Interlude

"Lord Daniel is gone!"

The remaining six generals of the Markers stood amongst their empty chamber room. Daniel's throne was untouched. They were uneasy and at a loss. No one dared to assume command in fear of their master's return. However, each one ached without their commander.

"Our last orders were to spread to other places in the world to eliminate all other angels," one of the Markers said. It was heavily built, masculine, and had a deep resonating voice. "We should act on those notions until our Lord returns to us."

An abnormally tall Marker with long legs and thin arms burst into laughter. "Is that your plan, Six? Still clinging like a sniveling pet?" He pointed to himself with an exaggerated gesture. "Well good ol' Three thinks you've lost your mind. Three knows that he should be in charge!"

Three was slapped by a short, feminine Marker. She flipped her purple curls of hair with a flick of the wrist. Six stared down at her. "Four. What do you think upon this matter?"

"Darlin', I don't mind whether ya be assaultin' dem angels or ya oughtta be follo'in' orders like ya suppo'd ta," she said with a thick, western accent. "Hell, shoot - I reckon ya boys shoulda done what you boys want." She walked out of the chamber room, waving them goodbye.

Six stared at one of the other Markers. "Five?" Five didn't respond. He shrugged his spiked shoulders. Six faced another one. "One?"

One's right arm twitched at his name. He looked up with glaring eyes to Six. "What?"

"What do you believe we should do, brother? Shall we wait for our lord and follow our previous orders or act on our own? You are the oldest of us all, brother." Every set of eyes stared at One.

He shut his eyes. He eased into a sitting position on the ground. " We'll follow our old orders. Does everyone know where they're going? Four already left for her assignment." One stared at the entrance she had just left through. "Seven, you're the only one who wasn't assigned assault orders. I suppose you'll be staying to watch over our production. It's your lucky day."

Seven scratched at his left arm - or the stump where it once was. His left leg was just a bit shorter than his right, causing him to hobble. He had a crooked, long face that slurred on every word. "Yeahhh, brrrrother." He smiled dumbly.

One nodded. "Everyone got that? We're not entirely lost without Daniel. We shouldn't be simple pawns, either. Disperse." The Markers scrambled out of the room through various exits. One watched Seven hobble slowly away. He sighed, then left to fulfill his own duties.