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Angels of the Shadows, otherwise known as death squads, keep the peace and protect the innocent by executing criminals and revolutionaries on sight when deployed. Novus is a private new to this life and struggles as he tries to get used to it while doing what he thinks is his vocation.

No Need for Heroes: Chapter 5 – Another Day of Duty

Chapter 5 – Another Day of Duty

Sometime passes since the last riot. The Sorrows have been passing their time by attending funerals and guarding church services. Meanwhile, the intelligence divisions are keeping a close eye on both government and civilians so something like the riot doesn’t happen again. Even still, it doesn’t stop tragedy from striking as a Sorrow officer shoots an influential priest during mass. Other Sorrows and police officers turn on their fellow officers before Novus can retaliate. The civilians quickly exit the building as a gunfight ensues between the two groups of officers with the ones who were attacking retreating.

“Don’t let those traitors escape!” Lt. Sterner says before radioing the station to tell them what’s happening.

Chasing after the traitors, the Sorrows and police find themselves in trap after trap as they go from the back alleys and to the sewers where the traitors are constantly reinforced by their criminal allies. Several officers are injured during these traps, but reinforcements from different Sorrow stations make up for this as the traitors are continuously pushed back. To counter the increasing number of Sorrow officers, parts of the sewer are blown up to separate the officers from one another. Novus finds himself all alone and it doesn’t help that the communications are jammed. He can hardly hear Lt. Sterner at the other end telling him to be careful and find a way to regroup with the rest of the Sorrows.

“God, give me the strength to make it through this day,” Novus says.

Somewhat unnerved by being alone in this dire situation, Novus continues forward. Further into the sewers, he finds traitors and criminals going a certain way, so he assumes they’re heading to an exit and follows them as silently as possible. The path that he follows leads Novus to an abandoned building in the center of the city. It’s a place where these traitors and criminals are regrouping, arming themselves, and deciding what to do next. This is also the place where the communications are being jammed from as mentioned by one of the traitorous Sorrows. At first, Novus wants to go back through the sewers to lead his allies and friends to this location, but the way through the sewers becomes blocked off by a sewer grate. Because of this, he changes his plan to get rid of the communications jam and then calls for help.

“God, I am really going to need strength in this challenge,” Novus says before heading off further into the building.

He manages to sneak his way through the abandoned building until he makes it to the communications room where he is discovered. In his panic, Novus shoots up the room destroying machinery and killing its users. Thankfully, he is able to communicate with the other Sorrows and tells them where he is and what’s happening.

“I hear you, rookie! We have your location on our trackers. Hold out until then! Don’t you die on me!” Lt. Sterner says.

Unfortunately, Novus is shot in the side soon after and finds himself with his back against the wall. He bunkers himself in the communications room where he throws flashbangs and grenades out of. When he runs out of flashbangs, he throws smoke and tries to use this to cover his escape but finds it difficult to because of the traitors who use the same heat vision that he has in their helmets. In addition, they wield guns that can pierce through his armor, which makes them priority targets. He also prioritizes them because of their betrayal but tries to temper himself from hating them. After killing twenty of his enemies, they stop coming after him. Novus finds himself in one of the rooms they are keeping their weapons in and uses this break in the fighting to barricade the room and rearm himself with more explosives and ammo for his gun.

“You don’t have to keep fighting us. Let’s talk,” one of the traitors says on an isolated radio communication between her and Novus.

“Why should I? You shot first and betrayed God and the kingdom. The blood of the faithful is on your hands,” Novus says.

“Because the kingdom doesn’t care about its subjects. It keeps people poor and in harsh working conditions simply because its leaders don’t think their families have done enough to make more.”

“Then you should’ve entered politics or the clergy rather than murder the innocent.”

“As if we’re to speak about murder. It’s our entire job. We even both think we’re doing the right thing.”

“The difference is that I actually am.”

“Are you so sure about that?”

“I am sure. Unlike you, I don’t step outside of my God-given vocation to do what I think is right.”

“Then I have nothing more to say to you other than I hope you like dying like the cornered dog you are.”

“I prefer to think of myself as a wolf or rather an angel of death.”

Novus then exchanges fire with the traitors and criminals while throwing grenades and whatever else he can to get the slightest advantage to tip the balance. During the gunfight, he is shot in the arm, leg, and several bullets manage to destroy his helmet but only graze his face in the process. Eventually, he runs out of ammo and the gunfire stops. The other guns in this armory are further away from him where his enemies already are, so there’s no safe way to get to them.

“I can give you a quick and easy death if you step out and surrender peacefully,” the traitorous officer says.

Taking out his combat knife, Novus leaps over his makeshift barrier and recites part of the Sorrow’s oath, “For God and country, I offer my life, my sacrifice of love!”

He then proceeds to cut through everyone he sees by slashing their throats, impaling their heads, and stabbing their chest while being shot at, and doesn’t stop cutting and stabbing until his body gives. Standing over him, the traitorous officer shakes his head and is about to finish Novus off until the traitor is shot along with his allies by Lt. Sterner, Sensus, and the other Sorrows. In his pained state, Novus can’t hear what anyone is saying. The officers quickly patch him up as best as they can before taking him to the helicopter they came in and flying him to the nearest hospital. Lt. Sterner screams at the doctors to treat Novus immediately and watches as he is operated on and eventually stabilized before he leaves and has to attend to the other injured Sorrow officers.

While he is dreaming, Novus sees himself in a light that feels welcoming. Ahead of him is a strange darkness that is both bright and shadow at the same time that calls to him as if it were an old friend. He is tempted to stay in the light, but he feels an obligation to go to the dark.

“I am an Angel of the Shadows. That is my vocation. God has called me to work in the dark to serve His light and that is what I will do,” Novus says.

Moving to the dark, he feels uncomfortable but also alive. Behind him, the light that once had him has disappeared. A new light then appears ahead of him that is brighter than any light he’s seen. It’s far in the distance and calls to him like the promise of a bright future. For now, he rests in the dark as it carries him forward to this future and strengthens him to continue on. Some days later, Lt. Sterner gives a speech on what has happened.

As the speech goes on, he mentions Novus and says, “Pvt. Novus cleared our communications that day in the secret base of the traitors and held out long enough for us to save him from dying at their hands. He’ll be okay and back in service next month. Even now, he’s itching to get back to work. People say that he acted like a hero and that we need heroes during these times, but I say that we have no need for them. What we do need is people who accomplish the vocation God gives them. That’s what Novus did.

There’s more honor and bravery to be found in that than going out of your way to be a hero. The traitors and criminals that turned on their own thought they were heroes and you know what happened as a result. It’s what happens all the time when we try to be more than what God made us to be. St. Opus, patron of the True Servants, exemplifies what it means to be more than a hero in our daily lives. He did nothing noteworthy in his life other than being a faithful officer and today he is a saint and example to all, so I pray that we all can fulfill our vocations and do whatever it is God wills of us.”

The End

No Need for Heroes: Chapter 4 – Lifelong Service

Chapter 4 – Lifelong Service

“Wake up! We got an emergency, rookie!” Lt. Sterner yells.

Novus falls out of bed and gets his uniform and armor on quickly and efficiently just as he was trained to in an emergency. He then gets his guns and runs downstairs with the rest of the Sorrows as the alarm blares loud enough to wake up a person from blocks away. Every single office in this station stands at attention outside behind Lt. Sterner who stands at attention in front of three True Servants, veteran Angel of the Shadows officers. These veteran officers are heavily armored in a suit that’s a mixture of a juggernaut and a medieval knight while their weapons are double-barreled light-machine guns with two separate boxes for each barrel.

“We’re all here as you asked, chief officers. What are your orders?” Lt. Sterner says.

The True Servants look at each other as if confused.

“We don’t have any orders for you. We just told you that we’d be coming to visit,” one of the chief officers says.

“What are you talking about? A visit from the True Servants is always an honor and for a special reason or have you not yet grown up, chief officer Murus?”

Murus takes off his helmet to reveal his old yet glowing face. He has very few grey hairs in his black hair and minor wrinkles on his smiling face.

“I’ve told you that growing up is for the proud and that only those who have the pure heart and mind of a child will inherit the kingdom of Heaven,” Murus says.

“Have you lost your mind? Put your helmet back on! You’re leaving yourself exposed to assassination!”

“The Lord is my protector. You know that if my time was up, no amount of armor could protect me from my destined death. Take off your helmet. I want to see your face.”

“Chief officer-”

“If you keep wanting to be so formal, then I’ll command it. Do as I say, Lt. Sterner. Or do you lack faith in God and are unwilling to obey your superiors?”

“…yes, sir. I’ll do as you command.”

Taking off his helmet, Lt. Sterner reveals his aging face that appears to be stuck in a permanent scowl. His black hair and brown eyes seem to be darker than most as if colored by his past.

“Ah. Still aging faster than most I see. You’ll look older than me before you turn forty. If you don’t lighten up, you’ll die tired and miserable as well.”

“…yes, sir…”

Lt. Sterner keeps his head down as if completely ashamed of his superior’s judgment of him.

“Sensus, I trust you’ve been watching over him?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve been doing my best,” Sensus says.

“Let me see your face as well.” Sensus takes off his helmet which reveals a youthful face with shining brown hair and brown eyes. “Ah! I see that you look still as if you just graduated from high school. It wouldn’t surprise me if you still look the same in fifty years.”

“I hope so, sir. My wife would sure like it.”

“I’m sure she would. Tell your family I said hi or better yet, we should arrange another get-together and have our families cook together.”

“Will do. I’ll get to it later today.”

“I remember you said that you had an aspiring private on your team, Sterner. Let me see him.”

“Rookie Novus!”

“Are you still calling privates rookies? Did I calling you that really affect you that much?”

Ignoring what he said, Lt. Sterner presents Novus as he says, “This private, who is a transfer from the police, was a bit slow at first but has overcome his flaws and has the potential to be an outstanding Angel of the Shadows. I can transfer you the reports that he was a part of if you want a detailed history.”

“Noted. Let me see your face, boy.”

“Yes, sir,” Novus says as he does what he is commanded.

Novus’ face is much like Sensus’ in that it is youthful. His light blue eyes and shiny black hair seem to have a glimmer to them that makes Murus squint a bit.

“I see potential in you, private. Keep that light shining and you’ll accomplish great things.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Sir, sir, sir. Enough with the formalities! Sterner, have your cooks make us a fine lunch. I want to know everything you and your station have been up to for the past year and a half that I haven’t seen you and I don’t mean that you should tell me mostly about work.”

“Yes, si-Yes, right this way,” Lt. Sterner says before leading all the officers into the building.

A large lunch is made for every officer in the station and the visiting chief officers. Murus tells the Sorrows stories of the past and includes embarrassing ones of Lt. Sterner that everyone laughs at while Lt. Sterner hangs his head down in embarrassment.

While eating, Novus asks Sensus, “What’s Lt. Sterner’s history with Chief Officer Murus?”

“He was our teacher and lieutenant when Sterner was a private like you. Murus usually stops by every year, but because of the recently high crime rates and the True Servants like him having to be deployed in different places in this sector, he hasn’t been able to make it as much,” Sensus says.

“Are the crime rates really worse than they were years ago? I haven’t noticed a difference from the crime rates of recent years.”

“Years ago probably when you were too young to remember, we used to be deployed maybe once a month or once every two months. Now, it’s pretty much every other day, which is sad despite the action giving us raises.”

“Helping the Dominion had to at least help. We haven’t been deployed in a month.”

“It probably did, but quietness is never good.” An alarm bell rings for the Sorrows to deploy. “Speak of the devil.”

The officers in communications tell the officers that a city-wide fight has broken up between several revolutionary groups both known and unknown, The True Servants decide to help the Sorrows and deploy themselves with them. Murus dictates that he and his fellow chief officers will be joining Lt. Sterner, Sensus, and Novus while the other Sorrow officers will be deployed in groups of five.

“I’m sure you don’t mind us joining you,” Murus says.

“It’s your orders, sir. I can’t object to them,” Lt. Sterner says.

“You can complain as you have before.”

“Chief officer, I think it’s time we move. Innocent lives are at stake here.”

“Sir, yes, sir,” Murus says with a chuckle.

The officers travel to a mall where one of the fights is happening in an armored truck. When they get to the scene, they see both civilians and revolutionaries dead on the ground. Civilians armed with guns of their own attempt to fight back in stores with owners who are also fighting back. As soon as they see the Angels of the Shadows appear, they cheer them on and loudly thank God.

“Let’s get to work, boys and girls,” Murus says before taking out his bulletproof phone and playing his music.

Both he and the other True Servants play the same song and awkwardly dance while ripping into the revolutionaries with their light-machine guns like a group of newbies to a dance club that wants to appear confident but still dance stiffly.

“What are you doing, chief officer?!” Lt. Sterner says.

“Just enjoying my job. Come on, sing with me, Sterner! Another one bites the dust!” Murus sings.

“You only got sillier, haven’t you Murus…”

Novus is astounded by how the True Servants walk into the hail of gunfire and treat it like nothing. He and the other Sorrows hardly have to cover them since they’re killing most of their targets. After five minutes, the revolutionaries lie in pieces and the civilians and shop owners come out to give the officers their thanks and praise.

“Thank you for your help, citizens. You are all brave and will be rewarded. Come to Sorrow station Raziel and mention that Chief Officer Murus sent you for your reward, but for now, get to safety while we bring safety back to our city,” Murus says.

“You’re going to have them all come to my station for a reward?” Lt. Sterner asks in a confused and shocked tone.

“It’ll be on me.”

While back in the armored truck on their way to the next fight, Novus says, “That was some impressive shooting, Chief Officer Murus. I’m surprised that you could dance and shoot so accurately at the same time.”

“It’s all a result of practice and asking God to pull the trigger,” Murus says.

Lt. Sterner rolls his head and tries not to listen to the conversation.

“Why do you listen to music while you shoot anyway?”

“To help me work.”

“It’s stupid,” Lt. Sterner comments.

“To be honest, you’re right in a way,” Murus admits, “All of the killing I’ve done since I was sixteen has numbed me to it a bit. I try to not be completely numb to it by still practicing my penances for sinners and will do so more for the ones who have recently passed by helping with the cleanup and attending the next funeral.”

“It’s going to be a big one at this rate,” Sensus points out.

“The world never runs out of tragedies,” Lt. Sterner says.

“Such is life and why we should always remember to hope beyond hope by placing our eyes on the Lord,” Murus says.

“Amen,” the other two chief officers say.

Novus and Sensus also say amen while Lt. Sterner says it much softly as if reluctant to do so. The officers go from place to place clearing out revolutionaries and protecting civilians during which Novus can relate to Murus in that he was growing numb to killing. By the end of the day, he doesn’t know how many people he’s killed. The cleanup takes three days during which the mayor, chief of police, and other figureheads give speeches about unifying against crime for the good of humanity and God.

“It’s an obvious speech to make, but they’re right to remind us of it,” Lt. Sterner says. “The revolutionaries fought each other because they worshipped different gods, masters of their morality, and goals whereas everyone loyal to the kingdom has the same goal of serving and loving God and their neighbors. Common sense is now common rather than a delusion as it was back then. This can’t be overstated enough.”

On the next day, the funeral for the revolutionaries and the innocents who died during the riot is held at the largest cathedral in the city. Even now, some of the caskets must be kept outside due to the high number of bodies. The True Servants attend the funeral and the service itself lasts the entire day. Afterward, Murus and the other chief officers join the Sorrows for dinner during which he talks to Novus.

“You’ve been doing great. I see that you have the potential to be a great officer, Pvt. Novus,” he says.

“Thank you, sir. It’s an honor getting a compliment from a True Servant such as yourself,” Novus says.

“So, what are your plans when you hit your ten-year mark? Are you thinking about transferring into a government job or continuing as an officer?”

“I pray to God that I know when I reach that point. How long does it take to become a True Servant anyway?”

“Roughly the same time it takes to become king, so roughly fifty or sixty years depending on how distinguished you become.”

“I can’t imagine myself becoming king in the future.”

“I couldn’t see myself entering into politics either. It’s why I am where I am now. I was and still am inspired by our patron’s humble simplicity and I try to enjoy and appreciate what I have because of it. There’s honor in every role in life, you know? A humble factory worker can earn a high if not a higher place than the king or most distinguished clergyman in Heaven through a faithful life.”

“I see. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Later in the night when Novus is in bed, he reflects on recent events and feels renewed in the same way a person does when they enter a cool building on a hot summer’s day and feels ready for whatever comes next in his life.

“I’ll appreciate-no. I appreciate everything that I have now and make this promise again to do so until the day I die. Amen,” Novus silently prays before falling asleep.

No Need for Heroes: Chapter 3 – Executors of the Law

Chapter 3 – Executors of the Law

Hundreds of thousands of people line the streets in anticipation of the king and queen arriving in the city. The Sorrows and other Angels of the Shadows squads are at the front, side, and rear of the parade while the Dominion is on the inside and closest to the king, queen, their family, and friends. Novus has only seen the king, queen, and Dominion in videos and pictures. Being here is like something out of a dream or the history books. It makes him feel like he’s part of something important and bigger than himself.

“Take it all in, rookie,” Lt. Sterner says as he notices Novus looking around. “Not many people get this opportunity in their lifetime.”

“Yes, sir. It’s an honor to be here, to say the least,” Novus says.

“That it is.”

The parade goes to the capital building in the city where a conference is held where the king, queen, governor, and mayor of the city all give speeches. After them, the chiefs of the Angels of the Shadows squads also give their speeches along with those who represent the priesthood and families of this city. A large dinner is given afterward to those who are in attendance. Once the dinner is done and people are going home, Novus wants to talk to the Dominion to learn more about them, which Lt. Sterner allows. Sensus tags along with them since he’s just as curious about them, especially their weapons that can be modified to turn into nearly any weapon type and if he can have one. They know a group of them should be with the governor in his office, so they go to the office and are shocked to see one of the Dominion shooting the governor in the back of the head. Instantly drawing their guns, Lt. Sterner is about to question the guard until more Dominion show up from the shadows of the room and point their guns at the Sorrows in turn.

“Stand down, lieutenant,” one of the Dominion officers says.

“Explain what is happening then,” Lt. Sterner says.

“The governor was part of the reason why this city is experiencing such high levels of crime and this officer was just executing his duty.”

“On who’s order?”

“His own. I don’t blame you for not knowing that it’s something the Dominion have the authority to do. It’s kept that way to keep it secret. You don’t hear about the execution of an official because it doesn’t happen often and when it is reported, it is simply told to the public to be the result of an order from higher authorities while leaving out our role in it besides us executing the criminal. Lower your guns now and I’ll tell you more.”

“You’ll just tell us everything?”

“Yes. We are honest men of God after all. Even if you told people and they believed you, no one can take away our rights.”

Lt. Sterner nods to Sensus and Novus and they all lower their guns. The body of the governor is taken away by the Dominion and the three Sorrows sit with the remaining Dominion as their leader explains.

“Any Dominion can shoot any official if they think they’re a criminal?” Lt. Sterner asks.

“They’ll need to present evidence or have their sources in dependable individuals before they can execute a governor, mayor, overseer, or even the king or queen.”

“How did the Dominion obtain this immense privilege and responsibility?”

“Our patron, St. Servus, was framed for crimes she didn’t commit by the corrupt officials she served, but through God’s help and the people who supported her, she was able to prove the crimes of the officials, get them executed, and restore her reputation. Because of this, we were given the right to execute officials at our founding so that the mistakes of the past wouldn’t be repeated.”

“I can see the reason behind it.”

“Who wouldn’t? The world was corrupted because men in power couldn’t be overthrown or replaced until the Saintly Families came together and forcefully did so. Now the world is completely different, but the governor here has been radicalizing people to think that the world was better back then, which is why the crime rate is the way it is. Didn’t you think it was strange that the Angels of the Shadows are being deployed on an almost regular basis?”

“I have. It’s just that I tried not to think about it since I can’t do anything about it and hoped that God would help the investigation squads get to the bottom of it.”

“The investigation squads have been doing well here, but since they don’t have the resources that the Dominion do, they can only do so much.”

“So, is there more to be done then? Surely, the governor’s death can only accomplish so much.”

“You’re right and you can help if you want. I know you’re zealous to uphold the law and protect citizens, Lt. Sterner. As for you, Pvt. Novus, helping us could help you rise through the ranks. It’ll make your family proud. Sgt. Sensus, you’ll be doing more to make this city safer than it was not too long ago through your help.”

All three Sorrows are somewhat shocked to hear the Dominion officer pin down their motivations and wants so simply. They thank the officer for the honor of helping them and agree to do so.

“Thank you for accepting. My name is Lt. General Vigilia by the way,” the Dominion officer says as she takes off her helmet and then extends her hand that the three officers shake.

The three Sorrows stay in the luxurious hotel that the Dominion is staying in. They get some rest before heading out in the middle of the night. Going to a media event where the biggest brands and approved indie developers show off their products in stands, rooms, and stages. Each heads or heads of the organizations present their products also to the king, queen, and other officials to get more possible funding and to be recommended to the public above their peers. With his fellow squadmates and the Dominion, Novus is scanning through the crowds to find their targets.

To help them in this operation, the three Sorrows have been given an upgrade to the identification device that they typically use to identify criminals. They can now not only identify people in the crowd, but they can also mark them in the crowd so that they stand out in the views of the other officers. The news of the governor’s execution is made known to only the most trusted officials. Still, the deceased governor’s allies may be acting out their plans more carefully since the governor isn’t here and it was told to the public that he wouldn’t be because of an obligation he had to attend to. Lt. Sterner still chuckles to himself when he remembers that he said that the obligation was to answer to God for his crimes.

Eventually, the officers find their targets and mark them. These targets are then approached by the officers and taken aside to a place outside of the public space to be arrested by the police to not cause a scene and ruin the event. They are then interrogated by the investigation squad. With the information they get from both the conspirators and the Dominion and the information they already have, the investigation squad directs them back to the governor whom they don’t know is already dead until they are told. Surprised by this, they take a second before suggesting the mayor’s secretary who is another and the last conspirator.

“The plan is simple. Lt. Sterner, you’ll take your Sorrows into city hall, tell the secretary that you have to bring her to the roof, and we’ll eliminate her from a neighboring building,” Lt. General Vigilia says.

“What about the mayor too? She must be involved in this conspiracy as well,” Lt. Sterner says.

“She isn’t. From what we know, the secretary is the only conspirator while the mayor unknowingly helps her by giving her the information a secretary is usually given. We can spare her.”

“If you say so, ma’am.”

Going to city hall, the Sorrows do as they are told and bring the secretary to the rooftop of the building where she is executed by a Dominion. Her body is then secretly brought out of the building by the investigation squad.

Lt. Sterner tells the mayor, “Your secretary won’t be returning to work today. She has other obligations to attend to by the authority of the Dominion.”

The mayor reluctantly accepts this excuse while being completely unaware of what happened.

“Now what?” Lt. Sterner asks once he, Sensus, and Novus are back at the hotel.

“Now? We wait for more information and do what we can from there,” Lt. General Vigilia says. “This is the most irritating part of our vocation, especially since we can’t take a more active role in erasing the poison the governor and his conspirators have inflicted on the public despite our high authority as Dominion. We’re still guards after all. I’m sure you understand.”

“I do. But what about the governor, the mayor’s secretary, and the people we arrested? Someone is going to recognize sooner or later that they’ve disappeared.”

“My men are writing up an explanation for the news that will tell of these people’s crimes. To be honest, we did more than what we were supposed to. Our sphere of work involves executing officials, not executing their secretaries or arresting conspirators even though we technically have that authority as the highest branch of the Angels of the Shadows, but it’s a stretch.”

“You won’t hear me complaining or reporting it.”

“Maybe you should be. The world fell to ruin and corruption because people were acting on their own initiative and what they thought was right and wrong rather than actually doing what was right. The governor and his conspirators are trying to make people think this way again and it has caused chaos in this city.”

“But they’ll be forgotten about and those who are faithful will win in the end. This sector used to be called the United States of America, a rotten country that forgot its honorable roots. Now, its legacy is forgotten in the history books where no one brings it up or remembers it unless they absolutely must or speak of past failures.”

“Also remember that America was kept alive by the faithful and that there were times that things got worse and worse.”

“Which was when the saintly families rose up and righted the wrongs of the past. I know that many of the saintly families were American and even flew the old flag along with holding up their cross to show their allegiance to God and their want to make the country a better place.”

“Exactly, but the people of today forget the corruption of the past. Some even think of our history as nothing more than a fairy tale or an outright lie. They forget that people were either a rich slave or a poor worker in the society of the past. Political and corporate jobs were earned by knowing someone in the business rather than through hard work in addition to making connections. The richest and most corrupt were untouchable and had the poor stuck in the prison of unpayable debts until the saintly families freed them by executing the corrupt on the spot, which was an American idea and one that the Dominion continued to be inspired by.”

“Then I pray that you continue in your vocation in the way the Lord wills.”

“Thank you and thank you for all your help, Lt. Sterner, Sgt. Sensus, and Pvt. Novus. Be sure to stay vigilant. Just because the heads of the serpent are cut off doesn’t mean that the body is completely dead and won’t lash at us even if they never find out what we’ve done. Your station will receive a raise for your help and all three of your reputations will be increased, which can help if you want to move up in position in the future.”

After they return back to the station, Novus goes to his room to read and think. What he’s taken part in reminds him that he’s only a small part of God’s plan while more powerful people such as the Dominion have a greater role and impact on the world. When he first took the job as an officer, he was content with what he had, but now that he’s seen the larger picture, he now feels insignificant and worthless.

“Someone else could’ve been in my place. I’m sure the lieutenant, sergeant, and Dominion could’ve done what they did without me,” Novus says before saying a silent humbling prayer. “I shouldn’t worry about the role I play in all of this and just be satisfied with what I have. If I deserve more, then what I’ve done could help me move up just like the lieutenant general said.”

Even with the feeling of reassurance from his prayers and what he’s told himself, Novus can’t help but feel a bit unsure of his future and unsatisfied with what he has, so he goes to bed early hoping to sleep away the gnawing feeling.

No Need for Heroes: Chapter 2 – Sacrificial Lifestyle

Chapter 2 – Sacrificial Lifestyle

Between active combat and funerals, Novus is unsure which he finds more uncomfortable. First, there’s active combat which speaks for itself. On the other hand, there are the funerals that he must attend the next day that is attended by relatives and friends of the people he’s killed or couldn’t protect. Sometimes he and the other Sorrows are yelled at or awkwardly thanked for putting the criminals to rest. It’s especially awkward when the family of a child is at a funeral. Many penitents come to cry over the bodies of the deceased young and amplify their prayers to God to ask for mercy for the innocent and repentant and justice for the guilty.

At one funeral, a widow who lost her family to a murderer throws over the casket of the person who killed her family and repeatedly beats and yells insults at the corpse until the Sorrows get her to stop and throw her out of the church. Novus is among them and can’t help but look at the grieving widow while she walks away. Sensus puts his hand on Novus’ shoulder.

“Don’t worry about her. We won’t charge her with anything and there are many programs and charities to take care of widows and victims of crimes like her,” Sensus says.

“But it’s not going to be easier for her and there will be more like her,” Novus says.

“We can only do so much. Just think about how your actions have prevented more people from ending up like her. It’s what I like to do so things don’t look completely bleak.”

The widow is on Novus’ mind for the rest of the day and even enters his dreams. He sees many women like her dressed and veiled in black crying and wondering why he couldn’t save their loved ones. This dream makes him wake up in a cold sweat the next day and confident that being at the funerals is worse than active combat because at least he has the chance to prevent the deaths of innocents during combat. Because of this, he asks Lt. Sterner in his office when he’s going to be deployed again since his squad was taking mostly attending funerals while the other Sorrow squads took their turns.

“What? Tired of going to funerals and not doing anything else for the rest of the day?” Lt. Sterner asks.

“I wouldn’t say that. I just want-” Novus says before Lt. Sterner raises his hand.

“I understand completely how you feel. I try to take part in as many assignments as possible not just because working behind this desk is boring and dealing with the politics of law is a constant test of my patience, but because I want to prevent as many tragedies as possible. In other words, I want to see fewer innocent people in coffins at the funerals we attend. Can I tell you a story?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Back when I was younger and a rookie like you, my brothers tried to get more money for my family because we weren’t making much because of the jobs we were given and we lived in a small house. Instead of doing volunteer work, they involved themselves with criminals thinking they could help me in my job by getting rid of other criminals. Still, they eventually became corrupted by doing many things with the excuse that they served the greater good. Do you remember in history class what one of the main lessons was particularly the one that’s related to their excuse?”

“The ends never justify the means.”

“Correct. My brothers thought they could steal and kill from whoever they thought deserved it never minding the fact that they eventually killed workers and officers who were just doing their jobs and were in the way of them getting money. I had to shoot them myself during a plot of theirs that had multiple gangs go to war with one another. They thought they could eliminate a majority of their competition at once and didn’t think about the civilians that would be caught in the crossfire. I’d like to think that their souls are in Purgatory because they told me they were sorry when they died. Every time I go out there, I have them on my mind and try to remember that criminals are still people in the same way that our patron saint did and that I’m doing them a service by ending their sinful ways before they can continue to harm themselves and others.”

“Thank you for sharing your story. I appreciate it, sir.”

“Don’t share it with anyone else. I only share it with people I trust and after your recent actions, you’ve earned it, rookie. You’ve also earned my permission to go out on an assignment rather than attend funerals for the rest of the week. You’ll be joining an Inflamed Penitents squad. They’ve had another one of their members put in the hospital for a week, so you’ll have to help them until they make a full recovery or whatever passes for an acceptable recovery in their minds. You won’t have to do as they do. In fact, they’ll probably throw themselves at whatever dangers are coming for you, so just do your best.”

“Yes, sir.”

Novus travels to the nearby station where the Inflamed Penitents stay at. This station looks more like a monastery than his own station and is decorated with even more pictures depicting events from scripture, events from the lives of saints, and allegorical pictures of God. Along certain walls and rooms are words of wisdom from both scripture, the saints, and Church dogma written over again and over again. Going into the chief of this station’s office, Novus meets the lieutenant he is reporting to. The man is dressed similarly to his peers except with a ranking stitched into his uniform that denotes his rank. He wears a gas mask unique to the Inflamed Penitents with stitches around the mouth. His entire outfit is crimson and gold and his chest has a golden bird in the center of it, a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Private Novus,” the man says as he stands up and shakes Novus’ hand.

“The pleasure is all mine, Lt. Parma,” Novus says with a slight bow of his head.

“It’s a good thing you got here so early. I was worried I was going to have to do some actual desk work. It would’ve been a good penance, but still, if I wanted to do penance I would’ve been in the adoration or prayer room or volunteered to go on a retreat. Now, I can leave the work to our penitents who will ‘gladly’ do it. Let’s move out.”

“Already? Some matter needs our deployment right now?”

“There’s always something going on in this city that needs our attention and a problem that can be solved with our added help.”

Novus and a squad of Inflamed Penitents are deployed to a food production facility that has been threatened and a possible bombing may happen. Going over there and securing it, Novus and the other officers are glad to find that everything seems fine for now.

One of the young workers approaches Novus and asks, “How did you become an officer?”

“The same way that everyone gets their job. I went to school and was judged by a spiritual director to get this job.”

“I got this job the same way too, but I wanted to be an officer. Can you put in a word for me to get me out of here?”

“It wouldn’t do much since I’m a rookie. Even so, you’d have to retake their tests and be evaluated by a spiritual director again. Why? Do you really want to be an officer that bad?”

“I do. It’s what I’ve wanted since I was a kid. It would also give me the right to shoot some of these criminals that have been ruining this city.”

“You don’t need to be an officer to do that as long as you can prove the other person was a criminal through evidence or trustworthy people.”

“Is that so? I’ve been told I’m not allowed to do that while I’m at work or at least that’s what the boss and the others say. I know a fair amount of people who were planning on blowing up this place and haven’t been able to do anything about it.”

“Reporting it to us is the best thing you could do. Were you the one who told us about the threat?”

“I was one of them, but it’s been a while since I put in the request. I’m sure you guys get a lot of them since the reward for exposing traitors and criminals is high. I told the rest of my friends and family to send in requests thinking that you’d have to pay attention to them if you got many requests for the same place.”

“Well, we’re here now to help. Could you point us in the direction of the suspects?”

“I will, but if I do, will that mean I can be reevaluated so I can get a different job? I’m not saying that I don’t appreciate the job that I’ve been given. It’s just that it’s not exactly a job I look forward to going to daily if you know what I mean.”

“You’ll have to ask my lieutenant. If anything, you’ll receive a reward for your help in saving lives. First things first, you must direct me to the suspects.”

“Yes, sir. They should be this way. Follow me.”

Following the young worker, Novus comes across a group of workers that immediately panic and call their friends to attack and initiate their plan. Thankfully, Novus and the Inflamed Penitents quickly put an end to their plans before any of the explosives in the facility can go off. After the short-lived gunfight is over, the Inflamed Penitents remove all the explosives from the facility while Novus and the clean-up crew remove the bodies of the criminals.

The young worker from before meets Novus outside the facility as he is leaving and asks, “Don’t forget about my reevaluation!”

“I won’t!” Novus says as he leaves with the Inflamed Penitents.

“He wants that as his reward?” Lt. Parma asks.

“Yes. He told me he’s always wanted to be an officer. He was the reason I was able to find the criminals.”

“Hmm. I’ll get his name and I’ll give him what he wants and a monetary reward in addition to it. Most people who get reevaluated for a vocation don’t always get what they want, but I hope that he does.”

The next day comes and Novus and the Inflamed Penitents are called to investigate the sewers where weapons, drugs, and possibly chemical weapons are being manufactured and sold. In addition, it is rumored that there’s a prostitution den in the sewers and a place for women to get abortions. Going down there, they find that their intel was correct and a gunfight ensues. During the fight, the Inflamed Penitents charge as close as they can to the enemy and cover Novus as much as possible to the point of shielding him when a chemical grenade is thrown. Lt. Parma is the one who saved him.

“Lieutenant! Are you okay?” Novus says.

“I’m fine! Our armor is specifically made for these fights. Keep pushing forward!” Lt. Parma says.

Eventually, the underground lab and marketplace are cleared out along with the prostitution den and abortion facility with no survivors to speak of except for the children who were being trafficked in the market. The usual clean-up happens except the prostitution den and abortion facility is burned down by the Inflamed Penitents who use flamethrowers to burn the buildings and every corpse in it to ash.

“I’m sorry that your Sorrows won’t have any bodies from these places to use in their funeral tomorrow. They’ll have to settle for a sign that says, ‘For the undignified scum of the sewers’. You understand why we have to do this, right?” Lt. Parma says.

“Yes, sir,” Novus says while not really knowing why they have to burn the bodies with the building other than not wanting to give the worst of the sinners a proper burial.

While back at the station the next day, Novus notices that Lt. Parma is dealing with back pain.

“Are you okay, lieutenant? Is there anything wrong with your back?” Novus asks.

“It’s fine. There’s no chemical damage to it. It’s just that the force of the explosion hit me like a sledgehammer,” Lt. Parma says.

“I’m sorry you got hurt for my sake.”

“What’s there to be sorry about? You didn’t do anything wrong and I wanted to throw myself in danger for you. It’s what the Inflamed Penitents are known for after all since we follow the example of God and our patron, St. Pertinax. Have you heard the story of him throwing himself at a mob while he was off duty?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“While he was off work one day, he saw a mob causing trouble, and even though he was off and unarmed, he did what he could to save lives and hold off the mob until the police arrived. By the time they did, he was half dead but still alive and made a full recovery a month later and immediately went back to throwing himself in danger for the sake of others. He was always okay with suffering for others no matter the cost since he thought that since life is suffering, you might as well make something of it. It’s also why we stitch up the mouths on our masks. You should never complain about the suffering you are going through because it is a test by God to improve and show who you really are.”

Before he can respond, the two are told about a mob starting a fire at an apartment building. Lt. Parma gets up as if he isn’t in pain and runs out the door faster than Novus. At the crime scene, many protesters are throwing molotovs and using homemade flamethrowers on the building and the police that are trying to stop them. Now on the scene, Novus and the Inflamed Penitents execute every pyromaniac they see. Since there are people still in the apartment, the Inflamed Penitents run in with Novus following behind them, but Lt. Parma stops him before he can enter the scorching hot building.

“Your armor can’t handle the heat. Take care of the rest of the pyromaniacs and everyone who comes out,” Lt. Parma says.

“Yes, sir,” Novus says.

Doing as he is ordered, Novus cleans up the rest of the pyromaniacs and helps the escaping inhabitants of the apartment building as they leave. Firefighters arrive and do their best to quell the flames and head in to save more civilians. One after another, the Inflamed Penitents and firefighters leave the building with families in tow covered by fire-proof blankets. After a little while of waiting and making sure everyone is here, the officers notice that Lt. Parma is still in the building. Before they talk to him over the radio, they see him come to one of the windows on the second floor of the building holding a child in a fire-proof blanket. With the lower floors burning, Lt. Parma jumps out the window, lands, and rolls on the ground. Thankfully, both he and the infant are fine.

For the next few days, Novus joins the Inflamed Penitents in days of penance and prayer where they spend most of the days in the adoration hall with some even flagellating themselves for their sins and the sins of others. During the time that Novus has been with them, he’s only been eating white bread, small fruits, and vegetables and drinking warm water. Some meat, fish, and wine are served on Sunday, but not enough to completely fill him. He eats even less on days of penance with only a smaller-than-usual meal at the beginning and end of the day. While he is starving, he isn’t sure if this or praying at funerals is harder to do.

Eventually, the Inflamed Penitent officer who was in the hospital returns back to the station. This allows Novus to go back to his own squad. Lt. Parma and the rest of the officers of this station thank Novus for his help and gift him with one of their masks. As soon as he gets back to the Sorrow’s station, he has an early dinner until he’s full. Lt. Sterner visits him while he is eating.

“So, how did you like being with the Inflamed Penitents?” he asks.

“It was…interesting. They’re definitely devoted in their penances and being sacrificial,” Novus says.

“Did you know that many of them are repentant criminals and monks? They’re quite a crowd of characters.”

“They also use chemical weapons if they need to. Have you seen them use it?” Sensus says as he butts into the conversation.

“I’ve seen them use flamethrowers. When do they use chemical weapons? They don’t seem the type of people to use them,” Novus says.

“They use them outside of the city and in the ruins and only in very specific situations when push comes to shove.”

“I disagree with the use of both flamethrowers and chemical weapons, but I can’t say that the Inflamed Penitents aren’t trustworthy people, so I’ll leave it at that. Are you ready to get back to work with us, rookie? We got a big job tomorrow,” Lt. Sterner says.

“Yes, sir,” Novus says ready for anything that isn’t a day of starving.

No Need for Heroes: Chapter 1 – Another Day on the Job

Chapter 1 – Another Day on the Job

A helicopter flies over a protest that is increasingly becoming violent. Ahead of the protesters is a squad of officers with riot shields and pistols blocking their path forward and telling them from loudspeakers to go home. The protesters stop not too far from the officers and continue shouting at them with their signs raised in the air with messages that demand better pay and freedoms. It is then that a four-year-old child steps out from the crowd and walks toward the officers. The crowd steps back before the child enters the arms of one of the officers and then is blown up in a violent explosion from explosives that were in its clothes. Violence then erupts as the crowd throws molotovs, homemade explosives, and chemical explosives at the officers and then charges at them with homemade guns, hammers, and other improvised weaponry.

“Green light, green light! Deploy the Angels of the Shadows!” an officer says across the radio.

A sniper from the helicopter shoots a singular woman in the crowd and then proceeds to shoot at the people throwing explosives at the police.

“Scum. That woman didn’t deserve to be a mother,” the sniper says.

“Who was she?” another officer says as the helicopter finds a place to touch down.

“According to our records, she was noted to have hated the fact that she had to abide by the four-child minimum per family law and didn’t like the job she earned through school.”

“There are a lot of those kinds of parents popping up recently.”

“They’re just unappreciative of their God-given role. Being a parent is said to be a holier duty than being part of the clergy or the sanctified virgins because the families hold up the Church and kingdom as a whole. You’ll get used to executing these kinds of people, rookie.”

“Yes, sir, Lt. Sterner.”

As the helicopter lands, the crowds of rioters disperse. Behind the crowd, squad cars of similarly armed and armored officers. They are dressed in black with a dark golden sword cross on their chest and helmets that have air filters attached to their face that is marked with black tears. Their weapons are heavy assault rifles, shotguns, snipers, and pistols all of which are loaded and ready to go.

“The death squads are here!” one of the retreating rioters says.

“Don’t retreat! Hold your ground or do you want to return to slaving away?”

“Sorrow squads ten-thirty-four, one-fifteen-twenty-four, and two-one-nine-ten, spread out and eliminate the rioters to the last man,” Lt. Sterner says.

Many of the rioters begin to disperse as the Sorrows approach them and fire on sight aided by the regular police force behind them. Their weapons tear through them like tissue paper while the attacks of the rioters are ineffective, especially since their own explosives are blown up by the gunfire before they can be thrown at them. This forces many more of the rioters to run away and forces the Sorrows to chase after them. The rookie, Lt. Sterner, and squad ten-thirty-four chase one group of rioters into the sewers.

“Split up into three teams of five and smoke them out,” Lt. Sterner commands.

“That’s probably what they’re hoping we’ll do. This seems like a trap,” the rookie points out.

“Yes, this is a trap and it will be ineffective. I know you’re still new to this, but have some faith in the weapons, armor, and squad God has given you, rookie.”

“Yes, sir.”

With Lt. Sterner and two other officers, the rookie covers their rear as they chase the rioters through the sewers. Eventually, they come across a dark section that is lit up by the gunfire coming from their targets. The Sorrows fire back and drive the rioters back further into the sewers.

“Split up and go after them!” Lt. Sterner says.

Now on his own, the rookie wanders the sewers looking for new targets. Over the radio, he hears his fellow officers confirming kills and finding stockpiles of ammunition, food, and maps that have circles and writing on them.

“This was a hideout of theirs We should be more cautious. I’m sure they have contingencies for our arrival,” an officer says.

“And we have contingencies to counter their own. I’ve already let the other available Sorrow squads and available police on the surface know to cover the exits. None will escape,” Lt. Sterner says.

Continuing on, the rookie continues to execute and chase whoever he finds until he comes across one that surrenders. This man shoots his own before throwing down his weapons, getting on his knees, and putting his hands in the air.

“Please, don’t shoot! They forced me to help them and I finally found the courage to fight back! I’ll do my penance for however long is decided, I swear it!” the man says.

The rookie doesn’t know what to do and hesitates for a few seconds. Before he can say anything, the surrendering man is shot in the face. Turning around, the rookie sees that the shooter was Lt. Sterner who is being followed by the rest of his squad.

“I know you’re still fresh from the police force, but remember, we’re Angels of the Shadows, a death squad. We don’t arrest. We only bring immediate justice to the guilty,” Lt. Sterner says.

“He shot the other criminals and his confession seemed genuine,” the rookie says.

“Then I hope for his sake that it was and his actions sent his soul straight to Heaven. Now, start bringing up the bodies to the surface. The cleanup crew will be here shortly.”

The riot that caused so much commotion in the city is now quelled after two hours. None who took part in the riot survived except for the children that weren’t shot or killed. These children were used by the rioters as pseudo-shields or indoctrinated by their parents to take part in the riot. The younger children are taken to an adoption facility to be taken care of and given to better families while the older children are taken to correction facilities to serve their penance until it is determined that they are rehabilitated and ready to take a job in the city. Meanwhile, the rookie, the Sorrows’ cleanup crew, the Sorrows themselves, and the rest of the officers clean up the bodies of the rioters, police officers, and innocent civilians who were caught in the crossfire. This entire effort takes roughly five hours.

After all this, the rookie and the Sorrows go back to base to rest while the bodies of the deceased are prepped for a funeral service the next day. When tomorrow arrives, the Sorrows go into a church where the bodies are and pay their respects. Around the caskets are family members of the deceased and penitents that cry and pray for mercy for both the deceased and the criminals who are currently living to turn from their wicked ways. The rookie watches unsure of what to do while his squad and the rest of the Sorrows gather around the caskets in prayer and penance.

One of the Sorrows approaches him and says, “Is this still a strange sight to you?”

“Yes, and it’s not because of us praying for the people we just killed, but because of how many there are. It looks like hundreds of people died last night because of how many caskets are here,” the rookie says.

“You’re the rookie, aren’t you? What’s your name?”

“Novus. What’s yours?”

“Sensus. I’m glad to introduce myself properly to you. I’ve been serving with the Sorrows for five years and help Sterner decide who to accept to the Sorrows and what squad they go on. I read on your resume that you were a police officer for a couple of years before joining us. That was a good decision. Most sixteen-year-olds want to keep enjoying their youth in school before dedicating themselves to a vocation and that can deprive them of valuable experience as a result.”

“I just wanted to do what I felt like I was called to as soon as I could.”

“That’s good as well. At least you’re not like the others who try to get into the Sorrows and make a name for themselves as soon as they can so they can get a job in the government quicker. So, tell me. What do you think of this practice we Sorrows take part in after every deployment?”

“It’s pious.”

“Is that all?”

“I can’t think of any other words to say, but it feels like the right thing to do.”

“The patron saint of the Sorrows, St. Pluvia, who was called the crybaby cop during his time typically did this because he was always sorrowful for sinners. He could not be convinced to hate anyone. It didn’t matter the severity of their actions or how aware they were of the evil they’d done. Even now when you visit his grave in the St. Pluvia church, you can find fresh tears streaming down his face for sinners. If you ever feel hesitant to pray for a sinner, then remember your own sins and the day you took your vow as an officer and cut yourself with the sword cross. If we do not do as God instructs and pray for even the vilest of sinners, then we are just as guilty as the criminals we execute.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Sensus.”

“Any time. Also, remember to call me Sgt. Sensus while on duty. Sterner doesn’t like it when we refer to one another casually by just our first names. I know he may seem harsh and hypocritical by calling you a rookie all the time, but he’s a good hearted man. Look at him down there on his knees deep in prayer. Every now and then you may catch him crying for particular sinners because they remind him of his brothers that were corrupted by criminals and died as a result of gang warfare.”

“I see.”

“Oh, and don’t tell you I told you about his brothers. He likes to keep it secret and only tell those he’s comfortable with.”

Lt. Sterner takes Novus aside after the funeral service.

He says to him, “Look, rookie. You did fine on your first day, but what you did at the end needs to be corrected. I can’t have an officer who doesn’t immediately shoot a criminal who is genuinely repentant or not because it could cost lives.”

“I understand.”

“Good. To rectify your mistake, you’ll be going out on another assignment today. We’re going to be clearing out an abandoned apartment in a restricted area that is filled with criminals. Everyone in there is to be executed on sight except for infants and children.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Let’s get to some cleaning then, rookie. For both your soul, nerves and that apartment.”

Novus, Lt. Sterner, and Sensus take a helicopter with two other Sorrows from the roof of the Sorrows’ station and head to their destination. While they are flying, they can hear a message echoing through the city from the loudspeakers.

“One world, one kingdom, one people under one God, under one king, one queen. We do not falter. We do not yield to criminals. We will never be defeated,” the echoing message says.

This simple message is repeated for one hour after riots to remind people in every place in the world how it is. How the world is ruled by one king and queen, under one government. Each continent with sectioned-off territories and cultures is ruled by overseers who rule their governors in their sectors who rule over their mayors. There is no formal military for this monarchy. Instead, the Angels of the Shadows act as one and are equipped as such.

“Amen,” Lt. Sterner says to respond to the message while crossing himself.

Novus can’t help but cross himself as well. The city itself has a gothic beauty to it that makes almost every building look like a holy building or a church while the neon lights and curved edges show its modern touches. He looks out at the city before him and is reminded of his history lessons. Of how secular governments under one rule were overthrown by the faithful, how the kingdom was founded, and the lessening and magnifying of religious fervor so that the mistakes of the past wouldn’t be repeated. As the Sorrows’ helicopter flies closer to their destination, the message on the loudspeakers quiets and becomes distorted because of the section of the city they are in.

“Take it all in, boys and girls,” Lt. Sterner says, “This sight never gets old. What you see before you are the result of corruption. Those ruins down there used to be the city’s center, the source of all its sin, and the seat of power for its rulers. Hopefully, it’ll be something more than that in the near future, but it won’t be unless we clear it of the scum that is drawn to it. It’s ironic, isn’t it? The poorest section of the city used to be the richest and the richest used to be the poorest.”

“As it is in Heaven,” Sensus comments.

“Amen.”

“Why do you think they’d want to live in that instead of living in their family’s home?” Novus asks.

“God only knows. They could not like their family’s home, they could not like the home they inherited or were given, or there’s the likely possibility that their home is too much of a liability to their whatever schemes they have.”

“Whatever the case is, we’re going to find out soon,” Sensus says as the helicopter begins to land.

“Remember, Sgt. Sensus, the rookie, and I will go through the front door to draw everyone’s attention. The rest of you will go in through the sides to cover all possible exits. No survivors except for children,” Lt. Sterner commands when the helicopter lands.

The three Sorrows enter the abandoned apartment. Drapes of clothes, curtains, and dirty rags lay on the floor along with an assortment of trash and the vermin that feed off it. Above the officers are stairs and the individual floors that each apartment room is on. There’s no roof to this building, which allows the heat of the sun to beam down on the pots of flowers and plants that are on the railings of each floor as if they were being used as a pseudo garden. Sounds of quiet footsteps and whispering can be heard here and there. Once Lt. Sterner is confident in where they’re coming from, he opens fire on the floor above him, shoots through the walls, and manages to kill three people. Now that they’ve been fired on, the criminals in the building start opening fire on the Sorrows to cover the retreat of their friends.

Returning fire, the Sorrows shoot down their targets above and around them as they advance upward. The garden that was so carefully put together around the rails is torn apart in the crossfire. Some of the criminals are running back since the other Sorrows are coming in and supporting their squad. Now that the stairway is clear and all is quiet, Lt. Sterner commands individual members of the squad to cover the exits and separates them to clear all the floors. Novus, Lt. Sterner, and Sensus go to the top floor and start with the first room closest to the stairs.

Blowing up the locked metal door, the three Sorrows enter and find nothing. After blowing up the next locked metal door, they are immediately fired at by everyone in it. Novus throws a flashbang into the room to make it easy to clear the room. This room that was so heavily defended has many explosives, homemade guns, and guns that look to have been bought or stolen. Going to the next room, a suicide bomber runs out of it before Novus can plant the explosives. He quickly shoots the bomber in the head and gently lowers the body to the ground much to his surprise and the surprise of his superiors. Looking back at Lt. Sterner and Sensus, they both give an approving nod before moving into the next room. Inside this room, they find a laboratory where chemicals and chemical weapons are found.

“Remember what you see here, rookie. It’s why all officers wear masks with air filters and why people have to wear masks in certain parts of the city People that make this stuff and use it against others are worthless scum and don’t care about anyone but themselves,” Lt. Sterner says.

Lt. Sterner radios over to the station to ask for a team to clean up the chemical laboratory here. The three officers go to the fourth and final apartment room and are surprised to find that the door is unlocked and not rigged. They go in with caution and are even more surprised to find infants inside that are all sleeping.  While they are distracted, several people shoot them from behind from the nooks in the room, but because of their armor, the officers are hardly affected by the bullets. Because of this, they fire back immediately and kill their attackers with careful pinpoint accuracy while the infants cry in terror.

“Check the infants! Check them now!” Lt. Sterner says while doing what he is commanding.

As the officers check the infants, they find that they’re all fine but are shocked to see that some are rigged to explosives that are set to go off if they are moved. The explosives experts in their squad are immediately called up by Lt. Sterner to disarm these explosives. Lt. Sterner also calls over for an immediate evacuation of the infants. With the job done and the abandoned apartment building now being what it’s supposed to be, the helicopter the Sorrows came in comes to pick them back up.

While flying back into the city, Lt. Sterner tells Novus, “You did better today, rookie. Just remember what you saw if you ever hesitate again and that it’s your God-given duty to execute the guilty and give them a one way to a court session with God.”

“Thank you, sir,” Novus says before he looks at Sensus who nods.

“Don’t rest too easy though. You’re just getting started and it’s only going to get tougher from here.”

Again, Novus looks over to Sensus who again nods, but this time in a much more reluctant fashion. Looking out at the gothic city, Novus takes a breath and says a silent prayer for strength and understanding to help him in the coming days.