A Dentist was a career defined by two different professions.

The first was also known as the Art of Humanoid Dentition by people who wished to avoid conversations surrounding the Undead. Simply put, it was the career in which a primary medical focus was placed upon the mouth, gums and teeth.

Aka, A Human Dentist.

The second career was more well-known. It was the type of job role that young kids would talk about whilst running around on the playground at an early age. It was the role that was as close to heroism as was possible in a world like this where the darkness so often clashed against humanity.

Created, officially, nearly one hundred and fifty years ago, the Dental Service was the organisation sent out to deal with all things undead associated.

Extermination was the popular role that people spoke about most frequently, and certainly many Dentists had made a grand career in the elimination of high profile Vampires, but protecting the public was the higher priority.

In all statistical analysis that the service willingly conducted it was shown that they rescued more people from broken down transport than they did in the actual extermination of Vampires.

***

Ashyer wandered through the corridor with Dragonick and Scarlet in tow and, stepping into the briefing auditorium, was amazed at the hundreds of similarly dressed men and women who either stood or sat in rows of steadily raising chairs.

They all faced the stage where, in the centre, was a podium for someone important to stand at.

“Come on, let’s go grab a seat,” Dragonick said, gesturing at one side whilst Scarlet pointed at the other.

“Looks like the others got here ahead of us.” She said, motioning towards their other three classmates. They all waved, awkwardly, not wanting to draw too much attention.

Genith Sakyne, Basil York and Hayvith Sterlee looked equally exhausted, nervous and yet respectable in their uniforms. In a classroom size as small as they had been the idea of cliques was basically non-existent and they had worked well in boosting each other up.

Genith, for instance, had the best grades in the class. Basil and Hayvith had been far more average but had the benefit of also working exceptionally well as a duo. The fact that they were dating probably had something to do with it.

“Maybe they got here first because they were busy not tackling each other into the ground,” Ashyer muttered, to which Dragonick cried in outrage;

“I said I was sorry!”

“Actually, you didn’t.”

“Well, I meant to say it!”

“And yet you still haven’t.”

“I’m glad we’re avoiding making a scene again,” Scarlet said, smiling as the other trio scooted down a few more seats so they could fit.

“Dragonick and Ashyer fighting again?” Genith wondered as the group got comfortable.

“Like an old married couple.”

“Please,” Dragonick said, crossing his arms; “Everyone knows that I only have one true love…”

“I’m expecting a ridiculous answer.” Ashyer sighed, to which Dragonick did not disappoint.

“Justice.”

“Yep.”

“I knew it,” Scarlet muttered.

“Well, actually, that and the music of Kara Thor. Her electro beats mixed with her fireplace infusion really speak to me…”

“Two one true loves then.” Basil said, smiling at Hayvith who glanced back weakly. She also looked nauseous, but she was holding it together.

“But, honestly, is everyone doing okay?”

Genith was the one who had asked, though focusing on Ashyer who had sat next to her.

“Yeah”; He said “I’m okay. I’ve actually been better since I’ve been here. The only thing I’m slightly nervous about now is with whoever ends up having Dragonick. But, I guess I can’t control that, so…”

“That’s right,” Genith said, turning to the front of the room; “We’re going to be with experienced Dentists today. Knowing that at least we’ll have some extra support has really been helping me…”

Ashyer tracked her gaze towards a pair of clocks at the front of the room above the podium.

One read; “COUNTDOWN TO SUNSET” and the other; “COUNTDOWN TO TWILIGHT END”. The former was, naturally, how long it would be for the sun to set with the latter revealing how long it would be until true night would afflict this city.

Going by the numbers, it was just over an hour until it was officially night-time in Shordon at 16:16hrs.

Today’s suntime had lasted just over six hours in total.

“…sure.” Ashyer said, nodding slightly; “But… at the same time, I’m more worried about being a burden for whoever I’m with, you know?”

“I can’t imagine you would ever be-.”

Her sentence never finished, for the door to the briefing room opened and another person entered. The room fell silent and a majority of Dentists instantly got to their feet, whilst those who lagged behind eventually also jumped in recognition.

Decorated with stripes on her shoulders atop a traditional black uniform, the woman at the front held a firm gaze and captivated the entire room without saying a world. Her head had been shave and religious symbols marked her dark skin in painted gold and white.

The only exception to her uniform was the exposed prosthetic limb that made up her entire right arm from the shoulder downwards. It moved silently, much like a regular arm, yet shone slightly with the texture of silver.

She, the Boss, surveyed the room, smiling as she glanced down at a piece of paper on the podium in front of her.

Then, she finally spoke.

“Right, good afternoon slash early evening.”

Murmurs of response made her nod her head.

“For those of you who don’t know me, I am Dental Superintendent- or DS- Veffrey Teers. For the purposes of this Operation tonight I am the one who will be here as your senior commander from the moment the sun sets to the minute it rises, and not a second longer.”

Again, murmurs of agreement.

“I mention those of you who don’t know me, because tonight is a fair bit unprecedented in that it’s also the first night for a bunch of our Dental Cadets. Whoever you are, if you don’t mind, please stand for me.”

With all eyes, once again, upon them, the six Dental Cadets got to their feet and stood awkwardly as their superior addressed them.

“There we are. How cute. Some of them probably haven’t looked death in the face yet. Tell me, is Culhil Madris still doing the personal safety training at the academy…?”

They each froze at the mention of the name, recalling the shadowy figure of a cackling madman in their minds and gave a slow, nervous, nod in return.

She laughed.

“Hah! He was there when I was getting trained. Can, er, we get someone to check out if he is a Vampire…?”

Many hands shot up for the chance to potentially exterminate the most brutal personal safety trainer in all the land, and the boss waved their hands away.

“Please, you don’t think he’d see that coming? The man is more paranoid than anyone else. A Night of No Moon is when he’d expect to be taken out- but enough about old, dangerous, men, I just wanted everyone to acknowledge that tonight we have some new members to our family.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to tell us your names because frankly HR thinks it’s a bad idea when you’re already nervous. Also, most people here won’t remember you for a few weeks anyway, but since you are standing there is a quiz so fingers on buzzers…”

The group glanced at each other, suddenly no longer afraid of Vampires.

“As a first shift, a Night of No Moon is a brutal one. It’s the type of event that hangs over everything. We work towards it, it happens, and then we work towards it again. There is maybe a week or two of peace as we head away from it, but that’s about it. My question is simple- why is a Night of No Moon considered such a concern?”

It was an easy question.

Frankly, it was one that anyone who had any common sense about how the world worked would be able to answer, though those residing in the room in an experienced capacity understood that it had been offered as a softball to give the newbies something easier to bat back.

It was a confidence tactic.

That didn’t stop Scarlet and Genith from raising their hands first, with the others following. The competition was fierce.

“After you,” Scarlet said to the other woman who had technically been just about faster, and Genith had no hesitation in accepting the chance;

“A Night of No Moon is reflective of twelve occasions throughout the year where the sky is void of all moonlight. Sunlight in its purest form can destroy a Vampire, and in its reflective state from the Moon it can severely weak one both physically and psychologically.”

“A Night of No Moon, however, means that the sky has no reflective sunlight and so Vampires are able to operate at peak strength. Plus there is the additional public element which shows that people are more paranoid during a No Moon night due to the fear of attack, and so are more likely to call for Dental Support in scenarios where they would more traditionally not.”

She breathed and then finished up; “Essentially, it’s an occasion where there is significant public service demand, fear amongst the general populace, and our enemy will be out in full force and expecting an easier time.”

“Well, you can’t get more succinct than that,” Veffrey said; “I’d offer you points, but frankly this isn’t that type of business. But she is absolutely- oh, you six can sit down now- but, yes, she’s absolutely right. Society will be scared, alone, and making stupid decisions tonight whilst our enemy will be out as well and fully expecting to be able to get their fangs on anyone they want.”

She took them all in.

Her army.

“So, let’s discuss our tactics for the night.”

With time gradually ticking towards the inevitable moment of No Sun, the Dental Superintendent continued uninterrupted and began her briefing proper.

In that moment it no longer became about the six newcomers, but rather about everyone else and the role they were assigned for.

It was clear this was something she had done hundreds of times, for she touched on known problem areas, recent intelligence about Vampiric gatherings, brought up a map of the full city and pointed out locations that may be targeted for political gains.

For the older members it was a boring rehash of what they had heard many times before, though for the Dental Cadets it was a necessary reminder of what they had just learned.

Tapping her sheet on the podium, and with only fifteen minutes having passed, she asked if there was any questions and then nodded with approval at their silence.

“Okay, perfect, then all that’s left is for you to get out there...”

She pulled out another document, this one with two columns and a list of names on each side.

Veffrey tapped it on the podium as though sensing the anticipation and eagerness radiating in the room.

“So, let’s get you all into your pairs for the evening…”