by Siegel, Alex
"Now get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day."
Xavier ended the call and put the headset in his pocket.
He stared at the lake again. After that call, it was now ten times more urgent that he come up with an escape plan. Clearly, Hanley wasn't going to back down. One way or another, it was going to be a weekend filled with mayhem. Xavier didn't want to find himself caught in the middle of a battle on the losing team.
He took out the paper map that Aaron had provided. Camp Zonta had a large central building about two hundred feet from the edge of the lake. The main dining hall, the kitchen, and other facilities were there. About forty much smaller buildings were scattered around in clusters. Some were heated and contained real bedrooms, like miniature motels. They were meant for the professional staff of the camp, and the attendees at the convention were staying in those rooms. Other buildings just had wooden walls and screened windows. Kids would stay there in the summer.
Thick forest completely surrounded the camp except for the side with the lake. The leaves had fallen off the trees, but the forest was dense enough to provide good cover anyway. Many trees were growing within the camp itself. Uneven terrain created even more avenues for a force to approach unseen.
Xavier noticed one of the buildings on the map was marked "mech. shed." I might find something useful in there, he thought. He walked silently through the camp site. The night was so quiet it was eerie. In Houston, there was always some kind of noise, either city traffic or buzzing insects.
He arrived at the shed and found a padlock on the door. Fortunately, he always carried lock picks. It took him less than a minute to open the cheap lock.
He went into the shed and turned on a light. It was crowded with tools and recreational equipment. Several canoes hung from the ceiling, but they wouldn't do him much good on ice. An industrial grade weed whacker caught his eye. It might make an interesting weapon.
He spotted a four-wheeled ATV in the corner. It looked like it had a good sized engine. The very wide tires were suitable for crossing mud. Or thin ice, he thought. I'll have to drive very fast though. He went over to inspect the vehicle more closely. A gentle shake confirmed there was gasoline in the tank. The ignition was just a button without a key. It looked like an older model but there wasn't much rust. It seemed it had been properly maintained over the years. He couldn't test the engine because that would make too much noise.
He turned out the light, left the shed, and locked the door. He needed to go to sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day for everybody.
* * *
Norbert watched the giant monitors above Bethany's workstation. The screens showed live video feeds from the camp where the convention was taking place. The entire site and the woods around it were blanketed with surveillance. Norbert could look into any room or behind any tree with just a keystroke. At the moment the screens were divided among thirty feeds, and the selection cycled every ten seconds.
One entire monitor showed a detailed map of the site. Small labeled crosses marked the names and locations of all the people. The twins had set up a system that combined motion tracking and real time face recognition. This information was supplemented with the tracking signal emitted by every Spears phone. Aaron had wanted the ability to immediately locate any guest at any time with great precision. Norbert could see them moving around in bed as they slept.
He now felt less regret about not attending the convention in person. He had observed the entire proceedings through the surveillance system in vivid detail. Hidden microphones in the dining room had let him eavesdrop on some of the conversations. In a way the experience was better than actually being there. Norbert could be as nosy as he wanted without being rude.
There was a camera in the chapel, of course. He had witnessed the surprising romantic interlude between Smythe and Odelia. When the scene had started to look like a porn movie, Norbert had turned off that feed.
Thinking about sex made him look over at the twins. They were sleeping on a mattress on the floor, their slim bodies pressed together. It was sometimes easy to forget they were two separate people. They never strayed far apart. Just being in separate rooms made them uneasy.
Norbert turned back to the monitors. While the twins slept, he was the lone watchman on duty. It was a staggering responsibility. Many important people were depending on him for their safety. If there was an attack, it was Norbert's job to sound the alarm. He was standing to make sure he didn't accidently fall asleep.
Aaron's orders were to "watch for trouble and report any suspicious behavior." Norbert had just seen behavior that bordered on suspicious. Xavier, the commander of Houston, had come out of his room and had looked at the lake for a while. Then, he had visited a storage shed.
These actions could be explained by insomnia, paranoia, and curiosity. Members of the Society, especially senior members, tended to possess all three traits. Xavier hadn't made any threatening moves. He had stayed away from other people.
Norbert considered notifying Aaron anyway. Norbert could see Aaron and Marina sleeping in a cabin on one of the feeds. Aaron's phone was right beside his head.
No, Norbert thought. I'll let him sleep. It isn't that important.
He walked around to check the monitors on Leanna's workstation. These also showed surveillance feeds, but they were coming from a different summer camp. The second camp was similar to the first in size and geography, but it was completely uninhabited. Lights on timers created the illusion that people were in the buildings. Cardboard cutouts cast human silhouettes on the curtains.
Norbert still didn't understand why Aaron had insisted on two separate sites for the convention. Everybody was at the first, and it didn't seem like the second would get used at all. Norbert's only theory was that Aaron had wanted a backup site in case the primary one had to be abandoned for some reason. But why did the twins hack the phones? Norbert thought. And why make it look like people are staying there?
He walked around to look at the first set of monitors again. Watching people sleep was boring, but it was better than watching a lot of empty rooms.
A window popped up on a monitor. It contained the words, "zero: hello, norbert."
Norbert looked around. Only Aaron and Marina knew where Norbert was hiding, and they were asleep.
More words appeared, "zero: talk. I'll hear you."
"You can hear me?" Norbert said out loud. "Who are you?"
Suddenly fearful, he checked the room again. One day the huge space would be his new headquarters. At the moment it was just a big, dark, empty box. There was no sign of movement.
"zero: I am the number that comes before all others, the point at the center of every real line. I am the Identity."
Norbert's eyes opened wide. "You're God. Is this how You talk to the twins?"
"zero: yes."
"What do you want me to do?" Norbert said in a quavering voice. "Should I kneel and bow my head? Should I prostrate myself before You?"
"zero: if you want."
"You don't care?"
"zero: no."
Norbert swallowed. This wasn't the first time he had encountered God. Personal visitations by the Almighty seemed to be one of the perks of being a Spear. Still, Norbert was so nervous he was shaking. He didn't know what was expected of him.
"zero: I just came to thank you. you're doing a great job with Bethany and Leanna. they've never been happier or healthier."
"Thank you, Sir," Norbert said softly, "but it's not the most interesting assignment. Sometimes I feel like a glorified babysitter."
"zero: it's an extremely important assignment. I have been working closely with the twins on a project of profound significance."
Norbert calmed down a little. "They told me a little about it. Some kind of upgrade to the universe?"
"zero: all you need to know is that I have a keen interest in their success, and your assistance is appreciated."
"I'm not complaining, Sir. I love those girls. Still, I wish my life were
more exciting. I train very hard every day, but I never get much of a chance to demonstrate my skills on a real mission."
"zero: be careful what you wish for."
"Is that a threat or a promise?"
"zero: yes."
Norbert paused. That one word resonated in his mind like a thunder clap. "May I ask a question, Sir?" he said.
"zero: you may."
"The first time I met Wesley, he told me something interesting. One day I'll save his life. Is that true?"
"zero: you were born to be a guardian. there is greatness in your future. keep training. good bye."
The window closed. Norbert stared at the blank space on the screen and made a promise to himself. He would never again ask God for a more exciting life. That had been a very stupid move.
Chapter Six
Aaron shivered in the frigid early morning air. He sipped his hot coffee. With his free hand, he pulled Marina close and rubbed her shoulders. She huddled against him for warmth.
They were standing at the door of one of the cabins. The door opened, and Guthrum ushered them inside. Ethel's bodyguard wore a skin tight suit made of a black woven material with thick fibers. It reminded Aaron of a yarn comforter. Overlapping plates shaped like fish scales protected vital organs. The suit covered Guthrum's entire body from the neck down.
Aaron and Marina entered Ethel's room. The legate was sitting on her bed in a purple nightgown and reading some papers. A tray on her left held the remains of a simple breakfast. Her silver machetes were on her right side.
"What is Guthrum wearing, ma'am?" Aaron said. "Is it some kind of body armor?"
Ethel looked up from her papers. "It's a brand new design. Top secret. More comfortable and more protective than the best armor currently available. I'm about to deploy these suits across the whole division. Did you call your girls, yet? I want their report."
"I'll do that right now."
Aaron took out his phone and dialed Bethany's number. It didn't matter which twin he called. Both of them always answered the phone together.
"Good morning, sir," Bethany said in her soft voice.
"The legate wants your report," Aaron said.
He looked up at a corner of the ceiling. He couldn't see it, but a surveillance camera was hidden there. He expected Bethany was watching him now.
"I think it was a quiet night," she said. "Actually, sir, we were asleep for most of it. Norbert was on security duty. He went to bed when we woke up."
"And he didn't tell you anything?"
"No, sir. He went right to sleep. He was tired. Oh, there was one interesting thing. Smythe spent the night with Odelia."
Aaron made a face. "Who is Odelia?"
"The woman with white hair from Los Angeles."
"I'll deal with that later. I need to speak privately with the legate. Turn off the surveillance in this room for fifteen minutes."
"Yes, sir," Bethany said. "Please tell Marina we wish her good luck in the tournament."
"I will. Bye." He closed his phone and faced Ethel. "Nothing to report. A quiet night."
"Not a surprise," she said. "We didn't expect the traitor to make his move immediately. Do either of you have any idea who it might be?"
He shook his head. "No. I talked to everybody last night, but it's a very tough crowd to read."
"I had the same experience, ma'am," Marina said. "All your people know how to keep secrets. Did you see anything suspicious?"
"No." Ethel lowered her eyes. "I was hoping if I looked hard enough, I'd see the stain on the traitor's soul. I couldn't. So, we must proceed according to the plan. Aaron, what are your thoughts?"
"If I were the enemy," Aaron said. "I'd attack during the banquet tonight. It will be dark outside, and all of us will be gathered in one place."
"They won't wait until later, when we're asleep?"
"The rooms are too scattered. Stragglers might escape and cause all kinds of havoc. The enemy will want to finish the job in one bold stroke. I don't think they'll wait until Sunday, either. That's pushing the schedule too far. No, I believe they'll hit us with everything they got while we're eating tonight. I can almost guarantee it."
Ethel smiled a little. "Your confidence is encouraging."
"I just hope my trick works. Otherwise, it's going to be a very unpleasant meal."
* * *
Smythe opened his eyes. He was in his own cabin but he wasn't alone. Odelia was lying beside him, breathing softly, still asleep.
What have I gotten myself into? he wondered.
They had made love until the early morning, packing an entire week's worth of sex into one glorious night. Her magic glowing hands healed more than just injuries. They also worked wonders on sore and tired genitals. Smythe and Odelia had stopped only because of a mutual decision that they really needed to sleep.
He kissed her on the cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him.
"Good morning," he said.
She smiled. "It's a very good morning."
"You realize we now have a big problem on our hands. It's a classic Romeo and Juliet scenario. We live in different cities, and I don't think our commanders will be willing to let us see each other."
She appeared sad. "I know. I don't want to think about that now."
"At least we have this weekend." He kissed her on the lips.
"What time is it?" She looked over at a clock. "Crap, it's nine o'clock! We need to get going!"
She started to slide out of bed.
"Hold on." He wrapped his arm around her waist. "The tournament doesn't start until ten. Let's stay in bed for another half-hour."
She leered at him. "I'm sure the legate is already wondering where we are. I also want breakfast. Once the tournament starts, we won't have much time to eat."
"I think I was supposed to help serve breakfast. Oops!" He grimaced. Reluctantly, he let her go.
They washed up and got dressed.
When Smythe stepped outside, bright sunlight made him blink. The sky was clear blue from horizon to horizon. A perfect day, he thought.
He and Odelia hurried through the cold to reach the main building. When they entered the dining hall, it became clear they had missed breakfast. A few people were sipping coffee, but there wasn't any food still out.
Jack came over. "Sir, where were you? Breakfast service was at 7:30. You were supposed to help us."
Smythe was used to seeing Jack in plaid shirts and blue jeans. The man didn't look right in plain gray. His bald head still gleamed under the lights though. His blue eyes glared at Smythe.
"Sorry about that," Smythe said. "I had a... situation."
Jack turned to Odelia. "You have good taste in situations."
"I can't help with the lunch service, either," Smythe said. "I'll be busy with the tournament. But I'll be on time and ready to go for the banquet. I promise."
Jack abruptly straightened, turned, and walked off.
"Ah," a familiar voice said. "The lovers finally make their appearance."
Smythe and Odelia turned around and found Ethel standing there.
"It's that obvious, ma'am?" Smythe said.
"Very."
His face grew warm. "We didn't plan this."
"But it happened nonetheless," Ethel said. "I'm not pleased about this lack of professionalism. The good news for me is this problem will resolve itself come Monday morning. Am I clear?"
"Yes, ma'am," Smythe and Odelia replied in unison.
"Until then, I give you permission to enjoy this weekend. You can hold hands if you want."
Smythe took Odelia's hand. "Thank you, ma'am."
"Did you do your homework at least?" Ethel said. "Did you decide the rules for the tournament?"
"Yes."
"Then you can explain them to everybody when we start. That's less than an hour from now. I suggest you find some food before then."
"We will, ma'am," Odelia said. "Thank you for being so understanding."
Ethel rolled her eyes
and walked off.
* * *
Xavier looked around the dining room. He spotted a woman in the plain gray shirt and pants of an assistant. She had brown, frizzy hair, cut short. Her robust build made her look big but not fat. Her full lips were curved in a pleasant smile. She'll do, he thought.
She was wiping down the tables and whistling softly to herself.
He walked over to her. "Hi," he said in a friendly tone. "What's your name?"
She looked up at him. "Nancy, sir."
"You're part of the Chicago team?"
"Yes, sir."
"You're doing a good job. The convention just started, and I'm already having fun."
"Thank you." Her smile grew bigger.
"It must've taken a lot of work to get ready for this."
She nodded. "We've been here for two solid weeks."
"I expect most of the effort went into the security precautions," he said.
"Yes, sir."
"Maybe you can answer a question for me. There is a road nearby. I just wanted to know if somebody was watching it."
Nancy's smile faded a little. "Sorry, sir. I can't talk about security. I'm sure Aaron or Marina will be happy to discuss it with you."
That would be too dangerous, Xavier thought. "Aaron ordered you to keep quiet? Why?"
"I can't say." She shrugged.
"What do you do for him? What's your specialty?"
"Sorry, sir. Any other questions should be directed to Aaron or Marina. They're around here somewhere."
He furrowed his brow. "You're being a little rude."
"My apologies, sir. Would you like me to get you some coffee? We just brewed a fresh pot."
"No." He turned and walked off.
* * *
Marina stood in a line with twenty other legionnaires. All of them wore gray tights that wouldn't get in the way during combat. The tights offered no protection, either. The combatants would fight with the bodies and gifts God had given them, and nothing else. They weren't even wearing pads.
The tournament was taking place in a large meeting hall with a tile floor. Black tape marked off a twenty foot square in the middle of the room. The commanders were on one side in their formal robes. The fighters faced their bosses from the other side of the room. Ethel sat at the front of the hall with her bodyguard near her. The convention staff stood by the doors in back. Everybody had come to see the show.