Chapter 30: Ray Dawn

“Don’t think I’ve seen so many mages in the same place at once,” Shenko said.

Nine dozen cybermages had gathered by the main gate of Robben’s Tomb. They were clumped together under the glittering night sky, awaiting Rafinya’s ingenious plan to reclaim the tomb.

“Still won’t be enough,” Ray Dawn said, gaze locked on the tomb: a dark metal dome made from glistening blatinum.

If looks were anything to go by, the prison looked impenetrable.

The ideal play in this scenario was simple: wait them out. Secure the perimeter, let the convicts consume all their supplies and starve them into submission. The guards inside were as good as dead anyway and the council never minded a little collateral.

Normally this would’ve been the case.

‘But the governor wants to make a show of strength.’

Make an example of the inmates to discourage anymore unrest from the enemies lurking in the shadows.

That’s how he would think if he was governor.

“You’re joking right?” Shenko waved at the mages. “This is Gau City’s entire Cybermage Division – which consisted of Cybercrime, Special Forces and Military Intelligence.”

“Doesn’t change that it won’t be enough. The tomb was built to be inaccessible from the outside.”

“Then why are we launching an assault?”

“We aren’t, Murakami is.”

“Then why are we here?”

“Were supposed to be back-up but were actually spectators. Rafinya just doesn’t know it yet.”

“Spectators?” Shenko chuckled mirthlessly. “I guess someone has to witness the Lord Protector fight in all his awesomeness.”

“Indeed. How else would we know to bow at his feet if he didn’t show off his power every now and then?”

A loud whirring engulfed the area as a fancy floatcar was landing, its thrusters blowing up dust up in the process.

Shenko coughed. “Which asshole would land so close?”

The door flapped open and out walked a figure in golden mechanical armour, with jade gems planted around the neck and a black shield hanging on his back. His helm was down, exposed his short golden hair and the righteous blue eyes. The figurehead of federation justice within the city, the symbol of law and order, the council’s champion and lead enforcer: the Lord Protector Murakami Messias.

Rafinya, Clive Barker and the intelligence lieutenant met him halfway and gestured for Murakami to follow them.

Ray Dawn whistled, eyes narrowed knowingly. “See, even Murakami can’t sit this one out.”

“Ray, his shield.” Shenko said with a rare scowl. “Is that what I think it is?”

The shield was distorting the light around it, made the space within its vicinity seem illusionary.

“The greater relic, Blackflame,” Ray Dawn muttered almost inaudibly.

Shenko turned to him. “Is this why you diverted Grieselda?”

Ray Dawn didn’t reply but thought.

‘She has all the makings of a competent cybermage. Well suited to my unit. But there’s something about the way she looks at me sometimes.’

In those few moments she gave him a bad feeling. The same feeling Kirchoff – his former subordinate – gave him before his unfortunate death.

“You didn’t want any distractions,” Shenko said.

Ray Dawn didn’t reply.

“Because you’re gonna make a play for it?”

Ray Dawn didn’t reply.

“If you get a chance that is.”

Ray Dawn didn’t reply. His focus was elsewhere. He watched three lieutenants escort Murakami into the security booth which had been commandeered as a temporary command centre.

“Okay here’s the plan.”

Rafinya said from just outside the security booth. Murakami and the other two lieutenants by his side, all the cybermages circled around them.

Rafinya gestured to Murakami. “The Lord Protector has been equipped with a relic capable of breaching the tomb walls but it has a limited range. So we have two objectives. Spearhead a charge on the tomb and shield the Lord Protector until he can get within range. Captains will receive further instructions as pertains to formation from their respective lieutenants—”

Rafinya stopped for a raised hand. “Yes.”

“I thought the tomb had rail guns?” Shenko said.

“Why you need to shield the Lord Protector.”

‘Meat shields.’

The murmurs of concern burst from the crowd of cybermages. No one was under the illusion they’d survive a rail blast.

‘But orders are orders right. Falling on the sword for the Lord Protector is a noble death right.’

“What about using siege machinery?” A voice asked.

“That’s a sitting target for a rail gun,” Rafinya snorted as if it was obvious. “At least with mages we have ingenuity and manoeuvrability to last a few moves.”

Ray Dawn raised an arm and Rafinya acknowledged him with a frown.

“Can I get another task?” Ray Dawn asked. “Bloody work that, being cannon fodder.”

Silence, an uncomfortable silence.

Because they all knew it to be true but for someone to actually say something, a captain at that.

Rafinya spasmed fury and looked about ready to explode but the Lord Protector put a hand over his shoulder.

“Captain Zappa, you have a better idea?”

“I do,” Ray Dawn said without further elaboration.

“Would you care to share?”

“Better cannon fodder,” Ray Dawn said as if expecting everyone present to understand.

“What do you mean?” The Lord Protector remained patient, blue eyes cool, calm and collected.

“Two dozen droids more if there is anyone else here who can use droid controls.”

There was a widespread bobbing of heads, as if the plan had already been approved. Made it near impossible for Rafinya to go against the general consensus. Unless he wanted to aggro the hate of the entire Cybermage Division for the rest of his tenure as lieutenant.

Hierachy or not, mages were logical beings. Not in the habit of throwing away their lives when there were more optimal solutions.

Rafinya frowned. “I guess we can try but we’d need the approval of the council to access that many droids.”

“I’ll make it happen,” Murakami said.

More murmurs of approval from the crowd, completely lifting the heavy mood.

Shenko leaned to whisper to him.

“Spectators,” Shenko said in realization and turned to him.

Ray Dawn didn’t reply.

Shenko leaned over to him and whispered. “So we really only need to risk the Lord Protector.”

Ray Dawn didn’t reply.

“And you get your wish to control a large arsenal of droids into combat.”

Ray Dawn neither confirmed nor denied.

“Amazing work,” Shenko said, a hint of admiration in his eyes.