***
Location Earth / Ryan Moss:
Breaking off the video teleconference connection, Agent Moss leaned back in his chair studying the dark haired woman on the other side of the worn conference table. Deep in thought she intently flipped through the pictures from the archeological site on the massive HDTV screen mounted on the wall at the far end of the room. Even now it still amazed him how much he’d come to trust this capable woman in the short time they’d come to know one another. Who would have imagined after their rocky introduction at the CTA Headquarters that they’d wind up working together just weeks later for the National Clandestine Service in Washington?
Reading the blocky print through the frosted glass on conference room’s door, Ryan mentally shook his head once again at the name, Extracurricular Action Group. Above the letters were the seal of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and the name of their organization, Special Activities Division, better known as SAD to the covert agencies around the world.
It could have been worst. The powers that be could have chosen to call their newly minted subdivision the Extraterrestrial Action Group instead, which would have removed any chance for them to have been taken seriously by the other Department of Defense organizations. Ryan took it as a good sign that they were associated with such a highly respected group. It meant someone high-up was actually taking this new threat seriously. The CIA’s Special Operations Group personnel were selected from the various top tier combat mission teams such as Delta Force, DEVGRU, and MARSOC that were responsible for dealing with most of the high-level military threats and intelligence operations around the world.
Although unlike the other special operation agencies, their operatives had the additional requirement of being Ukko qualified. Surprisingly enough, they were finding there were plenty of operatives amongst the various Joint Special Operation Command organizations that could fulfill this last qualification with ease, which was causing an uproar of sorts among the upper brass in Washington. Probably due to the fact that it signified a dramatic shift in the Judeo-Christian ethical belief structure that many Conservative Republicans in Congress took for granted as the de facto religious standard for most soldiers serving in the various branches of the Armed Forces.
Looking around, Ryan held back a grin as he took in the manufactured press wood throughout the room. Like most of the organizations he’d worked for during his time as a Federal employee, the office emanated a purely functional design that seemed to be a common trait for governmental buildings contracted from the lowest bidder. Faded pastel colors marked the furnishings as obvious leftovers from another era, which was a sharp contrast to the shiny black and silver plastic of the state of the art technology that had been brought in a few days ago. Just another sign of how quickly the EAG Headquarters had been thrown together.
A sharp elbow to his rib brought Ryan’s thoughts back into focus. Sitting up abruptly, he nodded a quick thank you to Cindy as Doctor Gina Robinson, their resident physicist, addressed the EAG’s Director of Operations, Sharon Strafford. “So far I’ve identified four distinct new species.” The screen flipped to an almost solid wall of slate gray creatures as Ryan involuntarily shuddered. “Although the thick bone plating, boney spikes and fangs are noticeably different than species zero-one from the incursion in Florida, I would put these creatures within the same family. I’ve designated this newest species as zero-one-A. Since the average height, mass and features of these specimens are well within the ranges of species zero-one, I would expect their general capabilities to be similar in nature. At the last count five hundred of these creatures have been uncovered at the site.” The screen flipped as a massive bullheaded humanoid creature wearing heavy armor reminiscent of a Roman Legionnaire appeared on the screen as the biologist momentarily struggled with some internal conflict before continuing her spiel.
“I imagine we are all familiar with the obvious physical characteristics of species zero-seven. These creatures average height ranges from six to eight feet in height. Although their weapons and armor look primitive, they have the markings of being enhanced by quantum mechanics.”
Species zero-seven and quantum mechanics, Ryan covered his mouth as he momentarily choked back a laugh. The new creatures were obviously Minotaurs. Leave it to scientists to refute the obvious. The brainiacs on the team were still struggling with the alien concepts. As a group, they’d refused to use terminology such as Rök runes, which was the name of the writing given to the markings that were used to access the eightfold structure of each element, a component in what Startüm’s people referred to as metaphysical science. Instead of using this simple terminology the scientists on the team grouped the new discoveries as a previously unknown aspect of quantum mechanics. Using a modified periodic table they broke down each known element into three parts. The first was the composition that made up a physical object’s typical elemental state on a normal periodic table, while the second was the four distinct properties that supposedly made up an object metaphysical composition.
Together the four properties formed the last part of the equation, which was being called the fifth element. The chart was still mostly blank since they’d only been able to identify a few earth elements to fill in the blanks from Startüm’s notes. Still, this meant that every known element had an enhanced state that could be combined in new ways to fabricate material structures that had never been seen before in nature. They were already using what they’d learned to begin research on new weapon systems, but even he could understand the possibilities this opened up for the development of future technologies. Once again Ryan focused on Doctor Robinson’s report as she began discussing the Minotaurs’ possible threat level.
“Due to this fact alone I have marked species zero-seven as extremely dangerous.” The screen changed again as another mythological creature was displayed before them. “Lastly, we have species zero-eight. Although the reptilian lower half is similar in certain respects to species zero-two, the similarity between the two ends there. As you can see from these pictures, species zero-eight’s upper torso appears almost perfectly humanoid in shape, except for the hair-like projections of the upper epidermal structure that are Ophidian in appearance.”
Once again Ryan bit back a smile as the Doctor droned on. Like most people he’d seen the movie Clash of the Titans enough while growing up to recognize a Gorgon when he saw one. He did roll his eyes when she listed the unknown threat level as highly lethal and possibly on par with species zero-two. Every race they’d met so far from this other world was freaking off the charts deadly!
The night of invasion had left Ryan Moss a changed man. He was painfully aware of just how powerful the enemy truly was, and he was sure the smash and grab force they’d fought against weren’t the enemy’s heaviest units by far. All that humanity ever had going for them was their advance technology and their ability to adapt, but, at present, not a single high-tech weapon had proven effective against this new threat. If they were going to have any chance of surviving their next encounter, Ryan knew they had to get their act together fast. The only thing they had to help them get stronger was the Book of Ukko and the Ukkodian religion left behind by Startüm before he was dragged back to his world. Unfortunately, no self-respecting scientist or physicist wanted to touch the book with a ten-foot pole no matter what truths it held. The hubris of it all made Ryan want to scream in frustration.
No matter how much everyone wanted to ignore the issue at hand, the simple facts of the matter were that Humanity was behind the eight ball. Whatever world these races came from, it made them physically more powerful and tougher than anything on Earth. This archeological site, even though it was almost thirty-five hundred years old, could hold the key to unlocking the basis for these creatures’ technology. As the physicist completed wrapping up her presentation, Director Strafford addressed the room.
“Thank you for your detailed analysis Doctor. Does anyone else have anything to add to the current situation repor
t?”
Looking hard at the Doctor, Ryan leaned forward aggressively addressing the Director. “I don’t have anything to add to the SITREP, Ma’am. What I do want to know is the status of the research and development teams’ progress in translating Startüm’s Rök rune concepts into something that will work with modern weapon systems.”
Sitting up abruptly, Doctor Robinson huffed out loud. “The religious drivel in that book you love to go on about has nothing to do with actual science. My team has been assigned the task of understanding the actual quantum physics behind this mumbo jumbo you’ve brought to the government’s attention. It will be years before we can translate these mystical theories into hard-science and actual production-”
The thunderclap of Ryan’s open palm slamming onto the conference room’s table made everyone jump as he cut the Doctor off in midsentence. “This religious drivel as you like to call it can turn an ordinary stainless steel blade into a weapon that can slice through modern Chobham armor like a hot knife through butter. The Book of Ukko has detailed formulas already developed for many of the heavy metals that are currently being used in weapon production. It should be relatively simple to develop some of our existing weapon platforms to use for-“
Shooting to her feet, Doctor Robinson screeched in indignation. “You can go to hell if you think I’m going to develop weapon systems that can only be powered by a bunch of crazy cultists!”
Shaking off Cindy’s warning hand, Ryan struggled to keep his voice under control. “Lady, I don’t really care what you think one way or another about Ukkodians. Right now my only concern is that my combat teams are not practicing with modern carbines, but rune covered samurai swords to prepare for the next invasion that comes to our world. We don’t even have the tech to use bows and arrows. All that I care about is that my people have weapons to fight with that aren’t based on eighteenth century technology.”
Raising her voice to be heard, Director Strafford cut them both off. “You can both sit down and shut up or get the hell out of my HQ!”
For a long second, Ryan and the Doctor glared at each other over the conference room table, when Kurwoski’s sudden exclamation broke the tension. “This just doesn’t make any sense!”
Annoyed, the Director snapped at the dark haired woman next to her. “What doesn’t make any sense?”
“The attached CIC analysis states this battleground is evidence of a previous invasion of Earth. They’re questioning the validity of any assistance we received from Startüm. This conclusion is plain wrong. Just because Startüm believed the portal he passed through on Irlendria was the only connection between our worlds doesn’t make him the enemy. The only reason I sent Doctor Evans a copy of the Rök runes was because I wanted to know if they matched the symbols on her Eteocretan Key. I figured if the Rök runes matched then Doctor Evans might be willing to hear us out after that fiasco with the SEALs picking her up. It was a shot in the dark that worked. I wasn’t trying to say this was proof that Startüm’s people couldn’t be trusted. We wouldn’t be where we are now if it hadn’t been for the knowledge he’s given us so far.”
“I’d have thought the proof that these runes are a match would have just strengthened the CIC’s threat analysis.”
Seeing where Beth was going, Ryan caught the EAG’s Paramilitary Operations Officer’s steely blue eyes. “Just because the runes on the Minotaur’s armor and weapons are a match, it doesn’t necessarily mean these forces were here to invade Earth, nor does it explain how or why these forces ended up on Earth thirty-five hundred years ago in our past.”
“That’s exactly my point!” Taking control of the presentation computer’s mouse, Beth flipped back to a top down image of the entire dig. “When I first saw this battle scene something about it just didn’t seem to fit with the CIC’s analysis. I mean seriously, did any of them really take a look at these Minotaurs?” Quickly Beth began highlighting the areas she thought were relevant to her analysis. “This isn’t an invading force coming to earth, but a ragtag group of survivors fighting for their lives. Their formations are positioned to hold the Scourge in a bottleneck and their equipment is a torn-up mess.” Flipping through the various warriors, Beth drew arrows on the images to make her point. “You can see these lines here were starting to be overrun when something just sealed the entire chamber.” Quickly she zoomed in on a figure in one of the crystalline tombs. “Look at this Minotaur’s face. This crystalline structure didn’t form slowly. Whatever happened must have occurred nearly instantaneously.”
No one spoke as Director Strafford went through the images once again on her own. Sitting back thoughtfully in her chair, she came to a decision. “Agent Kurwoski, I have to say your analysis makes more sense of the actual physical evidence we currently have, which makes me question how the CIC’s came up with their threat assessment. For now, the EAG needs to have boots on the ground at the site. Since you’ve obviously made a connection with Doctor Evans, you might as well take the lead on this. Agent Moss, you will be in charge of the team’s security. Plan on taking along two of your enhanced combat teams.”
With a pained look on his face, Stonebridge spoke up. “Ma’am, Task Force Sixty is already on-site. Do we really need more security than that for an ancient tomb?”
“As Agent Moss so succinctly pointed out, if the proverbial shit does hit the fan none of the forces present are equipped to deal with the situation. I’d rather have our teams in place and not need them then wish I’d sent them along.” Looking back at the group the Director kept on talking.” Go ahead and head out now. I want your team wheels-up within the hour.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Beth joined Ryan heading for the door when the Director's voice stopped him in the doorway.
“Agent Moss?”
“Ma’am?”
“While you’re away on the mission, I’ll be working with Doctor Robinson about getting that heavy rifle design you came up with into production.”
Ryan almost laughed out loud as the physicist’s face turned beet red at the Director’s words. “Thank you, Ma’am.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Location Irlendria / Nessa Manitou:
Nessa’s lungs burned as she made her way deeper into the Great Forest. Time was hard to determine in the dense foliage, but her best guess was that the first war drums had begun beating around midday. Since then, the entire forest had reverberated with the thunderous rumble as more and more drums picked up the call, while all around her the woodland was slowly being enveloped in a smoky-white haze that covered everything. Trees began rising out of the murky mist barely ten feet in front of Nessa as the visibility dropped to almost nothing, forcing her to move carefully through the woods at a plodding walk least she kill herself.
It had taken nearly a week of hard travel to reach the outer edge of the ancient greenwoods. Nessa had heard stories of the extensive destruction the Elven homeland had suffered from the Tuonellian invasion, but this was the first time she’d seen the devastation with her own eyes. Over the last forty-seven years, a new growth of young trees had spread across the hundreds of square miles covering the worst of the forest’s scars. Unfortunately, it would take several centuries before the land’s terrible scars were completely healed.
Although the Elven Clans were her people’s longtime allies, ever since the Great War they had become violently aggressive to any intruders entering into their domain uninvited. The High Elf Clan had most notably enforced this hostile stance, but from the rumors she’d heard on the plains, the Forest Elves were not much better. The only hope she had for completing her quest lay in making contact with the Wild Elves first. If anyone would grant her safe passage through the forest and help her find this last Paladin Luonnotar had sent her to seek, it would be her childhood friend, Enelya.
Nessa’s pulse quickened as she remembered the touch of Enelya’s soft hands and the taste of her lavender lips. It happened so very long ago, when her mother lost her life leading the counterattack that drove the Tu
onellians from the Elven homeland. It was also the first time Wakinyan had come for her.
The young of the Elven Clans and several Centaur Tribes had been hidden deep within the heart of Daeron Fortress as the Alliance forces rallied to King Elerossë’s banner. She still remembered how the thick walls of the Fortress had shivered from the Hordes’ constant bombardment while the sky burned from the raging forest fires. As the Tuonellians were driven back to the open plains, her mother’s Death Gift had come.
The anguish, at first, had been unbearable. Nessa had thought she would die of heartache as she cried out in her grief. She’d never felt so alone in her life. That is until Enelya had come to her aid. As the blood raced through her veins at the memory of Enelya’s burning touch, Nessa’s eyes closed as her body shook with the intensity of the emotions flowing through her. Sometimes it felt like that first kiss had changed her forever.
Opening her eyes once again, Nessa forced those memories away. She hadn’t seen Enelya again since that first time. It made no sense for her to hope the small Wild Elf still felt the same way about her after all this time. Even if her blood still burned from the memory of their time together.
Unlike the fillies of her tribe, Nessa had never taken a mate. While unusual, it was not unheard of for young female warriors to choose other paths than motherhood. Although, in her case, the simple truth was that she’d never been attracted to males.
Nessa became aware of the gurgling sounds of the river a moment before she stumbled down its sandy bank. As her hoofs splashed into a shallow rivulet, she noticed that the mist seemed to be clearer here. Kneeling at the river’s edge, she splashed her face before drinking deeply of the icy cold water. After plodding for so long in the smoky haze, this was the first time her lungs didn’t feel like they were burning from within. Closing her eyes, Nessa listened to the sounds of the forest as she prayed to Luonnotar for guidance.
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