Standing before Tycho were four hunters. The tops of their branches in the Order of Gan Ainm, the best of the best so to speak. They stood at attention, as well they should. It wasn't every day one was called into the upper echelons of the Order's Hunting Division. Settling on the desk behind him, he met each hunter's gaze. "You each have been chosen because you are among the best. I'm sending you after a hunter. Sain Eolai Sealgaire went through a portal in the lair of a mage nearly four years ago. He has not returned, his sword has not been found. As you know, Sain is an Elite Hunter just as you are. There is no reason for his absence barring extreme circumstances. Should he have fallen, return his sword to us. If he is alive, then he has deserted the order. Execute him." Tycho was glad to see none of his audience reacted to the words. It was not the place of a hunter to question their orders.
He turned and picked up four identical files, handing one to each of them. Within each, was a superficial overview of Sain Sealgaire's talents and the last picture taken of him. An auric enhancement specialist with a minor focus in telekinetics and weapons engineering. A confirmed mage kill count of sixteen with two unconfirmed kills would dispel any suspicion they had Sain was not their equal. At 26 years old he was old for a hunter, standing at just under six feet tall and weighing at last physical about 170 pounds. Last recorded loadout included an aetherian steel bastard sword named Sain. A standard issue handgun. Several magazines of anathematic ammunition, grenades, HiEx charges, first aid kit, it all looked pretty standard. Of course, the information was also nearly 4 years out of date.
"You're each among the best we have to offer, I would remind you that Sain Sealgaire stands among you as an equal in skill, and has an edge of experience over most of you. Do not underestimate him." Tycho stood from the desk and circled behind it, revealing the nameplate on the polished mahogany surface. Deacon Tycho Brahe, Hunting Division Director. The man before them oversaw operations on a global scale. That he was taking the time to speak to them was highly unusual, and an honor for any hunter in the order. Sitting at his desk, he formed his fingers into a steeple over the polished wood. "The portal you'll be taking is the same one he took. Be advised we have spent the last four years attempting to create a return from the other side, but we have not succeeded in creating a full bridge. You'll be outfitted with transponders that will allow us to lock onto your position once you're finished. Only then will we be able to return you here. You will not get a second chance, so do not activate them until you have completed your assignment."
He reached over and pressed a button on an intercom on the surface of his desk. Moments later, a group of acolytes entered with four duffel bags, each one placed at the hunter's feet. Within, they'd find standard loadouts for their deployments and small transponders in belt pouches. The transponders were small cylinders about five inches long and an inch thick. They each twisted in the center and expanded about another two inches to reveal a switch that would broadcast dimensional coordinates home. The director motioned for the acolytes to stand aside, and addressed the hunters. "We've prepared your standard loadouts, anything specific you feel you'll need simply let this support team know and they'll see to it. Do not return without a confirmation of Sain's end, and his weapon." He looked at each hunter with a level gaze. "Your secondary duties are to protect the secrets of the Order, as always. A rogue hunter knowing the production method of Aetherian Steel is a liability. Ensure that information has not passed beyond the order's control. If it has, fix it by any means necessary. You are authorized for full autonomy on the other side of the portal. We leave this to your judgements as the best hunters we have to offer." Tycho stood and placed his hand to his heart, then over each of them in turn. "Go with the blessings of the Order, Go with the will of the One who is All." He prayed over them the simple prayer of the support teams, then looked to each of them. "You're dismissed."
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The hunters filed out of the room, the support staff led them through the halls of the Hunting Division's Logistics Center to an elevator. Much of the Logistics staff couldn't help but look at the group that filed through, sending four hunters on a mission' It was nearly unheard of. The last time it had happened was the disaster at Chicago. Wherever they were going, it was important to the Order, and it was top secret.
The group arrived at the doors, exiting the building to come to a line of Humvees that bore the Order Coat of Arms. After a long six hour ride" they arrived at the site. Over the last four years the damage from Sain's battle with the mage had been long repaired. Cleanup crews had scrubbed the site clean, yet the portal had subsisted. Sain had never returned, so the site was maintained and utilized for dimensional research.
The support team got the four hunters ready, catering to each of their needs as the hunters directed them. Finally' it was time to go. The portal had been sealed with massive doors to prevent any unwanted returns from whatever was on the other side, and they slowly slid apart to reveal a shimmering silver and black surface. Like liquid mercury in constant motion, the portal was almost hard to look at for too long. A technician watched the doors open and then spoke over an intercom from behind a hazmat shield.
"Please state your name, any designations you may have, and your branch for the record and then step into the portal." The tech sounded bored. Such was the way of things when they sent Hunters through portals. There was no action. His words were also pretty clear with an unspoken directive" now was the time for any last words they might have.
He turned and picked up four identical files, handing one to each of them. Within each, was a superficial overview of Sain Sealgaire's talents and the last picture taken of him. An auric enhancement specialist with a minor focus in telekinetics and weapons engineering. A confirmed mage kill count of sixteen with two unconfirmed kills would dispel any suspicion they had Sain was not their equal. At 26 years old he was old for a hunter, standing at just under six feet tall and weighing at last physical about 170 pounds. Last recorded loadout included an aetherian steel bastard sword named Sain. A standard issue handgun. Several magazines of anathematic ammunition, grenades, HiEx charges, first aid kit, it all looked pretty standard. Of course, the information was also nearly 4 years out of date.
"You're each among the best we have to offer, I would remind you that Sain Sealgaire stands among you as an equal in skill, and has an edge of experience over most of you. Do not underestimate him." Tycho stood from the desk and circled behind it, revealing the nameplate on the polished mahogany surface. Deacon Tycho Brahe, Hunting Division Director. The man before them oversaw operations on a global scale. That he was taking the time to speak to them was highly unusual, and an honor for any hunter in the order. Sitting at his desk, he formed his fingers into a steeple over the polished wood. "The portal you'll be taking is the same one he took. Be advised we have spent the last four years attempting to create a return from the other side, but we have not succeeded in creating a full bridge. You'll be outfitted with transponders that will allow us to lock onto your position once you're finished. Only then will we be able to return you here. You will not get a second chance, so do not activate them until you have completed your assignment."
He reached over and pressed a button on an intercom on the surface of his desk. Moments later, a group of acolytes entered with four duffel bags, each one placed at the hunter's feet. Within, they'd find standard loadouts for their deployments and small transponders in belt pouches. The transponders were small cylinders about five inches long and an inch thick. They each twisted in the center and expanded about another two inches to reveal a switch that would broadcast dimensional coordinates home. The director motioned for the acolytes to stand aside, and addressed the hunters. "We've prepared your standard loadouts, anything specific you feel you'll need simply let this support team know and they'll see to it. Do not return without a confirmation of Sain's end, and his weapon." He looked at each hunter with a level gaze. "Your secondary duties are to protect the secrets of the Order, as always. A rogue hunter knowing the production method of Aetherian Steel is a liability. Ensure that information has not passed beyond the order's control. If it has, fix it by any means necessary. You are authorized for full autonomy on the other side of the portal. We leave this to your judgements as the best hunters we have to offer." Tycho stood and placed his hand to his heart, then over each of them in turn. "Go with the blessings of the Order, Go with the will of the One who is All." He prayed over them the simple prayer of the support teams, then looked to each of them. "You're dismissed."
________________________________________________
The hunters filed out of the room, the support staff led them through the halls of the Hunting Division's Logistics Center to an elevator. Much of the Logistics staff couldn't help but look at the group that filed through, sending four hunters on a mission' It was nearly unheard of. The last time it had happened was the disaster at Chicago. Wherever they were going, it was important to the Order, and it was top secret.
The group arrived at the doors, exiting the building to come to a line of Humvees that bore the Order Coat of Arms. After a long six hour ride" they arrived at the site. Over the last four years the damage from Sain's battle with the mage had been long repaired. Cleanup crews had scrubbed the site clean, yet the portal had subsisted. Sain had never returned, so the site was maintained and utilized for dimensional research.
The support team got the four hunters ready, catering to each of their needs as the hunters directed them. Finally' it was time to go. The portal had been sealed with massive doors to prevent any unwanted returns from whatever was on the other side, and they slowly slid apart to reveal a shimmering silver and black surface. Like liquid mercury in constant motion, the portal was almost hard to look at for too long. A technician watched the doors open and then spoke over an intercom from behind a hazmat shield.
"Please state your name, any designations you may have, and your branch for the record and then step into the portal." The tech sounded bored. Such was the way of things when they sent Hunters through portals. There was no action. His words were also pretty clear with an unspoken directive" now was the time for any last words they might have.