Mana in the Modern World non illustrated version (24 page)

Then they became airborne; going in off to
the side of the road to keep the setting sun mostly at their backs;
at a couple hundred feet and head into the compound. As they
approached the smaller domes several men armed with pistols came
out waving and yelling for them to leave or be shot. CnC took
pictures of them as they passed over the men. The men opened fire
but CnC simply went higher and continued on.

Shortly a golf cart came driving up with a
glowing Warlock driving. The Mage with a fairly strong aura got out
and started making gestures and chanting in Chinese. Knowing
Chinese they knew what type of spell he was about to be send their
way so they quickly put up their magic shields at maximum strength.
A streak of red shot from his hands toward the twins. Just before
it reached them it burst into a 20 plus foot fireball, engulfing
them. Some of the fireball got thru which destroyed their
concentration enough so the mirror images disappeared. Both twins
were somewhat burned but each were still able to fight back. Each
fired off one of Carol’s ‘Streak of Fire’ at the man, hitting him
in both arms and knocking him to the ground. Quickly deciding
discretion was called for, they vanished and flew back as fast as
possible while climbing much higher to about 1,500 feet.

They caused a great deal of excitement upon
arrival with their eye brows singed, tip of nose burned, clothing
and hair smoking. “Good Lord! What happened?” Fred exclaimed. “They
have at least one strong Warlock but after he fireballed us we were
able to hit him in both arms. He should be out of action for some
time especially if an artery was hit. Unless they have a Healer of
course. We need more water and rest,” answered CnC.

Each grabbing a water, gulped several
swallows, poured some over their heads and continued, “First we
have to get to Salt Lake and debrief. This is much more dangerous
than previously thought. Think we have to call in some big wigs to
help. O; here are the cameras, a bit melted but maybe the cards
survived. Really need to find out who that Warlock is and if there
are others even stronger.”

“Didn’t know you two carried. I’ll have the
chopper warmed up,” said Fred turning to go. “O we don’t carry and
thanks for the offer but we do not need transportation. But
everyone will need to step back at least five feet and cover their
ears. We’re about to make a joyful noise!” said Chilam. Waiting a
minute to see everyone close by followed their request; CnC held
hands and said a short phrase and disappeared with a loud bang.

***

Jack, Anna and Carol, along with two probie
recruits fresh out of mage class are being called to the Utah site
to assist the FBI with the cult of Satanic worshipers. The Twins
will also be assigned after another couple of days recuperating.
Rumor had it they were seriously pissed at having to wait but
orders are orders. In light of them being shot at it has been
decided that all IMS agents will also be fitted with Kevlar.

Jack and Anna are packing clothes and
equipment to head to Utah when Carol notices Jack is also packing
small sized Tampons and Maxi winged pads into his ‘space’. “Jack,
what in the world are you doing?” questions Carol. “Toss me that
duck tape. Packing fighting essentials. Why? I thought you read
Ghost,” responds Jack. “Well yes. But, wait, you mean they really
use them? I mean, I thought that was just the author’s weird
fiction.”

“Nope, remember when we hit the pool and you
saw my stomach and other scars?” Eyes wide, she nods. “Well it was
Tampons that saved my life in Pakistan that day. Took two of’um,
three Maxi pads and several feet of duck tape. Lord did it hurt
like the dickens when the tape was pulled off! Just lucky he did
not have time to slice across much with the knife,” he replied with
a grim grin and wink.

“Can I tag along? Maybe I can help,” exclaims
Carol. “Maybe,” says two voices as Anna brings her bag into the
living room. Anna adds, “I found the other roll of duck tape you
wanted and two more of your small tubes of Dermabond,” holding them
aloft. Jack, glancing at Carol, then says, “You’re finished with
your classes for the summer and, IF, if, you promise to only
observe you can come also.” Carol lets out a yell, runs to the
closet and grabs her already packed bag saying, “Ready here! Hey
Anna, can you carry my bag in your ‘space’? Sure be glad when I can
do one too.” Grinning, Anna says, “Sure Carol. Jack, someone has
been eavesdropping.”

Driving to Love Field to catch a plane to
Salt Lake City they went over CnC’s debrief notes. “The Twins were
certainly lucky. Wonder how many mages are in the compound and if
the wounded one was the boss man. If he isn’t then there must be at
least one stronger. I wonder if he was the one at the jail cell.
Hiy-u said the spell used in the cell was much more than a simple
fireball. It took the bodies and bones down to ashes,” states
Anna.

“I think you hit the nail head Anna. Maybe we
can sneak in cloaked and do a bit of recon before we have to blow
the mines and any traps. A frontal attack is gonna be dicey at
best.” Carol chimes in with, “Maybe you can use my Streak to blow
the mines?” “Might work,” says Jack, “yes, good idea. Knew there
was a reason we decided to bring you along. On the plane to Utah we
can see if we can put together a general plan for getting
information from inside the compound.” Carol was not happy with
Jack and Anna’s final plan as outlined on the flight.

The FBI and Guard had coughed up a couple
more helicopters including one large enough to carry all five IMS
agents to the site. On arriving everyone waited until the blades
stopped and the sand settled before heading for the main tent. Jack
noticed there were several generators now to provide extra power.
“Hi Jack; Anna; Carol, chopper better than Susie Q?” quips Fred as
he comes up. “I’ll take her over a helo any day Fred. You out here
getting a tan?” Anna replies to the somewhat sunburned agent. “Ooh,
good one Anna,” Carol laughs.

Introductions made and once settled in Fred
pulls Jack and Anna to the side before the scheduled briefing. He
explained the comment CnC made about not having weapons and yet
they say they shot the Mage in both arms. It’s been driving him
crazy. Jack and Anna laughed and then Anna quietly said, “Guns
Fred, guns. They do not have guns. Weapons they have for sure.”
Then, glancing around to make sure no one was in ear shot or
watching, she whispers, I will show you but this must stay on the
QT. OK?” Fred nods and does the zipped lips thing.

She reached into one of the many and various
sized pouches on her vest. She then shows him a BB saying, “See
that table leg? Take your magic marker and put a small circle on it
then come back and watch it carefully.” The BB disappears from her
open hand and a bright streak impacts the circle’s center with a
low smack. Fred goes over and sees the slightly melted BB is
imbedded in the center. Touching it he learns it is also still
quite warm with slight wood charring around the BB. “We also carry
larger pellets which do a lot more damage and go further before
burning up. Plus they unerringly hit exactly what n where we want
to hit as long as it can be seen clearly. Kinda neat, hum?”

“Carol, our ward, came up with the spell. She
had been shooting them up in the sky as fireworks when we realized
the potential. They move so fast they burn up leaving a streak like
meteors only as outbound meteors. Distance before it burns up
depends on the material, BB’s do not get very far. With all the
open space out here Carol wants to try some different materials for
distance and color. Bless her heart; she really, really, wants to
do colors. This ceramic marble,” holding up a quarter inch black
marble, “she thinks will be good for at least a mile. Jack here
thinks further.” “I brought a high powered spotter scope to pick
targets. So once this is over we are gonna try it out and see,”
states Jack.

Fred says, “Damn! I sure hope those cult nuts
can’t do that!” Anna looks at Jack and Jack says, “O Shit, I
certainly hope so too!”

***

Calling everyone in for a mass briefing Agent
McBride said, “We have some good news and some bad news about the
compound and some occupants. The property was bought eight years
ago and construction began a year later. We have general plans of
the large dome building within the compound but believe the
interior may not match the plans. Especially as the video shows the
large one has a three foot opening centered at the top with
something like a smoke stack with a hood sticking out which is not
in the plans.” “However the smaller 15 foot ones we have zero
information at all as to their interior layout. Mainly the domes
were supposedly built with only two doors and no windows. All the
domes are made with reinforced concrete. Anything else was done by
temporary workers brought in from Mexico and no, none of them have
been found to question. The torched prisoners claim the big one is
open except for a large altar where the bodies are burned before
burial.”

“We have identified three of the men from the
footage shot by the helicopter and drones. Two are wanted serial
rapists and murderers out of Florida. The third is an British
x-Army sniper wanted by Interpol in connection with five
assassinations in Europe and is also suspected of being a child
molester. The pictures CnC got at the risk of their lives were too
damaged by the fireball to make out enough details for further
identifications but media techs are still working it. We especially
need to identify the Warlock that tried to cook CnC and if stronger
ones are inside.”

“Joining us later will be several more IMS
agents who will hopefully handle the Mage aspects. As you are all,
especially some, are now aware Magic, or Mana, can be used to help
or harm. We are also expecting three healers one of which is Nora
that you may have heard rumors about.” Pointing to Jack and Anna he
continues, “IMS Agents Jack and Anna have lead on the IMS side and
I strongly advise,” looking hard at Goliath, “everyone take this
Magic thing dead serious. Jack; Anna, either of you have anything
to add?”

“Yes,” says Jack. “The US government, along
with several other governments, are still trying to get a handle on
this Mana thing. Congress has come up with what they call the
National Arcane Energy Committee, called NAEC. It is was formed of
eight members of congress plus the Vice President to come up with
laws and regulations to regulate use of the energy called Mana.
Trying to come up with laws and regulations is very difficult; to
say the least; to accomplish. A lot of heated discussion and more
than a couple of minor scuffles.”

“So we will give you a piece of advice should
you meet a hostile Mage for who we use the term Warlock. Normally
but not all of those you encounter will be doing meticulous hand n
arm movements, as Anna is demonstrating, at you as they speak or
chant. If in English the words can sometimes give you an idea what
is about to happen. Should this happen he or she may be about to
send a spell of some sort your way. If not close enough to somehow
physically disrupt him or her then immediately duck for cover.”

“In almost all cases we do not recommend
shooting, except as the last option, as the person may be just a
brainless jokester with zero magical ability. There have been
several incidents of jokesters being beaten or, in two cases were
shot, one killed. Should a real Mage be detained then cuffing the
hands being the back is usually, yes usually, sufficient to prevent
spell casting. However, should the suspected Warlock continue
chanting then duck tape his or her mouth. For what we will be
encountering here I suggest keeping the shooting option in mind. We
know for sure there are very dangerous and powerful Warlocks in the
compound.”

“As to what we will be doing; first Anna and
I are going to try once more attempt to establish talks with those
in the compound in hopes of preventing more drastic action being
required. However we will walk in rather that fly as that would
indicate we are IMS agents and also will switch our IMS IDs for
ones identifying us as assistant federal DAs. This should help to
indicate our expectation to reach a peaceful solution and at the
least establish us as being gullible. But we really expect to be
taken as hostages which will enable us to get information about
what we will be facing inside.”

“Wait a minute Jack, I cannot allow that,”
Fred emphatically states, along with several no’s from those in the
briefing.

“Now, now folks, no need to be concerned as
we have a fast way back here. Most of you recall you saw CnC
disappear when they vanished which we call teleporting, Yes?” Anna
calmly said waving her hands. “I imagine all are curious about why
we put that long five foot wide rug down and placed the rope
barriers around it?” Lots of heads nodding. “Well that is what we
call our teleport rug. We have spelled it so we can teleport to it
from the compound. Just be sure no one goes inside the ropes as bad
things could happen if we pop in and someone is there. No idea what
but I, we, certainly prefer not to find out.”

“Well, you guys are the experts so you must
know what you are doing,” says Fred.

Carol, standing to the side with a frown,
says in a not so quiet stage whisper, “Whatever gave you that idea
Agent McBride?”

After leaving their IMS identification with
Fred and with the Federal ADA IDs in their pockets Jack used the
gate phone intercom to tell those inside they are walking in to
talk. After several minutes the reply comes back, “Leave your guns
and walk in. Do not drive. Long guns will be trained on you all the
way.” Jack takes the lead using his cane and faking a severe limp.
They double check that their Auras are shut off.

As they get closer to the domes they see
slits in several of the small domes have several rifle barrels
protruding, tracking them. Having discussed the probability that
parabolic microphones will be tracking and listening to them Jack
says, “They seem a bit nervous to you Anna?” “Well, I don’t know
about them but I am starting to rethink the decision to do this.”
“We will be fine Anna. I’m sure this is all a big misunderstanding.
Could use a lemonade tho.”