[11th September 2010]
[Underground Bunker, Island of Tropico (formerly Santa Prisca)]
There was no rest for the wicked sadly, and I seemingly fell into that bracket in some manner because I'd had precious little rest these past few days other than to memorise my spells since the Taipei fiasco. Bloody Skullfaced-Tectacle-Chan versus Female Ninja Sentai Squad was not the meme/cartoon I wanted to be remembered for starting nine hells damn it.
Of course we were about to commit to killing possibly quite a lot of not-really-very-innocent people in short...so that was perhaps understandable in more than a few ways. Not that I wanted to do it of course, no one in the room with me did in truth, but a marker had to be laid down here and now or we would just be emboldening more attacks in the future. Showing weakness to a predator...was a bad idea in the military sense as much as in the wild...
"So everything points to them moving soon?" I asked almost hoping that the course of events wouldn't have to play out as I expected. One could hope for a sudden outbreak of cowardice amongst ones foes...or common sense...that would cause them to abort and flee without causing mass destruction upon them first. Sadly that wasn't to be as the good Commande nodded his head upon the video screen surrounded by arcane runes and wards against scrying.
"Indeed. Within forty-eight hours definitely, by tomorrow sometime seems to be the go date as best all the communications traffic indicates"
Always an advantage when you were right there in the middle of the enemy 'organisation' as the false group on the ground 'helping' them. Really I could see why the NKVD used to love it as a tactic against the Whites after the Russian Civil War. Learning from the Harpers as enemy and ally at varying times had also helped even if I wasn't particularly suited to the game in truth...of course that why you got people who were as part of your team to handle those things when you yourself couldn't. Of course we couldn't trust that all that anyway so our...friends...in the Royal Navy destroyer not too far out to sea were monitoring the force 'secretly' assembling across the water in Columbia.
"We are as ready as we can Sir, all preparations are in place and we've moved all our advanced equipment into position. The majority of the mercenaries we've brought in will be readied only once we know the enemy are on the move as per protocols" Captain McKenna stated from my right. I resisted snorting at that 'advanced equipment' comment.
Advanced equipment being the official cover for all the magical gear we'd managed to throw together in a year between myself, Finn and Constantine mostly...and whatever else we could manage from the handful of mystically based 'recruits' into SHIELD from the country. Hedge witches and wizards mostly in terms of power and skill, and none knew exactly what they had help in really beyond those inducted into SHIELD formally. As yet it wasn't a dramatic amount, but it was enough to do significant damage to even powerful beings if the circumstances permitted.
"Bane?"
"For the moment he's been left unaware as discussed Sir, and monitoring of him since his...employment...with Tropico has indicated no attempt to subvert his blood pact geass as our mages here have called it. We're ready to deploy him as required in the fight, but contingencies have been put in place should he, or any supporters left to him, go rogue during the fight"
Brendan Finn nodded in agreement "Aye, none of us seen anythin' going on with the spell-work but don't trust that big brute anyway"
'Of course not, he's plotting against us since we took the island from Kobra...but we only need to keep him secure for long enough to secure this position. Or blacken his name so much with our foes that changing sides would be impossible' I thought but left unsaid as the conversation amongst our little group continued. While we had a decent number of mercenaries now, fairly well armed ones at that, the truth was we'd be depending upon magic, magical equipment we'd made, and the Army Ranger Wing to win this fight as swiftly as possible. El Presidente's future rule...thereby meaning Ireland's...required something fairly decisive against the remnants. Or at least the situation of us not losing, and this whole thing then blowing up in everyone's faces anyway. Oh and then there was the whole...
"So is our whole cover story in place for myself and the other John over there..." I asked motioning at Constantine to my other side at my 'mentor' of sorts "...considering me and him aren't supposed to be here with...all that'll result from this as you said"
Basically because everyone would all really prefer that John Fortune not be too linked to the possible carnage about to result on the island. Justice League might not like that after all...and, of course, we were trying rather hard to bluff our numbers and strength here on the island. Buying time often meant convincing an enemy you were either stronger or weaker than you were...and outside of the Justice League not many should know of my part in the 'regime change' here. One could hope so at least.
"Yes preparations have been put in place. You and Mr. Constantine are currently at the Curragh Camp undergoing training...and marked as In Reserve for this operation on any of the official correspondence. My question is will you be effective in your stated capacity for it?"
I sighed. While my magic wasn't exactly immediately identifiable at just a glance...the truth was if we went in strong with just magic then it would fairly apparent that I, and the other idiots, were present. Of course we'd be using magic, but we potentially needed a Heavy for the fighting, and there were only a few ways I could go about that with those restrictions. Such as me not being here, or El Presidente not been present either till the aftermath. This left one thing that would be the opposite of my normal fighting style...
"Yes, but...it's important to bear in mind this will effectively cut off my magical abilities for the extent of the spell as they'll be focused into my physical abilities instead..." I motioned at the other two wizards "...it's why I'm the only able to cast it on myself unfortunately. It'll also remind it will some mind altering effects on my personality to make me...more battle ready?...perhaps is the best description. With the armour and weapons I'll be a physical tank at the expense of my magical abilities. Both Brendan and John have looked over my ritual work and it's ready to go, and safe, in all our opinions"
It was safe of course, but this would be a first for using in this lifetime. Nor was it a spell I had utilised, nor liked using, much as that person. Magic, support, tactics, logistics and strategy were my preferred usages of my abilities rather than just pure battle rage ; charging in and smashing my weapon in an enemies face till didn't get up. Honestly it was too restrictive in my opinion, usually, as it traded flexibility and greater powers for the skills of a brute fighter...
"So be it, unless there are any objections you are to perform the ritual just before the battle and proceed upon identity. Mr Constantine, Mr. Finn, you too are ready to enable your illusory disguises and provide support under Voudoun and other locally based rituals? Other than our prepared abilities I..."
I listened as each of them, then Captain McKenna and the three others, voiced their own situations and preparations for the coming fight. Magic at least was versatile and in combination with Special Forces troops and heavy weapons allow us to crudely disguise the extent of our abilities. Or to be more accurate mimic the abilities of other paths that could be classified as 'Mad Science' or 'Metah-human' by some...and for those who knew magic along paths one wouldn't immediately expect of mages from the edge of Western Europe at the very least. That and spells that people had seen me perform at any stage either...time, we just had to buy ourselves some time...
--
[12th September 2010]
[Bunker-Cave, Eastern end of the Island of Tropico (formerly Santa Prisca)]
I took a deep breath in, and then let it out to calm myself and prepare for the ritual. We weren't long till the start of the fight the angry red icons approaching the beach on their odd mixture of boats and helicopters laden with enemies. Somewhat further north than we had expected honestly and thereby avoiding the trap laid at the worksite and village there. What's worst it was because they'd gotten either lost, or disorganised, and just decided to land here because the sun was rising and they couldn't do a dawn attack.
"Fuckin eejits probably couldn't even manage a piss up in a brewery" I'd heard Sergeant Macklin mutter as he'd gotten into one of the three enchanted 'combat suits' we'd assembled as a form of melee for them. Sometimes your enemies own mistakes and incompetence could work against you on the defence I'd found. Like now when they avoided your time consumingly laid traps and preparations by failing to arrive on time, at the right target, or getting muddled in radio communications...
"All Units; be advised to expect Meta-humans, or those under the effects of Venom or Blockbuster formula amongst hostile forces. Heavy and Special Weapons units to designate these as priority targets. Arrival ETA ten minutes, weapons ready people" crackled over the comms one last time as I went to one knee and prepared myself.
Beside me, just outside the ritual circle, Constantine and Finn stood in their own 'disguised forms' from either polymorph or simple illusions as old Voodoo priest and Latin necromancer in black robes respectively. Ostensibly to ensure there were no ill effects to me from my own casting, but really it was in hopes that we wouldn't be called into the fight as 'Special' units at all. Seemingly someone had spotted or heard chatter to confirm otherwise.
"Show time mate, best get ready" I was told but I tuned it out as I started the various spells to go with the armour I now wore...and the form they would soon cover. Concentration was the key as the spider-work of symbols in the circle glowed beneath as I placed gauntleted hand upon the ground and mouthed careful one spell after another.
"Protection against Chaos"
"Protection against Evil"
"Death Ward"
Minutes ticked by as reports of the enemy nearing reached my ears. I tried to push them away and not think on the bloodshed to come. This was war once again in all its misery, heroics and noise. It never got any easier I found...
"Detect Illusion"
"Iron Skins"
"Protection from Electricity"
'Enemy Engaged' came over the comms as I finished the last of the rituals. Outside my ears could hear the sound of mortars being lauched and even farther away the faint insect like buzz that might be those helipcopters I'd been earned off...
"Protection from Cold"
"Protection from Acid"
"Polymorph Self: Amazon"
Always felt different being a woman, and a 'magical' one at that for this version of Earth. Still it was the moment of truth as I ignored the comment from old idiots one and two as I drew the power one last time this morning...
"Tenser's Transformation"
I...
--
...she grinned as she stood back up and glanced around. Battle at last was upon them! The clash of arms where her foes would quake before her and her allies...old and useless as these two old men seemed. Outside the first notes of the symphony of war sang to her ears. Different of course than expected, but not by much; War never changing and all that.
"Woof! Weren't expectin' ya to pretty yerself loik that. Red hair an' all! Like a budget Wonder Woman ye are"
"Budget? Pretty? Tut-tut-tut. Not a way to win a girl's heart there old man..." she winked at him as she strode over to grab the waiting mace and shield. Testing the weight before readying herself to move. Yes this was just perfect. Breathe In, Breathe Out. Ah the smell and sounds of Battle! Glorious!
The Commander's voice echoed over the communications device calling them to join the fight and crush the foe. About time really she mused rolling her head from side to side to loosen up. Her voice was as cheerfully and energetic as he remembered "...right then. Let's go crush some Bad Guys! Blood for the Soil! Favour for the Harvest!"
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