Destiny

by Jason A. Cheek

  At first, Starfire didn't respond, but as the blood began running down her chin, I felt her body suddenly stiffen. Our Werewolf's predatory nature makes us survivors. Even at this young of an age, our bodies are instinctively drawn to the scent of fresh blood. Within seconds Starfire unconsciously began drinking my life's essence. Closing my eyes, I sighed in relief as my thoughts began to wander once more as I gave thanks to Ukko.

  Faith is a strange concept. During my time on Earth, the Humans I’d encountered during my travels always spoke of faith in their gods, but as I came to learn more about the various religious beliefs of their world. I realized that for most humans, the definition of this concept was very different than the actual dictionary meaning of the word. Most of the religious groups I met espoused a doctrine called monotheism. I’d initially believed that meant their religion had only one deity that they worshiped, but that was not the case. The precepts for these religious followers meant that there existed no other gods except for their own, which they called the one and only true God. This ideaology would have made more sense to me if there were only one belief worldwide, but that was not the case. Numerous religious groups typically surrounded these religions with their own different god that also denied the existence of any other religion’s god. It was as if in denying the truth before their very eyes, these followers could make these other religions cease to exist.

  I guess it did make sense on one level. Faith was used by many of these religions as a weapon to deny the existence of anything contrary to their religious beliefs. By converting or killing the followers of another religion, you, in essence, made their God cease to exist. It was the same general tactic that Loviatar was using against Ukko.

  Still, even after all the time I spent living on Earth among them, I still found Humanity’s precepts of faith difficult to comprehend. No matter what you believed in, the truth was the truth. Denying what was before your eyes made absolutely no sense to me. What someone believes or doesn't believe in shouldn’t change what you believe is right and wrong. The only time a person’s differing religious ideas become an issue is when there is a question in your own heart as to what you believe is the truth.

  Maybe I found the acceptance of such reasoning so difficult to comprehend because of my relationship with Ukko. My status as his Paladin afforded me a unique perspective on the metaphysical realm that most people searching for the truth never experienced. Whenever I gave my classes on Self-Defense and Healing, I also taught the precepts of Ukko. Instead of lying to people that their suffering was a part of some greater good, I told them the simple truth. The universe was not a perfect place, and bad things happened to good people all the time. Tragedy and evil were a part of everyday life, but it was up to us as individuals to take the responsibility of creating the world we wanted to live in.

  Nothing in life was a guarantee. Ukko didn’t have all of the answers, nor was he all-powerful. What he did offer was help in facing the everyday challenges of life and the strength to make the world a better place. Surprisingly enough, the Humans I'd met on Earth had flocked to my teachings of Ukko. Before I knew it, my precepts had become a movement that had begun a ripple across the world.

  My thoughts were interrupted as a feeling of lightheadedness washed through my body. Thankfully, I caught myself before keeling over in exhaustion. It took me several tries, but finally, I was able to focus my mind enough to send my senses flowing into Starfire.

  Immediately, I could tell that my blood had made a difference. Already Starfire’s fever was receding, and the effects of the Fring had lessened dramatically, but still her body was struggling to fight off the ravaging effects of the demon’s venom. Taking a shuddering breath, I realized for now that would have to do. Pulling my wrist from her mouth, I laid Starfire aside before scooping up her sister into my arms.

  Unconsciously, Frostbrand’s fangs immediately sank into my wrist at the scent of blood as my eyes rolled back in my head. I tried to fight my body as it began shutting down, but I’d pushed myself too far. There was nothing left to give. I felt my body pitch forward as everything went black.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Location Earth / John Ferguson:

  “What a complete clusterfuck!”

  The words rolled off of Lieutenant John Ferguson’s lips as he ducked through the last hatch to Seal Team Six’s locker room. His boots rang sharply down the metal corridor with each forceful step reflecting his annoyance as he ran a calloused hand over his smoothly shaven skull. The eight men of Foxtrot squad wisely kept quiet as they followed close behind their operations OIC.

  The pits of his khaki naval service uniform were soaked through from the stress of losing contact with his squads shortly after they’d boarded the refurbished cargo ship that had been docked at the island of Nea Kameni. If that wasn’t bad enough, his assistant officer in charge, junior grade Lieutenant Shawn Thompson, had just informed him that medics had been notified to be on standby for incoming wounded. One of which was the infamous Doctor Evans, Alpha Team’s designated target to be picked up for the mission. He didn’t even want to think about what would happen once Admiral Wright got wind of this disaster. Not bothering to slow down, Ferguson slammed open the solid metal door with a resounding smack from his open palm swearing under his breath once again.

  “I don’t have time for this shit!”

  Striding through the door, Ferguson immediately heard the surprised calls of “ten-hut” and “officer on deck” yelled out around him as SEALs in the middle of stripping out of their gear suddenly snapped to attention. Looking for the source of his irritation Ferguson’s steely eyes swept the room as he bellowed like a Drill Sergeant, while the SEALs behind him quietly bunched up in the doorway.

  “Chief Riggs! Explain to me why there is a medic with Doctor Evans?”

  Not seeing the Chief Petty Officer in his line of sight, Ferguson stopped in mid-blast looking around for the missing squad leader. Before he could question where the Chief might be, he noticed the men around him shifting uncomfortably from side-to-side as they tried not to meet his gaze, while unobtrusively blocking the entrance to the weapons storage lockers towards the back of the room. Something was definitely up. Grinning coldly Ferguson began pushing his way through the SEALs standing in his path, but before he reached the door, it swung open a SEAL and Marine piled out in front of him. At the sight of his angry face, they both immediately snapped to attention.

  For a long moment, Ferguson didn’t say a word as he took in the Marine sergeant’s disheveled uniform and her beet red face. She was a large woman. Not fat, but big boned and muscular, pushing, at least, six-foot-two. Attractive even with her Marine buzz cut. Smiling, he remembered the first time he’d been caught in a compromising position with a certain Corporal Mendez by his Commanding Officer.

  “Sergeant First Class Driscoll, I thought Captain Nicoara was forming up the Marine Raiders in cargo bay three.”

  Still at attention, the sergeant met his gaze unflinching. “Yes Sir, I was on my way there now.”

  “I thought the call to form up came, at least, five minutes ago sergeant?”

  Although his words made her unconsciously flinch, she answered his question with a steady voice. “Yes, Sir, it did. I needed to finish up with Chief Petty Officer Riggs about an issue my squad has been experiencing with our M203s before heading out.”

  “I hope the Chief was able to offer you some insight into the problem. Although I would love to discuss the issue with you further, I would hate for you to be late for Captain Nicoara on my account. Carry-on sergeant.” In spite of himself, he felt his anger dissipated as a grin pulled at his lips. As the Marine sergeant shot for the door, Ferguson raised his voice once more. “Sergeant Driscoll?”

  “Sir?” Coming to a stop in the doorway, the sergeant looked back at him hesitantly.

  Waving a finger up and down the front of his own shirt nonchalantly, Ferguson somehow managed to hold a straight face as he busted her out in front of every
one. “You might want to straighten out the buttons of your MCCUU’s before reporting to the Captain.” The sudden look of embarrassment on her face was classic as the attractive sergeant quickly ducked out of the room with a muttered, “Yes Sir.”

  Turning around Ferguson’s face hardened once more as he got back to the business at hand. “Gentlemen, about the time Alpha squad was returning with Doctor Evans, the CIC lost all contact with the squads assigned to take control of the cargo vessel within minutes of the initial boarding.” Seeing the concerned faces of his team, he quickly continued. “Even though all four squads were captured, we believe there have been no deaths so far.”

  Ferguson heard the muttered whispers around him as he saw the surprised disbelief that met his words in the faces of his SEALs, but no one openly addressed their concerns as he began issuing orders. “As of this time, both Alpha and Foxtrot squads will begin preparations for hostage recovery operations. The Army Rangers already on the island will move into position for fire support while the Marine Raiders take over the Rangers’ defensive positions.” Ignoring the questioning looks, he continued in a flat voice that offered no room for discussion. “I want everyone geared up and ready to go by zero nine hundred hours. Now move out!”

  Noticeably subdued, his men began getting geared up once again as Ferguson stepped in front of Alpha squad’s Chief Petty Officer before he could turn away. “Not you Riggs, you’re coming with me.” Ignoring the man’s scowl, Ferguson began walking back the way he’d come. “I’ll let you explain to Admiral Wright why there is a medic with Doctor Evans.”

  Riggs caught up to him a moment later swearing. “Dammit Sir, that crazy bitch took out two of my operators.” Seeing the Lieutenant’s dark look, Riggs talked fast. “She jumped us on our way back to the chopper. Shapley is so busted up that med won’t release him for duty for at least a week, and Bean might never walk right again. I don’t know what the hell kind of doctor she is, but it was either knocking her ass out or shooting her.”

  Ferguson rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Seriously Chief?”

  “I’m telling you, Sir. She wasn’t down with coming quietly.”

  Not bothering to argue the point, Ferguson pressed his lips together in a frown as they walked in silence. They hadn’t made it halfway down the next corridor before the Chief sided up next to him. “Sir, why aren’t the Marine Raiders going in with us? Hell, for that matter, why is the Army even here?”

  Scowling, Ferguson didn’t bother to hide his annoyance at the situation. It wasn’t that the Army Rangers weren’t a solid unit, it just rankled him to use another branch’s forces when their own were readily available for the operation. “Admiral Wright is old school.” Seeing Riggs’ raised eyebrows he explained further. “He can’t accept that his Marine components’ Commanding Officer is led by a woman. This whole concept of integrating women into combat has the old man frothing at the mouth.”

  Riggs’ pursed his lips in a low whistle. “I’d bet all of next week’s pay that Lieutenant Colonel Griffith gave the Old Man a piece of her mind.”

  "Have you served with her before?”

  “Yea, in Afghanistan.”

  “Well, I wasn’t there when they went at it, but I saw her face leaving the Old Man’s office.” Ferguson grimaced at the memory. “If looks could kill we’d have a new Admiral.”

  “Trust me, you don’t want to be on that woman’s bad side.” Snorting at Ferguson’s questioning glance, Riggs kept on talking. “She’s hardcore. The last time I served under her was during Operation Enduring Freedom. She was the Commander in charge of Special Operations to secure the Kabul province, and you know what kind of shit storm that turned out to be.”

  “Yea, I remember that story. I was still working with AFRICOM, but we heard about that Blackwater contractor fiasco all the way down in Tanzania.”

  “Yea, we’ll she was the Commander that got stuck cleaning up that mess, and you know how those Haji act towards female officers.”

  Heading down the last corridor the conversation instantly died as Ferguson switched back into officer mode. Shooting the Chief a hard look he growled under his breath. “Don’t open your mouth unless ordered to.” Not waiting for a response, Ferguson came to a stop in front of the Marine sentries guarding the room, but before he could reach for the handle, the closest Marine stepped in front of him.

  “Hold up, Sir.”

  “The Admiral is expecting us, Sergeant.”

  “Sorry Lieutenant, but I need you to wait here. The Admiral’s orders were very specific.” Before Ferguson could respond, the Sergeant was already knocking lightly on the door. Hearing a muffled response, the Sergeant quickly slipped inside the room as voices in a heated discussion momentarily floated into the corridor. Catching the second Marine’s eye, Ferguson nodded towards the closed door. “Who’s all inside, Private?”

  For a split second, the Private weighed his orders against a direct command from an officer before snapping out a response. “Sir, only the Admiral and the Doctor.” Before the Marine could say more, the door popped opened wide enough for the sergeant to motion them through. A quick glare and nod from the Admiral got them both seated at the short table across from Doctor Evans.

  Seeing the auburn haired beauty for the first time, Ferguson’s jaw dropped open. She was the splitting image of Nara Evans from the Crypt Creeper Series. Speechlessly he watched her enormous breasts bounce as she half-rose to yell into the video conference screen hanging on the wall at the end of the room.

  “There is nothing you can bloody well do to change my mind. You think you can steal my discovery out from underneath me without a fight? This isn’t the United States, Agent Kurwoski. I’m a British citizen. International law is very specific in regards to hijacking, kidnapping and theft just to name the worst of your crimes. I have no doubts my attornies will tack on a whole lot more to shove down your officious throats, let alone the embarrassment your government will face once Prime Minister Cameron gets the press involved in this fiasco.”

  Annoyed, Admiral Wright leaned forward raising his voice. “Doctor Evans, I’m sure no one will be aware of your current situation until we allow it, so you might as well sit down and listen to Agent Kurwoski before you end up in even more trouble.”

  “Shut your bloody mouth wanker!”

  Ferguson’s jaw audibly snapped shut as the Doctor’s head whipped around to focus on the Admiral. From this angle he could see the whole side of her face was seriously bruised and her eye half-swollen shut. Trying to ignore the impressive shiner, he tried to look anywhere but at her face, only to find his eyes locking instead on the Doctor’s impressive rack as he cringed inside. It was never a good thing to be in the same room when a high ranking officer was being chewed out.

  “I would appreciate if you would allow me to handle this, Admiral Wright.”

  Unabashed, the onscreen woman cut the Admiral off as Doctor Evan’s suddenly looked their way for the first time. Seeing Riggs sitting next to him, the Doctor’s eyes suddenly blazed with hate.

  “What the bloody hell is that imbecile doing here?”

  It happened almost quicker than Ferguson could follow. One second the Doctor was yelling at the Admiral and the next she was lunging over the table with her clenched fist pulled back. Either way, Riggs was laid out on the ground, which seemed to calm the Doctor down a bit. It took a good ten minutes to get everything straightened out. By that time Riggs was back in his chair holding the side of his face, while Agent Kurwoski and Doctor Evans went toe-to-toe with each other as the three men watched the action in silence.

  “Doctor Evans, again I apologize for the misunderstanding of the men that were assigned to pick you up. Just to be clear, your dig now falls under a unique clause under the umbrella of global security and Prime Minister Cameron is well aware of NATO’s presence here. While there will be modifications to the overall security of the site and the dispensation of any artifacts that are recovered, we are not taking over your dig per se
. On the contrary, we will not only validate the claim of your discoveries to the international community, but I believe we can offer you some very important assistance with a relic that you’ve already discovered. Something I believe you’ve named the Eteocretan Key.” The noise of paper feeding into the small room’s fax machine momentary filled the silence as Agent Kurwoski grinned knowingly at the Doctor’s stunned face. “If you would just take a look at the printouts I’m sending over now, I believe that will help clarify some of what we have to offer.”

  Angrily Doctor Evans snatched the first sheet of paper that the printer spit out. Almost immediately her face lost the angry snarl that she’d held during the entire discussion as her eyes intently studied the symbols on the page before her. With an incredulous look back to the video screen, the Doctor snatched out the next page. Once again her eyes quickly scanned the images before her deep in thought. This time, when Ferguson saw the Doctor’s eyes all signs of hostility were gone as she looked up incredulously.

  “Where did you get this?”

  Agent Kurwoski’s eyes seemed to twinkle as she answered enigmatically. “All that I will say at this time is that these pages were scanned from a very special book that was left in my care. The rest will be explained in detail once we arrive on site, but in the interim, I would like to clear up this misunderstanding and get you and Ms. Wrigley back to your dig. If that’s alright with you Doctor Evans.”

  Sitting back in her chair, the Doctor scanned the room with calculating eyes as a matching smile slowly came to her lips. “If you are willing to discuss the remuneration of certain costs associated with the first phase of the dig and assist in furnishing the necessary equipment needed for the next phase. I believe we might be able to come to an agreement.”

  “Excellent. Admiral, please have Ms. Wrigley brought in. We have work to do.”