Aleu slept peacefully in her bed. She felt exhausted, all that ran through her mind were the strange occurrences in one of the weirdest dreams she’s ever had. Coming across a decimated town and being chased by monsters. But to Aleu it was just that, a dream. The cover kept the wolf warm despite the unusual chill around her. But then the tranquility was broken by three powerful knocks on what sounded like an Iron or Steel door.

“Time Ta’ Rise and Shine!!!” a voice shouted. It disturbed Aleu’s slumber but only just. She wrapped herself in her blankets refusing to get out of the bed. Then with the squeaking sound of old iron hinges the door to Aleu’s room opened up. Aleu reluctantly sat up and removed the animal skin blankets from her torso. For a moment her mind froze and she looked at her surroundings. It wasn’t a Caboose back in Twitchel, the bed was made of Iron and the walls were solid rock. Then she remembered her dream and the sudden realization that it had all been real. A sad sigh escaped into the air from her mouth. C’mon now, its train’in day fer you!” The figure chuckled. Aleu slid her feet out of the bed and onto the stone floor. She put on her steel toed boots and proceeded to exit from her cell.

Aleu’s new clothes were made of wool; they were a brownish grey color and were diffidently worn out a bit. Her guide was a burly, clean shaven man and wore the same uniform as the soldier who led her to her room. Once again the massive Iron and Steel doors slowly swung open as they left the “Residential District”. Outside in the corridor was Rohn, patiently waiting for Aleu.

“I trust that you slept well last night.” Said the Regulator. Before we start anything lets get you something to eat, I’m sure your hungry.” Rohn then began to lead Aleu through the labyrinth of the Citadel. It was a bit of a walk but eventually Rohn led Aleu to what seemed like a cafeteria. There was a line that they fell into, as the line moved forward they came to a table with steel trays, plates, cups, and utensils on it. There was a complete set on each tray consisting of a knife, spoon, fork, a large metal plate, and a decent sized cup. Both Rohn and Aleu took one just like everyone else in line. Then came an extremely long table with the center containing numerous large pots with faint wisps of steam rising from them. There were also a few pans that were a few inches deep, they seemed to hold meats like sausage, sliced ham, and steak? The pots contained Eggs, grits, and other hot cereals. Basically when someone approached a food item they told the servers what they wanted and they would put it on their tray. Overall the spread was VERY hearty, lots of red meat and a lot of calories. Which didn’t really matter health wise. These guys fight Evil on a daily basis so they get plenty of exorcise, but then again you life expectancy wasn’t all that high either.

Once Aleu and Rohn had gotten their food they headed to one of the countless tables in the vast, vaulted ceiling room. Even though Aleu had been in the Citadel for roughly 4 or so hours she was till in awe of the Darkwatch’s civil engineering. But then the smell of steak and eggs snapped Aleu out of her small trance and she began to dig in, or at least tried to before Rohn stopped her. She was confused at first until she saw Rohn’s next action. He lowered his head and folded his hands as he blessed the meal before them both. Once finished Rohn told Aleu to have at it, which she did so without question.

“So Rohn, what are you going to do with me next?” Aleu asked before putting a mouthful of stake in her muzzle. Rohn took a swig of water before answering.

“Well, first we need to get you a uniform. One of, if not, the most important thing a Regulator can have is his uniform. The material they are made from is nearly impossible to pierce or cut with a blade and highly bullet resistant. After that I’m going to teach you some basic combat skills.” Rohn paused to take a bite of bread. Aleu then asked another question.

“Ok, but what exactly is a ‘Regulator’?” Rohn nodded his head.

“Well, that’s everyone here. Every person you look at here is a Regulator. I’m not really sure when we adopted the term but that’s what we all are. Well most of us anyway. Jericho, for example, used to be a regulator when he first joined. Now he’s achieved Agent status as I have. Think of an Agent as an Officer in military terms. Regulators are basically the grunts of our forces and Agent’s are our superiors in terms of rank. Though seldom do Regulators advance to Agent status.” Aleu listened to Rohn inventively. The pair continued to talk about the Darkwatch’s system of rank and what they do. What the organization’s ultimate goal is and how the have effected the course of history through the shadows of time; and by the irony of what used to be their main enemy.

The Darkwatch is an ancient organization. The fall of the Roman Empire, according to mainstream history claims it fell due to its own faults. This is mostly true but it’s not the straw that broke the camel’s back. As barbarian hordes sacked Roman towns and cities, blood was spilled everywhere. Often rivers and streams had a red hue to them. All the bloodshed sparked caused supernatural forces to awaken or increase their activity. Mostly the likes of Vampires, they feed off both the innocent and tainted blood of barbarian victims and eventually Vampires would attack settlements themselves it quench their never ending thirst. A former Roman commander by the name of Lazarus set out to form a special unit to seek out and destroy these creatures. Like their enemies they would hide in the shadows until it was time to strike. Over time Lazarus’ organization grew rapidly, there numbers swelled and the Darkwatch became something almost like an occult. Lazarus also established an extensive Research and development unit of their society. This lead to countless technological breakthroughs, this led to the eventual combination of Technology and Sorcery to create weapons that were highly effective against their foes. The Darkwatch quickly gained infamy among those of dark nature; the mere mention of their name would make even the most horrific creatures shake. And Lazarus knew this; unfortunately vanity and arrogance began to take hold of his heart. He believed that he alone could will a powerful demonic spirit to his own will and bidding. But he was wrong; the dark force possessed him and took over his body and mind. Now this new Lazarus, a Vampire Lord, set out to destroy his own organization. The Darkwatch pursued him to all corners of Europe and Asia, and when America was discovered Lazarus soon fled to the new continent. Then finally in 1876 Lazarus was captured and being transported to the Darkwatch’s Citadel for interrogation. But something helped Lazarus unintentionally.

At that point in time Jericho Cross was an outlaw who had left a bloody trail in his wake. His goal was to have one last score before “Retiring” from his occupation. His target was a Military Supply train carrying $400,000 in gold to be distributed to the many banks in the secluded West. Unfortunately that train was running late and a Darkwatch train took advantage of its delay by running on its schedule. Jericho ended up blowing open a safe releasing Lazarus. In the Vampire’s escape he bites Jericho and he too becomes a half breed, half human and half blood sucker. Jericho had no other choice but to join the Darkwatch in order to pursue Lazarus. For six months Jericho stayed on Lazarus’ heals until he was finally able to gun down the monster and regain his soul. Ever since Jericho has been an indispensable asset to the Darkwatch proving time and time again that he was one Gun Slinging Vampire to be reckoned with! Jericho would be more than capable of running the Darkwatch as it’s General of the “American Front”, but he was more comfortable as a field agent working with the other Regulators to achieve their goal.

Aleu took another bite of her food. Rohn continued to tell tales of the Darkwatch’s exploits and how, in the shadows, they have altered the course of history; both here in the states and overseas. The Darkwatch could best be described as a fallen guardian angel over the world. Reason being is that this organization is as ruthless or more so as their enemies. Despite the sheer number of men in their employ it’s still a daily struggle to protect those who need it across the globe. Rohn also told Aleu about their rival faction, the Illuminati. They were the exact opposite of the Darkwatch. They sought out a Godless world ruled by the incredible forces of Evil, the sought to make the Beast their master and regularly conducted rituals to bring about Armageddon. And like the Darkwatch they had countless members in their ranks. Though according to history the Illuminati was disbanded, but like all cults that seemed to have fallen apart it went underground. Secretly they plotted both the end of the world as we know it and how to destroy their biggest obstacle, the Darkwatch.

“You know, according to our intelligence the Illuminati may have been behind the destruction of Mesa Verde.” Said Rohn, Aleu looked at him with an interested look.

“And what makes you believe that” she asked. Rohn took a sip of water before continuing.

“Well, these guys have been trying to do us for hundreds of years. In their last attempt they brought back Lazarus from the grave and it almost worked too! Luckily Jericho gunned him down again; even though that man’s a half breed you’d think her were a Vampire Lord with how strong he’s gotten! But anyway, back to what I was saying. According to our Intel there was a certain artifact aboard that freight you were supposed to pick up. We’re still trying to find out what it was exactly. But what we know for certain is that it gives great power over Evil. I just hope it doesn’t turn out to be another deadlight prism.” Rohn then ate another mouthful of food and Aleu raised an eye brow.

“A what?” Aleu asked. Rohn soon realized that she had no idea and explained it to her.

“The Deadlight Prism was a powerful artifact the we had unearthed back in 1876, six months after Jericho joined. After researching what it was we discovered that it will allow a Vampire to walk in daylight and amplifies its wicked powers. When Jericho first fought Lazarus he was some how able to breech our security and absorb the prism into himself. All Jericho had were his guns and his own powers t use. It was one hell of a fight! That much I can say for sure. At the end of the battle Jericho ripped the prism right from Lazarus’ chest! That pretty much finished him off. But I dare not think of what would have happened if Lazarus had succeeded.” Aleu was drawn into the tale, to think that all Rohn was saying was true and had been happening under the world’s noses. It was compelling and even inspired Aleu in a strange way. Soon the pair had finished their meals and were about to leave the mess hall when a loud voice was heard from all around.

“The time is now Seven-O-clock. All new recruits proceed to the training district at once. That is all.” Aleu practically jumped into Rohn’s arms. The voice seemed to have no source and echoed off the walls from every direction!

“Where did that come from!!?!” Aleu shouted. Rohn just laughed.

“Oh that’s nothing to fear, it’s just the announcement speakers.”
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And Here's Chapter 7! What will happen to Aleu next?