Gabriel had stormed down the through the temple barely noticing where his path was taking him. The young Oracle Rose was ahead of him, but he ignored her. Guilt would set in later he was sure, it wasn't the girls fault what had happened, but it was a burden nevertheless. Turning his mind to other thing he remembered that it was long past checkin with the men he left at Delphi. A tap at his shoulder made him turn suddenly.
Rose stood behind him with a look of immense frustration on her face. "I'm sorry to be disturbing you in a time in which you are clearly trying to deal with other problems, but I need to go find my friend." She pressed her lips together as she used the word, were these people her friends or were they just like the Black Council. . . wishing to use her for their own purposes. "Rick was left behind at the temple buried in the rubble. I know what you must be thinking, but that's not how he dies. I-I saw something, many things, while at the temple. Rick has hardships ahead of him and I don't know whether he will uh, well I dont know if he's going to make it out okay. Their families are in danger too. . . I want to help them and try to prevent the future, though so far it had never been possible. I don't want to sit around anymore when I can try warn others of what may happen. Hiding in your temple is the last thing I want to do!"
His eyes widened in surprise at her words. He'd not been aware of another Sanctus. It meant that the Sanctus were stronger than he'd originally thought especially if the boy was alive. Though it was likely that he was long dead Gabriel could see the fire in this girls eyes as well as the guilt. "Calm yourself," he said to her in a soothing voice. Laying his hands on her shoulders he stared her square in the eye. "I know the feelings you have, the anxiety is great, but it will serve no one at this time. Come with me, I was about to make an inquiry with my second in command."
A few yards away a hidden alcove revealed a room filled with people wearing various types of clothing. Some of them wore robes while others wore various uniforms and even tattered beggars clothing. An observant person would notice that everyone was dressed specifically to slip through the city unoticed and melt into crowds. A tall man leaned over a large computer layout speaking in low tones to two younger men on eithe side of him. The man noticed Gabriel and Rose and a smile immediately blossomed on his face. Waving the two young men off he stood up straight and approached them.
"Gabe, you've brought a guest with you. I see you decided to quit playing the consumate entertainer to these upstarts," the tall man said jovially.
Gabriel smiled broadly, "Aye, I've never once played entertainer, Joseph."
Gabriel who stood at 6'5 in height was dwarfed by Joseph who stood an inch or two above 7 feet in height. He was thin and lanky with a light complexion and a pire of thin wire framed glasses that gave him a slightly wide eyed expression. "You've come home at last, but from the information that has been coming in all day, you won't be here for long," said Joseph in a meloncoly voice.
Nodding silently Gabriel embraced his friend quickly in a strong hug between brothers. Letting the moment pass Gabriel turned to business. "Rose has told me of another Sanctus. He was trapped within the temple during the battle. We left him behind unwittingly. Has any word come from the men I left on Delphi?"
Joseph scratched at his chin for several seconds before responding. "No, we've not had any reports of activity for several hours now. As a matter of fact they should have checked in by now, but so far they have missed two check ins during the last three hours."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed suddenly. "Get those men on the lines if you can, and have my helicopter readied if you can't."
