by SK Benton
"Captain Gunnarsson has transitioned to what we call Phase 2.5, or Assassin Form. The only other form we can maintain is involuntary, and it only happens on a full moon. In the case of Azul it is a two-day full moon. We call that Death Form, and it is indeed deadly. We shall need all inactive, genetic lycans to go through a gentle, painless process of activation in order to fight to save this world," she continued.
"My dear, to save this world from what?" asked Sarah Corning.
"The ones you call the Artusians - they're actually the Vrol, the same species that nearly wiped out Earth - and they're coming here to do the same thing."
Chapter 21 - Revelations
"Lies! All lies! We have seen imagery of the visitors. They're angels!" cried out one of the normal congresswomen, causing Michael to look down slightly while shaking his head. Max reverted back to his Day Form, using a cantus to clean up his uniform.
"Dad, I know you have your rules, but we need to wrap this up. I can only see one way," thought out Max.
The usually stoic Michael became affected in an emotional sense, with Max having directly addressed him as Dad for the first time ever. Michael looked at his younger brother, who nodded his head in agreement.
"Very well, Son. Shall we meet with Miss Corning, and perhaps a few others in private?"
Before Max could respond, Commander Alicia Vasquez entered into the Great Hall with both Tech Olson and her nephew, Kyle Reynolds, in tow.
"Admiral, I have accompanied the two individuals you requested and they are ready to address Congress at your convenience," said the attractive dega commander.
Bagatelle turned and gave his fiancé a courteous nod, holding his arm out and beckoning the two to approach the podium. Kyle had absolutely no difficulty walking towards his future uncle, but Tech Olson, timid in the first place, was terrified. Johnson had truly put the poor man through the ringer. But by looking at Bagatelle's face he detected no malice from the Admiral. Steeling himself, he walked up first, looked at the Admiral briefly and then at the Speaker.
"Ma'am, my name is Tech Arvin Olson. It was my testimony that caused Admiral Bagatelle's house arrest last year."
Sarah Corning gave him a stern gaze and nodded for him to continue speaking.
"I come to tell you ma'am, of my own free will and volition, that I bore false witness to the good Admiral. In fact, I never even saw the data and evidence Admiral Bagatelle brought back from Earth. Mr. Johnson told me that if I did not say exactly what he wanted then something terrible would happen to my family." Olson's eyes started to water as he stared straight forward.
"We found him in a prison cell, ma'am," said Alicia, "nearly starving to death.
"Mr. Olson, where is your family? Have you seen them?" asked Corning, maintaining a bit of compassion in her voice. But that was all it took to push the man over the edge. Dropping to his knees, he began to sob uncontrollably.
"He-h-h-he killed t-t-them! Johnson had them m-murdered and th-then threw me in j-jail for n-n-nothing. He sh-sh-showed me a v-vid of them d-dead and laughed!"
"Oh my god," gasped Jennie, who quickly moved over and helped Alicia to lift the poor soul, taking him to a nearby bench where he sat, slumped over and still sobbing.
Kyle walked right up to the podium and gave Corning a serious gaze, not even bothering to look at Vann, knowing the man was an inactive vampire.
"Ma'am, my name is Kyle Reynolds. My father worked in Johnson's secret base, where he was retrofitting Exodus barges with side space hook drive technology. I don't believe he was aware of the Vrol, and merely thought we were going to start a new life on the old world of our ancestors. I wasn't supposed to know any of these things, but I have certain… abilities."
"What sort of abilities, young man?" Corning asked curiously.
"He's a bit of a hacker and snoop. His skills have come in quite handy for the underground," added Alicia, growing a proud grin.
"Anyway, Dad asked Johnson for a promise we would be on the new exodus, and that same night, after I had snuck out to go to a party, my house exploded."
"That doesn't mean the good Chairman had anything to do with a tragic accident!" interjected Vann, having previously been released from Draagh's cantus of silence.
Kyle gave him a glare that was meant to melt faces. The boy never liked, nor trusted big government, and since his time in the Rhönen he had learned to despise vampires with an equal intensity.
"That means nothing to me, coming from a genetic ghoul in league with a dictator. The truth is, we were erased. All records of our entire family were taken off the data net. That only happens when the tyrants want you gone without a trace."
Vann got an annoyed look on his face and said, "Take care with how you describe your leaders, young whelp."
"Oh," Kyle responded with a face of innocence, "so you then admit to being that very same government that murders citizens for its own pleasure?"
"A deeper search brought them up - school records and all. They were murdered," added Alicia.
Vann looked like he was going to say something, but again found himself mute, this time the gift of silence coming from Max. Corning looked as if she were thinking deeply, but then turned to Bagatelle.
"Admiral, do you have any other facts to bring before this body before we vote?"
"I would leave that to Captain Gunnarsson," he said, "Max, is there anything else you'd like to add?"
"Thanks, Admiral, I would. Madam Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of Congress, I invented the side space hook drive. I know there are some of you who believe that Johnson's son Ryder invented it, but let's be real - he only had an undergrad degree in political science, while I have three Master degrees in engineering and a PhD. Hell, my doctoral thesis postulated the existence of side space. If anyone was able to create the machinery to enable travel through the void, it was me, and that's exactly what I did. This is also why I was pursued. Len Johnson wanted to command side space technology for his own purposes - to return to Earth and start a new world where he would be the de facto leader. There is simply way too much evidence and too many witnesses to deny facts. It is true that I am… different. But so are many other people, and there is nothing wrong with that. Mankind has great promise, but if we don't band together immediately we shall perish. We now know Johnson left in a side space-enabled craft to meet with the Vrol. We have proof of this. Please look at the screen."
Max pointed up at the infoscreens, disguised as vid displays, and caused Miguel Hernandez' images from his surveillance contact lenses to show up. Senators and Congressional representatives gasped as they saw proof of Johnson's treachery. Even though the evidence was overwhelming, more than a few genetic vampires cried foul, claiming the imagery was faked.
"Ma'am, we would like to meet with you in private, along with some of your committee leaders. These must be people of the utmost integrity, and most certainly not any of those who are being guarded by soldiers."
"Well, this is highly irregular, Captain, but I believe your wish can be granted."
"I demand to be in this meeting!" silently commanded Vann, his upper lip quivering, Max and the other Prīmulī being able to understand his mouthed demand.
"No, you shall not be in this meeting. Anyone on Johnson's exodus list in fact is to be removed from this chamber immediately," said Bagatelle, who then waved his hand in the air, prompting the soldiers guarding the congressional genetic vampires to lift them out of their seats, and to march them to the center area of the floor. Draagh created a bit of a show by creating a four-meter wide slip portal to the Buenos Aires prison. The passageway shimmered beautifully, and most everyone who saw it stared in awe, except for the screaming inactive vampires who were to travel through to the other side. Lycan soldiers started to move through the portal with their charges, immediately eliciting cheers and applause from everyone else in the chamber. It was apparent that the departing politicians were not well liked, even by the weakest of normals.
Bagatelle turned his attentio
ns back to the Congressional leaders, watching as Vann was yanked from his chair while silently screaming in protest. As the defiant gen-vamp reached the portal, he found himself face-to-face with Kyle Reynolds.
"Still a tough guy?" asked the teenager, having to quickly close his eyes as the mute senator spat in the lad's face. Wiping saliva from his cheek, Kyle grinned, and without showing anyone else, shifted to his Phase 2 form and punched Vann directly in the mouth, knocking out everyone one of the older man's front teeth, top and bottom. Vann choked on blood as he spit out a remaining incisor, the pain being overwhelming. Still, he gave Kyle a grin and acted like it was no big deal. However, when Kyle forcefully put his booted foot directly into Vann's reproductive organs his reaction was completely different, terminating in the senator's vomiting all over the floor.
"Okay, I'm done. Thanks, Tío!" said Kyle, causing Bagatelle to grow a slightly guilty expression, but knowing the boy really needed a release from the pain of his family's death. Vann had been identified as one of Johnson's closest confidants, and was most probably involved in the murders of countless citizens.
"Madam Speaker, please select the ten people you trust most of those who are standing. Oh, and please bring the congresswoman who claimed the Artusians are angels," said the admiral, pointing out to the audience where the inactive lycan congressmen and women were still on their feet.
The woman looked out and easily selected ten individuals, saying, "You know, it's odd, but I would have picked from that group anyway. I wonder why that is?"
"Their genetics make them particularly trustworthy, ma'am," answered Jennie.
"I see. Well, please follow me everyone," said Corning as she moved to a door on the side of the Great hall. Then before exiting the room, she turned and commanded, "Everyone is to stay in this chamber. We shall return shortly."
Inside a large meeting room were Bagatelle's group, minus Alicia Vasquez, who had remained in the Great Hall with Tech Olson and Kyle. Corning took a seat at the head of a long, beautiful table made of mahogany and put her elbows on the table top, intertwining her fingers. Looking on as everyone except for the occupation forces took seats, she had a look of expectation on her face.
"Well, here we are in private. The floor is yours, Admiral."
"Actually, I give the floor to Michael, the father of Captain Gunnarsson, ma'am. He is more of an expert in these things than I."
"Things? What sort of things?" she asked.
Michael walked to the side of the normal woman who had spoken out in defense of the Artusians.
"Earlier, this kind lady said she had seen imagery of the Artusians, claiming they were angels. Madam Speaker, the Vrol are not angels. As we had earlier stated, they are a vile, insectoid race created to eliminate entire worlds. However, we are angels," said the Taxiarch as he, Max and Gabriel extended their impressive spans of obsidian-black wings. Gasps filled the room as the three flapped and floated up, circling each other and then spreading out over the audience. Max landed next to the congresswoman who had claimed the Artusians to be angels and smiled, holding out his hand.
"Ma'am. We're real, but what Johnson showed you is not. Death approaches and we all need to work together."
The woman slowly reached out and touched Max's hand. Then moving a bit closer to the Captain, she touched one of his wings, a look of wonderment encompassing her face. Michael landed back down in front of Sarah Corning, and crossed his arms, giving her a smile.
"Who are you, sir? Admiral Bagatelle introduced you only as Michael."
"That is correct, ma'am. I am also known as Mija-El… and the Taxiarch."
"Oh. My. God. You-you-you… you're Saint Michael?" she gasped.
"I am he to whom you refer, yes. Your knowledge of my name comes to me as a surprise."
"I was raised Catholic in secret, so of course I know who you are. Should I… pray to you?"
Michael started laughing while shaking his head. "No! Why would you do that?"
"Well, my religion… it…"
"Religion is a creation of Mankind, not of the Prīmulī," responded Michael.
"What is a Prīmulī?" asked Corning.
"We are the Prīmulī," said Gabriel as he landed next to his brother with a solid thud. "It is our species. Humanity is a distant, lesser-evolved cousin created in our image, but will eventually reach our stage in evolution. However, in order for this to happen you must follow Admiral Bagatelle's instructions, lest you be annihilated. You must embrace this change. We are here to help, which is extremely rare. We have watched Mankind since his precarious beginnings on Earth, and although we stayed hidden from sight we were always with you, adhering to a policy of non-interference. Now, in this time of great need, we reveal ourselves to this small group. So, work with us now."
"Oh, and may I add, up until the point of removing the vampires from the Great Hall, the entire joint session of Congress had been televised system-wide. Aside from what happens in this room, there are to be no more secrets," said Jennie.
"Who said you could do that?" asked Corning.
"It was I who requested this to be televised," said Draagh, his voice booming throughout the room.
"And who are you?" asked Corning.
"He is our father," stated Michael, grinning slightly.
"Oh… my god. You're… God?" asked a stunned Corning, nearly falling backwards off her chair.
Draagh snickered under his breath and shook his head. "No, no, no my dear. No, not at all. He who you refer to as God we call Jah, and he is my father. I must say there has been quite a bit of confusion in the whole order of things. Perhaps, once we have put all these silly matters to rest, we can sit down to a nice drink of single malt Scotch whisky and discuss the order of the universe. However, we have more to show you. Max, would you care to explain the mysteries of the universe to these fine people?"
Max waved his hand, creating an infoscreen on a large wall and then addressed the group.
"Before the sixth century deactivation of lycans and vampires, there was also a subspecies of mages - men and women who could command the forces of nature. Among their many abilities, they could heal, build and repair. Most were of noble spirit, but some were tempted by darkness. Nevertheless, these forces of nature were what could be described as subatomic, techno-organic particles - micro machines created by Jah, that in unimaginable quantities could affect things. The portal that was used to transport the undesirable members of Congress to Vera - it was made of these bots, as I like to call them."
Max pointed to the wall and brought everyone's attention to what appeared to be a rolling ball of death - a sphere with numerous sensors and appendages protruding from its surface. It was the same animation he used to teach anyone about nature, as he found it was the easiest way to get the message across to whomever he was instructing.
"The reality is that, on ancient Earth, we used to call this magic. Well, that's what we call it these days too."
"What can you do with this magic?" asked Corning, "and why did you choose to show us this in private?"
"Please, son, allow me to address the kind lady," interjected Michael. "Madam Speaker, it had been expressly forbidden by Jah to make our presence known on a wide scale. For this reason we met with only a select group of individuals. You must promise to guard our existence as a national security issue. As for magic, we can do anything. Max is a hybrid - his mother is of the lycan genome, while he is my son, so he is half-archangel, in a manner of speaking, although he possesses all of the abilities of the Prīmulī."
One of the male congressmen raised his hand before speaking, and asked, "Captain Gunnarsson, how have you managed to keep these amazing abilities a secret all these years?"
Max almost started laughing and went over and sat next to the man, a brunette who appeared to be in his early 40's and fit for one of his age, asking, "What is your name, Sir?"
"I'm Jorgen Bierle, representative of the Valais canton in Schweiz."
"Well Jorgen, it's a pleasure to
meet you. Being as you asked, I'll tell you the absolute truth. I had no abilities until I went to Earth."
"So going to Earth enabled your powers?"
"Well, Earth of the 43rd century."
"43rd century? How is that possible?" inquired Bierle.
"Time is not linear, as we perceive it. It is more like… the spokes in a classic bicycle wheel. The hub is at the center - that would be the center of space/time, and each spoke is a different timeline."
"And you have the ability to traverse through time and space?"
"Well, yes. In fact we do."
"Then why not simply go and eradicate the Vrol before they get here? Go to the past or the future or whenever?"
"It is not that simple, kind sir," added Michael, "as any unnatural interference in the prime timeline causes a splinter."
"What do you mean, a splinter?" asked Corning.
"It creates an alternate timeline where that interference is carried through to completion. It creates an alternate reality, complete with doppelgangers of people from the prime timeline."
"My father is correct. In fact, I was stuck in an alternate timeline for a few weeks a while back. That place even had live Vrol. We currently travel there to train in fighting the insects," said Max.
Jennie, who had been standing quietly off to the side suddenly interrupted, saying, "It was hell trying to get Max back, and I don't like it whenever he goes there, but we all realize it's a necessity for training."
Sarah Corning gave Jennie a thoughtful gaze for a moment and then asked, "Commander, as I am basically the highest ranking member of our government on Azul at the moment, I would very much like to make all of your brevet promotions official and permanent, but first, may I ask a question? Actually two?"
"Um, sure, ma'am. Go ahead."