Rowan looked to Kitty, then his wife. “Well that’s a load of crap.”
“I’m with you on that,” he said. “We’re going to DC to settle this once and for all.”
“Suppose there’s a McDonalds drive through on the way?” Rowan asked.
“Corporal,” the secretary turned to one of the MPs. “Rouse the KP team. Rustle up some sandwiches for the trip, or something.”
“Yes, sir,” he said and turned to carry out the order.
* * *
Dinner on the plane was a feast. There were a half-dozen boxed meals that included sandwiches on fresh hoagie rolls, there was potato salad, baked beans, freshly baked cookies, and fruit salads. There was even a box for Henry that included fresh carrots that had been cooked ‘til tender, tiny bites of diced hot dogs, a banana and a zip-top bag of crisp rice cereal.
Victor made sure they had beverages and offered up additional snacks to compliment the meal and the mood seemed to lighten in the absence of the MPs. Even Frank seemed to relax some, visiting with the company as they ate, handing Henry nibbles of his cookie, with Lauren’s approval.
“And what did you think of the aliens?” Frank finally asked, directing the question to Kitty.
She almost choked on her sandwich at the abruptness of his question. “Uh ...” she paused to cough and clear her throat. “I ... uh ...” She hesitated. “Well,” she hemmed. “I’m not sure, sir.”
“Well were they freaky or scary? Did they look like little green men from Mars? Come on, spit it out.” He scoffed.
“They were everything you would expect, and more,” Lauren volunteered. “Taller than The Grays you see so often in pop culture. Their skulls were elongated ... like they just stepped off a Sumerian tablet or an Egyptian Hieroglyph.”
“Did they speak English? French? Russian?”
“Not at first,” Lauren said, remembering the piercing scream that had nearly ruptured her eardrums. “But they seemed to adapt easily. I understood them either way, but ... they adapted for the sake of the others.”
“You speak alien?”
“You have no idea how often I’ve had to ask that question,” Rowan chortled. “She’s been able to speak practically any language for the past three years or so.”
“What happened three years ago?” Frank asked.
“I had an encounter ...” Lauren said, but stopped and started over. “This isn’t the first time I’ve met them. Somehow, they gave me the ability to understand all human language.”
“Any language?”
Lauren nodded.
“That could be useful.” Frank turned back to Kitty. “Do they seem amicable to establishing a diplomatic process?”
She lifted her shoulder. “I suppose you could say they seemed agreeable,” she said.
“Good,” he said. “As soon as Estonia is dealt with, the NATO Task Force is going to need to be briefed.”
“Of course,” Kitty said.
“I want you to prepare your case to take to the Task Force,” he instructed.
“Of course you do.” She yawned.
Chapter 21
Jääger was not at all happy when Frank finished presenting the evidence to the NATO task force. The accusation that their operative had turned on Kitty Donovan and had killed two civilians and tried to kill two more was not well received. “The ballistics match the first-hand accounts provided by those present. We have teams on site in South Africa working to collect video from security cameras. The story your operative has told is full of holes, filled in with lies and half-truths,” Frank said, stoically. “He is officially wanted by Interpol as a person of interest in the murder of Dr. India Cameron, Dr. Lubanzi Dlamani ... and Dr. Alexei Budnikov.”
“The Estonian government will not stand for this!” Jääger sputtered, red-faced and furious at the accusation. “Your evidence is flimsy at best.”
“We’re continuing to build our case, but in the meantime, this is the least of our worries,” Frank said, addressing the entire audience. He hesitated to ensure he had their full attention “Dr. Michael Grayson and Dr. Kitty Donovan have made first contact ... and the news isn’t good.”
Chaos washed over the audience.
NATO representatives from around the world began shouting questions, shouting accusations, and in some cases, just shouting. Frank glanced over at Kitty, just off screen. He’d been fully briefed during the journey to DC.
When the discord settled, Frank stood, taking center stage in the middle of the room. “According to Dr. Donovan, there are two warring factions out there, and Earth could be ground zero for an intergalactic feud that has been raging for centuries. We have begun peaceful negotiations with one of these factions.”
“Kitty Donovan doesn’t speak for me!” Jääger slammed his hand on his desk, standing so that only his midsection was visible in his camera shot. He leaned down, glaring directly into the camera. “This is an outrage! An outrage, I’m telling you!” Again chaos broke out.
Kitty took the opportunity to step into the camera shot, coming to stand by Secretary White. “I will not be the Ambassador to this alien race,” she said. “They have chosen another avatar to speak for them. We have no say in the matter.” She had to wait while the assembly shouted their protests. For a collection of peacemakers, they certainly liked to yell a lot, Kitty thought. “The being, who suggested we refer to as Enki, has chosen Dr. Michael Grayson as his representative. They will only allow him to speak for their race.”
“What about this other faction?” someone shouted clearly enough for her to make out.
“We know very little about the second race,” Kitty admitted. “Dr. Grayson is currently working to learn their role in this bizarre passion play. With any luck, we can learn this information, but ladies and gentlemen, I cannot tell you how important it is that we find a path through this conflict ... together. There is no way we can expect to defeat an alien enemy when we bicker amongst ourselves.” She had to raise her voice over the din. “You have come together to form this task force. For decades we have said we are united. If your countries feel differently now that the threat is a clear and present danger, you’re too late. Speaking for the United States of America ... we need you. We need each of you.”
“The other thing we need is for this information to remain classified,” Frank added. ‘The general public does not need this burden. As agreed upon in our original charter, this information is expected to be held in the strictest confidentiality ... under penalty of death.”
The shouting began in earnest as Kitty turned away from the camera and walked back to the dark corner where Lauren sat, holding Henry. Rowan stood beside her, his hand on her shoulder.
“Peacemakers, my Aunt Fanny.” She shook her head as she turned and leaned against the wall next to Rowan, smiling as she gazed at Henry.
He reached for her, shaking his toy shark. “KiKi,” he called to her. She reached over and took him, giving his tired mother a break. “KiKi ... go.”
* * *
Lauren and Kitty looked at each other, as they found themselves on the spaceship. Michael sat on the floor with his eyes closed, his hands resting on his knees. While his eyes didn’t open the corners of his lips curled up. “My-My!” Henry squealed, fighting to get away from Kitty. She sat him down on the floor and he crawled over to his uncle and climbed up into the void created by his folded legs. “My-My.”
Michael opened his eyes abruptly. “Peek-a-boo!” He grinned at the boy. Henry squealed in delight as Michael’s gaze lifted to the two women. “Welcome back,” he said.
Lauren waited for him to collect Henry and rise before she came over and held open her arms to him. “Michael.” She sighed as he hugged her tightly, transferring Henry into her arms. He kissed her head, then turned to Kitty and held his arms open. She hesitated then rushed into his embraced and melted as she leaned her head back, pressing her lips to his. He tightened his grip on her and dipped her back as he kissed her with a fever that came from de
sperate longing and a genuine love.
Henry leaned back to eye his mother, grinning devilishly at her, then turning back to Michael and Kitty. Lauren couldn’t help but be pleased. They were cute together, and clearly, he cared very much for her. Any animosities between them had been resolved or ... forgotten. Lauren waited, but the kiss lasted longer than the kiss she planted on Rowan at the altar, or any kiss before or since. Finally, she cleared her throat overtly.
Michael glanced up and smiled, despite his lips on Kitty’s. He came up for air, freeing Kitty, but keeping his hand in the small of her back to support her as she caught her breath and returned to her senses, her knees rubbery for a moment longer. She reached up and smoothed down her honey blonde hair, blushing as she turned to face Lauren.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Lauren said, bemused as his fingers wove between Kitty’s and she leaned against him. “I’m assuming we’re here for a reason.”
“Of course,” Michael said, leading them over to a table that rose from the floor, along with a chair for each of them.
Lauren took a deep breath, realizing this space had a unique odor that she hadn’t been able to pinpoint before. It was a mixture of pure oxygen, synthetic materials, and something she couldn’t quite identify.
Michael lay his hands flat against the table, glancing at Kitty before turning to Lauren. “I’ve spent the last couple of years learning about my benefactor’s history, and the conflict between him and his brother.”
Lauren did a double-take. “Wait.” She put a hand up. “The last couple of years?”
He tilted his head in her direction, giving her credit for catching him in something she couldn’t have possibly known. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Time passes differently here.”
Lauren’s brow lifted as her gaze slipped over to Kitty, who mirrored her expression. They both turned back to Michael.
“Where is here?” Kitty asked.
“Another valid point,” he said. “This isn’t exactly a simple concept. Your scientists call it the Einstein Rosen Bridge. I think you’ll both understand though. Time and place are concepts that have never been fully understood, not as they truly are. Some, like Einstein, have gotten close, but The Three have come to understand that time and place are unified, and separate.”
“You’re talking in riddles.” Lauren furrowed her brow.
“You were onto something when you said time was circular and eternal,” Michael said. “And yes, I know you said that because I came to visit you in San Diego before Henry was born. You didn’t know I was there, but I was listening in. Anyway, time is also like a blanket, woven in four dimensions. The farther from the center point of creation, the slower time moves, until it hits the Apex. There it gains momentum and can essentially slingshot to a much faster speed. I realize it’s a higher concept, but you have plenty of time to think on it.”
Lauren and Kitty’s eyes darted from one another again, before they turned back to Michael. “Tell us about the Dark One,” Lauren said. “Enki said there was a war coming.”
Michael nodded, knowing this concept would be easier for them to comprehend. “The brothers have been at odds. You know the legends,” he said, lifting a hand. “What you don’t know, is that while Enki retreated to the heavens to prepare for the coming war, Enlil took shelter where no one would think to find him.” He glanced to each of them. “Earth.”
Kitty practically recoiled, even as Lauren slumped back into her chair. “He’s ... on Earth?” Kitty gasped.
“Where there is famine, there is apathy, also the mark of the Dark One. Where there is hatred, Enlil is the instigator. In a world where children are abused and husbands raise a hand to their wives, the Dark One reigns supreme. This is how he gains his power. As the gods above gather their forces, and build their allies, Enlil bides his time, allowing others to fight his wars to fuel his war-machine.”
Lauren caught Michael’s hand. “But ...” She struggled to form her thoughts and find her words. “How do we defeat that?”
“Through peace,” he said, his sidelong gaze going to Kitty. “Through love. Through forgiveness.” He returned his eye to Lauren. “The world has time. Right now, that is the greatest weapon we have. But Kitty, the peace accord falls to you to broker, not with Enki and The Three ... but on earth. You must bring the nations together. You must navigate the many factions into one accord.”
“Might as well ask me to move the tides, or stop the sun from rising,” Kitty said.
“I will teach you,” he said. “Stay with me a while. I will help you learn how to use the power of your voice to broker peace.”
“How long?” Kitty asked, looking afraid.
“It will not take long,” he said, turning to Lauren. “I will send for you when it’s time for Kitty to rejoin your time-place.”
“When you say we have time ...” Lauren stiffened. “What do you mean? A week? A few months? A few years?”
“He comes as a thief in the night,” Michael’s voice went dark. “The Most High will grant you the full armor of the gods, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the Dark One. I cannot promise you the hour, but there is time. Years most likely, decades perhaps, but the time you have must not be squandered.”
Lauren stood, holding Henry to her chest. Michael rose and came to stand behind her, his hand on her back. “I’m afraid,” she admitted.
“Fear not, for I will be with you always.”
Lauren nearly tumbled over as she found herself standing beside Rowan. He caught her limp form as blackness enveloped her. He lowered her and Henry to the floor, catching her hand as he knelt beside her. “Lauren? Where’d you go? Where’s Kitty?” She fought to get back to him, following his voice.
“I’ll call for a medic.” She heard Frank say.
“I am a medic,” Rowan said, taking Henry. The boy put his arms around his dad’s neck. “Lauren!”
She swatted him away as she took a deep breath and returned to the present and her own place within it. She rolled over onto her side, clutching her arms around her stomach. “I’m gonna be sick ...” she muttered.
Frank jumped up and grabbed the wastepaper basket by the door and put it in front of her. She got to her knees and leaned over it, hesitating a moment before she vomited, then vomited again. After that she sat back on her knees. Frank disappeared and came back a moment later with a damp cloth and a bottle of water. Rowan took both. She leaned back against him, and he pressed the cloth to her forehead, and the bottle of water to the back of her neck.
“Oh that’s good.” She let out a breath. She closed her eyes, inhaling repeatedly until her stomach settled. “Thank you, that’s better,” she said, taking the bottle of water, cracking it open and taking a sip, swishing it around in her mouth, spitting it out in the trashcan. She drank greedily and mopped her face with the towel. “I’m fine.”
“You sure?” Rowan asked.
“Yeah,” she said. “I think all this space hopping messes with my internal gyroscope or something.”
“Where’s Kitty, Dr. Pierce?” Frank asked.
“With Michael,” she said. “He had information to give her. He said he’d call me back when he was done teaching her what she needed to know to ensure a lasting peace.”
“I have a ton of questions.” Frank hooked an arm under Lauren’s and lifted her to her feet. “But they can wait. Come on,” he said. “I’ll make arrangements for a hotel and we’ll get you a place to rest. I’ll have dinner sent to the room and we can talk more tomorrow. I’ve got agents hunting for Malakoff, and there’s little more I can do here tonight myself.”
Chapter 22
“I know where you dwell. I know where Satan’s throne lies,” Yevgeny stood bare-chested in an abandoned building, a burning stick in his hand. His tattooed body bore the marks of dark incantations and symbols of the highest dark arts from religions and cultures around the world.
He scrolled a pentagram on the rotting floorboards, searing the mark into
the dried lumber. “I call upon thee, O, Morning Star! By all thy names I call thee: Lucifer. Abaddon. Mephistopheles. Asmodeus. Shiva. Diabolus. Enlil. Come to me, my Master!”
Outside, the rush of wind lifted in the trees, raking the limbs against the dilapidated roof. A rumble of thunder broke across the landscape, and the very building itself seemed to tremble. Flames erupted from an empty fireplace, and a rush of something passed his body so silently he felt it more than heard it.
A dark silhouette filled the room, outlined by the flickering firelight. The perfume of sulfur and brimstone hit him full in the face, and he dropped to one knee, his hands on the floor at his side as he bowed. “My Lord.” He kept his eyes averted to the floor. “I come with ill-tidings; troubling news. I seek your guidance.”
“Speak ...” A deep voice rumbled, chilling him to the core.
“Your brother has returned and has chosen his Champion,” he said. He had a mole inside the Estonian Security Council who had briefed him on the secret meeting. “Forces in the Heavens are gathering and I fear a shift in the balance of power.”
“My power continues to grow,” the Dark One thundered.
“Your book must be made whole if you are to regain your rightful place and seize dominion over the heavens and the earth.”
There was a moment of silence, as the Dark One gathered his thoughts. “Peace is the enemy of discord,” he growled. “Discord is food for my soul. Your mission is to ensure I am fed, and my power grows. In the same effort, you must put a stop to this champion, or all will be lost.”
The man bowed to the shadowed being. “I will not fail you,” he said. “But aid is needed. I cannot find the Chosen One or the Champion for your enemy has hidden them from me.”
“All will be revealed once my strength is restored,” the shadow growled.
“I shall feed you well, my lord.”
* * *
Malakoff had been back in Estonia less than a few hours before returning to his hideout, a place where the veil of time and space was most thin, where the Dark One could be summoned. He returned to his home just as the sun was rising. He knew it would only be a matter of time before his deception was discovered, but he figured he had time enough to create enough chaos to set things in order.
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