Dangerous Minds
Summer 2021, Week 3
Friday morning
St. Peter's Light Cathedral, Old Towne
The Burned Man
The day had just broke. The sun stood on the horizon. Showing a new day for the residents of New Victoria. Yet, for the man it was all the same. The streets he walked were nearly bare. Only those either on their way to work or leaving from the night shift. Poor souls. They did not know how bad things were going to get. Yet, the man did. He had seen this before. Yet, last time he had not asked for God’s guidance, but ignored it. He would not do so again. He entered the church, immediately taking off his fedora in respect. Showing his bandaged head. What followed next was his overcoat which was swiftly thrown onto the back of the nearest pew. Then showed his two guns which were clear to see either side of his chest. Holstered. Engraved with various religious icons, clad in black and gold. He made his way down the aisle. Trying to take in all he could from one of his God’s many houses.Father Cal
Early dawn, little more than dew resting upon the grass. This was the time of God's people. The time of silence and serenity. The first light of the good Lord's love crested the horizon long after the good Father was awake. Cal enjoyed watching his mornings. He always had. Something about the peace and quiet left his soul tranquil. Normally the good Father was out back of the church. The rear doors tossed open the gated courtyard. Letting any who wander into this humble sanctuary for the Lord know where the Shepherd lay. Today was no different. The good Father sat out back in a small, well-tended to garden. Kneeling before a small stone cross that sat in the center of a tiny pond. Knees bar upon the gravel, a small set of gardening shears resting at his side. He had been outside trimming the flowers and bushes before the sun started to rise. Now he rested in prayer, reciting the Lord's prayer in Latin.The Burned Man
The Man joined him, doing his best in order to not disturb the good Father. He took a knee alongside. Preparing himself for his prayers. Never a man who enjoyed companionship... not since his former life anyway. But he took solemn in the fact that the father was also there. Both speaking to their lord.Father Cal
The good father didn't say a word at first. He knew he had been joined, but the Lord welcomed finishing his prayer and gave the man a few moments before raising his head. Staring up towards the rising sun. “Welcome stranger, Father has gifted us a new dawn. ’Tis a lovely thing… Tell me, what weighs upon your heart to come to the Lord's home seeking guidance.” The good Father understood things. The lightness in the man's footsteps. The way his clothes barely shifted as he knelt in the gravel. Even wearing a vested holster. He was used to his guns, most likely used to using them.The Burned Man
The man stood, to face the father eye to eye after finishing his prayer. “Good Father, I seek the Lord’s advice. I am in a quest. A valiant one that God has granted me. It is my life’s goal. My latest step brings me here. To your great city. But one that currently has a plague. One I must get rid of. I seek advice on how to do this. I have laid foundations, but this plague...” He sighed. Looking slightly down then back towards the father's eyes. “It will require more than my efforts. Yet, I know no one here.”Father Cal
“What will be this good crusade, if I may pry? The good Lord sends many on missions. Lets them walk many forms of life.” As the father spoke, he let his eyes wander up and down the man. Not calling him out on his weaponry, but letting it insinuate his point. “Upon this, if it is the work of the Lord, he shall provide. So do tell, and I shall provide guidance. Do not worry upon what it may be, this garden is far back and hidden from all ears but ours and the Lord's.”The Burned Man
The man crossed his arms. Showing he was slightly closed off. “Most men of faith disagree with the message God sends me, Father. Not try to guide me from my path. More than I have counted. So, I warn you. Do not try. You will not succeed. Trust me, these weapons are only for those who have misused God's gifts. Not those who shine in his light.” The man took a few steps back. Turning to face him. In his eyes the Father would see that although he speaks honestly and truthfully he does so emotionally. With no real enjoyment in his eyes. Mainly sadness. “I am God’s vengeance. His right hand against those who misuse his gifts. I have seen first-hand the damage they have caused. That was his choice, to guide me to this path. These weapons here, they are his instruments gifted to me. To do his bidding.”Father Cal
This man spoke the same way his mentor did. He had the same fire hidden in his eyes, a truth that burned with God's fury. Cal gave a small smile and turned. Walking towards the church with a soft wave. “I see, I see. Come then. I believe God hath sent you to me for a reason. For our paths are not much different. I, too, was once called God's vengeance. Though now, they call me something quite different.” If the man followed, the good Father would lead him towards a small door inside the church that led to the undercroft.The Burned Man
Slightly taken aback by the father's words the man seems slightly less stiff and more opened. He follows the man.Father Cal
The Father headed down into the undercroft and flicked on the single shop light in the center as he passed it. Heading towards an odd looking metal door on the farthest wall. “In the Cold War, this was a bomb shelter for the people of the city. Now it is in service of the Lord and his Will. Tell me. Who do you hunt?” Cal spun the large lock on the door. Pushing the door open revealed a massive well-lit room. Tables lined the side walls, boxes against the farthest wall, a single table sat in the center. Out of few on the same wall as the door were four suits of armor on stands, four different styles of thickness and steel. The tables were covered in stuff, but from this angle one couldn't tell what they were.The Burned Man
He smiled as he entered. It was a small version of his base, though his had been built in the mountains and had far more tech... and security. “Bolt. Leader of the Six Street Sparks or something. I’m here to take him down before he goes too far."Father Cal
“Bolt? The man who calls thunder from the sky and claims witchcraft of electricity? Yes, I know the one. The Vatican ordered him dead. He is on my list.” Cal walked table to table, pulling the white sheets he had laid over his weapons onto the floor to show his new friend. Each table laid a rifle, magazines, scopes, and silencers matching said rifle and a small kit ready to clean or move parts around. Boxes laid under the table held ammo. Perhaps there was more than a civilian could have, or it looked like an average American's basement. Though Cal ignores them for the most part in his collection. A short blade resting on a pedestal between two angel statues. Grabbing its hilt, his eyes sparked, and he turned to the man. The blade ignited in lighting, sparking off the blade and to the metal around them. “Once they called me God's vengeance, Now they call me his Lightning.”[Man. x1, Normal -3EP 12/15]
The Burned Man
The man observed the equipment and weapons. Taking hold of some to inspect them. It was clear he had extensive knowledge and ability with them. Effortlessly checking them. When the Father performed, the man knew he wished for him to be excited, surprised or feared. Yet, with the life the man had lived this was nothing. He merely stated in a dull voice. “A list from the Vatican? I am surprised not to find my own name on there.”Father Cal
Unlike many, Cal cared little for fear. He was a servant of the Lord, an extension. Nothing but a weapon or a tool. He cared little what the man thought. At least on the surface, deep down he was ecstatic every time the Lord's power ran through him. He proved he was chosen. He was special. He wasn't just a kid left on the steps of a church. He was God's gift. "You haven't told me your name, yet a warrior of God, even one forced to meddle in witchcraft, wouldn't be one we seek. I am sent to hunt those who hide from his light, and abuse their freewill, choosing the devil over him.”The Burned Man
The man smirked slightly. He wants a name. Haven’t had one of those in a long time. “The figure before you has no name Father. He is merely a man who has died. Reborn from fire. Some call me things, the reborn, the right hand, the redeemed, I have even been called worse things. Yet, look at me Father. I think you know who I am.” The man starts to unravel some of his hand wrappings. Showing a mix of dark red and black skin. Deep cuts and scars adorned by the blackened skin. It is a horror sight. One that even the most accustomed to find uneasy. “They call me the Burned Man."Father Cal
To say Cal was unfazed…was a bit of an understatement. The burned man? Nice name, One must serve some serious penance to earn a name, or a… Forgive my rudeness, a face like yours. The lord has given you a punishment, now we walk forward with your redemption…. Safe to assume, you wish to join me on my quest to rid the witches of this city?”The Burned Man
The man began to bandage himself back up. He tried his best to hide the pain, but it was clearly visible. “I was misguided yes. For that I was punished, yet God was not done with me. He needed me to do his bidding. For without... the incident I would not have the strength.”; He had finished with his bandages. Which lead him to rub the hand he had shown hard. “I am here for Bolt, Father. And potentially a man named the Red Prince. They are the only ones worthy of my attention. Once they are dead. I shall head to find the next.”Father Cal
Seeing the man's pain, Cal lowered his blade. Resting it once more on the dais. He walked over towards one of the many boxes littering the floor. “Then for a short time, we shall work together to do the Lord's bidding, then we shall part. Sending you upon your way on a further mission in his name. Would you like some fresh bandages?”The Burned Man
The man only nodded. He hated to admit the pain, the constant reminder for his failings. Yet, also the reminder of the second chance he was given. It took a good while for the two to changes just the bandages on the man’s arm. After they had finished the man sat down. Breathing heavily. “Thank you, Father.”Father Cal
Cal was a bit versed in medicine, though he typically bandaged himself, not others. Once they were finished, he led the man down to a small chair he had dragged down to his bunker to rest in after he went on the hunt. “Twas my pleasure. It is my job to help all those who wish for it.”The Burned Man
“So, Bolt, what is your plan? I have made my moves already but I want to hear your ideas first”Father Cal
“For Bolt? I hadn't begun my hunt on him. I have some concepts, but He was second on my list. The first was the devil that walked these streets, then I was to remove Bolt.”The Burned Man
“I see... well I have a plan. With people like Bolt head on isn’t the right way. We need to get into his head. So, I plan to do that. To infiltrate his gang. Find one of the smaller members, take them out and then pretend to be them. Find out what we need and then hit him where it hurts”Father Cal
This…this was perfect. Cal had infiltrated hundreds of clans of witches. A gang couldn't be much different. “This…this is brilliant, Such a simple, yet effective idea. Do you need a contact? I have a few with the local gangs.”The Burned Man
“I have one I am working with. Though I will not object to using your contracts”Father Cal
Cal gives a small nod pulling a cellphone from his robes, The Hispanic gangs still walk with the Lord oddly enough. They are easy to ask for help when coming from the church. “I will call who I can… If you find this man, contact me. I will come, though, know my orders are to stay out of the public eye. The church must not be seen as evil, even if I must.”The Burned Man
“Just someone with a mask, don’t think my face is similar to anyone else’s.”Father Cal
Lifting the phone to his ear, Cal made a quick call. Speaking near perfect Spanish through the phone, he seems to smile. Hanging up after a few moments. “Come. Your contact will be here during Friday service. They will guide you into, or at least towards Bolt’s gang.”The Burned Man
He nods, heading out away from the church. Whilst leaving he picks up his possessions.
Type
Record, Historical
Medium
Digital Recording, Text
Authoring Date
July 8, 2021
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