Dawn of the Void

Chapter 48: Big axes work, yo

James awoke.

He lay in a queen-sized bed, the sheets clean and smooth, the mattress indescribably perfect. Serenitys couch hadnt even come close to this decadence.

Something was ringing. His phone on the bedside table. 5:00 AM flashed over and over on the screen.

Wiping at his face, James swiped the alarm off, then sat up. A hotel room. The Marriott. Thats right, hed come up here around two in the morning for a few hours sleep.

He felt like crud, his eyes gummy, his mouth stale, his body weary and his mind heavy with fatigue.

Turns out three hours werent enough to get him in fighting trim.

Fuck, he muttered, and swung his legs over the side. Today was going to be big. He didnt want to burn an Aeviternum for nothing, but he felt like five-day-old steak that had been runover by a Zamboni.

The very thought of facing the ball room full of new Blue Light members and making the pitch again with the way he felt made him vaguely nauseous.

James blinked and sat up straight. The fact that it was taking him this long to even make a decision made the decision for him. He burned the Aeviternum, and immediately sweet, replenishing energy coursed through him, burning away his aches, easing the pain in the back of his skull, the crick in his neck, the heavy feeling in his face.

And made him want to palm his own face. He should have set the alarm for just before dawn, spent his final remaining Aeviternum, then had his full amount replenished by the start of the new day.

What a waste.

Still, he felt incredibly invigorated. He leaped off the bed, strode into the bathroom, and had a quick, scalding shower. Emerged in a plume of steam to dump the contents of his duffel bag onto the bed and selected new gear to wear.

He texted Jessica and Richard while brushing his teeth, called Serenity while pulling on his boots, and at 5:09 strode out the room to make his way down to the ground floor.

The ballroom was nearly empty, but Jessica was there, talking to three military officers and looking fresh and sharp despite her rumpled clothing and careless twist that held up her blonde hair. She must have spent Aeviternum.

He strode over. Good morning.

Major Kelly, said one of the officers, and all three snapped off salutes.

James blinked at them, taken aback, then nodded. At ease?

Captain Morales, said one, a spry, wiry man with fierce focus and a magnificently hooked nose. Were coordinating the delivery of the weaponry with Warrant Officer Miles to the designated locations, but Colonel Hackworth instructed us to give an overview of the Browning M-2 here once your people are ready.

The captains dubiousness was obvious.

James looked at the men on the stage who were setting up two massive looking guns, each almost six feet long, huge belts of 50 caliber bullets feeding into the chamber.

Good thinking. How many will we get per team?

Two as requested. We had to request extra from the Marine Corp Reserve on Barren Island, but we got it done. The captain was obviously proud. Weve also made some improvements on your suggestions. Well have air support over each symbol, allowing us to call in aid if necessary, as well as deploying Bradleys, Strykers, and Abrams to the sites. Those are en route already.

Excellent, said James. Will Blue Light symbols get support as well?

Yes sir. The exact deployment is available for your review. Were emphasizing direct contact weaponry for the benefit of leveling but will not hesitate to destroy the enemy by any means if our forces are in danger of being overrun.

Sounds good, captain. James wanted to add something but had nothing more to say; he resisted the urge to wipe his palms on his hips, and instead turned to Jessica who picked up on his discomfort.

Major, Ive reviewed the deployment plan and it looks good. We can do a presentation to all of Blue Light once weve processed and signed them up, but its going to be tight.

Very well. How are things looking on that front?

If youll step this way?

James almost flinched as Captain Morales and the other two soldiers snapped out a salute and followed Jessica gratefully to the ASOCC corner where Cindy and a handful of assistants were busy at computer terminals. Richard was sipping on a Redbull as he eyed the screens, all of which were working now.

Good morning! Cindy also looked sharp and alert; she must have burned Aeviternum just an hour or so ago. Things are looking well, a little rough, but well get there. The challenge lies in processing everybody as they arrive. For simplicitys sake weve reduced the military enrollment forms to their bare minimum and combined them with fields to update our census and knowledge about Benedictions and so forth.

Hackworth sign off on a simplified version? asked James.

Cindy hesitated. Not so much. But well never be ready if we try to get everyone signed up the normal way. Its a first step that we can get yelled about later.

Everybodys due to start arriving at six, said Jessica. That gives us five hours to enroll them in the military, update our census, reconfigure our teams as necessary, explain the battle plan, then have everybody whos going to use a Ma Deuce go through a twenty-minute small group training on the two guns. That puts us at 11 A.M., at which point youll give them a quick speech and bid them good luck as they head out to their locations. I figure it will take us another two hours to get in place, and another hour or two to familiarize ourselves with each location, as well as receive the guns and armaments. That puts us at around 3 or 4 P.M. to be ready, with a buffer of two hours for natural delays. 6 P.M. is the latest I want everyone in place, and from there well maintain contact via radio and be ready for whatever may come.

Sounds good, said James, grateful all over again for Jessicas presence. Youre liasoning with Hackworth on all this?

Were becoming best friends, said Jessica in her cool, clinical tone. Well be receiving support staff starting tomorrow, as well as hosting other special op teams who wish to learn from our example and reconfigure their setups to optimize their own leveling rate.

Great. Happy to host. Whats the situation with the mayor?

Comptroller Blair Howard has nominally taken control of the mayors office, but the governor is openly signaling that hes going to exercise emergency protocols to place the Deputy Mayor in control instead. Its clearly unconstitutional, but Comptroller Howard is well. Temperamentally unfit for the job and this crisis in particular, so I dont think anybody will object. Still, it should take at least a couple of days to clear all the red tape, and the Governor is dealing with the debacle in Buffalo, so were not a top priority. Which! She paused to inhale. All means that local government is fractured and currently frozen. Weve got the Emergency Management team keeping agencies connected, and the lights are still on, so theres that, at least.

James tried not to feel overwhelmed. Hed no idea how these things worked, these agencies and bureaus, organizations and departments. The NYPD was probably out there, right, along with the NYFD? It all felt shadowy and vast, and he was happy to leave it to Jessica.

And you? he asked. How are you holding up?

She blinked at him, momentarily taken aback. Me? Fine. Aeviternum is incredible. Im trying to level up as a Fabricator on the side but seeing all I can do is make Manna bread, Im doing that as often I can. Speaking of which. She held out her palm, and its center a mote of gold began to glow and expanded into a sphere of soft radiance that then hardened into a large, pale gold loaf. Breakfast?

James chuckled, took the loaf, and broke a chunk off. It steamed. Thanks.

Look, Ill be honest with you. She broke a small piece off and popped it in her mouth. Chewed energetically, then swallowed. Theres a lot going on with the military and out being made into a special forces operation. I dont understand the half of it, but what I do know is that you need to be kept away from that madness. So just focus on the troops? I guess were calling them that now? And keep your mind sharp. Hackworth, Cindy, Richard, and I will interface with all the new people and systems, and make sure none of it interferes with what youve got to do. OK?

Sounds great to me. Thank you.

She smiled tightly at him, curled a strand of errant hair behind one ear, and then her phone buzzed. Finally, she said, held up a finger to him, and turned away to answer it.

Shed not answered his question, he realized.

Hundreds of people filtered in over the next hour, and Cindys assistants processed and directed them to their groups. It turned out a good third of the original DRC didnt return; either word had spread, or theyd decided they were better off alone, or something else had held them back. That was offset, however, by the arrival of four or so hundred new folks who had either traveled over the last twenty-four hours to get here or allowed curiosity to get the better of them. They were entered into the system, background checks were run, told that this was now a military outfit called Blue Light, and given as much time as they needed to decide whether to join.

To Jamess surprise, most of them just rolled with it.

By 6:30 the ballroom was starting to feel full again, with the old hands welcoming the newcomers, Cindys crew issuing lanyards and team assignments, and mounds of Manna bread and scalding hot coffee keeping people in good cheer.

Tablets were everywhere, with people entering their info, signing their military contracts, and at times speaking with the dozen army recruiters on hand to help with questions. James hovered close by to listen in on a few, and quickly gathered that most of it was theoretical in nature. What did it matter whether folks enlisted for four or six years, or if they wanted enlistments bonuses or other incentives? The physical exam was waived, and after signing the contract folks would head over to the dozen American flags set up against the wall and there swear their oath:

I, _____, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

Which god? James wondered, but when his turn came, he stood with his hand raised and repeated the words just like the others.

The teams coalesced into their new nine-member groups, and just before seven Cindy led a burly Viking-looking guy over to Crimson Hydra. He was massive, broad shouldered and as broad as a barn door, with golden hair hanging past his shoulders and a bearded powerful jaw, though his upper lip was shaved. A double-bladed battle-axe was slung over his shoulder, and his smile as he approached was as broad and genuine as the sun breaking through a bank of heavy clouds.

James liked him immediately.

Hello everyone, said Cindy. This is Olaf Christenson, recently arrived from Minneapolis.

Minneapolis? asked Serenity, incredulous. Thats like

Twenty hours away? Olaf grinned. A good drive, yes. I took my brothers car when I heard Jamess message.

You drove twenty hours to get here? asked James.

Yes! Your message was very inspirational. I thought to myself: that is where the good fight is happening. New York City, with James Kelly. There were lots of demons to kill in Minneapolis, but, well. He moved his head from side to side. I thought: New York City is where everything big happens. I wanted to be here, to help. So I came.

James chuckled. Well, I like your attitude. You know how to use that axe?

My axe? Olaf reached up and touched its blade. Ya! I am a professional medieval Viking reenactor and HEMA instructor. Historical European Martial Arts. I spend most my time following my favorite bands, traveling home to Norway, working the festival circuit, yes? It never pay much, but I had a good time. Met lots of good people and did axe-work all over. Then the demons came. Olafs smile broadened. I get to use my axe even more. Very fulfilling. I feel like I have been preparing all my life for this to come.

Joanna stood with her hands on her hips, grinning. Well perhaps you can teach the rest of us how to swing an axe. The ammos going to run out one day.

Of course! Long sword, throwing axes, halberd, I have trained with them all. Not easy to learn, but with practice, you too can become a medieval demon slayer.

Whats your rank and Benediction set? asked Bjrn.

Mendicant 9, Shield of Faith, said Olaf. I had to stop leveling to come. But now that I am here, I am sure I will catch up quick.

You all right with going Circle of Protection? asked James.

Ya, no problem.

Then it looks like we have a deal. Welcome to Crimson Hydra, Olaf.

The Viking stepped in and clasped Jamess forearm in what was probably some old school warriors grip and beamed. I am very excited. We are going to have a very good time.

Serenity shook her head in wonder. You guys serious? We got ourselves an actual Viking?

Not a real Viking, no. Olaf stepped back. Vikings were raiders. We are defending our homes, so I am but a Norseman. He smiled. Also, my axe is not standard. But I like the big axes, and they make a better impression at festivals, so.

Big axes work, yo, said Denzel. Ill be happy to stand behind you while you swing it.

Very good. Olaf looked around the group inquiringly. Your names?

They introduced themselves one by one, and Olaf nodded, his blue gaze sharp.

And you are James Kelly. You look different without the fur coat!

People change, said James. Guess Im changing, too.

Jessica stepped onto the stage, microphone in hand. Hello everyone, if I can have your attention upfront. Im Warrant Officer Miles. It looks like weve sworn in everybody and are now right on track to learn how to use the M2, or Ma Deuce as it is affectionately called.

All eyes turned to the two massive machine guns resting on their tripods on either side of her.

Were going to do this training in groups of ten to fifteen, so if you have Smite, and especially if you have Deadeye, please come to the stage when your team is called. Lets start with Hydra, Bugbear, and Dragon. Thats all members of teams Crimson, Ivory, and Ebon. Please come to the front. Its time to learn how to fire a 50-caliber machine gun.