ST1341

By Michael Cleveland

**Flaming
Feather**

The two women walked quietly through the empty warehouse, looking around nervously at the video cameras that tracked their movements and the old tv that sat in the middle of the concrete floor. The taller of the two held a gun nervously as she paced, while the other calmly circled the television screen. As their footsteps echoed against the halls, the taller one spoke -

"This is a setup, Lorraine. We should leave here. I knew this was a -"

Slowly lighting a cigarette, the shorter lady glanced up at the video cameras then looked at her partner. "Would you relax, Tavariel? The way you keep pacing like that, one would think you were the Ofanite here. Besides, these guys are probably already here - they're just wanting to get a feel for us."

The taller one gave a wary look up towards on of the cameras tracking her. "The cameras, then - keeping us under surveillance. Of course - I should have realized these mercenaries would want material to blackmail us with."

Lorraine took a draw of her cigarette, then shrugged. "Doubt it, really. The cameras are all out in the open - they want us to know we're being watched." She moved a bit closer to the Seraph, then whispered, "Truth is, I'm not thrilled about this setup either. But if these people can deliver even half what they claim -"

"Then you should be quite pleased with the results."

The two angels started momentarily as the television flickered to life beside them. The view on the screen shifted to a soft bluish tone with several sigils emblazoned in the background, with two non-descript silhouettes standing before them. One of the silhouettes, appearing to be a taller male, moved closer towards the screen. "I apologize for the delay in our transmission, but one of your Soldiers attempted to follow you. We've left him in a motel several blocks away from your Tether - unharmed, of course."

The taller one squinted for a moment, then muttered. "David. Bless."

The other silhouette, a shorter female, chuckled. "Humans in their neverending quest for the unattainable. One never can tell. But still - to business."

The Ofanite nodded, and put out the cigarette. "Yes, of course. To business. Do you have what we asked for?" Lorraine attempted to put on a stern, business-like face, but quickly lost her composure as a battered and beaten figure was thrust onto the screen, expertly trussed and gagged.

"This is Lazrabal's current vessel, in decent and mobile shape. He has been positively identified as the Habbalite who killed your former Seneschal. We will be happy to hand him over to you for trial, as soon as the payment is made."

Tavariel nodded and opened a briefcase that she had set down by the television, holding the contents up to one of the cameras. "Two relinquaries, of the size and specification you requested. One hundred-thousand dollars cash, non-sequential. One pair of Will-shackles, Judgment grade six. One set of Discord Bracelets, containing the discord of Binding. Everything is inside the case."

The male figure nodded. "Good. Now, there is a circle traced in chalk in the far left corner of the warehouse. Place the case inside. Once you do, we shall send the Habbalite through, as well as the Will-Shackles and Binding Bracelets we currently hold. Are there any other questions before we finalize the transaction?"

Lorraine nodded. "Yes, there are. First off, if we require your services again, how should we contact you? The number you gave us is no longer in service."

The female silhouette shook her head negatively. "Yes, it is. The phone number is recorded, and we will contact you once we are prepared to accept another contract in this area from another number. Anything else?"

The Ofanite shook her head no, and started towards the far corner. The Seraph began to follow, then turned and looked at the camera closest to her. "I know this may be rude, but I must ask - what Archangel did the two of you serve?"

The male silhouette held up a hand. "It is rude to ask those who are Outcast, but while we do not broadcast our affiations, I can honestly and Truthfully say, young Seraph, that we still work for the betterment of our Archangel's Word. Now, let us finish this..."




STEFAN.
 IT'S SERGEI.
 WORKED ANOTHER CONTRACT FOR DIVINE FIRE WHILE YOU WERE OUT.
 KARI TOOK THE HABBALITE NO PROBLEM - NOT A SINGLE HUMAN HURT.
 SHE'S OUT SCOUTING OUR NEXT JOB RIGHT NOW.
 YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD.
 PHONE NUMBER HAS CHANGED AGAIN. PREPAID IN CASH. UNTRACABLE.
 832-555-4471. 832-555-4471.
 CELLULAR GOOD ALL OVER COUNTRY.
 ONCE YOU GET OUT OF LIMBO, LET US KNOW WHERE YOU ARE
 WE'LL COME GET YOU.
 SENDING ANOTHER 30 STANDARD UNITS OF ESSENCE AFTER MESSAGE.
 HANG IN THERE, STEFAN.
 REMEMBER, WE MAY HAVE BEEN LAID OFF
 BUT WE DON'T QUIT. GRIGORI NEVER QUIT. EVER.
 UNTIL YOU GET BACK, WE ARE, AND WILL ALWAYS BE
 SEEKER TRIAD 1341.
 STAY RIGHTEOUS.

**Flaming
Feather**

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