Chapter 34: Esprit de corpse

Chapter 34: Esprit de corpse

Thanks for bearing with me, said James, shoving the phone back in his pocket. Lets get to the details. First off, Id like to introduce Serenity. Shes a Supplicant Level 1, and Id not be standing here today without her.

Serenity stepped forward and waved, her smile brazen even as she flushed.

Were both going to be heading up the Crimson Hydra crew. Ive been told the smart guys behind this operation have organized us into teams of nine, three teams per triad named after some kind of monster. Once I quit yapping at you, I want you all to get up and find each other -

Actually, said Cindy, stepping tentatively onto the stage and taking the mike, weve got signs stuck up on the walls for each triad, so simply look for your monster poster, and there youll find the others who have been assigned to your groups.

James took the microphone back, bemused. Well all right. Looks like the DRC is on top of this stuff. Lets meet up with our teams, then Ill come back to the stage and call the highest ranked Crimson team members to come talk about how were going to implement this attack plan of ours. Clear? Oh, and theres gonna be pizza.

Some half-hearted cheers sounded at this last announcement, and James turned off the mike and descended to where Jessica, Cindy, and Richard stood.

Thanks for that, Cindy, said James. Youve done a great job here. I really appreciate it.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

Oh, say nothing of it, Im an old hand when it comes to these kinds of shindigs. She beamed at him. I had to stop myself from setting up a merch room and gaming tables.

James, great to meet you, said Richard, stepping forward to pump Jamess hand. Im the nerds thats gonna weaponize everything for you. Richard Stokes, former coder, current monomaniac when it comes to everything demon apocalypse.

Good to meet you, said James, unable to resist smiling. Thanks as well.

Dont thank me. This is all really basic thus far. Without being able to see what powers and challenges are coming down the road, its hard to do more than educated guessing. Once we have a clearer picture as to the third Benedictions and whatever the Miracles prove to be, Ill be able to give better insight.

Great. Well. James handed the mike to Jessica. Were going to go meet with Crimson Hydra. Serenity?

Right with you, boss man.

They joined the slow flow of foot traffic that was walking along the ballroom walls, reading the signs till they found their own. Basilisk, Mothman, Bigfoot, Cockatrice, Wyvern Hydra.

A crowd had already gathered, and James saw that everyone was wearing a color-coded lanyard with their name and team prominently displayed on the laminated card.

Nothing surprised him anymore.

Hey everybody, said James, and the twenty-five or so individuals all turned to stare at him with frank curiosity. How about we break into our nine-man teams, get to know each other a bit, then gather as a triad? Sound good?

People nodded, and the crowd separated into three smaller groups.

James rubbed his palms on his hips and joined the group wearing crimson tags. He felt awkward, unsure of himself suddenly, knowing he had to continue taking the lead, but already feeling worn out by the constant attention.

Crimson Hydra was diverse.

One guy looked like a wilderness survival expert dressed in a crisp tailored suit, mid-30s, his hair bound back in a rough ponytail, beard growing up his cheeks like James, but clean and ruggedly handsome with a self-contained and commanding air.

He stepped up and extended his hand. Bjrn Larsen, CFO of CovenantWealth, but now simply Mendicant Level 5 with the Bless Benediction. Thanks for your video. Going Aura early made a huge difference.

Good to meet you, Bjrn.

A vibrantly healthy and muscular lady with short blonde hair and a square jaw raised her hand to give the group a small wave. Joanna Masters, professional CrossFit competitor and owner of Masters Dojo in Queens. Mendicant Level 6, and I went Shield of Faith.

It was becoming clear that half the group was confident and out-going, while the rest were hanging back, hesitant, or simply quiet.

Another of the obviously confident types raised her hand, a matte-black rifle slung over her back. Her long black hair was braided, and if she looked less obviously muscular than Joanna, she still looked fit and hardy.

Becca Locklear, I work for Aegis Private Security. We provided security for Indian Point Energy Center, the nuclear facility in Westchester County, till the army took over. I kept my Bushmaster XM-15, however, and together weve put a dent in the Nemeses ranks. Her smile was mirthless. Mendicant Level 9, Smite specialty.

James managed nod, but his mind was reeling. A CFO, a private security specialist, and a professional CrossFit/martial arts studio owner? How the hell was he supposed to lead these people?

Still, if life on the streets had taught him one thing, it was how to keep a stoic expression.

The final one of the obviously confident types looked pure army, from his buzz cut to this thick neck, direct stare, and fatigues. He wore a pistol on each hip, and had another impressive looking rifle held in the same muzzle-down position James had seen other soldiers use. He couldnt have been more than twenty-five, but his gaze was clear and his shirt strained at the shoulders. Jason Webster, medically discharged from the army after two years of being screwed around by the review board. Mendicant Level 6, focus on Bless.

James could almost hear the sir that Jason swallowed at the last second.

Becca Locklear eyed Jason up and down. You look fit to me, soldier. What they discharge you for?

Jasons expression didnt change, but something about his eyes tightened. Four months into my deployment to Camp Shorabak in Afghanistan I touched a wrench to a positive connection on a chopper that was supposed to be good to go. The electric shock blew me across the hangar. When I woke up they told me I was having upwards of 20,000 extra heartbeats a day. I was sent to cardiologists here in the US for a couple of years, but finally the board gave up. They promoted me to E-5 and discharged me.

Youre doing great, said Serenity, taking his arm as they moved toward the stage. Seriously.

I feel like an idiot. He kept his voice to a low rasp. What the fuck am I doing, trying to lead these people into a fight? Im good at finding places the wind cant get to when you need to sleep, not fighting demons.

Au contraire, said Serenity. Youre literally certified as a bad ass. We both are. You see that many other Supplicants around here? Whats that? You dont? And oh, you want to ask the Blair Witch to lead out group? No? Then suck it up and quit whining.

James chuckled. That what Im doing?

Yeah. They stopped before the stage. Look, the way I see it? You dont need to be Napoleon here. Its more like youre hosting a bowling party. Youre responsible for getting to people to show up and move to their own lanes, and then you just focus on scoring your own strikes, and theyll do the same thing.

Im not sure I agree with you on that one. He stared out over the crowd which was massing before the two hundred pizza boxes that a crew of dazed looking delivery guys were carting in. But given thats about as much as I can do, Ill take it.

Atta boy. She punched him lightly on the arm. I mean, what it comes down to is, are you a glass half-full or demons are going to eat all out faces kinda guy?

James frowned.

Dont answer that close to a microphone, Serenity said.

Jessica emerged from the crowd, her hair artfully disheveled, her office-wear somehow looking sharp and crisp despite her having worked through the night. How did it go?

As well as it could have, said James. I feel like they expected more from me, but Im all out of rabbits to pull out of my hat.

Fortunately theres pizza, said Jessica. Its amazing how people of every walk of life respond to free melted cheese and pepperoni. Were just shy of midday. I suggest you meet with Richard, wholl review his proposed plan of attack with you, and then share that intel with the team leaders before heading out. And dont forget, Serenity, I have a small surprise for you.

Oh, Ive not forgotten. Serenity did a tiny clap that consisted of just tapping her fingertips together. Im so excited. Ive never owned a tank before.

Its not a tank.

A minigun, then.

Its not a minigun.

Serenitys face fell. One of those Rambo machine guns?

Jessica glared at her. Maybe Ill find someone else to give it to, then.

Serenity sighed dramatically. No, its fine. Ill take whatever youve found. Thanks.

Anyway. Jessica turned back to James. Ready for Richard?

Sure. But, ah, how much should we rely on this guy for battle plans? James rubbed the back of his head. Hes a freelance coder, right? Not an actual military tactician.

To put it succinctly, said Jessica, hes the best tactician weve got. You should talk to him.

Right, yeah, sounds good. James turned again to survey the milling crowd. No matter whom he looked at they were all scarfing down their slices eagerly. Im just yeah. A little overwhelmed by the reality of all this.

Thats a logical emotional response. A week ago you were homeless, and now you are the leader of the DRC and Crimson Hydra. If that didnt give you emotional whiplash, Id deem you a sociopath. But stick with it. You gave a very good speech, have good people supporting you, and everybody here has proven themselves capable of defending themselves and killing demons hundreds of times over. If its of any comfort, you are a figure head as much as you are an active leader; your presence is what makes this department viable, and the sight of you is what keeps all these strangers in this room.

That and the pizza, said Serenity.

Yes. But James. Jessica reached out and touched his wrist. You are doing a fantastic job. Im being sincere. And I genuinely believe that the thousand people in this room can clear a demon symbol, after which their confidence and esprit de corpse will only improve.

Esprit de corpse? asked Serenity. Like, spirit of a dead body?

De corpse, said Jessica, frowning at her. No. Like the guiding spirit of a cohesive military unit.

Oh god, finally, said Serenity, grinning. Youre absolutely right. Love it. Keep using that.

Jessica frowned at her again, then dismissed her. Everything is going according to plan. In forty-five minutes well be heading out, and events will take their course.

We believe in you, tiger, said Serenity, and hip-checked him.

James stood up straighter. Got it. All right. Im done doubting. Wheres Richard?

Jessica smiled. Waiting for you. Lets go talk battle plans.