| |
“THE HIGHWAY PATROL reports they fired on a bear which attacked one of their checkpoints from out of the woods, but they were unable to find it after it ran back in,” Cassiel told the gathered assembly. “I’m guessing they didn’t really look that hard, because some of the troopers said it was the wrong color for a bear, and others say it didn’t sound or move like a bear.”
They had lost God’s Lion Ariel and the Archangels Camael and Uriel, leaving them with three fatalities of human form to deal with. One could have been explained away to the local authorities, but three were going to be problematic. Fortunately, only one was a local resident, so that made it easier to only report one fatality. The fact he was in his 50s and out on an escaped animal hunt lent credence to the story of his falling off a ledge to his death. Jason and Carl’s bodies would be buried in a nearby cemetery long-forgotten by history, in unmarked graves.
“As much as I don’t like it, telling the department Jason decided to move on after the injuries he suffered in the assault on my house will have to do,” Frank said sullenly. “He deserves a hero’s funeral, with full police honors.”
“I agree, but the autopsy required by state and local statute would produce results that he was crushed, and that would open an investigation,” the General replied. “Add to it, his body would be completely through rigor, and livor mortis would show we moved it. Too many questions we can’t answer,” he concluded.
“With that said, I’d like to offer a memorial service at our compound for those in the know who would like to attend,” the General continued after a moment’s thought. “We’ll set it up for a week or so from now; give you a chance to get settled back in Oklahoma. He’ll have full honors of our own making, but it’ll be something to see, I promise you.”
“What about Carl?” Sariel asked.
“Because Uriel used both of us as vessels, whenever I got near Carl it was almost like I could read his mind, or at least be more familiar with him, is closer to accurate,” Azrael offered. “As far as I can tell, he had no family and no close friends. He didn’t socialize much, and had only worked at the hospital for a couple of years.”
She smiled softly before adding, “Being on the night shift by request made him almost invisible. The only reason Dr. Pashteen knew him was because the good doctor preferred the late shift as well. I’m sure some of the nursing staff might recognize him, but I doubt if any will miss him. That’s kind of sad, you know?” Azrael finished, shaking her head.
Hofniel walked in from the woods, followed by Hemah and Arariel, who were walking very close together. He stopped at the perimeter of the group, as if silently seeking permission to speak. The other two continued on into the privacy of the foundry.
“How are we looking out there?” Frank asked Hofniel.
“There have been a few more sightings, but I believe we have tracked down and eliminated the majority of them,” he replied.
“So, what happens to the ones we don’t track down,” Frank wanted to know.
“They are not of this realm,” Raquel replied for Hofniel. “Without a host vessel, they will perish within a matter of hours.”
“So even if we don’t find them, as long as they don’t find a vessel, they die?” Frank clarified.
“Indeed,” Sariel interjected. “Without a vessel from this plane, none of us can survive more than a handful of hours.”
“When will we return to the airport?” Hofniel asked quietly.
For once, Frank didn’t have an answer. “There are too many variables yet for me to answer that,” he hedged. “I’ll need to confer with the Colonel and you, General, to get a better idea.” They walked off to find Colonel Goldsmith.
––––––––
THE COLONEL WAS CONFERRING with his two platoon leaders when they found him.
“I have one dead and two wounded, one seriously,” one of the subordinates was saying as they approached.
Goldsmith nodded and looked to the other leader who said, “I have two missing, presumed dead. They’re not responding to radio contact, and their beacons are inactive.”
“Continue the search,” the Colonel replied. Looking to the first leader, he added, “Send every available man to the search area, and establish a grid search pattern. I want a definite status of some sort by nightfall. I’ll contact the local authorities and report the man killed by the wild animal attack.”
“Yes, sir,” they both responded, standing at attention and whipping a salute.
After their leader snapped to attention and returned the motion, the two moved off at a jog. Turning to the General, Goldsmith offered a salute of his own in respect of his superior rank. General Martin braced to attention and returned it crisply.
“Unless you need us for anything further from my squad, we need to RTB, Jeremiah,” Hiram informed him.
“General, I believe we’ve got this,” he replied. “I appreciate you bringing the key players in, and the support of your specialists,” he finished with a wry grin.
“They were just doing what they’ve been trained to do,” the General replied. “And to tell the God’s honest truth, I haven’t seen them this excited and happy since Desert Storm II.”
During the search for the remaining demons, the four-man Marine Whitehorse Recon team had successfully tracked and eliminated no less than two dozen creatures from Hell.
“My guys were pretty jazzed to have just been able to follow them around,” Jeremiah replied. “Seems as though they’ve picked up a few new skills.”
“Then we’ll be leaving,” Hiram said. He extended his hand to Jeremiah, and grinned. “Good hunting,” he said.
––––––––
ANGEL VESSELS SURROUNDED Ham and the two remaining Archangels when Frank and Hiram returned to the foundry. As they approached, Hemah and Arariel were coming out of the building, and they were holding hands.
“I wonder what that’s all about,” Frank remarked to Hiram.
Having overheard them, Raquel replied as if the question had been directed at her. “As we are strictly energy beings, we do not experience the wide array of physical stimulation humans do,” she said. “When given the opportunity, and only with the willing concurrence of the host vessels, we like to experience as many of these physical sensations as possible.”
Frank looked startled; in fact, he and Hiram were both taken aback.
Sariel laughed outright. “If you two could see you’re faces,” she chortled.
“I...that is to say...didn’t realize you could,” Frank stammered.
“Be intimate?” Raquel finished politely. “Do you think I just close my eyes and cover my ears when you and Clara make love?”
“Oh, that’s just wrong,” Frank exclaimed, reddening at the sudden realization.
“Why do you think I said we both love you,” she responded, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
“Well, I thought it was because I’m a generally nice guy, you know, and love Clara with all my heart,” he replied.
“Well, that too,” she replied, giggling.
Blushing even brighter, Frank turned and walked quickly out of sight around the foundry.
“I think you enjoy embarrassing him, Sister,” Sariel commented.
“Perhaps just a little, Sister,” Raquel replied.
Apparently, both the Archangels were letting their hair down a little now that the threat of a demonic conflagration had passed. Until this point, Ham had said very little since the defeat of Astaroth. He now cleared his throat and turned his chair to face Sariel squarely.
“I need to speak with Pris,” he said quietly.
The light dimmed in her eyes, and Priscilla looked at Ham quizzically. “What’s up?” she asked. “You do know I can experience everything that happens while Sariel is in control, right?”
“Yes, but Sariel left herself out of the loop intentionally for the discussion we’ve just had,” he replied.
Pris’ face grew solemn, then hardened slightly. “When Sariel leaves, will I go back to my crippled form?”
“No, it’s nothing like that,” Raquel interjected.
“So, you’re part of this too?” Pris asked, rounding on her teacher.
“We all are,” Azrael replied. “It had to be a joint decision, and we all agreed,” she finished.
“Agreed to what?” Pris asked, now a little frightened.
“There was a human being once, who lived as a prophet named Elijah,” Ham explained. “He was so important to God, that when he died, God made him an angel, and named him Metatron. He had a twin brother who was also elevated, named Sandalphon. They’re the only two humans ever selected for elevation to that level of communion with God, and both eventually became Archangels.” He paused to ensure she was following.
“So, what has that got to do with any of us?” Pris asked curiously.
“Father has asked Ham to become a watcher,” Raquel said, and then hurried on. “It is the first step toward becoming one of our cousins.”
“But, how can you be a watcher and still be in...you won’t still be in human from, will you?” Pris asked; tears and sudden realization springing simultaneously onto her face.
“It doesn’t mean I won’t be with you anymore,” Ham replied. “I’ll just be around ... differently,” he finished lamely.
Throwing her hands up over her face, Pris turned and ran out of sight around the building.
“Oh, that went well,” Ham said dejectedly.