“Sorry, pal. Mr. Foster’s orders. Nobody leaves the warehouse.” The enforcer said. Damien sighed.
He would try one more angle. “I just want to hunt a little, ya know? Go to a bar, pick up a pretty girl with great big…” he gestured with his hands. “A huge…sweater…and take her back to her place and just…come on?! Give a guy a break. Please?” He pleaded. “What if I bring you back some, too? What would you like? A blonde? Brunette? Redhead? Ten year old boy?”
The enforcer gave him a bored look. “Sorry. No can do. Mr. Foster gave explicit orders. Now, if he comes to me and says, ‘this little peon has special permission to go out and hunt on his own while all the rest of you are on lockdown…’ well! That would be different.” His condescending tone was more than Damien was willing to accept.
Although he could feel that the enforcer was centuries older than he was and much, much larger, Damien’s pride was wounded and he wouldn’t stand for it. He doubled his fist and punched the enforcer as hard as he could across his chin. The enforcer’s head barely moved, but Damien’s fist cracked, his knuckles broken and bleeding and Damien hopped around, holding his hand, screeching.
The enforcer turned and looked at his partner and shrugged then turned back to Damien. Once Damien was through with his display of pain, he turned back to the enforcer, huffing and puffing and pushing his chest out. “Say something, you overstuffed…bag of…” obviously too flustered to think.
The enforcer shrugged and shook his head. “Ow? I don’t know what you want me to say, man. I mean, that looked like it really hurt. You, I mean. But, it doesn’t change anything. You aren’t going out unless Mr. Foster says so.”
“Argh!” Damien yelled as he stomped off in the opposite direction.
“Like that little dufus could pick up a hot chick at a bar? Pfft!” the enforcer said after he left.
Damien skulked around the warehouse. There had to be another way out. He checked all of the side doors, but they were alarmed. He checked windows, but they were locked and alarmed as well. The only place he couldn’t check were the offices that Paul Foster had turned into his own personal chambers. There may well be a back way out through there, but with another set of guards at the entrance and Paul inside, it would be impossible to know.
Damien stomped around the interior of the warehouse gettingangrier and angrier. Finally, he decided to take his anger out on the humans huddled in the pens. He went entirely past the homeless with their grime and body odors. He glanced at the prostitutes, but most looked like they were either riddled with disease or strung out on dope. With a heavy sigh he came to the pen full of immigrants and glanced through them. Mostly the men were left, but he spied a few younger females hiding in the back. He motioned for one to come to him and she refused, shaking and crying, crossing herself repeatedly. He sighed again and jumped over the locked gate so that he could grab the girl. Immediately the men began to pummel him and he swatted them away as if they were children.
He stormed to the girl and lifted her from the ground with one hand, pulling her close to him. He smelled her neck and this one, blessedly, didn’t stink of cumin or any of the peppery spices that he abhorred in Latin foods. He held her back and looked at her. “Hmm. Not bad. A little thin for my tastes. I prefer my women to have a bit more meat on their bones.” He mumbled. He held her up with one hand and spun her around. When she spun back and he was able to see her face, he froze. This was no meal. No…this crying, quivering angelic face was not the face of a snack. No, this was the face of his first and future bride.
A sly smile crossed Damien’s face. He pulled her close to him and asked her, “Do you speak English, my dear?”
She had turned her gaze from the pale devil, knowing that death would soon come to her. She was shocked when she heard him speak to her, his voice smooth like silk. It took her a moment to realize that he was actually speaking to her before she answered, “Sí. Poquito.”
“In English, please.” He whispered in her ear.
“A leetle.” She answered.
Damien’s smile stretched further. His plans had suddenly changed, and to him, the change was all for the better. “Oh, you and I are going to have such fun together, my dear.” He placed her over his shoulder and leapt back over the fence, separating her from her family.
*****
Matt and Jack entered the study as Rufus quietly shut the doors. Both men stood at ease as Thorn made his way behind his French provincial desk and prepared to sit, “Please, gentlemen, make yourselves comfortable.” He said. “We have much to discuss. Forgive me. Would you care for something first? Brandy, cognac?” he asked.
Matt nodded. “I’d take a scotch, with ice, if you have it.”
Jack shrugged. “The same is fine. I’m not choosy.”
Rufus turned to his liquor cabinet and prepared the drinks. As he did, he began his story, “Originally, I had hoped to come to an arrangement with you, Colonel. An agreement, over the attacks your people have made over the years against the Lamia Beastia. Attacks that were directed towards them by the Lamia Humanus…but now, things have taken a much more serious turn.” He handed the two men their drinks and returned behind his desk. He picked up the scrolled parchment. “An emissary came tonight, of all nights, and brought this.”
“What is it?” Matt asked, thinking the parchment itself looked very old.
“It is a blood order from the Sicarii, conscripting me and all of mine into duty to serve him.” He stated sadly. “I have my second, Viktor, contacting the rest of the Lamia Beastia now and warning them of the emissaries that are sure to come to them and warning them not to break the wax seal on the scroll, lest they be bound to him.”
“I’m not following you.” Matt said.
Rufus sighed and held up the document. “It is written in an ancient language, but it is readable to all vampires. It states, basically, that all who have been called, and those who have been sired by him or her are blood bound to answer the call of he who sired all,” Rufus looked up to face the two men, “that is the Sicarii.” Then continued reading, “in order that the great and glorious day of the vampiri shall rise up from the shadows and blah, blah, blah…here we go, Vampiri Armageddon.” He set the scroll down and rubbed at the bridge of his nose.
Matt looked at Jack and shrugged. “I’m sorry, Mr. Thorn. I’m still not following what’s going on.”
Thorn looked up at the two men with something akin to shock. “You do not understand?”
“No.”
“Non.” Thorn sat on the edge of his desk. “For centuries it was only rumored that there was a single vampire who fathered the race of vampires, oui? Do you follow me?” Matt nodded. “Oui. This vampire he was thought to be only legend. But now, he steps out of the shadows and not only does he present himself, but he demands that all vampires be conscripted into his service for the sole purpose of the fall of mankind. In a Vampire Armageddon that will sweep the entire world, he will destroy all that we hold dear, and place himself as supreme leader.” Thorn sat back letting his words soak in. “Now do you follow me?”
Matt drained his scotch, not tasting it. Jack sat there, stunned. Suddenly his eyes lit up. “Hey, is this the guy you told me about? Before… when I was here?” he asked.
“Oui. It would be him.” Rufus answered.
“Why did you call him the Sicarii? I thought you said he was…”
“That is what he is. He was an assassin before he became a disciple, and he began the Sicarii after he became a vampire.” Thorn answered. “At least according to the legend.”
“Who are you talking about?” Matt asked.
“The head vampire.” Jack answered excitedly. “He’s the father of all the vampires. The very first one.” He turned to Matt. “We track this fucker down and shove a stake up his ass or lob a silver nitrate grenade in his…”
“Non!” Rufus interrupted. “He is too old and far too powerful for such things to affect him. If you shot him with your silver bullets, it wou
ld only irritate him. If you drove a stake into his heart, he would pull it out and kill you with it.”
“There has to be something that would kill this guy.” Matt said. “Nothing is unkillable.”
Thorn thought for a moment. “Perhaps sunlight. I would think that only sunlight could possibly kill him at this point.”
“Hey…” Jack interjected. “But…if this guy is like, the originator of your species and we killed him, wouldn’t that mean that…?”
“Oui. Every vampire since creation would die along with him.” Rufus said. “An acceptable loss to prevent the Apocalypse, don’t you think?”
“Works for me.” Matt said.
“Not for me.” Jack said. “That’s bullshit!” he stood from his chair and set the untouched glass of scotch on the desk. “Rufus doesn’t deserve to die just because this Judas is an asshat!”
“Jack, it is an honorable death if it is to help save so many lives.” Rufus said, trying to calm him.
“No, Rufus. I’m not prepared to lose another friend in this war just because some fucknut thinks he needs to be crowned king of the world.” Jack growled through gritted teeth.
Matt stood and placed a hand on his shoulder. “First things first. Let’s find out what his actual plan is and see if we can find a way to neutralize his forces. If we can do that without taking out this…’fucknut’ then you won’t be risking Mr. Thorn.
“Second, we need to take a look at what kind of forces we have ourselves.” Matt turned to Rufus. “How many do you have at your disposal?”
Normally, Rufus wouldn’t give the human hunter that kind of information, but considering the circumstances, he didn’t feel they had much choice except to join their forces. “We have an accord, then?”
“Honestly, sir, I don’t see that there is any other choice. I’ll be honest, we have 15 operators and maybe 100 support staff. That’s not a huge number of…”
“But you have the United States military at your disposal if necessary, oui?”
Matt scratched his chin. “That’s a tough one. Possibly. Considering the circumstances, most likely. But I’m gonna have to do some serious tap dancing with my Oversight Committee.”
Even without, Thorn knew that the hunters were a force to be reckoned with. “Then we have an accord.” He stated and stuck out his hand. “Normally we sign such things in blood, but considering the circumstances, I’ll take you at your word.” He said with a smile.
“Appreciate that.” Matt said shaking his cold hand. “Now, as for your forces?”
“I’ve recently made another accord that had brought under my power close to one hundred thousand vampires.” He started.
“One hundred thousand?” Matt said disbelievingly.
“Oui. But of those, barely half are worthy of taking to battle. The rest could be used to distract the war machine.” Thorn stated. “But then there is the Lamia Beastia. Of all of the familias, there are perhaps another…” he waved his hand as he ‘felt’ throughout the familia. “two hundred thousand capable of doing battle, and being quite effective.”
Matt fell back in his chair, his mouth agape. “I wouldn’t have thought there were a hundred thousand vampires throughout the world, and you’re telling me you have three hundred thousand at your disposal?”
“Oui. And the Sicarii? He will have many more.” Thorn stated flatly. “He may well be so powerful that he can pull my vampire forces away from me in the heat of battle.” Thorn went back behind his desk and pulled a flask and poured himself a very dark, thick drink that was no doubt blood. “Please forgive me, I rarely drink in the presence of company, but this is a rare circumstance.” He sat down behind his desk and drummed his thick nails along the fine wood.
“You spoke of this Sicarii like you know him, but you’ve never met him.” Matt stated.
“Oui. The legends tell us many stories, but over the centuries, we were able to separate the wheat from the chafe.” He replied. “You know him as Judas Iscariot.”
“No shit?” Matt exclaimed.
“Yes, shit.” Jack answered. “And this turd must be a floater because he’s reappeared after God knows how many centuries just to pull this.”
Matt and Jack’s pagers went off at the same time. Matt ignored his, but Jack glanced at his. He punched a button and a text appeared. “Oh, fuck. Colonel, Dom was abducted by vamps while on mission.” Jack stated.
Matt paled as he stood, “Will you excuse me a moment?”
“But, of course. You may use my study if you wish for privacy.” Thorn offered.
“Thank you.” Thorn left and Jack followed him towards the door.
“I’m gonna find the squad and fill them in. You find out anything relevant, let me know?” Matt gave him a thumbs up as he dialed the base on his satellite phone.
*****
Laura sat at the Operations Control Center on the verge of tears. If she had been thinking and got the Predator drone in the air sooner, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. If they could have realized that it was a trap from the beginning rather than another fucking test, they could have prevented Dom’s abduction. If she could have…her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of the center’s phone. She glanced at the caller ID and immediately grabbed the receiver. “Colonel, we lost Dom.” She nearly choked on the words.
“I got your text, Laura.” He said calmly, even though he was madder than hell inside. “What happened?”
“The boys thought it was another damned test then they got swarmed. Dom was separated from the group getting Mark and his family out. While he was separated from the group, they just…grabbed him.” She said.
“Are we sure they actually got him?” he asked, worried that he might be KIA.
“They called Apollo over the coms, sir. They told him that they ‘got what they came for’ and that Mr. DeGiacomo would not be joining them for the rest of his life.” She felt a hot tear roll down her cheek as she thought of the large Italian man with the goofy, little boy’s humor. She could only take pride in the fact that her voice didn’t crack while she spoke to him.
“Very well, XO. Get the cleanup crews done and get our boys home.” He sighed. “And Laura…”
“Yes, sir?”
“Don’t you dare beat yourself up about this.” He ordered. “Those boys are the best there is. If they didn’t smell this trap coming, nobody could have. You were a thousand miles away watching over a damned TV screen. You couldn’t have done anything about it even if you had been there.” She could hear him breathing over the line. “Copy that?”
“Copy that, sir.” But it didn’t erase the guilt she felt for not deploying the Predator sooner. She placed the receiver back in the cradle and sat back in the chair. She didn’t know why losing one operator hit her harder than losing all of First Squad had before. Maybe it was because Mitchell had been at the helm then? Maybe because she felt like she had screwed up this time? She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry, she wanted to punch something, but she knew it would do nothing to bring Dom back. She continued to monitor the cleanup crews and Second Squad as they provided perimeter watch.
Every once in a while, she would key in their coms and listen to them plot their vengeance against the vampires that did this. She wanted so badly to join them in planning their revenge, but knew she couldn’t. She had to be OpCom and remain the detached voice in their ears.
She heard a slight rap at the door and turned to find Evan leaning in the open doorway, a hot cup of coffee in his hand. “Thought you might want a little something.” He offered.
“Thanks.” She said, swiping at her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” concern in his voice.
“Dom was taken.” She choked out then steadied herself. She cleared her throat as she took the cup from him. “They got Tufo’s family out and in the heat of battle…the vampires got him.”
“Is he dead?” Evan asked.
“I don’t think so.” She answered. “It was if they were after him. Or one of the
operators specifically.” She shook her head. “It doesn’t really make sense, to sacrifice so many of their own to capture one of ours.”
Evan studied her as she stared off into nothingness. “Sure it does.” He said softly. “Life means little to one who is already dead. At least, not unless it’s their own life.” He offered a lopsided grin. “If their goal was to kidnap one of the Monster Squad, then they’d give up at nothing less.”
“But why?” she asked. “To what end?”
“Well, let’s see.” He said, pulling up a stool next to hers. “Someone slips Phoenix a satellite phone that may or may not have been reprogrammed to GPS his coordinates to here.” He held up one finger. “Someone sets up a couple of minor scrapes on a full moon to ‘test’ their readiness and evaluate their responses.” Two fingers. “Now someone kidnaps an operator right under our noses.” Three fingers. “I’m not sure what it all adds up to, but someone is dang sure interested in the Monster Squad.” He wiggles the three fingers to emphasize.
“Again, to what end?” she said, tears trying to escape. “And you forgot about First Squad being torn to shreds last month.”
Evan visibly flinched. “Sorry. I was still in jail at the time.” He offered a lame smile.
She offered her own apologetic lame smile and leaned into his shoulder. “What the hell is going on, Evan?”
“The world is coming to an end and we didn’t get the memo, I suppose.” He joked lamely.
“Probably.” She sighed. “Maybe that Mayan calendar thing came early. Or late. I can’t remember when it’s supposed to happen.”
“I think it came a bit early for them.” His brows knitted in thought. “They did disappear, did they not?”
“I really don’t care.” She answered. “I only care about getting Dom back. If we can.”
Evan’s mind raced through endless possibilities. None of them ended with Dominic being alive and returned in one piece.
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