Chapter 52: Like Clowns in a Cathedral

April 1999

Rachel and I had a long talk about our battle plans, while we began a training regimen in the gym. I knew that when Dread returned, he could give us some pointers on how to train to get the maximum benefit out of just a few weeks of training. Our basic scheme of maneuver was to be able to disarm the Red and Black Clans of their powers by cutting off the source of that power. In military terms, this is taking out the command and control systems, otherwise known as C-2. I would take out Rascha first, and then we would follow Tayla to her tomb for refuge, while she ordered her minions of Red Velvet Clansmen vampires to battle with those of the Black Velvet Clan. While that battle was raging, we would take the rings and run as fast as we could to the surface to expose the rings to the sunlight, leaving them there. The first part of this plan was the most dangerous. Getting to Rascha would take a lot of patience, control, and courage.

In my crude way, I drew a diagram, showing her how we would carry each device or weapon on our body. The MP-5 (a nine-millimeter caliber) submachine gun and the nine-millimeter pistols were obviously to be used to kill the vampires and any opposing familiar or Jackal soldier who might have infiltrated the underground. We would be carrying a variety of ammunition for them. Some would be normal ball ammunition, while other clips and magazines would carry bullets made of silver. Naturally, this would be for the vampires. In addition, each of the Tech-9’s would have an allotment of one hundred fifty rounds of ball ammunition, while the Taurus pistols would have sixty rounds at its disposal. After considering our surroundings at the time we would be using these weapons, I thought it prudent to include an allotment of sixty rounds of silver bullets as well. I decided to have Rachel carry a reliable backup, one that she would not be afraid to use, and could develop a high proficiency within a short time. My choice would be a Ruger MkIV pistol, of twenty-two caliber. She would carry an extra hundred rounds of silver bullets for this firearm. All our weapons would have laser sights on them, enabling us to fire in the dark.

There would also be the crossbows. I wanted to make sure that Rachel would be able to draw the bowstring back to lock it into place. Therefore, this requires strength training here in the gym. She would need to exert at least sixty pounds of pull to accomplish this. Our quivers would number no less than fifty silver-tipped bolts. In addition, if our firearms run out of bullets of any kind, then our bladed weapons would have to take that fight to our enemies. We would each carry a Samurai-style Katana, along with a shorter version of the sword. I had specifically asked them to plate the blades with silver. This way they would affect our undead enemies. A K-bar style knife, strapped to our leg in a sheath, completed our ensemble.