Germans.
“They’ll get used to it. Anyway, as soon as Heaven opens up, the H.E.A. is ready to go.”
“You think that is close Khun David?”
“I do, we’re close to the end of the Bowls of Wrath and that’s the softening up process. I expect us to be hit by an Angelic Host shortly afterwards. Wherever they land, we’ll portal in around them. My preferred plan is to open up three portals and put an Army Group through each. There are many variations to that of course but the basis of them all is that we go for the big kill again. And one thing has been made clear. I’ve had word from our political masters at Yamantau. Once any Angelic invasion of Earth has been defeated, we go straight to an invasion of Heaven. For that assault, nuclear weapons are free. Once we’re in Heaven, I can order them used at my discretion.”
There was a subtle intake of breath around the table. “Other weapons of mass destruction?” Jackson sounded awed by the clearance.
“Them too. Chemical, biological, you name it. All weapons are free, we can use them as we deem fit. Our primary responsibility is to reduce human casualties to a minimum.”
“And stop Caesar recruiting all our deceased veterans?” Asanee spoke the words but the thought was in everybody’s mind. The New Roman Republic was showing remarkable zeal in recruiting Second-Life humans with modern military experience.
“I think so. By the way, Caesar has offered us a Legion and we’ve taken him up on it. It’s basically a light mechanized brigade, a mixture of Second-Life humans and daemons. I thought you might like it as Commonwealth Army reserve Michael.”
“Thank you David. That’ll will be… interesting.” Jackson paused for a second. “What about the Papal Divisions?”
“They’re with us, again they’re really light mechanized brigades and I plan to use them as Army HQ reserve units.” Petraeus sighed. “You know, I am never going to get used to having an Archbishop as a brigade commander.”
Throne Room, The Ultimate Temple, Eternal City, Heaven
The Divine Audience looked nervously at Michael-Lan as he entered the great Audience Chamber. The more astute tried to read his expression, to see if the news he carried would throw Yahweh into a tantrum or leave him mellow. Those who had decided that discretion was the better part of valor were already buying their tickets for the Mason’s bunker. The foolhardy had taken heart from the recent good news and were watching from good, though exposed, positions on the floor. Michael-Lan reflected on what he would do if he was waiting here and didn’t know what news was being brought. I would buy a bunker ticket, he thought if we fight the humans face-to face, there is no way it will end well for us.
He strode into the hall, making his way through the clouds of incense smoke that roiled around him, his footsteps interrupting the rhythmic chanting of the Great Choir. Then, he was approaching the Immaculate Throne and he prostrated himself before The One Above All, kissing the jade floor with his scarred lips. “Oh Eternal Father Of Us All, Whose Unspeakable Acts Are Always At The Forefront Of Our Minds, I bring news of the war against the humans.” Michael sneaked a look at Yahweh and then at the rest of the audience. One of the Chayot Ha Kodesh, Azrael, was frowning slightly at the address, probably because he had worked out it wasn’t quire as respectful as it had sounded. That didn’t worry Michael, he had spent days studying the reports from Lemuel and the interrogations of the Angels arrested in the purge and had come to the amusing conclusion that Azrael, along with every single member of Yahweh’s upper-echelon command staff, was also conspiring against The Unspeakable One. To Michael-Lan this was an eminently satisfactory state of affairs. Isolating Yahweh and leaving him without any form of support had always been his primary objective. It was becoming apparent that at least half his work had been done for him.
“Speak, mightiest and most beloved of My generals.” The Peerless Voice boomed out across the attendance hall.
“Oh Mightiest Star In The Heavens, I have good news to report. The fifth and sixth Bowls of Wrath have been poured. The darkness at noon envelopes the humans, causing them to choke on their blasphemy and chew their tongues with pain. Their crops are destroyed and starvation stalks their land. The mighty river Euphrates has ceased to flow and its bed bakes dry in the noonday sun. Soon, the Seventh and last bowl will be poured and the misery and anguish of the humans will be complete.” Well, actually they will be screaming mad with anger and demanding your head on a plate, probably with an apple stuffed in its mouth. Then, they’ll be coming to get it.
“This news brings joy to My Heart, Michael-Lan. Soon this war will be over.”
Well, you got something right at last. Michael-Lan kept his face under strict control. The time to reveal his real feelings had not yet come. Not quite yet.
“The humans will be crushed and they will choke on their rebellion and blasphemy.
And so we revert to normal. Michael-Lan only just managed to stop himself snorting. Raving bombastic idiocy. Yah-yah, old boy, hasn’t it occurred to you yet that the humans occupy Hell and left you with nothing to threaten them with. I suppose not, that would require a certain level of insight. Real threats are only going one way and Your Idiotic Self is on receive, not transmit. The question you should be asking is what the humans are planning for you. Whatever it is, it won’t be nice. “Indeed so, Oh Eternal Master Of Infinite Wisdom, soon the blasphemous wretches will cower before Your Divine Self as You administer Your Immaculate Justice. Now, we must exploit the misery and humiliation they suffer. It is time for the Angelic Host to assemble and raise its levies of the humans in Your Everlasting Service. May I beg Your Divine Indulgence on one point. Surely it is only fitting that Your Only Son as Your Unbelievable Representative should lead them in the triumphant march that ends this war.” Sorry, Jesus, you’re a nice guy and all that but one never, ever kills the father and leaves the son alive. I can’t kill you but the humans can.
“A most fitting request. Make it so. And what is the news of the foul conspiracies?”
“Those that we have discovered and brought before you have been crushed.” Michael glanced sideways at Azrael. Yes, that does mean I am on to you and that I hold your existence in my hands “Those who were led astray by the deadly sin of pride have been arrested. Their leaders have been interrogated and their followers detailed in a camp far removed from the city.”
The clouds around the throne roiled and there was a distant role of thunder. The lightning display was pure white and merely rippled through the clouds. What a pity, Michael thought, it’s been weeks since I managed to provoke a real multi-colored display. Still, at least the mason has managed to catch up on repairs to the walls. Never mind, we’ll have an exciting enough display when I tell Yah-Yah the truth about what is going on.
“Detained in a camp?” Yahweh’s voice thundered across the room. “For defying My Eternal Will? They should be punished for this, they should suffer the agonies of Hell for all eternity for their impertinence. I decree eternal damnation for them with all the suffering that their vile treachery deserves.”
Thank you Yah-yah, that’s the key piece I needed. You are now on record as having ordered what happens to the inmates of Belial’s concentration camp. And when the humans find it, all the Angels in Heaven will be seen as your victims.
To the disappointment of those in the bunker and the delight of those who had stayed outside, the audience was over. Michael-Lan rose to his feet and backed out of the audience hall, genuflecting as he left. That hid any look of satisfaction on his face. His complex scheme was coming to its climax. Now, everything depended on Lemuel and Maion.
Chapter Fifty Two
The Forum, C?saraugusta, Cisalpine Gaul, New Rome, Hell
“Salve, Senator Junius Varinius Pulpo. I would speak to the subject of sending a Legion to fight alongside the Human Expeditionary Army in the invasion of Heaven.” George Matthews had prepared himself carefully for this, his first formal contribution to a debate in the forum. His toga was new and spotless, its carefully-pressed folds draped around him perfectly. For some strange reason he felt it added a sense of occasion, a solemn formality he had never felt before. This wasn’t an election day but their Senator had come on his scheduled visit to hear the opinions of his constituents directly. Matthews drew himself up slightly and held eye contact with the Senator.
