Chapter four
"Found it!" declared the old man as he looked up from a small computer screen on the control panel. He hit the panel with a hammer, and threw some switches. He dashed to the teleport alcove, beckoning Joan to join him.
"Where are you taking me now?" asked Joan.
"Into battle! Don't worry. You're with me, so that makes it the safest place on your planet right now. Oh, I forgot! Take this. "
The old man handed her a dagger from his coat pocket. "It was your mother's. She wanted you to have it. Please, try not to use it. "
With a flash, they appeared in a cathedral. The sound of the chapter singing matins echoed about.
"This is Our Lady of Victories, " said Joan holding the dagger.
A spiked, metal sphere flew at them, shouting in a voice like a deranged parakeet, "Behold your destiny, and despair!"
A beam of energy shot fom it, nearly hitting Joan. The statue behind her was reduced to ash. Instantly, it flew up, crashing through a stained glass window.
"On its heels!" cried the old man. "It mustn't escape. "
"What's controlling it?" asked Joan as she hitched up her skirt and ran after the old man.
"A Macrobe," he explained as he ran to the cathedral doors. "In your parlance, a demon!"