by Greg Ballan
Erik sighed. His Esper senses were shrieking. He could detect the presence of powerful beings but not the hostility he felt during his encounter with the wraith. But there was still the sensation of danger. It was out there lurking just beyond the relative safety of Vatican City. He brushed his fingers across the silver belt and buckle around his waist. "We may see some more action my silver friend. Stay sharp."
The Sentient Staff growled a soft acknowledgment.
Erik and Martin were led to a seldom-used helipad. A small helicopter was already prepped for launch and the area was awash in rotor splash. Erik's long hair flew wildly in the wind as he studied the frail looking chopper.
"I see you're flying in style."
Erik dropped his duffel bag as he studied his ride. "Yeah, our friends really rolled out the red carpet."
The nervous bishop frantically gestured for Erik to board. As the detective entered the craft, the holy man handed him a small wrapped gift box. "For your wife, Mr. Knight. It is the finest gift we have in our shops."
The detective's jaw dropped. "You just saved my backside, Your Excellency. In all the ruckus I completely forgot."
"May God watch over you and your family."
Erik shook the man's hand. "Thank you." He turned toward his old friend.
"Looks like this is goodbye, Counselor," Erik placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I can stay, Martin. You don't have to go through this alone."
Denton smiled, his eyes heavy. "Thank you, but you need to get home to your family. I'll stop by as soon as I get back. I'll do what I can to keep digging here in the meantime. My gut tells me we don't have the whole story yet. There's more that our Vatican friends aren't telling us, that much my gut knows for sure."
Erik nodded in agreement. He glanced back at the bishop as the holy man walked away from the helicopter. "Yeah, I get that impression too. There's more going on here than we've been told." Erik shook his head. "As if this situation could be any more unbelievable."
Denton managed a smile. "If I find anything, I'll call you." He extended his hand and the two men exchanged a firm handshake.
"Just be careful and tread lightly, Martin. I don't need you getting killed by some 'creepie crawlie' that goes bump in the night."
Denton laughed. "That's the epitome of irony coming from you!"
Erik chuckled as he turned to board the helicopter.
As the detective settled in, he watched Neko escort Martin away from the helipad. There was a brief jerk and the helicopter ascended into the clear skies. Erik watched his friend continue to shrink as he was carried farther away. Whatever forces were outside of Vatican City waiting for him were probably quite put out. "God, please watch over my friend. I don't have many."
Barely fifteen minutes had passed as the small helicopter landed outside a small airstrip. The detective spotted a twin engine propeller aircraft at the beginning of the runway. The engines were running and the plane's flaps moved back and forth as the pilots performed pre-flight checks on the aircraft.
"A Douglas DC 3, Mr. Knight, it's not exactly a Learjet but she's rock solid where it counts." The helicopter pilot pointed toward the plane.
Erik smirked, his face must have telegraphed his surprise over the aircraft. "I'm sure it is."
He grabbed his bag, shook the pilot's hand, and headed toward the plane.
◆◆◆
The chopper pilot watched as the DC 3's engines throttled up. The sound increased and a dusty wake formed a thin cloud behind the aircraft. The plane lurched forward, accelerating down the runway. The plane's rear wheel slowly left the ground as the speed increased. After another twenty yards the aircraft left the ground and ascended upward toward the clouds. The chopper pilot studied the plane, watching until it was out of sight. He pulled a cell phone from his flight suit. "You wanted to know when the American left. I just watched him take off. He's on his way to London."
The pilot listened briefly.
"I don't know what flight he's taking. There wasn't enough time to engage him in small talk. There are only a few flights to Boston from London. I'm sure your associates can cover each aircraft." He paused nodding to the voice on the other end of the phone.
"Yes, I'll let you know when the old man leaves too. Then my debts are clear, right?"
The pilot smiled and sighed with relief. "Excellent." The pilot throttled up the engine of his helicopter and headed back toward Vatican City. There was still time to make the floating poker game in Venice if he hurried.
◆◆◆
Erik stared out the small window watching the sky overhead. The muffled sounds of the plane's piston engines took some getting used to. He stared at his cell phone and was shocked to see the phone registered a wifi signal. The detective needed information from a source he could trust. He hadn't reached out to his old friend for a few years and hoped the hacker he had in mind would be open to doing him a favor after so long. Erik walked toward the cockpit and leaned inside.
"I'm not much of an expert on flying and airplane electronics but I noticed I had a phone signal from a wireless source. Would I be screwing things up by making a phone call?"
The pilots laughed. "Not at all Agent Knight. This bird's old but she has the latest electronics and software. There's also a stocked refrigerator in the back, feel free to help yourself."
The detective nodded. "Thank you … I just may do that."
Erik went back to his seat and stared at his phone, it was 9:30 in the morning, which meant it was 3:30 in the morning in Boston. "Screw it! I know he's up." He dialed the phone number wondering how his old friend would react to hearing his voice.
"Hello, Charlie. It's been a long time."
"Erik Knight. Or should I say Special Agent Erik Knight, again. Did you find the life of a gym rat lacking in adventure and intrigue?" The voice on the phone responded in a friendly yet aloof tone.
Erik wasn't surprised Charlie Gallagher knew he'd been reinstated. Some computer somewhere registered his reinstatement and it was probably only a matter of seconds before the computer genius intercepted the data. Gallagher's aid was critical during Shanda's abduction. The ex-CIA computer analyst had a computer system that could literally hack and track any mainframe anywhere.
"You've been keeping tabs on me, Charlie. I'm touched. So, how's business? Hopefully the economic downturn isn't hurting you all that much."
Gallagher's laugh filled the tiny speaker. "Come now, Special Agent Knight. You're fishing, my old friend. You know I always find a way to adapt and survive whatever the economic conditions. After all, knowledge is power and with my access to knowledge, I can pretty much rule the world."
Erik knew his old contact wasn't simply blustering. Gallagher literally had access to every existing scrap of data and that made him more dangerous than any standing army or terrorist cell.
"Charlie, world domination wouldn't suit you … dealing with petty politicians, political uprisings and a plethora of governments looking to terminate your rule would make you a nervous wreck. You strike me as a behind the scenes kind of guy."
"Ahh my old friend you know me too well. I'm happy taking my slice of the pie under the radar and invisible to the powers that be. But I'm already weary of this polite banter, I assume you have a reason for calling me at this ungodly hour…" the voice paused… "And from over France in a slow-moving aircraft no less."
The detective raised an eyebrow. Gallagher had managed to impress him again. "Charlie, I need to ask you a really farfetched question. Please don't laugh."
"Fire away. I'll do my best."
"Have you heard of the Ethereal War, and have you ever heard of an entity called Molec?"
Erik's phone was silent for several seconds. There were several hisses and clicks but no response to his question. "Charlie? Are you there?"
"I'm here Erik. I just switched over to a secure burst mode. My friend, if you're involved with the Ethereals, I highly suggest you reverse course immediately. There are some pieces of infor
mation it's not healthy to have or even know. You're walking on that line. I strongly advise you step back."
Erik frowned. "So I take that as a yes."
"Yes."
"Can you do some research for me on a biblical topic?" Erik whispered, feeling foolish for doing so on an empty plane.
"As they say, Detective, what's in it for me?"
"My eternal gratitude and I'll owe you a favor."
"That's pretty thin but I'll take it. What do you need?"
"I need information on the Lost Scrolls of The Apostle Paul. Specifically sections that refer to the son of Adam and the stars. Is that something you can dig up for me?"
"I see you're going to ignore my warning."
"Sorry, I'm already past the line. Will you help me? It's pretty important."
The connection was silent for three solid seconds. "Yeah, I'll do a search and see what I can find."
"I'd appreciate that. I'll swing by when I get back. Do you still take your coffee black with three sugars?"
"I do, but right now you have bigger problems than buying me coffee. I'm tapping into a Russian spy satellite. You have five small blips closing in your location, Special Agent Knight. The returns don't read as metallic objects. They should be appearing on your aircraft's radar in about two minutes. I suggest you get that antiquated relic you're in on the ground or climb into a cloud bank."
Erik's danger sense triggered and his staff howled a low pitch hum. "Thanks for the heads up, Charlie. I'll let the pilots know." Erik closed the connection and moved to the cockpit.
The plane's radar had just registered the closing objects and the pilots were altering their course to avoid any chance of collision. As they adjusted the aircraft's heading the objects followed suit and continued to close.
"They're after us, no doubt." The copilot glared out the cockpit into the sky.
"But what are they?" Erik studied the five blips. "Can we go any faster?"
"Yes. These aren't exactly original equipment engines, but if push too fast we won't have enough fuel to make our destination. We'd have to land and refuel. Whatever connection you were hoping to make wouldn't happen."
Erik frowned. "These things aren't 'Friendlies.' My gut tells that much. I'd rather have to refuel and catch a later flight than dogfight in this prop-driven tin can, however tweaked it may be. Plus we're outgunned five to one."
The pilot nodded in agreement. He looked over at his copilot. "He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day. Let's get us some distance." The pilot pointed toward the unoccupied navigation seat. "I suggest you grab that empty chair and buckle down, Mr. Knight. The ride's about to get bumpy."
The engine roared louder and the plane lurched forward. The pilot banked the craft hard over, drastically altering their course in a desperate evasive maneuver. Erik felt his stomach churn as the plane creaked under the strain of the aerobatics.
"I'm gonna try for that cloud cover. It's another 8,000 feet up and off our flight plan but even at this increased speed, our friends out there are still closing."
Something was approaching the plane. Erik's enhanced vision saw it in the distance. "Bank to the left, hard!" he screamed.
The pilot looked at him puzzled.
"Do it or were dead!"
The pilot didn't argue. The plane pitched forty degrees off true, banking a hard left turn. As the plane lurched, a burning orb of fiery red passed the aircraft missing it by scant feet.
"What the Hell was that?" the copilot screamed as another searing orb sped to the right of their plane.
"We're under attack!" the pilot screamed as he studied his instruments. "Those blips are still closing."
Erik focused his Esper vision. His eyes burned fiery blue casting an eerie glow off the cockpit glass. He spotted one of their adversaries. Charlie was right. The thing wasn't metallic. It was a manlike creature with large beating wings–black bat-like wings. The creature looked like something from folklore. "A gargoyle."
"What?" the copilot stammered as he watched the detective's burning eyes study the horizon.
The plane shuddered as something slammed into the tail section. Alarms blared through the cockpit and the plane pitched forward, dropping altitude. Another fiery orb shot ahead of the falling plane just missing the wounded aircraft.
"We're losing hydraulics. I have to switch over to the backup. She'll be a bear to handle now at this speed." The pilot desperately struggled to level the plane.
Erik could sense all five creatures. They had the same evil presence as the wraith. "We need to level the playing field somehow."
"We're unarmed, Mr. Knight. If you have any ideas, I'm open to suggestions. Right now we're a sitting duck, so to speak. I know you possess some unworldly abilities. Might I suggest now would be a good time to use them!"
"I'm working on it." Erik closed his eyes and gestured with his hands. The sky around them darkened and black thunderheads dominated the once clear skies. Heavy winds battered the stricken plane.
"If this is your idea of helping, I'd ask that you reconsider!"
The hybrid no longer heard the voices of the human pilots. His warrior senses were focused on the flying demons closing on the stricken craft. He manipulated wind currents producing a powerful vortex blowing two of the creatures miles away. He knew that wouldn't be enough to deter them. He focused on the static electricity building inside the black clouds. Telekinetic receptors and alien DNA projected inhuman commands. The elements, as if by magic, responded. Angry jagged arcs of energy shattered the darkness with a bright blue curtain of light.
"ANO' HAR OTAHL!!!!"
A lance of energy leapt from the massive ionized thunderhead striking a target. The creature exploded in a fiery plume, raining molten bits of armored flesh on the fleeing plane. A sea of hail and raindrops quickly extinguished the burning embers.
Another orb struck the DC3. The plane's left engine was enveloped in a sea of fire and smoke. Both pilots worked to shut the motor down and seal off the fuel supply to the burning engine. The plane bucked hard from the impact and plummeted toward the earth leaving a smoky contrail in the darkened sky. Three gargoyles followed the craft as it fell from the sky, continuing to fire more burning orbs.
Twin bolts of lightning vaporized two of the closing demons as the third managed to grab the aircraft with its dark claws. Armored flesh tore into the plane's thin metal skin and punctured the inner cabin.
"Mr. Knight! Mr. Knight! We're being boarded! One of those damn things is tearing through the cabin!"
Erik's senses slowly focused back on the cockpit as he heard the pilots scream. There was nothing more he could do. One of the creatures had made it to the plane, and they were still falling from the sky. The pilots had managed to level the stricken aircraft but Erik could hear the plane's one working engine sputtering and hesitating.
"What's happening?"
The copilot looked over, his face white with panic. "We're losing our port side engine. Something's wrong with the fuel flow."
The wailing moan of air from the back of the plane caused all three men to glance back. A large eight-foot creature with burning red eyes stood at the tail section. Its mouth glowed with a burning hot fire."
"Staff!!! Shield, NOW!!"
Erik's brute force severed his safety harness as the Sentient Staff flowed like living liquid metal forming a silvery round disk on his left forearm. The creature launched a fireball from its mouth. The flaming orb slammed against the shield. Erik deflected the force of the impact but the flaming shards ignited the fabric seats and curtains covering the windows. "Fire!" he shouted to the pilots as he rushed the massive black creature. Erik slammed the rim of his makeshift shield into the large creature's throat. The metallic clang reverberated throughout the burning cabin. The gargoyle roared in rage and swung a massive club-like fist down upon him. Erik barely managed to raise his shield to absorb the blow. The physical strength of his opponent was staggering and the blow nearly drove him to his knees. Erik
willed his body to grow stronger. The enhanced strength and power flowed through him. Before the creature could strike down again, he used his shield like a battering ram, pushing the beast backward. The creature fell onto its back and Erik slammed the rim of his shield into its throat again hoping to decapitate the monster. Even in his enhanced human mode he wasn't strong enough to cut through the beast's rocky hide. The creature swatted at him like an errant fly knocking him twenty feet backwards.
The gargoyle stood and tried to flex its massive wings in the cramped fuselage. Erik's senses briefly registered the sound of a fire extinguisher and he caught the odor of compressed CO2. Erik tensed his forearm. Bioelectric plasma began to radiate as his body gathered more and more internal energy. If he couldn't out-muscle his opponent, he'd burn through it!
"No! You blast that thing in here, you'll do even more damage!" The copilot came up from behind the battered detective holding a second fire extinguisher.
Erik watched as the demon approached. He noticed the floor buckling under its intense mass. He had to change completely. It was the only way to combat the gargoyle's power.
"You two seem to know a great deal about me and my abilities."
"Vatican secrets are fleeting, Agent Knight. Right now I can only hope you're as good as your press."
Erik nodded. "Let's find out. Take a step back. This is about to get ugly." He willed his staff back to its cylindrical form. "Okay you hellbeast … you wanna dance … let's dance! I AM THE WARRIOR!!!! The detective rushed the gargoyle, his body bursting out of his clothes. Chrome-armored flesh replaced pale human skin in a matter of seconds.
The two powerhouses collided in the middle of the sixty-five foot aircraft. The impact sent a shock wave through the DC3's metal skeleton. Even with the hybrid's expanded size, he was still smaller than his lumbering opponent. The smaller silver warrior pushed his larger opponent back toward the tail section of the aircraft, manhandling his stunned opponent. The gargoyle slammed its fists into the hybrid's armored back with its full, unfettered might. The powerful Esper warrior ignored the pain from those dreadful blows, attempting to keep its larger foe pinned until the pilots could regain control of the damaged aircraft. The silver warrior launched two uppercuts into the creature's torso. Armored flesh slammed into armored flesh. The weaker rock hide of the gargoyle fractured. The creature roared in pain and shock, flailing desperately to toss off its opponent. Large stony wings thrashed angrily, damaging the aircraft's frail inner structure.