“You need us to… augment these teams?” Sawyer asked.

“In part,” Marc said. “When operating with a detachment, you’ll be a force multiplier that’ll ensure mission success.”

Marc looked at Posey, the man who spent most of his life fighting. I wonder what he’ll have to say.

“When not otherwise attached?” Franko asked.

“I plan on sending teams to disrupt the enemy lines.”

“What do you mean by disrupt?” Posey asked.

Marc smiled before answering, “Use your imagination.”

Posey chuckled and said, “I’m beginning to like where this is going.”

Sawyer gave Franko the side eye. While that might imply it was a stupid question, Marc believed it was more a case of wanting to hear it said out loud.

“Physically we are gifted with enhanced strength, speed, and a natural ability to heal ourselves,” Marc said. “The margin of error needed to successfully engage a single vampire is narrow, but for two it’s razor thin.”

“You need us to… augment these teams?” Sawyer asked.

“In part,” Marc said. “When operating with a detachment, you’ll be a force multiplier that’ll ensure mission success.”

“They… They successfully took on a vampire?” Franko asked.

“My group has two confirmed kills,” Marc said.

“That’s better than the hunters,” Sawyer commented.

“We don’t train zealots who hunt in small numbers,” Marc said. “Our detachments are composed of twenty soldiers, equipped with shotguns, machine guns, mortars, and rifles.”

“Why do you even need us?” Franko asked.

“Precisely,” Marc said. “I’ve trained soldiers to take on threats such as ghouls. While they are quite successful at clearing out nests, vampires are more of a… challenge.”

He suspected that would get their attention and it worked. Sawyer realised that Marc was not referring to failures, but measurable success in humans facing off against vampires.

“They… They successfully took on a vampire?” Franko asked.

“Training a force large enough to rid the battlefield of ghouls and vampires requires significant resources,” Marc answered. “Since it’s normally expected of us, there’s also a need to hide within the ranks. Fortunately, this leaves us with a sizable defence force to ensure our survival during the day.”

“That’s why you brought these two?” Sawyer asked.

Marc grinned. These vampires were much closer to the grave than he was, and it showed by how easily they betrayed their thoughts. Marc had to admit that it was refreshing to find someone who could see the pattern and follow it to a logical conclusion.

Once more he had the men lined up, still wearing the clothes they were brought in with. That was the first point Marc would address before moving forward.

“Good evening,” Marc began. “You’ve managed to prove that you’re not a risk to those serving along the front lines. Now we need you to look and act the part.”

“You expect us to serve among them?” Posey asked.

The tone in his voice implied curiosity, while the blank look on the face of a few others made it clear that several in the group were confused. Marc saw no harm in confirming what was expected of them.

By the third day, Marc was back at the holding facility along with Sergeant Moore and Lance Corporal Delany. The presence of humans was noted, but Aelred had already explained the need for their presence. Still, the guards had to keep a sharp eye on them as the candidates underwent training.

While he hoped for six candidates to make it through this first step, he ended up with five. One almost went feral, and the other remained catatonic. Joseph Franko, Louis Posey, Henri Lever, Georges Sawyer, and Paul Gilpin were all that remained.

Aelred tried to convince him to keep John Bravos, the one who was comatose. Marc declined because he needed vampires who could handle the strain and be trusted not to kill those they fought with.

The Duff detachment was starting to take shape within a week of his return. The bulk of the ranks were filled, and Murphy was genuinely impressed by how well Sergeant Sullivan adjusted to his role and responsibilities.

Meanwhile Corporal Morin was recovering much faster than anyone expected. This further lent credence to Marc’s hunch. One does not simply jump out of bed on the second day after nearly being exsanguinated. Medical staff must have found it peculiar as well, which explained why they were keeping him for further observation. Hopefully they wouldn’t start to question the unusually fast recoveries from those in my unit.

Marc left before the sun had set on his first day and returned to his unit shortly before dawn. Marc was then informed of an overzealous commander volunteering three of his men to go over the top during a recent push. Only one made it back alive, and it would take him months to recover in a hospital before they sent him home.

To thank the commander for taking liberties with his men, Marc visited him in the night and left the man with a serious case of anaemia. This went on for eight days until the commander collapsed while getting orders from the general about an incoming offensive. The general summarily relieved him of his duties and ordered him to undergo medical evaluation.