Before I dealt with other officers, I needed to check on the rest of my people. I didn’t want to explain everything to the officers when I was planning on spilling the tea in an interview later today. I needed to think very carefully about this, but first I needed to find Will and a few others. On my way to finding Will, Natalie bumped into me again and whispered, “your going to need to be strategic in there.” I nodded in confirmation, but didn’t say anything at that time. She followed up with, “Talk to me before hand.” I nodded again, not committing to a verbal response in front of a bunch of people.

  Will was easy enough to find. He was standing over one of the big demon creatures. Before I said hi, I used assess on the deformed giant.

  Fiendish Ogrut, War Hurler, Level 13

  I looked around at the various ogrut bodies, and it dawned on me that this was the one that threw his mace a few hundred yards or more. I got my radio out, “Katnessa, if it makes you feel any better, not every fiendish ogrut can throw stuff that far. The one that threw his mace at you is classed as a war hurler.”

  “Fuck you, Captain. I really don’t want to think about a giant demon who can shot-put.” She said playfully. Well at least she has her sense of humor. While I was here I assessed the other two closest fiendish ogruts.

  Fiendish Ogrut, Meat Shield, Level 15

  Fiendish Ogrut, Bruiser, Level 14

  Meat shield? Well at least it is appropriate. I guess an ogrut is some type of ogre variant. They certainly look the part: big, mean, and ugly. Will interrupted my musings when he got in front of me, “Sir. Why did you mess with Kat?”

  “I’m just getting her back for all the constant cat references. I’m probably not very funny, but I try. So, what kind of abilities did you pick up?”

  “These monsters had some really interesting ones. There is a tier 5 constitution health buff and an active ability for mighty throw, but it is tier 4 strength. I don’t think we have anybody at a constitution of 11 or strength of 7.”

  “You would be correct, young Will. I see you figured out stat requirements for various tiers as well, good job.”

  “There was a chart of suspected stat requirements for each tier. So far, it has proven true, but no one knows what tier 6 or higher will take, nor how many tiers there really are. Even the 11 is just an educated guess.”

  “We’ll know when we find a tier 5 arcane ability. We’ll give it to Nora and see if she can learn it.”

  “Oh, good point, but would she even have enough mana to use a tier 5?”

  “Probably not yet, but at some point she would either have the raw mana, or the caster level to lower the mana cost. If any of us has a shot at it, it’s her.”

  “That probably means she’s super important.”

  “Agreed, probably more important than either of us.” I smiled at him as I let him know that I was probably well below her in terms of usefulness to humanity.

  “I’m feeling pretty important lately. I got closer to level 6 just being on the battlefield. There were so many people that I was surprised I picked up over 15% to the next level.”

  “Thank God for that. The closer we get you to level 10 the better off we’ll all be.”

  “Why level 10? No one had a specific goal for me before.”

  “If you are level 10, then whenever you pull abilities, you will most likely pull class cores as well. If there is anything beyond class cores, we won’t really know until you have the levels to drain a being in one shot.” I got a wistful look on my face, as that would genuinely be big deal.

  “I already did that with one of the orcs today. He had 4 abilities and a class core. I got a health boost, damage resistance, a passive strength ability that I couldn’t identify, and an active strength ability that I kinda want to know what it is.”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask, how is it you can identify some abilities straight up, and not others?” I was curious and I never stopped or even really slowed down enough to bother finding out. Now was a good a time as any.

  “Once I’ve identified it once, its easy. If I can actually use the ability then it straight up tells me, but if I don’t have the affinity then it is a bit of a guessing game from the symbols and images I see when I concentrate on the token or class core. I look forward to having my next class have more affinities than what I have now. That would be awesome and so helpful.”

  “I’m glad you’re planning that part at least. Just make sure you stay safe until you can get to that next class. We should go and find Vern, Brett, and Joe.” Will nodded with a satisfied look on his face.

  It was no real effort to find all three. Vern was close by to start, talking with a few guardsmen. The guardsmen were frazzled and Vern’s affable nature seemed to calm them down. I’m not surprised by any of it. Vern may ask a lot of questions, but he gets along well with people; he’s likable. Well, he’s quirky but likable. I gathered him with me and went to Joe and Brett, which were both hanging out at Joe’s SUV.

  “Hey Joe, nice shooting earlier. Was the rifle the only goodies from Smitty?” I asked hoping there would be more than a single enchanted AR-15. I could be hoping for a bit much. Making a single enchanted rifle in less than three days was expecting a lot, so expecting significantly more was probably unrealistic.

  “Smitty outdid himself.” He flashed the briefest half smile before opening up the back of the SUV. Inside were 2 rifles in addition to the one Joe had used and subsequently returned. Sitting next to them were 3 boxes of ammunition. There were possibly 100 bullets in each box. This was a haul. I am not entirely sure how they accomplished that. There was also a few riot shields next to the rifles. Enchanted shields, maybe? This was way beyond what I was hoping for.

  “Holy shit, dude!” I gaped at the haul that Smitty had made. I now it wasn’t just Smitty, but him and well over half a dozen other crafters working together. They probably worked through the night to make this happen. If dollars still mattered, then Smitty earned himself a massive raise.

  Will and Vern came around to see what I was seeing and stared at the weapons too. The rifles had a gleam to them that I had not seen in an AR model before. The ammo that was visible had a slight purple sheen to the tips.

  “Joe, bring the SUV around to the command center and keep Will, Vern, and Brett with you. don’t let anyone remove them from your care.” I pointed towards the clothing store that was serving as command and then started walking back there myself. I found Natalie on my way and she pulled me aside.

  “Neal, do you know how you are going to handle all of this. I think some of those officers in there would love nothing more than to take everything from you.”

  “If they do, then I’m contacting my dad and getting relocated to Jeff City or to Colorado. Cause, if I get fucked, then Fuck em back.” She grinned. That grin reminded me a bit too much of the cheshire cat.

  “Good. You have the power in this or any other negotiation. You know far more about the system than they do. That failure was their choice.”

  I felt oddly bashful, and I wasn’t entirely sure why, “Thanks for the pep talk. I’m about ready for them. I just need to grab Nora and Frank. If you could get a few of the boys from second squad and have them bring in the rifles and ammo from the trunk of Joe’s SUV. Oh, and don’t let Brittney out of your sight. I can see some of this foul play coming, and I don’t want to get caught flat footed by any of it.”

  “I can do that. I don’t put anything past people anymore. Give me ten minutes and I should be able to help you with all of that. God, I hope that people stop politicking at the moment.” She looked like she wanted to say more, but she shut her mouth to keep any of those other thoughts clamped down. She was clearly smarter than I was. I had a hard time knowing when to shut up.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  With that, I went in search of Frank and Nora, who were conveniently hanging out with Brittney. They were looting dead orcs and ogruts. They had a lot of help from the rest of the troops. Everyone seemed to be involved in cleaning up the battlefield. I watched as Brittney constantly swiped gear into her ring of storage. That ring truly was the best find. She threw nearly a hundred large refrigerators in there. I don’t know how she fit them all, but they nearly cleared out all of Oakland in a day. The amount of food that gave us for all our refuge seeking residents was priceless.

  Frank spotted me first. He handed two potions over to Brittney before he stepped over to me. “Hey Neal, you look like you’ve been busy. A lot of running around?”

  “Was that a subtle joke about me not being in as good a shape as you?”

  “Maybe. You also look like you’ve been around as I’ve seen you in a bunch of different spots.” He didn’t smile at me, but gave me a look like he knew I was up to something. He was easy to read at times, and very difficult to read at others. Billy was always pretty easy to read, and so was Chris. Frank was a little different, and maybe its because I never joined a frat or did a bunch of sports. He was one of the guys, but he was often quiet. He probably thought about things deeper than people gave him credit for, given his size.

  “Yeah, I’ve about a bit. I’m mostly just checking in on everyone. Also, gathering my people and ensuring their safety before any potential fallout hits.”

  “Expecting fallout?” Frank asked seriously.

  “It is par for the apocalypse.” Once I said that I realized I just how badly that mixed metaphors or concepts.

  “Par?”

  “Yeah, it was a bad attempt to make a metaphor that just didn’t work. So, sue me.”

  “Nah, you’ve got enough problems without an extra lawsuit.”

  Nora and Brittney stepped over now that our conversation carried on longer than a few seconds, “Frank, is Neal being absurd again.”

  “Babe, your assuming he ever stopped.” Frank got that one in good.

  “Touche.” I said, trying to end the joke. “Nora make sure Brittney stays extra safe. I don’t want a surly officer using her against me somehow.”

  “Absolutely. That isn’t a problem. You just protect everyone you can.”

  “Will do.” With that it was time to face the music or firing squad depending on your preference in metaphors.

  Natalie found me and the others as we grouped up outside the command center. I nodded to her before heading inside. She had two of the enchanted assault rifles and two of the ammo boxes. I was relieved that she didn’t bring everything worth bargaining with.

  Stepping inside felt different. The atmosphere changed. Many of the men in here looked at me with respect. I could see it written on their faces. There was less animosity. Perhaps fighting together and putting myself out there in harm’s way earned me that currency I needed. Captain Hadley was in a trio of officers who didn’t seem to share that sentiment. Their body language told me they were not happy I was that successful. It looked like jealousy, plain and simple. I stepped towards Colonel Smolders, who looked to be conferencing with a major that I didn’t know the name of. When I stepped forward, he looked at me and had a tiny smile playing across his lips. He straightened up his expression back to its more neutral state, “Congrats, Captain. It looks like your plan helped break them. I look forward to a full report when you have time.”

  “I will gladly give a full report later today once I know things are settled.”

  The major turned and spoke very dryly, “Oh, so you’re the genius. How did you pull this off?”

  “You just saw me express to the Colonel that I would give him a rundown later, when I knew that my congressional district was secure and the evacuation efforts were well underway.”

  “I’m Major Grant with military intelligence. We are very interested in your methods.”

  Before anything else, I used Assess on the major. No harm in checking.

  Human, Military Intelligence Analyst, Level 6

  I looked to Colonel Smolders to see if there was a way I could wiggle out of this. His neutral expression told me I didn’t have that luxury at the moment. I turned back to Major Grant, “Our methods were pretty clear. We used abilities that we got from our enemies against them. We have a few people who can take abilities from their dead bodies. However, I bet you already know that, and have been collecting abilities yourself.”

  “I have a few; however, it is your actions that make me curious.”

  “What other actions are you specifically curious about?” I was going to keep him focused on whatever he mentioned next. He wasn’t getting a blank check to explain every last detail to him. Not only would it give him all the power, but it would all god damn day.

  “You appear to have magic weapons or ammo. How did you come to have those in your possession?”

  “We found people that have the appropriate crafting class and helped get them the materials they needed to make enchanted ammo that would bypass the demonic damage resistance. We have spent the last several days getting to this point.” I took one of the ammo boxes that Natalie offered me. “This 5.56mm ammo that is enchanted. A whole box of it. We needs one million more just like it, but that is going to take a really long time given the limited resources we have currently.”

  Everyone in the room stopped their individual conversations at that statement. It didn’t take a genius to realize that there were a lot of complaints about how damn bullet proof the orcs were. I had heard a few just as I had been walking around to grab everyone. I wasn’t exactly talking bringing up new information.

  “When you achieve such things you should let your commanders know and hand them over to them for verification.”

  “No.” I said it simply and cleanly.

  “What do you mean, No? That is insubordination.”

  “I am more than just levied militia. I am also a state representative. That whole duality does give me benefits that most people wouldn’t. I am reasonably certain that the dual appointment was to sort of get me out of the way. I get it, I am an unknown quantity. The Governor doesn’t know how I will vote, so I am certain it was suggested to him to get me both civilian and military responsibilities. The problem with that is I have responsibility and authority. My civil authority is lessened when we are in a state of martial law, but it isn’t entirely removed. With that unique scenario, I can simply state that I am operating pursuant to my overarching orders. Those were agreed upon with Colonel Smolders as soon as I reached Fenton. He said protect my district by any means necessary. He also said to evacuate people as far from the portals as I can, while still staying within my district. I have done just that. So as both a civil authority and a military one I have worked to condense four municipalities into only one for the time being. I did what was asked of me.”

  “well you did do what was asked of you, however you didn’t follow all the protocols that we have been putting in place. You have been woeful in reporting information up the chain of command. You have also been seen to keeping any contraband recovered from the enemy. That should be turned over to command as soon as possible. Your civil authority is not really at play in a situation of martial law, but I thought you already realized that.”

  I laughed, “Yet the Governor saw fit to amend the state constitution to give me that civil authority. My degree is political science. I understand the law pretty damn well. This dual appointment situation gives me more authority than I would have had as just a captain. Pursuant to protecting the citizens of my district I have kept found resources within said district. I could claim everything out there on that battlefield as it falls in my district, but I would do that. I’m not a dick.”

  “Seriously, you think you have some authority here. You have what you were given, and nothing more.”

  “What would my father, U.S. Congressman Cassland, who also sits on the House Armed Services Committee, say about that?” I didn’t want to play the dad card, as it felt like a cheap out, but I knew it was in my back pocket if I needed them to back off. I held off on that card up until now. I didn’t use it to save Dennis. I didn’t use it previously with military officials as it felt weak, but we were on day five of the apocalypse. The portals would either fall in the next 48 hours, or they would probably close from running out of whatever sustained them. It would take him most of those 48 hours just to circumvent my father.

  I continued, “So how about I make a show of good faith to Colonel Smolders. Colonel you should have this box of enchanted ammo. Get it to any gunsmiths you have under your command so that they can review them prior to making more of their own. I have documents that show what types of classes are compatible and what process they used.” Nora stepped forward and placed 4 notebooks on the closest table to our discussion.

  Colonel Smolders tried to intervene at this point, “Captain Cassland, thanks for your offer of improved munitions. We appreciate you being so forthright in accommodating National Guard Command.” He looked like he was trying to play peace maker when he should be in charge. That only told me that there were people way above him that were applying pressure for all of this to even happen publicly. Who had the power to make him become a pushover?

  “That is not remotely enough.” Major Grant stated coolly. He wasn’t entirely calm, but he kept a lid on his emotions, far better than I was expecting him to. “You should provide all ammunition and anything else you have secured. In addition, you need to give us several members of your team as they clearly need to be transferred to fresh units.”

  I motioned for and received the second box of ammo. I placed it on the table next to Nora’s notebooks. “You get the second box and nothing more. I’ve given you additional supplies. I’ve given you logistical help in the form of knowledge. You aren’t getting my team. I will offer to anyone who wants to volunteer command switches, so that you can replenish your ranks, but that is the limit of what I will do. Again, we can get Federal involvement. I don’t think that is going to go in your favor, though.”

  “I want the teen you use to steal abilities from corpses, and the old man who copies abilities.”

  “The kid is under the age of 17. He is thus a political appointment as an aide to me. Same for the man who is well over the max age of drafting. He is in his 60’s. You’re not getting my essential people. They are outside your jurisdiction, and intentionally so.”

  He finally lost his cool, “I am getting the young lady who used the magic stick thing then.” He pointed at Nora.

  It was then that he overestimated himself. Frank stepped in between Nora and him, pulled his 50 caliber pistol, and put it to Major Grant’s face, “You’ll be dead before that happens.” I was not expecting Frank to lose his cool, but it is Nora, and he sometimes loses his cool when he thinks people could harm her.

  I smiled. “Frank here is on loan to me personally by the U.S. Army. He is outside the National Guard's authority. He isn’t yours to command. We’re going to leave. No one is going to complain about us not caving to your every whim. I believe in cooperation, but I’m not your little pawn to use as you please. If you have issues, then take them up with my father.” I knew it wouldn’t work for more than 48 hours, but hopefully I wouldn’t need that long, or some demon would kill the major.

  We left while everyone was still stunned. Of all the insanity that happened in there, the craziest part was that no one pulled a weapon to defend the Major. That was telling about how much he was disliked.

  If this was the start of the day, then I have no idea how insane the rest of it was going to get. Only time would tell.