They sent us a few all terrain vehicles with machine guns mounted and a bus with federal police. The bus immediately departed after having discharged its human cargo and a corresponding number of duffel bags. Meanwhile most of us remaining had by then found their way to the car park.
From sheer boredom, a desire to regain a semblance of freedom or, most laudable, but least likely in my eyes, to avoid travelling the apocalypse without daylight? I wasn’t sure about myself, so I have no idea.
I was wearing my new boots to get them used to my feet and vice versa. But the duffle bags were a considerable relief. We were not expected to march when we reached our destination. I should have asked before I departed.
» a bunch of nerds
» how do we find our personal wizard?
» can they cast fireball?
More than a few of them started at the sight of my holster. I was one of the minority with a magical firearm. Long knives were more common among those armed at all. The new reality had not really sunk in then. The evening sun was warm and I was getting away from some dubious people, even if I did not get to go home as I wanted. Plus I got to help people to survive. As I said, I am not unpatriotic, just practical.
And at least some of them played DnD. There might be a fallback, should my phone not go online again. Magical life was improving and an improvement.
Captain Carstens showed up in person with privates bearing voluminous crates.
They issued machine pistols and ammo to the newly arrived. At least they had to sign, too.
I envied them getting the more efficient form of military bureaucracy.
They split up again into groups and the privates handed each group a collection of books in spiral binding that looked like they were made for frequent updates together with an ultrasleek satellite phone. The geek in me wanted to hook it up to my long neglected laptop. I had not checked my mails in an eternity.
A couple held up a cardboard card with „#4“ on it. As I approached them, they returned the favor with a friendly and curious smile. They were trying to make a good first impression. I returned the favor.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
„Evening, this is Ulrike and I am Dejan, your assigned federal police. You are not under arrest, but I would need the car keys. I would suggest we get ready immediately because we do not want our convoy to miss its rendezvous with the heavy weapons platform. They are running on a rigid schedule.“
Clear and to the point. This felt good. I returned the greeting and stated my name.
„I am number #4. Unfortunately I do not have flashy abilities yet. I am a level 1 sorcerer, but I can do rituals.“ That drew a look of confusion from the lady cop, who looked at her partner and in a dropping voice added „He is one of you.“
„No problem. My luggage is already in the car. I have exchanged the hotel badge for my permanent badge and I am good to go. I guess you already have my license plate.“
„As a matter of fact, no. We had little time. Our briefings were a bit rudimentary.“
„O well, this parking lot is generously sized anyway. Please follow me then.“
I pointed to my beloved compact Toyota and held out the car key. The dejection was clearly visible.
„Something wrong? We will fit. I’ll go on the back bench. You have brought stuff to read anyway.“
„We did have your biographical and occupational data. I hoped for an automotive mid life crisis.“
I have a loud laugh tending to generate into snorts when I run short on air. The whole parking lot was seeking the pig being tickled to death.
--
In a gazebo next to the closed down part of the parking lot reserved for motor homes, thoroughly hidden with a hedge from the nice parking lot, where you were supposed to park BMWs or Audis according to federal police, a man remarkably unremarkable was speaking to a remarkably short man with a lot of wrinkles and a lot of brown curly body hair, whose broad hands featured seven slender fingers, and a fruit bat devouring a papaya. A zoologist would have identified its species as native to India.
„ … and we have for the first time gotten good data in reliable numbers on the process of making essence magicians. The half baked ones are as susceptible to aura manipulation as muggles. In fact I am giving them a little gift for team cohesion as we are speaking. We want them to live after all.
The only somewhat unexpected result is that you can become a tool wielder from the gun essence. We can implement the optional part of the protocol.“
„What about the trackers?“
„They will be totally hidden next to theirs.“
„Very well. I have been told to tell you to continue your long time observation, if there are no unusual developments.“
„So I expected. My written report will come through the usual channels. Give my regards to your coven.“
„Thank you. I will.“
The short man pulled an impossible number of metal rods from his belt pack. His hands blurred and the outline of a motor bike made from metal rods appeared. He mounted it and he and his machine turned invisible.
The bat shoved the remains of the fruit away. He cleaned his face with his tongue, which would have been adorable if not for the ghostly violet glow in his eyes. (And he was quite heroically a he. - If you have ever seen a fruit bat you know what I mean.)
He screeched softly and flew off.