CHAPTER XVI: HATRED
It was clear that sheer strength and overwhelming numbers of demons were not enough to destroy you. So I decided to use cunning and deceit instead.
A Gatekeeper should always have a backup plan – something I learned long ago at the volatile construction site of the Unholy Cathedral. It was hard to find a large group of demons that were not already engaged in the Invasion. For this, I could only count on minions that were bound to me in a way that ensured strong loyalty. My thoughts turned towards my ancient servants – the Arachnotrons. They would answer my call, and I could disguise the operation I planned as a necessary preemptive assault. Still, such operations were not done without a good reason. So I needed some humans who would appear in an appropriate place at the appropriate time. The question was: how to make this happen without raising doubts in anyone.
Gatekeepers were not only masters of strategy and sorcery, we were also very highly skilled in the arts of illusion and deceit, with fear and hallucinations as our most dangerous weapons. And illusion was what I intended to use, just like I did with that unfortunate band of marines I destroyed in the city. I called my servants, as I was going to need them. I first told them to use some of the damaged human communication systems, so that I could know how their images and voices appeared. Careful observations provided me with the information I needed. Then I assembled my minions in the room and cast my spell of illusion – my minions instantly gained the appearance of human marines – some of them wounded, others carrying human weapons. I smiled and put on the appearance of a marine officer, a Major.
I carefully adjusted my magical sphere so that it could simulate the image and sound properties of human communication equipment. Adding some interference to better hide the room I was in, I tried to make contact with a platoon that my scouts had spotted beyond the hills. Poor humans – they immediately believed when they saw someone who introduced himself as "Major Boyd." I told them that I knew of a "safe passage" through the demonic fortifications and my group, together with theirs, could reach the heart of the city and strike at the demonic overlord (that was me). They were so desperate that they quickly agreed, pushed by their despair... that was already artificially boosted by me. They promised to come to a predetermined rendezvous point during the night. They did not even suspect for a moment that this could have been a trap – they just wanted to fight and die, and grasped at the first easy opportunity they got.
When my scouts detected the group of human troops heading east towards the city I immediately sent a low–priority report to Baphomet's first lieutenant and stated that I would gather a group of Arachnotrons and send them to exterminate the feeble mortals. As my plan was confirmed, I gathered all spider–minions I could find and instructed them about their task – ambush a human platoon that sneaks under the shroud of darkness. My servants immediately grew excited at the thought of humans slaughter. They thanked me for the opportunity I gave them and set out to prepare for the task. I decided to spend the time before the critical moment putting things in order, or at least make sure there would be no more surprises in my city.
The industrial zone was an area that could provide me with valuable resources. I ordered the Barons of Hell in the area to dismantle some components of the metal–smelting facilities and construct an energy fusion core – a powerful demonic machine that could recharge demonic artifacts – Black Containers, Megaspheres and even Blur Orbs. I wanted to resupply all of my positions inside the area. I also wanted to make sure I could use reinforcements, if the need arose. The unexpected Nazi allies were exactly what I needed. And I needed not ask them for any permissions – I built a secret Gate that led right into their mountain castle. That Gate was hidden in a recycling facility, yet easy to access by me if I needed to call upon them... or lure someone into their hideout.
Next, I ordered some of my Mancubi to assume positions in the suburbs. Another demonic army was ordered to stand by and teleport in, if trouble occurred in the area. There I intended to set a nexus of dark power – within a small building. I had not done this for a long time – I lost quite some time adjusting rune rings, enchanted skulls, telekinetic refractors and scrolls of human skin that were covered with eldritch symbols. I assembled a composition that was to serve as a Nexus charging a crystal that was laid in the underhalls of my headquarters. Once the crystal was charged, I could expand the Gate I had and summon some more reinforcements for my needs. I could also raise a force field, like the one at the star port and completely seal off the city. Yet, I needed time for the implementation of such a plan. And I strongly hoped you would be dead by then. As I left the Nexus under the care of carefully selected servants, I visited the old citadel that was now turned into a comfortable fortification for our forces.
The citadel needed reconstruction – it already had a demonic shrine added, and the keys for it hidden well. I wanted to have batteries and a facility for blood–extracting installed, as the nutrition needs of the demons that had infested the city were steadily increasing. Batteries were intended for the roofs of many buildings, as I knew the humans would eventually find out that our forces were concentrated around this specific town. The magical defenses that I had raised were sufficient for the common human troops – it was elite marines that I expected to appear at some point. To provide better troop support, I ordered imps to seek out every single human corpse in the city and raise it as a Former human. Specimens of higher quality would naturally be used for Former Commandos who proved to be very efficient against the shocked human soldiers.
I was pleased to hear that the deceived human platoon that I had been expecting was now in position and the Arachnotrons were hardly containing their bloodlust. I did not want to disappoint my minions – the order was given. Metallic feet clanked loudly, hydraulic devices moved swiftly and energy emitters were charged. The marines realized what was happening when they saw the spider–like shadows appearing from the shadows. They tried to raise their weapons. Yes, only tried... as they reached for their firearms, a volley of plasma bolts rained upon them. Many of the troops were killed instantly. The others took cover among the rubble. They didn't attempt to counter-attack immediately; they were still shocked by the sudden ambush and the death of their comrades. The rhythmic sound of the metallic legs made the soldiers desperate – they hardly managed to stay in one place despite the orders that their commander yelled. One of them jumped up and shot. Seconds after that he was mowed down by bolts of plasma.
The platoon commander made a desperate decision – he and the rest of the survivors headed into the darkness and ran. They managed to run away and hide among some trees, leaving two young privates behind – shot dead by my minions. I watched the tragedy unfold from my Observation Orb. My servants intended to chase the survivors and put an end to them, but I immediately ordered them to remain in place and patrol the area, in a radius of five hundred meters. I smiled – the troops exactly were in the place I wanted. The place where you would have to pass, if you could approach the city. I had given my minions special instructions to expect you – I gave them a brief introduction of what they would be up against and some predictions derived from the analysis I performed on your actions by now. I must admit that I was impressed by the careful and patient tactics that you employed. I regret to say that you often led demonic minions into fighting each other. That lack of self–control was something I strived to eradicate in my troops. I used mental manipulation, punishments and rewards, yet demons always remained savage manifestations of chaos. I could only polish the small flaws and hope the others would not show up in critical moments.
As I sat in my dark throne chamber, I thought about many things. About the past, about the recent events, and especially about your appearance – an element that no one could have predicted. And this element had already inflicted severe damage upon our forces and threatened to ruin the great plan set in motion long ago. Then I started thinking about how it all started – a lonely marine who survived only because he remained behind to guard the landing pod of his combat group. Was it a deviation from the determined course, a mistake of fate? Was it something that just happened because the circumstances were such? Or was it destiny?
Was it destiny?