Morgaine and Michael [The Morgaine Chronicles #8]

by Joe Vadalma

  She and the dwarf approached. When they were within a few paces, the person on the throne looked up. It was Morgaine. Macmulliganicutty immediately bowed so low that his head touched his knees. Raven said, “Are you some kind of queen here, Morgaine? Should I bow too?"

  Morgaine laughed. “Of course not, old friend. It's good to see you again, Raven. It's been a long time.” She rose from the throne, came to Raven and hugged her. Afterwards, she said, “Come, there's nowhere for you to sit here in the throne room. Let's go where we can be comfortable.” She took Raven's arm and led her through a side door to a sitting room with cushioned sofas and chairs.

  When they were seated, Morgaine asked, “Do either of you want anything to eat or drink?"

  Macmulliganicutty said, “A goblet of mead would be nice, Mistress Morgaine."

  "Beer,” Raven said. “A lager if you have it."

  Morgaine waved her hand in the air. Their drink of choice appeared before them on the coffee table. A goblet full of a golden liquid in front of the dwarf, a bottle of Sam Adams in front of Raven and a dark red wine in front of Morgaine.

  Raven took a swallow of beer and said, “Okay Morgaine, it seems you maneuvered me into coming here. Why?"

  "Why to see my old friend. It's been a long time."

  "Don't give me that. You're up to something."

  "Wasn't it your desire to rescue Michael Ellul from my clutches?"

  "Is this your way of stopping me from doing that?"

  Morgaine smiled sadly. “Actually it's my way of bringing you to him. You see, there are bigger fish to fry. Bad things are about to happen in your world. I need you and Michael and one other to stop them from happening."

  Raven looked at her in a puzzled way. “What things?"

  "I can't tell you that right now. Finish your beer while we chat awhile about old times, which, by the way, I miss. When you're done, I'll take you to the place where I now dwell."

  CHAPTER 22. UNHOLY ALLIANCE

  Despite the massed forces against Legion's army, he won victory after victory until he had most of the Balkans under his control. The native populations were put to work building war machinery, artificial men and resurrecting corpses of fallen soldiers. As a result, the war dragged on.

  Six months later, the Allied Force general staff were still arguing about a strategy to defeat the monster. At the meeting, General Putztieg of Germany said, “What can we do? Our own dead as well as the enemy dead fight for the enemy when they are transformed into zombies. The more casualties on either side, the stronger the enemy becomes."

  General Hauser of the U.S., who was a latecomer to the war, said, “Can't we simply bomb them to smithereens?"

  "We've tried,” said General Mishtakov of the Russian forces. “Their antiaircraft batteries are so accurate, few aircraft make it to their target."

  General Bronbottom of the English contingent said, “Our prayers may be answered, gentlemen. I've just received the following communiqué from rear echelon command.” He summarized the long message. “A cease-fire has been negotiated with the enemy. We are to halt all combat operations while a negotiating team from the United States meets with ‘The Bloody Red Dragon’ himself. Perhaps a peaceful settlement can be reached. I hope whatever agreement that they come to includes the final death and burial of those of our troops who have been resurrected and fought against us.” Although he was seasoned veteran of many campaigns and the tragedies of warfare, he shuddered at the horror of seeing walking dead men charging his positions.

  * * * *

  Legion's intercom buzzed. Over it, his aide said, “General Zolar wishes an audience. He says he has good news."

  "Usher him in."

  The heavy metal door to Legion's office swung open, and General Zolar marched in and saluted in the Nazi fashion by raising his right arm. “Hail, Legion.” Zolar was an eight foot tall blond giant, handsome and square jawed, a manmade construct of flesh like Legion himself. Legion had his scientists make several of this type after reading about the exploits of a twentieth century madman named Adolf Hitler.

  Legion returned the salute. “Hail yourself, Zolar. At ease. What's this good news?"

  Before speaking, Zolar snapped to a parade rest position. “Master, we've received a communication from President Bongiglio calling for a cease fire. The U.S. wishes to negotiate a peace treaty."

  This was the news Legion had been waiting for. “That's good indeed. I'm sure that Bongiglio will allow us to keep all the territory we have won. Once we have built up our strength again in a year or so, we can proceed to conquer the rest of the world. Notify all commanders in the field to cease operations immediately. I will contact Bongiglio myself. Set up a secure telephone link to Washington."

  "As you wish, Master.” Zolar rose, saluted again and quickly went to do Legion's bidding.

  Once the communication line was established, Legion called Nicholas. “Hello, old friend. The time has arrived. Where shall we have these ‘peace negotiations'?” He chuckled.

  "In Bern. Switzerland has a long tradition of neutrality in all wars. It will make it seem that we are sincerely seeking peace."

  * * * *

  With the eyes of the world watching, heads of state and their staffs met in Bern. There was much wrangling at the peace table. Many of the delegates from Europe and the Middle East wanted Legion to give up all territory except for Romania as it existed before the war, to disarm and to render all the zombies immobile and return them to their countries of origin for proper burial or cremation. Legion refused to agree to any of these terms. The United States, Russian, Chinese and Japanese delegations were for a peace treaty with no such provisions, only an agreement by Legion not to continue his invasion of bordering countries and not to pursue genocidal policies. After several days of arguing, this was essentially the treaty that was signed. All of the delegates returned to their homelands except for the American delegation. In a secret meeting Nicholas and Legion signed an alliance of mutual support.

  Two weeks later, Legion broke the original peace treaty to invade Afghanistan and Germany. When the former allied forces again went against him, he called upon the United States for aid. Nicholas sent as many Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine contingents available at the time to come to Legion's aid. There were many protests at home by politicians, the press and the public against aiding a former enemy. Nicholas used the Emergency Powers Act to arrest anyone who opposed the war openly, even congressmen and senators. He dismissed the congress as an unnecessary body. He made a speech to the public which announced that in the interests of American security and public order, from that day forward he would be taking over the duties of the legislative and judicial branches of government. Congress and the Supreme Court were on an extended leave until the present crisis was over. At the same time, he also took over control of all media outlets and put out propaganda supporting his decision to throw the U.S. might in with Legion's.

  With the aid of the United States, one by one the countries of Europe fell to Legion and Nicholas. Soon the alliance ruled Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Balkan states, northern Italy, Austria, Poland, and the Ukraine. The armies marched toward Turkey and Greece, Russia, and the Near East. Nicholas called upon Asmodeus to supply him with new kinds of fighters, vampires, werewolves, and demons.

  Soon Nicholas and Legion began an invasion of England. By this time, the allies were using strategic atomic bombs. This did little good, as the Unholy Alliance's (as it was called by its enemies) armies continually renewed themselves. The allies feared going to the more powerful hydrogen bombs. If the Alliance decided to use the same sort of weapons on their cities, they had more to lose.

  When Jerusalem fell, Nicholas sent for Mandy, and they moved into the palace built by the Omega Church. Nicholas declared to the world that he was their emperor. In his speech, he called for all nations of the world to capitulate. “A world government under my leadership will bring lasting peace to the world. War wll become a thing of t
he past. I will look on with favor and be lenient towards those nations who surrender now. But my wrath will be awful against those who hold out until I conquer them."

  To prove his point, when England fell, the prime minister, the parliament and the royal family were impaled in a public display. Soon after, several smaller countries in the path of the Alliance war machine surrendered. Europe and the Middle East were now part of what Nicholas called The Earth Empire. His next moves would be toward Asia and the western hemisphere.

  * * * *

  One day while Nicholas was in a strategy session with his generals, Mandy, Legion and Tepes had a strategy meeting of their own. Mandy said, “I think the time has come to dethrone my pompous husband."

  Legion said, “I agree, darling, but the question is how."

  "I don't think it's a question of how, but whether it's possible at all,” said Tepes. “Nicholas is the son of a powerful entity. He has the powers of an archdemon and an army of fallen angels at his beck and call."

  "For all of that,” replied Legion, “Nicholas himself is human. He can be killed."

  "That he is. I've smelled the warm blood in his veins.” Tepes grinned and licked his lips as though the thought of drinking from his leader's fount would give him great pleasure. “But, let's say that we do succeed in destroying him, won't Asmodeus reap his revenge upon us?"

  Legion shrugged. “Who knows what goes on in the mind of an entity like Asmodeus? It's not in anyway human. It can view the future as though it were the past. It must know already that we plan to rebel against Nicholas."

  Mandy said, “I can do the deed. It will be easy.” She looked from one of the monsters to the other for agreement.

  Legion nodded. “I'm for it. We'll deal with Asmodeus if and when he seeks revenge for his son's death. What say you, Tepes?"

  "I have nothing to lose. Sooner or later I'm going to burn in hell anyway. Kill him."

  * * * *

  Mandy put on her slinkiest, most transparent nightgown and waited for Nicholas to come to their bedroom. When he arrived, he was smiling. “Those generals of mine. Although they know that our army of darkness is invincible, they give me many excuses why we can't defeat the Russians and the Chinese. But I finally convinced them that if they use biological warfare against our enemies, they'll fade away like dry ice."

  "My darling emperor husband, you must be exhausted after arguing with those military people all day. Come here and sit by me.” She patted the bed.

  Nicholas eyed her suspiciously. “What are you up to Mandy? You must want something."

  She gave him a “you misjudge me” look. “Not at all. I have something to tell you. I've called it quits with that creature, Legion. There was nothing real between us except lust. Now that you're emperor of the world, I've decided to be a good wife and empress."

  He sat on the bed by her. “So, what was it that changed your mind? The gold and jewels. Or the power that goes with being empress?"

  She placed her open palm on his cheek. “Perhaps a little of both. Also, you're quite handsome, my Nicky. I find it easy to love you compared to that ugly brute, Vic.” Her hand slid down to his chest. She unbuttoned his military style blouse.

  Nicholas sighed and peered into her eyes. “I wish I could believe you. Although I am what I am and could have any woman in the world, I've always wanted you from the moment I laid eyes on you."

  "You have me now.” She tipped her chin up and closed her eyes.

  Nicholas kissed her with passion and put his hands on her breasts. She gasped with pleasure. “Oh Nicky, let's be the way we were when we first met."

  Nicholas quickly removed his clothes and lay next to her. In a moment, her transparent nightgown was on the floor. He kissed and suckled her nipples. He slowly licked his way down her stomach to her vagina and thighs.

  "Oh Nicky, Nicky,” she moaned. “Do me."

  He mounted her. She squeezed him with her legs as he entered her. As he began to pump, she reached into her hair and withdrew the small dagger she had hidden there. In one swift movement, she slit his throat.

  He pulled up for a moment with a startled unbelieving expression. Blood dripped down on her breasts and stomach. He tried to say something, but could only gurgle. Moments later, he fell over sideways. She pushed his corpse off the bed and went into the bathroom to take a shower. When she was done, she called Legion on her cell phone to come and dispose of the body.

  The next day Legion took over the duties of the emperor of the world. Behind his back many questioned the strange disappearance of Nicholas, but none dared bring the subject up publicly. Legion had the rumor spread that Nicholas had died of a stroke and that Legion was covering up the fact that he was dead.

  * * * *

  At the moment of Nicholas’ death, his aura appeared before Asmodeus. The demon was furious. His bull head bellowed, his ram's head bleated loudly and the human head cursed all creation. When it finally calmed down, it cried, “You damned fool. You allowed that cursed woman ruin all our plans."

  Nicholas gazed downward contritely. “I am sorry father that I failed you.” He went to his knees and pleaded, “Give me another chance. I promise not to allow my emotions to overcome my good sense."

  "Bah. Once a fool always a fool. I should have never impregnated that woman. I should've known that I could not trust anyone who is part human to carry out my plans to conquer that small planet earth. All is not quite lost, those who have taken your place, Legion and Tepes, will do nicely to continue my work."

  "But, what of me?"

  Asmodeus laughed. “Guards, take this foolish one to the torture chamber where over the next ten thousand years he will endure excruciating pain and contemplate how in his next incarnation he will not allow anything stop him from carrying out my orders perfectly."

  Although Nicholas cried and begged, he was dragged away.

  CHAPTER 23. INTERDIMENSIONAL TRAVEL

  Westcott woke up with a terrible hangover. He groaned, turned over on his side and opened his eyes. Esmeralda was staring at him. She was in the buff. He looked down and realized that he was also. He asked, “Did we...?"

  "No. And I'm disappointed.” She stuck her lip out in a pout. She placed her hand on his flaccid member. “How about making it up to me, right now?"

  He looked her over. She had a beautiful body. He felt the urge, but another urge was more intense and immediate. “In a minute, hon. I have to pee and take something for this terrible headache."

  "I know just the thing for your hangover, some of the hair of the dog that bit you.” She reached over to the night stand and handed him a bottle of vodka that had been sitting there.

  Westcott knew that liquor was poison to him. Once he started drinking, he could not stop. He was an alcoholic. He licked his lips. It was already too late. He should have never taken one sip the previous night. He put the bottle to his lips, guzzled down several gulps and handed the bottle back to her. “Okay. Now, where's your bathroom?"

  She pointed. He went into it and relieved himself. He looked through her medicine cabinet for a condom. He found a whole package. He opened one and slipped it on. The vodka had given him a little buzz and relieved his headache.

  He returned to the bedroom and made love to the gorgeous Esmeralda. His conscience bothered him a little about the fact that he was cheating on Raven, but not enough for him to stop. It's probably all over between us anyway, he rationalized, with her going to Jerusalem to be with that cult. Sometimes I think Raven is a closet lesbian. Who knows what those Omega people did? They probably have ritualized sex. This last thought made him randier than ever as licked Esmeralda's crotch.

  * * * *

  For the next six months he and Esmeralda saw much of each other. During the day they helped Doctor Lazlos and the assistants that Morgan Thomas had provided produce what Lazslos had named the IDGM for interdimensional gateway machine. The work on it was being done in a bright shiny laboratory on the twentieth floor of the Omega building in New York.
During most evenings, Westcott and Esmeralda used their time off to savor the night life of the Big Apple, falling into bed around two in the morning where they made hot love until drink and exhaustion put them into a coma-like sleep. After barely three or four hours, they made love again, drank more alcohol to relieve their hangovers and returned to the laboratory to work another eleven hour day.

  Westcott knew he was pushing the envelope healthwise. In addition his drinking steadily became worse until he was an alcoholic daze most of the time. He thought about calling his AA sponsor, but never seemed to have time.

  One day Lazlos came into the lab, shaking his head and said, “Terrible, terrible. I don't know what President Bongiglio is doing making an alliance with the Red Dragon.” He flipped the newspaper onto a workbench.

  "What?” cried Westcott, who had not paid attention to any news reports or read any newspapers since he started seeing Esmeralda. He snatched up the paper. “Let me see that. I knew we signed a peace treaty with that butcher, but I didn't think we were allied with him."

  "It's terrible. It was a secret treaty. Now, we are going to war against our former allies.” The scientist lowered his voice and gazed around suspiciously at the other personnel in the laboratory. “And no one dare speak up to oppose it. Those who did have been arrested or simply disappeared. Everyone is afraid of Bongiglio and his Special Troops and his Homeland Security Agents. I'm probably putting myself in danger by even speaking of such things.” He whispered, “They are everywhere."

  Westcott read about the United States sending troops to Europe to aid Legion. There had been something supernatural about President Bongiglio's rise to power and the forces used by the dictator Victor Legion. He wondered whether Morgaine was involved. He recalled all that business last year about the visions that Raven had seen as an Omega priestess. Wait a minute, he thought. Did that really happen? It couldn't have. Those scenes I seem to think I remember could not have occurred. It was like the end of the world. I've got to stop all this drinking. My brain is starting to turning to mush. I can't distinguish real memories from false ones anymore.