Chapter 11: No time for this BS

Chapter 11: No time for this BS

They didnt get to see the mayor.

Instead, Williams dropped them off outside the NYCEM Headquarters after getting waved through the security checkpoint. The place was a madhouse, with all kinds of army vehicles, news trucks, and emergency tents set up on the neighboring park space around a fountain. The building itself was a great cube some six stories tall, a fusion of gray paneling, blue reflective windows, and creamy vertical stone accents that made it look like something out of Minority Report.

A young woman in crisp business attire and rimless glasses was waiting for them, scrolling through her tablet while talking on her Bluetooth earpiece. She was everything James was not, the epitome of the world hed left behind seven years ago: elegant, clean, perfect skin, perfect poise, young, healthy.

Williams pulled up right before her, double parking with panache. The place was awash in officials, many in military uniforms, people striding in and out of the building, standing in knots smoking or drinking coffees, everybody on their phones, with security everywhere.

The blonde lady tapped her earpiece and looked up as James opened the truck door. Mr. Lumberhomelessjack?

Fuck, he growled. This is going to haunt me forever.

Jessica Miles, Assistant to the First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Emergency Management Department. If youll follow me? Ill brief you as we walk.

Good luck, guys! Williams raised a fist. Im subscribed to your TikTok channel, Ms. Serenity - keep us posted!

Will do, hon. Serenity looked more hesitant as she stepped down, her earlier bravado with Metcalf melting away before the sheer intensity of political and government power on display.

James propped his skillet on his shoulder, feeling like an ass but strangely attached to it. Strode alongside Jessica, one hand shoved in his pimp coat pocket, doing his level best to ignore the stares he attracted.

He kind of stood out.

Your TikTok video last night showcases the first documented example of a Level 3 Lead Aura, Jessica said as she strode through the crowd gathered before the building. Far too little energy has been allocated to examining the personal statistics and the consequences of spending points on any given variation, but your video shocked management out of their tunnel vision. Were liaising with teams across the country and the federal government to analyze the best possible builds, and your spearheading this initiative by going all out on Arete is of immense interest to us.

Sure, said James as they entered through the great glass doors into the echoing lobby. He placed his iron skillet on the conveyor belt then followed Jessica through the metal detector. The guards eyed him dubiously, but apparently skillets werent forbidden. Serenitys Glock 17, however, was held for her until they left.

Jessica led them to a bank of elevators, taking a call on her earpiece and ignoring them till they entered the first elevator, then rose to the second floor. She led them down a busy hallway. The air was alive with voices, people speaking into phones, people arguing with each other, the gravelly tones of military officers, the efficient, clipped language of harassed government officials, the sounds of an entire building alive with purpose and filled the brim with people trying to figure out how to survive.

Our department contains workstations for some 130 city, state, federal, and non-profit agencies, Jessica said, leading them through the bustling activity. The mayor has expressed a desire to speak with you, but frankly hes swamped. If youll wait here? She gestured at a row of white chairs set against what seemed to be a random wall. Ill come let you know when he has a free moment.

Serenity sat without a word. James felt a profound weariness descend upon him. What was the armys famous phrase? Hurry up and wait?

Sure, he said, and sat.The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.

Jessica smiled. Ill have someone come bring you water. If youll excuse me.

Maybe this wasnt the best idea, Serenity said in a quiet voice.

James watched a woman in a starched military uniform whose breast was covered in a wealth of ribbons and medals stride by with six hangers-on, one of whom was earnestly briefing her on something.

secured munitions as requested, but logistics is hampered by the loss of power in

No kidding. James shifted uneasily. How much you want to bet the mayors forgotten I exist?

Look at all these people. From where they sat they could watch the flow of traffic through an intersection up ahead, as well as the meetings taking place inside glass walled meeting spaces outfitted with all kinds of fancy tech. Most of the meetings featured folks on monitors, while huge displays showed all kinds of data that changed faster than James could track, from heat maps of the city to bar charts to spreadsheets.

Wish we had your phone. James shifted again. Were going to need to remedy that.

Maybe we can ask the mayor for one. And some cash. Tell him we dont work miracles without some drinking money.

Yeah. James studied the faces as they went by. They were uniformly tense, but not all-out panicked. There was still a sense of control. Thatll go over well.

An hour passed. Nobody brought them water. James was about to get up and just leave when Jessica appeared again, looking more harried, listening intently to her earpiece and gesturing for them to follow without losing focus to the conversation she was part of.

They were led up a floor, down another hall, and then through a reception area into a large corner office with the name Deputy Commissioner Eli Mack on the door plaque.

The room inside was dominated by a huge table, a bank of monitors on the left wall, filing cabinets, a scattering of chairs that were already mostly taken, and a view over the highway and the downtown Brooklyn skyline.

The man behind the desk was old, white-haired, lean, with the look of ex-military to him. He was listening to a heavy-set younger man explain something but raised a hand cutting him off as Jessica entered.

Deputy Commissioner Mack, this is James Kelly and Serenity, the individuals from the viral TikTok video we discussed earlier.

The deputy commissioner rose to his feet. Good to have you with us. The mayor wont be joining us - hes tied up with the heads of CERT but gave us the go-ahead to talk. Im the Deputy Commission of Response, and this is Mr. Inverness with the CIA, Assistant Director Lin from FEMA, Captain Vischenka from the NYPD, Major Hackworth from the US Army, and Bishop Nolan.

Im not going to waste my time with scientists from Columbia. The Third Wave is going to hit this evening. Given what happened to the Second Wave, and how everybodys going to be scared to not acknowledge, you can bet that the streets are going to be overrun with Nemeses. So Im going to go out there and help as best I can.

People blinked at him. Directors, captains, deputies, assistants, all of them.

Mr. Kelly, said the CIA dude. The knowledge we could gain from your own developments could be instrumental in -

No. James said it again. Theres nothing more to be learned. High Arete leads to ever more powerful auras, which fry gremlins.

Demons, whispered Serenity.

Thats all you need to know. Right now, with my aura at level 3, it kills them about a foot away from me. There. Done. You want that ability? Tell your people to dump their points in Arete. Simple. Now if youll excuse me.

People started all talking at once, but James picked up his skillet, took Serenity by the hand, and marched out the door, through the reception room, and out into the hallway.

Jesus, will you look at you, Serenity said breathlessly. When did you become so assertive?

With great auras come great responsibilities, he muttered. How the hell do we get out of here?

This way.

They strode down the crowded corridor. Voices were raised behind them. James hunched his shoulders. He should have never come here. It was a trap. They were going to force him to comply. Drag him to some lab where theyd throw gremlins at him till it was too late for him to make a difference.

Mr. Kelly! The voice was authoritative, stern, but also with a hint of an entreaty to it.

It was that note that caused him to stop and turn around.

Major Hackworth pushed through the crowd to catch up. At ease. Ive a favor to ask, nothing more.

James raised his chin.

If youre going to patrol the streets, allow me to assign an infantry fire team to accompany you. Call it superstition, but Ive a feeling youre on the forefront of something very interesting, and I want my people there to watch and learn.

A fire team. Whats that?

Four soldiers. Two riflemen, one of whom is the team leader, a grenadier, and an automatic rifleman. Ill make sure theyre good people, and make it clear to the officer that theyre to observe and assist. I understand your wanting to be on the front lines, but as far as we know, youre a unique case and an asset. Let the US Army help.

James looked sidelong at Serenity.

Sure, she said. On one condition. We need cell phones and some cash. Were broke.

Major Hackworth raised a perfect brow. The army doesnt hand out cash.

Fine. Cell phones, and I need more ammo. Im all out. Another Glock wouldnt go amiss.

We use Sig Sauer M17s, not Glocks.

Fine. Two of those, a thousand rounds, and well baby sit your fire team.

Hackworth nodded. I can make that happen. Can you wait long enough for me to provide transport? We can get you equipped and connected to the fire team in one go.

Youre going to give me the guns? Serenity sounded startled. For real?

For real. Hackworths smile was grim. Its completely against policy, but I dont think half the people in this building realize how FUBARed we are. So, Ill bend some rules, get you those phones, guns, and ammo, and then you can show my people what you can do.

Deal, said James, sticking out his hand.

Hackworth shook it. Give me ten minutes. I need to make some calls.

When hed left, Serenity grinned at James. Oh man! I think Im going to love being important. Oh shit. We should have asked for a tank.

James chuckled, still uneasy, and shook his head. A fireteam. Hope this is a good move on our part.

One way to find out, said Serenity, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms. One way to find out.