Moving as one, the entities pulled back, retreating into the darkness. The whispers were silenced, and the airfield was suddenly normal. The sky cleared, and the airfield was bathed in sunlight. The soldiers approached David, and one of them asked.
"What the hell was all that, sir?"
David's gaze was fixed on the horizon as the last of the shadows faded away.
"They were testing us and trying to break our spirit. Terrify us into submission."
The soldier was unnerved, and his rifle trembled slightly in his grip.
"But what are they?"
David turned to face him.
"Agents of dark forces that play on ancient fears and weaken our resolve to stand up for what we know is good. They want us to forget why we fight."
The soldiers exchanged glances; they knew what David was talking about.
"They'll be back, " said David. " But they won't win. Not if you stand firm."
The soldier's hands had stopped shaking, and his voice was steadier.
" But how do we fight something like that?"
David looked at him with a sardonic smile.
"You don't fight them. You show them that you are not afraid. Mock them. Show your contempt. Spit in their eyes."
David turned away and headed toward the command post. The soldiers watched him go, their fears diminished. The airfield was quiet again, but there was an atmosphere of defiance. Let them come.
#
El Jeffe was addressing a group of officers in the operations room.
"Major Castro has implemented a three-shift system for the guards. Twelve hours on followed by twenty-four hours off for each shift. Familiarise yourself with which members of your platoon are on which shift and ensure they get there on time."
An officer raised his hand.
"The men are very uneasy, sir. They do not know how to take David. His casual dismissal of the phantoms was both magnificent and unsettling. They were impressed by his power, but they are now a little afraid of him, although they would never admit it. How do you think we can reassure them, and who exactly is he, sir?"
El Jeffe started to answer, then stopped abruptly.
He gestured to the doorway where I was standing.
"Perhaps, you might like to ask him yourselves. Come in, David."
The officers shot to their feet.
"Please sit down," I said.
They did as I asked, and El Jeffe motioned for me to join him on the platform.
"Are you willing to address these officers, David?"
I nodded, and El Jeffe sat down in a chair to one side of where I stood.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen." I said, and a chorus of replies answered, "Good afternoon, sir"
"That is the first point I wish to make. I am not an official member of the command structure here, merely a visitor with no official rank or title. I am here as a guest of your commanding officer, and whilst on the base, I remain under his jurisdiction."
I turned and inclined my head towards El Jeffe.
"But I want to reassure you that I am your ally, as are my colleagues, and we fight together against the tyranny of machine rule."
They vigorously applauded this statement.
Nevertheless, this war goes beyond a simple conflict between us and the machines. I do not exaggerate when I say that it is a struggle for the very soul of existence itself. Today, you witnessed an attack on us by supernatural forces, agents of evil personified, walking this world disguised as a man.
There were gasps from the audience and the sound of several people talking at the same time. I held up my hand for quiet.
"That is not all. The demons are not his only agents. He has also recruited part or all of the machine administration to act directly on his behalf. This demonstrates his power. He is an enemy to be reckoned with, and as long as I remain here, the airfield will continue to be attacked."
Major Castro rose to his feet.
"Can I ask, sir, why you are his main target?"
"Yes, Major. It is a legitimate question. The evil one is immortal and can only be slain by a wondrous sword, and only one man can wield it. "
"You?" asked Major Castro, who had stayed on his feet.
"Yes," I replied.
For a moment, there was complete quiet, and then the whole room erupted in questions.
I tried to single one out to answer, but it was hopeless.
El Jeffe got to his feet and bellowed.
"Silence! Sit down, all of you."
The officers obeyed, and El Jeffe signalled for me to continue speaking.
"Look, I'm sorry. I should not have sprung it on you like that. I realise the shock it has caused, but matters have come to a head, and I have made a decision. As soon as my aircraft are serviceable, my colleagues and I intend to leave. To stay will put too many lives at risk. In the interim period, our services are at the disposal of El Jeffe."
"Where will you go, sir?"
It was Major Castro again. It seemed that he had adopted the role of intermediary or spokesman for the officers, although El Jeffe would have the final word.
"Back to the mountains," I replied." I strongly suspect that is where I will find my nemesis. Once found, we will fight to the death. I have mastered him in combat before, but foolishly let him live. That will not happen again. He knows who I am and what is at stake and will avoid me at all costs. I must track him down, but in the meantime, he will try to have me killed by others.
I am a mortal, whose life is as vulnerable to termination as any other, but I have powers granted to me by someone far greater, and it is by his sword, and his sword only, that the evil one can be slain."
"Will you return to your former base at the top of the mountain, sir?" asked Castro.
"No," I replied. "The commandant will not allow it for the same reason I am leaving here. That my presence will invite attack by the machines. We must find somewhere of our own."
Major Castro was not convinced by my argument.
"But there is nothing on the mountains. You need a functional base. One with a runway for a start, and facilities for refuelling, not to mention provisions for yourselves, and a place to sleep."
There was a murmur of agreement from his fellow officers. Major Castro looked towards El Jeffe.
"Would you care to give us your opinion on the matter, sir?"
El Jeffe rose to his feet, and I sat down.
"David and his crew helped liberate this camp from machine rule. Without their assistance, we would still be under their control, and for that we offer our sincere thanks."
"Hear, hear", said one of the officers and the others applauded the remark.
El Jeffe turned to me.
"We make a formidable team, and I invite you to use this airfield as your base, for as long as you deem it necessary to fulfil your higher mission. Together, we can repel any attack from the machines or any spooky apparitions they care to dream up. You may go to the mountains in search of your enemy, safe in the knowledge you can return here."
There was a long round of applause, and Major Castro got up.
"As you can see, David, you have the full support of El Jeffe and his officers, and our views reflect those of the men under us."
More applause.
El Jeffe motioned for me to speak.
"You fully understand the dangers of making this invitation?" I asked.
El Jeffe smiled and nodded.
"Then I accept."
Everyone was on their feet, applauding, when a shot rang out from the back of the room. One of the men had drawn his pistol and was moving towards the platform when another officer tried to hold him back. He had turned and shot the officer at point-blank range before pushing his way forward, aiming his gun straight at me. I had nowhere to run, so I turned to face the gunman.
"Who are you and what do you want?" I said, as calmly as I could.