Pre-Emptive Defense
Securing a
property against physical assault was one thing. Securing it without being
detected was something else. But creating the illusion of weakness, while still
offering an invisible yet irresistible defense, now that was a mission worthy of the STS.
Karim was
willing to stand watch outside the temple forever, but it would merely prolong
the stalemate. It signaled that Galen had forces capable of defending his
holdings, but not so powerful that they could threaten the Street Wolves, never
mind the Pantheon. It would keep the wolves at bay, but only until they
committed enough resources to overwhelm Karim and the temple.
The STS did not
do defense. Defense was simply what you did before going on the offense, or
when there were no clear threats on the horizon. Yuri had drilled that into
them. If a Dark Power were allowed to marshal its strength, no defense built by
human hands alone could stop him.
And if you want
to start a war with a Dark Power, make it look like it was its idea.