"It is nothing," David said.
Chris cleared his throat. "You are correct," he said.
"Correct about what?" David asked
"You said that the council's reach extends beyond just religion. You are correct. It isn't just a religious organization. It was founded by religion, but as you can see, the colonel is a member of the military. We have warriors within their ranks as well as virtually every organization from every corner of the world."
"I am still amazed that these religions and countries with such animosity put their differences aside for the common good," David said. "However, the network is mind-boggling."
"I can explain it in one word: Vietnam," Chris said.
"Vietnam?" David asked.
"What was the major problem in the Vietnam war?" Chris asked.
"I thought you only read comic books?" David asked.
"I have the entire 'Nam collection," Chris retorted. "Just answer the question."
David sighed. "An ineffective leadership that had classified the war as a police action. Therefore, they wouldn't hold any land after a battle. Also, in my not-so humble opinion, I believe that they were afraid that if they had increased their presence in Vietnam that the Soviets would have taken more of an interest. With the Soviets and the Americans both involved in a conflict, the threat of a nuclear war increased."
Larry chuckled. David turned and glared at his mentor. Larry laughed harder.
"What is so funny?" David demanded.
"Your political rant," Larry replied.
Ty nodded. "However, I know people that served during the Vietnam War and his rant is not that far from the truth."
"It is true!" David exclaimed. "Had they claimed land, the Soviets would have taken a greater interest because the United States would have had a stronghold on their doorstep."
Chris held up a hand to prevent the long, drawn out debate about the United States' role in the Vietnam War. All three men turned to their elder.
"Be that as it may, it still isn't the main reason why the war was lost," Chris added.
"There is another reason?" David asked.
"Yes," Chris replied.
David turned to face Larry. He knew that he would not get any further answers from the vampire hunter. Chris had turned to admire the beautiful landscape of Nova Scotia. David knew that it was his feeble attempt to ignore him and to conquer his fear of flying. David shrugged. His tension, with Chris, grew. Their spat on the plane still festered like an open sore. Chris' mysterious and often unrevealing personality, which made him extremely difficult to read, had put David on edge. Larry understood that Chris was hurting which had always made him even more introverted. David, who didn't know the true man behind the undead exterior, wouldn't accept his attitude especially when he would drop out of conversations.
"Are you going to tell me?" David angrily asked Chris.
The moody vampire hunter sighed. "I want you to make your own conclusion."
David rolled his eyes and threw back his head. He nearly knocked his headset from his ears. The back of his head slammed into the metal interior of the helicopter.
"FUCK!" he exclaimed.
Chris chuckled.
"What is so fuckin' funny asshole?" David demanded.
"Your displaced anger," Chris matter-of-factly replied.
"No, it isn't displaced, I am pissed at you. Quit being so fucking mysterious with your damn questions. If I want a goddamn mystery solved, I'll call Columbo," David snapped.
"Please do not use the Lord's name in vain," Chris requested.
David rolled his eyes again, but he was mindful not to throw his head backwards. "Okay, you got me religious boy! I'm stumped. What is the fucking answer?" he asked angrily.
Chris stared directly at David. "If you didn't know that our vampire queen was an undead, seductress psychopath, would you fear her?" Chris asked.
"Great! Answer a question with a question!" David said as he rolled his eyes yet again.
"Just answer the question!" Chris ordered angrily.
"No," David replied, "I wouldn't. I'd be too busy checking her out and trying not to drool on her."
"Same thing in Vietnam," Chris retorted.
David was stunned. "What? They had too many hot chicks?"
"No, they couldn't visually tell the difference between their allies and their enemies," Chris replied.
David, who was embarrassed, nodded glumly. "I should have thought of that."
"Think nothing of it," Larry said. "You are not the only one who has had a lot on his mind."
David nodded glumly again as Ty put his hand on his shoulder. "Yes, I know but his clue was obvious. If the American soldiers had been able to tell the difference between their enemies and their allies, it would have made their missions a lot easier. Because we can't tell the vampires from the humans, it makes our jobs that much more difficult."
David shot a glance at Chris who offered a curt nod.
Larry frowned. "David, that glance wasn't necessary," he scolded.
Chris waved his hand dismissively. "No, he has a valid point. He didn't know my secret until we told him."
"True and how many more vampires are hidden amongst our ranks? There could be hundreds just waiting to strike," David asked.
"To my knowledge, I am the only one," Chris answered.
"How do you know?" David demanded as his anger still had not been quelled.
"I can sense them," Chris said.
"How?" David pressed.
"I don't know, but it has helped me many times in battle."
"Okay hero," David asked sarcastically, "Just how many times have you been beaten by a vampire in battle?"
Larry and Ty both glared at David. "Why does that matter?" Ty asked.
Before David could respond to his question, Chris held up three fingers. David was shocked.
"Is one of them when you were turned?" Ty asked.
Chris nodded.
Only the sounds of thunder and the helicopter blades filled the helicopter. Their voices were silenced. Chris returned to his window and his feeble attempt to overcome his fear of flying. David was completely stunned. Larry shook his head in disgust at his friend. Chris watched the rain trickle down the window. David stared at the quiet vampire hunter.
The only vampire to ever best Chris in battle is the vampire queen, David thought. If he can't stop her, then how will we stop her?
Chris was lost in his own similar thoughts. As the helicopter began its descent to Shearwater Heliport, Chris continued to stare out the window. As his thoughts wandered to the pending battle, he was overcome with a new fear.
Failure.
* * *
Mikhaeli sipped her wine. The pamphlet that advertised the hotel did not lie. She had reserved the Grand Suite and it was perfect for her pampered lifestyle. The king size four-poster bed reminded her of her past. The rich leather furnishings, while not completely to her taste, were more than adequate especially when she compared them to some of the other motels that she had the misfortune of visiting during her lifetime. The fireplace was beautiful, but the full bar and entertainment center had caught her eye. As the pamphlet said, if she didn't have to leave her room, she might have moved in permanently. However, she did soak up the comforts while she waited for her visitors to arrive.
She watched the fire and its flames sparkled in her blue eyes. Unlike most vampires, she did not fear fire. She had fond memories of the moronic humans burning down their own cities trying to rid themselves of her presence. Each time, she had already seduced her way out of the city, while she also enjoyed several fresh meals along the way. It reminded her of Drew. He had provided her with safe passage to the hotel along with some very pleasant entertainment.
A knock at the door awoke her from her reverie. She sighed. She sipped her wine again. She stood and placed her wine glass on the fireplace mantel. She opened her lace-trimmed silk, thigh length, kimono robe and tied it again. The light purple robe perfectly accente
d the purple lingerie that she had purchased. However, she decided to wear the matching chemise, which she had also purchased, instead of her other outfit. Her purple lingerie was for a special occasion. While she knew that she looked absolutely fabulous in her robe, she didn't want any attention, other than business dealings, from Damien Le Doux. She thought that the vampire was quite foul.
She slowly approached the door. She heard an impatient sounding knock, so she paused and stretched. Another knock told her that Le Doux was becoming angry. She smiled. She stopped and adjusted her robe again. She peaked through the eyehole in the door and smiled. She saw the top of Le Doux's head as it peaked out above a large white and green bag. She giggled and opened the door.
"You're late," she scolded as she strutted back to her chair and her lovely glass of wine.
"Nice to not see you," Le Doux said as he struggled with the four large bags that he had cradled in his arms.
"Quit your fucking whining and put those in the bathroom," she ordered.
"Yes, My Queen," he said sarcastically.
Mikhaeli picked up her glass of wine and sipped. She watched the vampire struggle as he carried the four large bags into the bathroom. A female vampire entered the room and closed the door. The slightly overweight and poorly dressed vampire smiled lustfully. Mikhaeli rolled her eyes. Apparently, the unwanted attention was going to come from Le Doux's minions.
"My Queen," she said as she licked her lips.
"Yes and don't you forget it. Are the prying eyes gone?" she inquired.
"Yes, my lovely lady," the vampire replied. "The custodian, who saw us carrying the bags, is now rotting in the dumpster behind the building."
Mikhaeli growled. "Le Doux! In here now!"
The ancient vampire, who had formally been Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, wiped his hands on a towel. He shook his head as the vampire queen stood with her hands on her hips. Her displeased look told him that his day had just become longer.
"You bellowed, My Queen?" his French accent asked sarcastically.
"Yes, I did. Where did you get this fucking moron?" the vampire queen asked.
"BITCH!" the female vampire snapped.
Mikhaeli snapped an angry glance to the female vampire who stood defiantly with her arms across her chest.
"I am waiting for an answer," she said as she refused to remove her eyes from vampire.
"She is one of my most trusted minions," Le Doux said.
"Get your out phone and call another. She left the body in the dumpster in the back. When it is discovered, the police will show up and I don't need them snooping around in here," she ordered. "You out!"
The female vampire laughed. "You don't order me around bitch. I am not…"
Before she could finish her words, Mikhaeli leapt. The larger vampire could not fend off the attack of the stronger and faster vampire queen. Within seconds, she had the vampire's right arm pinned behind her back and she clamped her hand over her mouth. The vampire struggled but the queen had placed more pressure on her pinned arm. The vampire whimpered in pain.
"Shhhhhhhh!" Mikhaeli cooed. "This will only hurt a lot." She looked directly at Le Doux. "Open the grate and throw the poker in the fire."
"Yes, My Queen," the now frightened vampire leader said.
He opened the fireplace grate and placed the ornamental poker into the fire. Mikhaeli forced the vampire towards the fire. She wrestled her to the floor. The vampire struggled. Tears formed in her eyes.
"Who is the bitch now?" Mikhaeli asked angrily as she held out her hand.
Reluctantly, Le Doux removed the bright red poker from the fire and he handed it to her. She pressed the vampire's face into the floor. She twisted her head so she could see the glowing head of the poker. The vampire whimpered.
"I asked who is the bitch now?" she repeated.
"I…"
Before the vampire could finish her sentence, Mikhaeli shoved the poker into her mouth. The vampire tried to scream but the hot poker had instantly incinerated her tongue. She shoved the poker into her throat. Smoke poured from the vampire's head. Seconds later, flames burst from her eyes. Mikhaeli removed the poker and leapt backwards. Le Doux poured water onto the dead vampire's head before it exploded.
"You ruined my show," Mikhaeli sneered.
"But, My Queen, if she explodes, then you would have to explain to the cleaning service…"
"Understood," she snapped. "Take the body to the bathroom and rip off her head. Pour the blood into the bath and then throw the body into the fire. Call in your men as we have much to discuss," she ordered.
He bowed. "Yes, My Queen."
Le Doux picked up the dead vampire body and carried it into the bathroom. Mikhaeli returned the poker to its stand. She closed the fireplace grate and she returned to her chair. She picked up her drink and she sipped the expensive wine. She watched the fire while she waited. Half an hour later, Le Doux emerged from the bathroom and he tossed the vampire's gaunt remains into the fire. The undead flesh immediately dissolved in a foul green flame. Mikhaeli smiled approvingly.
Ten silent minutes later, there was a soft knock at the door. Le Doux did not disturb the vampire queen. He opened the door and five male vampires entered the room.
"My Queen," Le Doux said, "The men that you had requested are here."
She licked the wine from her lips.
"Perfect," she smiled evilly. "Please come in, we have much to discuss."
* * *
The storm had not subsided. The military helicopter shook and swayed as the pilot struggled to touch the landing gear softly onto the helipad at Shearwater Heliport. The former Canadian Forces Base had been closed and remodeled into a heliport. It was realigned with Canadian Forces Base Halifax and ceased to be a separate military entity. The facility's primary operation was to support Maritime Forces Atlantic and Pacific. It also featured docking facilities for diving units and warships.
Military personnel scurried about the base as the helicopter struggled to land. The storm winds along the waterfront were fierce. Frigid spray whipped along the docks and the landing pad was under a thin layer of water. The rain pelted the windshield of the helicopter. The wipers valiantly cleared the sheets of rain. As the puddles on the helipad came into view, large raindrops splashed onto the surface. The ground appeared as if it was a large dance hall.
The pilot muttered a curse. The helicopter shook violently as the heliport buildings were causing an unusual wind tunnel effect. The storm's power was increasing. On a normal day, military personnel could see ships as they returned to port. The storm was causing coastal sprays that masked the piers. The same winds also interfered with the landing computers. Electrical surges made it impossible to trust the wireless data as it streamed to the onboard computers. The co-pilot glanced at the pilot who shrugged. The co-pilot sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. Seconds later, the multi-million dollar military aircraft landed roughly with a large splash.
"Well that was fun," Ty said jovially as the side door opened.
"Speak for yourself," Larry said as David leapt out of the door.
The trio couldn't see their colleague as he disappeared from sight. They quickly covered their faces as the wind and the rotors whipped raindrops into the helicopter. Ty, Larry, and Chris disembarked. They ducked their heads and they dashed away from the helicopter. They were met by a salute from a base captain. Another captain helped David to his feet and offered him a soaked cloth to wipe his mouth. The last remnants of David's expensive meal floated away in a storm created stream.
"Colonel Lees," the captain said as he held his salute, "We have an escort waiting for you."
Colonel Lees returned the salute. "Thank you, Captain. Please lead on."
The captain led them on a mad dash through the driving storm. Despite their best efforts, their clothes were drenched. The captain led them to a pair of police cruisers and a large unmarked police car. A tall, brown-haired man in a raincoat stood next to the unmarked car. Water
dripped from his head as he waited patiently for his guests to arrive. Larry panted heavily as they reached the car. David, who was still a slight shade of pale green, leaned on the side of the car. The military men and Chris, despite being completely soaked, appeared fine.
"Colonel, my pleasure," Detective Kent Hutchins yelled as he extended his hand.
Colonel Lees shook the extended wet hand of the police detective. "Nice to see you again, Kent, but can we continue this inside?" Ty asked as he too yelled over the helicopter blades and the whipping wind.
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