Chapter 22 : Let's take that time to review mission details
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Griselda gave a small bow, "Mr. Harcreutz, a pleasure as always."
"Same to you," The grey-haired man reciprocated the gesture, before his eyes perked up at the sight of Vin.
"Is this the new talent you've recruited?" The man adjusted his bent glasses that rested on his nose, giving Vin a once-over from head to toe, causing Vin to stiffen under his scrutiny.
After a moment, the man gave a soft smile, and an approving nod, "He looks promising," Harcreutz extended his hand to Vin, "I'm looking forward to seeing how you grow, son."
Vin wouldn't confess it to anyone, but even the mention of the word 'son' from the taciturn Mr. Harcreutz set off dull throbs of ache in the back of his chest. But he was in the company of… well, someone important, no doubt. So instead of ruminating on the feeling, Vin smothered it out mercilessly, and shook hands with the man before him.
"Vin, this is Wilhelm Harcreutz: the head director of Supernatural Response within the Vatican. He's the one who organizes missions for all of us exorcists," Griselda helpfully supplied.
Oh shit, someone really important, "Oh, it's nice to meet you, sir…"
Harcreutz bellowed out a small laugh, "HAHA! I like this one already, Ms. Quarta!"
For her part, the exorcist cleared her throat, "Yes, I'm glad you approve of my newest pupil, but unfortunately, we don't quite have the time to chat."
"Of course, of course…" Harcreutz agreed, shifting back into his professional cadence, "Well, the bus in zone F is prepared for you all, and we're just waiting on our workers to deliver the Excalibur's."
Suddenly, a set of steel double doors swung open from nearby, as three workers each wheeled in a platform cart that housed some sort of massive machine, each of their dark steel exteriors teeming with lights, levers, clasps, and vents.
Vin couldn't help himself as his inner mechanical engineer screamed at him with the desire to touch them, analyze them, take them apart…
Catching himself shifting forwards a little, Vin shook his head. Whoa! That hadn't happened before. Guess he should take something apart when he gets home, scratch the itch a little. But that was weird, he never got an impulse that strong before…
"Excalibur's Rapidly, Transparency, and Destruction have arrived, sir!" One of the workers called out.
"Well then, what are you waiting for? Unlock them already!" Harcreutz replied, "You three, come on up and grab your weapons."
With a level of nonchalance that frankly baffled Vin; Xenovia, Ethan, and Vanessa each walked up to one of the machines, as they hissed with releasing pressure. The sides and top of the machines folded back to reveal a piece of machinery in the middle, a different looking sword sheathed in each one.
Grabbing them, the three Exorcists-in-training pulled the mechanical sheathes free of their outer casing, as they grabbed onto a handle situated on the side, leaving them to hold the swords like they were suitcases.
"Alright, follow me everyone," Harcreutz waved, as he began to lead the group down the hangar, walking until they arrived at the end of a parked city bus.
Harcreutz turned around, patting the back of the vehicle proudly "This here's your transport for the mission. Looks like a standard civilian bus, except it's got tinted windows, a fake license plate, and has enough disguised armor plating to survive a bombing! The others have already gotten the thing fueled up for your trip, so hop aboard everyone!"
As he entered into the bus, Vin was surprised to find that the traditional bus seat layout had been forgone in the favor of a few long, upholstered benches that spanned the length of the bus. As he looked around for a spot to sit, his eyes found purchase in one sight.
Away from the others embroiled in their amicable conversation sat Xenovia, quiet and reserved as usual, her sheathed weapon sitting across her lap. The sight stirred some form of recollection within Vin's mind, as he realized she was the same as he once was. Not necessarily shy, just… distant. He understood the mentality fine enough, but was intimately familiar enough with it that he knew the harrowing isolation that came with it. So, summoning up his spirit, Vin made his choice, and fell down into the seat next to the bluenette.
Xenovia didn't make any sort of reaction beyond looking up as Griselda came aboard, and secured herself into the driver's seat of the bus.
The exorcist flicked several buttons on the bus's dashboard, before grabbing a radio, "This is Griselda Quarta, secured and ready for dispatch, over."
Vin bolted as an intercom suddenly shot to life in the hangar, "Roger Ms. Quarta, this is mission control, preparing for dispatch in three, two, one…"
A large mechanical hiss could be heard beneath their feet, as Vin peered over his shoulder and out the tinted windows to see that the platform where their vehicle sat was being raised up into the ceiling, up and up, until eventually, it hissed to a stop in what looked to be a large garage with an open gate, two workers standing on either side, and holding traffic control batons to signal them.
Griselda turned the keys of the bus, as the powerful engine rumbled to life, "This is Griselda Quarta, proceeding to deployment, over."
The radio feedback was clear, even from where they sat in the bus, "Understood. Godspeed, Ms. Quarta, over."
And with that, the bus shot out of the gate, and soon effortlessly merged into the early afternoon traffic, nothing amiss to anyone else in the world.
Griselda turned on the GPS of the bus, giving a small glance at the estimated travel time, "Alright everyone, we're prepared to arrive at our mission's destination in three and a half hours. Let's take that time to review mission details, Jafar?"
The man pulled out a file folder, idly flipping it open while Ethan peered over to get a glimpse, "The stray devil we're dealing with is known as Augustus, cause of defection from a devil's peerage is unknown. Eyewitness reports claim that he's mutated badly, and has been consuming wildlife and people alike in the rural outskirts we're heading to."
"Very good, anything else?"
"None," Jafar shook his head as he snapped the folder closed, "Looks like we're going to have to play this one by ear."
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