by Alex Siegel
The twins were working on the aperture outside the kitchen. Bethany and Leanna had the bodies of beautiful, young women and the heads of robots. Gray metal with a smoky finish encased their skulls. Their eyes were translucent, black crystals without eyelids. They had no hair at all. Below the neck, their skin was a warm, light brown. They wore plain, white shirts, red skirts, and no shoes. Their costumes hadn't changed since the day Aaron had met them.
The aperture looked like a big donut made of thousands of tiny pieces of colorful candy. The colors formed symmetric swirls and loops. The hole inside the donut was big enough to admit a man, and the twins planned to pass through it when the aperture was activated. It was a portal that would take them to God and allow them to change the universe.
Aaron went the other way. He walked past the armory and the shooting range. Eventually, he reached the entry chamber of headquarters. The walls were made of white concrete, and there was nothing to hide behind.
He glanced through a thick sheet of bulletproof glass at Jack, the computer. The real Jack had died months ago, and the twins had built this machine as a replacement. Three tall racks held many computer components. A mass of blue cables tied the whole thing together. Tiny red and green lights glowed dimly on the faces of the components. A black cowboy hat was on top.
"We're going downstairs for a little while," Aaron said.
"Yes, sir," Jack said. "I observed the meeting in the kitchen." The computer's voice came down from overhead speakers and sounded perfectly human.
"What did you think?"
"I'm still processing the data."
Aaron smiled briefly.
One of the elevators opened, and everybody went inside. As the elevator descended, Aaron had a dreamy feeling. So much had changed in the last few minutes. He felt like a different man than the one who had woken up this morning. Every expectation had been turned on its head.
"How long will Marina visit this time?" Aaron asked.
"You'll never be apart again," Wesley said.
"What about our teams? She has responsibilities in San Francisco."
The boy stared at Aaron with his extraordinary blue eyes. "I never lie."
Aaron sighed. He felt like a man at sea without a compass or a paddle.
He led everybody to the large hotel lobby. Black and gold carpeting with an interlocking hexagonal pattern covered the floor. Dark stone tiles with golden flecks covered the walls. The most interesting feature of the lobby was a suspended water sculpture. Crystal clear water cascaded through a labyrinth of rectangular glass panels. Tiny tubes at the bottom sucked the water away to continue the cycle. The sound of water striking glass was very soothing.
Aaron went to the front desk and said, "Get Mr. Rosenblum out here at once."
The female clerk ran off.
A minute later, the general manager of the hotel emerged from a back office. Spiky, white hair formed a ring on his otherwise bald skull. He was wearing a very expensive suit made of tan silk. A black tie matched a black handkerchief in his pocket. His black dress shoes were polished to a high shine.
He looked at Aaron with a curious expression. "Why are you dressed like that, sir?"
Aaron suddenly realized he was still wearing his formal, gray robes. With everything else going on, he had forgotten to change. The robes were so soft and comfortable, he wore them all the time in headquarters. His face grew hot with embarrassment. It was an inexcusable security lapse.
"I have to go back up and change," Aaron whispered urgently to Wesley.
"Don't," Wesley said.
"Outsiders can't see me dressed like this."
"It's better this way." Wesley patted Aaron's arm. "Trust me."
Rosenblum was still staring. "Sir?" he said. "You came here for a reason?"
"I need to talk to the entire hotel staff right now," Aaron replied in a firm tone. "I mean everybody without exception. Get them all into a conference room, and do it fast."
"Yes, sir." Rosenblum hurried off.
Aaron turned to Smythe. "Why didn't you say something? You saw how I was dressed."
"You're the legate now." Smythe shrugged. "I assumed you knew what you were doing."
The others nodded in agreement.
Now they think I'm infallible just because I got a temporary promotion, Aaron thought.
He looked down at Wesley. "This is already going badly. What do I tell the staff?"
"The truth," the boy said. His blue eyes glittered beautifully.
"What is the truth? You won't tell me."
"Armies are gathering. A great battle will be fought here."
"Who are we fighting?" Aaron said in alarm. "And why here?"
"I think it's obvious by now."
Aaron glared. "You are an extremely frustrating child."
"Everybody has a role to play," Wesley said.
Aaron started to think. God had summoned the entire Gray Spear Society to this spot, which meant the enemy had to be extremely powerful. They would be fighting an all-out war against a vast opposing force. There was only one possibility.
"The United States Army is arriving today," Aaron said softly. "Their mission is to impose martial law and restore order in Chicago. At least thirty thousand soldiers with tanks, artillery, helicopters, and all the other accessories of a modern army. That must be our opposition."
Wesley smiled. "You're exactly right."
"And the one man who can control that army, the one man we were counting on, the Commander in Chief, just went missing. His kidnapping was part of this."
"Yes." Wesley nodded eagerly.
Aaron's mind began to connect the dots. "The Army is here because of the cannibal plague. That crisis justified bringing a huge, military force to Chicago. It was just another part of the master plan. The cannibals were window dressing. My headquarters was the target from the very beginning. God's enemies want to stop the twins. I should've known this was always about the twins."
"I knew you'd figure it out! It wasn't so hard."
"But how can they know where my headquarters is?" Aaron furrowed his brow.
"Think," Wesley said. "What happened last night?"
Aaron rubbed his temples as he recalled the details. "We went to the bedding factory to destroy unit K and rescue Sheryl. The mission was a complete success. We burned the factory afterwards."
"Who gave the factory to Unit K?"
"Our true enemies." Aaron felt a chill run down his spine. "They knew we'd destroy Unit K, and they knew exactly where it would happen. They seemed to know a lot about the Gray Spear Society."
"And...," Wesley raised his eyebrows.
"It was a trap." Aaron closed his eyes. "They followed us home. Shit! We led God's enemies right to the twins. The cannibal plague was meant to draw us out, and I fell for it."
He wanted to punch himself. In retrospect, the whole thing was painfully obvious. He had to admit it was a brilliant plan. In one bold stroke, his enemy had located the Chicago headquarters and had acquired the firepower to destroy it. The business with the cannibals had just been an opening gambit, and it had worked perfectly. Now Aaron was stuck playing defense.
"This is going to get really messy, isn't it?" he said.
Wesley nodded. "The path to the future is a river of blood, but don't be afraid. The entire Society will be here. All of God's warriors will stand together for once."
"You knew this would happen?"
"I've known since the moment I saw the twins, but there is still something I'm missing. A key fact."
"Really?" Aaron said in surprise. "You don't know everything?"
"No." Wesley furrowed his brow. "God is playing a complicated game."
It took twenty minutes for Rosenblum to gather the hotel staff in the largest conference room available. Finally, everybody was together. The black and gold theme continued in the big, open space. Lighting fixtures were made of real, polished brass. Black cloth covered the cushions of the chairs, and the tables in back were black hexagon
s. Recessed lighting was elegant and subdued.
Aaron and the other Spears stood in front of the crowd. He looked at the maids, clerks, janitors, security guards, and other employees of the hotel. Many had fled because of the plague but around two hundred had loyally remained at their jobs. Most were living in the hotel now where they were safe from the chaos in the streets. The plague had driven away almost all the guests, so plenty of rooms were available. In fact, most of the hotel was unoccupied. That was about to change.
All the employees were staring at Aaron. A sudden bout of stage fright paralyzed him. There were too many eyeballs pointed in his direction. He hated being watched.
Wesley held Aaron's hand and said, "Relax."
The boy's voice sounded like beautiful music, and it calmed Aaron down. Wesley was an amazing kid.
"Start talking," Wesley said. "Tell them the truth. We don't have time for lies."
Aaron took a deep breath and faced the crowd.
"Many of you know me," he said in the loudest voice he could manage. "I'm Mr. Berrycloth, the owner of this hotel. I'd like to thank all of you for sticking around when everybody else was running away. Your courage and loyalty are very much appreciated. It won't be forgotten. I must ask for even greater courage now. For the next few days, the conditions here will be difficult and dangerous. I'll be frank. This hotel is going to be attacked, and we will have to fight back. If you want to go, I'll understand, but I would like you to stay. Many important guests are coming today, and I need you to take care of them. I understand I'm asking for a lot. You're not soldiers. You never signed up to fight a war, but war has come to you. If you do stay, you'll be greatly rewarded."
There was a long silence. The employees looked anxious and confused.
Finally, Rosenblum spoke, "But if we leave, we'll have to face the cannibals."
Wesley came forward. He stood on a chair so everybody in the room could see him.
"True," the boy said in a voice that boomed with surprising resonance, "but it's safer than staying here. Hear my voice. Look at my eyes. Understand that I'm telling the truth. We are fighting for a noble cause. Stand with us or leave. Be a hero or a coward. Choose now."
Aaron realized Wesley was asking the basic question of membership in the Society. The employees had to choose freely based on almost no information. Instincts and faith were their only guidance. If they stayed, it meant they belonged. The ones who left weren't worthy. Only true heroes would be allowed to accompany God's warriors on this mission.
About half the staff left the room. They departed a few at a time, and it took a while for the exodus to run its course.
Wesley turned around. "Make sure they leave and don't come back," he told Norbert and Yvonne quietly.
They nodded and left the conference room, closing the door on the way out.
Aaron looked at the employees who had remained. Mr. Rosenblum was still here, and Aaron was glad to see that. He counted about ninety-five people in total. It was a small staff for such a large hotel, but he felt lucky to have anybody at all. He had expected the security guards to stick around, but almost all of them had run off. They were mercenaries at heart, Aaron thought. The maids, janitors, maintenance workers, and kitchen staff were well represented. Heroism came in many forms.
"Tell them the truth," Wesley said softly. "The whole truth."
"My real name isn't Berrycloth," Aaron said to the crowd. "It's Aaron, and I'm the commander of an elite team based in this hotel. My headquarters is on the twenty-second floor."
The audience looked confused.
"But this hotel has twenty floors," Rosenblum said.
Aaron shook his head. "No, twenty-two. This place is full of secrets. I don't have time to get into the details, but I will tell you the Rosemont Tower Hotel is actually a fortress, and its defenses are about to be put to the test."
"Who are you really?"
"We are God's secret warriors. Our mission is to protect the Earth from His enemies. We are called the Gray Spear Society, and all of you just joined us as assistants. Congratulations."
They still looked puzzled and anxious.
Wesley spoke loudly, "I'll show you proof. Is anybody injured? Do you have a medical condition that needs treatment? Come forward."
Nobody moved.
Aaron pointed at Rosenblum and said, "Come here. A man your age must have some infirmities."
Rosenblum hesitantly stood up and walked over. "I have some arthritis in my hands and hips. Does that count?"
"Sure." Aaron nodded. "Odelia, this sounds like your department."
Odelia looked a little startled, but she came forward. Straight, white hair swayed with each step. Her skin was as pink and smooth as a newborn's. Her eyes were an odd reddish-brown color which always made Aaron think of dried blood. She was wearing a pretty, red dress which was clearly for Smythe's benefit. Her brief outfit showed off the muscles in her arms and legs. She was a healer at heart, but she had the body of a veteran legionnaire.
"Take off your jacket and shirt," Odelia told Rosenblum.
He frowned but complied. Underneath his clothes, his skin was pale, sagging, and wrinkled. Aaron had never really thought about how old the man was.
Odelia put her hands on Rosenblum's chest, and her body began to glow. White light filled the room, forcing Aaron to squint. Her hair looked like it was on fire, and her eyes became bright embers. The audience gasped.
"We work for God," Wesley called out. "We can command miracles. These are the rewards I talked about."
Odelia stopped glowing and stepped back. "How are you feeling?"
Rosenblum's eyes were very wide. He was flushed and breathing hard. "Good." He clenched his fists and swiveled his hips. "Great! The arthritis is gone! That was the most amazing experience of my life. Thank you!"
"We have time for one more," Wesley said. "Somebody with an internal injury or condition."
Rosenblum sat down. He was staring at Aaron with open admiration. Aaron smiled back.
A maid stood up. She was short, black, and a little overweight. "I have gallstones."
"Good." Wesley nodded. "Stand in the middle so everybody can see."
Smythe met her in the center of the crowd. He was a fairly tall man with rust-colored hair. He had the muscular, tapered body of a Hollywood action hero and the square jaw to match. A gray T-shirt was stretched across his broad chest and shoulders. Watery blue eyes made him seem serene and wise.
"Pull up your shirt, please," he told the maid.
She looked very nervous but complied. She exposed her round, soft belly.
"Don't move," he commanded. "Do you understand? Be very still. This will look scary, but it's safe."
She nodded, but her eyes were very wide.
He reached into her belly with his right hand. It passed straight through her skin as if nothing was there. She squirmed, but he steadied her with his left hand. Some people in the crowd screamed and jumped out of their chairs.
"We are unnatural creatures," Wesley said. "Some members of the Society are true monsters. It takes exceptional people to defeat God's enemies."
Smythe's hand came out holding a small pile of green-brown pellets. They were about the size of marbles. He held them up for everybody to see. Then he walked over to a garbage can, threw them away, and wiped his hand on his shirt.
The employees were shocked and silent. Aaron sympathized. He had had some shocking experiences today, also.
He smiled at the crowd. "There will be time for more healing later after things settle down. Now we have to get to work. Several hundred of God's warriors are coming to this hotel today. They'll need rooms and food. Take care of them. Do whatever they ask, free of charge."
"But, sir," Rosenblum said, "we still have a few regular guests in the hotel. Most left because of the plague, but some couldn't get out."
"Get rid of them, quickly. Find other accommodations. Pay them to leave if you have to. Make up an excuse. This place is about to become a battlef
ield. Get moving!"
The employees left the room with dazed expressions.
Rosenblum stayed back and walked over to Aaron. "Can I see your headquarters, sir? I've always wondered where you and your people hide during the day."
"Later," Aaron said. "I'm too busy right now to give tours."
"Why are we being attacked?"
"Because an extraordinary miracle will soon take place on the twenty-second floor of this hotel. God's enemies will do anything to stop it, including turning an entire city into a land of cannibals."
"More miraculous than pulling gallstones out of a woman's belly without breaking the skin?" Rosenblum said softly.
Aaron nodded. "Much more." He turned to Smythe and Odelia. "I want both of you to stay in the lobby and greet our guests. Answer their questions. I'm sure they'll be very confused when they show up. Make sure they get rooms."
"Yes, sir," they said.
"I have to go back upstairs and think. I desperately need a plan for how to fight the U.S. Army."
Chapter Two
Tawni was grinning broadly. She was about to have her second ride on the legate's private jet. It was the definition of travelling in style.
She, Ethel, Atalanta, and Boreas walked into the hanger where the jet was parked. Originally, it had been a B-1B bomber. The sleek fuselage was 150 feet long. Four massive engines hung low and tight near the center of the aircraft. The wings could sweep forward for conventional flight and back for supersonic speeds. The only windows were up front around the cockpit.
Ethel had given her plane a sexy black and gray paint job. An interesting bulge behind the cockpit was a recent addition. Tawni knew the plane was equipped with a variety of weapons and countermeasures. It was just as ferocious as the woman who owned it. The plane also carried two thermonuclear bombs as the "ultimate solution" to problems.
"I've never been in this plane," Atalanta said.