Gabriel's Armada

Chapter 12: Ramiel

Gabriel inhaled deeply and grimaced as he entered the Celestial Academy's hall for the first time. He put his hand to his side and winced. Pea brain had punched him a bit too hard. Gabriel wondered who Pea brain actually was and why the man had decided to pick on him.

Gabriel gingerly made his way to an empty seat, bypassing enthusiastic students of all levels. He sat on the wooden chair and looked on to the stage, waiting for whomever was supposed to address them.

“You call for an assembly and then keep me waiting,” Gabriel grumbled over the din of his fellow students' chatter, thinking he had better places to be and better things to do.

A minute later, General Dina, Zachariah, Mark, Mikela and three other instructors Gabriel didn't know and had no intention of knowing filed on to the stage.

All the students stood and saluted. Gabriel rolled his eyes and remained seating. He saw Dina search for the crowd for him and when they made eye contact, disdain was clear in her eyes.

Gabriel as usual, ignored her.

“As you were,” Dina said to the students with a smile, and they all resumed their seats.

Clearing her throat, Dina began to speak, pacing as she did, “Good day, students. I know you all must be wondering why we called this impromptu assembly.”

“Not really,” Gabriel mumbled but his voice was too low for anyone to hear.

“Well,” Dina continued, her powerful voice and her angelic looks ensuring no one's attention strayed from her, “It's not a secret that Beelzebub's demons outnumber us six to one, and that Beelzebub is hell-bent on discovering the location of Teres, and that is why we have commissioned Ramiel!”

The audience erupted in applause and hoots, stomping their feet enthusiastically.

“You don't even know what it is, yet,” Gabriel exclaimed, exasperated.

Zachariah gestured for quiet, and when silence reigned, he continued, “Ramiel is a patrol unit that will stand guard topside, and make sure no one gets within a fifty kilometer radius of our location!”

The audience gave another round of applause, this one more deafening than the one before.

“It took us great deliberation to come up with the members of this unit, and you'll be surprised to know that some students who performed excellently are a part of the line up.” Dina stated, before making way for Mark and Mikela who held a scroll, “Now, Mark and Mikela shall call the names of the members of Ramiel!”

The duo wasted no time in calling the names, to the delight of the audience.

Gabriel did not know anyone on the list, so he tuned out.

He was pulled back to the present when he heard Mikela say, “And now for the last but not the least member of the group, the seventh member, Thaddeus Godsend!”

Gabriel's eyes popped out of his sockets as he propelled himself to his feet.

* * *

“You knew about this, and you didn't think it wise to mention it to me?” Gabriel raged as he bounced on his bed, “I'm your roommate for crying out loud!”

Thaddeus gave him a guilty look and sat on his own bed, “Well, our schedules are so different, we don't even see each other again.”

“So you couldn't have left me a note to tell me you were going to be a part of some patrol team?” Gabriel asked, turning to Thaddeus.

“Look, until I heard my name today, I wasn't even sure I'd make the cut.” Thaddeus explained.

“Yeah, right,” Gabriel snorted, “you're such a traitor.”

Thaddeus stood up, “Don't even say that. We wouldn't be having this discussion if you attended classes with me because I'm sure they'd have loved to have you on the team. You're the chosen one for crying out loud!”

Gabriel's eyes narrowed and he stood too, “So you're calling me a slacker?”

“I didn't say it, you did.” Thaddeus retorted, looking away, “Gabriel, you are the only one who can give us a fighting chance against Beelzebub and his demons. A lot of lives depend on you so you should take your training seriously.”

Gabriel scoffed, “yes Master, your wish is my command.”

“I mean it, Gabriel.” Thaddeus said, gritting his teeth.

Gabriel sighed inwardly, he was tired of hearing how he was the chosen one, blah blah blah.

“So because you are a part of Ramiel, you think you can talk down to me, huh?” Gabriel asked.

Thaddeus rolled his eyes, “I wasn't—”

“You know what, I don't even want to continue having this conversation with you.” Gabriel said and walked out of the room, muttering to himself. He couldn't believe Thaddeus could say such hurtful things to him.

To think he'd actually thought Thaddeus was a cool guy, but the first taste of power he'd gotten, he'd started pontificating.

“Seriously, it's just so insulting. If anyone should be a part of Ramiel, it should be me, not Thaddeus.” Gabriel mused. He decided to make his displeasure known to General Dina and made his way to her office.

* * *

Gabriel was about to knock on the oak door of General Dina's office when he heard raised voices from within. His hand stilled, and his curiosity got the better part of him, so he put his ear to door and eavesdropped, ignoring passers-by who gave him dirty looks.

“Why wasn't I a part of Ramiel?” a particularly angry voice asked.

“Calm down, Duncan. You know why,” Dina replied placatingly.

So he wasn't the only one who wanted to be in Ramiel but got left out? Gabriel thought.

“Interesting,” he mused.

“No, I don't know. I'm one of your best soldiers, yet here I am at the sidelines, again.” Duncan continued.

“Can we not do this now?” Dina asked, exasperation evident in her voice.

“Why?” Duncan asked.

“Because someone is listening in.” Dina sighed.

At that moment, Gabriel froze before he stealthily pilled himself away from the door. He was about to make a run for it when the door opened forcefully, revealing Dina and none other than Pea brain.

* * *

Dina felt her anger bubble to the surface as Gabriel gave her a toothy grin. Who did he think he was, that he'd give her a glimpse of his wonderful smile, and she'd forget everything?

“Come in,” she ordered and closed the door when Gabriel entered.

“Pea brain,” Dina heard Gabriella said. She was about to rebuke him for referring to her rudely when she noticed he was referring to Duncan.

“You two know each other?” Dina asked, surprised.

“Yes,” Both men answered simultaneously, glaring at each other.

Dina rolled her eyes and walked up to Gabriel, forcing him to break his eye contact with Duncan.

“Why were you eavesdropping?” Dina asked.

Immediately, Gabriel's face lost its fiery expression, and he blushed, ducking his head.

Dina thought that made him look cute, and in the next moment, berated herself severely for thinking such irrelevant thoughts.

“I . . . wasn't eavesdropping.” Gabriel stuttered, scratching his head, “I was waiting for you to finish with him.”

“And we aren't finished, General.” Duncan interjected angrily.

Before Dina could reply, Gabriel spoke up, “watch the tone you take with the general.”

Dina could hardly believe her ears. Here was Gabriel, who disrespected her person and her rank at any opportunity he got, speaking up for her.

Taking a look at their faces, Dina knew that if she didn't defuse the situation, the chances of fisticuffs breaking out in her office were high.

“Students,” Dina hollered, drawing the men's attention and putting them in their places at the same time, “listen to me. Duncan, you can't be a part of Ramiel because I don't think you're ready.”

“But I am,” Duncan protested passionately, “put me to test and you'll find out I am fitter and more capable than half of the soldiers on that patrol team.”

Dina shook her head, “I said no! And that's final!”

“But—” Duncan started.

“You may leave. That's an order.” Dina said, effectively dismissing Duncan.

She watched as Duncan's fave fell, then hardened as he glared at Gabriel before taking his leave.

Immediately the door closed behind Duncan, Dina retreated behind her desk, not feeling entirely comfortable with being alone with Gabriel in her small office.

Not wanting to disect the feeling, she shoved some scrolls and maps on her desk aside and twiddled her thumbs, “Yes, Gabriel. What do you want?”

“I want to be a part of Ramiel.” Gabriel said immediately, without mincing words.

“I want you to be a part of Ramiel, too.” Dina admitted truthfully.

“So you're going to add me to the team?” He asked hopefully, advancing to her table and putting his hands down on it.

Dina thought Gabriel looked like a puppy, those cute little animals humans loved so much, and it hurt her to tell him, “No. I'm not going to add you.”

Gabriel's demeanor changed and his obsidian eyes darkened with anger, “Why the hell not? I'm the chosen one, aren't I?”

“A grossly unqualified chosen one. If you'd taken your classes seriously at the start, we wouldn't even be having this conversation now.” Dina explained.

“So you're just punishing me for playing hookey by keeping me out of Ramiel. Isn't that unprofessional?” Gabriel sneered, folding his arms beneath his chest.

Dina had never in her life wanted to punch a person the way she wanted to punch Gabriel at that moment, but she barely restrained herself.

“Come on, Gabriel. That's not why.” Dina said instead, “Look at you. You know next to nothing about the Afterlife, the demons you're supposed to be fighting and even how to fight. Putting you out there will just make you a sitting duck.”

Gabriel growled, “So you're not going to put me in Ramiel?”

Dina shook her head, “Not until you become knowledgeable enough, which you won't achieve if you keep being nonchalant in your classes.”

Dina saw Gabriel's eyebrows shoot up in surprise and grinned with satisfaction, “Yes, reports about you have reached my ears. You may leave now, Gabriel Sinator, and please, do not return to me to discuss this issue any further.

My decision is final.”