CHAPTER XX: RUIN
My minions greeted me when I came out of the Gate. The reports were not very clear but it was apparent that the inner circle of the star port had been breached after you destroyed the small outpost guarded by a contingent of Mancubi and Arachnotrons. Survivors that you met had told you about the approximate location of the Switch. It was also obvious that the number of troops throughout the compound was far from sufficient. None of the other Gatekeepers could provide reinforcements for me. Baphomet had given strict orders that the troop distribution remained as it was set before the Invasion. We knew that our Master was weaving numerous interconnected schemes and plots, and would not change what was already set in motion. I was alone with my problem – exactly like you were alone against Hell and its legions.
I had to use everything I could to stop you. I withdrew troops from vital points so that I could concentrate them in your way. I remembered my old plan to lure you into the SS castle, thinking that perhaps humans would be able to destroy you. That city was a vital part of the Invasion plan and its security was a priority. I had the honor to be the bearer of that responsibility and I could not afford to fail my master.
The situation made it necessary for the Thirteen to gather once again and come up with a solution. I greeted my brothers as they entered the dark hall and commented on its comforts. We sat around a table of black wood surrounded by burning braziers. The servants were ordered to walk away and not interrupt the meeting for any reason. Silence hung heavy over the table as none of us knew how to start. I looked at them and began the conversation by asking them about the conditions in their areas. They were quite happy telling me that they had no problems with the last pathetic remnants of human resistance. How could they not be happy – they were not at all pressed by a huge crisis as I was. It was apparent that your destruction was the only thing that remained to be done before the Earth could be considered conquered and its transformation – initiated.
There were many things that had to be decided upon. Looking forward to the post–Invasion period, we planned about the assignment of tasks among us, the redistributions of resources, the organization of the troops, the zombification of all surviving humans and, of course, the disturbing presence of Void Spheres in this world. The last issue bothered all of us, as we had no idea about Baphomet's reasons regarding the use of these artifacts at this time. He would not tell us why He needed them, just as he never told us where he got those Spheres from... As far as we knew, these artifacts were supposed to have been destroyed millennia before we were summoned into existence. Yet, our master had many of them hidden in the underground chamber that I visited. Knowing what could be done with such power, I could only guess what boundaries Baphomet was planning to cross.
One of my brothers proposed that I order my troops to destroy the star port completely, blowing up the fuel tanks and the ammo reserves throughout the compound. The resulting huge explosion could be sufficient to destroy you and end the crisis for good. I really liked that idea but I knew that the star port was necessary for the subsequent strikes at the remaining human outposts on the Moon and Mars. I proposed that we gathered all troops in the area and sent them to the area you were last spotted en masse. I thought that at least half of them would survive after the battle was over and you would finally be no more. One little thing made this scheme impossible – it was not acceptable to leave the city undefended because of one human marine that was harder to kill. Then I reminded my brothers of the ancient story of the destined revenge of humanity upon the entities that had interfered with their lives.
Silence. The other twelve remained quiet for a few minutes, thinking over my point. I had some doubts if they were sufficiently familiar with the complicated concepts of destiny and the dark tales of the original worlds. Most of my brothers did not have much faith in this story – they were strongly convinced that humanity would never be able to do anything about its destiny and that old legend was merely one of the many tales about the fall of the Elder World. These legends were meant to demonstrate the corruption of those realms and humans' capacity for self–deceit and egotism. It was beyond doubt that the ancient human magi had long passed into oblivion, consumed by their own lust for power and studies into darkness and chaos. My brothers agreed that you were an extraordinary case and, therefore, had to be dealt with in an extraordinary way. The problem was that we did not have sufficient resources to take such special measures...
The designs that we had created were to be discussed – designs of fortresses, temples and other infernal installation that would be built after the invasion ended. These buildings' purpose was the channeling and focusing of infernal energies that would change the face of the planet forever. The fulfillment of our mission would bring us our eternal reward and more power than we had ever dreamed of. The fact that there was a tedious obstacle, in the form of a stubborn human marine, standing before the achieving of that goal, infuriated us. It was also well–known that the one who solved the problem would receive Baphomet's special praise and the greatest of honor known to any demon. I could almost feel the smell of a competition among us. And each of us knew perfectly well that there were no rules...
I brought the topic of the reckless humans who insisted on being our allies. These rather unpleasant fanatics proved to be a minor asset in our army, and the artifacts they possessed were not of any particular value. The convenient thing about the situation was the fact that there were plenty of demonic troops in the area – one order was needed for them to exterminate the SS and destroy their castle. Any remaining weapons and artifacts could be taken away for further use. My brothers agreed that my plan was sound and proposed that I execute it as soon as possible. My evil grin was all the confirmation they needed...
I wanted to bring the issue of the recent security breach to the debate. I considered it unacceptable that a whole sector in our defenses was vulnerable and completely open to attack, thanks to the poor management by the Spider Masterminds. In my view, the solution would be for us to quickly...
I stood up and looked at the others – their looks told me that they had felt it too. A sudden shift in the currents of infernal energy could only mean that there was trouble somewhere close to the city. I hit one of the still functional buttons on the damaged control panel and one of the dirty monitors came to life. We saw the star port, thick clouds of smoke rising from the central buildings. Several explosions and plasma discharges were more than enough to reveal the reason for the disturbance. Dimmed demonic figures were running in all directions under a rain of falling debris. I frowned at the thought of what would happen if the fires reach the fuel tanks – neither me, nor my minions could rebuild such a complex installation. A horde of Cacodemons flew above the buildings without any coordination. I tried to order them to go down to the area of the Switch and hunt you down... I tried.
To my horror, I felt a sudden shift of energy followed by alarms and the grinding of machinery. A loud hissing was heard, and the force field that enveloped the star port began to dissipate before my eyes. I tried to stretch out my senses and examine the area closely. It was exactly as I suspected – the chamber of the Switch did not respond to my commands. Realizing the futility of any further defense of the star port, I recalled my troops, telling them to return within the city and await further orders. It was now obvious that it would be within this town that the decisive battle would take place.
With mighty bursts from their overloaded engines, the human spaceships rose from the ravaged spaceport and ascended towards space above the ruined planet. The trails of smoke in the sky were so many... and we, the Thirteen, could only watch them with anger. Our anger did not matter in that moment – it was the wrath of Lord Baphomet that we feared. Humanity, having fled from their planet, would be harder to track down and destroy. The possible delays in our mission were unacceptably large. A few minutes afterwards, an apparition of our Master appeared beside us – an ethereal image that emanated anger and hatred. The Thirteen had failed, and we were to learn our fates...
I will not tell you about what was shouted at us, and what heavy words of reprimand we received. It was the result of the shouting that mattered. The failure had enraged our Master to the point where He decided to take personal control of the city and personally direct the war effort, in order the crush the "insolent mortal" – you. My brothers were ordered to retreat to minor demonic outposts and keep watch over them. I was given a different assignment – perhaps my efforts in that city had succeeded in easing my Master's wrath. I was to return to Hell and manage the restoration of a few installations in Inferno. Baphomet had decided that the Pandemonium and the House of Pain would have to be the first sites to rebuild, as they were necessary in this crisis. Though I was not sure whether I could look upon the ruins of my home once again, I had no choice.
Baphomet took full control over the city. It was him who would try to hunt you down and put an end to your crusade. My brothers went away to places I did not know. I was sent to one of the towers of the Unholy Cathedral – the one that was not damaged by your rampage through our temple. Through messengers and apparitions, I gave directions, advice, and encouragements to the demonic workers who made efforts to repair and reactivate the facilities. I made thorough plans for each of the teams of workers and sent them to them. I had to wait for many hours before any results could be achieved. I had nothing else to do. My minions were working carefully according to the plans, and Lord Baphomet could not observe me because He was entirely concentrated on the task of controlling the whole city. I was alone and out of the reach of any external authority. The moment was perfect for me to do things I had planned but did not have the time to do.
As I sat on the cold floor, an image came to mind once again – a dark tower of iron, rising above the dead plains of bones. I had plenty of time. No one would find out. I could go there, just as I promised myself... I would discover the secrets of that enigmatic place and sate my burning curiosity.
I stood up and summoned a Gate. Inside its burning frame, I beheld the forest of bone and the lone dark spire that rose in its center, emanating menace just as before... I hesitated for a moment, looking through the Gate.
Then I stepped through.