Year Ten of Ten, Midsummer 1913-Midsummer 1914
Tuesday, 14 October 1913, 0730. Explosion at the Universal Colliery in Senghenydd
In the War Room of the London Branch, Second Shift stood ready. Most held Death Books already updated with the names of their Reaps. The rest were ready to provide protection or, if another Reaper was injured or slain, to receive a transferred Book or List. Angelfire glowed here and there.
The primary responders to this disaster were the Branches of Newport, Cardiff, Bristol and their Garrisons. Rather than empty the Welsh Branches and leave all of Wales exposed to Ravenings, the Higher Ups had spread the load over the largest Branches of southern England.
Spears addressed his army. "Reapers, you will Reap as assigned, check in with the Cardiff official in charge, and return here as soon as he dismisses you. Announce your return to Senior Admin Brodie. Anyone injured will then report to the first-aid room on this floor. I will expect an action report from each of you by tomorrow morning. Once you are back you are to rest as needed before going on duty at 1600. Defenders, follow your partners. Once they have left the site, report to the Newport officer in charge for further deployment if necessary. In this instance, the Angels should have this all well in hand, as several Garrison patrols are already on-site. Return as soon as possible, have any wounds attended, and notify Scheduling if you are unfit for your shift. Action reports as usual. The portal will open at 0745. The explosion will occur at 0800. Check your watches, detectors and scythes."
Slingby stood near the southeast door, grim, arms crossed. Grell whispered, "You can't fool me with that scowl. You're pouting because they haven't invited you to the party." A muffled splutter came from behind, where Knox had hidden his amusement behind a cough. Slingby frowned even harder if possible. Commendably straight faces were maintained in the ranks nearby.
Humphries was in his usual position at the controls, watching the alarm screens, ready to open the transit portal at Cardiff's signal. Beside him stood a few Security people, ready to repel unwelcome visitors from the destination. Not that they were necessary. Any demon attempting to run through would be trampled flat by the Second Shifters on their way to the mine. Any demon attempting to port through would be diverted to the deepest part of the Atlantic Ocean. —If we can figure out the coordinates and boost the power enough, someday the moon! Dark side! With sparkles! (Research Senior Donnie Cole, after too many drinks at the Scythe and Skull, Thursday, December 22, 1910, before his partner took him home and put him to bed.)
Spears continued. "I will hold Third Shift as they come in from their Reaps, in case reinforcements are requested by Senghenydd. Do not enter the mine until the ground has settled. Do not manifest into the human realm. The pit will be filled with fire and flammable gas." His brow furrowed as he mentally registered the glasses of the waiting soldiers.
An alarm bloomed on the map screen. A second alarm followed to the north. A third. "Garrisons responding," said Humphries in a calm voice. "Our portal destination is clear and defended." He opened the visual window on a hill above the pit head. "Stand ready."
"Sulking!" hissed Grell. Slingby growled a threat involving Scheduling, dockside Reaping and many, many incompetent trainees.
A chime sounded. Humphries opened the transport portal. "London! Do your duty!" commanded Spears, and Second Shift ran through into Wales.
"Dammit," sighed Slingby. Alan closed the portal and said, "My sympathies. It's hard to stay behind. Will, are you tracking them all?"
"Of course I am. Honestly."
"You look strained. Headache? There's a lot of us to track."
"Part of my job, Humphries. Mind your portals."
The visual display jumped and bounced. "There's the explosion, God rest them all," said Slingby.
"Oh-eight-hundred," said Humphries. "Third shift will be coming in now."
Forbes and Brewster arrived, sent their trainee off to get tea, and settled into chairs. Ten Hagen and Terry, Cartwright and Sykes. Keneally and Howard. Birch and Garraway checked their desks, where they usually spent First Shift, and joined the others.
An alarm sounded, this one in London. "Quirke and Roberts, Area Twenty-six. Sweep team one responding, Garrison responding," reported Humphries. "Sweep team two responding."
"Opportunists," said Slingby. "Will—"
"Go!" said Spears. Slingby ported away. Humphries said, "More demons have arrived at the mine. Bristol Garrison responding. Bristol Reapers responding." He keyed the vocal communications circuit. "All stations alert. Ravenings in London and Bristol. Watch for opportunistic outbreaks in all contributing Branches. Ravening in Newport. Cardiff requests reserve Reapers."
A Book appeared in Brewster's hands. Kendall, Jacobs and two other first-shifters ran in with Books in hand. Humphries held up a hand, scanned the destination site, opened the transport portal, waved them on. Reapers ran.
Juniors Tomkins and Merrick stepped up to brief other Third Shifters arriving. Spears ordered them to hold fast until further requests for aid were given. They all looked at the alarm screen. Books and Lists appeared among them. Defenders began to flow into battle mode.
"Swansea Garrison responding to Newport. Gloucester to Bristol. Bath to Cardiff. Ravening in Laughame. Request to London for more help in Senghenydd. Will?"
"Go."
Alan opened the portal. Death's servants streamed through. Angels appeared around the destination area. Alan left the portal open for them. Wounded were brought in; the Admins helped them towards the first-aid room, where Doctor Collins and his staff were waiting.
Slingby reappeared, in battle mode, angelfire flickering along the edge of his scythe. "Ravening cleared. The Angels used nets woven from Smitty's demon restraints. We killed them all. No injuries. Lieutenant Elihu has returned the Garrison forces to general patrol. First Shift is working in safety. Will, are you in trouble?"
Spears was sitting down, head in hands. Blood was running from his nose; his shirt was soaked. Alan called to Tomkins and Merrick. "Get him to Collins! Roland! You have the Room!"
Eric eased Spears out of the chair and down to the floor, resting on his side. "Go get the doctor in here with a stretcher. Run!" Merrick ran. Will moaned.
"Ravening in Swansea. Local Garrison has it covered." Fighting began on the Senghenydd side of the portal. Alan slammed it shut and widened the visual display.
A medical team entered the room behind him. Eric waved to Collins. "Over here, Ted."
Alan called, "Ted. He's tried to track too many Reapers. Migraine!"
"Ah. Yes. Another immutable law bites the dust. Stretcher bearers, ready. Eric, grab his legs. On three. One, two, three, up." The stretcher slid under Spears, was lifted. The medical team carried him away.
