The Lostkind (48 page)

"Worried that we might not be speaking?"

"Something like that." She agreed.

"I can't speak for you, but I have no problem taking your money." Vincent said blandly.

Connie smiled broadly. He sounded like his old self for a moment. "Bring it on, McCall."

~oo00oo~

New York had a worldwide reputation as the City That Never Sleeps.

On this evening in New York, something was different. There was a pall over the city, like an unnatural chill. It lasted until Nightfall.

Nobody noticed the increase in people that made their way into the subways, nobody had any reason to be looking at the abandoned buildings or the alleyways...

Vincent was watching out his window, saw only a few of them. Connie came over to the window as she noticed his scrutiny, peeking down at the people in rags that covered their clothes completely. There were only three of them. They made their way to the manhole cover in the middle of the street. They vanished below the surface and put the cover back; leaving no trace behind them.

Vincent sensed Connie's shiver. "It's happening." She said softly.

~oo00oo~

Yasi was stationed at the Last Entrance to the Labyrinth. The spotlights were hot and bright, aiming down the large Tunnel. Her people flanked her on each side, poised behind their barricades. Night had fallen Above; and they all knew the attack would come soon.

The tension was heavy. The Shinobi were skilled warriors, but they got that way through the constant training of a relatively small group; and they knew they were heavily outnumbered this time.

Yasi bit her lip and tapped Dorcan silently. He gave her a quick nod and shifted over to cover her place in the line; as Yasi went to the nearest telephone and wound it up for a call. The hardline turn-of-the-century phone connected. "Operator."

Yasi spoke quietly. "Priority. Put me through to Throne Room."

"Right away, Captain." The young voice chirped and connected the call.

"Yasi?" Keeper creaked into the phone. "No action at The River. I think the razor nets are keeping them out."

Yasi nodded. "I agree. Which means the first thing Vandark will do is try and get those nets raised."

Keeper sighed. "It's... really happening, isn't it?"

Yasi was about to respond, when she heard a cry of pain come from the entrance to the Labyrinth. Yasi turned to send a quick look at the tunnel. "It's starting. See you on the flip side." She told Keeper, and hung up immediately, returning to her post.

Another shout of pain came echoing out of the tunnel; the spotlights doing little to shake the intimidating depths of the dark entrance.

Yasi spoke, clear enough to be heard by the whole defensive line. "Do not hesitate!" She commanded them. "Do not freeze. We have always worked as Keepers of the Peace, not as soldiers; but you've been trained and tested, for exactly this reason: To keep our home safe from those who would take it from us. This is our moment to do what we have all been called to do. The moment we were born for!"

Another shout of pain came from the tunnels, louder and clearer. Yasi sent a quick nod to Dorcan, who took up the final instructions. "Don't give way to fear." He said calmly. "There are eleven more barricades behind us, choke points at every level. The Invaders are far from their homes, with only a booby-trapped Labyrinth at their backs, and one way in. Our mission is to outlast them, to wear them down, one by one. They have the numbers, we have the walls. Don't let them wear you down first."

Another shout of pain; sharp enough to hear clearly. The Shinobi all gripped their crossbows tighter, eyes blazing, following the spotlights.

"Those screams you're hearing?" Yasi called. "That's the sound of our traps thinning out the invaders. Our tactics are already at work; their numbers already shrinking. First Blood goes to the New York Ninja!"

Her Shinobi Warriors roared, the tension transforming into a deadly dangerous energy; hungry for battle; eager to deal out the fury that had been building all day.

Shapes formed in the spotlights, and Yasi's crossbow flashed up, gleaming in the bright glow instantly. "FIRE!"

Without hesitation, a dozen trained marksmen loosed arrows on the enemy; and they all ducked back into the turn of the Tunnel, seeking cover. A moment later, the invaders fired back, and the Shinobi ducked below their barricades.

Without Yasi having to give the order, the air in the tunnel thick with crossbow bolts going both directions, so close together that more than a few of them knocked each other straight out of the air.

Battle was joined as the war for the New York Underside began in earnest.

~oo00oo~

Owen took a long slow breath, and struggled not to keep looking over his shoulder. The Subway wasn't crowded at this time of night; but there were people enough that it made him nervous.

Because sitting behind him on the cracked plastic seats of the subway car... was Vandark.

The soon-to-be Kingmaker was perfectly relaxed, dressed in long black leathers, and a chain mail vest which somehow fit perfectly with a few gang members that traded a joint back and forth at the other end of the car.

Owen felt his heart rate spike as the gang got up; heading toward the doors as the train slowed to enter a station. One of them flipped off Owen, more out of habit than any real malice. Owen glanced behind him and didn't say anything.

Vandark did not speak until the doors shut and they were alone in the Subway car. "Owen." He said grandly. "Did that youth just..."

"It was nothing." Owen dismissed it.

"
Don't
interrupt." Vandark said without raising his voice, and Owen felt a thrill of horror go through him. "As I was saying, that sort of disrespect is almost to be expected. Give me some time, once this day is finished, Owen. I'll have that kid shining your shoes soon enough." Vandark checked the map and rose to his feet. "Assuming I let him live that long."

~oo00oo~

The tide of the battle turned in favor of the Shinobi, as Vandark's Wildmen were pushed back, first retreating slowly, then running for their lives back into the Labyrinth.

The Shinobi roared with victory. Yasi and Dorcan didn't. The first attack was less than ten archers. A probe to see what the first line of defense was made of. It had retreated after only a few minutes. Two Shinobi had crossbow bolts speared through them. Thirteen remained untouched. The Healers were still at the Chapel, still flatly refusing to come out; even for this. The Shinobi knew enough First Aid to do the job and patch the holes.

Yasi never took her eyes off the Tunnel, one hand tightly holding her crossbow, the other wrapped around the sword handle at her back; ready and waiting.

Sure enough, the Tunnel announced more on the way. Footsteps, suddenly audible. Not the silent tread of the last attack, but clear determined marching. It had a vaguely metallic sound; and as they came into reach of the spotlights, the Shinobi could see why.

The second wave was coming in, and they were organized. There had to be at least a dozen of them, armed with large shields. The shields were all different styles, painted ornately; and held close together, providing no opening where the shield-bearers were visible within. Three of the long Legion Shields were held horizontally over their heads; making the formation almost the width of the Entrance Tunnel.

The Shinobi struck, firing their weapons, and the bolts just bounced aside, unable to get to the enemy as it approached. It wasn't moving fast, but it wasn't stopping for anything.

"FALL BACK!" Yasi roared, and the Lostkind abandoned their fight, covering each other as best they could, shoulder to shoulder as they made their way back to the next barricade, a chamber behind them. The Wildmen were quick to press their advantage; seeking entrenched cover of their own...

Yasi struck, slashing out at them horizontally, her sword providing room for her people to escape; but the tunnel too narrow for her to get any real power or movement.

"DOWN!" Dorcan's voice shouted from behind her; and she ducked her head down low. Dorcan had collected the oil-lamps from where they had been stacked, and was lobbing them at the door. The lanterns shattered, the oil splashing everywhere.

Yasi jumped back, and slashed the sword along the doorway; steel on stone throwing up sparks...

The first barricade burst into flame; forcing the Wildmen back, keeping them away as the Shinobi withdrew to their next line of defense. By the time the Invaders got the flames out, the next hallway had been collapsed.

More and more Wildmen made their way out of the Labyrinth, helping to clear the way, in preparation for the arrival of their Master.

The Labyrinth and the Entrance had fallen to Vandark.

~oo00oo~

Connie opened the door to Vincent with a tight smile. "I have a guest."

Vincent felt his fists close unconsciously as he came inside...

And let out a breath in relief as he found Tecca sitting rigidly on her couch, and a cat asleep beside him. "Tecca."

Tecca stood up abruptly, and the cat woke up with a hiss. Tecca grabbed it by the nape of the neck and held it out to Vincent. "There. Message delivered." He said angrily.

"What?" Vincent blinked and took the cat on instinct.

The feline hissed back at Tecca for a few seconds, and settled. Tecca was surprised. "That demented hairball bites everyone but Yasi."

Connie snorted. "Naturally. What are you doing here Tecca?"

Tecca growled under his breath. "They collapsed the Labyrinth after I left. There's only one path home, and there are about a hundred bad guys in the way."

"Yasi sent you someplace safe." Connie said approvingly.

Tecca waved at Vincent. "She sent the cat. I'm just the cat-carrier."

Vincent didn't say anything, having a staring contest with the cat. "Merlin." He said. "Yasi told me about you." He looked at Connie thickly. "Yasi believes they're going to lose this one. Cats and children first."

Connie gave Vincent a sympathetic look. "Vincent, go home. Look after yourself. I'll send your regrets to Gill."

"No." Vincent shook his head. "I... I can't just sit at home staring at the walls while this is happening; I'll go insane."

"What do you want to do then?" Connie said. "I hate to leave you alone..."

Vincent stroked the cat's head gently. "Let's go to the poker game."

Connie turned to Tecca, who was sullenly glaring at nothing. "Turn on the TV and rot your brain like a normal kid your age. I have to go make sure Vincent doesn't swallow his tongue, and then I'll be back. I want you here when I get home."

"The second you close that door, I'm leaving." Tecca said shortly.

Connie and the boy glared at each other a few moments, and Vincent suspected it was an ongoing battle of wills between them. Finally, Connie picked up the phone, not taking her eyes off Tecca. "Benji? I need a babysitter."

Tecca looked outraged, and Vincent fought to keep his grin in check.

~oo00oo~

The second defensive line was the Upper Markets. Close to the Labyrinth, and the surface, this place supplied The Underside with food and clothing. Dorcan's trick with the firebombs had bought the Shinobi precious seconds; and they swarmed into the market; taking positions; ready to defend.

Yasi paused, her head cocked as though she heard something, and she reached under the stalls, yanking out a familiar child. "Kamy!" She snarled in shock. She looked around saw the other Gremlins peeking out of their usual hiding places. "What the hell are you lot still doing here?"

Kamy winced under the Shinobi's wrath. "We stayed!" She shouted defiantly in the little voice. "The Underside is ours too. That's what Gremlins do!"

The other Shinobi had spotted the little girl and every last one of them paled. Dorcan lunged. "We told you to get to Twelfth Level where it was safe!"

The wreckage caved in suddenly, the weight behind it vanishing. A millisecond later, the debris exploded out as three of the largest, most heavily muscled warriors Yasi had ever seen came roaring out at a charge, covered in armor and chain mail, with huge spiked clubs in each hand. They moved far too quickly for such big warriors, charging forward. The angles were swiftly changing and the crossbow shots went wide. The attack came ferociously; as the huge warriors smashed left and right, knocking down Shinobi and Gremlin like pins; sending the defenders sprawling.

And from behind them came the rest of the Wildmen, pouring in through the gap in the barricades; quickly taking advantage. The huge warriors kept brawling, the wide sweeps of the clubs were knocking down barricades and warriors alike; but the Wildmen were the ones ripping apart the defenders, turning over carts, flushing out the Gremlins...

Yasi pushed Kamy behind her and hurled herself into the fray, sword flashing at the huge warriors. She put her lithe form between the two of them, twisting and dodging their fury with quicksilver grace, slashing out at them at every opportunity; her blade flashing again and again.

The one behind her brought his club down like an axe, bringing it up over his shoulder for more power. Lost in some kind of zone that only a ninja could know; Yasi twisted without looking and the club smashed down at her feet, close enough that the impact rattled her teeth. She swung her sword upward, nearly carving the warrior's face off.