Heather quickly walked down the road making her way back to the apartment with Hannah on her heels trying to rationalize what they just heard.
“Heather, you can’t say you believe the guy. He’s obviously crazy. I’m sure he points out to random people all the time and gives that vague story.” Heather stopped suddenly, making Hannah bump into her. She pulled out her phone and answered it. Hannah waited anxiously until Heather ended the call with a worried expression on her face.
“What is it? Was that the Council? What’d they want?” Heather faced her friend.
“I guess it’s true when they say the people that spout nonsense in the streets are really prophets.”
As the two girls approached London,by car, they listened to the radio while Hannah was watching the News through her phone. What they heard and saw were something out of a movie.
“Are the End of Days really upon us?” Hannah asked and Heather remained silent, still listening intently to the updates of what was happening in New York City. There were reports of monsters and earthquakes as well as a large scale storm that seemed to spawn from nowhere.
Heather, absently mindedly, clutched her necklace. She felt like it was the only thing keeping her from losing it at this point. It was a present she had received from her mother and father shortly after the nightmares started. They said it would protect her from the figures that lurked in the darkness. Heather didn’t know if it really did or it was because she believed it did. Either way, the crucifix helped her. At a glance Heather didn’t seem like the faithful type at all. It didn’t reflect in her personality or her speech. Not like some of her other colleagues who were open about their faith. Heather didn’t like bringing in her beliefs outside her room. Faith and the real world didn’t seem to work together too well from what Heather could tell.
When they arrived at Headquarters the place was the busiest the girls had ever seen. The place was in chaos as people rushed about and everyone seemed to be yelling and shouting one thing or another. The two rushed to the briefing room that the other Centuries were to meet in.
It took a little while to rush through the massive building HQ was. Luckily, they made it just in time as they burst through the doors leading to the room. The other Centuries were also taking their seats as well. There were only about seventy-eight which meant the Council was holding the rest for defending. The Grand Century started their briefing, right on time, his booming voice filling the auditorium.
“Good morning. I’m Grand Century Allen. As you should all know we have a bit of a conundrum on our hands. Less than an hour ago something wrong happened on American soil. Someone tampered with something that shouldn’t have been tampered with. It seems someone has opened Pandora’s box based on the type of pandemonium that is being reported on the News and by our intel. Of course it falls to us to retrieve that box by any means necessary as well as locating the individual who opened it.
“I know not all of you are not trained in the field of combat but nevertheless we will be making our way to America. And, yes, that means six of us Grand Centuries will be going with you as aid. This is not just your fight but ours.” The Grand Century turned on a projector showing photos and various videos of the carnage happening in New York City.
“Would our combat Centuries please stand?” About a third of the room stood including Heather and Hannah. “I plan on dividing you lot in half. I can’t have all of you going in while leaving the rest. The others should be able to do their jobs without looking over their shoulders. If they can do their jobs then they in turn can, in turn, make you have an easier time with yours. I’ll start by having volunteers to go in first. Those of you that are willing to go in first, step down to the stage.” Heather immediately stood with Hannah standing up right after. Soon there were only nine Centuries that came to the front. After it was apparent that no one else would move the Grand Century continued.
“You have the most important job right now, albeit the toughest. You lot are going in first. You are our front line as well as our raw data collectors. It is risky but you volunteering will not go unnoticed. You all will be taking the first plane traveling to Ground Zero. I’m glad to see Century Heather and Century Hannah once again teaming up. You will be briefed more on your plane ride there as The Council receives more information. We want you going in with as much knowledge as possible. You lot are dismissed to prepare for your departure!” Grand Century Allen saluted as did everyone else inside the auditorium as the nine Centuries exited the room and headed for the locker room to change and stock up on equipment.
“So,” One of the other Centuries spoke up after they were all dressed and heading to the armory. “Do we even need flack jackets? I’ve seen some of the monsters there and I don’t think bullet proof vest will do a whole lot against beaks and talons along with god-knows-what that is sprouting that box.”
“We do have The Order to deal with as well.” Hannah said. “Who knows if they’re the reason why this happened in the first place or if it was by someone else.” They reached the armory and started grabbing their specialized and standard weapons while Hannah continued. “But I doubt they will sit back and let us look for the box and the person who opened without a fuss. They would be after the same thing, I presume. What do you think, Heather?” Everyone looked towards Heather who was checking over her signature stockless shotgun that had a crucifix dangling from the fore-end.
“I ask that we ask the Lord to protect us and see to it that we complete our objectives. I have seen those creatures in a dream and now I know why. I spent years putting up with nightmares and I thought it was just cruel torture.”
“Heather? Are you okay?” One of the Centuries asked and Heather seemed to snap out of whatever trance she was in and her usual facial features returned.
“Sorry. I’m just nervous. I’m sure I can’t be the only one.” There was a slight murmur of agreements among the Centuries. “But we, along with our personally trained platoons, are ready for this.”