The two weeks had been packed with training. Ember didn't remember things being so intense before he went to Signal. He finally realized that Midnight had been going easy on him all along and now she was giving him and his team some real practice. His body was sore and his spirit was exhausted. He was glad the two weeks were over and soon they'd be on their way back to Beacon.
The team was gathered around for breakfast. Brass had gotten used to Midnight's cooking and was helping himself to thirds on her rock omelet. Nick and Yale had eaten half their serving and Ember was pushing himself to finish his helping. Midnight was enjoying her coffee that went along with the meal. Ember was sure his friends were beginning to understand his coffee dependence after these two weeks.
"So, Midnight," Brass began. "It's been two week, that means it's time for the mission."
"Exactly," she said, "you didn't get as strong as I'd hoped, but you'll do just fine. It wasn't too hard to begin with. Well, not that tough with me going along."
"So what are we doing?" Nick asked. "It was search and rescue, right?"
"Yes," Midnight said. "We're going to be rescuing some kids from a smuggling ring. They've been taking kids in the settlements off the beaten path and selling them to all kinds of dealers. Some become child soldiers and others become slave labor."
"Dark," Nick said.
"Very," Midnight said. "Our goal is two fold. Rescue the kids at the location I found and capture the leader."
"Wait, we're going for the head of this?" Yale asked.
"Yes," Midnight said. "That's why we had two weeks to train. The leader is schedule to inspect the 'merchandise' today. He only does this now and again. I got a tip that he'd be coming today."
"A tip?" Ember asked. "From who?"
"An employee who doesn't hold up to torture," Midnight answered.
"Torture…" Brass trailed off.
"My power does more than just create doppelgangers," Midnight said. "I made him experience nightmares. The worst his mind could imagine. I kept it up until he cracked and told me what I needed."
"What then?" Nick asked.
"I left him," Midnight said.
"You didn't… you shouldn't…" Yale struggled.
"I have no sympathy for these monsters," Midnight said sternly.
"You don't have the right," Yale stated. "You… you don't have the right to kill someone."
"I didn't kill him," Midnight said. "The Grimm probably did."
"That doesn't change much," Nick said.
"I have the right to keep people safe," Midnight said. "To me, that means killing anyone who is a threat to the innocent."
"You could've put him in prison or – " Yale tried.
"What?" Midnight interrupted. "So he could work the system? So he could get off early? So he could 'learn his lesson?' You're all old enough to realize people take more than a time out and a slap on the wrist to change."
"But they – " Yale tried.
"They what?"
"… they… they're people too." Yale argued.
"People can worse monsters than the Grimm." Ember muttered.
Yale looked shocked at Ember for his comment. Nick and Brass had thei heads lowered for this argument. Neither seemed ready to weigh in.
Ember continued, "Midnight, we're not ready to kill another person. We're just first years. I know that as Huntsmen we may have to kill others, but not yet. We aren't ready for that burden."
"You'll all carry it one day," Midnight said.
"I won't" Yale said.
"Then you'll carry the burden of victims you didn't save," Midnight retorted. "But, I knew you wouldn't be ready to go in for the kill. My plan is to capture the leader. He knows about other operations like this and is the kind of guy who'll turn that information over after some time in prison. He also isn't connected enough to get out of prison."
"So then," Nick said cautiously," What's the… uh… plan?"
"We'll go in three teams," Midnight said. "I'll be Team A. My job will be to handle all the guards. I'll be escorting Team B, which will be Yale and Nick. You two will be tasked with taking the leader out. Yale, use your lightning to stun him or knives to wound him. Got it?"
"Yeah," Nick said.
"Mh," Yale muttered.
"Brass and Ember, you'll be Team C. You'll be heading to the basement to secure the kids. Make sure no one gets in or out until we arrive with the leader. Then I'll help everyone out of the facility. I told a Bullhead to rendezvous at a specific spot. The Bullhead will scatter most of the thugs and make our escape simple. Understood?"
"Yeah," Team EBNY said in unison.
All the teams were in position for the attack. Ember and Brass had been stationed on a cliff near the entrance to the facility. Midnight hadn't told them what the facility was, merely where they had to go. The facility looked like an abandoned factory, but what it was doing so far from any capital made no sense. It was heavily fortified and guarded; even at night Ember could make out the patrols and cameras. He and Brass had to find their way into whatever basement Midngiht expected them to find, secure the kids, and wait for her to arrive.
"So," Brass ventured, "What signal are we looking for?"
"She said we'd know," Ember answered.
"You, your teacher, everyone out here is so fucking cryptic," Brass complained.
"Alright, knowing her it'll probably be an explosion or… screaming."
"Screaming?"
"You probably pieced this together, but she isn't the most sensitive person."
The two became silent as a tree came hurling through the air. It crashed into the front doors of the facility tripping dozens of alarms. A second tree went sailing through the air and landed on the roof, taking out all landing pads that could've existed.
"What the hell?" Brass asked.
"She can grab things with her shadows," Ember summarized as he stood up. "I'm betting that was the signal."
"Well no shit."
With that the two leapt off the cliff side and rushed into the factory.
Midnight ran ahead of Nick and Yale giggling as she took out guard after guard in the factory. Nick was surprised that Midnight still didn't use a weapon. She rushed form guard to guard hitting them with her bare fists once or twice and taking them down instantly. Her hands were a flurry of motion with no clear path or style. She hit things for the sake of hitting them.
The three of them came to an open room. There was a door on the far side of the room. Standing between them and the door was a heavily armored man. He wore what looked like something you'd put on a tank and carried a massive anti-tank rifle to match the appearance. His unarmored face was shaved and bore scars of numerous victories. His eyes looked down on the three of them.
"Two children and an unarmed woman," he gloated. "I expected something more from an attack of this scale!"
"Got a problem with women?" Midnight asked.
"No, they put up quite a fight," the man explained. "But, you see, you're completely unarmed."
"You'd be surprised," Midnight joked.
Nick gripped his shotgun tightly. He was hoping Midnight wasn't counting on his wards for this. He could stop a few bullets, but nothing like an anti-tank round.
"Hahaha," the man laughed. "I don't think you know who I am. I am Zaffre the Tank! I've been in the business of mercenary before either of your boys were born. I fought – "
" - two dozen men in a towel with just a bear cap," Midnight finished for him. "I conquered more Grimm in a day than you've seen in your life. I bear the scars of a true warrior! You dare fight me? Turn back now, I have no interest in fighting the weak."
Zaffre noticeably took a step back. His netire demeanor had changed when Midnight went on that rant. He still stood firm, but was obviously reevaluating his opponent.
"How do you know that?" Zaffre asked.
"You're speech?" Midnight asked.
"Yeah," he said. "How do you know my speech?"
"I don't do things without a plan," Midnight said. "Zaffre Huglaus Krieger. Age thirty nine years. Time in spent as a mercenary: twelve years. These 'boys' are far older than twelve. Projected kill count for employers ranges from thirty to seventy. Prior occupations include bar tender and bouncer. Parents are both deceased."
"How do you – " Zaffre tried again, gripping his gun tighter and slowly leveling it at Midnight.
"Fighting styles include bare knuckle boxing, which he learned from Old Man Ester. Also proficient with knives of most sizes and heavy weaponry. Capable of benching half a ton on a good day. I research into my prey. I know what to expect. I don't bring students unless I guarantee their safety. You pose no threat to us, so why don't you lower your gun?"
"Hehe," Zaffre snickered. "So oyu know me. Doesn't mean you can beat me."
He fired a single shot from his gun at Midnight who disappeared. The round sailed down the hall behind them and collided with a wall. Nick and Yale looked around for Midnight, as did Zaffre. Midnight appeared in front of Zaffre seemingly instantaneously. She pulled the gun from his hands and clocked him across the face with her other hand. The gun clattered to the ground and Midnight delivered four more punches to Zaffre and finished with a swift kick to his legs. He fell down with a soft groan of defeat.
"Oh," Midnight said. "That wasn't as much fun as I'd hoped."
"Holy damn," Nick said.
"Well," Midnight continued, "The leader should be down that Hall. I'm going to make sure no one bogs down the escape route. You two keep going."
"What if there's another guard?" Yale asked.
"They usually only bring one guard," Midnight said.
"And if they didn't?" Nick asked.
"Then fight," Midnight stated. "That's what Huntsmen do."
With that Midnight darted back the way they came. Yale and Nick looked at each other before heading through the door Zaffre was guarding. It was another hallway that led to another open area. However, this area was T-shaped with two possible paths.
"Well," Nick said, "Now what? This wasn't in her master plan."
"We should… uh…" Yale said.
"Looks like we need to split up," Nick said.
"No," Yale countered. "It'd be safer if we stick together."
"But we can't risk the leader getting away," Nick said.
After some hesitation Yale agreed, "Yeah. You're right. We'll split up and search each fork as fast as we can. Right?"
"Sure," Nick said. "I got left."
Nick always took right. It was something he'd picked up from his childhood stories. Adventure and danger always happened in the left hallway. For most instances the principle had held true in life. Nick was itching for a fight after watching Midnight destroy Zaffre.
The basement had proved easier to find than Ember expected. It was at the base of the only staircase going down in the whole facility. Every other staircase led up to cat walks the coursed through the abandoned factory; old veins overlooking the dead heart of the facility. The guards on the catwalks paid no heed to them as orders directing them to 'a woman rampaging elsewhere' were more pressing than the two of them. At the base of the stairs to the basement was the only obstacle to Brass and Ember's goal.
The door was guarded by four thugs, each wearing a suit and red shades. They had red blades and machine guns to keep them back. It took Brass and Ember a matter of seconds to get through them. However, the door to the basement was locked shut and at least four inch thick steel.
"You think the guards have keys?" Ember suggested.
"Don't need them," Brass said, stepping closer to the door. "Just keep anyone interested off my back."
With that Brass punched the door. It bent a little. He followed up with another devastating punch. Ember walked back up the stair about half way so that he could peer out for enemies. Despite all the clanging Brass made it attracted no guard attention. It went on for about a minute.
"Open," Brass said.
Ember made his way through the hole Brass had punched in the door. It was bent inward just enough for the two of them to fit.
"Impressive," Ember complimented.
"Metal has earth mixed in," brass explained. "I can't control it, but it made things slightly easier."
The corridor behind the door was dimly lit and humid. They could hear the hum of boilers and generators around them. For an abandoned factory the lower floors were surprisingly active. Brass and Ember dashed down the corridor checking all the doors along the way.
"Ember," Brass called out. "I found them, but my armor terrified them."
"What?" Ember asked as he jogged to the door Brass was guarding.
"My armor terrified them," Brass said. "They think I'm here to hurt them."
"Take off the helmet and I'll go in with you," Ember ordered.
Brass took his helmet off with some hesitation. Ember went through the door first. Inside about twenty children huddle together. Two boys and a girl, the oldest looking of the bunch, sat between Ember and Brass. They starred the two guys down. The door they came through was the only entrance into this boiler room.
"Don't come any closer!" One of the boys ordered.
"Whoa," Ember said, raising his hands defensively. "I'm not here to hurt you. Me and my buddy are here to save y'all."
The kids in front looked skeptical of this. Ember couldn't blame them; he had no idea what they'd been through up to this point. He was thoroughly impressed by their bravery.
"Really?" one girl behind them asked.
"Prove it," the girl in front ordered.
"Um…" Ember stammered.
"Look," Brass said.
Ember turned to see him lowering his LMG to the ground. He gently placed it on the concrete and raised his hands. Ember followed, placing his rapier in its sheath and then on the ground. He then unlatched his gun and placed it down too. The two of them backed up from their weapons.
"We don't want to hurt you," Brass said. "We have those only to hurt monsters. None of you look like monsters."
"Alright," one of the lead boys said. "I don't think we have much of a choice."
"How old are you?" Ember asked.
"I'm eleven," he said.
"Damn," Brass muttered.
"I'm going to take my weapons back and guard the hall," Ember said. He then addressed the same boy asking, "Is that alright?
"Uh…" The boy stammered. "Yeah, Do it."
"Yes sir," Ember said.
He and Brass picked up their weapons. Ember headed off to the hall. The two of them just had to hold out until the other teams met up with them. Things were running as smoothly as a raid could go. He hoped things stayed that way.
Yale had found a door at the end of his hallway. He took a deep breath. He tightened his Regime and had a knife tucked in his off hand in case of emergency. He burst through the simple doors and leveled his rifle at the first person he saw.
The room was small and rectangular. It had a window overlooking the factory main hall where the faint image of a woman could be seen fighting dozens of guards. There was a desk with two chairs seated on its opposite side, the same side Yale was on. Behind the desk sat a man in a tailored red suit. His blond hair was greased back. His eyes starred with anticipation at Yale. In his hand left hand, visibly displayed, was what looked like a trigger of some sort.
"Stand down," Yale ordered.
"What are you, police?" the man replied. "I don't think so."
Yale starred back at the man. He forced himself to stay calm. He had no idea what the device the man held did or if it was a bluff. He tried to keep his focus on the man, but his eyes kept betraying him.
"You know what this is?" the man asked. "Obviously a detonator."
He spun the laptop that was on the office desk around. On screen was a series of security cameras. Some of them had a dead feed displayed. The man tapped one key and specific feed took full screen. Yale saw Brass guarding twenty or so kids in the room.
"Specifically," the man continued, "it's my insurance. I run a careful operation, boy. These kids are an investment, but not worth my life. This detonator is rigged to destroy the boilers in that room."
"What?" Yale asked.
"You think we need boilers to run an empty warehouse?" the man asked. "No. They are on to dehydrate those brats and keep them weak. Also, I can end them with a single push of a button. It keeps them in line; that fear of being blown to bits. Now it serves as my insurance. You'll let me go, or I kill them."
"You won't get away with this," Yale said. "And I won't be letting you go."
"You sound like a cheap movie script," the man retorted. "Unfortunately for you, this isn't a cheap movie. I'll be getting out of here. If you're lucky it'll be without those brats."
"You have no way to escape," Yale said.
"True," the man said. "You did destroy my chopper. Yet, there are so many cars and transports in this factory. I just need to sacrifice a few pawns to make my escape in one of them."
The two stood in silence for a moment. Yale didn't move his rifle from being aimed at the man. He was aiming for non-lethal points, but he couldn't guarantee hitting those spots with his rifle. He debated using his semblance, but the charge time was too long. He considered his knife. Every plan needed to happen faster than the man could push the trigger. He wished Nick was here and they could do a two man plan.
"Oh," the man said, interrupting Yale's planning. "Another boy is in that room. Maybe I should blow it up now?"
Yale looked back at the security feed. Ember had stepped into the boiler room and was discussing something with Brass. He gestured to the boilers and then back at the exit he came through. Yale wished he could scream at them to get out of there.
"You wouldn't," Yale hissed.
"You're not moving," the man ordered. "You are the only thing between me and escape. You also fail to see your situation. You are one button away from failing your mission and losing two team members. So then… Move! Out! Of! My! Way!"
"No," Yale said firmly. "You wouldn't sacrifice your only leverage."
"Try me," the man said.
Yale saw the man's thumb move so slightly. He realized in that instant he'd misjudged his opponent. He was putting up an act to control the conversation, just like Yale. Neither had believed themselves in control of the situation. This man, however, was more afraid than Yale. He only just saw the fear in his eyes. He was willing to risk his leverage for whatever distraction it might buy him.
Time all but stopped for Yale. He prepared to throw his knife. It was a last ditch effort. If he could hit the detonator it might not send the signal or it might fall out of the man's hand. It took a fraction of a second for Yale to aim his throw as it was an instinctive motion. The knife was airborne as the man pushed the button. Yale had hesitated that split second to ensure his throw, and it was a second too much.
A blast rocked the factory, and a bright flash illuminated everything beyond the window to the side of Yale. The knife was still going though. The blast knocked the man off his balance, throwing him towards the desk. He grabbed it and looked up at his opponent. Yale's eyes widened as he saw his knife seemingly float to its destination. The man's eyes looked at Yale, but focused on the knife headed straight for him.
The knife struck the man right between the eyes. It was horrible as Yale watched this unfold at an impossibly slow speed. The look in the man's eyes showed he hadn't even fully realized what had happened. Then time caught up to Yale and the man fell backwards behind the desk. Yale stood stalk still for a second as blasts rung out around him. The boiler explosion had also set off the generators. One by one the factory was being blown sky high.
Yale darted around the desk over to the man. He looked him over and knew the man was dead. He still picked the man's head up. Tears began to flow down his face.
"No, no, no," he repeated to himself. "I didn't… no, no, no… NO!"
Blasts rocked the building, but Yale didn't notice them. He was trying to convince himself he hadn't killed this man. His body shook as he grappled with reality. He suddenly felt a hand grab his should and another grab his chin. The hand spun his face to look at its owner. Kneeling next to Yale was Nick.
"YALE!" He screamed.
"Uh…" Yale managed.
"We have to go," Nick pleaded. "This place is going up in flames."
"I didn't… I didn't mean…" Yale said.
"I know," Nick said. "What ever happened I know you didn't mean it. But if you don't move you'll die here."
Yale didn't move. He heard Nick and understood what he was saying. He still couldn't find himself moving. The danger was beginning to become real to him, but it was still distant.
"I'm not leaving you," Nick stated.
Everything snapped to Yale in that instant. If he died, so would Nick. He couldn't let anyone, no, not Nick. He couldn't let Nick die because of him.
"Yeah," Yale managed. "We need… We need to go."
Yale abandoned the man to the floor and grabbed his rifle. The two got up and rushed out of the factory. The blasts rocked the ground but the two managed to avoid the debris it shook loose. The escaped the building and just ran. Nick was saying he knew where the Bullhead was supposed to be as he led Yale through the forest. They reached a clearing and saw Brass yelling at Midnight.
The fight ended the second Brass saw them. He helped them onto the Bullhead which took off immediately. Yale looked back at the forest below to see the factory burning and small specks scattering. A faint engine sound could be heard as they started the transports. Yale suddenly felt exhausted and fell asleep before he even realized.