Mana in the Modern World non illustrated version (23 page)

Early one morning the Duchesne County, Utah
Sheriff’s department were test flying their new helicopter over a
remote area when they see two men in the act of burying a body.
Spotting the chopper the men fled in an old pickup. The chopper
quickly forced them off the dirt track into soft sand to stop their
escape, landed and took the men into custody after a short foot
chase. It took several hours for backup in four wheel drive
vehicles with cadaver dogs to arrive at the crime scene.

So far only the buried remains of two other
bodies have been found in the area as searching is very slow. Both
of the cadaver dogs brought in absolutely refuse to get anywhere
near to the area, lying on their belly, whimpering and attempting
to crawl away. The searchers are having to search using long narrow
poles like used to search for bodies in snow. The area where the
men were burying the bodies had a narrow and well worn winding
trail leading almost 5 miles back to a large fenced compound.

Once backup arrived in two four wheel drive
vehicles the helicopter flew down the track and over the compound
they had seen earlier for a look-see. Flying at 200 feet they were
moving slowly across the area when 10 plus men rush out of the
large and two of the small domes, opening fire at the helo with
pistols and rifles. The helicopter took several hits from the fire,
one deputy was hit twice in the arm as he leaned out to return
fire. The chopper’s copilot was grazed in the her right leg and
side. Numerous instruments were also damaged before the pilot was
able to climb and retreat out of range.

The video recorded by the chopper was also
damaged by several hits to the recording system. What remained
usable showed the compound, located well out in a remote area of
Utah, covered over ten acres and is surrounded with a very high and
possibly electrified fence with only two gates seen. The copilot
also remembered that the compound buildings are encircled by a deep
ditch, a stone wall and another fence. She saw large dogs roaming
about between the fence and ditch. Numerous solar panels and wind
towers were also present.

Attempts to communicate from the phone at the
main gate were rather short as the police received no reply except,
“Disruption of our religious services are not allowed. No one gave
permission to fly over us so leave, you are not needed or wanted.”
Many large No Trespassing signs were all along the fence. One very
large warning sign mounted on the gate warned that the area off the
road was mined. One deputy, recently returned from Iraq, using
binoculars has spotted numerous places with small wires sticking
out of the sand which looked like triggers for old WWII mines.

***

Pic here of sand and mine tines.

***

The next day a surveillance drone was brought
in and it was promptly shot down. Before the drone was destroyed it
sent back good images of at one of the eight small red outer domes
showing slits so they might act as pill boxes. The small domes
looked to be about 15 feet in diameter and encircle the large white
dome which is painted with flames around the base.

Better video or stills are not available as
replacement drones had their video transmitters jammed and were
being shot down by very accurate rifle fire. The apparent ease with
which the small drones were hit indicated there were several expert
marksmen within the compound. The sheriff posts several guards and
remote cameras at both gates. He also informs the State Troopers of
the situation.

The jailed suspects claim the leader of the
cult, Jadish Baker, is a powerful priest of Beelzebub. His monthly
demonstrations provided his followers with more than ample proof of
the powers the SUPREME MASTER granted him. Interrogators said they
could almost hear the two words in capitalized letters. The
captured men said that periodically Beelzebub delivered strange
bodies to the altar in the church to be disposed of by fire and
then buried. They simply appeared with a loud noise and the stench
of sulfur.

‘The Duo’, as they were being called, seemed
unconcerned about their fate and kept asking to be returned to
their masters service. A background check of the Duo revealed both
were escaped serial child molesters with one also being also wanted
in connection of several murders. A background check of Baker’s
past showed no criminal record, not even a speeding ticket or
credit card which was a very unusual and suspicious. The FBI took
over jurisdiction of the case when, two days later, the Sheriff
notified the FBI of the husk bodies.

In view of what happened three days later at
the local lockup, the lead FBI agent soon decided to ask IMS if
there was any way they could assist as any frontal assault would be
very costly unless the use of the military was allowed.

***

The two prisoners in jail were burnt to ashes
in their cell the morning the FBI were scheduled to interview them.
A camera mounted in their cell recorded a tall dark horned and
hooved figure suddenly appearing inside the cell with them. They
quickly kneeled before the figure which began hand and arm
gestures. A streak of fire came from the figure’s hands to engulf
the men.

The camera was in the process of melting when
the figure, which was well over 6 feet tall, disappeared as fast as
it appeared. The horns protruding from the figures head and hooves
had to be a result of the camera melting - right? The cell’s
automatic sprinklers activated but had no effect on the flames
which burned with a strange color and intense heat nor did the fire
extinguishers wielded by deputies. Strangely even the bones were
burned to ash but the flames did not spread away from the bodies
although the camera and other plastic items in the cell melted.

A prisoner two cells away said he heard two
very loud bangs spaced about a minute or so apart and thought
someone got shot. He also heard the two prisoners cry out, “Take us
home Master.” Otherwise they made no further sounds, at least that
he could hear. He also hear some chanting in a high pitched voice
just before he saw the light from the flames. The strong stench of
sulfur permeated the building for hours despite the numerous
exhaust fans brought in by the fire department.

***

The IMS office in Salt Lake City sent the
twin agents, Chilam and Chimalis. They were previously in the State
Police for two years. Being from the area’s Ute tribe they have
excellent knowledge of the environment. CnC, as they are known, are
currently entering their third year as IMS agents so have
experience.

At only 4’10” their height and witty nature
tends to make people underestimate them. Both are also quite
skilled in several martial arts. They find it especially amusing
when, once they introduce themselves, they never correct people for
getting the names wrong. They are also quite strong in their use of
Mana and, although they are reasonably fluent in Chinese, they
prefer to use Ute for most of their spells.

***

CnC were flown out to the command center
which had two tents set up about forty yards from the compound’s
gate and the news people had set up a canopy about 60 feet away off
the other side of the road. They introduced themselves, adding for
everyone to just use CnC rather than trying to decide which was
which. Always expecting some degree of surprise and comments; they
were not disappointed. Although the comments were quietly muttered
by several in the group they were heard by CnC’s sharp hearing.

Especially one comment from a very large FBI
agent in the back; “This is the help expected? I could lift them
both with one hand!” he whispered to his female partner causing the
twins to look, grin and nod at each other. They turned without
speaking and walked side by side through the assembled police and
agents; who seemed to part without realizing it; and straight up to
the giant.

Together they said, “Please, you have our
permission to lift one or both of us. It might be …. interesting.”
The massively muscled 6’5” agent blushed red and his 5’1” female
partner laughed, gently punched him and said, “You did it again
Goliath. You just cannot remember your stage whispers are like
normal people talking and that your deep voice also carries rather
well.”

Fred McBride, the Agent in charge and always
up for a laugh, had not heard the comment but had followed the
twins. He had an idea something funny was about to happen at the
good natured agent’s expense. Flustered, Goliath muttered, “I am so
sorry. Sometimes my mouth gets ahead of my brain.” His partner
punches him again but a bit harder and quips’, “Sometimes?”

CnC both smile and politely say, “We insist,
one or both please.” By now everyone has formed a wide circle
around them so all could see with a few quietly laying bets. Fred
coughs politely, grins and said, “Goliath, you heard the ladies.
Your hand has been called. So, one or both?” In a very deep voice
he answers, “OK, ok, I will try not to break them but with one
only.” Chilam steps forward grinning and says in her best sultry
voice, “Very well; me first big boy.” Goliath is right, one hand
looks almost large enough to encircle her waist. He gently placed
both hands, fingers just touching, around her tiny waist and gently
lifts. Nothing happened.

A look of surprise covered his face as he
added a bit more into the lift. Still nothing. The Sheriff, four
deputies and four agent onlookers are beginning to laugh and cat
call. Goliath steps a bit closer and, with a grunt, muscles
budging, face getting red, neck veins clearly showing the effort
used, strains to lift. Not an inch and, unnoticed, even her
clothing failed to move or wrinkle.

He released her and, with a sweet smile,
Chilam says, “My turn big boy. Please do not let your body bend.
You are a bit long for this.” She reaches up, hands to either side
of his waist and, to the applause of those watching, easily lifts
him off the floor and over her head. Numerous phones flashed as
pictures are quickly taken by those with fast reactions and faster
thinking. As she sets a bright red and humbled Goliath down Fred
says, “OK people, now we all know size definitely does not always
matter! Time to get to work.” With laughter gradually subsiding the
group return to their tasks.

“So, CnC, what else do you think you can do
for us?” asks Fred. “Well, how about we first take a look at the
burial site to see if we can detect other bodies? Then come back
here and look things over to see what else might work?” “Works,”
replies Fred, “the chopper is small so will take you out and come
back for me. But after that will it have to go refuel.”

“No need for us to use your helo, we can get
ourselves there. I suggest you wait here, we will return shortly”
replies Chimalis. “That way we can look along both sides of that
road as we go in case bodies are there also. We will detour around
the compound, hopefully that way the news people and the cult will
not know as yet that IMS is involved. No need to tip our hand so to
speak. Happily there are no news helicopters close by to worry
about being hit as we will be doing our cloaked thing. That way
those news helicopters will not see and attempt to follow us.”

“O, and here are our cell numbers; could we
have yours?” asked Chilam as she hands Fred a card. “Certainly, but
what do you mean by cloaked?” as he hands both his card. “This,”
says a voice from thin air as one had just faded and disappeared
with the other lifting into the air before slowly faded from view.
Multiple, “Cools, Oohs, and Wows” are heard from those watching in
the open tent. Gorilla is seen staring, mouth hanging open watching
as they lifted and faded. His partner reached up to close his
mouth, then kicked his shin hard to bring him back to earth;
accompanied by laughter from those that noted his amazement and the
kick.

Shortly before dusk CnC landed, became
visible and each grabbed two bottles of water from the cooler. They
had located two other burial sites along either side of the road
about one mile short of the previous one and sketched out the
positions. They had found a total of nine on one side and three
bodies in the other, marking them with spray paint. Four more
bodies are at the first site. Fred called in the findings to
headquarters and was told that the Utah Governor refused to
authorize the use of the Utah National Guard unless all other
methods failed. He did not want a Ruby Ridge on his hands.

CnC volunteered to fly over the compound
while it was light enough and see what further information they
could find and record. They each had small video cameras with
straps to mount on their heads for recording tho they were unable
to cloak themselves and still record. That meant that the newies
will probably spot and report that IMS is also on site.

“I cannot let you do that,” states Fred.
“Those people shot at the sheriff’s chopper and, in all likelihood
will shoot you ladies too.” “Ah,” chimed in the twins, we have a
defense for that. See?” Suddenly there are four more sets of twins,
all ten waving at Fred. “We call this spell Mirror Image. Ever play
Dungeon n Dragons? We have only recently mastered this one. Can you
tell which is the real us?”

“Uh, no. But what happens if they get lucky
and you don’t?” inquired Fred. “We would also like to borrow a set
of your Kevlar if you will loan us a set.” replied the other twin.
Sighing, Fred said, “Have you ladies ever thought of wearing a
broach or something so people can tell you apart?” “Sure; we’ve
thought about it. But then; where’s the fun?” both replied
grinning.

Goliath’s partner had the smallest vest and
had a spare vest plus hers and they proved suitable, tho still a
bit large. CnC did not plan on walking in them so having the vests
hang to almost to their legs posed no problem. The twins reset
their glow to dim in order to appear weak in Mana and set all the
extra mirror images in place. Also setting them to continually flow
and shift to various positions and with slight glows also.