“I say ’appeared’ because the door kept changing. It would disappear, then reappear a moment later. It was slightly ajar, probably opened by the force of the explosion. They reported a blue pulsing light flickering around its edges. The door was damaged in the quake and was probably not supposed to be visible at all. A hidden door to a hidden room. Give that to a bunch of Techs and Scientists and see how they react. They were wild for it. Ran all sorts of tests and eventually determined the radiation wasn't dangerous in itself. Just some kind of weird leak from whatever was inside. They were so excited. All the numbers said this was something advanced. A new kind of energy. Limitless power without dangerous radioactivity. A boon for the world sitting right in front of them.” He paused and looked away, gathering his thoughts.
“They decided to go in. What was inside was worth any price. Equipment was brought in to pry the door open and that's when the shit hit the fan. I saw it all on camera, streamed to my personal tablet, live and in color.
“When they blew that door it was like they'd pulled the plug on a drain. Something grabbed them. Some force sucked them and their equipment inside. One second they were there and the next? Poof. Gone.” He paused, considering his words. “We have video from body cams showing a tiny white room containing something the size of a garbage can at its center. What’s left of our people is wrapped around it like a skin. Whatever it is, it's still functional but probably compromised. We don't know what its purpose is. My new techs have speculated that it's some kind of gravity weapon. They believe it was the cause of the earthquake that killed more than a hundred people and sunk an entire city block into the earth. What do you think?”
The creature considered the question, then nodded, “Only one city block? Primitive. He could have done a lot worse. Probably a weapon but I’m not a scientist. My education since birth has been very specific. I was taught only what I needed for a good hunt. Usually the ones I hunt hide. Kailex is different. He's not hiding, so he has a plan. It looks like he wants to establish a foothold in your world. Make that foothold a place he can defend against the hunt. From there he‘ll expand his power outward until he has your entire world at his mercy. Time‘s important now. The ones who sent me may decide to pull me from the hunt. You must see now why you have to let me go? You’re no match for the tech he can bring to bear on your world. Let me go and I‘ll end your problem.”
He was appalled by the nonchalance of the thing. It spoke of hundreds of deaths like they were nothing! All it cared about was fulfilling its mission. What would happen then he wondered, anger building. Wouldn’t this creature’s masters just release another criminal and watch while it tore a path through the city as this one had?
“There's already one monster in the city,” he snarled, kicking over the chair in his anger. Standing he shook his pistol at the creature, tried to fire it only to discover the safety was on. “I‘ll not release a second to do whatever the hell it pleases.” Spittle dripped from his mouth. “In fact, we're done here. Corporal!” he thundered. “When I leave this cell, would you be so kind as to have the body taken to the labs!”
The Corporal, his eyes widening in surprise snapped to attention. “Yes, sir!”
Chapter Sixteen
Oh crap! It had all gone south. I thought, ‘Move Kat!” And she did. I watched as she threw her entire body toward him until her arm and the length of chain was taut. It wasn't enough for more than a glancing blow but it was enough for her toe to connect with the gun, sending it skittering through the cell bars where it bounced, twirling madly close to the Corporal's feet. He looked down at it dumbly.
I almost felt sorry for him but since my position was so obviously terrible I decided my time was better spent feeling sorry for myself.
The Major threw himself back against the bars so he was no longer within reach. “My gun!” he screeched. “Get me that fucking gun right now or you’ll be going to the labs with this cock-sucking mother-fucking maggot!” he shouted, spittle spraying in a fine dew from his mouth. There was no doubt now that the Major had lost his shit. Whatever glue had held him together, had come apart. If he got that gun he would do as he said, shoot until I was dead.
Abruptly the door burst inward, with the Corporal's face and chest smashed up against it. Along with the door and gun, he went sailing forward to land heavily on the concrete floor. The gun skittered on while the door and Corporal scraped along the concrete all the way to the wall. The gun came to a stop at the Major’s feet where he quickly snatched it up as if this was something he did every day. The gun had missed making contact with the bars but the Corporal was less lucky as his head collided with a meaty 'thud’ that spoke volumes about a probable concussion. He lay limply back on the floor with a final soft “ahhhhh...”
The Major turned, gun aimed at me, a smile lighting his face. Time slowed as I watched his finger tighten. My body tensed, ready to move the instant the trigger was pulled. A part of me did the calculations and realized that might work twice or even three times but not even Kat could dodge bullets forever. Suddenly a new voice full of concentrated steel caused us all to freeze in our tracks.
“Don't make me shoot you, Neville.”
“What..?”
The Major turned his head slightly so he could check out the new arrival standing at the door, breathing heavily but with her own gun centered rock steady on him.
“Walker?” He blinked as if uncertain how to process this new information. “Or are you Walker? Maybe you just talk like her now.”
Moving carefully Walker checked the Corporal's pulse, then took his weapon and tossed it into a corner. She also grabbed his keys.
“Just me, Neville.”
There was sadness in her voice as if she knew she was closing a door that had been important to her to leave open. “What's left of me anyway after all the tweaking your boys have done. Sorry about the Corporal but you didn't leave me time to be nice. He’s hurt. You always told me a good leader thinks of his men first. So what's it going to be? Do we start shooting or take a moment to consider our options?”
“Options?” The Major laughed tiredly. The interruption had given him time to regain his composure. “That's what happens in our business. Soldiers die. Sacrifices for the greater good. I have a duty to the people outside. I can't let it out. Not even for you. Still, a little conversation never hurt and your arrival has me curious. For example, whose side are you on? A week ago I‘d have said you were on mine. And now? You and I...” He paused struggling for words. “This is the thing that killed your sister!” Now he seemed genuinely puzzled. “You’ve always know what we had to do. How can you side with Elaine's killer?”
Walker drew herself up as if she needed to at least pretend to be strong. “I haven't forgotten, Neville. I never will. And my promise to her remains unchanged. When I find the one who killed her, I‘ll end it. But things are more complicated than we thought. This is not a few renegade aliens killing our people. This is an agency from another world using ours like it was their personal toy. This man you have in the cell is the key to stopping this. I feel the same anger. The same desire for revenge. You think killing it will give you the revenge you need but that won’t be enough. What would she want? Would she want you to kill him? Tell me the truth Neville. Remember Elaine as she was and tell me what she'd want.”
A low hurt sound that was never intended to be a word came from the Major. His gun lowered. He turned and gave her a considering look. Then nodded in the affirmative. “Elaine wouldn't want to hurt anyone. But she'd want it stopped.” He paused, gathering himself. “These things have to be stopped. We're not ... pieces on a game board! How can you be sure this isn’t the one who killed her?” He hesitated again, his voice raspy and breathing quick. “How can you look at it and not hate it?”
Walker lowered her gun and walked up to him, gently cupping his cheek with her free hand. “Oh Neville, when we started I felt like you. I had so much anger and no way to let it out. They took her, used her; then left
her to die mindless and drooling in the middle of a city street. I wanted to hurt them. I wanted to hurt them the way they'd hurt her! And I knew the only way I could do that was through you. So I convinced you to let me join the fight.” She laughed. “No, I didn't convince you any more than you convinced me. You needed a weapon that could hurt them. I needed to become that weapon. So we used each other. Hatred and grief brought us together. I promised you revenge for both of us. It was all my anger would allow me. But time‘s passed. I can't live for that anymore and neither can you. We have to let it go before it destroys us.”
Her hand dropped and she sighed. “So no. I don't want to kill him. I just want this stopped because you’re right, we're not playthings. You trusted my sister, now trust me. He's not our enemy. He's still human. As human as I am. He made an agreement with his host so yes, the thing we hate so much is in there with him. But it’s not alone. They're working together. As surprising as it sounds, he's our best chance at stopping Kailex. We need his help to end this.”
The Major was silent for a long moment before turning to me, “And what does the ‘man’ inside the creature say? Has he a voice to say anything? Does he even exist?”
‘Kat! Let me out! Walker has him halfway convinced. He needs to speak to me! He’ll never believe it's me with you in control. Your eyes aren’t human! Let me out!”
Kat‘s eyes appeared in my window looking troubled. Her voice boomed in my head.
“You need to think Nick. You’re not a killer. I am. I may survive this and if I do, so do you. The hunt’s all there is for me. All they’ll ever let me have. For a brief time I thought there might be more but that was a fantasy.” And then she was gone. I was left staring out a window, hearing my own voice speak words I didn't want to hear.
“The man inside lives but to let him out would put him in danger. You're a warrior. You understand training and preparation. He wants to fight but he's not like us. I‘m a Hunter. This game that is not a game is ruthless. As long as it ends in death, the one who sent me cares little who wins or loses. Walker speaks the truth. I have no other interest in your world except to hunt Kailex. Unless I'm allowed to stop him, things will only get worse for your world. By yourself you’re like children chasing him with wooden sticks. Only I can deliver the justice you require. Only I can end this.”
The Major smiled thinly. “I didn't think you'd let him speak. For all your assurances, I don't think he can. I think he's dead or a mindless lunatic trapped in some dark corner of his own mind. There’s never anything left of those we loved after you’re finished with them. You're a monster doing what monsters do.” He turned to Walker. “Sorry but this thing isn’t getting out of here! Not alive anyway.”
Walker took a tentative step toward him.
“And what if you're wrong, Neville? What if he‘s our best hope? ” She raised her gun so that it was trained on him once again. “Don't make me make a choice.”
The Major sighed. “It seems we are at an impasse. What to do?”
Just then the intercom barked, “Enemy incursion! Blue squad to Section One immediately!” The announcement repeated itself in quick succession sounding even more stressed. Then the wall phone rang. Walker stepped briskly to it, “Speak. He's here but not available to come to the phone. I'll put it on speaker. Go ahead. Over.” She punched a button before returning it to its cradle.
“This is Sergeant Brady sir. Are you there, sir?” The voice sounded young and tight with worry.
“Speak freely Sergeant! What's happening?”
“It's Red One Sir! They showed up at our door so I let them in. Then they went berserk! They're killing everyone! We've had to engage and that’s slowed them a little but they're so fast we can't pin them down. They were always a little different sir but they’re worse now. They're like animals!” His voice shook, even took on a note of hysteria as he conferred with another in the background. “They've broken through and are heading your way.”
“Aim for the head,” snapped Walker. “They're feeding as they go which means they can take a lot of punishment. A bullet through the eyes though, nothing can survive that, not even them!”
“The eyes? Feeding? Is that you Commander Walker?”
“Yes it's me. Tell your men to fall back and lock everything behind them. Tell them to break away from the engagement and find cover! They want us, not you. They’re coming here. If your men stay out of their way they’ll ignore you. When they're clear have everyone head topside. Now hang up and give the order!”
Brady sounded relieved. “Yes sir, thank you sir!” The phone clicked and fell silent.
The Major smiled thinly. “Putting on your big girl boots on today I see.”
“No more time for play Neville. You heard the man. They’re coming. They belong to Kailex now and they want us because we’re the one thing in their way.” Walker met his stare with one of her own. “Your decision's been made for you. Leave this to us. Do what's right Neville.”
The Major nodded, a shrewd look on his face. “Looks like you have a plan.” He placed a fatherly hand on Walker's shoulder before thinking differently and dropping it. Instead he stepped away from her. “I always considered you one of my successes. Now it looks like I failed with you as well.”
“Maybe so,” she agreed softly.
“Red One and now you. We were going to finish this together.” Straightening, he opened the door to the cell, then hefted the Corporal over his shoulder. He paused at the door. “Of course, I've been wrong before.... Take care Walker. Whatever that thing tells you, think of Elaine before you believe it.” Then he was gone.
“Wow.” Walker watched the door close slowly behind him. She turned back to me. I was still chained to the wall. “So now we come to problem number two.”
“The keys Walker. Free me,” hissed Kat. I felt my adrenaline levels spike.
I felt the soft touch of Walker’s mind against mine. Saw her nod. “Neville‘s right. You’re not free. Time to let him out, bitch.”
I felt Kat stiffen with anger and thought Walker’s approach could use a little subtlety.
“If I let him out he‘ll die.” It came out flat and hard. Clearly Kat wasn’t impressed.
“Probably. But that's not your choice is it? Aren't you the one moaning about your life? All the big choices being made for you? Your Masters taking all the joy out of life? Well, right now you're no better. You’re playing inside his body not yours. So live or die, fight or flight it's his choice. So, here's the deal. Unless you want to greet Red One with an arm chained to the wall you’ll let him out. Your call.” Suddenly the lights blinked twice and a loud boom reverberated through the concrete walls. Dust and shards of concrete rained down around them. “Better make it quick, our company is almost here.”
“Damn it, Kat,” I shouted. “Open the door! Walker's not fucking around!”
Angrily, I began picking up things and throwing them at the window. I ran over and pounded on it getting angrier and angrier. A tiny crack appeared. I hit it again and felt a cry of pain deep inside my own head, saw the crack split wider. Kat was losing it!
Suddenly the room shuddered and Kat appeared. She walked to the window and put a hand to the crack. “This is the strongest prison I could devise and you've broken it. With time this would open. It seems I can't keep you safe, even if I wanted to.” She shrugged. “And I believe Walker will do as she says. She thinks she’s saving you from me. She might be right.” Kat sighed, looking tired. “We need a solution that lets you in the fight but gives you a chance to win. I have an idea but we’ll need Walker's help and of course, your permission. That was our old agreement after all.” She smiled thinly.
A wave of relief washed over me that quickly gave way to trepidation. “Alright,” I agreed cautiously, “I'm game for just about anything.”
“You probably don't remember what happened at the concert,” began Kat. “I don't either, truthfully. It's hazy. We were both suborned by our Beasts after they merged. I do remember ho
w we fought. Our speed. There was no hesitation, no debate. We were one. What we thought, we did.”
I grimaced, “We hurt a lot of people.”
“Yes,” agreed Kat. “But we didn't kill them. Some part of us still ruled. But who's to say I'm right. Perhaps we were just fortunate. So, that's our first worry. To merge, we have to free our Beasts which opens us to loss of control. The second is that the merge could become complete. Remember when I said I felt like I'd lost myself? I think that statement was truer than I imagined. I think we‘d begun the process of fully integrating our two personalities and abilities into one. If the Major hadn't stopped us, we'd have died. The two becoming one. This is conjecture only. To my knowledge, what happened to us is unique.”
I shuddered thinking how close we'd come to that particular scenario. “So, a merge might make us strong enough to beat Kailex but kill us in the process? I'm not ready to die Kat.”
She smiled. Her face was always so closed off that her smile rocked me. It was brave, unflinching, somehow soft. For the first time I saw her for what she was, a woman in just as much trouble as I was. Only her situation was worse. I had a chance to escape. Even if we somehow won, what did she have? She’d have to go back. Return to the Keeper and his whims. She was a slave he used to make his own life better. I breathed out. Kat was a good person, and even more trapped than I was.
“Which brings us to our third worry. By ourselves we are lost. The merge will overcome us. So we need a third. One powerful enough to manage the merge so it goes so far and no further.” She held out a hand with thumb and forefinger only an inch apart. “This one we must let in, all the way in. We’d have to give her control.” Kat bit her lip. It was the first nervous gesture I'd ever seen her make. “If this works, she will know us both as well as we know ourselves. She will know all that we have done. Perhaps she will not like what she sees? She’d be in a position to destroy us. Or one of us,” she added softly. “And if she isn’t strong enough and loses control, she‘ll become our first victim. Free and merged we will be extremely powerful and very very, hungry. Many will die. And when we die as all things do eventually, we will die thinking only of our hunger. We will die as animals.”
The God Hunters Page 25