“I noticed! I hope he is as cool as Adolf, otherwise, there will be action again.”
“Gentlemen,” said Count Sven, “ you are speaking strange words and who is this Führer?”
“Do not think it, bro,” Galfonino patted him on the shoulder and went out of the carriage before he was prompted.
“Indeed, you do not need to know...” Leo patted him too and also got out cockily like a real Earl. He snapped his fingers at the nearest guard, and while the man was trying to understand, Cassis threw his coat in his hands with feeling.
“Sir, I apologize, but I’m not a servant.”
“Apology accepted.”
The count was watching from aside and smiled mysteriously. Apparently, he liked these exotic strangers, which English was hard to understand.
The Butler invited them to a huge dining room, at the bottom of which was only one armchair in front of a burning fireplace. Sven went first and made a sign to the gangsters to wait. Then he approached the chair and whispered something in the ear of the man who wasn’t yet visible.
“Let them come closer,” at last was heard a hoarse voice. “What do you want in exchange for this information?”
“I’ll talk directly, please interrupt me if you think I speak nonsense. Thousands of years ago, aliens came to Earth from another planet. These so-called gods kept a great secret. But over time, they began to lose control of the multiplying population and left this world, leaving behind a small enlightened in the secret society. Their bloodline certainly lives and with it the secret. What interests me is this mystery and the entire library, with which it goes.”
The man in the chair finally decided to get up.
“Son, what you just said is known by only a few people on the planet. Where did you get this information?”
“It doesn’t matter, bro,” said Galfonino. “More important is whether you want to save your skin and Order?”
“I do not know if you know, but the Templars have ruled the World for thousands of years under one or another name?”
“Oh, we are aware. What you do not know is that if you don’t give us the information we want, you will soon rule only the rope with your neck.”
The old Templar watched the fireplace silently, “Well, you will get what you want. But if someone other than you two understands, you know what the consequences will be. Now, tell me what this information is?”
“King Philip and the Pope are preparing a purge. Next Friday, the thirteenth day, several thousand Templars will be arrested throughout France. Many of them will die at the stake or the gallows, including you.
“Clement was finally able to get under the skin of Philip. You should know that evil forces are acting under his scepter.”
“Now can we get what we came for?”
“Even if what you say is true, you know too much, and I cannot allow it. Guards!” The old man suddenly shouted.
Fifteen guards surrounded our guys instantly, having apparently lurked and waited for the order. They pointed swords and lances, waiting for a command.
Galfonino foamed, “Apparently, you do not know who you’re dealing with! You don’t know how many organizations I’ve buried in my life! And how many corpses I’ve left behind me. Why do you think that this trash can stop me from killing you before they even move?”
“Because I’m already dead. I sold my soul to the devil long ago, son. Kill them.”
Before the guards could fulfill the command, Leo shouted angrily, “If you ever want to find the time machine, in your place, I wouldn’t do it!”
“Stop!” The Grand Master of the Templars dragged his neck. “What did you say?”
“You heard me, old man. We have the machine. The same device your books speak about,” Leo had to improvise, otherwise, they would be dead by now. “I may not know who the Templars are, the role played by the Pope, who has sold his soul to whom or who Tutankhamun was, but I have the Holy Grail. I know the stories about the Grail and the fiction about cups, and whatnot, but the truth is different. I am not sure how much they enlightened you what the machine can do, but if only a hair falls from our heads, you will surely understand.”
The Count signed the guards to leave.
“So you’re from the future?” Sven suddenly asked.
“Exactly. Apparently, you are more aware than we thought.”
“Of course I am. After all,my peopleinvented the machine. And are you aware of what it is capable of?”
“We are,” answered surprised Leo. “So you’re a descendant of the aliens Elohim?”
“I do not know what you mean by aliens, given that my family has been on Earth since long before yours,” smiled the count.
“My family is Bulgarian,” the false Count also smiled. “So we can argue about that.”
“Obviously, you’re aware enough,” nodded Sven. “We might even be relatives? And may I ask why you are here and even more, why you want this information?
“I do not know what your family is doing and how strong it is, but back in our time where we live, it is to blame for the destruction of the planet and the genocide of humanity. And if this machine falls into their hands, it will be the end of days.”
“I’m not sure you’re fully aware of the truth, so I will try to explain briefly. Over the years, our family has split. Many battles were fought with very complex machines that are gone now because of major upheavals caused by the entry of Venus in our galaxy. And those you say rule the world even now and will be impossible to kill if that’s why you’re here. But I can help you destroy the machine.”
“And why should we?”
“Because if you have triggered it, they will find it sooner or later, and then you will understand what apocalypse really is…”
Leo thought and nodded, “The only way to do this is in my timeline. I won’t stay here forever posthumously. Which means that if you come, you will never come back.”
“I’m ready to do whatever it takes! This is the mission of my life.”
“What about the others?”
“The others can’t be saved. All kingdoms in Western Europe are under the tutelage of my enemies. The Pope is their leader. But once you destroy the machine, then the fate of people will depend only on them...”
“Or in other words, nothing will change?!”
“Consider it this way: we will avoid the destruction of the universe...” Sven smiled.
“I do not know if we can trust you, but tell me, according to me, what do you think? Will bad things happen to you if you are lying?
The Count laughed at the words, “You continue to surprise me with your way of speaking. But according to you, I think there will be no problems. Did I say it correctly?”
He and Leo looked at each other, “You are a quick thinker. Just asking, but can’t we destroy it?”
“The machine is created by dark matter, alchemy and spells that are unknown even to Merlin.”
Ours were blinking in slow motion...
“It can be destroyed only with a special ritual. Everything is described in the "Great Book" in an unearthly language, which we learn from the cradle.”
“And what will happen if you mess up?”
“Apocalypse in biblical proportions.”
“Mmm, super,” Leo just swallowed another chicken leg. “The local broilers are delicious. Take the book and let’s go. Where’s the toilet, I want to bless the house?”
The embarrassed man just pointed. Leo went to unload quickly...
“There is one small problem.”
“Of course there is!”
“I do not know if you read the Bible and if you’ve heard about one of the greatest magicians, the ruler Solomon?”
“It is known in our time.”
“In his reign, the "Great book" disappeared without a trace.”
Leo shook his head back, and his eyes widened, “Are you telling me that the book is missing?”
“Almost. During the first crusade, we found half of it. And
what is more important, how to destroy the machine is actually written in the missing volume. Or suggested at least.”
“And by chance, do you have any idea where we can find the second volume?”
“I do,” intervened the old man. “In the first volume, there is a note with clues for finding the second half...”
“Wait, wait a minute,” said Galfonino. “Can’t we just teleport further back in time and take the book before it was split?”
“You can, but Solomon was a powerful magician devoted to the dark side of the force and with significant military power. I do not see how you could acquire the books, given that no one knew where he held them. Not to mention the traps our ancestors had to endure while searching for the first volume and it is a miracle they succeeded.”
“From where did Solomon take the books?” Asked Leo.
“From the old Sumerian city-state of Ur. They got there from Uruk, where the books were in the first place during the reign of Gilgamesh.
“Yeah, then we go to Gogo and take them.”
The old man smiled, “Without knowing the language of the Sumerians, you won’t be able to get even to the gates of the city.”
“I guess Sven knows the language?” The Count shook his head in agreement. “The question is solved. You’ll translate, and we will do what we do best...”
“Kicking ass?” Galfo was intrigued.
“No, to come out alive from any situation... While kicking butts,” added Leo.
“Like Indiana Jones, huh?” The Italian patted Leo on the shoulder.
The Sock sighed, “Just like him! In which year were the books created?”
“Gilgamesh was the fifth ruler of the I dynasty of the city of Uruk in Sumer. This is the dynasty which created our order.”
“What is actually the whole story?” Leo inquired.
“Gilgamesh was looking for the secret of eternal life but instead found mysterious information obtained from his encounter with Utnapishtim. He obtained the knowledge of the machine from gods still living on Earth and wrote it in a book handed down thousands of years. Gilgamesh continues to look for the machine for the rest of his life and conquers many lands, but fails to find it. However, I should warn you that he was invincible and had a high self-esteem. So you will have to act very carefully. Select year around 2600 BC.”
“Don’t worry,” Leo smiled. “It is time to act!”
Chapter VII
At some point, they were already in the carriage on the way to the hotel. Galfonino told the driver to stop at some honky-tonk.
“I do not think that now is an appropriate time to stop for a drink.”
“We will not drink. We will just pick the rest of the group. At least you can count on that if you leave them in a place with alcohol, they will be there until everything is drunk.”
The three entered the noisy tavern filled with drunks. On Arnold’s table, no one was conscious but him. Macony had long since passed out at a table in the corner. Drunken Arnold continued to drink alone when he saw his buddies, “Ahh, my best friends. Those Frenchmen are weak. They were down in the middle of the drinking,” then he started to drink from the bottle again. Powerful belching made the drunkards at the next table go silent for a moment. “What was I talking about? Ah, yes! They are weak, I’m tell’ng you. They drank one bottle and died. Pff, I am disappointed.”
“Get up, it’s time to go.”
Arnold stood up abruptly as if he had drank only water.
“Finally. You have no idea how I’m going to drink when we get back. I have just one question. Who is the fourth guy with you?”
“Arnie, we are only three.”
The stranger laughed, “Apparently, it will be even more interesting than I thought.”
“You have no idea. Arnie, take-Mac and come to the hotel. We’re going in half an hour.”
Arnold thoughtfully put his hand on his mouth, “And now if you could tell me who the fuck is Mac?”
Galfo slapped his forehead, “Go to the hotel to pick up the girls, I’ll deal with these two.”
The next morning, the time travelers had already arrived in front of the machine. Arnie, still slightly drunk, was holding his head, “ And people say that the modern booze is justethyl alcohol? Why the fuck is my head killing me so bad then?”
“Because, according to the bar maid, you drank all the alcohol and she had to bring more from the cellar...”
“Ahh, it is possible,” Arnie raised his thumb in agreement. “ Some day, I will take my grandfather’s advice against bad hangovers. Never sober up!”
The Count entered the machine and remained speechless.
“Aren’t you gonna say something?”
“I have no words. And you have no idea how many people have died because of this.”
“And you don’t know how many I personally sent to the afterlife while using it,” laughed Leo. “Are you ready for the adventure of your life?”
“I’m ready,” the Count sat on a chair and closed his eyes.
“Now you can open them. We arrived,” pushed him Leo.
“I didn’t feel anything,” he goggled eyes.
“Do not worry, you’ll understand once we go out.”
They went outside and Sven looked at Galfo, “I have a question. How many French knights have you seen in 2600 BC?”
“Surely there should be less...”
The group watched a battlefield near them. Thousands were killing each other violently. Arrows whiz, horses whinnied, commands were heard...
“This has happened before. Everybody back into the machine before someone sees us... Damn, it’s out of energy. Interestingly, we teleported somewhere, but it does not know where. Which means that we also don’t know where and when?!”
“And what do we do now? In this forest, the sun will pass when Arnie quits drinking! How are we going to charge it?”
“Hey,” Arnold was insulted.
“I have an idea, but you won’t like it!” Galfonino grinned.
“When did I ever like your ideas! Go ahead, amaze me...”
“We’ll wait for the battle to end, fingers crossed no one sees the machine, not that anyone could enter inside. We’ll sneak and steal 5-6 horses, and they will pull the machine to the meadow. What do you say?”
“That is the dumbest idea ever!”
“Well, let’s hear yours?”
“We’ll chop some trees so the sun can pass through?!”
“Interesting, and are you going to cut them with your dick?”
Everyone laughed…
“No,” Leo didn’t even blink and continued, “we will sneak after the battle and steal axes,” here Leo smiled in turn.
“Yeah, which brings us back to the main part of my plan – theft!”
“Yes, like stealing horses and axes is the same. I would like to see how you throw two horses on your shoulders.”
“I’d like to see you mount an axe and go away to hell…”
“And even if you take the fucking horses, how do you think it will move through the woods, if it moves at all…”
Maggie noticed the serious face of the new member in the group, “Don’t worry, this is normal.”
“So they are always like this?”
“It’s not always so gentle. Just in small and closed space, there is no playing field.”
“I understand. As the saying goes, one bush can not feed two parrots.”
“What do you mean?”
“You have two leaders in your group, giving rise to these disputes.”
Mariela smiled, “We are not such a group, Count. Do not forget that we are from different eras.”
“So in the future, you do not have leaders?”
“On the contrary, where I lived before, everyone thought of himself as a leader. From the biggest buffoon to the last jerk.”
The Count looked surprised,
“What an interesting word "buffoon". What does it mean?”
“Actually, it’s just a
word that might offend someone unpleasant to you. In my time, people will understand you.”
“If we get there at all,” Sven smiled.
Both men stopped arguing and turned towards him.
“Or maybe you have a better idea?”
“Both plans sound excellent gentlemen.”
Leo went out with Galfo, patting him on the shoulder, “This one might be mocking us?”
“I think he is, but let’s not forget that we need him as a translator and for the ritual...”
“Pfff, rituals, mrituals. Until I see, I will not believe.”
So went the conversation in front of the machine, while the gangsters admired the battle from the distance. At one time, Arnold joined and even took bets on the individual duels on the field.
“My guy doesn’t know, he is a fucking machine,” snapped Galfonino from pleasure with a wad in his hand.
“And his luck will end,” threatened Leo.
“What do you think, who is fighting?” Stared Arnold.
Everyone looked at him blankly…
“Do the Flags of England and France suggest anything to you?”
“Pff, something is wrong with my eyesight. I need to drink one, and the picture might clear. I wonder if they have something to drink in their baggage?”
“I’m amased. You have no idea which flag is which, but you would find the baggage in seconds if they told you that there were free drinks involved...”
Arnie stared, “Free drinks, where?”
“Purely hypothetically speaking,” assured him, Leo.
“Aaa, don’t fuck like that!”
“I suggest we stop wasting time and sneak into the English camp to steal what we need. Anyway, we are dressed like gentlemen, so that will help. There is no chance for something to happen...”
Everybody looked at each other spontaneously, then they looked at Galfonino and loudly laughed.
“Well okay, there is a slight chance for something to happen, but hardly a problem we cannot fix!”
After no more than an hour…
“We may have underestimated these Frenchmen...”
“You think?” Leo asked angrily.
The gangsters were surrounded by a small detachment of two hundred people left in reserve. A young man, apparently the commander of the squad, approached and clucked with his mouth. He spoke something in French, and everyone laughed.
Gangsters In Time III_Veni, Vidi, Vici Page 5