by Alex Siegel
"A germ?" Aaron said.
"It's not unusual for bacteria to have powerful effects on the human body. They are essential for normal digestion. Good bacteria can regulate diseases like obesity and diabetes. Bad ones can kill us. Ma'am—" Smythe faced Ethel. "—I know a world-class expert on exotic diseases. She used to run her own lab. She has exactly the skills we need to kick this investigation into high gear."
Ethel raised her eyebrows. "Are you talking about Odelia?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Aaron snorted. Smythe was making a bold play indeed, but he had a strong case.
"But you're an expert on diseases," Ethel said.
"Yes," Smythe said, "but Odelia is the expert. She'll know exactly what tests to run and what questions to ask. She can also use her gift to locate and treat an infection directly. She'll save us days of spinning our wheels."
"You know my feelings about legionnaires travelling between teams."
"I don't mean to be disrespectful, but you took Aaron and Tawni to Washington."
She glared at him. "That was my decision."
"And this is also your decision, ma'am. You just told us you want a swift conclusion to this investigation. It seems logical to have the best talent working on it. Odelia is a veteran legionnaire, a supernatural healer, and a master at diagnosing strange illnesses."
Ethel had a sour expression. "Unfortunately, your argument is compelling." She smacked her lips. "But she'll have to stay in Chicago until the project is done. She can't go back to Los Angeles after she sees the aperture."
Smythe's cheek muscles tensed. Aaron could tell he was trying hard to appear dignified when his heart was singing with joy.
Ethel took out her phone and made a call. "Yule, this is Ethel. I need Odelia to come to Chicago immediately. Sorry, I can't tell you why, but it's important. Make sure she gets here as quickly as possible. Charter a jet if you have to." She hung up. "Satisfied?"
"Yes, ma'am," Smythe said. "I'm sure you'll be very pleased with her work."
"I have no doubt of that, provided she's not too busy having sex with you."
He blushed.
"Moving on," Aaron said. "Perry, you got a list of names and addresses from the team last night. Were you able to find any patterns?"
"I only had a little time, sir," Perry said, "but I discovered a few things. All the people who are affected have low incomes and menial jobs. It seems to be a disease of the poor. There are slightly more women than men, but it's not a big sample. All of them spent their savings on food and exercise in the last three weeks. A few are bankrupt. I'll continue to dig, sir."
Aaron nodded. "Twenty-three more victims of cannibalism were discovered last night. People are starting to flee Chicago. The news this morning reported long lines at the airports. That may stop soon. I heard the Director of the Centers for Disease Control calling for an absolute quarantine on all of Chicago. The military would enforce it."
The faces around the table appeared gloomy.
"What are your orders, sir?" Sheryl said.
"We're a little bit stuck right now," Aaron said. "There is no point in sending you out to ask the same questions again. You'll just get the same answers. I need Smythe to discover something useful in his lab and Perry to find us leads with his computer. I'll continue to talk to the authorities. Everybody else can get some exercise in the meantime. As soon as Odelia shows up, we'll have another meeting. Dismissed."
Most of the group filed out of the room. Ethel and Boreas remained behind, so Aaron also stayed seated. Perhaps she wanted to talk to him privately.
"I believe this cannibal crisis is the work of God's enemies," she said quietly. "They're trying to disrupt the twins' project."
"That's a reasonable supposition," Aaron said.
"We can't act on it though. We can't just assume this is a real mission without tangible proof, no matter how tempting it is."
He nodded. "I know, ma'am."
"These are exceptional circumstances though. We may need to bend the rules a little."
He gave her a serious look. "I will defer to you. You're much more attuned to God's will."
"The Lord has been aloof lately." She frowned. "I think He's preoccupied. Enemy activity is at an all-time high. Almost every team has something going on, including Los Angeles. Taking Odelia away from Yule now is a real hardship for him. Marina is already on her fourth mission since becoming a commander." She sighed. "At least it will be over in a week. It sounds like this new firewall is just what we need."
"I'm a little concerned about the mysterious 'third problem.'"
"Yes. If the Lord is afraid to tell us about it, it must be shit-your-pants bad."
He snorted.
Ethel's phone rang. She checked the caller ID, and her eyes widened.
She put the phone to her ear. "What is it, dear? Yes, I'm very aware of the situation. In fact, I'm in Chicago right now because of it. Aaron and his team have already launched a full investigation. Rest assured we're on the case and will quickly reach a conclusion. In the meantime, let's not have any military invasions or quarantines. They'll just get in the way. Aaron has enough problems on his hands. Bye, darling." She hung up.
"Was that the President?" Aaron said.
"Yes. He's worried about cannibals."
"He should be."
Chapter Eight
Ethel, Tawni, Boreas, and Sheryl were standing in the white entry chamber of headquarters. All the women were wearing white karate uniforms and gray belts. The chamber was the only open space available that was big enough for sparring. The aperture project had taken over the rest of headquarters.
Ethel and Tawni were facing each other in the center of the chamber. Tawni was grinning like an idiot, but the legate appeared dignified as always. Sheryl stood well back. She had never seen the legate fight and was very curious.
"Begin," Ethel said.
Tawni came forward in a rush. Her long legs flew in high, graceful arcs as she attempted to clobber Ethel. Tawni threw punches that could've knocked a man out. She went low and high. She feinted left and right. She used all the dirty tricks Aaron had taught her.
Sheryl had seen Tawni spar many times, but this was different. Tawni wasn't holding back. She was fighting as if her life was on the line, and it was very intimidating. She was faster and more ferocious than any normal woman could ever be. Sheryl wanted to cower behind Boreas.
The legate dodged and twisted, always staying just out of reach. It was like trying to hit a ghost.
"Your abilities have improved enormously," she said, "but you still suffer from a characteristic weakness. Your tremendous talents are held back by a flaw."
Tawni stopped fighting and put her hands on her thighs. She was taking deep breaths. "What, ma'am?"
"You attack without thinking. It makes you predictable and easy to evade. Sheryl, show Tawni how to fight properly."
Sheryl's eyes widened. "Me, ma'am? But Tawni couldn't even touch you, and she's much better than me!"
"She is certainly stronger and more skilled," Ethel said, "but that doesn't necessarily make her better. Great fighters find a way to win with what they have. Come over here, Sheryl. Give me your best shot."
Tawni gave Sheryl a dirty look and stepped back. Sheryl took her place.
Sheryl had no idea what to do next. Ethel just stood there calmly.
I have to think like Aaron, Sheryl thought. The commander always seemed to have a devious plan up his sleeve. He didn't start a fight unless he already knew how to win it, and his favorite way to win was by cheating.
Sheryl studied her opponent. Ethel was supernaturally fast, but that wasn't her only advantage. She had thirty years of fighting experience. She had mastered every technique in the book and then some. Sheryl would have to come up with something new.
She looked over at Tawni who had a smug expression on her face. Tawni was absolutely sure Sheryl had no chance at all. Sheryl narrowed her eyes. She had a nasty idea, one even Aaron would like
.
Sheryl walked over to Tawni and without warning, punched her in the stomach. The attack caught Tawni off guard, and she doubled over. Sheryl stomped on her toes for good measure.
"Bitch!" Tawni yelled.
She launched herself at Sheryl. Sheryl scampered away, but there wasn't much room in the small entry chamber. She squealed and ran around for a moment. She eventually cowered behind Ethel. Tawni tried to grab her, but Sheryl dodged left and right, always keeping Ethel between them.
"Stop that!" Ethel yelled. "Behave like adults!"
Tawni snarled and backed off.
Ethel looked back at Sheryl, and in that instant, Sheryl slapped the legate across the face. It worked! Sheryl thought. I tricked her! Then she realized what she had done. Oh, shit!
She ducked down and raised her hands in surrender. "Sorry, ma'am! I'm very sorry!"
Ethel appeared furious for a moment, but then she began to smile. "No apology is necessary. I asked for it. You are indeed Aaron's student." She clapped politely.
"What!" Tawni yelled. "She cheated!"
"No such thing in our business," Ethel said, "and you shouldn't let her hit you like that. A legionnaire is always wary, even with friends. I should remember that lesson too."
"But..."
"But nothing. Let's spar again, and this time, I want to see you use your brain, not just your fists and feet. Never forget your mind is your greatest weapon."
Tawni's shoulders sagged. "Yes, ma'am."
* * *
Aaron picked up another police report from the pile of printouts on his desk. His eyes were blurry from trying to make sense of sloppy writing and terrible grammar. He didn't know how many reports he had read in the last twenty-four hours, but it was probably near a hundred by now.
He didn't stop though. There was always a chance some detective had discovered a crucial clue that the rest had missed. At a minimum, he was hoping to find a tell-tale pattern. He desperately needed a lead in this case.
"Commander," Jack said through overhead speakers, "there is a security problem in the hotel. A member of the maintenance staff has discovered one of the nerve gas pods."
Aaron looked up. "Where?"
"Fourth floor, northwest corner."
"I'm on my way."
Aaron jumped up from his desk and jogged to his private suite. He quickly shrugged off his formal robes and put on civilian clothes.
He jogged through headquarters to reach the elevator. He discovered Ethel, Tawni, and Sheryl working out in the entry chamber.
He nodded politely to them. "Excuse me, ladies."
The elevator doors opened, and he stepped inside. This elevator only went down to the first floor, but he needed to stop by the lobby anyway.
Eventually, he arrived in the lobby and went to the front desk. "Tell Mr. Rosenblum that Mr. Berrycloth needs to see him immediately," he said to the clerk.
Aaron waited impatiently until Mr. Rosenblum emerged from a back office.
"What's wrong?"
"Follow me," Aaron said.
The two men hurried over to one of the normal elevators. They rode up to the fourth floor, and Mr. Rosenblum frowned anxiously the entire time. He could obviously tell something was wrong.
After a brief search, Aaron found the source of the trouble. A man in blue coveralls was standing on a ladder in a hallway. He had opened up the ceiling tiles and was examining the pipes above. The tools on his belt suggested he was a plumber.
Aaron ran over and said, "What are you doing?"
"Trying to fix a leak. Why? Who are you?"
"Mr. Berrycloth."
The plumber's eyes widened. "Oh."
Aaron looked up through the gap in the ceiling tiles. A gray, metal box was bolted to the underside of the floor above. The box was perforated on all sides with grids of tiny holes. The nerve gas would escape through the holes when it was released. A steel pipe held the control wires which eventually connected to Jack.
"Fix it somewhere else," Aaron said.
Mr. Rosenblum walked up to them. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know, sir," the plumber said. "He doesn't want me working here."
"Then leave. He's the owner of this hotel. He has the right to decide who works where."
"But, sir." The plumber looked up at the hole. "What about the leak?"
"Not your problem anymore," Aaron said. "Take your ladder and get out of here now."
The plumber grumbled as he left.
Mr. Rosenblum stared up at the ceiling. He pointed at the exposed, gray box and said, "Is that thing why he had to leave?"
"Yes," Aaron said.
"What's it for, and how did you know he was messing with it?"
"You should know better than to ask those questions."
Mr. Rosenblum frowned. "They talk about you."
"Who does?" Aaron said.
"The staff. Everybody has a crazy theory about you. I think the consensus is you're running a secret spy agency. A lot of them think you're a criminal."
Aaron shrugged. "I don't care what they believe as long as it isn't the truth, and so far, nobody has guessed the truth."
"How do you know?"
"Because that person would be dead." Aaron sighed. "Wait here and guard this spot. I'm going to send somebody else to fix the leak, somebody who is allowed to touch mysterious, gray boxes. She has brown, frizzy hair and a pleasant smile."
"I've seen her around. She's a plumber?"
"Among other things. Good day, Mr. Rosenblum." Aaron walked off.
* * *
Smythe bounced eagerly on the balls of his feet. Odelia was about to arrive.
He was standing in the baggage claim area of O'Hare Airport, and normally, this place was buzzing with activity. He was accustomed to hoards of impatient travelers, screaming children, and the thumps of luggage hitting carousels. Today it was as quiet as a morgue. Not many people were travelling to Chicago.
They were certainly leaving though. He had walked past the lines at the ticket counters upstairs, and they were literally out the door. People were buying tickets for any plane that had seats regardless of destination or cost. The giant parking garage was full to capacity. He suspected some of those cars would never be reclaimed by their owners. It was starting to look like a mass evacuation.
A woman with rosy skin came down the escalator. Her hair was so white and straight, it looked like plastic. Her reddish-brown pupils reminded Smythe of dried blood. She had the athletic body that he expected of all legionnaires.
Odelia ran over to him. They kissed, hugged, and kissed again. Then they just held each other for a long moment. It felt so good to be together again.
"I was very surprised when the legate called for me," she said. "I assume it has something to do with the cannibal attacks I keep hearing about."
He nodded. "I'll tell you all about it in the car. Let's get your luggage and go. The team is waiting for us."
Finding Odelia's luggage turned out to be easy. It was the only bag on the carousel.
"The plane was almost empty," she commented.
They hurried out of the airport.
When they stepped outside, she froze. "Fuck! It's cold here!"
Smythe put his arm around her. "Just keep moving. The car isn't far."
He led her into the parking garage. Lack of open spaces had forced him to park in a blatantly illegal spot, but he wasn't going to park in the outer lots in this weather. An orange ticket was stuffed under his windshield wiper. He pulled it out and tossed it on the ground.
They got into a small, brown sedan, and he drove off.
"Before we talk about the cannibals," Smythe said, "we have to discuss something else. When was the last time you were here?"
"August," Odelia said, "but then you told me I couldn't come back, and you wouldn't tell me why."
"It was for security reasons. The twins have been busy with their project, and it's at a very sensitive stage. Just be glad the legate let me come to Los Angeles instead
."
"I never really understood what that project was about. It all seemed very mathematical and mysterious."
"I'll try to make it simple," he said. "They're building a portal that will let them escape reality and meet God. Then they'll upgrade the armor that protects the universe so His enemies will stop sneaking in."
She stared at him. "That is the silliest thing I've ever heard. Did you just make that up? Is this why you stole our scientist?"
"Not just yours. We scavenged fifteen scientists from across the division. They work for the twins now. But that project isn't why you're here. Let's talk about the cannibals now."
During the short trip back to headquarters, he told her what he knew about the illness, which wasn't much. She asked him technical questions about the tests he had performed, and he did his best to answer from memory.
"It sounds like the most likely cause is a bacterium," Odelia said. "They can produce powerful hormones."
"I couldn't find any suspicious microbes in the blood sample," Smythe said.
"Maybe the infection doesn't reside in the blood. It could be hiding anywhere in the body. I can use my gift to locate it."
"That's what I'm counting on."
He parked the car in front of the hotel. Normally, the parking lot was crowded, but today it was half-empty. He was able to park conveniently close to the front door. The rats are fleeing the sinking ship, he thought.
Smythe grabbed Odelia's luggage, and they ran through the cold. Her face was rosy red when they got inside. She looked so cute, he gave her another kiss.
They headed towards the special conference room on the ground floor. He went through the process of making sure they hadn't been followed. When he was satisfied, he waved to the sculpture in the corner, and the room rose up to a hidden chamber. They proceeded to another elevator.
"It's kind of a mess up there," Smythe said. "Too many people and too much equipment. All of us can't wait until the project is over."
"When will that be?" Odelia said.
"A week, more or less. Oh, I forgot to tell you! The legate doesn't want you going back to Los Angeles anytime soon. You have to stay until the project is done."
"I get to stay for a week this time? And the legate approved?"