Tattoos & Rail Guns Chapter 23: The Dogs & Demons of War

Lieutenants Sawyer and Prowse were checking the equipment over for their strategy meeting. Lieutenant Sawyer looked at her checklist. She tapped the tablet with her finger. “Weird, I feel like I'm forgetting something.”

Lieutenant Prowse smiled. “Obvious question: Who's supposed to be here?”

She looked up. “You, me, Sergeants Rodriguez and Samuels, PFC Walker, and Douglas. Oh.” She saluted Lieutenant Prowse; she returned the salute with a too-cute smile. “This is why you're my right hand.” She twisted her ring: “Huc.”

A column of blue light came up from the floor and went straight through the ceiling. Kev was left behind, carrying his rail gun on his back. “So, are we prepared to go and annihilate the demons?”

She smiled. “While I appreciate the enthusiasm, this is just the strategy meeting. Then we go off and 'annihilate the demons.' We just figured you should be part of the meeting. Feel free to make suggestions; these are beyond our experience, after all.”

Kev nodded. “Where would you like me to sit?”

Lieutenant Prowse handed him a tablet. “Pretty much anywhere but the seat with the controls.” Kev took a seat near the foot of the table. “Hey, Kev: what's your preference as regarding body armor: light or heavy? We're getting some personal power armor for the squad members; the armor comes with some actuators that enhance performance, and there will be a lot of stairs....”

He looked at the tablet. “I would prefer none, if possible. It would interfere with my abilities and I should be able to keep up with your squad. I can run for hours without losing my breath. I can also summon armor if the need should arise.”

She nodded. “Okay, so one less suit. The armorer will love that.”

Lieutenant Sawyer looked the place over. “Okay, looks like we're done. We just need the guys to show up.”

* * * * *

Rodriguez and Samuels waved at the boys as they walked over to them with full trays. Douglas quickly waved back as Walker waved energetically. “Douglas, we are so screwed.” Walker stopped waving. “We can't let them know that we know that they know we slept together.”

Walker put his hand down. “Good point. It could affect the contract we’re trying to build.” The other two joined them, smiling. “Good morning, sergeants.”

Samuels nodded while Rodriguez started opening his milk. “Good morning, Douglas. Is our newest adjutant ready for his first major mission?” Walker ate, pretending to be interested in his food. “The mission briefing should be fun.”

Douglas smiled aggressively. “I hope so, Sergeant. I'm looking forward to it.”

Samuels looked at Douglas. “So, did anything unusual happen last night? I came in late last night so I might have missed something.” Both Rodriguez and Walker's eyes rolled, although for very different reasons.

Douglas poked at an egg. “Nope. We showered and went to bed. I was so tired that I didn't notice which bed I was in.” He returned to his meal. Walker's eyes widened. “Waking up with someone else in it was certainly a surprise.”

Samuels’ eyes tightened. “So, Walker, I take it you were so tired that you failed to notice the invasion of your bed?” Samuels smiled smugly. Rodriguez glared at him.

He sighed. “Well, Sergeant, I had been running errands all day, so I probably was. It was a long day, after all.” He lifted his fork. “A demon could have slipped into my bed and I wouldn’t have noticed it.”

Samuels glared at Walker. “The two of you need to be more aware of sleeping arrangements. Only one to a bed, understood?” The two nodded. Samuels stood up. “I'll see you guys at the meeting.” Rodriguez waved him off as he walked away.

Rodriguez looked at Walker. “Look we know something happened last night, but as long as you don't get caught doing it again, we're cool. Understood?”

Douglas bit his muffin. “Thanks. I'm usually good at not getting caught.” Walker glared at him while Rodriguez smiled.

Walker sighed. “Yes, Sergeant. Thanks.”

Rodriguez attacked his meal. “That said, it’s nice to see you value opsec. That’s commendable.”

Walker smiled. “My time with Sergeant Samuels has been….educational.”

Rodriguez returned the smile. “Apparently.”

Douglass dug into his hash browns. “And deception is something you learn quickly in the field. Some of my fellow wizards could have him doubting his very existence.”

Rodriguez. “That would be interesting to see. Now, let's eat; it's going to be a long day.”

* * * * *

Deezle the Defiler's comm system started beeping; he picked it up. “Yes? Yep, everything is ready.” Well, I had just finished checking things. “We just need people to show up.” The squads had been placed, and most of them had brought their friends. “Yes, the circle is ready to go.” I only had to replace six tiles. “Yes, Lellend, it’s all ready.” Well, except for one thing. Heh heh heh. “Understood. See you soon.” Deezle the Defiler smiled as he hung the receiver and returned to his last very special project. This afternoon was shaping up to be fun....

* * * * *

When Rodriguez, Walker, and Douglas came in, everyone else was already there. Lieutenant Sawyer took the lead; she clicked the remote and a rotating hologram of the Rochester-Fallon Hotel. One room on the 51st floor was in red. “The mission is a simple one: Lieutenant Prowse and Douglas will provide air support. If either of you are unable to fight, you are to land and make your way to the nearest stairwell.” The two nodded. “The rest of us will proceed on foot up the stairwells until we hit the fifty-first floor. We will then infiltrate and shut down the lair on that floor.” The other four nodded.

Douglas piped up. “The demons usually pull the elevators as soon as they take over a building. I hate flyers.”

Samuels grinned. “Yeah, smart move as they don’t need them and they represent a security risk.”

She smiled then clicked; the holograms of Kev and Douglas replaced the hotel. There was cheering from everyone as Douglas bowed; Kev ignored it. “The building is in the blue zone, so Kev and Douglas will be operating at full strength.” Douglas gave a thumbs up. “Due to his abilities, Kev is in the 'stay frosty' position; while he will follow me for most of the exercise, he can provide air support, directly or otherwise, and provide transport out. Douglas will help out on offense and defense, and is to be considered an emergency exit as well. For both of you, the landing point is the front doors.” The two nodded. “I'm hoping he and Douglas will provide the element of surprise we need for success.”

She clicked; their holograms were replaced by two very different suits of power armor and a backpack. “Lieutenant Prowse was issued the Valkyrie flying armor. Everyone else, excluding Kev and Douglas, is to be issued the Spartan Heavy Personal Armor. Heavy laser rifles will be issued to everyone, as well as a backpack containing a dozen grenades, four extra clips, and three meals, as well as an attached water tank.” She looked at Douglas. “We’re issuing all but the laser to you; we have a light laser rifle if you want it, as well as a light suit of environmental armor.”

Douglas nodded. “And I’ll be taking both. Thanks!”

She nodded She clicked; a rotating circuit board attached to a box came up. “Due to the nature of this mission, you have the choice of allowing your armor to self-destruct. Please keep all chatter to subvocal unless talking directly to Kev or Douglas; please remember that they don’t have your implants.” There was a collective sigh. “I can also initiate the procedure myself, but I will wait until I'm sure you're dead.”

She clicked; rotating holograms of two huge mechanical dogs appeared. “Yes, Rodriguez; you get two new dogs to play with.” Rodriguez smiled. She clicked; the holograms faded. “Any concerns or questions?”

Rodriguez made a dramatic sigh. “You know I should have had the dogs yesterday, right? Diagnostics and all that.”

Lt. Sawyer smirked at him. “You know you should have time to do all that before we take off, right?” He gave her a quick glare. She smiled. He always does that. Dog lovers…

Douglas raised his hand. “Keep an eye on Kev and me; if we look more ragged it may be a good idea to let us rest and charge up for a moment.”

Lieutenant Sawyer nodded. “Anyone else?” There was no response. “Okay. You were given your chance. Let's reassemble outside.”

Samuels just smiled...

* * * * *

Deezle the Defiler exhaled. Now that Lellend was in the field, it was unlikely that he would be calling in. I hope he doesn’t do too much damage to our forces! Sharness should also not be a problem as she had done her usual micro-managing check-in. He had now had time for something special.

First, the paranoia check. He did a quick check on the security cameras; they were expecting guests, after all. He checked in with all of the squads. They were ready; some even chuckled about “it was about time we got to have some fun!” I hate mercenaries. He ran a quick diagnostic of the security systems, with an eye for compromised systems. He was running a closed system, so hackers weren’t a major worry, but the wireless systems could be an issue. He wished he could run a check of some sort on Sharness’ magical traps, but he would have to hope they worked as advertised.

The hotel may have looked deserted, but it was a fortress, and the fortress was secure. He was satisfied. For now.

He then grabbed a wrench and walked over to a large cybernetic body; it was a large robot with metallic wings, large claws on its hands, and a cannon on its back. He turned a few bolts here and there, then grabbed a cover; he fitted the cover onto the body and fitted several bolts into place. He stepped back and looked at the body. He picked up a tablet and pressed a few buttons. The body’s eyes glowed and it stood up. He went through some simple diagnostics. Satisfied with the robot’s performance, he smiled. He then entered a set of coordinates into the tablet and hit the button. The robot lumbered off.

Deezle the Defiler’s smile widened. Now it’s a party.

[The last chapter can be found here.]