Chapter 2: Preparations
DEMON'S CLAW: TIBET, CHIU MONESTARY – FASIR'S OFFICE: 10 JAN 2014
Yad Alqadar strode into the Fasir's office followed by al Aldire and al Sah-him. They politely stood in attendance before their new Fasir. Dam Dhib smiled at them from his desk.
"Please, sit," Dam Dhib welcomed them and motioned to the seats placed around the office.
"Of course," Alqadar replied for the three of them. They each moved to take a chair before the Fasir.
"Have you settled well?" Dam Dhib asked them. He gave them a few days after orientation to help them settle into their new quarters and explore the Monastery. The Monastery was the headquarters of the Demon's Claw. It had a similar layout to the other headquarters in the League. Once they knew where everything was located, he doubted they would need further guidance.
"We have," Alqadar replied with a polite nod.
"I have already established myself at the Hub," Aldire told him with a smile. "I was very happy to see a monitoring station for keywords."
"Yes," Dam Dhib replied. "I was told that the surveillance virus was developed at the Horn. It has made infiltration much easier."
Aldire blushed at the compliment.
"I have called you here to hand out your first hunting assignment," Dam Dhib told them. "Are you familiar with Solstice Visions?" he asked them.
"I am," Sah-him replied with a nod. "The Wahy consult with a Great Nexus to receive a vision of a potential future. Some are benign, but some are not. The Great Nexus points the League to potential trouble spots."
"Correct," Dam Dhib replied. "This year's Solstice Visions have all been assigned but one. I was unsure how to assign this one… until you three were assigned to the Claw. Here is the report," he said as he handed a paper report to Alqadar. Sah-him and Aldire examined it over his shoulder.
Vision Report: Dec 2013 Nanda Parbat
Where: Lian Yu
When: Late fall or early winter
Location Specifics: The appearance of a prison or cells with a breached wall into a cave system. The sealed prison for the Kushu Idol.
Describe players and actions: A group of mercenaries called Shadowspire (symbol identified) led by Maj Baron Reiter with his second Sergeant Bill Conklin (names used by other mercenaries. American auditory accents). A group of enslaved people were present, most appeared to be Russian and Asian (auditory accents). The mercenaries were forcing the slaves to dig out a wall in the prison. When the wall was breached, the mercenaries entered the cave and Reiter seized the Kushu Idol (identified by Qas). He killed one of his men and smeared blood on it. Then he left the cave with the idol and ordered his men to kill all the slaves. Once they were dead, he focused the powers granted by the idol on killing the remaining mercenaries. He left Lian Yu when all were slain. I identified a large number of mercenaries (over 50) and a large number of slaves (over 70). All those souls were used to charge the Kushu Idol.
Describe objects and purpose: Kushu Idol is a magical death totem currently imprisoned on Lian Yu. The souls of the dead are used to create power to sustain the person who bonds with the idol. This power will make the bonded person near immortal and nearly impossible to kill. It requires constant feeding of additional souls to maintain its power. It can and will drive the person bonded to it insane with bloodlust. Magical restraint symbols only prolong the bloodlust and insanity. They do not eliminate them.
Describe any Nexus feelings and input: I felt the feeling of anger and warning. The Great Nexus sent the message, Trio fix. Good servant, mage assist. I was not given images for the trio mentioned, but they felt like League members. The good servant felt female and was a moral person, but I could feel that they served an evil person. The mage felt male and was a practitioner outside of the League. I received no image, only a feeling that this mage was frequently tasked on other hunts, but not by whom.
Sah-him was the first to finish the report. The format was familiar. He had written his own report not long ago. What surprised him was that with the sheer volume of opposition. Only a group of five were supposed to take out over fifty mercenaries. Only three of them League.
"Trio?" Sah-him asked.
"That was my main limitation on this vision," Dam Dhib replied with a smile. "What three League members could face that kind of opposition with support from only two people in the outside world. This would usually be a Fang request." He grinned at them. "Then I was given your assignment by the Demon's Head. Three bonded elites. All of whom had been to Lian Yu before. I knew the vision meant you three."
"Alright," Alqadar said after a pause. "Where do we meet these two from the outside world?" he asked.
"We meet them on the island," Sah-him told him. "It's a vision. The people needed to counter it will be located there."
"How do we know who they are?" Aldire asked. "The Good Servant. Who is she? Who does she work for? How do we know she is the one we need?" she asked.
"Same with the Mage," Sah-him said. "I would think that any mage on Lian Yu would be up to no good. What makes this one different?" he asked.
"I'm more concerned with the time frame," Alqadar replied. "Late fall or early winter on Lian Yu. That's months away. How do we stop something that far out. How do we know when Shadowspire will become a threat?" he asked. He turned to Dam Dhib. "Why did you assign this vison to us now?"
Dam Dhib grinned at the questions. I knew they were the right ones. These questions prove it. "Because of the size of the force, I want to make sure you are on Lian Yu before they gain a foothold. With only three of you, you can whittle down the Shadowspire forces while you wait to make contact with the other two assisting you."
Aldire's eyes widened. "We can prepare the island for them. Create a place to secure the captives," she said suddenly with some excitement.
"This will reduce their available manpower," Alqadar replied thoughtfully. "When do you want us on the island?" he asked.
"No later than five weeks from today," Dam Dhib replied. "Lian Yu is empty according to the satellite images. Conduct your research. Collect supplies. Prepare. Allow winter to spend its fury before you leave. A League boat will take you and your supplies to Lian Yu, but will not remain." He gave them all a wane smile. "Others have access to satellite images as well."
"It will be done," they chorused as they rose to leave with the report. They quietly exited the office and headed to one of the smaller League Hunting rooms.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON'S CLAW: TIBET, CHIU MONASTARY: 10 FEB 2014
After their meeting with the Fasir, the trio began to research their target. Yad Alqadar sent time examining everything the League had collected on Shadowspire, Maj Baron Reiter, US Army Special Operations, and their existing known operations and tactics.
Alqadar found out that Shadowspire was a fairly recent organization. It had developed out of the flexible morality of a Special Operation unit – the one that was darker than light in Afghanistan's chaotic war. They adopted the name Shadowspire because it was their former unit, not because they had an original idea.
They started as war profiteers and evolved from that to weapons trafficking, drug smuggling, and eventually to human trafficking. They were led by an obsessive man named Major Baron Reiter. Reiter was considered morally gray to dark before becoming obsessed with tribal rumors of Lian Yu. Once he heard about a prison for powerful magical objects, he worked to gain enough influence and funding to form an expedition to the remote island.
Based on the descriptions of Baron Reiter, his tactics, and his obsession with Lian Yu, Alqadar was certain that Baron Reiter was an evil source. He didn't need to be able to see this man's aura to know that he would never give up his hunt for powerful magical items.
While Alqadar was researching Shadowspire, Sah-him was researching Lian Yu. He wanted to know the full League history of the island and all about the magical objects kept protected on it. He examined all the satellite images of the island and all the places he could remember from the ground.
Sah-him discovered more fortified ruins on the island. A temple complex that was in the most sheltered and hidden part of the mountains. It was barely visible on the satellite images. Centered over the island. He discovered that while some of the magical objects on the island were dangerous, most were not. Several objects were the magical equivalent of a thumb drive. They held information, nothing more. He spent time learning about all the magical objects on the island, learning their known capabilities, and their vulnerabilities. If they were found by Reiter, he wanted to know how to counter them.
The Kushu Idol mentioned in the vision was very dangerous. It was a death magic totem. It fed on the life bonded to it. While it did grant that bonded life power, it was conditional. It would drain the life of someone bonded to it. The special runes used to restrict its influence were only slightly effective. The bonded life would still go insane with bloodlust, but it would happen at a slower pace. The bonded life became very hard to kill, but if the idol couldn't repair the damage fast enough, the bonded life would eventually die. Unfortunately, for every person killed trying to kill the bonded life, the Kushu Idol made their bonded life stronger. It was a vile piece of work. It was secured and sealed in a special vault on the island. It was not accessible. All the spirits attached to the island were committed to securing the idol. It was one of the reasons that Lian Yu was a hostile Nexus.
While Sah-him was researching Lian Yu, he learned more about interacting with a hostile Nexus. He spent time talking to one of the Wahy who had traveled through Gotham. Another notoriously hostile Nexus. He learned that a hostile Nexus adopted people. It would react violently against anyone who attempted to harm their adopted person. Especially if that person had spirits attached to them.
Sah-him talked to Nyssa about her time interacting with Lian Yu. She stated that Lian Yu was neutral to her, but it helped them because the Nexus had adopted him. Ivo had attempted to harm him. The Nexus reacted by assisting the Fang to take out the entire ship. It sent the pirate crew into a trance state or sleep. She advised Sah-him greet the Nexus as soon as he made landfall. It would assist him in establishing a camp and executing their mission.
While the others researched, Aldire dove into the existing digital records and dug for more information. She started with easy keywords; Shadowspire, Reiter, US Army Special Operations, Kushu Idol, Lian Yu, Magical Nexus, and War Profiteering when tied to Shadowspire. Her searches were more than successful.
Within a week, Aldire had terabytes of data to comb through. By the second week, she had found a financial trail. Baron Reiter had finally found a financial backer. They fully funded the venture to Lian Yu. They would provide travel (air), weapons (small arms), supplies, and satellite images of the island. They wanted first selection on any magical items found.
Aldire was concerned enough about the conditions needed to fund the operation that she dug deeper. What she found shocked her. HIVE funded the operation. Damian Darhk was personally interested in what Reiter may find. Enough to ensure that Reiter had everything he needed to succeed.
Aldire immediately informed Alqadar and Dam Dhib. The League had very specific guidelines when confronted with information about HIVE or HIVE operations. Dam Dhib sent the intelligence immediately to Ra's al Ghul and consulted with him. Ra's al Ghul wanted the trio to verify HIVE's participation first. If Shadowspire was working with HIVE, they would eliminate every last man. Ra's would not allow HIVE to gain intelligence on the island or what was stored there. If Shadowspire was working with HIVE, the trio would eliminate Shadowspire from the island. Shadowspire was only a branch of HIVE's evil. Dam Dhib would ensure any of Shadowspire off the island were eliminated. They qualified as known agents of HIVE and warranted death.
The last week before they departed, the trio began to collect their supplies for their mission. They knew it would be a long-term mission. They packed their gear accordingly. Basic supplies, food, shelter, and other basic survival gear. Aldire ensured they had proper communication gear, motion detectors, solar charging panels, laptops, satellite routing connections, radio interception gear, and all the digital extras she could think of. Alqadar ensured that they had weapons with spares and extras. There would be no resupply. Arrows, bolts, and darts were stockpiled in large quantities. All of their gear required a larger transport. They left with all their gear to meet with a League yacht. Once on Lian Yu, they would have to carry the gear to their final base of operations. It was still early. Shadowspire had not arrived yet. They had time to get established.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON'S CLAW: CHINA, LIAN YU - BEACH: 15 FEB 2014
After more than a month of research and preparation, the trio finally arrived at Lian Yu. The League yacht ferrying their supplies was anchored in the bay. When Sah-him set foot on the beach he felt sense of warmth and peace enter his mind. He smiled.
"Guys," Sah-him called out to his two partners. "I'm going to talk to Lian Yu. Just pile up our stuff in the tree line."
"Is it going to take long?" Alqadar asked curiously.
"I don't know," Sah-him replied honestly. "I don't want to upset a hostile Nexus. I could be under for a bit."
"Understood," Aldire replied. "We'll get the gear and supplies off the yacht."
"Thanks," Sah-him replied before he marched up the rocky beach to the trees. He scanned around before he found a sheltered place and sat down. He assumed the lotus position and then centered himself. He finally opened his inner eye and the world fell away.
-I welcome you, Lian Yu,- Sah-him announced as soon as he felt the presence of the Nexus at Lain Yu.
-Child. Welcome,- Lian Yu returned his greeting. Satisfaction and warmth enveloped his spirit.
-Thank you for helping me,- Sah-him told the island. He pushed his feeling of gratitude into the message.
-Acceptance,- Lian Yu replied. He felt the undertones of satisfaction in the reply.
-I returned with my mates,- Sah-him started. -We have learned of a group of evil men who want to steal from you. We have come to stop them.-
The feeling of welcome and happiness changed. It became hostile. -Anger. Protect,- the Nexus replied.
-We can be your eyes, your ears, and your hands. Will you allow us to help you with these evil men?- Sah-him asked. He pushed the image of a large group of evil men with prisoners, with the Shadowspire logo at the front.
-Caution,- Lian Yu replied. The Nexus felt wary.
-We do not want to take anything from you,- Sah-him elaborated. -We only want to prevent the evil men from taking from you. They are bringing a large force and enslaved workers. We want to free the workers and hide them. We want to eliminate the evil men. We will not act if you do not want our assistance.-
-Consideration,- Lian Yu pulsed the feeling.
-If possible, we would establish our camp at your temple,- Oliver continued. -I will check with you often.-
Sah-him patiently waited as the consciousness of the Nexus pulsed around him. He felt it return its attention to him.
-Acceptance,- Lian Yu finally pulsed.
Sah-him was then assaulted by images of the path to the temple. The other paths, all over the land, would kill anyone who attempted to reach the temple. This path was hidden in a cave and opened inside the temple proper. The temple was centered on the Nexus, which was why Lian Yu protected it so violently.
-Thank you,- Sah-him told Lian Yu.
-Gratitude. Assist,- Lian Yu replied. The island's consciousness slowly pulled back.
Sah-him slowly let his consciousness return to his body, and his senses slowly returned to him. He wasn't used to connecting to a Nexus that deep. Even his Solstice Vision didn't take him that deep. He let his breathing help him reconnect to his body and opened his eyes. His body was stiff from sitting in the lotus position for so long.
Aldire and Alqadar were sitting on the piles of supplies a short distance away. They were watching him intently as he slowly became aware again.
"Sah-him?" Alqadar asked carefully.
"Yeah?" Sah-him asked. Then he realized that Alqadar wanted to make sure he was alright. "I'm fine. I'm back." He started to stretch out his stiff muscles.
"How did it go?" Alqadar asked. "Can we stay?"
Sah-him smiled. He loved that Alqadar didn't assume that the island had no say in the matter. "We can," he replied. "Lian Yu invited us to stay at the temple and showed me the only safe path."
"I thought we identified three?" Alqadar replied as a question.
"All the overland paths end in death," Sah-him replied. "Lian Yu kept the only safe path hidden… even from satellites." He finally stood and stretched his back. He smiled casually at the spirit of his father and then froze. "Aunt Rebecca?" he asked in shock.
"What?" Alqadar stopped and started to look around.
"Yes, Oliver," Rebecca Merlyn's spirit relied to him. She hovered not far from his father. "I'm so proud of you… taking care of my Tommy."
"It was my pleasure," Sah-him replied with tears in his eyes. "I… I thought you moved on. I haven't seen you before."
"When would you have, Oliver?" Rebecca's spirit asked in a chiding tone. "You couldn't see before and then Tommy was on the other side of the world."
"Sah-him?" Alqadar had approached and gently touched his arm to catch his attention.
Sah-him's eyes snapped to his friend. He gave him a teary smile. "Your mother. She's here with my dad," he explained.
Alqadar whipped around to look at the space Sah-him had been staring. "Mom?" he asked tentatively.
Rebecca's spirit walked forward and placed a gentle hand on his face. Alqadar didn't feel the touch. "My dearest," she said softly. "What did your father do to you?" she asked in a sad tone.
"What?" Sah-him replied in confusion. "Malcolm didn't do anything. He ran away. Alqadar has been with us. Dad raised him. Dad died when the yacht sank in a storm. Dad could have told you that."
"What are you talking about?" Alqadar asked in confusion.
"It wasn't the storm that sank the yacht," Robert's spirit replied with a wince. "I'm certain it was Malcolm. There are things he has done since he returned from his sabbatical. His last project… I refused to consider it. I wanted to use the yacht trip to think about it."
"What are you talking about, Dad?" Sah-him asked as he rounded on his father.
"There's nothing you can do anything about it here," Robert replied with a sad shake of his head. "Just know that Malcolm is the reason the yacht sank."
"You don't need to be so considerate, Robert," Rebecca replied. "I stopped caring for that man when he celebrated my death by sleeping with your wife."
"WHAT?" Sah-him exclaimed. "Malcolm slept with MOM?" he demanded. His eyes were wide with shock.
Alqadar had stopped trying to catch Sah-him's attention. It was obvious that he was talking to the spirit of his mother. Whatever Sah-him was learning took his complete attention. Alqadar tried to learn what he could from Sah-him's side of the conversation.
"He did," Rebecca replied. "Then he abandoned my son. I will never forgive him for that. To think that he wants to commit this atrocity in my name. I want to scream at him."
"No. Don't do that," Sah-him quickly told her. "Don't become a banshee. We need you with us."
"Very well," Rebecca replied as she turned eyes back to Sah-him. She gave him a soft smile. "I'm glad your mother kept Athena away from him. He would have made a poor father to the girl. Robert did a much better job."
"Thea?" Sah-him asked as his mind reeled from yet another world-shattering revelation. He had always called her Thea because Athena was hard for him to pronounce when she was born. "Thea's my sister. Why would Malcolm get involved?" he asked.
Robert came forward and tried to place his hand on Sah-him's shoulder. "Thea is a half-sister to you and Tommy," he said softly. "Her parentage never mattered to me. She is my daughter in all but blood."
Sah-him's eyes widened, and then he looked over at Alqadar in shock. He finally turned back to the spirits. "I… need to think about this… I'll… I want to talk to you later. Both of you. I just… can't deal with this right now," he told the two. "See you soon."
"Goodbye, Oliver," Rebecca's spirit said with a smile.
"Later, Son," Robert's spirit said softly.
Sah-him blinked a few times and then centered himself before closing his inner eye. The spirits faded from his sight. He took a few more calming breaths before finally looking at Alqadar and Aldire. His reassurance was more of a grimace than a smile.
"I'm… I closed my inner eye," Sah-him told them. "I can't see them anymore."
"Are you alright?" Aldire asked calmly.
"No," Sah-him replied with a laugh. "I just need to process that… God! I don't even know where to begin. Let's… Let's get this stuff to the temple so I can break down."
"Is it because you saw my mom?" Alqadar asked quietly.
"No," Sah-him replied gently. "No," he said in a firmer tone. "They told me a bunch of stuff – world changing stuff about your dad, the yacht, and… Thea."
Alqadar regarded him carefully for a few moments before he relented. "Alright, we get our supplies to the temple and begin setting up. We'll stay there tonight… I want to know what they said. If it was world-changing for you, then it's likely the same for us as well," he said after some consideration.
"Okay," Sah-him replied.
"We are here for you," Aldire replied. "Together, remember?" she asked.
"Together," Sah-him agreed with a shaky smile. He took a deep breath and started to pick up several of the supply packs. "This way. Stay off the paths. Look for landmines. Lian Yu let me know that we are alone on the island."
"That's helpful," Alqadar replied as he picked up packs of supplies.
"Lead on," Aldire replied with her packs firmly in place.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON'S CLAW: CHINA, LIAN YU – THE TEMPLE: 1 APR 2014
After several hours of hiking through the island, all the provisions and supplies were safely stowed at the Temple. Aldire had already taken over the most sheltered room in the temple to house her electronics. She had the cords running to the solar panels at one side of the doorway. Once the last of their bedding was placed and a modest campfire built, the trio gathered around to eat their first evening meal on the island.
"Sah-him?" Alqadar started. He was beyond curious about what Sah-him had learned on the beach. He craved any information his mother had relayed. Mom is here. I have always felt her close to me. She told Sah-him stuff. World changing stuff Sah-him told me. I need to know what she said. "Have you had a chance to process yet?" he asked.
"About the stuff on the beach?" Sah-him asked pensively as he stared into the fire.
"Yes," Alqadar replied. "You said that you saw my mother and your father. Can you really can see their ghosts? I thought ghosts only helped you on a hunt."
"I can see spirits… which are the same as ghosts, I guess," Sah-him replied with a shrug. "Yes, I can see and talk to spirits. My dad is attached to me. I can see him whenever he is near when I open my inner eye. Your mom… she is attached to you. This was the first time I saw her."
"What do you mean attached?" Alqadar asked. He knew enough about the Ruya that he doubted any attached spirits were dangerous. He could see how an attached spirit would benefit a Wahy. It could gather intelligence for them. If I'm with Sah-him, then Mom could benefit us both.
"When a sentient being dies, several things can happen," Sah-him replied. "Evil beings are sent to the Source to be judged. If their balance swings towards evil, then they are judged. They can only return to balance if they are alive. Benign beings can move on… which means be judged by the Source and receive their reward… or be reborn… or they can linger. If they linger, they can become attached to a place or a person. That attachment stabilizes them. Lingering spirits with no attachment are wandering spirits. They frequently don't know that they died. When they realize their death, they move on to be judged."
"What does that have to do with a banshee?" Aldire asked. She remembered Sah-him warning Rebecca.
"A banshee is a lingering spirit that has become so incensed at something that they manifest visually and scream the target of their hatred," Sah-him said. "When they become visible, everyone can see them. Usually, they target one person or a group of people. A person dies of fright or insanity soon after exposure to a banshee. The banshee can move on when all of their targets die."
"You told my mother not to become a banshee," Alqadar said softly. "That we needed her. Who was she so angry at? Who was her potential target?" he asked.
"Your father," Sah-him relied with a wince.
"Why am I not surprised," Alqadar said quietly. "What did you talk about with my mother?" he asked, a desperate yearning in his voice.
"Aunt Rebecca has been with you since she died," Sah-him told him. "She thanked me for taking care of you. She blamed your father for abandoning you and causing you so much pain… even the yacht."
"She blamed my dad for the yacht?" Alqadar asked. "Why?"
Sah-him let out a huff. "According to my father, your dad wanted to do something, but my dad disagreed. The yacht trip was to give him time to think. Instead, Malcolm sabotaged the yacht to kill my father."
"NO! No, no, no, no…" Alqadar tried to deny. "He… He's cold… not evil. Yes, he's a bastard, but to assassinate his best friend… over a disagreement."
"I don't agree with their assessment," Sah-him replied sadly. "But spirits retain all the knowledge they had before they died. They can retain a little after they die, but they forget it unless they make an effort to retain it."
"And the little that my mom retained has her so angry at my father that she wants him to die," Alqadar stated with a pained voice.
"I think her anger at your father started right after she died," Sah-him told him. "She said… she said that he slept with my mother in celebration of her death."
"He cheated on her too?" Alqadar asked aghast.
"With my mother no less," Sah-him replied with anxiety. He had always held his mother on a pedestal. She worked so hard for her charities and was always so selfless. Hearing this… destroyed his image of her.
Both Sah-him and Alqadar sat quietly, thinking. Aldire was the first to put one of the puzzle pieces together. She gasped in shock.
"Thea," Aldire hissed out quietly.
"Yeah," Sah-him replied quietly. "Aunt Rebecca was glad that Mom never told Malcolm about Thea. My dad apparently knew. He said Thea was his daughter in all but blood."
"Thea's my sister," Alqadar stated quietly. "Our sister… God!... Wait! Thea was born when my dad was gone." His face grew pale as he established a timeline from the last time he had seen his father. "HE CHEATED ON MY MOTHER RIGHT AFTER HER FUNERAL! Or was it before? She hadn't been dead for three days by the time of her funeral. WHAT THE HELL!" His eyes blazed in anger.
Alqadar's shout rang through the temple. Silence followed his last statement. "No wonder my mom wants to scream at him," he finally added. "I think I want to scream at him."
Aldire stood up and embraced him. Sah-him joined her a moment later. She pulled Sah-him in tighter. She knew that he was in pain too, and she needed to redirect their thoughts.
"It's over," Aldire said quietly. "It's long over. Sah-him, your father forgave your mother. He accepted Thea as his own. I have always considered her a sister. Alqadar, you have as well. This changes nothing."
"You're right," Alqadar replied slowly. "It just… it's a perception change… not an unwelcome one. I just… I have another reason to dislike my father."
"I know," Sah-him replied. "It doesn't change how I feel about Thea… but my mother… It's her motivations… Her actions that I can't stomach."
"You never have to see her again," Aldire reassured him. "If you want, I can keep an eye on Thea. I should do that with my sister anyway."
"Do that," Sah-him responded. "She's the only one I care about back home."
"That's not true," Aldire chided him. "I recall your affection for Raisa as well."
"And your parents… and Sara… yeah…" Sah-him finally added.
"See, you do still care about those people around your sister," Aldire told him. "Keep your love and support for Thea, Sara, Raisa, Mom, and Dad. You can ignore your mom if you want."
"Thanks," Sah-him told her.
"Yeah, thanks," Alqadar echoed.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON'S CLAW: CHINA, LIAN YU: 1 APR 2014
The trio spent the next six weeks preparing the island for the arrival of Shadowspire. The break from training and constant activity let the trio to bond on a deeper level. While Aldire spent the first week setting up her computer and communications network, Sah-him and Alqadar spent the time familiarizing themselves with the island.
Alqadar found an inland bay on the north side of the island. The island mountains isolated that section of the island from the majority of the mainland. It was difficult, but possible, to get there. He forwarded the idea that it would be the ideal place to hide the enslaved workers once they were freed… if Shadowspire was still around. They would need to determine where Shadowspire would be located, but for now, they could safeguard this place from the usual military patrols. Several additional traps were set. The difficult path to the cove was made more convoluted and treacherous.
The trio spent five of those weeks setting up additional traps for the mercenaries. Dead falls, spike traps, and undermining walking paths and the road. All were all simple deterrents. They identified the majority of the land mines and marked them with the help of Aldire. She built a complex digital map of the island. With this, Alqadar formed a more comprehensive assault plan. The biggest enticement is the large open plain. They left Fyers old campsite mostly free and clear. They wanted the Shadowspire mercenaries to set up there. They had established three observation nests with a cache of supplies and weapons nearby.
Aldire set up multiple electronic surveillance stations around the island. She ensured radio repeater stations were placed to allow radio communications with her team. She established solar power stations to allow the constant use of her digital equipment. Finally, her last and greatest feat was establishing secure satellite communication with the League. The trio had already updated Dam Dhib. They were only waiting for Shadowspire to arrive now.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
DEMON'S CLAW: CHINA, LIAN YU – AIRFIELD: 1 APR 2014
Sah-him was out in the forest verifying that the changing weather had not affected their traps when he felt a pulse of anger. He stopped and opened his inner eye.
-Lian Yu?- he asked the Nexus.
-They come,- Lian Yu answered with images of a plane approaching the island.
-Thanks,- Sah-him replied and quickly reached up to his comm set. "Lian Yu warned me that Shadowspire is inbound. By airplane," he radioed his partners.
"Copy," Aldire's voice echoed in his headset.
"Copy. Institute surveillance. I'm on my way now," Alqadar ordered.
"Understood," Sah-him replied as he jogged toward the airfield.
Sah-him was in place when the sound of the aircraft could finally be heard. The small military transport plane took the field, slowed, and stopped [1]. It finally turned at the end of the short airfield. The back of the plane opened and a dozen heavily armed men strode out and methodically secured the field. Then three small jeeps exited the aircraft. Finally additional men started carrying additional cargo bags of supplies until a large pile was in place.
The entire process lasted no more than thirty minutes. The plane's back doors sealed and it performed a combat takeoff. The mercenaries were quick and efficient. The majority of their supplies were loaded onto the three jeeps. Nothing remained in the airfield.
Finally, a tall black man climbed into the lead jeep and gave the order to head out. Major Baron Reiter. Sah-him recognized him from photos. Reiter started off the procession of jeeps and men down the old dirt road at the end of the airfield. Good. They are going to the open field.
The field was their preferred location for Shadowspire. Tactically, it was a sound choice. The open ground didn't allow a ground force to approach without being seen. It was bordered by a tall hill, perfect for an overwatch position. It provided enough space to allow the tents to be spaced out. More importantly, the trio had set up extensive countermeasures leading to the field site; including undercutting the road that led to the field. With three jeeps, the weight of the first jeep would damage the road enough to send either the second or the third jeep down the ravine.
Sah-him smiled as he reached for his comm set. "Shadowspire has arrived. Thirty men. Three jeeps. They are heavily armed. They appear to be heading to the clearing," he reported.
"Excellent," Alqadar replied. "Follow them until they reach the clearing."
"Copy," Sah-him replied.
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Endnotes:
[1] C130 US Military cargo transport plane. This plane is the backbone of the US Air Force in transportation. The C130 has been extensively modified. It is a gunship (Spooky, Ghostrider, Specter, Talon), airborne intelligence gathering platform (Dreamboat), search and rescue (CSAR), and weather reconnaissance (Hurricane Hunter). The gunship variants are frequently used in Special Operation missions. All C130s can perform combat landing and takeoff. It only requires a dirt runway of 1100 meters long to safely land and take off with a width of slightly larger than the wings. Experienced C130 pilots strive for the shortest landing and takeoff and can turn on a dime. They are frequently used in airdrop operations, airborne transport, and personal transport.
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