Origins of the Prime

by Christopher Vale

  “Do you believe that?” Axel asked.

  “I don’t know Axel. It’s certainly possible. But I mean there are all sorts of crazy rumors about the Nazis. Everything from they built a machine that could travel through time to they discovered alien bases.”

  “Alien?” Axel asked. “You mean like little green men from Mars?”

  “Yeah,” Hayes said. “I mean, I doubt they came from Mars, but…” he stopped and took a breath. “Look, Axel. It’s a really big universe out there. Humans think we’re so important, but we’re just these little specks of life, living on a rock which is hurtling through infinite space. We don’t know a millionth of a billionth of a percent of what is possible. Thirty years ago, if you had told me that I’d one day meet a boy that could shoot lightning bolts from his hands I’d have looked at you like you had three heads. But hey, here you are.”

  Axel nodded. “Well, at least we know that Kristel and Gerd aren’t still in the hands of the Nazis at some secret Antarctic base. Not that it matters. After all these years, I have finally found her,” he said, sadness evident in his voice. “But I can’t rescue her.”

  Professor Hayes laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. “All is not lost yet, Axel. Keep some faith.” Axel nodded. “Besides you have people here that need you now.”

  “I know, I’ll always be here for Rolf.”

  “Not just Rolf, Axel,” Hays said. “Thomas needs you. This new girl he told me about, this psychic, needs you. Your country needs you. We are all counting on you, Axel.”

  Axel nodded. He knew the professor was right, but that didn’t make it any less painful. At least he could take comfort in the fact that Kristel was still alive. He just wished she wasn’t trying to kill him.

  Chapter 14

  The nurse practically strutted down the hall of the hospital ward. She had curves in all of the right places and no reservations about flaunting them. Her sneakers made little sound along the linoleum floor, but her swinging hips, accentuated by her tight fitting nurse’s uniform, made for quite a show. Her soft hair fell in dark brown curls from beneath her white hat. She soon arrived at the door of the room where Colonel Arnulf was being treated and came face to face with two men in navy suits.

  “Time to check the patient’s vitals again,” she smiled through bright red lips and perfectly white teeth. The two men smiled back and then the one on the left leaned over and opened the door for her. “Thank you,” she said with a flirtatious batting of the eyes.

  “Certainly, ma’am,” he said and then turned his head to sneak a quick peek at her from behind before closing the door.

  Arnulf was sleeping soundly in his bed as the nurse leaned over him and felt his pulse. It was strong. She glanced around the room and saw another pillow laying in a chair. She crossed over to it, picked it up and then stole a quick glimpse over her shoulder at the door before placing the pillow over Arnulf’s face to smother him. Arnulf awoke immediately and grabbed at her arms, but she was much too strong for him to do anything to stop her—ridiculously strong for a woman of her size.

  Outside the door, the guards could hear nothing inside the room. Soon, however, they saw a short, round nurse approach. This time there were no swinging hips or bright red lips—only a no-nonsense woman staring up at them.

  “I’ve got to check the patient’s vitals,” the nurse said grumpily, clearly annoyed that she needed permission from these men to do her job.

  The guards glanced at one another and then back at the nurse as their eyes went wide with realization. They reached inside of their jackets and drew their pistols before turning and rushing into the room. They found the woman in the nurses uniform standing over Arnulf, smothering him with a pillow.

  “Hold it!” both men shouted in unison. The woman stopped smothering Arnulf. “Raise your hands,” one of the guards shouted. The woman slowly raised her hands up until they were level with her shoulders.

  The guards stepped closer, keeping their pistols aimed at her. One reached out and grabbed her wrist and pulled it down to her back. When he did so, she quickly spun around, snatched his pistol from his hand and smashed it into his nose causing him to stumble back in pain as his hand flew to his blood-splattered face. Almost instantly the woman threw the pistol across the bed at the other guard, preventing him from firing as he raised his arms protectively over his face. She then leapt toward him and brought her foot into the other guard’s groin in a sidekick causing him to double over in pain. She turned back to the one with the broken nose. He had recovered quickly and took a swing at her. She ducked the swing and smashed the heel of her hand into his knee. She felt his kneecap shatter beneath his skin and he collapsed onto the floor. The woman leapt back to her feet as the other guard recovered and raised his pistol. She dashed past, shoving him out of the way and heading for the door. She ran out of the door, past the stunned nurse, and turned right into the hallway.

  The elevator doors at the other end of the hall opened and Tom stepped out. He was coming to check on Arnulf’s status and see if the men posted at the door needed anything. He saw a nurse sprinting toward him and then noticed one of the federal agents stumbling out of Arnulf’s room with gun in hand.

  “Stop her!” the guard shouted.

  Tom’s eyes caught the nurse’s and he reached out to grab her as she ran by, but she yanked him down instead, slamming him hard against the linoleum floor. Tom scrambled to his feet and chased after her, following her into the stairwell as the guard radioed to security downstairs.

  The nurse reached the ground floor and burst out of the stairwell sprinting for the front doors. Two security guards shouted for her to halt as they rushed to block her path. The nurse ran up to a small, wooden chair set out in the waiting area and kicked it. It flew across the room slamming into one security guard, knocking him to the ground. She leapt into the air and brought her foot down into the other security guard’s chest. He fell beside his friend and the nurse hurdled over both of them and darted out the door.

  Tom noticed her leave the hospital as he pushed open the door from the stairwell in pursuit. He ran in between the two fallen guards as they began to push themselves up and chased after her. Tom burst through the front doors of the hospital and out into the parking lot. He stopped momentarily and glanced about in search of her. He quickly spotted her and gave chase.

  Tom saw her run along the streets. She was heading for the overpass. He ran as fast as he could, but knew he could not catch her. She was just too fast. Not Alena fast, but a sprinter for sure. He drew his sidearm and took aim. He was an excellent marksman. No one else was around, the shot was safe. He squeezed the trigger and saw a burst of blood leap from her shoulder, knocking her to the ground. Tom ran after her. He slowed as he approached her while keeping his pistol trained on her.

  She was pushing herself up to her feet as he reached her. “Put your hands where I can see them,” he shouted. The nurse placed her hands on the yellow and red striped guard railing of the bridge. She then pulled herself up. “Higher!” Tom shouted. The nurse raised her hands above her head. Tom took another step toward her, but before he could react she leapt from the bridge. Tom ran to the side and caught a glimpse of her, crouched atop a van just before it disappeared under the overpass. Tom dashed to the other side and watched as the van drove away. He aimed his pistol, but did not take the shot. It was too dangerous to fire at a freeway full of vehicles. “Dammit!” he shouted into the night, before sliding his pistol back into the holster beneath his jacket.

  ***

  Tom stepped out of the hospital elevator to find a different scene than the one he had left. Federal agents swarmed all around taking photographs, dusting for prints, interviewing witnesses, and setting up security. He was asked to show his identification immediately. He whipped out his CSOS identification card and was permitted entry. He walked past the two guards who had been assigned to Arnulf. Both were being tended to by medical personnel. They had clearly taken a severe beating and Tom frowned to h
imself. How did a hundred and twenty pound woman take out a couple of big, highly trained, armed agents? He came to Arnulf’s room and stepped inside. He found Ian was already there and speaking to Arnulf.

  Ian glanced up and saw Tom. He quickly moved around the bed, took Tom by the arm, and led him outside of the room. “They told me you went after her,” Ian said. Tom nodded. “So?”

  “I shot her,” Tom said.

  “Shot her?”

  “Just winged her though. She escaped.”

  “How?”

  Tom shook his head, still having difficulty believing he had seen what he had. “She leapt off the bridge and landed on top of a van.”

  “Holy crap,” Ian said as he shook his head. “Well, Arnulf is lucky the guards came in when they did. She almost killed him.”

  “Any idea who she is?” Tom asked.

  “No, but we’ve got to assume she’s Russian,” Ian replied. “But Arnulf doesn’t think so.” Tom tilted his head to look at Ian quizzically. “He claims she is some assassin that hunted Nazis during the war. They called her the Valkyrie.”

  “Valkyrie?” Tom asked no one in particular. “Well maybe, if she was hunting them when she was five,” Tom said. “I’d be shocked if she was thirty years old.”

  “That’s basically what everyone else said as well, but Arnulf insists it’s her.”

  “Well maybe that’s what the Russians want him to think. Want us to think.”

  Ian nodded. “Any chance it was that Sickle girl?”

  “No,” Tom said with a confident shake of his head. “This one was fast, but not inhumanly fast. Sickle moves so quick all you see is a blur.” Tom glanced around to see if anyone else was listening. He leaned in close to Ian and lowered his voice. “That doesn’t mean it’s not some other genetically enhanced human. Let’s be honest, we don’t know who or what is out there and this guy has to have a list of enemies as long as my arm.”

  Ian nodded. “Well, whoever she is, she’s dangerous. We should probably bring your team in. I don’t want to take the chance that she’s going to start hunting you guys next.”

  Tom nodded. “I’ll take care of it.” Tom turned to walk away.

  “And Tom,” Ian said causing Tom to spin back around. “Be careful. We’re in new territory here.”

  “Roger that, sir,” he said with a light-hearted half salute and a quick smile before turning back around and walking to the elevator.

  Chapter 15

  Axel sat up on the weight bench and wiped the sweat from his brow with a white towel. He often came to the office gym when he had a lot on his mind. Lifting weights helped him relieve stress. He stood and made his way over to the water-cooler where he removed a paper cup, filled it and took a drink. He was finished with his workout and was just about to take a shower when he noticed Dawn across the room punching a bag. He smiled as he could not help but think how good she looked in her blue tank top and matching workout shorts. He finished the water and tossed the cup into a nearby trashcan before casually strolling toward her.

  Dawn was fighting furiously with the punching bag, slamming her fists, legs, and feet into it. With no one holding it for her the bag rocked back and forth on the chain that secured it to the ceiling. Axel appeared and wrapped his arms around the bag holding it steady for her and leaning much of his weight against it. Dawn paused momentarily when she saw him.

  “Go on,” he smiled. She nodded and began punching the bag once again. “You’re working it hard,” he commented. “Your boyfriend forget your birthday?”

  Dawn laughed. “I use it for stress relief,” she said and then slammed her fist into the bag.

  “What stress?” Axel asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Dawn panted as she continued to punch. “I was almost killed in Siberia.”

  “That’s just part of the job,” Axel smiled.

  Dawn punched the bag one more time and then stopped and stared at him. “I know, but work is a real pain. There is this prick at the office whose life I saved, but he still hasn’t thanked me.”

  Axel smiled. “Tom can be pushy, but prick is a little rough don’t you think?”

  Dawn threw back her head and laughed. “You and I both know I’m not talking about Tom,” she said with a good-natured smile. “Or Rolf.”

  Axel leaned toward her, pushing the bag forward. “Thank you for saving my life,” he said gently, but sincerely.

  “You’re welcome,” she smiled.

  “Why don’t you let buy you dinner?”

  Dawn stared at him for a moment before she finally answered. “Alright, but I need a shower first,” she said.

  “Really?” Axel asked as he straightened. “I was just going to go like this,” he said as he looked down at his sweat-soaked gray cotton shirt. A souvenir from Guantanamo Bay, it had the letters USMC imprinted in black across the chest.

  Dawn crinkled her nose. “In that case, I’ll pass.”

  “I’m joking,” Axel said with a laugh. “Hit the showers, Agent Williams!”

  ***

  The waiter refilled the two glasses with the reasonably priced Malbec wine. Axel thanked him with a nod and took a sip. The restaurant was nice, coats required, but not snooty enough that Axel could not afford it on his government salary. In fact, he patronized it quite often for that very reason. The food was good, the atmosphere classy, and his dates always impressed with his selection of wine. The truth was that Axel did not know the first thing about wine, but he did know how to tip well and that meant the wait staff always remembered him and did their utmost to assist him in impressing his companions.

  Tonight was different, though. He and Dawn were work colleagues and he was not taking her to dinner in an attempt to seduce her. Not that she wasn’t attractive. To the contrary, she was extremely so, but there was something about her that made Axel want to impress her apart from that. Perhaps it was the fact that she had saved his life. Perhaps he still felt bad for how rude he had been to her when they initially met. Whatever the reason, Axel wanted to make a good impression.

  Dawn took a sip of wine and smiled at Axel as she gently placed her glass back on the table. “So, you come here often?” she asked in an attempt to make small talk. They had laughed about Tom’s new codename before dinner. They had shared war stories about Siberia during dinner. Unfortunately now that dinner was over, an uncomfortable lull had fallen in the conversation.

  “What gave you that idea?” Axel asked.

  Dawn chuckled. “The host and waiter knowing your name was one tip off,” she said. Dawn leaned forward, across the table as if to convey a dark secret and Axel did likewise. “Oh, and here’s a tip from a CIA agent, don’t frequent the same places over and over where everyone will learn who you are.” She straightened and sipped her wine again.

  “Thanks for the advice,” Axel smiled as he sipped his own wine. “But you’re a former CIA agent, remember? You’re with us now.”

  “Oh no,” she smiled, “I’m just on loan to the CSOS.”

  Axel tilted his head as he stared at her. “You aren’t going to be a permanent member of the team?” he asked.

  Dawn shook her head. “I don’t think CIA is going to just give me up after they spent so much time and money on me.”

  “But I gave you a codename,” Axel said like a child pleading for a toy. “You got a codename before Canary did and he has been with us from the beginning.” This made Dawn laugh.

  “Nevertheless,” she said, “they’re going to want me back.”

  “Maybe you aren’t as indispensable to them as you think,” Axel said before taking another sip of wine.

  “Excuse me?” she asked as if offended. “You’re the one who seems to think me indispensable.”

  Axel nodded. “Yes, but I’ve seen you in action. It’s clear that the CIA has not.”

  “Well,” she sat back in her chair, “They have. I mean not with live rounds firing at me, but…” She paused to sip her wine. “I mean I’ve never done what I did to tha
t Russian girl.”

  “That’s what I mean,” Axel said with wide eyes.

  “That was crazy right?” Dawn said, her eyes bright and excited. “They told me that emotional stress would help release my abilities, but I never realized what I could do.” Axel’s smile disappeared. “What’s the matter?”

  Axel looked down into his glass. “The first time Kristel…the, um, Russian girl, as you called her, cut me was on the orders of Colonel Arnulf. We were just shy of five years old at the time and he thought that it would help unlock my abilities as well.”

  Dawn stared at him for a moment before speaking. “So you and Sickle have pretty much been enemies your entire lives?”

  Axel shook his head. “No,” he said. “She was my best friend. Arnulf pulled out a pistol and told her to cut me with the knife or he would start shooting us, one-by-one. She obeyed, but she was sobbing as she did it.”

  Dawn reached forward and patted his hand and then left hers on top of his. “Well, she wasn’t sobbing when she did it this time.” Axel met her eyes and then pulled his hand away. Dawn straightened in her seat. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean…” she began, but Axel interrupted her.

  “You want to get out of here?” he asked. “Maybe take a walk?”

  “Yeah,” she nodded with a friendly smile. “A walk sounds nice.” Axel paid the check and soon after he and Dawn were strolling alongside the reflecting pool in the National Mall.

  “You know I lived in DC my whole life and never came down here until a class trip my junior year of high school?” she smiled.

  “That’s the way it always goes, isn’t it? You never take the time to check out the beautiful things right in front of you.”

  Dawn smiled and reached over and took his arm, pulling herself close to him. “So what about you?” she asked. “Where did you grow up? I mean after Germany obviously.”