Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Seven: The Hierarchy Strikes Back (Patreon)

A squad of heavily-armored soldiers toting HEPARs (yes, the same ones I sold them) escorted the Gellatoid to an armoured truck. Phoenix Company troopers showed up too, their jet-black uniforms an added layer of intimidation as the police tried to sort out the mess around the Everard High.

I took advantage of the lull to contact Anne.

<Belessar>: How’re you holding up?

<Nanocloud>: I’m okay. Dad’s the one stressing out. I keep telling him, I’m fine.

<Belessar>: Do we have any idea why the attack happened?

<Nanocloud>: Nothing. It’s a bit weird, though - why’d they attack the school in the first place? Makes no sense.

<Belessar>: Well, at least the press have some decency today. The reporters aren’t bothering us for quotes.

<Nanocloud>: Yeah - that’s not decency exactly. There’s a dozen news channels calling for your arrest.

<Belessar>: What? Why?

<Nanocloud>: You shot an elected official on live TV. It’s the kind of thing people get locked up for.

<Belessar>: Are they going to arrest me?

<Nanocloud>: The cops aren’t. Or rather, the cops can’t.

<Belessar>: Legal technicalities? That’s a thin shield.

<Nanocloud>: The Boar Armour, actually, is the real shield. News anchors are pointing out that the cops don’t have anything that’ll penetrate it. Short of an airstrike.

<Belessar>: Hang on. Am I in danger here?

<Nanocloud>: Of course not. The US military isn’t going to send a drone squadron after someone who shot down ten strikefighters. That’s just a waste of drones.

<Belessar>: That’s not funny.

<Nanocloud>: We can either be amused or angry. And I’m too tired to be angry right now.

<Belessar>: Is that why the reporters are giving me a wide berth?

<Nanocloud>: Yeah, they’re staying out of the blast zone.

Now that Anne had pointed it out, I could see the telltale traces of people exercising ‘due caution’.

The cordon of police around me had stayed in place - a dozen-odd cops with nervous expressions and (fortunately) holstered weapons - but the soldiers were staying out of it. Matthis was in a conversation with Doyle.

I could make a fair guess what they were talking about.

Mathhis turned suddenly and stormed off.

At least that meant there wasn’t a drone strike headed my way. Probably.

My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar buzz.

Reflexively, I yanked out my SURGE pager.

ATTACK EXPECTED SHORTLY. STAND BY FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.

That was … vague?

Doyle strode up to me rapidly, a phone in hand. “Fraser’s on the line.”

“Hello, Colonel.”

“Afternoon, Belessar.” Fraser’s voice crackled over the phone. “Skyguard just sent out an alert. The Hierarchy siege ships are moving. All of them.”

“They’re mounting an attack now?”

“Bombardment started five minutes ago. Fifteen ships moved towards Skyguard, blocking the Fifty from intervening, and another fifteen started pounding at the shield. A minute ago, Bastion sent out an all-hands alert.”

“Do we know the target?”

“They’ll breach the shield fifty kilometres west of Bermuda.”

“Is that the target?”

“We don’t know. The whole U.S. East cost is within a thousand kilometres of there - less than five minutes flight time for them. The Stratospheric Guard is holding off announcing until we have a confirmation."

"I'll get ready to move."

"Belessar - the Hierarchy mounted their biggest-ever assault on London after the documentary about the Raptors and Sarnak aired on the BBC. You’ve just revealed they have spies on the ground. Here in Tanisport.”

Uh.

“Do you mean they’ll hit … here? In Tanisport?”

“We need to mount a defence - and we need to figure out what’s going to be hitting us.”

“Are we mobilizing?”

“General Xavier’s on the phone with the Governor. Calling out the National Guard.”

NEW QUEST ALERT: HOMEGROUND DEFENSE.

THE HIERARCHY IS MOST DISPLEASED AT YOUR REVELATION OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE GELLATOIDS. THIS HAS DISRUPTED DECADES OF CAREFUL PLANNING.

TO ENSURE THAT SUCH BRAZEN DEFIANCE TO THE WILL OF THE HIERARCHY IS ADEQUATELY CHASTISED, THE COMMANDER OF THE SIEGE FLEET IS LEADING AN ATTACK ON  TANISPORT PERSONALLY.

DEFEND YOUR CITY, IF YOU CAN. SAVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

REWARDS: SURVIVAL, PLUS A LITTLE EXTRA DEPENDING ON HOW WELL YOU SURVIVE. +2 XP FOR EACH PERSON IN TANISPORT ALIVE 24 HOURS AFTER THE ATTACK.

FAILURE PENALTY: YOU DIE. TANISPORT DIES. ITS PEOPLE DIE.

ATTACK STARTS IN: 02:00:00