The Damascus Chronicles
Page 26
“You think he and his crew are planning to make a move?”
“Positive, although there’s no word on the street, no movement on the news, no nothing.”
“You worry too much. We can handle anything,” said Serena.
“I don’t like it. I wish we could tell this prick to go fuck himself,” said Michael.
“Relax,” said Serena.
“Don’t be overconfident Serena; we have the odds against us in this war. We can hold down the fort but we have to hit pay dirt soon. Otherwise it may become too late.”
Julius came in the room to speak with them. “Congratulations on your mission, my son,” said Julius proudly.
“It wasn’t easy old man,” replied Michael, still tired.
“Of course it wasn’t; that was the point. I made it hard to see what you were made of and you passed the test with flying colors. It’s official: you’re now a member of this Coven. All who join us become one blood, one family,” said Julius as he placed the ring of the Zoratus clan on Michael’s finger.
“Thank you,” said Michael solemnly.
“You earned it,” smiled Julius.
“Grandfather, Michael’s concerned,” interrupted Serena.
“I know what is troubling you. We have sent our spies into the city to gather information on the current movements of the Dark Society’s organization and on your Frank Scarfo,” said Julius.
“How do you feel, grandfather?”
“Fine. I may be ancient but I’m not gone yet. I can still fight another day,” said Julius confidently after drinking some rejuvenation elixir in small vile he kept.
“I’m going to call Danny; perhaps he has found something,” said Michael.
“Good, you do that my boy,” said Julius. Michael punched up Danny’s number, nervous as he waited for someone to pick up. “Yeah, it’s me Danny. What do you got?” asked Michael impatiently.
“I got something. Rumors are that the crime bosses are having a gathering somewhere tonight at midnight, but I don’t know where it is.”
“At least we know something’s going on now,” said Michael. “Thanks Danny. I’ll search the city.”
“Are you forgetting that the cops have it in for us?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Okay buddy, but be careful,” cautioned Danny.
Michael set out to search all of Sin City, from the rundown alleys to the glitzy casinos, along with the warehouses and industrial areas, but he found nothing. Serena, Darius, Marianna and Scarlet also did their parts, but couldn’t find anything either.
Then, in The Caligula Club on the strip, a local punk named Kage Rusoff, who ran the boxing rackets, caught Michaels’ attention. Kage was a former con man, a recently turned vampire and a runner who worked for the Russian mob. He was tough and muscular with a few scars on his body and a shaved head; he looked like he was around thirty years old. He was dressed in black leather pants and a black muscle shirt. Michael knew he was always looking to help a person for the right price. “Kage! Well, well, it’s been awhile,” said Michael.
“Get lost Moschenniki,” said Kage, looking angry as he tried to drink his cocktail in peace. Michael moved closer. “I’m looking for information,” said Michael.
“You know the deal, you pay me, or you don’t play,” said Kage.
“Fine, here’s five yards,” said Michael as he greased the prick. “Now we can do business, or as you Italians say, “make marriage.” “
What or who are you looking for? I can tell you need something,” said Kage.
“Word on the street is that there’s a meeting somewhere going down tonight between the various crime bosses,” said Michael.
“You want to know where?” asked Kage.
“Yeah,” said Michael.
“At the old bottling plant down on Marigold Lane. It’s been closed for years. Watch yourself; some of the city’s most dangerous crews will be there. I’d carry a couple of pieces and taking some back up, if I were you,” said Kage.
“Thanks,” said Michael. “I’m surprised you don’t care about this for your boss Cravenoff.”
“Fuck him; he doesn’t pay me good enough.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Yawl come back now, you hear, when you need something. I’ll be waiting, comrade,” said Kage as he finished his drink.
Michael took off on his motorcycle to the old bottling plant. It was midnight and the meeting had just begun. Against his better judgment, Michael went on alone, only intending to spy on his opponents, not attack them.
The bottling plant was about 20 miles out, on the rundown side of town. It was an old dump that had more rats and bugs than the crews that were meeting there. “I’d better watch myself,” thought Michael as he made a pit stop at his weapons loft to pick up a couple of pistols and a grappling hook. He knew Serena was on the other side of town worried about him, but Michael had to be strong and hang in there.
After arriving at the abandoned bottling plant, Michael hooked himself up and crept onto the loft rooftop. As he snuck in the skylight, he stood silently in a dark corner and listened to what was being said.
“I don’t care what’s happening out there. The time has come, gentlemen, for us to make decisions on the current situation with the Santerinis,” said Cravenoff as he sat among his fellow Russians.
“They have walked all over us for too long homies,” said Sanchez from the Mexican crew.
“So it’s time to snuff them out. Then we’re all in agreement,” said Tye from the Chinese crew.
“The Society wants them iced, so let’s take them down; those fuckers have had this city in their hands for too long,” said Sanchez.
“Cravenoff, how do you propose we do it?” asked Tye.
“You know how. Set them up,” said Cravenoff.
“We’ll make the call and say we’re going to have a truce, make them feel nice and friendly. Then when we got them cold, boom, dead as dead,” said Tye.
“I have a better solution,” interjected Franco Scarfo.
“Oh now the mighty bastard of Sicily has advice for us,” said Cravenoff.
“Shut the fuck up, Sov!” said Franco as he flashed his pistol, taking aim at Cravenoff’s head. Guns were sighted everywhere and no one flinched.
“Hold it, let’s hear what he has to say,” said Tye, calling off the exchange of guns.
“I say fuck this truce shit. Let’s just hit them hard in the wallet; nothing better to break a man than by taking his money,” said Franco.
Putting down his gun, Tye agreed. “Make them look like fools and stamp them out, it’s perfect, no one will ever want to do business with them again. That’ll kill them.”
“Now listen, you hot-headed fucks, I got two shipment trains coming in tonight from LA. We’ll blow the train yard storehouse and the old airbase that the Santerinis own; a lot of their goods are stored there,” said Franco.
“What about those bloodsucking bitches that have sided with them?” asked Sanchez.
“The Society has something extra special planned for them. Fuck them, don’t worry, that’s covered,” said Franco.
Michael was furious. He wanted to kill them all, but he knew that there were fifty of them and only one of him. Instead, he crept out of the building and sped off on his bike to inform the Coven and the Santerinis. He was worried; a hit to the train shipping yard and abandoned airbase would mean big losses; most of the family’s money came from mass illegal distribution of drugs and other goods. “This is real bad, how the hell did they he find out about the base and train yard! Mother sweet fucking rosemary!” thought Michael.
Making a stop in the red light district, Michael called Paulie at a pay phone to inform him. “Hey Paulie it’s me Mike. We got a big problem on our hands,” said Michael.
“I’m listening,” said Paulie.
“The chinks, cholos, and sovs are going to make a hit on us at the train yard and old airbase tonight.”
“Fucking Oobatz,
stop it!”
“I’m going to need some help on this one,” said Michael feeling uneasy for what he was going up against.
“Call your crew and the people you hang out with. Do this and I’ll pay you three million. We can’t have anyone fucking with that train yard and airbase. I don’t care how you do it, but stop it!” Paulie ordered. Paulie hung up and then called the Don to tell him what was happening.
On the other side of town, Phillips had enlisted a team of mercenary vampire slayers to hunt down the vampires and destroy them.
However, Julius’ spies had traced Phillips and the other vampire slayers .
Julius contacted Michael telepathically. “Phillips has slayers coming for you.”
“I know; we will be ready.” Michael could sense the danger. “Where are they?”
“They are scattered throughout the city, but it’s more than likely that they will be in your old neighborhood looking for you and Serena. Be careful,” advised Julius.
Cutting off his telepathic connection, Michael found Serena in the hallway of Zoratus Enterprises and explained things to her. “Phillips has strike teams of slayers looking for us on the streets.” “How many?” Serena was ready to fight.
“Don’t know but let’s go.” Heading to the weapons room, Michael, Serena, Darius, and Marianna loaded up with guns and ammunition for the attack. They also took swords and other hand-to-hand combat weapons. Scarlet stayed behind to watch over Julius.
The crew took off to Otis Way in Darius’ black SUV, their blood pumping and malice ready to explode in their hearts ready. When they got there they saw a group of men already staking some local vampires on the streets.
“Bastards!” yelled Darius as they pulled a drive-by, unloading bullets with machine guns and killing three slayers, who were dressed in military gear. Jumping out of the SUV, they hustled into heated violence, swashbuckling swords and guns with the remaining five slayers. Darius and Marianna sliced off the limbs of one of them.
“How does it feel, jerk off!” screamed Darius with rage as he crushed the dead slayer’s skull in with his boots.
Michael and Serena overpowered the other two, beating them to death and breaking their necks. “They’re weak like chickens,” mocked Serena as she heard her victim’s necks snap.
“Retreat!! Fallback!” The last two retreated into a blue van and took off.
The other vampires thanked Michael and company. Michael again telepathically contacted Julius to inform him. “Julius, we have dispatched the slayers in the area and are returning to base to report.”
“Well done Michael, return to base for new plan of attack, meet me in the council room, the elders have arrived,” replied Julius, cutting off his communication.
Michael and the others sped back to Zoratus Enterprises to meet with Julius.
Back at headquarters, Julius and the Council of Nine waited for Michael in the main council room. The creatures of different origin and monsters of secret races had revealed themselves from the shadow world.
Michael and the others approached the council chamber with uneasiness. A vampire guard opened the doors to let the group in as they entered into a meeting that was already in progress. Among the elders present were the leaders of different nocturnal clans and supernatural races such as werewolves, angels, fairies, sages, gargoyles, cat men, Oni, and ghouls. Also in attendance were Lao Takai, Yoshiro, and Suki.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending these proceedings on such little notice. Now that you’re all gathered here, I will get to the point.” Zoratus removed a remote control device and pushed a button, bringing down a flat projection panel from the ceiling. Playing the feed, he again began to speak. “We have discovered in the past few weeks that the Dark Society has been moving to develop weapons using magical invocations.”
They all paused to view the footage of the weapons. Takai rose to speak. “As Lord Julius has stated, the Society has sought to manipulate the powers of the mystic Shirakai.”
“The Shirakai,” murmured the elders, concerned upon hearing this. Drake, the leader of the Faye, spoke with caution. “The Shirakai have been imprisoned in the dark dimension for centuries. Impossible.”
“No. They were released through an incantation; my team witnessed it,” interrupted Michael.
“This is very unsettling news for the council,” said Sokai from the Gargoyle clan.
“How have you taken care of this?” asked the werewolf.
“We recovered the Yomi Tengu from the Society’s deadliest agent, who was killed in a fight with our newest agent,” said Julius.
A beautiful red haired winged cherub stood up to speak. “Julius we are pleased to be here and proud of your organization’s success, but we have other matters of concern. Our clans are facing financial extinction from certain members of the government who do not trust our kind enough to aid them in their business affairs.”
“Luna, have you forgotten why the council was formed? Put aside thoughts of money at this moment,” replied Julius, disappointed by the cherub’s words.
“This is of great importance. We have gathered here to put our issues aside and adhere to the pact that was made,” spoke up Argos the werewolf in agreement with Julius. The other supernaturals nodded in acknowledgement.
“The Society must not be taken lightly. I agree with Lord Zoratus; we must follow these gatherings by increasing the watchers in the city and also within other cities in the other states of the nation. It has been discovered by our own clan’s agents that the Society’s movements have been traced to Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and New York,” replied the Cat Man named Zumar, who was dressed in a business coat and tie.
“Then we all agree about what has to be done,” said Julius.
After adjourning the meeting, the other council members left the room.
“What was all that about?” asked Serena. She had been silent during the entire meeting.
“We’ve had other areas of movement of Reynard Desbode’s agents in the states. This means the Society has grown,” said Julius, concerned.
“What do you want us to do?” asked Michael. “Keep your noses to the streets in town, and keep alert. There is nothing else to discuss. You have my leave, now go,” ordered Julius.
“Yoshiro and I wish to come too,” said Suki. Lao gave Julius a look of assurance.
“Very well then, but watch your backs,” said Julius.
The group left the room to discuss the matters that had been discussed. Serena and the others stayed behind but Michael got ready to leave, to meet up with Jackie and Anthony for the job they were going to pull.
“Where are you going?” asked Serena surprised. “To keep a promise to Paulie. I’ll be back soon. Try to stay out of trouble, however if I need you I will call you,” Michael smiled to the others.
Chapter 57: Boom Time
Michael, Jackie and Anthony hooked up in Anthony’s old car for the job; they were aching for action. “Sons of bitches, I can’t believe they were able to find out about the train yard,” Anthony shook his head.
“Look, who gives a rat’s ass how they found out; all we have to do is to take these pieces of shit down,” said Michael.
“You gonna call Serena and her crew?” asked Anthony.
“Absolutely,” said Michael, ready to rock. Good thing, we need a back-up team. Listen, so what are we looking at here for targets?” asked Jackie.
“I say we got about fifty minimum,” said Michael.
“Fifty! This isn’t going to be easy Mike. You do know we’re going to need some major fire power to do this job, right?” asked Jackie.
“I understand, and we’ll have the heat. I‘m giving my boy Rocko a call,” replied Michael. “What’s he going to do for us?” asked Anthony. “Supply us with the firepower, what else?” Dialing away on his cell phone he connected with Rocko, who was in the middle his nightly yoga session; Rocko’s phone rang as he was twisting his right leg around his head. “Yo!”
 
; “It’s me Mike, listen Rock, we have a problem. I need you to do me a favor; I need some heavy weapons,” said Michael.
Rocko untangled himself into a more comfortable position, and then spoke. “Sure, let me see.”
Michael hung up his phone and ordered Anthony to head to Rocko’s while calling Serena and the others.
“We getting paid on this job, by the way?” asked Anthony.
“Anthony how the fuck could you think of money at a time like this? We’re in a Mafioso emergency here,” snapped Jackie.
“Fucking stop yammering, I’m getting some good pay for this job, I’ll give you each a hundred thousand. Does that sound good?” said Michael.
“That’s fucking beautiful; old Paulie knows how to throw his money around,” said Anthony, calmer with the knowledge of money in his mind.
“Serena it’s me. I need you and the others; do you feel up to a bit of lovely violence?” asked Michael.
“Devilish,” replied Serena on the other end. “Meet me with the others at Rocko’s pad. I’ll explain the details later,” instructed Michael.
They all met at the front entrance of Rocko’s garage just as they saw the main door being pulled up. Rocko came out dressed in an old worn set of denim jeans and a gamer shirt with his work goggles on. The vampires and the Mafioso were gathered to hear the deal.
“Hey, where are Marianna and Scarlet, Suki, and Yoshiro?” asked Michael.
“They had to stay back at headquarters to repair some equipment, don’t worry,” replied Serena.
“Thank you all for volunteering on such short notice. Now let’s screw the proper introductions and get down and dirty,” said Michael confidently as they walked through the garage to the weapons room downstairs.
“What we got here is a hit that is going to be made on the Santerini’s financial empire. I need all of you to help me destroy two trains that are coming in tonight from LA. Explosives have been rigged on these trains, I think. Our enemies plan on using it to destroy the distribution base of the Santerini goods,” said Michael.
“Michael, please, you dragged us out here for this?” said Darius, exasperated.