tmp_2e400c932cd646dccd3ec2acdba43a25_mQf9rc.fixed.tidied

by BSmith

  Vasco lifted the weapon, watching the small red dot make a perfect mark against his target’s chest. He pulled the trigger without hesitation, slid the weapon a few inches to the right, and did it again. When the third Roshaniya dropped, clutching his chest, the rest of their brothers realized that something was horribly wrong.

  “Someone’s shooting at us!”

  “Let no one leave, find the shooter, goddammit!”

  Operating on a pure hunch, Caesar had come upstairs to check on the Roshaniya when he heard the chaos echoing out from the ballroom. He threw open the door closest to the stairs just as the fifth Roshaniya dropped to the ground.

  “My brothers are dead! Help us!”

  As Saintclair shouted, Caesar snapped his gaze over to the Roshaniya and saw the red dot marking his forehead. His urge to kill Vasco outweighing his duty, Caesar didn’t warn the elder, but followed the faint laser line across the room. He lost it right by the second door and narrowed his eyes. Shoving some panicked member of the Brotherhood out of his way, Caesar pulled the Taser gun from underneath his suit jacket, stepped back out into the hallway, and inched closer to the door he suspected Vasco would exit from.

  Vasco didn’t bother to watch the last man fall after he pulled the trigger. Keeping the gun in his hand, he stepped down, pulled the door back open, stepped out into the hallway—and pain exploded through his system.

  When Caesar saw the door open he counted two seconds, took a gamble and squeezed the trigger. He was rewarded with Vasco’s surprised shout, and the sound of a body hitting the floor, just as the Brotherhood began pouring out of the doorway behind him, shouting and screaming about an enemy within.

  Walking over to where the taser was stuck into a form he couldn’t yet see, Caesar reached down, patting Vasco by the waist, and found the thermoptic device. “Did DeMarco give you these?” Caesar switched it off, and Vasco immediately appeared, twitching violently. Caesar smirked coldly. “I bet you’re pretty proud of yourself, aren’t you?” He knelt down and patted Vasco’s cheek. “So am I.”

  The last thing Vasco saw before consciousness was ripped from him was Caesar’s dark smile.

  §

  December 20, 2012 - 11:00 PM

  Mt. Shasta California

  Abandoned Mine Shaft

  “That’s it. Power’s off. Let’s move.” Simone pulled off the alien headset and tucked it into her pocket. Standing at the top of the supposedly abandoned mine shaft were fourteen Cadre, Caleb and Simone. The Cadre stood in pairs of two and carried six closed containers that housed Tesla’s earthquake device.

  Simone walked over to the control panel that operated the elevator, and placed the PDA-like device Xavier had given her over the top of it. The device immediately locked onto the panel and began making a low humming noise. Ten seconds later it beeped and the elevator gate unlocked.

  “How easy would our jobs have been, last lifetime, with one of those things?” Caleb shook his head and Simone chuckled. Caleb pulled back the gate when the elevator arrived and stepped in the elevator after Simone. The rest of the Cadre crowded in with them.

  “Time to see if these invisibility devices really work.” Simone pressed the button on her device, and the rest of the team did the same. For whatever reason, once they were invisible together, they could still see each other. Simone hadn’t bothered to have Xavier explain it to her; she didn’t particularly care why, so long as they just worked. There was no button to press inside the elevator. Once they closed the gate, it began descending on its own.

  “How many lifetimes do you think we’ve done things like this?” Simone asked Caleb as she tucked the PDA back into her pocket.

  Caleb grinned lightly. “Probably all of them. It’s what we do, babe.”

  The Cadre “Oorahed” and Simone laughed at their agreement. She set the timer on her watch, since their thermoptic devices worked in ten minute intervals.

  Caleb bent slightly to murmur in her ear, “If I don’t get to tell you this later, you look really hot in black fatigues.”

  Barely restraining a smile, Simone kept her eyes forward as the elevator shaft kept descending. “You should see what I’ve got on underneath it.”

  The Cadre “Oorahed” again.

  §

  December 20, 2012 - 11:11 PM

  Piedras Negras

  Mayan Ruins

  “Never mind where they came from, what the hell is that?!” The Scientists and their Cadre were crowded around the opening that led underneath the ruins, when what appeared to be a small army of PLFs appeared. But Abe wasn’t talking about the PLFs. He was pointing at the Igigi that circled the sky above them.

  “Forget about that. You’ve got to get down there. We’ll hold them off.” Robert snapped open the case, and pulled out the crystal, handing it to Grams.

  “I’m with you, Robert.” Abe slapped a fresh magazine into his assault rifle.

  Derek and Shirley blinked over at him. “But Abe—”

  “Do you know how long it’s been since I got to play military?” Abe cut off Shirley’s protest. “Stop arguing. Get moving.”

  Shirley swallowed hard, leaned over, and kissed his cheek. Then she scrambled over to her grandmother. They were all suited up and ready to go below. Grams secured the golden rod to her waist, doubled checked her rope, and went down first.

  “Hurry!” Robert shouted at them, as one of the remaining Cadre tossed a grenade.

  “Please, be careful.” Derek clasped Abe on the shoulder.

  “Yeah, you, too.” Abe squeezed his arm, then gave him a little shove. “Haul ass.”

  “C’mon, Derek!” Shirley yelled just before she rappelled down after her grandmother.

  Derek jumped as the dirt around his feet exploded in small bursts because of the gunfire crashing into it. Shoving his spelunking helmet on, he secured the rope around his waist, tied the knot, and then disappeared into the unknown.

  §

  December 20, 2012 - 11:11 PM

  Washington, DC

  The White House

  Enlil’s claws ripped open the skin on Michael’s beautiful face, staining it with blood. Before the wounds could heal, Enlil swiped his other in the same manner, then kicked him so hard that Michael went crashing back into a wall of the White House. Roaring with bloodlust, Enlil gave him no reprieve and charged. Michael shook his head once, saw Enlil coming, and surged to his feet, flying out to meet him. The two crashed together and Michael took Enlil to the ground, the impact dragging up the earth underneath them. Holding Enlil down with his forearm against the reptile’s throat, Michael shoved the blade of his sword into Enlil’s side, a deadly place for an Anunnaki to get injured because of the close proximity to his vital organs. Enlil’s roar could be heard in Maryland.

  Michael twisted the weapon, closing Enlil’s wound around it and preventing him from healing it. A second sound of fierce pain and harsh defiance exploded from Enlil, and his clawed hands made their marks on Michael’s arms, spilling the Angel’s blood, as he slowly stopped fighting, his head dropping back into the dirt.

  Breathing heavily, Michael stood up, looking down at Enlil sadly. “I am sorry. Return to the source, brother,” he whispered.

  “Michael!”

  Michael turned, and a smile slid over his battle weary face when he saw Gabriel. He took a step in his partner’s direction and suddenly halted. His eyes widened. A sudden flutter of white feathers, now stained with drops of crimson, fell to the ground. A clawed hand slithered over Michael's shoulder. Enlil yanked him backward, shoving the Angel’s own sword through his body. “You…will come…with me…” Enlil hissed viciously. He fell to his knees before Michael did, and slumped over a second later, this time gone.

  Gabriel was at Michael’s side in an instant, catching the Archangel’s body before he collapsed to the ground. Michael simply smiled up at him, lifting his hand, and touched Gabriel's cheek. It fell back onto his stained breastplate a second later, when a soul decided it was time to return
home.

  Gabriel drew his hand gently over Michael’s face, closing his eyes. The remaining Angels formed a circle around them, dropping to one knee in silent prayer for a quick journey home. Enki walked slowly over to them.

  Tears in his eyes, Gabriel looked up at Enki. “We have done all we can do.”

  Enki slowly nodded. “There is one last task I must ask of you.”

  Chapter 22

  “The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter.”

  -Author Unknown

  December 20, 2012 - 11:44 PM

  Mid Way City

  Kinsley, Kansas

  That’s the last one.” Ten dead station guards littered the area. The device used to burrow three miles into the earth, had burned the walls to glass. A sign hung from the ceiling, written in Sumerian that informed the employees of their current location and subsequent destination. In front of the parked train, a giant steel door blocked the path to the next station. The Cadre took positions along the perimeter, while Simone finished arming Tesla’s device.

  “Nothing to it.” Caleb winked at Simone as she finished.

  That was when everything went wrong.

  Bursts of pale pink light appeared on the floor around them. A second later Olivia appeared, joined by a dozen PLFs flanking her. They wore their own thermoptic devices, too, because Simone was positive that Olivia saw her. There was no other reason for the cold, heartless smile that spread over Olivia’s mouth and flamed to life in her eyes.

  “Simone, get on the train!” Caleb shouted, shoving her behind him as the gunfire began to erupt around them.

  For Simone, the world slowed down, and everything became surreal. She sprinted to the train, keeping her body low. From the corner of her eye, she could see Caleb’s arm jerking with the recoil of his gun every time he pulled the trigger, remaining in front of her, shielding her as they ran. Her foot passed the train door’s threshold, when she saw Caleb stumble. He smacked into the side of the train and he sank to his knees, his black fatigues staining with the dark color of his blood. She couldn’t even scream his name, because Olivia was advancing, shooting at her. Time sped up again for Simone as the doorway above her head sparked because of the bullet that crashed into it. The next grazed her arm, ripping open a small piece of her skin and causing a stinging pain that infuriated Simone more than it hurt her. Olivia’s next shot clicked empty, and Simone reached to pull her own gun, but Olivia crashed into her, screaming in murderous fury.

  Simone stumbled back into the train and slammed into the wall, her back hitting the button to make the train doors slide closed. Olivia punched Simone in the mouth, and Simone’s head jerked back, the coppery taste of blood flowing over her tongue. Hissing in fury, Simone jammed her fingers into the V at Olivia’s throat. As soon as she started choking, Simone rammed her knee into Olivia’s stomach, and then snatched her by the hair, yanking her cousin’s head back.

  “Did you shoot him!?” Simone screamed it into her face, and slapped Olivia before she could answer. “Did you?!”

  Olivia recoiled at the slap, but set her cruel eyes on Simone and croaked out, “I was aiming for you. But he’ll do for now.”

  The rage that tore through Simone nearly blinded her. She reared back her fist, but Olivia batted it away and grabbed Simone’s face, shoving her head back into the wall. Simone’s vision swam, and Olivia reached down for the gun at Simone’s waist. Feeling Olivia’s intent, Simone snatched her cousin by the throat, the tips of her fingers digging in a claw-like grip, choking her, and Olivia brought her opposite hand up, grabbing at Simone’s wrist. Just as Olivia pulled the gun free, Simone slapped her fingers around Olivia’s forearm, her muscles straining and burning as they fought for control.

  *Suddenly, the train doors were shoved open and a single shot rang out. Olivia’s eyes widened. Her grip slackened. Simone jerked her gaze over Olivia’s shoulder and saw Caleb leaning heavily on the door with his sidearm braced in his trembling hands. A hint of a smile lifted the corner of Simone's mouth, vanishing as she glared at her cousin. "Didn't see that coming, did you?" She punched Olivia in the jaw, and watched her crumble to the ground with no small amount of satisfaction. Simone kicked the gun out of Olivia’s hand and gave a small cry as Caleb's knees buckled. Rushing to his side, Simone caught him around the waist and fell with him.

  It had taken a lot of sheer, stubborn, determination for Caleb to find the strength to hold the weight of his gun up as long as he did. Now that he was completely certain Simone was all right he felt his strength give. A little smile touched Caleb’s lips and he pressed his head against her shoulder. "I knew you had it covered. I just wanted to shoot her back."

  Simone laughed, but her voice was thick with tears. "My hero," she murmured, stroking his cheek. "My big damn hero." The front of her shirt was wet with blood; Caleb's blood. Clenching her jaw, Simone opened up the front of his fatigues. She did not recognize the severity of his injuries, but Liliana did. Panic clawed at her chest. "Caleb. Stay with me."

  "It’s…it’s okay babe. You knew it was going to happen like this. Dejavu, huh?" Caleb tilted his head back to look up at her. "Spend…spend our next lifetime with me."

  Knowing didn't make it easier. Having lived through it once, as Liliana and Kyle, didn't make it any easier, either. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Simone pulled him into her lap and kissed him. "And the one after that, and the one after that. You can't get away from me."

  Caleb slowly smiled. "Good answer." With some effort, Caleb lifted his hand, touching her face, his thumb catching her tears. "I love you."

  A sob fell from Simone's trembling mouth. She clutched Caleb's hand and turned her face into his touch, pressing kiss after kiss against his palm. "I love you, too." She kissed his knuckles and, lastly, his lips. "Always," she whispered. "Always."

  What more did a man need to hear? To feel, before he left a lifetime? Nothing, Caleb thought. Absolutely, nothing. He finally let his lids close, keeping the picture of her in his mind’s eye. He guided Simone back to his mouth, one more time. For Caleb, it was the perfect way to take your last breath.

  Simone felt him go, but she wasn't ready for him to leave. Closing her eyes against the flood of heartache, she pressed her forehead to Caleb’s, gripping him tighter to her and released a soundless sob.

  “Madame President? Madame President I’m so sorry but we’ve got to go.” A cadre touched her shoulder. There were six of them left.

  Simone swallowed hard and kissed Caleb again, gently. It took her another moment to let him go. “Bring him.” She told the solider.

  “Yes ma’am.” The Cadre hoisted Caleb up, bringing him onto the train. Simone yanked out the Cadre’s sidearm, and stalked back to Olivia. She used her foot to turn her cousin’s body over. Olivia was still alive, though dying in slow agony because of where Caleb’s bullet had struck. The pain she was in was clear on Olivia’s now pale face, but just as fierce was the look of hatred that she gave Simone.

  Looking down at her cousin, Simone reflected that same emotion back to her. “Checkmate, bitch,” she whispered and put two in Olivia’s head. Simone stood motionless for several seconds, realizing the cold sense of satisfaction she felt was overshadowed compared to the pain ripping up her heart because Caleb was gone too. And that just pissed her off even more. “Get her off my train,” Simone said to the Cadre handing him back his gun. She pulled the headset out of from the front pocket of her fatigues, placing it in her ear. They still had one last base to hit. “Let’s go.”

  §

  December 20, 2012 - 11:44 PM

  Underground Ruins

  Piedras Negras

  “Oh, my God, it’s magnificent.” The new trio had landed in a small room, found a hole in the stone wall they could pass through, and then found themselves in a gigantic chamber. Grams cracked two cyalume light sticks, and even their light couldn’t fully illuminate the room. The stone walls were marked with Mayan glyphs and another vastly different lang
uage. Three massive stone doors provided more options than they wanted on which way to go next.

  “I know those are Mayan, but what language is that?” Derek waved his flashlight over the walls.