Mana in the Modern World non illustrated version (30 page)

Wolf, with his machine gun covering the tank,
pulls up beside it. Two guardsmen dismount and climb on and cover
the hatches. After a bit one moves up, opens the top hatch and does
a quick peek inside. Laying down his rifle he pulls a pistol and
starts climbing into the tank.

Carol calls out, “I’m coming down so please
don’t shoot.” Startled, the other guardsman outside starts to bring
his weapon up but stops saying, “Damn it woman; don’t do that!”
Still cloaked Carol looks down the hatch opening and asks, “I
didn’t kill anyone did I?” Laughter is heard from inside, “No, but
they are still quivering! Jake, let’s get these guys outta here,
taped up and let’s get back in the game! O boy; I think the
Captain’s gonna be happy as a pig in a hog wallow!”

***

Very accurate shots are impacting the
sandbags narrowly missing anyone that tries to peek over enough to
return fire. Connors asks the IMS agents, “Our only sniper has been
taken out. Is there anything you can do to take out their snipers
from here? They’re really good and can hit anyone that rises up
long enough to fire.” “How many are there and do you have an idea
of their location?” asks Wayne. “Four,” answers Connors drawing in
the sand, “here, here and two close together here.”

Nodding to the other agent Wayne says, “Cloak
and see if you can take out the two close together and I will see
if I can get the other two. Use the number three sized pellets to
make sure and be sure you drop down behind the berm and move
immediately at least 10 feet as soon as you send. Our Streak spells
will tell the snipers and any Warlock generally where you are.
Captain, I need some men to pop up and down at different places to
draw fire so we can see the snipers.”

Wayne looks over at the other agent, “Ready?
OK let’s do it,” as they fade from view. A couple minutes later
guardsmen started doing the ‘Hit the Gopher’ and are definitely
drawing fire. Two streaks of fire went down range and two faint
screams are heard. Loud cheers from the guardsmen. When the agents
next rise to fire two fireballs are launched at them but the enemy
Warlocks had the distance wrong so the smallish fireball blossomed
about ten feet in front of the agents. However they still got off
their streak spells hitting their sniper targets.

“Whoa, that was close,” says the other agent.
“Hey Wayne, I think we have better range than those. Wanna give it
a try? I can borrow the range finder binoculars to give us the
distance.” Looking over at the Captain Wayne says, “Will that work
for you?” “They look like they are hopped up enough to charge so I
think it best if you can wait a bit to hit their mages until those
charging get closer. Then blast their mages behind then. That way
maybe they will not know their mages have been taken out. Works?”
With big grins both agents readily agree.

Carol slowly becomes visible and says, “That
sounds like a good plan. We took out the tank and Wolf is taking a
long way around to come up behind those idiots. He is almost out of
.30 caliber ammo tho. I don’t want to kill anyone but can I join
in? I think Bob would like to play too! Maybe some big snakes too.”
“Bob? who is Bob?” asks Captain Connors. Wayne says with a sigh, “A
rather large tarantula. Any of your guys have a spider phobia?”
“He’s grown a bit more now Wayne. Just wait till you see!” says an
excited Carol.

“He will get shot to pieces Carol,” said the
Captain. “No he won’t Captain, he’s an illusion but solid enough
now to actually touch stuff. Just warn the guys that Bob will be
coming in from the east and herding the enemy into bunching up.”
“Good idea; I guess.” Turning he has his runners spread the word to
hold fire until they see fireballs hitting the enemy in the rear
and about Carols large spider.

He then continues, “With the tank taken out I
think I will call and have Alf join Wolf and come in from behind
too. Ares and Izzy are almost here so they can hit them from the
northwest close to our berm.” Pointing he continues, “Looks like
they are hopped up enough on drugs so are heading our way.”

“Holy Crap!” Pointing to the east Connors
says to Wayne, “That is what you call a large spider? It must be at
least six feet tall and a lot more wide!” Looking over to the
southeast they see a spider coming around a wrecked car and heading
toward the attackers who, as yet, do not seem to notice it.

The IMS agents fire their fireballs at the
enemy Warlocks. Two flaming figures are seen running trying to put
out the flames and then fall, still burning. The guardsmen now open
up with aimed fire. Most of the attackers are using the pray and
spray firing method seen in so many movies.

Enough bullets are striking the berm that the
guard are taking hits, mainly to their arms, but several are killed
with head wounds. Inside the medical tent everything must be done
at almost ground level due to the numerous bullets coming in over
the five foot berm. So far only two of the injuries, both smashed
arm bones from the bullet, required the Healers attention. Those
guardsman said it felt wonderful as the bone and wound healed.

The attackers on the east side have now
noticed Bob and are firing at him while bunching closer to the
others. Bob is seen to flinch when being hit by the bullets but
keeps slowly advancing. One of the reporters whines, “Damn it!
Their shooting up my rental!” One attacker raises his RPG and
points it at Bob. Carol says, “Don’t you dare shoot that thing at
Bob!” She punches with her fist while yelling,
“
Quántóu
!”

A large fist becomes visible and strikes the
man causing him to fire the RPG high, missing Bob. He starts to
load another missile when he is hit by a Streak spell and crumbles,
dropping the rocket. Carol looks over at Wayne, “Thanks Wayne. I
really don’t want to kill anyone.” “Understood and you’re welcome.
Nice fist; new spell? Mind teaching it to the rest of us?” “I sent
it to Kerrie just before we came out here. She will be distributing
it and my web one in a bulletin soon.”

The APCs have been coordinating their timing
and now Ares and Izzy do a walking charge from the NW and Wolf and
Alf from the SE with guns blazing into the attackers. The
dismounted the troops who had trotted behind the APCs have fanned
out staying low and also open fire. All the attackers not badly
shot drop their weapons and raise their arms. Suddenly several of
those with arms raised run toward the berm screaming, “Gather!”

As they get closer suicide vests can be seen
and each is holding something in his hand. Nearby attackers quickly
run to gather round them, acting as shields. Captain Connors yells,
“Suiciders! Take ‘um out!” As the guardsmen renew firing the five
suiciders manage to close and detonate their vests about 15 feet
from the berm, blowing body parts out twenty five feet in all
directions including some atop the tents. None but the hostiles
were injured by the blasts.

***

Anna is in constant touch with Corporal
Turner in Xena and Staff Sgt Benton in Gabby via her Bluetooth as
they head down the road. Both their drivers felt that they will
have no problem maneuvering in the fairly solid sand so, once the
tanks are spotted, the APCs will split left n right. Anna asked,
“Would a relatively small lightning bolt do something to the
tanks?”

Benton replied, “O my, yes. It should knock
out the generators and possibly the battery if you can hit the
engine area in the back. Not sure if the turret is turned manually,
electrically or maybe both. Still, that would stop it in its tracks
so to speak. But; depending on how powerful your bolt is, it could
set off some of their ammunition if the electric charge spreads to
the interior. We haven’t been sure that the 50’s would penetrate
the main armor so were planning on hitting the treads and engine
area. Been somewhat concerned about their cannon hitting us when we
go after their ‘troops’. Doubt they will be much concerned about
blue on blue casualties. So, yeah, if you can do that and we can
handle the rest.”

“Deal; consider it done,” says Anna.

She is flying cloaked about 50 feet above and
100 feet in front of the APC’s when she spots the tanks. Then sees
several trucks with loaded trailers behind them. There is a Warlock
with a fairly strong aura flying above the second tank. “Anna to
Turner and Benton. Tanks in sight about 250 yards with a Warlock
flying cover for them. I will first handle the Warlock then the
tanks but I suggest it may be about time for some erratic
movement.” “Sounds good Anna, g’luck, Gabby out.”

Just as the APC’s accelerate splitting left
and right across the sand the lead tank stops and fires, missing
Xena by about fifteen feet. Anna closely observes the enemy Warlock
while closing the distance. The Warlock turns toward Gabby and
starts a spell rather loudly. Anna quickly calls Gabby and says,
“Gabby hard right, hard right! The Warlock is firing a fireball at
you! I’m about in position to take her out.” A respectable strong
fireball blooms just to Gabby’s left side as he abruptly turns but
only results in scorching his paint.

“I really hate to do this but enough is
enough bitch!” With that statement Anna fires a number four Streak
at the Warlock piercing her chest through and through, dropping her
like a rock in front of the lead tank. “O gross,” says Anna as the
tank runs over the Warlock. The streak’s glowing path gave away her
position to the armed men and women in the trailers who open fire
at her general area. She is hit twice in her Kevlar vest and once
in the thigh.

She calls the APCs, “I took out their only
Warlock and am heading for the tanks. The trucks and trailers are
all yours. Once I take out the tanks I will be setting on the
second tank bandaging my leg. Those trailers are bristling with gun
happy nuts.” “Anna; Benton here, how bad are you hit? We have a
medic aboard.” “The vest stopped two and I have a through and
through on my thigh. Not bleeding bad so nothing major was hit. I
will put in one of Jacks smallest Tampons so the bleeding will be
handled. He did not say how much it will hurt to it slide in and I
am certainly not looking forward to finding out either. Anyway, I
also have my pistols in case anyone in the tanks decides to come
out n play.” “Was gonna say a Huh but we all read Ghost too,’ says
Turner.

A couple minutes later she says, “Ok guys; I
just hit both tanks but with a larger bolt than I planned, guess I
was still a bit pissed! Heard quite a quite a few muffled pops
inside but all is quiet now and I am not going to open the lid
thing. Let me know if you need help with the trailers.” Over the
gunfire she hears cheers through her ear bug and Benton says, “Take
a break Anna. You deserve it and we can handle these yahoos! We
will try to let you know if someone heads your way. Benton
out.”

About five minutes later Benton calls and
says, “Anna, one of the trucks got by us, dropped its trailer and
is heading up the road toward you moving fast. Looks like three or
four in the bed plus the driver and one passenger up front. Right
now we can’t target it. Need one of us to come give you a hand?”
“Thanks Sgt but I see them and have enough range so a fireball will
do the job.”

The truck is slowing as it approaches her
tank and then turns as if trying to get behind the APCs. Then she
notices tone of the people in the truck bed is aiming an RPG at
Xena. “Xena, hard right; hard right; RPG being aimed your way!” She
fires her fireball which engulfs the small truck causing it to
explode. “Never mind Xena, I got it.” Cheers and “Hot Damn! Thanks
Ranger!” comes over her Bluetooth.

Taking out the rest of the cultist was a
fairly simple matter and three attempted to explode suicide vests
but got no closer than 15 feet or so. None or the cultist survived
the fight.

***

CnC soon arrive and Jack gathers the squad
leaders round the side of Chatty to explain his general idea and
get inputs to firm up a plan. “Fred, did anyone bring along one of
those peek under door TV things?” Fred answers, “I don’t know Jack
but will go check.” As Fred goes to check CnC asks, “How about just
stick your head through the door and look? We have a spell for an
illusion that allows us to do it but it takes a lot of power. You
know how we can merge out spells to increase the power?”

Jack nods. “Well we can combine to build an
illusion and actually see what it sees. Cannot make it talk yet but
are still working on that. We can send it thru some materials if
not too thick or metal. From your previous description we think it
will work here. “Interesting ladies but in this case it might be
best if they do not know we peeked.”

About then Fred comes back with a negative
about the optics. Brought up to date about the spell he says, “Well
we wanted their attention on this door so that might be an
excellent ‘demonstration’. “He’s right Jack,” says O’Neill.

“OK ladies. You can give it a try but better
expect them to spell something at you,” said Jack. “They already
know you are a mage Jack so we will use your face looking through
the door. If they throw a spell at it then we will make it look
like it is in pain as it fades and retreats.”

O’Neill says, “The look of pain thing would
probably lead excellent credence to us on delaying breaking in.
Anyway you can also record what you see?” “Good idea Major but no;
not for now anyway. Plus we have to actually be touching the
material.”

As CnC put their hands on the door edge to
begin Chimalis starts looking ill and Chilam quietly says, “Quick;
Jack, Fred, Major put your ears to the door and listen. We have
very good hearing and it sounds like an eerie scream.” They comply
and a chill goes down their spines as the scream suddenly stops.
The sound of a teleport is faintly heard and then quiet.