a dead giveaway. You’ll know.”

  Grabbing TJ by the arm, Xavier walked out of the command tent and into the bright afternoon sun. A large armored vehicle sporting a 25mm automatic cannon sat idling nearby. Victoria sat atop it waving.

  <<<>>>

  “And how did you get this thing?” TJ asked the smiling female Mage.

  “Feminine wiles of course. I’m special that way,” Victoria replied as she peeked out the small side window.

  “Don’t believe her. She zapped the troops guarding it with her Magick and stole it right out from under them. It’s an excellent choice. This thing is brand new.” Hamilton thumped the side of the IFV with his fist.

  “This is a Freccia. Our newest armored car. My unit just received it a few months ago. How is it you were given this?” Lieutenant Galletti asked as if seeing Victoria for the first time.

  “We stole it, Kid. Forget about it. What do you know about the defenses in Aliminusa?” Xavier asked the young Italian.

  “Stolen? I must insist you return it immediately. There are procedures in place to acquire…” Galletti started protesting, but Xavier cut him off.

  “You were assigned to us, remember? I can drop you off right now in the middle of nowhere and let you walk back alone, or you can tell us what we want to know. Understand?” Xavier nodded to Hamilton who produced a sickly-looking ball of green fire in his hand.

  The young officer froze. His eyes trapped by the flickering flame. He blinked a couple of times and looked to one side straight into the eyes of Xavier Cedar. “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. Aliminusa. Now.” Xavier ordered not even acknowledging Hamilton as the Mage reabsorbed the Magick.

  “We have a reconnaissance force there as well as an engineering battalion. It was the General’s idea to fortify the town to make it easier for our main forces. Civilian refugees have overwhelmed them, however, making it impossible to do anything,” Galletti explained going into further detail.

  Xavier shook his head as he listened. Unlike Montemaggiore Belsito, the small town had almost no natural defenses. It was just small businesses and homes. The main city center is the largest building. Those troops were doomed if the Horde turned their attention towards them. Regular weapons were almost useless against Demons. “As I see it, we have a thirty minute or so drive. See if we can beef up this thing using Magick or the supplies we brought with us. Lieutenant, it’s your job to get us through all checkpoints. Be advised, we will stop for no man. If we must, we will drive over them. Our mission is that important.”

  Chapter 4

  Mountain roads were not the best place for experimentation. That was Xavier Cedar’s thought as he watched his team, plus one Italian officer, try to strengthen their infantry fighting vehicle with Magick.

  Hamilton Sinn was standing atop the vehicle looking a bit like Lawrence of Arabia about to charge into battle. The wind was whipping his hooded cloak every which-a-way as he directed Victoria and TJ in the placement of his spell components. For all that the Earth Mage added to the team, he lost points by the concealment of who he truly was in the shadows of his mysteriousness. So very little was officially known about the man.

  “Isn’t this against your religion Hamilton?” Xavier shouted up to the Mage.

  Hamilton squatted down, presenting a smaller target for the wind. Smiling, he began to speak. “We Jeedai are supposed to expand our knowledge. It’s one of the tenets laid down by the ancient elders. Know yourself so you might know others is what they say. This is just a teaching moment for me.”

  Xavier shook his head and replied, “If you say so. Just make it a fast lesson. We have work to do.”

  The Mage stood and gave a perfect textbook British salute. “Yes, sir. Right you are, sir!”

  Xavier only raised one eyebrow and walked around the Freccia vehicle. Robert and the young lieutenant were applying sheets of adhesive to the outside of the armored vehicle.

  “Tell me again what this stuff does?” Galletti asked.

  The weapon specialist carefully applied a thin sheet of adhesive material to the welded seams on the outside of the vehicle. “It’s new. Magickal particles are infused with titanium and depleted uranium and milled into thin sheets.”

  Robert held up several eight-inch squares. “The goal is to strengthen the seams that hold the IFV together. These things are designed to be hit by high-velocity rounds, not monsters fists. Wherever you see a seam cover it with the squares.”

 

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