Welcome Duggie to the Club.
Chapter 5 — Training and Teachers — Welcome Duggie to the Club. — Ulleam 6th Ebinar
At 08:00 knock, knock was heard from Rose’s door and a voice called through, “time to wake up sleepy head breakfast in 15minutes then to the range for 09:00 for the rest of the day in basic fire combat training.”
Rose slowly swung her legs over and she brushed the upper arm area and a stabbing pain ran through her body, she thought, ‘I must check that out with Sym and Paul today,’ after five minutes Rose was up, but she was not awake, the throbbing in her arm made sure of that, she opened her door, walked out and turned left. She then saw Sym and Gareath just passing the end of the corridor, Rose called out to them, “Hang on you two.”
Sym heard Rose call out, she stopped, then back tracked a few steps and dumped in to Rose as she came round the corner at speed, only Gareath’s quick thinking saved the two from ending up on the floor.
Sym said, “Hi sis, thanks Garth. I want Wong’s hair,” Sym said in angust, “I would love to know how she keeps it so long with out it breaking.”
“Ask her, Sym,” Gareath said, “There she goes now,” and he then turned to Rose and said, “Good morning Rose, I can see you are the worse for wear this morning.”
“Yeah, the arms is throbbing, and because of it I didn’t get much sleep,” Rose said, as the pair turned down the ramp from the third to the second floor, “So how’s your arm?” Rose then asked.
“Sore, very sore, but its worth it in the long run,” Gareath said.
“Yeah, true, seeing Jackie again would be a nice,” Rose said.
“Yeah, Who is this Jackie person anyway?” Abbey asked as she strolled up, with Gribbloath flying just above her head and rested her hands on there shoulders, “If its anything like I would say my first, but that was done by a evil little psycho, its throbbing and sore.”
“Yeah, some what,” Rose said, “No Jackie to me and Sym is the closest thing we got to a mum we used to have, some one who cared and made sure we were safe, I just really like her.”
“To me,” Gareath said, “Jackie is my partner, I witnessed the murder of Jackie’s mum, Mel, and I then rushed the attacker before he could fire and kill Jackie. He fell from the roof of the Central Plaza Hotel. From that point two years ago we never talked about it until we found Rose and Sym huddled in a doorway wet and cold. I’ve visited the local cop shops and asked if they had any open, unsolved cases and it looked like the death of Jackie’s mum, is closed as the shooter jumped.”
“Be careful Gareath that it don’t destroy you, go and see some one about it talk about it and when we do find Jackie, the two of you talk it over,” Abbey said, “Paul taught me and Clare a lesson a few weeks ago about strong emotions. Use it constructively otherwise it will destroy you and those you hold dear.”
“Yes I will do, at the same time I go and get my medical done,” replied Gareath.
“Good, just so you guys know, Claire and Bill will probably be joining us as well,” Abbey said.
“Why Claire, she’s been here a while, hasn’t she?” Rose asked.
“Why Claire, until a few weeks ago the closest she ever got to a gun was more than likely similar to you two, but Darabar she’s on the firing line. She doesn’t know the first thing about weapon safety and it would allow her the chance to learn and get use to a weapon with out the vision rigs, because firing one with the rigs is very different to firing one without,” Abbey said, “Both me and Clare underwent four full weekend’s worth of training in the safe handling of fire arms when we joined the Gangrels. We both joined an established unit, but we still both did the training. I’m looking at probably starting the armoury courses offered as a part of the club membership, because if we do go to the academy, it will provide us with a useful grounding in all things lethal and dangerous. As I play to work very much on creating things lethal and functional.”
“I have a question concerning Nibs, there something about Nibs that ain’t quite right, I can’t put my finger on it, but she has,” Gareath said and then was stopped when.
“There is,” said a voice just behind them as Nibs, Sandra and the three Companions all walked towards the same down ramp, “What do you want to know?” asked Nibs as the five caught Gareath, Rose and Abbey up.
“I can’t put my finger on it, but you have a presence that breads confidence and loyalty, and yet you don’t look older than, I would say you are 20 maybe 21,” Gareath said, and Rose nodded in agreement.
“I’ve not been that age before, hun,” said Nibs to Sandra, “No I’m only just 18, use to be a whimpish little bloke who got the brunt of the bullying at school, that was until my final exams had finished and went to a party organised by the Vixens, and I’m the result of that party. That was what the one thing the school bullies over looked, I don’t play the big team sports like football, or grabit. The sports I enjoy are cycling and street fighting. So pay back is a bitch, when the time comes. The confidence bit, no idea, I just know what I am doing is right and I will try my best at it.”
“18,” said Rose in shocked tones, “You’ve got to be order than 18.”
“No she ain’t,” replied Sandra, “she’s only been 18 since the 17th of Auar.”
“Well, back to business now the Wacker Incident is over,” Nibs said.
Abbey turned to Nibs and asked, “Who’s working control this evening?”
“You mean who’s controlling the policing action?” asked Sandra.
“Yeah,” replied Abbey.
“That would be me and Nibs,” said Sandra, “The plan is to have at least two Gangrels working control at all times, Mystique and some of the local units have all said they would be happy to supply people to work control.”
“That would be good, and that’s something I do need to check, which units work in the area,” Abbey said.
“You know your unit now answers to no one except Sarah and Gareth, and you make all the operational decisions,” said Sandra.
“Yeah, The Hunters are A+ even though you’ve only just been formed. Sarah signed executive order number 5 a couple of days ago and moved The Hunters and the Vixens to the status of Body guard units. And for as long as the Vixen’s are out of the loop, the unit name The Bitch Vixens will be added to the wall, and no unit will be able to take that name as theirs,” Abbey said, “We were told that yesterday before the Marauders and Hammers arrived.”
As the group walked into the canteen they saw the two Clares , Bill and Paul, along with each of their fairy and pixie partners, sitting eating breakfast, Nibs asked Abbey, “Are you listed on Ghost Net Abbey?”
“Not sure,” replied Abbey.
“Hang on, I’ll check,” Nibs said. Nibs took out her PDA and opened NetView and checked for Abbey’s ghost net page, the search brought up Abbey’s associate page only, “What are your plans for the day Abbey?” Nibs then asked.
“Training with the Hunters, Claire and Bill are joining us as well,” Abbey replied.
The group approached the food run and each one gathered up a good sized breakfast, at the end of the run as normal was a couple of large plastic bowls, with Daraus’ food and water in.
As Abbey passed the food bowl she picked it up and placed it on her tray and said to Nibs, “I have Daraus’ food bowl.”
“Thanks Abbey,” replied Nibs, and then grabbed Daraus’ water bowl, and followed Abbey, Rose and Gareath to one of the tables.
When everyone had got there, Nibs put her hand on the food bowl Abbey had and put her bowl on the ground and looked at Daraus whilst Abbey put the food bowl down. As the food bowl hit the ground, Daraus had his head stuck into the bowl and was munching his way through breakfast .
“How’s the new Gangrel units settling in, Abbey?” Sandra asked
“I think they are ok, I’m not sure what they are doing about furniture. Paul has talked about us moving the Parlour to the same building and also basing the Hunters there instead of in the main Club. It may prove to be good, and it may not. Did you hear the Marauders lost their unit commander a couple of days ago, and from what I saw of Lara, The Marauders second in command, yesterday lunch time she didn’t seen to be too badly phased by things, only time will tell, anyway Gary now is now in command of the unit,” replied Abbey, “I think it may prove useful to have a couple of units just out of training with us training up these three, we all had fun last night playing tag with the vision rigs.”
“It look like fun,” Nibs replied, “Me and Sandra were sat on the roof yesterday evening looking up at the stars. From what we saw both Blackie and Pixie help and hindered each team equally.”
“What was the final score line?” Sandra asked.
“3,2, to us the club against the combined Marauders and Hammers. They are very good when team working,” Abbey said, “It should be more fun when these three understand basic combat operations better, and know the signals we use.”
When breakfast was finished, Nibs, Sandra, Daraus, Blackie and Pixie headed for Control and left the rest of the group sat eating and chatting awaiting Paul Snr. who was going to be teaching them.
“Very few of the Vixens know what the club has to offer in the way of training and recreation facilities,” Paul said, “Claire told me yesterday that she had asked Richard if she could be taught fire arms handling before she went to the Academy. Richard pointed her to Paul Snr.”
Paul Snr. walked up from the direction of the armoury and said, “Right shall we depart for the range, Hi Paul, you joining us as well?”
“Yeah I am, I hope you don’t mind,” Paul replied.
“No, it gives us a better chance to advise and correct mistakes and problems as they arise,” Paul Snr. replied.
The group got up and cleaned up their dirty plates and followed Paul Snr. out of the Canteen towards the Garage via the Armour, where Paul Snr. asked Anton, who was working the front desk, “Has Benny taken the H-8s and ammunition to the range yet?”
“Yes he has Paul,” Anton replied.
Paul Snr. then led the group through the garage and along a short distance of the underground road that linked most of the buildings around the edge of the club grounds with the club itself. When the group had arrived at the Range door, Paul Snr. saw that a red lamp above the door was flashing and said, “Ok group, see the lamp above the door,” the group nodded to indicate that they had, “is flashing, it means that the range is in use. You have two options you can either check the range via the viewing room, which is entered by that door, at which Claire opened and Charrbrr and Deedban flew in to and was closely followed by the other fairy partners, or you can walk in to the range itself, I would advise using the viewing room as it can be rather noisy when many people are shooting. I know who’s using the range at the moment as I spent a couple of hours in here myself this morning loosing some rounds down range.” Paul then turned and opened the door and indicated for everyone to enter.
When the group had entered Paul saw the partners had landed on the sill and was watching the activities and going ons in the range itself.
When everyone had entered Paul Snr followed them in and closed the door, he then led the group to the large open area near the right hand side of the range. From the far end of the range the group could hear some one was burst firing a weapon. The open area was divided into two distinct areas one area had marks along the floor to indicate firing positions and the other area behind in was where people stood and watched or spotted for the shooters. Paul said, “In this area if there is a range officer, then their word is law, you don’t mess around in here at all, I’m not saying that any of you would, but I have been on some ranges when people have been messing around.”
“Paul,” Paul Jnr said, “Who are the qualified Range officers?”
“Myself, Nicolai, Richard, Jane, Jaboc, Benny Sharra, Sam, Anton, Ann, and Damien who is the guy firing down the far end,” replied Paul Snr., “anyway, whilst using the open range, you all should wear ear defenders,” and Paul issued each person with a set of ear defenders, and then said, “if I say cease fire, stop firing at the next best point, if you are at the point of no return, fire, if not try not to.”
“Which one of the experienced shooters wants to tell me the first rule of weapon’s handling?” Paul Snr. asked.
Clare stuck her hand into the air and said, after Paul Snr. had indicated for her to do so, “First rule of safety is when you are handed a rifle make sure the safety is on and if its not, query it with the previous owner.”
“Good,” replied Paul Snr., “second rule someone.”
Paul Jnr. stuck his hand in to the air along with Abbey, Paul Snr. pointed to Paul Jnr. to answer, “The next rule is if it has a magazine stuck up into the magazine port, remove the magazine, check it and then check the breach. If no magazine is in place, check the breach to make sure it is clear.”
“Very good,” Paul Snr. replied, “You will find that most weapons if they are racked will have a full magazine loaded, but that’s to do with us being a combat centre, most commercial ranges will store weapons without magazines being loaded. Right I asked Benny if he wouldn’t mind supplying a rack of H-8 assault rifles and 2000 rounds of magazined ammunition.” Paul Snr. then started to issue the H-8s to the new firers along with sights to the spotters.
As Paul Snr. was issuing the H-8s he intentionally moved the safety selector from the safe to single round as he issued Claire with her H-8. As she had been told to, she checked the safety selector and said, “Paul, this is correct?” and showed Paul Snr. the safety switch.
“No, good. Be warned I run little tests like that with people I’m training to make sure you lot always check,” Paul Snr. replied and continued to issue the weapons and sights. He then saw Anna, Dominic and Tony were stood in the viewing room and waved them in. Paul Snr. also smiled when he saw the fairy and pixie companions sat on the sill in the viewing room
As the three entered they were joined by Nibs, along with Blackie, who was carrying her new bow and six full quivers of arrows. Nibs smiled as she passed the group and walked towards where Damien was shooting after grabbing a pair of ear protectors.
Anna said, “I saw you enter the range, but was waiting for Anton to issue Dominic and Tony their boxes, and as we weren’t sure on the range rules we thought it better to wait in the viewing room than to actually walk in.”
“Ok, well you’re here now, Anna can I take it you are here to spot as you ain’t got a weapon?” Paul Snr. asked.
“Yeah that was the idea I had to either help the new people or to spot for Tony and Dominic,” replied Anna.
“Would you mind spotting for either Bill or Gareath, otherwise I’m spotting for two,” Paul Snr. asked.
“No problem,” replied Anna.
“Spotters if I could also ask that you watch the shooters and correct general fire problems, as it’s easier to fix problems now rather than to unteach problems later,” Paul Snr. said.
All the four spotters said, “No problem.”
Paul Snr. then commanded, “Firers and spotters to your fire lanes please.” When all five firers had taken a fire lane, and had been joined by a spotter in the next door lane, he commanded, “To the prone position and ready.”
Each of the spotter’s checked the firers and corrected any obvious problems with the way they were positioned.
When Paul Snr. saw that each of the firer was ready, he placed beside each a full magazine of 40 rounds and when he had placed the last next to Gareath, he commanded, “Firer’s load.”
A couple of seconds later the all five firers had slotted the magazines home and operated the action to load the first round, Paul Snr. commanded, “At the target in front, single round fire grouping, in your own time open fire.”
Very quickly a rolling crack was heard as all seven shooters fired the first round. About five minutes later the five trainees had fired off the last of the 40 rounds. Both Dominic and Tony just kept firing as Dominic was practicing grouping accurate burst fire on to the target and Tony was just practicing.
When the last round had been fired from the trainees, Paul Snr. commanded, “Trainees, unload.”
The spotters for each of the trainees ran through the unload procedures and when it was finished check and cleared the weapons. When all five weapons had been cleared the firers used the spotter scopes and checked their targets.
Clare who had been spotting for Sym said, “Some of your shot groups weren’t to bad, and some were terrible, but I think that’s more due to this being the first time you have handled and fired a firearm. I can’t see any problems with the way you handle the weapon either.”
“Thanks Clare, I did find the H-8 to be heavy and ouch my shoulder,” Sym replied.
“That to be expected, I think it took me five sessions on the range before I didn’t feel the kick, so don’t worry about it. I fully expect everyone to be bruised and to have aching arms after today,” Clare said.
Abbey who had been spotting with Rose had noticed distinct movement in the barrel when Rose had been firing and when Rose looked at the target said, “God that’s crap.”
“Yeah, well,” Abbey said, “I wouldn’t worry about it, the H-8 is a heavy weapon, and I do see most of The Hunters working with SMGs or similar rather than assault rifles, so I wouldn’t worry about that, what’s more important is that you can see where you are going wrong, and to put it bluntly you’ve been a Gangrel for two days, and it was a good three weekends of fitness and team work training before either me or Clare every got to handle a firearm other than our pistols. So I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“Thanks,” Rose said.
Paul Jnr. said when he had cleared Claire’s H-8, “Other than the H-8 being a lot heavier than the H-6 and the D-300, that was pretty good.”
“Thanks hun,” Claire said, “I did notice a distinct difference when firing the H-8, especially with out the vision rig.”
“I know, there is a distinct difference,” Paul Jnr. said, “I have to admit you had no noticeable movement when you were firing other than the last 15 rounds that trailed off.”
“My arms did start to ache at that point, so I ain’t surprised,” Claire said and smiled at her love.
Paul Snr said to Gareath, “That was impressive, almost all your rounds are within 6 inches of your first, and most of the grouping problems you had where due to a combination of the weapon’s kick and your arm being sore, I think.”
“Thanks Paul,” responded Gareath, “I did find the weapon to be a little heavy.”
“Yeah the H-8 is one of the more heavy assault rifles, only the TY-15 Battle Rifle is heavier, other than the ISWs and MGs that is,” Paul Snr. said, “if you lot feel up to firing in the same position as Tony, we shall do that position and only those who feel ready should try the standing position.”
Half an hour later Claire, Sym and Gareath had all tried all three, but Sym had gone back to the sitting position after firing two shots, Claire after ten and Gareath after 15 shots, as the weight of the H-8 took it’s toll on the firers.
When everyone had finished trying the three positions, Paul Snr. said, “Right time for you lot to find your selves your preferred weapons’.” He got up and was soon joined by the rest of the trainees, Anna also joined the group as Paul Snr. took the weapons from each trainee and replaced them on the rack, he then pushed it as the group walked towards the armoury. Clare remembered to open the door to the viewing room and out came the fairy companions who flew to their respective partners.
On the walk to the armoury Bill asked Anna, “Have you got any suggestions on what would be a good firearm Anna?”
“No, weapon choice is very much a personal thing, it depends on how you see your self as providing protection to specialists like Tony and Dominic, or just a general grunt,” Anna replied.
The group approached the armoury and Anna as all she wanted was her case, she walked to the window and asked Anton who standing behind the counter, “Can I have Anna Pickering, weapon’s box please.”
“No problem,” replied Anton and typed Anna’s name in to the terminal and after the display told him where in the main room it was, the robot went and brought to the end of the run,. Anton walked over to it and dragged it to the hatch and posted it through.
Anna accepted it and walked a short distance away and got out her HK77SMG and all ten of the magazines. She then locked the case up and put it on the run next to Dominic and Tony’s, she then walked back to the firing range.
Paul walked up to the window and asked Anton, “Is Benny about?”
“Yeah he’s in the office,” replied Anton.
“Could you get him thanks,” Paul requested.
“Sorry,” Anton replied, and called, “Boss, Paul’s here to see you.”
“Thank you Anton,” Benny called back and walked out of the office and over to the counter.
Paul walked up the counter to where Benny was waiting, “Any chance we can let the young ones loose in the weapons store and give then a basic armoury taster?”
“Yeah, I don’t see why not,” Benny said, he then unlocked the door and open it. Paul pushed the rack of H-8s in and left then next to Benny’s office door way. Benny then closed and locked the armoury door and led the party to through the active box shelves, and through an opening in the four metre thick blast wall. The room beyond extended the armoury by another 75metres and the room contained shelf upon shelf of weapons, Benny turned to the group and said, “Young ones, in here we keep at least two copies of every single weapon on the market, and a lot of the ones that come out of the Academy. The more popular items, we keep more of, last count excluding the D-300s in the weapon boxes, we had 60 copies. Some of you may already know that myself, Sharra and Sam all run range courses, basic and advanced armoury courses, and we also run training workshops, and seminars and also training sessions. I noticed you booked out the whole battle simulation room, Paul Snr..”
“Yeah I know, I’m training the young ones,” Paul replied.
“You don’t get any argument from me on that point Paul,” Benny said.
“Yes, just wander and if you have any questions, bring the weapon here and show me or you, if your up to speed on the latest out of the arsenals Paul?”
“As up to date as a reporter should be on what may be trying to kill him,” retorted Paul.
As the group started to wander all the fairy and pixie partners sat on or flew slightly above their respective partners shoulders, and smiled.
* * * * * *
After spending ten minutes wandering the assault rifles, Claire walked back from the shelves carrying an MA60 Pulse assault rifle, when she had arrived, she asked Benny, “What are the differences between the MA60 and the MA260. I know both Nibs and Sandra use the MA260?”
“The biggest difference between the 60 and the 260 is the 260 has two 10mm barrels and carries 200rounds of ammunition compared to the 60’s single and 100rounds, in all other respects they are the same weapon,” Benny replied.
“So can I take it that any MA series weapon if it’s a 200 series weapon is has a twin barrel.”
“Pretty much yeah, except the MA-2000 is a 30mm auto cannon and the MA-1000 is 15mm rail gun.”
”Ok,” said Claire and went and sat down with Paul
“You got a copy of Nicolai’s missile rifle? Benny,” Paul asked
“Actually no we ain’t at the mo, I supplied the only other copy of it to Brain, the commander of Sarah’s prime body guard unit. We should have a new shipment arriving in the next couple of days, which should include at least three missile rifles, and three charge particle cannons,” Benny said.
Rose walked out carrying a Trig 27d SMG and walked over to where Paul and Benny were stood and sat. “Is this the same weapon as the one I had when I arrived?”
“That looks like the Trig 27d,” replied Benny, “Hang on, let me check what you had when you arrived.”
“I think it was the 27b Benny,” said Paul
Benny turned around and typed in Rose’s name into the computer terminal, after a couple of seconds, the terminal showed what was in Rose’s weapons box, “Yeah, your right Paul it was a 27b.”
“Ok, what the difference between the two?” Rose asked.
Benny replied, “The Trig 27d as that one is, a version upgrade on the Trig 27b. The nicest thing about the Trig 27 series is the arm support and the bullpup side in magazine make up. The Trig 27b can fire 600 9mm rounds a minute and has an effective range of about 400metres, the 27d has a fire rate of 720 rounds a minute and has a slight increase in the effective range. I think one of the fourth years at the Academy is working on giving certain weapons the ability to handle APEX as well as the normal rounds.”
“That will be nice,” replied Paul Snr..
“Excuse all the questions,” said Rose, “but what is an APEX?”
“The questions are good,” replied Paul, “It means your interested in learning and understanding. What an APEX round is, it stands for Armour Piercing Explosive tip, its slightly better at going through armour and then it blows up.”
“And makes a nasty mess,” said Benny.
“I think I may have found my fire arm then,” said Rose.
Paul asked Rose, “Have you been given a pistol yet?”
“No, me and Sym haven’t yet,” Rose replied.
Paul turned to Benny and asked, “Where do you keep pistols?”
“Over there,” replied Benny, and pointed to the two nearest shelves.
“What weapon would you recommend for Rose, Sym, Gareath and I guess Bill?” Paul asked Benny.
“For the girls, the Y7, I see Echo 44 or similar for Gareath, and for Bill, Delt 357,” replied Benny.
Whilst Rose was talking to Benny and Paul, Gareath was looking at the SMGs, and asked Abbey, who he could see in the next aisle, “Weapon modifications, how common are they?”
“What generally or you talking specific modifications,” Abbey replied.
“General but only to the Gangrels, and yes I have a couple of specific weapon modifications in mind,” said Gareath.
“What modifications you looking at?” asked Clare as she walked around the end of the aisle and approached Gareath.
“Converting a Trig 27d for left arm use and shortening the barrel on a pair, one for the right arm and one for the left, and having claws,” Gareath replied and continued, “Punch in, claws in and shoot the enemy as well.”
“I can see you becoming a person after our own hearts,” said Abbey as the three walked towards where Benny and Paul were sat.
When the three approached Gareath asked, “Benny would it be possible to modify a Trig 27d so I can wear it on my left arm and shorten the barrel on both the left arm one and a right arm?”
“That modification sounds like a punch gun almost,” said Paul.
“Yeah, your right Paul it does,” Benny said, then he turned to Gareath and said, “follow me,” and Benny led Gareath to an area labelled the ‘Weird and Wonderful’, and straight to this weapon, it looked like you wore it on the back of the hands.
“No, I can see what you mean, but no, I’m also planning on adding 3 or 4 blades to the backs of my hands so when I hit I shoot or I can rip or both, plus I want some ranged fire power.”
“Now I understand, and the answer is yes, do it yourself, most of the staff here are more than happy to help and advise when it comes to things like modifications.”
When Gareath heard Benny say ‘Do it yourself’, his eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face.
“No, that’s a good point, when Jaboc opens the club from this Friday he has asked unless the unit are on operation then he wants you to work as hidden security, just use your eyes and ears on the floor of the club and inform security of any problems you hear about,” Paul said.
Bill walked from where the assault carbines where kept carrying a M42 Pulse Carbine and went and sat beside his sister and looked rather happy at his choice of weapon.
Paul Jnr. looked at Bill and said, “You look happy Bill.”
“Yeah I think I may have found my main weapon,” replied Bill
Sym then walked over carrying an MA-40 Carbine variant and as she approached her sister she said, “I think this is more my style, keep your arse out of trouble sister,”
Rose stuck her tongue out at Sym and smiled.
Benny then said, “Let me see about organising some ammunition for those. Pistols, Paul.”
“Good point, Your four go and have a look at the pistols and chose one,” said Paul
The four walked to where the pistols where kept and after looking at the large variety of pistols. Very quickly Sym had chosen hers which was Tard Kinetic 38 Automatic. Rose choose a Y7 automatic and both Gareath and Bill choose 44 Echo Magums.
“Carry your pistol everywhere unless Central rules indicate otherwise.” Clare said.
“And when the next supply shipment arrives I’ll get the garage to install hides in your unit’s FAVs Paul,” said Benny.
“Also could you ask then to install a hide for a either the A-58 Missile Rifle and the A-59 Neutral Particle Rifle,” asked Paul.
“Yeah ok,” said Benny as he disappeared into an closed off area.
Claire had been sat beside Paul, since she had decided to change from the D-300 and H-6 to the MA-60, “Do you know something hun, I feel so much more healthier since I joined the Vixens?”
“Yeah I noticed, you’re gotten a lot tougher as well,” Paul replied, “No longer are we seeing the shy Claire, which I love I may add, but I love all of you equally.”
“Good I hope so, I know I’m fitter than I ever have been,” Claire said.
“Yeah I have notice,” Paul said, “I’ve noticed you have been becoming a lot stronger as well.”
“Yeah, but saying that hun, is your mental toughness increasing, Ithian has started to teach both me and Hell Bright spells like Fear and Horrific Illusion,” Claire said.
“I think so, until the Wacker Incident started I knew that I could handle the stresses of Gang combat, but the rescue mission, that, was a whole another ball game, trained professional soldiers carrying similar equipment and with armoured vehicle backup, that is a whole another level of stress,” Paul said.
Paul and the others came back and at the same time Benny appeared carrying a D-1000 Sniper Rifle and pushing a trolley on which was four boxes of ammunition, a lot of empty magazines, and other tools. All the fairy companions had the same idea and flew to the front bar of the trolley. “Right shall we,” said Benny as he waited by the exit.
Everyone followed Benny out of the Armoury and back through the garage towards the firing range.
Paul Jnr., Clare and Abbey turned and walked towards the main hatch. Anton who was sat cleaning an MA40 said, “Can I help you?”
“Yeah, can I have Paul Patterson’s weapon box?” asked Paul Jnr.
“Yeah, no problem,” Anton replied and typed in Pauls name and collected from the run and posted it through the hatch, Paul pushed it a short distance, opened it and retrieved his D-300 and five magazines. He then followed the group towards the range.
Then both Clare and Abbey asked for their boxes and like Paul took their main fire arms out and placed it beside the other cases that were out.
Gareath asked, “Shall I push it Benny.”
“Thanks, I noticed your eyes lit up when I said about the staff being more than happy to offer advice and assistance,” Benny said.
“Yeah, I’ve always loved mechanical things, not so much the electronics, but the mechanics of things, and this would be the first time I’ve been this close to being able to tinker with things,” Gareath replied
“Right, no Jaboc offers all club personal the chance to learn many more things than the main reason why you’re here, I think Bill is finding that out for himself,” and Bill nodded at the comment, “I and Ann, run advanced Armoury courses for club personal, local city security forces and Echo Tech Security personal, Sharra and Jaboc both run an advance combat training in the battle simulators. If you want to learn about all things security, talk to Sharra and Sam. Big mechanical things talk to Macca rather than his boss Fred, but that due to the fact he has no tongue, he ate it to show some interrogators he would never betray his friends. The story of how and why it happened, Fred was ghost running with Richard, Jaboc, me, and a couple of other ghosts, when Fred was arrested for a minor crime, except two guys from Sec Com interrogated him about us and our operations, he told us via him writing it, he said you want my friends you go and find them and pulled his tongue out and slammed his teeth closed and then he ate it. The next thing Fred realises is that he’s in an ICU ward someplace with no tongue.”
“That’s loyalty for you,” said Paul.
“That is very true,” said Gareath, “Can I take it you graduated from the Academy, Benny?”
“No, I was just very good friends with Jaboc before he left for the Academy and when he came back I was also very good friends with Richard, both Fred and Macca also graduated, Fred I think in the same year as Jaboc, and Macca a few years later,” Benny said, “A lot of the heads of departments are ex Academy, or in my case closely related to the conspiracy, Ann my number two, graduated, and happily works under me.”
When the group got back, the light was still flashing, Paul Snr. opened the door and the sounds of quite a few more shooters drifted out of the door. Just as Claire and Paul were about to walk in, a guy pulled up on an electric vehicle which was towing a trainer on which was a large number of large boxes, he smiled at Claire who held the door open, he said, “No thanks, I need to be in the viewing room.” He climbed out and grabbed one of the large boxes and took it into the viewing room. As he opened the door the Fairy companions flew in and returned to their seats on the window sill. Just as Claire and Paul Jnr walked in an area of the wall disappeared and was quickly replaced by the box the guy had taken in. On the front was a digital display which read 10,000 .357 cartridges, looking along the wall under the viewing window was 20 boxes of similar size. The next one then disappeared and a couple of minutes later it too was replaced by a similar box but this one’s digital display read 10,000 .44 cartridges.
When Claire and Paul had joined the rest of the group, Benny said, “The boxes over there that Thomas is replacing is where firers in the range can get more ammunition from, rather than wandering back to the armoury, we just ask the when the counts drop below 1000 you let the armoury know, and what calibre of round. How they work, type in the weapon you are using and select the correct quality and that amount is dropped into the hopper, its then up to the user to reload, the door way there leads into the viewing room, where a lot of the firers go and reload.” Then after a short pause Benny then said, “Right your weapons should have a full magazine in them, but you lot can learn how to reload magazines, come and get four or five magazines and a bowl of ammo and feed the bullets into the magazines, so you have more than one magazine.”
Gareath, Rose, Bill and Clare walked over to the trolley and took a bowl and five magazines each. Benny then dropped a quanity of rounds into each bowl and they walked towards the right hand wall and sat down and started to feed rounds into the magazines.
As they started Benny said, “Also start looking at rounds, and comparing then with others, I will bring some 10mm APEX rounds along later to show you those but normally users of the APEX firing weapons used sealed magazines, even though the rounds are now a lot more stable, but it dates back to when they first came on to the market,” Benny said.
At this point Sandra, Wong, Jum, Tina and Abs, all of them had their fairy partners and beside Sandra walked Daraus, all walk into the range and smiled at Paul and his group. They all stop and listen to Paul, “When you have enough ammunition, have fun, remember the range is open 26hrs a day, and all we ask is that it is kept tidy.”
Claire and Paul turned around and saw the back of Wong’s as she walked into the private area, rather than the public area, and the pair walked after them.
Sym walked up to Paul and asked, where do I get ammunition for this,” and showed Paul her the MA-40 Carbine variant, without the grenade launcher.
“Ok, large gun, you have, why?” asked Paul and led the way to where the 10mm binary rounds were stored, and the box had just been replaced.
“Keep, my twin sister out of trouble, Rose has a fiery streak in her and has gotten herself in to trouble before, but in the controlled confines of school and home, now we are in the big wide world, those rules no longer apply, therefore, one of us has got to have some brains,” Sym replied, “and that just happens to be me.”
“I’m thinking about unit make up and how we organise, Sym, can I ask for your opinion on an idea as Paul bent down and took out four full 10mm MA-40 binary magazines, and handed then to Sym who put them in to her arms and carried them back to her firing position. “The Vixens work in pairs and fours, and that I know is cause of how they work and partners, I was thinking of operating in threes, me, Clare and Abbey in one unit, you, Rose and Gareath as a second, the sniper team, when we get one as a third and anyone else in the four unit.”
“Sounds ok,” Sym replied as she sat and put the MA-40 to her shoulder and gingerly squeezed the trigger plate, and fuutttt, whisssstttthhhmmmm, was heard as a round went down range, Sym smiled as the recoil wasn’t like she had expected, she then normally pulled the trigger, and a chain of 10rounds went down range, the smile grew even bigger, and she then clicked the safety to full auto and pulled the trigger back hard, and in a few seconds, she had spent 30 rounds, when she released the trigger.
Paul said, “Nice shooting, take a look,” and passed Sym the sight, “The round in the bottom right I think was your first shot, the group in the top left was your second group the hole in the middle was the last firing.”
“I don’t know, the H-8 hit my shoulder rather hard, but I didn’t feel a thing, with the first round, only a slight kick with the second, and about the same on the third burst, but ain’t these guns suppose to hit your shoulder rather hard?” Sym asked and a high rate of fire SMG opened fire.
“There should be some form of kick, may I?” and Paul asked for Sym’s MA-40.
”Yeah, go ahead,” Sym replied and put the rifle’s safety on and passed Paul it, who checked it and smiled at Sym.
Paul then stood and pulled the trigger after selecting full-auto, and 59 rounds went down range, “Your not kidding Sym, Benny did you know the MA-40s have now got negligible kick to them?”
“No, I didn’t,” Benny said, he then turned round to face Paul, and got passed Sym’s MA-40 and a fresh magazine as the one in it was empty, “Thanks,” said Benny as he ejected the old one and rammed the new one home and selected burst fire and worked the trigger and in under ten seconds, had emptied the magazine.
“What the hell, that was fast,” Paul said in astonishment.
“No, that weren’t, on a good day I can put 3000 odd rounds down range in a minute.”
“How?” Paul asked.
“Look at the trigger design, remind you of anything?” Benny asked.
“The spark guns trigger,” Paul replied, and passed the MA-40 back to Sym who took it, replaced the magazine and put ten, ten round bursts into the next target, and she then lay prone and dropped the third magazine in and started to put various number of rounds from one to ten, after a few more magazines, she had been able to work out the one, three and five round depressions, but could she get the two and four, no she couldn’t.
At about 12:00BN Paul called a halt to the range session and asked everyone, “What have you lot learnt?”
Everyone chimed, “How to safely handle weapons, and range drills.”
“Good, now get the hell out of here, Hunters, I have a basic combat training session booked this after noon in the room opposite, from 01:00AN, so you have two hours to chill. Put your weapons on the racks and get out of here.”
As Clare walked out she remembered to open the door to the viewing room and like earlier all the companions went to their partners.
As the two Pauls and Claire walked out of the range, and Charrbrr and Deedban joined them, Jaboc drove up in one of the electric vehicles and said, “Get in,” to Paul Snr. and to the other two Jaboc asked where you two heading?”
“The Gangrel Apartments, Gary invited us over to meet the two units,” replied Claire.
“Get in, because I’m heading to the same place,” and then Jaboc turned to Paul Snr. and asked, “I want to know what you think about the Hunters having a floor in the Gangrel apartments, and to the idea of you and the hunters moving there for how ever long you guys are here?”
“I have no problem with it,” said Paul, “I was thinking the same thing.”
* * * * * *
A bus pulled up opposite the Club on its normal stop and a gent and three young children got out, the three young ones were all were carrying small rucksacks, he turned and looked across the street at the Club, very likely to be his and his kids new home or a start point to a new better life for all of them. The view they had was a large fenced off area with a single vehicle and person entry point with a small cross roads and beyond that the club, a massive four storey building, built in the era when the dark architecture was king, foreboding and full of mystery. Around the edge of the grounds were lots of buildings, some massive office blocks, others small apartment block style buildings. He then saw Gary, wearing a t-shirt of the Marauders wander up towards the main gate from the nearest apartment block, which was a three storey one, ground, first and second floors, in the windows he could see some of the inhabitants, sitting chilling, listening to music, one looked like he was whilting a piece of wood with a knife, he called out, “Gary.”
Gary stopped and turned towards the road and saw who had called him and said after Duggie and the three kids had crossed the road, “Hi, what brings you here to the club?”
“I’m here to chat to Jaboc and people about a few options, I pulled Hemma, Beatrice and Damien from school yesterday, and they ain’t going back to the city and corporate run places,” Duggie said, and started to walk towards the main gate. When he got there, Gary signed them in as visitors and the four got issued with visitor Ids. Gary then led them outside and asked, “Can the Gangrel Marauders offer you four a drink and a seat?”
“Certainly I would love a tea and I know the kids want to tuck into lunch, I said not until we were here,” Duggie replied, “what you doing here yourself, I always thought you were a Vixen and would remain one?”
“No, I led my previous unit, and had been semi leading the Vixens, but Nibs has proven herself to be far better leader then any of us thought. I also chaff under someone else’s tactical command, and so I left a few weeks ago. I’m still a Vixen and will always be one, but I now command the Marauders, along with the Hammers are the only non specialist units the Gangrels have in the area, most of the other units were decimated by the Wacker Incident, and are going to need time to rebuild their strengths, so The Hunters and these two are it for the time being,” Gary replied.
As the five walked into the back area, Jaboc, Paul Snr., Paul Jnr. and Claire walked up from the underground parking and storage facilities. Hemma saw Claire and Paul Jnr. first and called, “Sis, Paul.”
Both Paul Jnr. and Claire looked over and saw Duggie and the three young ones, and walked over, Jaboc and Paul Snr. followed.
Claire said, “Hi dad, hi you lot,”
“Hello again daughter, where’s Bill?” Duggie asked and stopped and stared at the sight of both Claire and Paul with their fairy partners sat on their shoulders.
“Getting some lunch Mr Demitrie,” Jaboc replied, which brought Duggie back to normality, “Your son has proven himself to be quite a good personal assistant to myself.”
“That’s good to hear, and please call me Duggie,” Duggie said and then turned to the kids and said, “Go on go and eat your lunches,” Duggie then turned to Jaboc and Paul and said, “can I take it you can see what I can see?
“Yes I can,” replied Paul, “I think Jaboc can see them as well.”
“If you are talking about the little people, I can Paul,” Jaboc responded.
Jaboc then bent down to see if the grass was damp and as it weren’t sat down. Duggie and Paul joined him whilst Gary went about getting some drinks sorted, Jaboc said, “I was told yesterday about who you are Duggie by Jane C, whom your daughter confided in a few weeks ago, from what I have been told and explained, you are skilled in dimensional travel, and a Tattooist, Yes?”
“Yes, can I assume that some of the people in the area don’t know?”
“Not yet, and in answer to your problem with schooling your little ones, we do run a small specialist school on the grounds, your kids can go there, but they won’t learn what the kids in main stream learn, courses are tailored for the person and a lot of it is self study and small group work on projects,” Jaboc said, “and allow me to introduce Paul.”
“Are you the gentleman my daughter told me about a few days ago about wanting to meet me?”
“I think I am and I bow in your presence sir,” Paul Snr. replied.
* * * * * *
As Claire and Paul led the three young ones a short distance where Damien asked, “Can you do that trick again sis?”
“Didn’t I tell you once not to ask for things, young one,” said Claire in a stern voice.
“Sorry sis,” said Damien.
“Sit here for a sec I want to ask dad something,” Claire said and got up after moving Damien from her lap to the ground, and walked the short distance to where Duggie was sitting and whispered in his ear, “How,” and was stopped when.
Duggie said, “They know everything, excuse Damien, I had to pull him from school yesterday and he realised things maybe changing for us.”
“I will, and thanks,” Claire said, and then thought about her understanding of the spell’s she now knew, ‘I wonder if I can make the True Sight spell permanent,’ and she walked back, sat down and said, “Maybe later Damien.”
* * * * * *
Paul Snr. asked Duggie, “I was wondering, do you know how to tattoo normal tattoos as well as the other kind?”
“Yeah I do, I did use to Tattoo many years ago,” Duggie replied.
“I was wondering, because I run a Tattoo Parlour here on Club grounds to club goers, but was thinking of doing more normal tattoo work, as it would allow me to discover if any other tattooists in the city and operating with out our knowledge,” Paul asked, “would you be up of assisting me and when it gets off the ground, which shouldn’t be to long and getting a proper wage and all the perks of living here on the Club grounds,” and Paul looked at Jaboc who smiled back at Paul.
“Yeah, definitely, the only problem would be where would I and my kids live?” Duggie asked.
After a few seconds thought, Jaboc said, “That apartment block is empty,” and he pointed to the one next door to Gangrel Apartments, “A bit of clean up and a lick of paint from maintaince, that should look as good as new.”
Gary walked out carrying a large tray, and smiled at the sight of both Claire’s and Paul’s companions sitting on the grass enjoying the mid-day sun. Just behind him walked Lara, Dean and Michelle. The three people behind Gary walked to where Paul and Claire were sitting and plonked them selves down and waited for Gary to walk over with the tray, when he had and had sat down he said, “Allow me to introduce Claire and Paul of the Bitch Vixens, to Lara, my number two, and Dean and Michelle the leadership team of the Hammers.”
“Hello then I think is in order, me and Claire are only going to be here a couple more weeks now, before we and the rest of the Vixens head off to the Academy,” Paul said.
“Yeah, Sarah did say something about a unit heading off in a while for pastures new,” Lara said, “So it’s the Bitch Vixens who are going?”
“Yeah, in a few weekends time,” said Claire, “and both me and Paul will be helping you guys this evening anyway. How long have you been Gangrel units?” Claire asked.
“A few weeks we both tested out on 23rd Auar Hammers went first and then us the Marauders went, a couple of days ago we loose our commander to of all things a drive by and the bastard they were aiming at, they missed,” Lara replied, “The unit has stated that if they ever get their hands on the guy or guys that did it, their will be summary justice done.”
“And from what I’ve been told, I’ll be joining them,” replied Gary.
“Is that your dad, Claire, he look really chilled and at ease with things,” Michelle said, in getting better basic. Which brought a slight chuckle from Hemma and Paul looked at Hemma very sternly.
“Clip her around the back of the head Paul,” said Claire, “What do you say young lady?”
“Sorry, Michelle,” Hemma said in a sorrowful voice.
“No harm done,” Michelle said.
“And yes young one, I heard it too, its sorted we have officially moved into that apartment building, as of now. Also you three are going to be starting at the local Echo Tech Academy next week, so you had better get use to hard work from now, cause they will push as will I. Paul has offered me work as well, as a Tattooist here, and tell Bill when you next see him where we are and warn him for me Claire, I’m also expecting him to work now,” Duggie said.
Dean when he heard about the Echo Tech Academy, turned to Paul who had come over and sat down and said, “Echo Tech Academies, I’ve heard they ain’t like normal schools, are they?”
“No, Echo Tech Academies don’t exactly screen intake, but they do work with you to further your natural skills rather than force you to learn set ones. The city schools can’t see the advantages of the system, and yet some of the most brilliant scientists came from the Echo Tech Academy system, I think it speaks for itself. Its only open to those employed by Echo Tech Inc Companies and Umbrella companies and special associates to access, and I can tell you all that being a Gangrel is considered a Special Associate, it’s the one thing Gangrels don’t know, is that they can, no one else even from their immediate family can attend, I would advise you lot going and seeing what they can do, I’m thinking of enrolling the Hunters for the next year in preparation for going to the Academy next intake. Jane confirmed it this morning the board of trustees has passed all unit and personal selection for the Academy to the field force commanders, of which I am classified as one, I can directly put a unit forward and most of the other field commanders have agreed, the Hunters are currently the only unit, they feel is close to being ready and likely to go next year. Misty’s raiders who were the secondaries for this year’s intake are getting a little old to attend,” Paul said.
“That will be good,” Paul Jnr said and thought, ‘Both the units together, at the Academy, god help the enemy.’
* * * * * *
A while later the Hunters along with Tony, Dominic, Anna and Bill and companions walked out from the Gangrel Apartments and saw Claire, Paul Jnr. and Snr., Gary, Lara, Michelle and Dean sat on the ground chatting. As the group walk towards where everyone was sitting Paul Jnr. saw them and said, “Hi you lot.”
Everyone else present said, “Hi.”
Bill sat down and after seeing a bunch of very young looking youths playing in the large field, Bill said to his sister, “Is that Hemma playing tag sis?”
“Yeah it is, dad has moved into that apartment block, and he asked me to pass a message on to you bro, he’s expecting you to work now,” Claire replied.
Lara asked Anna, Dominic and Tony, “What unit do three run with?
Dominic replied, “The South Harbour Hunters.”
“A bit far from South Harbour, how come?” Lara asked.
Paul Snr. said, “They are a specialist sniper team, and as at this moment we have no idea of what we will be facing this evening when we hit the gang headquarters, they are here to provide the forces with some specialist support as will Claire, Hell Bright, Tina and Abs.”
“What ain’t we being told?” Dean asked.
Paul Snr. propped himself up on his elbows and said, “What I am about to tell you, goes no further, until such time as it is pertinent to inform the rest of your two units. The Hunters are a specialist unit trained and equipped to handle situations outside the normal perview of Gangrel operations, Gary I know is in the loop about things, and I will leave it up to his descrission as to what else he tells you, but from intelligence we gathered yesterday from contacts I have in South Peninsula it is possible that the target is far more dangerous than initially thought.”
“Arh, hence the specialist support,” Michelle said.
“Yeah,” replied Paul Snr.
* * * * * *
After an hour of chatting and chilling, Paul Snr. said, “Right Hunters, we have training to do.”
“Yeah we do,” said Clare, “You going to join us Claire?”
“May be,” replied Claire.
Gary said, “If you worried about the young ones, I think the Marauders and Hammers can handle looking after them.”
“Thanks Gary,” replied Claire, “Yeah I will then.”
As everyone got up Paul Snr. said, “Hunters and Bill at least as Jaboc said to me earlier, that if he don’t need you Bill or you ain’t got other work on you’re with me and the Hunters training from now on, can start your fitness training, by jogging to the battle simulator. So lets move people.”
After The Hunters, along with the fairy partners, had left Gary turned to the three Gangrels and said, “As with what Paul Snr. told you, again this goes no further, ok?”
“Yeah,” the three Gangrels replied.
“I know what Paul Snr. was talking about when he said specialist support, both the Clares, Abbey, Paul Snr., Hell Bright, Tina and Abs have abilities beyond what most humans understand. The tattoos Paul Snr. both Clares and Abbey have are magickal. Both Claire and Hell Bright are learning how to cast real spells, not the ones done by stage magicians, Abs and Tina are both true adepts, not the psycho adepts we hear about in the papers and on the news, but normal humans with abilities beyond normal, I’ve seen what they and other members of the Vixens can do, Nibs, her partner Sandra, Jum-Fu and Wong-Ma, whom you have still to meet are the same, I’ve seen Nibs put her foot through a solid stone throne. The Vixens and The Hunters, me, and now you three, along with quite a few members here at the Club belong to what is simply called the Conspiracy, we keep the planet safe from things what would want to turn it into a living hell for the human population.”
“Fuck, so can I take it that Jane C, Queen Sarah, Paul Snr. are all in on it as well?” Dean asked.
“Yeah, Jane C, Nicolai, Paul, and Kev Marks, run five AAA corporations that finance the Conspiracy. The Gangrels were initially set up as somewhere the conspiracy could get people who were professional, well trained and not scared of strapping on a weapon and using their eyes and ears in the hunt for things not of this world,” Gary continued.
“Let me get this straight, by they fact Paul Snr. and you have told us three this, you trust us not to ruin things,” Lara said.
“Yeah, plus it makes your life a lot easier should you see something out of the ordinary. Basically if you see anything you think could be strange and not conducive to Darra Von’s, health and well being, tell me, any member of the Vixens or the Hunters we’ll make sure it gets inputted in to the intelligence data bases.”
“It’s a big responsibility ain’t it,” Dean said.
“Yeah, but a few months ago, I was slated to be heading for the Academy, but when Nibs joined the Vixens we found a very capable leader and commander, I and Darla left for pastures new, but we are both still Vixens and will always remain so,” replied Gary, “I was working control a couple of weekends ago when the Vixens, Clare and Abbey and other members of the elite hit a cultist controlled site, when you see Nibs fight you will understand, she was matched move for move, until that point only Jum, Wong, Sandra, Abs and Tina were capable of matching Nibs to that level.”
* * * * * *
When things concerning where Duggie, Hemma, Beatrice and Damien were living were sorted, Jaboc said, “Shall we depart for the Club so we can arrange to get your furniture and other items you are going to need here and also board up your home and also looking at boarding up the Vixen’s home as they ain’t going to be using it for a while.”
“Yes, that would be a good idea,” Duggie replied, and the three got up and walked towards where the rest of Duggie’s family were sitting, the Duggie heard Hemma quietly chuckle at Michelle’s poor basic, to which he said after Claire had said to Paul Jnr. about clipping her around the back of the head, “And yes young one, I heard it too, its sorted we have officially moved into that apartment building, as of now. Also you three are going to be starting at the local Echo Tech Academy next week, so you had better get use to hard work from now, cause they will push as will I. Paul has offered me work as well, as a Tattooist here, and tell Bill when you next see him where we are and warn him for me Claire, I’m also expecting him to work now.
Then Duggie and Jaboc headed for the garage area where Jaboc could organise a truck to make moving things to the new apartment easier. Jaboc said as the pair walked over the grounds, “I know a certain few members of the conspiracy will very definitely be happy to meet you.”
“And I will be happy to know that my family are in an environment which is much safer than the one we were living in,” Duggie replied, “Can I ask, how much of this is yours and how much is not?”
“Everything you see here with in the fencing, I effectively own by proxy of Echo Tech Inc, and a few places south of the CW and to the west of the road the main gate is on. I like all the companies of Echo Tech take my responsibility to the staff who work on club grounds very seriously, and I also view coming to work for me or any part of the Club as a job for life which again is the same as the way Echo Tech view their employees, which also includes the children if they wish to also work for the club,” Jaboc replied.
“Impressive I may say, I had heard that the Echo Tech companies did look after their staff well, but I hadn’t realised that it was a job for life,” Duggie replied.
“Yeah, I have a feeling that Jane and Nicolai would have either visited you or spoken to you during the wedding about you and your young ones moving to a safer environment what with the problems certain people may cause family and close friends.”
“If you are talking about Metzza and his friends, they would have been in for a nasty shock. I take it you know both Claire and Bill have magickal tattoos?” Duggie asked.
“Claire yes, Bill no I didn’t,” Jaboc replied.
“Yes, as do the other three as well, Hemma has the maximum six before the magick involved in the creation changes her to a super natural human, Beatrice has four and Damien only has one and I’ve started on his second,” Duggie replied.
As the pair approached the ramp down to the garage, Ren, Hell Bright, Jum and Wong were all walking up the ramp, Ren said, “Hi Duggie.”
“Hi Ren, hi Hell Bright,” Duggie replied and followed Jaboc down the ramp into the garage, where they turned left and walked towards where MacGreeven was talking to one of the mechanics about a modification a ghost was after for his bike.
Jaboc said when MacGreeven had looked up, “Is there a truck available that I can borrow to fetch some things for Duggie here?”
“Yeah, its out back, but we only have a four tonner available,” MacGreeven replied.
“Also do you know where Braddock is, as I need a few of the crew to go and give one of the apartments at the front of the grounds a lick of paint and get it habitable for Duggie and his family?”
“No I don’t,” MacGreeven replied.
“I do boss,” said the mechanic under the vehicle, “I saw him in the canteen and he looked like he was heading for control.”
“Thanks,” Jaboc replied, and along with Duggie he turned and headed out of the back of the garage towards control.
“Impressive,” Duggie said.
“I know, Echo Tech Inc found the sub surface facilities and the club, about 50 years ago, thankfully the owners of the building back then only used the Garage and the Canteen as the rest of the facilities were full of earth and sealed, when the building and grounds came up for sale about 20 years ago, Echo Tech bought it outright and constructed the medical facility to the south and the Echo Tech Academy on the north west and then six years ago, I retired to look after Ren and Hell Bright and was offered the building and facilities, and told, you run them in the way you see fit, effectively the ground they sit on is yours,” Jaboc replied. Jaboc then led Duggie into control and saw Braddock standing looking over the main map table with Sharra. Jaboc called, “Braddock,” and started towards the nearest ramp down.
When the pair had reached the ground floor Braddock walked over to them and asked, “What can I do for you boss?”
“You got a team of people available to go and stick a coat of paint on the apartment block to the south of the Gangrel Apartments at the front of the club, and also have you got a couple of people I could get to help move Duggie here from his place, where do you currently live Duggie?”
“South Central, quite close to the free fire zone,” Duggie replied.
“To here, specifically the apartment,” Jaboc finished saying
“Yeah I can rustle up a few people to do that, I was thinking about wandering around the apartments and seeing if any of them needed painting and if any needed maintance work done,” Braddock replied, “When do we need it done by?”
“ASAP,” Jaboc replied.
“You want the impossible again boss,” Braddock said.
“Me and the kids are more than willing to help in the painting,” Duggie said.
“Any idea when we can sort furniture out for the Gangrel Apartments?” Jaboc asked.
“What, the furniture’s not arrived yet?” Braddock asked.
“No, it didn’t look like it when I was there twenty minutes ago,” Jaboc replied.
“That I will get on to now,” said Braddock as he walked towards a couple of people sat at the control desks, and said, “You two busy?”
“No,” they both said.
“Good then you two can help move some one from South Central to the apartment block next to the Gangrel Apartment,” Braddock said.
“No problem boss,” they said, “you got the address?”
“No, but they do,” replied Braddock, and pointed towards Duggie and Jaboc.
“Ok,” and they both got up and followed Jaboc and Duggie towards the exit.
* * * * * *
When the Hunters, Bill, Claire and Paul, as well as all the companions, reached the underground road they started to jog towards the Battle simulator room. After a couple of minutes they had arrived at the entrance, Bill, Sym, and Rose were breathing heavily, Gareath was in slightly better condition. Paul slightly chuckled at this and said, “When I have finished with you, you will be able to run a full marathon in two and a half hours.”
At this statement, Bill said, “A full marathon in two and a half hours, that is going to kill me.”
“No it won’t bro, Do you remember how unfit I was?” Claire asked.
“Yeah, you never ran anywhere,” Bill replied.
“Look at me now, and I’ve only been a Gangrel for three weeks,” Claire said.
”You’ll be surprised how quickly that run will seem like a simple walk in the park,” said Anna.
The group entered the range and collected their weapons and then crossed the corridor to the battle simulator room. Paul Snr. checked the system and saw the system was off line, and ready.
Paul Snr. opened the door and let everyone in and then walked in and closed the door and said, “Computer, Paul Delimetry, activate lighting circuit and bio-metric scanner,” the lights came on and showed a 150metre by 115metre room. Paul then said, “This is one of, currently, eight battle simulators. Normally you would find seven different areas, each area is capable of producing a different environment for people to train in, but today as a few of you have very little combat experience I booked the entire room out. Very likely next week, you will find the Vixens and Misty’s raiders in here a lot training and preparing for the Narizzan mission, this is what this room is designed for, to train people and practice for missions and operations.”
A computer voice then said, “Scan complete. Bio-metric stored.”
“This way people,” Paul Snr. said and led them into a second room, and he passed out adaptors for their weapons, and also a single magazine.
“Why one magazine?” asked Anna.
“The magazine is equipped with a system that simulates a magazine that has ammunition in, the adaptor for the muzzles and allows the weapons to be used in here with out risking the technology that makes the simulator work. The walls, floor, and ceiling is equipped with some of the most advance holographic and force field technology we have found on our explorations. We have holographic technology now, but in here,” Paul Snr. said, as every one fitted the adaptors and loaded the magazines, “the holographics are combined with advanced force field technology that creates solid objects, that if it should be fixed to the ground in real life it’s fixed to the ground in here.”
”Damn, that’s impressive,” Clare said, “you said eight, where’s the other seven?”
“Each of the five corporations have a simulator room, the Academy and Gangrel Command has one,” Paul Snr. replied.
“Gangrel command has one,” Clare said somewhat shocked.
“Yes, Gangrel command, its only used by the Gangrel mercenary forces and Sarah’s bodyguard units, which if I ain’t mistaken the Hunters is now classified as one, as its still somewhat highly experimental, we’ve only had the technology perfected and running for five years, this one was installed two years ago,” Paul Snr. said, “Next question is how are new recruits trained for going into a combat zone?”
“We have no idea, both me and Abbey were trained on the job as we both joined and established unit,” Clare said.
“Same here,” Anna said.
“Ok, right, lets run through some standard combat drills while I see if Kev is around,” Paul Snr. said and Paul typed a message on his PDA and sent it to Kev.
Who a couple of minutes later sent the reply saying, ‘I will be with you in a few minutes Paul, have the group run through their basic battle field symbols.’
Kev Marks arrived about five minutes later and proved to be an expert when it came to training the new Hunters along with Bill, and Claire and also providing new skills for the more experienced members as well.
All the fairy and pixie companions also had fun hindering and helping everyone. Even they learnt how and what practical jokes would work best in a combat situation. The little things like, trip lines, and grease patches for when enemy are moving on foot, and spells like animate object or just a simple rustle of leaves or similar.
* * * * * *
At the end of a good five hour session Paul Snr. turned to Kev Marks and asked, “Would you be up for more combat training sessions whilst you’re here as, I know people like Jaboc and Sharra run combat training courses, but those are for people who have considerable experience in the field?”
“Yeah, it would be good to don my training cap again for a while, and yes I will be joining you this evening in my SAMAS Powered Armour,” Kev said.
* * * * * *
Duggie said when they had reached where the four tonners were parked, “First job is to get some boarding for the windows and doors.”
“True, but lets just check the sizes of what we will need.” Jaboc said, as he climbed in along with Duggie, the other two, plus an extra one, who had said they would help had collected an FAV and soon pulled up beside the truck which pulled out and led the way to Duggie’s old home.
“That is a much better idea,” said Duggie.
“I may I ask what brought you to Darra Von in the first place?” Jaboc asked as they drove along CW9.
“A place to hide from the stresses of the mega-verse, mainly,” Duggie replied.
“How long have you been here? I’m sorry for all these questions, but you are the first dragon I have ever met,” asked Jaboc, “and when we get back I’ll start a personal file on yourself and put all this data in.”
“Don’t worry about it, I know my race is dying, I’ve been resident on Darra Von for about 3000 years, and I’m almost 5000 years old,” Duggie said.
“I always thought that dragons were evil and prayed on lesser creatures,” Jaboc said.
“Most do, but the Chiang-Ku and I may say a few others,” and then after a few seconds of thought Duggies continued, “like humans, I personally think if humans could be allowed to grow without the interference of the creatures that enslave, kill, and generally make human life miserable they could become so much more. As a race we are very close to extinction, the latest speculation puts our number at about 300 maybe 400 in the entire Mega-verse.”
“Jesus, that few,” Jaboc said somewhat startled.
“Yeah that few,” Duggie responded, “no one knows what happened, all we know is that something wiped out the majority of us, long before I was born, and we as a race don’t exactly give birth to many babies, plus we have a knack of annoying very powerful creatures. Bill was a miracle, the joining of me with Sam is unheard of, and then to have Claire, if others of my kind knew that I had, had two human children, I would be seen as the possible saviour of our race. It took a while and Sam’s work didn’t exactly help matters, to have Hemma, Beatrice and Damien, were three more miracles. I love my kids with all my heart, as I know Sam does, and she would be standing beside Claire with a gun in her hand if I was the slave. I don’t due to the fact I been fighting for many thousands of years and I need a break, and the kids have given me that break.”
“How long have you been out of the loop, so to speak?” Jaboc asked.
“About 500 years now, I’ve spent the last few hundred years travelling the world, seeing the sights, meeting people, helping people in small ways, always making sure I stayed off the radar of the conspiracy, it’s nothing against you and the work you do, but, I’ve needed to, I know that if I hadn’t I would be on the front lines fighting and very likely be dead by now, plus I would have never met Sam, the one person in this world bar my kids that I love with all my heart and soul,” Duggie replied.
“And from what I’ve seen of them both, they are very well rounded, if a little naíve, young adults,” Jaboc said.
“I know they are, but as I know what the world is like, I have tried to protect them as best I can, and until a couple of years ago, I would say that me and Sam were doing a good job to, Claire was attending the Rotork Finishing Academy and Bill was attending one of the better enclave schools, Sam then ‘disappeared’ or to be more correct kidnapped, which meant Claire wasn’t able to attend the Academy anymore and Bill just went downhill,” Duggie said as Jaboc indicated right and pulled on to the off ramp for junction 8, “don’t tell Claire or Bill this, but when the rescue goes in, I will be with them as I have an issue with the High lord that I will be dealing with. I know what happened when Sam was kidnapped, Claire told me a few weeks ago.” As the truck slowed and stopped at the lights, Duggie said, “Left here, then forth right and mine is the second house of the left, the Vixen’s is almost opposite mine.”
“That’s good to know, at least I can sort out the necessary supplies for boarding up the Vixens home as well,” said Jaboc.
As the truck and the FAV pulled up in front of the house, Duggie saw a couple of youths disappear around the back of the Vixen’s home base. He tapped Jaboc on the shoulder and pointed at the far side of Home Base, Jaboc nodded and they both climbed out. The three crew who had been following in the FAV climbed out and Jaboc pointed to the far side of Home Base and two who had been in the front took their pistols out and moved up the road and quickly moved around the far side of the house.
Duggie and Jaboc both moved to the side closest to the main road and slowly moved towards the back area. When they had arrived there they saw a group of nine youths all stood in a circle and two youths were circling inside the circle, one lashed out a punch and caught the other on the chin. The second youth moved inside and brought his knee up and caught the first in the gut which caused the first to slightly double up with the impact.
Duggie whispered to Jaboc, “Leave them to it.”
“Yeah, but I know that Sarah is always on the look out for possible members for the Gangrels, and these look like they may fulfil her requirements for unit status,” Jaboc responded.
Jaboc and Duggie walked around the side of the house and said, “Urhum gents, you do realise that you are trespassing on private property.”
The group looked around at Jaboc and Duggie and saw Jaboc had a pistol in his hand and Duggie looked like he could handle himself in a fight. The group looked at the far side of the house and saw two more guys stood there.
“We weren’t doing anything, other than fighting each other,” one said.
“Did I say you were. No,” said Jaboc, “but I will say this if you lot are interested in fighting I know of a few people who could use youths like yourselves in keeping the streets safe for the general population, you guys interested?”
“May be, what does it involve,” the one who spoke earlier said.
“It would involve you lot coming to Club Millana this Frodar around 07:00AN to 07:30AN and having a chat with a few people there,” Jaboc said.
The group looked at each other and another one said, “Most of us are too young to get into a club.”
“Yeah maybe if the Club was actually open at that time, but as the club ain’t and it don’t open its doors to the public until 09:00AN. Plus you are just coming for a chat and anyway as I happen to own the club, I’m bending the rules. So you guys interested?” Jaboc asked.
“Yeah, def,” another one said.
“Good, I hope to see you lot on Frodar then, tell the guys on the main gate you are there to chat to Sarah and Jaboc, they will know who you are talking about,” Jaboc said and the four adults disappeared back towards the main road.
* * * * * *
“Bloody hell,” said one, “I’ve heard that Club Millana is re-opening its doors this Frodar after the Wacker War, and its an ‘Up and Coming Fight Night’.”
“You know who the other guy was don’t you?” another one said.
“No,”
“He lives opposite.”
“I’m more wondering what he meant when he said keeping the street safe for the general population.”
* * * * * *
The group walked back to the road and crossed it and Duggie opened the front door and said, “Ok, empty all the upstairs rooms, the Living room, and the Kitchen. Jaboc can I ask that you help me with certain pieces from the dining room and the den please,” Duggie asked.
“Yeah no worries,” Jaboc replied, and followed Duggie towards the room behind the Duggie’s bedroom.
“The only items I want from in here are my shrine and the two chests. The shrine is the one of the most valuable items I have in here,” said Duggie and he walked to it open the front door and smiled as he saw it. He then closed the door and stepped back and quietly said a mystical rhyme, when he was finished Jaboc who had been looking at the cupboard saw the two half doors seal.
“Can I take it by what I’ve just seen, you have the ability to cast spells?” Jaboc asked.
“Yes, a few,” replied Duggie, and the pair picked the large cabinet up and carried it towards the door.
“Now this is going to be a problem,” said Jaboc as the cabinet was taller than the door.
“No it ain’t the spell also filled the inner area in a solid foam that holds everything in place,” replied Duggie. He and Jaboc then carried the cabinet on it’s edge and out of the door. When they got to the truck, they found one of the others had already loaded two of the arm chairs from the kitchen in, the pair then lifted the cabinet and placed it along the side wall of the truck.
When they had exited the van, a couple of the youths they had seen behind Home Base crossed the road and asked, “Excuse us, do you need any help?”
Duggie looked at the two youths and said, “Yeah, can you two go into the kid’s rooms on the first floor and gather up the clothes you find and put them in some bin bags which I will get you now. Follow me,” and Duggie led the pair and Jaboc back to the house and towards the kitchen, when they passed the doorway to the basement, Duggie said to Jaboc, “Can you go down stairs and start to gather up the pictures thanks,” Duggie then winked at Jaboc, who realised that some of the pictures where revealing of Duggies’ true form. Jaboc disappeared down the stairs. Duggie led the two youths into the kitchen and walked to a rack of draws and opened one and took out a roll of black plastic bags, and chucked then at the youths and said, “there you go, up those stairs to the first floor.”
“Thanks,” one of them said.
“My name is Duggie and yours?”
”Simon,” a brown hair youth said.
“Gavin,” the other one said, and he had a large bruise on the side of his chin and the pair disappeared up the stairs.
Duggie then walked back to the stairs down to the den and descended and found Jaboc holding a pile of pictures and looking at one hung on the wall of Duggie, in human form, and Sam.
Jaboc said, after he heard and saw Duggie on the small landing removing his boots, “May I say, Sam looks beautiful in this picture and Claire looks so much like Sam in some of the other pictures.”
“Thank you Jaboc, yeah I know, that one was taken whilst the two of us where on holiday some 25 years ago in Ne-U-bar very close to Syam Metroplex,” Duggie replied.
“May I ask is the form you take in this and now, your preferred form?” Jaboc asked as Duggie took a large flat packed box from a cupboard under the stairs.
“Yes, Jarrzar was my home for a good 1500 years, and to be honest I like the people a lot,” Duggie replied.
“You do know the two of the group going to the Academy this year are Jarrzarian, I think Nibs speaks fluent Jarrzarian?” Jaboc asked, “and I think Nibs, Jum and Wong intend to teach the rest of the Vixen’s Jarrzarian and other languages over the next few years. I think Nibs is fluent in eight maybe nine different languages.”
“No I didn’t, it will be good to meet everyone from the Vixens again at the wedding. Did you know that Claire and Paul are also getting married on Sumdar?” Duggie said.
“No, they have kept that a secret from people,” Jaboc replied.
“How much of this you planning on taking?” Jaboc asked.
“As much as a can, I may leave some of the cushions here, but the bulk I will take with me as I do intend to create another Den when things at the new place are sorted,” Duggie said.
As Jaboc passed the pictures and continued to collect pictures and paintings from the walls he said, “When we get back I will introduce you to Jane, Nicolai, Richard and the rest of the key personal at the club, I think all will be very happy that you now reside on club grounds, especially Walliballa.”
“It will be good to meet people and make new friends, its been a while since I’ve met and made new ‘friends’ rather than colleagues,” Duggie said.
* * * * * *
A couple of hours later the truck was loaded and the two youths who had been helping said thanks and also that at least they would come and see Sarah about what Jaboc had said.
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