Chapter 26: The Final Straw
"Tell me how long has Havoc been in charge?" Landon groaned as he read through a pile of complaints from the Ops. "Because when I was the leader we didn't have complaints! We had two things a sword and a shield! And we did one thing with them!"
"Just the way I like it by the way." Kat said lazily from the couch across the office trying to ignore Havoc's presence.
"You struck fear in the hearts and minds of our foes." Havoc growled lurking in the shadows yet clearly visible. "While I simply indulged in my power ever so slightly."
"You have been selling the Ops out as Merc's to and I quote what you wrote down; 'Some Russian Blokes.' Tell me Havoc do you enjoy making a fool out of yourself?" Kat growled from her perch at the couch. she cut Havoc off by chucking a knife into a wall inches from his head.
"You missed." Havoc jeered.
"Nope She hit her target, thank you my dear." Landon said noticing a lack of annoying buzzing. "That damn fly has been in here all day... Now do us all a favor and call my troops to arms."
"Yes sir-" Katelyn said standing only to have Havoc speak up.
"You mean my troops?" Havoc grinned flinching as Landon laughed. The son of Krios bit back a curse knowing better then to insult a child of Atlas to his face.
"You are no leader Havoc, Titans Katelyn has been leading the Ops on numerous successful campaigns." Landon chuckled as he stood. "For you have not lead anything more than a disappointing attempt at a love life with every female Demititan and Demigod in our ranks! Oh please spare me the lecture about your deranged sexist fantasies! The facts are plain and you are demoted back to a lackey soldier... You're lucky I do not demote you to our janitor. Good no attempts to disagree. I'm almost proud of you now go fetch my troops!"
"Yes sir..." Havok said in a growl as he left the room. Landon sighed as he became aware of Kat's change in demeanor.
"What is bothering you Katelyn?" Landon asked as Kat thought before answering.
"I felt something as he passed, as if..." Katelyn paused unsure of how to say it.
"Find your words I know you have them." Landon said with a fatherly grin. Kat nodded as she recollected her thoughts.
"When Havoc passed I felt a heavy presence of magic, similar to when I was cursed by Zeus... but-"
"But was does your experience tell you." Landon pressed carefully know Kat to be one of the Ops sharpest soldiers.
"That things are not as they seem." Kat said before adding. "Permission to speak freely sir?"
"Always, Kat." Landon said with genuine warmth he had always felt his three well two Champions could talk to him as an equal... it seems he was right with only Maxwell and Clause, the Ladder he had only recently found out was deceased.
"Something has been wrong with Havoc for many years, that much is clear, only now has he been, well overly violent, I fear we may see a revolt or other sort of uprising from him and his lackeys." Kat said still not used to being able to speak to Landon.
"I disagree personally, Havoc hasn't the balls to start an uprising and frankly anyone loyal to him above you, Maxwell or Myself is by default a traitor to the Ops and the clear hierarchy." Landon said before adding. "However thank you Katelyn, and never be afraid to speak your mind arround a child of Atlas."
"I will do my best sir." Kat said bowing before leaving his office to make sure Havoc was rallying the men and not harassing the Female Ops.
"Maxwell what is bothering you?" Landon said surprising Maxwell who was lurking perfectly in the darkness.
"How did you know I was here?" Maxwell asked walking from the darkness which seemed to peel off of him. "Am I slacking?"
"No just remember a master always knows where his best weapon is." Landon sighed thinking for a moment as he saw Maxwell's expression change. "So what is bothering you?"
"The son of Prometheus failed his goal." Maxwell said lazily as he pulled a sheathed gladius from his trench coat. The hilt was wrapped in thick cords of leather. The pommel was circular with a ruby in its center. The guard was imperial gold as was the blade which burned to life when unsheathed. "Also the blade of Mars still seeks its master."
"I told you I refuse to wield a blade named after my father's nemesis." Landon growled popping his neck as a ghost pain hit him. "Keep it safe it holds a greater purpose."
"In which prophecy? The Spear of Fire? Perhaps the Blade of Ruin? Or the one of our possible riegn and or defeat, which makes a clear reference to Katelyn?" Maxwell pressed looking over his master with disdain.
"It doesn't matter which one Maxwell, none will bring her back." Landon trying to sound caring knowing his pupils pain but began cursing himself instantly as the rooms shadows crept forward defiantly. "Maxwell I didn't mean to..."
"Enough... Your right nothing will bring her back... Take your blade... I have matters to attend to." Maxwell walked backwards into the shadows leaving Landon in a disappointed mood. The Blade of Mars clattered to the cement floor. Landon should have known better than to bring Selene up. Still his mind itched with her death... It had ended Maxwell's growth in more ways than one. Still Landon sighed pulling a single folder from his desk labeled project Luna.
Landon's door opened with a creak as Havoc walked in with a smirk plastered on his face. "Well Landon the troops are in position... Oh and Thea wants to talk to you."
Thea followed Havoc in with a knife to the back of his neck. She wasn't wearing her pea coat but instead a dull gray tang top which showed off her three tattoos one each of her shoulders and a band around her upper right arm. On each shoulder one showed the crest of Kronos the other Fallen in ancient text her band was simple made out of Ancient text. The son of Atlas was familiar with her third choice of markings. Maxwell had mastered the art of enchanting mortal flesh through Ancient text and the blood of Erebus. Landon admired the grown up Thea for a moment noticing her to be much more fit and en charge.
"Well seeing as you are officially an Op I cannot refuse your wishes of a meeting with me Thea." Landon said pulling his second latest weapon from bellow his desk. The knife Looking Glass. "Havoc you may leave."
"Yes sir!" Havoc bolted from the room faster than Thea could react.
"Now Thea tell me what seems to be the problem." Landon asked rubbing his temples to relieve stress still holding Looking Glass tight, his first day up and running had started far to chaotically for his liking, his first Chamion Kat seemed alienated if not distant, his second champion and pupil was throwing the worlds worst pity party oh and Clause the son of Kronos and entire reason Landon had fought to organize the scattered Demititans was dead. The son of Atlas put aside his petty problems as he spoke to Thea. "Is there a problem?"
"Yes..." Thea said breaking eye contact as she pulled a folded piece of paper from her back pocket. "I was milling over old medical reports from our troops and... Well I came across Demise's entrance reports-"
"Ah... Well than you must have found the file on his unique talent. The Flames of Vengeance?" Landon sighed noticing Thea blushing. "I do not recall you being assigned to our Medical Archives."
"I... I wasn't sir." Thea said brushing her hair back Landon recognizing her tell for being flustered.
"He gave you a gift yes?" Landon asked looking at his military grade watch knowing his troops were waiting, but refused to neglect his pupils, apprentice.
"Yes sir..." Thea sighed pulling a carved ivory locket from her pocket. The locket was carved into the shape of a ship. "He gave it to me a while ago."
"Do you have feelings for Demise?" Landon asked making Thea stagger backwards in shock.
"No sir... It's not like that at least on my end... I see him more as a little brother sir." Thea said brushing her hair off her forehead. "But I think there's more than that... During the open conflicts with the demigod navay seven years ago you could say that we bonded."
"Fair enough but I refuse to allow you to bench Demise he is our best combats expert and will be key in coming conflicts." Landon said holding his hand up to stop Thea from speaking up. "As of now I request we speak 'alone' and you know what I mean."
Thea nodded pulling a Stygian black iron throwing knife from her boot. The daughter of Poseidon chucked the blade into the ground. The cement ground around Thea and Landon burned with a black ruine circle.
"Erebus forgive... Shadows intrude and your blood is unwelcome... Mark us targets for light to burn." The black ruins burned white as Thea nodded to Landon. "As of now we do not exist in the eyes and ears of anyone with Erebus's blood."
"Is that a lot of people?" Landon asked curious.
"Only in Tartarus." Thea said cutting to the chase. "What do you want sir?"
"I have reason to believe Selene is alive." Landon said bluntly as he laid out the contents of the folder. There were three pictures of a young woman near her twenties. Thea recognized her instantly by the three tattooed triangles made of ancient text under her left eye. Also by her messy black hair which had two red streaks and cover her left eye. Thea knew her to have Korean grandparents which showed in her oriental complexion. She was in amazing shape in the photos from what Thea could see but her eyes lacked the fierce greatness they once had. Though they were still that of Hyperion's favor. Fire red. "These were taken in Florida last September... The photographer is no longer among the living."
"There's no doubt Landon... This is Selene..." Thea said inspecting the photos. Thea even saw the thin knife scar at her below her left cheek. Thea shivered as she recalled that night eight years ago. "No I was there... She died saving Maxwell... There's no way..."
Thea broke off taking a deep breath as Landon spoke.
"I want you to find her Thea." Landon said bluntly handing her Looking Glass and the file. "This knife was owned by Helen of Troy. It will show you where your heart leads-"
"Then send Maxwell!" Thea said already knowing why this wouldn't work. Maxwell's heart led to despair... It always had ever since Selene had died. Thea nodded speaking more clearly now. "It will be done sir..."
"Good than we are finished?" Landon asked standing up as Thea kicked the knife from the ground. The ancient ruin circle crumbled instantly. Landon patted Thea on the shoulder as he spoke. "Don't let Selene burn you... Consider Demise a nice child of Hyperion in that he doesn't burn his enemies alive for no reason."
"I know sir..." Thea sighed taking the locket from Landon.
"You know he was once quite an artist..." Landon sighed taking a more blunt tone as he spoke again. "At least until his father sent him to that damn island. Okay you have your orders... See to it that they are completed."
"Yes sir." Thea said with a nod as she walked from the painfully plain office. She held her Operation folder tight as she went to her barracks to ready herself for Florida.