Chapter 52

“Hey, you were in orientation with me yeah?” Henry said, just loud enough to be heard by the Camo wearing man as Henry approached him. His words caused the man to pause, turning his focus onto Henry. The man’s eyes scanned past Henry, to take in the three D.E.D. floating behind him.

“Yeah, what of it?” The man asked gruffly.

“I was just wondering how things have been going for you. You know, since we joined up at the same time and all, I figured-”

“If you just want to talk, you’re wasting my time.” The man turned his focus back towards the path that would lead him to the other side of the mall. “Something’s going on with those drums. And I intend to find out what.”

The man, without another word, started to move past Henry. However, Henry wouldn’t be shrugged off so easily. He stepped back in front of the man, blocking his path.

“What do you mean?” Henry asked, trying his best to seem innocent. “Also, shouldn’t we, you know, head back to the Greater Rift?”

The man scowled at Henry as the snake around his neck hissed.

“Unlike you,” the man started, “I don’t have a D.E.D. that can help in that slaughter fest. And honestly, the fact no one warned us about how powerful this creature would be, is bullshit. I’m thinking there’s some powerful Exorcists hanging out by those drums, and I’m going to find out why the fuck they aren’t here, on the front lines.” He shoved past Henry, grumbling about cowards leading from the rear.

“Stop,” Henry grabbed at the man’s arm. “Talk to me why don’t,” before he could even finish Henry found himself moving, and not willingly.

At the sense of Henry grabbing his arm, the Camo wearing Vet had reached across with his free hand, and grabbed Henry’s palm and wrist. With a practiced motion, he’d twisted, turning his body as he did, flipping Henry’s wrist up in a painful manner, and driving Henry to his knees.

“Listen here you little shit,” the man huffed. “I know you’re in with that asshole who blasted me. I’ve had a bad day. And honestly, this shit show right here is a waste of my time. I’m going to find out whatever it is that’s going on with those drums, while the cannon fodder gets fed to that crazy Tiered Demon.” He pushed more pressure into Henry’s wrist. The pain felt as if his wrist would break at any moment. However, even though he could sense his D.E.D.’s intentions, he mentally stopped them.

“I can’t let you do that.” Henry gritted through the pain. “Why can’t you just ignore it? Obviously, whatever is happening is helping the exorcists. Why do you have to investigate?”

The man softened the grip just enough that Henry no longer worried his wrist was about to snap, but he was still stuck in place, pain throbbing. The wristlock the man had him in, was a rather efficient tool.

“Because this organization is too shady for me. This type of shit,” he motioned back to the battle, which appeared to be at a stalemate, “is the type of shit that gets people killed. I’ll not serve a group that doesn’t care about its people. These asshats have never even heard of no man left behind.” He spit down towards the ground as Henry glanced at the fighting going on at the Greater Rift.

If not for the fiery fox and its accompanying firefly type creatures keeping the icy essence at bay, Henry knew the Exorcists fighting the essence tendrils wouldn’t stand a chance. Still, he wondered how long they could keep up the fight. And he wondered how the Away team was doing.

“Still,” Henry started, “whatever is happening near the drums is helping. Even if it is powerful exorcists, surely, they’ve got a reason not to be here? Maybe they can’t risk blowing their cover with so many players around?” It was a flimsy excuse, but it was all Henry could think of.

“Nah,” the man shook his head. “I’ve been on too many battlefields to know when something is amiss.” His eyes took on a distant look for a second, his grip loosening a little more. “Trust me, something is going on here. Now, either get out of my way, or I will make sure you can’t stop me.” His eyes narrowed, the grip tightening once more. “You’re no match for me.”

Henry winced, his body squirming and twisting against the wrist lock. The Camo wearer was right in that regard. Henry wasn’t a physically strong as him, nor did he have the fighting experience this guy did. The vet was obviously well trained in hand-to-hand combat. That much was certain.

However, as he’d been sitting there, struggling and drawing out time, he’d been formulating a plan of his own. Henry may have been the weaker of the two physically, but he wasn’t alone. And, while he was certain his D.E.D. would have no trouble mopping the floor with the man’s single D.E.D., he still didn’t want to draw the ire of the Director. But, as long as he didn’t directly use D.E.D. powers against the camo man, then technically, he wouldn’t be breaking that particular rule, would he?

He’d pulled out his phone with his free hand when the man had looked away. Immediately, he’d begun issuing orders to his D.E.D., and thankfully, they cooperated fully for once, with only a few snide mental remarks from his Bladed Drakeling.

“I may not be a match for you.” Henry said through clinched teeth. “But raw power isn’t everything.”

Even as the man’s face turned cold, his intent clear, and the pressure building up on Henry’s wrist, Henry noticed the snake’s head suddenly jerk upwards, looking behind Henry. Of course, he’d had the signal already from his D.E.D., thanks to their mental link, and he knew it was time. Just as the Camo wearing man tried to break Henry’s wrist, essence flowed over Henry, as his D.E.D. acted.

The tables had turned in his favor.