FBI Guy transformed into the biggest Gens Derek had ever seen. He came close to Derek, with his claws out and extended, scratching Derek’s two-day old facial growth.
“They say with the right shaving cream; a new and improved Gens can shave a human’s whiskers. Close, very close.”
“Easy mate, no need to get ruffled. Just checking boundaries. Now Mr. …?”
“Rod. Just Rod.”
“Well Mr. Just Rod, what would you like to know?”
Rod began his interrogation, then they took blood and urine, and skin tissue looking for anything anomalous. But with blood and cheek swabs, they were easily able to deconstruct Derek’s genetic code. Many, many times over. They found what they were looking for, DNA wise, but there were other anomalies they wanted to pursue. They found an extra organ with no apparent purpose.
“What’s this?”
“Don’t know, mate. Never had it checked.”
“He’s lying. Let’s strap him down and see what come from our new wonder drug. I don’t remember, does it cure the common cold, or does it enhance pain? One or the other, I think. Let’s see which.”
“Alright, alright. Don’t get your knickers in a twist.”
Derek talked non-stop for hours, took a break, and talked for the next full day, with promises of more to come. They got everything they thought they wanted, plus a few more items. He had books, journals with people, places and jobs carried out by him and the Collective.
“The books are at my old place; maybe we can go for a walk and retrieve them. Seems only fair.”
“Tell us where they are, and we’ll save you the trouble?”
They retrieved about a dozen journals which were, collectively, a gold mine.
“Really, you know the location of all the Great Libraries of the Gens, and the location of Great Library of Alexandria? I thought it burned down?”
“Copies, mate, and only up until about three years before the place burned for the final time. Place burned more than once. But, yeah, most of it’s still there.”
“We’ll check it out. Don’t go anywhere now.”
***
Chel was out in front with his men cautiously surrounding Normie who was carefully calibrating instruments to find and assess the site Adam wanted surveyed. He had overlaid GPS to a satellite image but kept coming up with the same visual of the location – no visual. The area wasn’t that large, about the size of a big football stadium, but it seemed covered in, or with, something that couldn’t be detected even with the latest tech from space. They had a way to go before getting there, but he thought something else was odd.
The pinpoint location wasn’t in the plains below the cliffs near the City of Light; it was about five miles further away, and hard left into what now looked like a box canyon. The closer they got to the location, the more it seemed to shift, ever so slightly.
The team walked the five miles easy, and when they arrived, there was overgrowth hanging down in front of the narrow entrance. Without GPS and satellite imagery, they probably would have walked right by it.
Normie said, “This is the place. Let’s have a look at what’s inside.” He looked at Chel, “Your thoughts? Seems like it could be a trap.”
“Could be.”
“Where did we get this intel?”
“From Alana via Hecate. Smell treachery?”
“I got nothing. Let’s go see.”
“Let’s be cautious with your life, Norman. Maybe you wait here, and I go in first to make sure it’s safe. Then we can all have a look.” He turned to his men. “If I’m not out in fifteen minutes, you three take Norman back to the City and the rest of you come in two at a time.”
Norman was happy to go in right away; he didn’t think the precaution necessary. He pushed forward into the entrance through vines, and beyond. Beyond the gateway in, was a long wide corridor leading to what appeared to be the mouth of wide expanse of nothing.
The eleven Gens and Normie walked cautiously down the corridor to another wider entrance. Light could be seen through dense undergrowth and more vines hanging down, though sparsely. The corridor itself was dank and wet, with a clay-like floor. There was little light, and only Normie had thought to bring a flashlight. The floor was worked though; somebody had built this place. This wasn’t a natural formation.
Norman pushed through the undergrowth and separated the curtain of vines for a second time. There before him was a beautiful coliseum with seating for easily one hundred thousand souls. Was it Greek? Roman? It was a gigantic structure, and if the reason for scouting it was to assure the safety of Adam during the contest, that would seem unlikely. Norman, and later Kendra and others, would explore the facility in minute detail, but the place was a honeycomb and maze of possible hiding places.
It looked unique as if built by some extraordinary race of ancients who no longer tended the garden.
In fact, it was unique. As unique as the races that built it.
Chapter 30
Misti stood on the tarmac apart from the others watching the beehive of activity from unloading the jet, two Hueys and a modified cargo plane. Additional personnel from Canada, the US, Paraiso and Germany had arrived, including Noki, Tar, Yar and others from human and Gens, ranks. Alana, Hannah, and Vera were left behind in Paraiso to coordinate ops with Francoise, while Lady Cia and her entourage stayed behind in Dietschberg. Everyone had assigned duties whether for this op, or for afterwards. The assumption was that Adam would be fine, and that precautions though necessary, were not concerning. Hecate and the personnel in Oregon would protect Adam while unconscious, and he would soon be back in Paraiso.
More transports with paramilitary personnel and materials were en route and streaming in. Men and women, armed with the latest in weapons tech, both traditional and nanotech, were busily unloading their gear and backpacks filled with special snacks, goodies, and a weeks’ worth of fresh clean clothes. The food would quickly disappear and the clothing, reeking to high heaven, would be discarded each day.
Most knew they would get home safely. Some weren’t sure what would happen, and some knew that their time was up. All were dedicated to their leader and the mission.
The vehicles were last to arrive, so Misti tossed the apple she was eating, grabbed her go bag and headed for the lead 4 x 4. She was traveling light and needed nothing to bring along with her except weapons and munitions. The cabin belonged to her and Adam; all the stuff she needed was already there.
About an hour out of Portland, Misti and the pilot received a message from Alana that an apparently abandoned airfield, about twenty miles from the cabin and in the middle of nowhere, was available for landing. The sod around the tarmac wasn’t new suggesting the facility itself wasn’t new. Aside from the landing strip, there were three hangars, all vacant.
Misti assumed that the facility belonged to the DEA or drug traffickers. She speculated that it could also be a carefully planned trap, and if so, it had to be the alphabets looking for her and Adam. Adam was high on the list of targets they wanted to apprehend, and they were meticulous planners when waiting for prey.
No matter, she thought, they couldn’t have him, so she suppressed any thoughts of worry or concern. She would speak to Cindy and Hecate; the Feds would either arrive late to the party or be dead on arrival. She hoped it would be the former but suspected it might be the latter.
The drive from the access road to the cabin was almost too easy and direct; they arrived at the cabin and parked on the gravel space in front of the porch. Misti and Cindy got out quickly and were inside the cabin within seconds. Hecate appeared immediately as a shimmering rainbow of colors and welcomed her friends to “Adam Central”.
“How is he?”
“He’s fine, but I have another day of operating, maybe two, then some retouch after Liara looks over my handiwork. After that, it’s a few days of rest while the healing sets in and, when, She says so, he can be moved. But, She says she will do that. No planes or other transportation; ‘
Air Immortal’ only.”
“That’s interesting. Is it that dangerous here?”
“Oh, yes. Very. All those folks looking for him, just waiting to get their hands on him. And you too Misti. My, but are they pissed off at you two.”
Misti asked, “And you know this how?”
“Research, and the fact that we’ve spotted teams in and around our compound here. I’ve renamed it Adam Central, because it’s all Adam all the time. Even She seems to be enjoying Her stay here. While I think that’s weird, it’s not as weird as you might think. She’s been hiding us and, at the same time, staying in Adam’s head 24/7. She’s either really dedicated to his healing business, or She’s up to something I am not quite comfortable with yet.”
“Has She, you know, reconsidered?”
“I asked, and She said no. But there’s more. This whole deal is a lot bigger than I thought and Liara is not doing anything out of generosity. She’s doing it out of self-interest.”
“You have news?”
“I do.”
“And?”
“There are other Immortals involved and most have been working with Paulo for years to undermine Liara. She’s pissed and wants revenge. Earth is Her territory, so other Immortals shouldn’t even be anywhere near this planet.”
Hecate suddenly went quiet. “Got to go. The Mistress beckons, and I must continue to operate. I’ll come out when I have breaks; we have much to discuss. Then Hecate said sweetly to Cindy, “How are my two favorite girls, Cindy and Marie? Do they miss me? Their young apprentice?”
“Marie misses you terribly and says to come home soon. Says you can stay with her in your secret ladies-only hideaway when you’re not serving the two Trolls, Adam and Liara.”
“I have an hour’s break at midnight. Can I come visit?”
“I’ll find a room. You come find me.”
“You are such a bad influence; I just love it!”
She was gone.
***
About an hour later, Hecate suddenly appeared to both Cindy and Misti in the Study as the two discussed strategy and tactics in the face of the thousands now gathering around the perimeter of the cabin.
“Does the Boles girl wish to stay in London?”
Misti said, “No she’s learned her lesson about young Immortals and patience. She wants to come here or return to Paraiso.”
“Paraiso. Tell her to check in with Norman. And tell her to get Adam’s rooms ready. She’s now officially on his recovery detail.”
“Thanks. She’ll appreciate that.”
Hecate’s tone changed, “Tell her to get her ass to the Loft. I have important messages, so I’ll meet her there at my next break. I need to talk to her, then come back here. We can talk for less than five minutes. And she better be there.”
Hecate disappeared, then instantly reappeared. “Forget about her getting her ass to the Loft. She’s already there. I just wanted to hear myself sound tough. How was I?”
“Better than the Argument Scene on the way to Lebanon. You could have a career, you know.”
“I know you’re lying but I don’t care. Just keep lying. It makes me very happy. Did I tell you I won Best Actress? Adam said so. He’s lying too, but in his case, it’s adorable.”
She paused. “And Misti?”
“Yes?”
“You’re really not that good at lying. Better than Adam, but who isn’t? Adam says that his Dad is the best.”
Noki suddenly appeared.
Misti smiled as Hecate departed. Noki, having overheard part of the conversation, asked, “Is she really, you know, that good in the sack? Seems too young, and inexperienced.”
“Immortal, young and horny; curious with no real tangible relief in sight. Willing to try anything and everything. No moral compass or adherence to cultural taboos or discrimination. What do you think?”
“A serial virgin who can’t say no. You guys must be in heaven?”
***
At midnight, Hecate was on a break from her surgical duties, and joined Misti and Cindy in their shared bedroom.
“I saw Boles and delivered her messages. She seemed excited and will move on to Paraiso with her new duties.”
“May we ask who the messages were from?”
“Sure. One was from Adam, with some input from me. The other was from Her. It wasn’t just a message, though. It was something more.”
“May we know?”
“Yes. It was a tiny part of her essence. A gift.”
***
“So, what’s this procedure all about? Why all the cloak and dagger?”
“The procedure is complex and dangerous and the existence of new unforeseen players and variables making things even more complicated and dangerous. One necessitates the other and these were variables we didn’t foresee.”
“And by ‘we’ you mean you and Liara?”
“In part; in part other Immortals giving Paulo and Enzo new powers, knowledge and skills.”
“Is that why we were on com lockdown to begin with, but not now?”
“In part. At this point, She now is aware that certain people have all the information they need to find us. But, precisely locating us depends more on who’s looking, or at least who’s looking hard enough. Might be some on Her list, or all; might be no one. Saldana caused that damage, but it is, in reality, perceived to be minimal.”
“How so?”
“Liara has put this area with Adam and the cabin under a dome; a bubble.”
“Awesome. But it didn’t keep us out. Or our men. Why would it keep anyone else out?”
“Because you are on our team and everyone else isn’t. She created an illusion that trackers can just walk through or around, if sufficiently distracted. In their minds, what they see is what She wants them to see and what She doesn’t want them to see.”
“Sweet. Then why are we here?”
“To help, silly. You used to say that to Adam when you were little, didn’t you?”
“Still do. Seems to get him in the mood; some sort of association, connection he has to his childhood. Some of the good parts.”
“You were that, weren’t you?”
“Yes, no, maybe. I think I was the link between his past and his future. I was the point of convergence at which all things became possible, the conduit to what he has become. Beyond that he just likes having sex with me.”
“That’s not true. He loves you very much; it’s primal and a lot more. A woman could do a lot worse.”
***
“Why are we here then?”
“To Liara, the real damage was done thanks to Paulo and a group of rogue Immortals.”
Misti and Cindy chuckled. “Rogue? Nice word.”
Hecate said, “Tell me you didn’t like that? Got better?”
“Renegade.”
“Nah, I’m sticking with Rogue. More ‘Spy’ with a dash of ‘Super Hero’. Rogue killer elite,” she said in a fake voice. “Adam would love it. It’s so him.”
The ladies laughed. “It is. He’s the man-child, with respect. It’s one of his better qualities.”
“Hecate, can you tell us why you are not sensing the Adam/Liara connection? I mean, what’s up with that?”
“Would you ever try to explain quantum mechanics to an ant?”
“No, of course not. There would be no point. Ants can’t understand it, or use it, but humans can.”
“Correct. And how far ahead of ants on the evolutionary scale would you say you are, in factors of ten. Ten, fifty, a thousand? More?”
“Can’t be precise, but a lot. Why?”
“How far ahead of Adam do you think I am, or better yet, Liara?”
“Again, I don’t know, but I assume a lot.”
“Think billions. And then add billions more. That’s a lot.”
“So, what are they talking about in there?”
Hecate said, “Never thought about what it might be. You think something isn’t right?”
“Maybe. I know She ne
eds him to succeed. I know this was all her idea. I know She is trying to keep him alive in the short term, and longer term of a year or so afterwards. She may let him run for a while longer, but in the end, he’s dead. It’s just that I refuse to believe that’s all there is to it. Just use him to win, then toss him aside.”
“You mean because it’s immensely ungrateful, or for some other reason?”
“I don’t know. I’m just a little creeped out by all her intimate attention. She could be ‘getting some’ right now with our Adam. Helpless and horny. Poor guy.”
“Jealous, are we?”
“We are.”
“She found him first. Maybe first dibs for the One Who Must Be Obeyed. You should work on that jealousy thing. It’s very unbecoming for an Immortal.”
“She had better be nice to him. I’m not kidding.”
Cindy said, “Or what? She’s Liara, the Creator. What can you do? Nothing.”
Misti said, “Let’s get back to why we’re here and what this ‘procedure’ is. And don’t you have to get back to tinker with his brain?”
“Lunch break.”
“Really? You Immortals get that.”
“And ObamaCare. The fringe benefits are great.”
Chapter 31
After a day or so of boredom in London, feeling useless and angry with herself for acting out, Kendra had arrived back in Paraiso and began working with Norman right away as instructed. One day he seemed agitated which, for Norman, was highly unusual.
Kendra asked what was up.
“I’ve heard something very disturbing, for me and the kids. It came from the kids themselves. They were upset and wanted to talk to me without their mom present.
“About what?”
“Have you heard about a new word circulating in the City? It’s called ‘packing’. It’s popular with the younger Gens males, and females and with some in the military. May even include a few of Chel’s men. Apparently, guys and gals transform to Gens natural state, go for a long run on the plains below the City, find certain spots they like, transform back to human state and fuck. Lots of partners and lots of fucking.”
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