<<< >>>

  Lord Harborym’s orders were passed from Demonic leader to Demonic leader until those in control received them. Every army has a lackey that takes responsibility and blame for all their leader's actions. Even Demon armies.

  Metafel was only a Captain, but as only one of three protecting the gate, he considered himself to be important. The orders to cluster up and pass through had been given when gunfire and destruction were noticed. The Flyers were scheduled to go through last and were the only units of Demons available. “Attack the humans and slow their advance. No harm must come to the gate.”

  Even as dozens of their brethren were being killed by machine gun fire, the majority of the swarm descended upon what they perceived as the military and a threat. General Spataro’s position and the Italian army.

  <<< >>>

 

  “. . .refugees are clogging all the roads leading to Palermo and Messina. None of our support can get through. We’ve been bringing in the armored vehicles one at a time with help from the fleet.” Colonel Di Maria reported as he hunched over the map.

  General Spataro ran his hands through his hair and looked toward the tent ceiling. This entire operation was a logistical nightmare. Something he had never expected to play out in his lifetime. “What are we doing to protect the refugees?”

  The officers around the table all looked up in surprise. None of them said a single word for almost a minute before one of the two lieutenants in the room spoke up.

  “Sir, we have security details at the major intersections but are unable to stay in contact with them. The last report we had was that some local police and militia officers were accompanying the largest groups of civilians. They may be family related or under local control though.” Lieutenant Pachino pointed toward the main A19 Palermo-Catania highway.

  “Show me.” General Spataro replied.

  The lieutenant pointed toward Contrada Pistavecchia and Contrada Gatto. “At these points, we have two engineering brigades. They are supposed to be building defense points and laying in supply caches. Over here…” He pointed to the opposite side of the island. “There is a reconnaissance unit just below Termini Imerese. Their orders were to survey the highways, but I expect they’re directing traffic.”

  “Good work, Lieutenant Pachino. What are we doing about communications? Now that we have units in place, we should be trying to contact them,” Spataro admonished. “What do communications look like?”

  “Bad. We have short range, about a hundred yards covered. For anything else, we have to send runners. The fleet is using blinking lights for the ship-to-ship communications. They do have some satellite comm, but according to my contact over there, it is sporadic.” Colonel Di Maria remarked. “We do have a couple of helicopters that we can send.”

  General Spataro frowned at the Colonel, “Those are assigned to me.”

  “Yes, sir. But we aren’t using them at the moment,” the colonel replied.

  “No, they are not. Use them to send out orders to both of those cutoff units and whatever militia they can find. Start setting up fortified positions around the seaports and other places of embarkation. If we cannot contain the Horde, we will have to attempt an evacuation of the civilians,” General Spataro explained.

  “Is that even possible to do, sir? Colonel Di Maria asked.

  “They are our people. I won’t be responsible for another San Lenardo incident. Send the orders…” He trailed off as a loud wail started up outside the tent. “What now?”

  “That’s the air raid alert!” Lieutenant Pachino stated.

  General Spataro looked at the young officer and pointed toward the entrance. Panchino jumped up and ran outside only to run back in immediately. “It’s a flight of Demons, sir. A really big one.”

  “Get to your units! Move people!” General Spataro turned back to his desk and placed a helmet on his head. Opening a drawer, he pulled out a shiny, chrome-plated automatic.

  “Sir, we can protect you!” Major Marino, the intelligence officer, remarked.

  “I don’t see your weapon, Major. Why don’t you go find it and join me on the line? This was my grandfather’s. He used it on Demons and so will I.” Nodding to his security detachment, the General stepped outside. Looking toward the south, he could see a swirling black mass of Demon Bats heading straight for them. Crossing himself, the general spoke to his men. “This is for your families and your country. Don’t let either of them down now.”

  On the edge of the encampment, anti-aircraft cannons started firing upward.

  <<< >>>

  “Is there anything we can do to support them?” Admiral Gucci asked.

  “Our jets are almost useless against those things. The last flight we sent up did little or no damage, and we lost more than half of our pilots. If we were to sail in closer, the phalanx guns might be able to help. Modern equipment is just useless against Demons,” Captain Luna replied.

  “Order the destroyers and support ships in closer. They have the best chance of getting in and getting out quickly. Put up a CAP and direct them to NOT close with the enemy but to fire from a distance. Maybe that will help,” the Admiral ordered.

  “Is there anything else we can do, sir?” Captain Luna asked.

  “We can pray.”

  Chapter 7

  “At least the Demon Bats are gone,” TJ commented, looking up through the gaps in the trees at the sky.

  “It’s where they went that worries me. If we can get these blasted radios to work, we could find out.” Xavier shook his communications module. ARCANE’s version would pick up any signal for more than fifty miles. The units were convenient for covert insertions, and he had grown to rely on them. Their current failure was irritating and would cause problems in any plan they attempted.

  “It has to be this place that’s causing it. They worked just fine on the flight over.” Robert replied on the group’s communication link. As soon as they set out on foot, they found that the small transmitters only worked for about a hundred yards or so.

  Hamilton unfolded himself from the branch of the olive tree and dropped down as Xavier neared. “Just one more reason to rid ourselves of the scum in that edifice.”

  Up close, the Strega base of operations proved to be bigger than they had first thought. The briefing material had claimed that it dated from the Middle Ages, but some parts of the architecture negated that. Small towers dotted the walls covering the heavy wooden gate. The one that was currently open.

  “It might still be a trap, boss,” Robert scanned the walls with his binoculars.

  “We can see the Demons entering from up there,” Xavier pointed over his shoulder to the small mountain they had traveled down. “Since they aren’t coming out, they must have used a portal. If it’s still up, we have to close it.”

  Victoria knelt by one of the larger olive trees and pulled out a crystal wand. Bowing her head, she said a quiet prayer to the Gods of her ancestors and the Goddess that protected her.

  “And here we go,” Hamilton muttered as he leaned back against another tree.

  TJ shot the male Mage a dirty look. “Must you always deride her religion?”

  “Bunch of mumbo-jumbo, if you ask me. Believing in invisible beings gets you nowhere in this world.” Hamilton smiled and moved his finger in a spiral motion next to his head.

  “Is that like believing you’re the personification of a mystic warrior you once saw at the movies? Because until I met you, I’d never seen an actual Jeedai before,” TJ sneered at Hamilton.

  Xavier looked skyward for just a moment saying his own prayer. Unlike Victoria’s reverent request, his was filled with four-letter-words. “Chill out. We’re still in hostile territory, remember? Demons? Let’s just finish the mission.”

  Victoria stood up at that moment. “I scanned the entrance and general area. Unless they’re blocking me, the demons are gone.”

  “Totally gone or just not visible?” Xavier asked the Mage.

  Victoria put her wand away and set a small quartz crystal next to the tree as an offering. “The Goddess wasn’t very clear about that. Just that for our purposes, they were gone.”

  TJ cocked his head to one side and studied the female Mage. “Your Goddess speaks actual words to you?”

  The Mage shook her head, “No. She conveys information to me with feelings and insight.” Looking TJ in the eyes, she smiled. “The Gods seek to help those that help themselves. Nothing in this world is free, Tao Jung. They only ask that we worship and honor them as we should.”

  “Is it getting deep out here or what? I think I’ll go scout the doors. Anyone want to join me?” Hamilton asked as he drew the Roman gladius from the sheath at his hip.

  “I’ll go.” Robert shouldered his rifle and picked up the Beretta ARX160 he had found inside the IFV. Carefully, he checked the magazine and unfolded the stock.

  TJ stared at the female Mage for a moment. Nobody except his parents called him Tao Jung anymore and even they forgot sometimes. TJ nodded his head toward the departing team members and spoke, “We should go.”

  Xavier unclipped a twenty-round drum from his pack and loaded his Saiga shotgun. “I’ve got the rear.”

  Hamilton conjured a ball of lightning and peered around the edge of the wooden gate. Feeling the edge with his left hand, he nodded. Reinforced wood. The IFVs cannon would have chewed right through it. From what he could see the entrance was clear.

  “Cover me.” Robert squatted low to minimize his profile and carefully slipped into the entranceway.

  Watching Robert carefully, Hamilton took a step inside. One of his favorite Magickal skills was the use of glamour. He quickly applied a mental disguise to himself, which he knew would work on anyone casually looking his way.

  TJ could see his teammates entering the gate. Reaching down he pulled out his custom butterfly swords and took a fighting stance. If things went south, he would be ready.

  “What does it look like Robert?” Xavier muttered into the team comms.

  “The main courtyard is empty. The buildings lining the walls are dark with doors open. Are we sure the portal is in the main church?” Robert whispered into his mic.

  “That’s what intel says, why?” Xavier asked. He motioned toward the doors to TJ and Victoria. Each of them carefully slipped inside.

  “It’s sealed up tight. We all saw the Demons come in here. Where’d they go? I recommend that we find cover. The barracks to the left of the door looks empty.” Robert peered in through one of the windows as carefully as he could.

  “Negative. The gatehouse is more defensible. We should be able to access the wall from it as well,” Xavier ordered.

  “Copy that,” Robert answered as he reversed his direction.

  Hamilton released his glamour and moved away from the wall. Sensing movement, TJ half turned to the right.

  “Moving now,” Hamilton muttered.

  TJ nodded to the Mage as he passed and moved onto his six seamlessly. If attacked, they could swivel easily to a defensive posture.

  Robert opened gatehouse door and slipped inside. His all-black outfit blended in with the shadows, leaving just a shimmer of movement to betray his passage.

  While the outside wall appeared to be rough-cut fieldstone, the gatehouse had been quarried. The tight-fitting stone looked as though it would last a thousand years.

  “All clear inside,” Robert commented. He had found a good overlook spot and was setting up a sniper nest quietly as he spoke.

  Xavier and Victoria carefully entered the gatehouse after the others.

  “What’s that smell?” Victoria held her nose as a foul odor permeated the small rooms.

  “That’s my fault. There are a couple of rotters in the lavatory. I opened the door, and we had an instant stink cloud,” TJ commented.

  “Demons?” Xavier asked.

  TJ shook his head. “No. They look like they might be either Strega or Missionaries. They were both shot in the head.”

  Xavier frowned, “Show me.”

  TJ turned back the other way. “They are in here.”

  Opening the door, Xavier wrinkled his nose as he squatted down. The bodies were located across from each other in the small room, one wedged up against the toilet, the other behind the door.

  “This one shot the other one and then killed himself.” Xavier picked up a rusted revolver from between the legs of the man behind the door.

  “Why shoot yourself?” TJ asked him.

  “No idea. Was the door locked?” Xavier stood up and began opening the cabinets in the room.

  “Locked. What’re you looking for?” TJ asked.

  “Intel, maps, plans, anything we can find. We might be the only non-cult humans to set foot in this place in centuries.” Xavier mused as he thumbed through a small pile of magazines. “Check the rest of the place.”

  Finding nothing, Xavier stepped out into the main gatehouse ‘office’ area. Several monks robes hung near the door as well as four racked semi-automatic rifles. All Berettas, all top of the line Italian Army issue. Victoria was rifling through the small desk under the window.

  “Find anything?” Xavier asked.

  The female Mage held up a handful of paper. “Receipts, the current guard schedule, and notes about a recent visitor. They were told to triple the guard and load for… What’s a Dracaenae?”

  “Are you sure that’s the word?” Xavier took the paper from her and scanned it.

  “It sounds like a type of plant,” Victoria showed him the phrase.

  “The Dracaenae were monsters. Some would say they were born of Dragons. Scylla is a Dracaenae, but they came in all sizes. Does it say why they were to prepare?” Xavier squinted at the page but couldn’t read it.

  “An emissary was visiting. There’s a note on the side about preparing for the ritual. Xavier, this was dated months ago,” Victoria exclaimed.

  “Yeah. The dead bodies in there killed each other. We have a mystery as well as a Demon threat. What’s upstairs?” Xavier asked.

  Robert broke into the conversation. “Not much up here but a couple of cots and some old clothing. I’ve got a clear view of the courtyard, and it doesn’t look good right now. You need to get up here, boss.”

  Xavier told the others to prepare defenses and guard the exits, before climbing up the ladder to the loft.

  Without preamble, Robert started talking. “To the right of us looks like a cemetery and a small dead garden. Pretty much the same thing. As you know, directly behind us is the church. But..”

  “But what?” Xavier asked him.

  “If you lean in toward the window and look way down the left side, there’s another church.” Robert demonstrated, handing Xavier the binoculars.

  “That’s not on the map we were given. What’s on the other side of it?” Xavier asked him.

  “I don’t know. These buildings along here look like dormitories or cells. Since these weren’t really monks, it might be the motor pool or gun range. This place freaks me out a bit,” Robert told him.

  “You’re freaked out? You? Didn’t you tell me you played tag with a nest of Vampires in the Caucasus once? How does this freak you out more than that?” Xavier asked as he studied the church.

  “Bad vibes or something. Maybe the fact we saw a boatload of Demons come in here and the place is empty. It feels like a trap,” Robert replied.

  “If it’s a trap, we’ll spring it. Better that we know about it. We’ll start with the closest church first. Load up.” Xavier patted the specialist on the back and started down the ladder.

  “Thanks, boss,” Robert muttered as he checked his weapons.

  “Get ready to move out. We’ve got Demons to kill and a portal to close. Did you find anything else, Victoria?” Xavier asked.

  “Nothing we didn’t already know.” The female Mage suddenly stopped, turning her head to the side. “I sense a Demonic presence. For just a moment it was above us. Now it’s in that direction,” she pointed toward the other end of the courtyard.

  “Dangerous?” TJ asked.

  “All Demons are dangerous. The difference is knowing which ones to shoot and which ones to run from. You weren’t with us the last time we tackled a Demon.” Hamilton closed his eyes and touched a hand to the door. “She’s right, there’s something here.”

  “Quickly then let’s get out of here,” Xavier swung his Saiga shotgun around and opened the door.

  <<<>>>

  “There’s too many of them! General, we need to retreat!” Colonel Di Maria leaned over in an attempt to be heard. Both officers were inside one of the mobile command vehicles. Their respective guards were piled in front of the access hatch, attempting to protect their officers with the frail barrier of their own bodies.

  The Demon Bats had attacked the base in waves for over an hour. They dive-bombed any exposed troops, sometimes tossing them bodily into the sky only to be snatched on the fly and eaten by other demons. Only the heavily-armored tanks and IFVs could stand up to the attacks. At first, the anti-aircraft guns seemed effective, but wave after wave of Demon Bats had finally destroyed them.

  “And go where? If we go east, we put half the country at risk. Palermo has nothing that will stop this. You said yourself we’ve got nothing effective in Messina. We’re it. If we fall, so does Italy! Call in the reserves. Some of them have radial guns that might work against these things,” General Spataro ordered.

  The Colonel grabbed the microphone from the officer in charge of communications and gave the orders.

  “What of the navy? Are they having any luck?” The General asked.

  “No, sir. We haven’t seen any of the couriers in more than an hour. The Bats destroy anything we try to send up . . .” Di Maria replied even as he held a headset up to one ear. “What? Tell the reserve units to slot into the main formation.”

  Holding the mic in his hand, Colonel Di Maria looked lost for just a split second. “General? Second Battalion is reporting that Demons have engaged his troops on the ground. It appears the Demons assaulting Montemaggiore Belsito are coming for us.”

  General Spataro took a deep breath, holding it before letting it out slowly. “What did those experts say? Tell all commanders to issue grenade launchers and whatever explosives we have. My grandfather said the only way to kill the big ones was to blow them up.”

 

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