Monkey Boy's Playground

Sarcastically Kimiko asks, “Are we sending in the big guns already?”

Andrew rolls his eyes as he tosses the micro helicopter in the air and begins its flight toward the mission. “I’m going to hang back as much as possible but this should give us a few more angles and it’ll record video rather than just snap pics.”

Moving from her position toward the computer, “Ok while you play I’ll start checking the people I have a picture of with those in the directory.

Andrew does a pass over the mission getting as good a look as he can for windows and places that would be out of the line of sight that he and Kimiko have from atop the hill. He makes a gamble and takes the drone in for a window peek on the farthest most barracks. The contents of the barracks are as to be expected; bunks with two chests in front of each and bathrooms at the back.

Kimiko, very concerned, calls over to Andrew, “Chief I think we have a very serious problem.”

“Damn, give me two minutes to get this drone back up here.” Andrew retrieves his drone and packs it away and takes up looking at the computer screen over Kimiko’s shoulder. “Ok so how bad is it?”

Looking at him with worried eyes, “None of the children in that group match any on record with the mission, and that monk in the garden is one of the priests from the last search party; which leads to the confirmation that something is going on here.”

Sighing heavily as he stands up, “Shit. Well, it’s getting toward sundown. I vote we set up the tents, and go down there tomorrow and get it over with. I dropped in a few mics so we’ll have some audio to listen after tonight. That may give us a better understanding of what exactly is going on here.

Kimiko nods in affirmation, “Ok but at first light I want to be down there.”

Kimiko shakes Andrew awake, “Andrew wake up!”

Jumping awake, Andrew slowly comes to and realizes he is soaked from head to toe with sweat, “I feel like shit. Weird ass dream too.”

Giving Andrew a concerned looked Kimiko helps him out of the tent, “Yea this place is FUBAR. I went on some recon last night. I just couldn’t sleep. That suit is no director type. Not sure what he is. Found a boat dock about a few miles up the road from the mission at the shore line. I also saw the whole village come out of the church last night and they just walked like robots to the barracks, or rectory; like it was a ritual. And your mics gave me something rather eerie for you to listen to.”

Trying to get with it, Andrew jokes,“Yea I don’t think I’m in a mood just yet to go spelunking about town anyway.”

Andrew sets himself in front of the computer and pulls up the sound clip that Kimiko has set aside; it is of the children, reciting a poem together:

Set free from that unneeded.

The heart and soul were merely chains.

Thanks to our great leader that has changed,

We now feel nothing more than strength.

God shall fear us for now our hearts are vane.

Looking at Kimiko with grave concern, “The fuck did I just hear?”

Kimiko replies with unsuredness, “Nothing good, that’s for sure. I did notice however that the suit walked out from the barracks. And as he visited the other barracks, the same poem was recited by anyone that was in them.”

Andrew deep in thought, “What the hell does that mean?”

Void of any idea, Kimiko states, “Not a freakin’ clue.”

Starting to wake up a bit more, “I’m gonna get the drone out and take another look down there.”

Kimiko having taken her spot by the tree and surveying the mission, “Sounds like the best idea for now.”

Andrew flies the drone down to the farthest barracks and looks inside; several adults of all shapes sizes and age groups are fast asleep. The children slumber in the second barracks, while the others contain a mix of priests and mission personnel. Andrew makes a break with the drone for a view of the school house. Not only is it empty, as to be expected with everyone sleeping, but it shows no sign of having been used in the three months since there was first sign of issue from the mission. Andrew pilots his way to the church and finds that anything of religious significant has been taken down, and in place of the alter sits a thrown like chair.

Whilst Andrew is surveying the mission, Kimiko has taken notice of activity coming up the road from the shore. A group of four women are being led up the road by three men. Kimiko estimates that the women are in their twenties, and can see that they all know one another. Two men in jeans and button down floral shirts lead from the rear of the group, with shotguns in hand. Dressed in a grey almost silver suit, standing about six foot three, and built like a tank, is the third male, the group’s leader. Kimiko, watches them with binoculars, and when they are close enough, she switches to the camera to get a better zoom, and snap a few pictures for identification. As soon as she takes the first picture, however, she needs no directory for identification of the suit, and is filled with rage as she realizes who it is, “That mangy, mother fucking, dirty, son of a bitch!”

Andrew is taken aback by the use of vulgarity from Kimiko, “What’s the matter?”

“The suit; I know him. Name’s Silver; I’ve been looking for that piece of shit for 650 years.”

Surprised and curious, Andrew questions, “Really? What the hell for? And how could you not find him all this time?”

Kimiko still fixed on the group and their movements, explains her story. “He’s a slippery dog. Knows how to hide well, and keep others that do his work the only ones that can be traced. Back in the day he was a skilled ninja and warrior. He fell many of the people that I called family, including my husband. I swore, taking my husband’s sword in hand, that I’d find and kill that mutt.”

Surprised, “That’s some deep shit. Well if things continue the way they look, we’re gonna have to go hot sooner than later.”

As Kimiko and Andrew finish their conversation, Silver leads his men and the hostages into the church. As the doors close behind them, Andrew is struck by a sense of powerful change in the aura of the area. He takes no time in grabbing up his rifle, pistol, and sword. He gives a worried look to Kimiko, “I think it’s best we get our assets down there.”

Kimiko grabs her katana and belts her Glock 19 before following behind Andrew as he makes his way down from their hilltop and circles to a position behind cover of the far front barracks looking on at the church. Andrew peers into the window of the barracks; no one inside. He motions for Kimiko to check the other barracks; and Andrew darts across the square to the school house.

Kimiko makes her sweep of the barracks, and finds them all empty. She swings around to the school by way of the square and the playground. She and Andrew check the school via the windows. The one room school house is empty of all persons. The two hunters make for the church by way of the gardens and rectory.

The rectory is a small, almost barracks style house; just big enough to fit a few priest within its walls. Andrew and Kimiko stand at the side door adjacent the barn. Andrew places his ear against the door to listen for what might be on the other side. Upon noticing that there is no locking mechanism on the door, he readies his rifles and corners threw the door with Kimiko close behind. On the other side of the door is a long hallway, with two doors on either side, each set directly across from each other. At the end of the hall is another door, presumably to the church.

Andrew and Kimiko will have to work fast to clear the directory, as they will each have to take charge of one room each with no one at their back. Andrew clears the kitchen on the left as Kimiko clears the bunk room; they make their way to the living room and showers respectively. As they stack up on the door, Andrew stumbles.

Worried, Kimiko inquires, “You ok there?”

Shaking his head, “I think so. You don’t sense that?”

Curious, “Sense what,” replies Kimiko.

Dumbfounded, Andrew asks, “I thought vampires had psychic powers?”

Kimiko chuckles, “If we train, yes, but not all of us have the affinity for hardcore ESP?”

Nodding, Andrew fills her in, “There’s something not natural behind this door.”