Operation

by Tony Ruggiero

  “So tell me, Commander, are you still thinking about retiring in a year or so?”

  “Yes, sir.” Reese was caught off-guard by the personal question.

  “Why is that, Commander? You have an opportunity to pick up captain in what—two or three years?”

  “Yes, sir, that’s correct. It’s just a time for a change. I’ve been thinking about teaching, maybe even writing a book,” Reese said as he felt his guard drop at the unusual interest Stone was showing in his life.

  “A book? What kind?” Stone asked.

  “It’s a comparative work of myth and folklore and how they are related to the modern world.”

  “It sounds interesting—and how appropriate for you that you are involved with this operation.”

  “You could say that, sir,” Reese answered cautiously.

  “I just did, Commander.” Stone’s tone changed. It became irritated, his eyes darting back and forth rapidly. His body lifted out of his chair as he leaned close to Reese’s face. “You realize that you cannot write anything about this operation until it is declassified, if it ever is.”

  “Yes, sir, I understand that,” Reese answered. He would not let himself be lured into complacency by the general’s personal questions again.

  “Good.” Stone re-seated himself. “I just wanted to be sure of that because if you weren’t, I would have to remove you from this operation.”

  “Yes, sir, I imagine you would,” Reese said, trying to keep his voice neutral.

  The matter-of-fact tone Stone had used made Reese think the man would do whatever he had to in order to reach the end he wanted.

  “General, if I may ask, what are your intentions with these creatures? I read the note you placed in the briefing package you gave me when I was heading to Kosovo and I have to admit, it was somewhat disturbing,” Reese said.

  “Oh, that,” Stone said in a casual tone again. “I just wanted to get you thinking that’s all. Pretty wild thoughts, huh?”

  “Yes, sir. They certainly were. So you’re telling me it was what—just idle chatter?”

  One of the cooks arrived with their food.

  “Ah, our food is here,” Stone said. “Let’s eat and leave this business talk for later, Commander.”

  They ate in silence; it was obvious they were both deep in thought. However, Reese’s eyes were drawn continually back to the glass of liquid Stone drank.

  “What’s wrong?” Stone asked, noticing Reese’s stare.

  “Oh…nothing,” Reese said, his eyes still on the glass.

  “It’s good, you should have some,” Stone said. “Nothing like a good glass of tomato juice.”

  “No, thanks,” Reese said. There was something about its deep red color that reminded Reese too much about his new acquaintances and the likeness in disposition he saw in Stone: the plan within plans.

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  The briefing was in the main conference room of the facility. Commander Reese and General Stone entered and found Commander Scott, Lieutenant Johnson and Major Barkley present. They all rose as Stone entered.

  “Carry on, gentleman,” he barked. “I’m in the mood for some good news and I hate to be disappointed. Who wants to start?”

  “I think the medical aspect is the most relevant,” Reese said. “Major Barkley, please begin.”

  “Yes, sir,” he said hesitantly, his eyes reflected an uncertainty that obviously had him considering his manner of presentation and approach. “Unfortunately, my report is not as conclusive as I would like.”

  Reese figured Barkley would cut to the heart of the matter.

  “These creatures,” he continued, “have had a full battery of blood work and analysis, along with standard motor control and flexibility tests. They have the best dexterity and motor control movement that I have ever seen. If I were to guess, I would say that they have the strength and endurance of three to five men, maybe more. In addition, all of their senses are highly acute, much more than our own. It’s as if they inherited animal characteristics such a strong sense of smell, anticipation of danger and so forth. Quite amazing.”

  “That’s extraordinary,” Stone said, his face was riveted on Barkley’s every word.

  “Yes, sir, it is. But,” he said hesitantly. “I cannot tell you why they have this ability. Or why if you inflict a minor injury to them that it heals incredibly fast. During the blood work, by the time I filled one tube and went to inject the next, the hole had healed up and closed.”

  “Perfect,” Stone said, elated. “Does it occur at the same rate every time?”

  “It depends on the size of the wound,” Barkley answered. “The smaller the wound, the quicker it heals.”

  “So they cannot be killed?” Scott asked.

  “They can die,” Barkley said. “We put a vile of the blood out in the sunlight, and it boiled itself off in a matter of seconds. Also, it appears that their bodies cannot recover from massive wounds. For example, if they were close enough to an explosion, it could kill them by decapitation or severe dismemberment.”

  “How did you determine that?” Scott asked.

  “Through deduction and information obtained from them. The one called Dimitri, he said that he saw one of them killed that way during World War II,” Reese said.

  “World War II?” Stone asked.

  “Yes, sir. From what we have been able to determine from what they have told us so far and by the tests, they are more than a hundred years old.”

  “Amazing!” Stone exclaimed. His face lit up like a child’s on Christmas morning. However, the excitement quickly faded as he asked his next question. “But doctor, surely there must be some explanation for these attributes?”

  “Their blood has to be the key. It is quite different. Unlike ours, it has no living cells. The living cells they ingest from the blood from a living organism all die, and that causes them to require more living blood to sustain them. That is how the cycle works, or at least how I believe it works. You have to understand, General, that this is all new ground we are covering.”

  “Something in their bodies causes the blood to die?” Reese asked.

  “That’s my guess,” Barkley said. “They don’t use the organs that they were born with, not in any way that I can tell. They don’t require food or water to live nor do they require to relieve their bodies of any waste.”

  “What about their…ah…reproduction organs?” Scott asked.

  “They no longer function. As far as how that works, perhaps Commander Reese would be more of an authority.”

  “According to legend and myth, they breed by taking a human to the point of death by draining the blood from them,” Reese said. “Then the human drinks the dead blood from the creature and that begins the cycle of transformation. The creature that created them becomes the master and those that were created are subservient to this master. Please keep in mind that this is purely legend, but hopefully I can learn if this is in fact. I have had conversations with Dimitri that indicates that an older creature, someone called Alexander, created them which would make him the master. However, he was killed in World War II.”

  “So, Major Barkley,” Stone said. “What you are telling me is that we cannot figure out what gives them the power that they possess?”

  “Not at this time, sir,” Barkley answered. “And if I may speculate, I don’t believe there is a medical reason for it.”

  Stone looked incredulous. “There must be a reason why they are the way they are. You’re not going to go off in some mumbo-jumbo bullshit area, are you?”

  Barkley nervously glanced at Reese and then spoke. “Some things go beyond normal reasoning and medicine, sir. I don’t believe we’ll find a scientific explanation.”

  Stone waved a hand of dismissal and said, “We’ll see about that issue. Are you positive there is no way to duplicate or replicate these powers?”

  “Not without subscribing to their method of reproduction that Commander Reese spoke about.”

  �
��Thank you, Major,” Stone said. He turned to Johnson. “Your report, Johnson.”

  “During their physicals, we installed a more advanced collar device. It provides a range of two to three miles so if they try to escape, the devices will activate from a safe distance. It also has a more sensitive anti-removal device. There is available technology that would increase this function if we so choose to use it. The elixir that was developed by the civilian is an obvious deterrent against them trying anything against us. We have positive control over distance as long as we have potent elixir or as long as the creatures believe it to be.”

  “This elixir, have we learned to duplicate it yet?” Stone asked.

  “Not quite,” Reese said. “Idriz has production methods that we have not been able to duplicate yet. He insists on playing an active part of the control of the creatures; a way of taunting them with death because they killed his daughters as part of a blood feud between the creatures and his family. I had to promise him that he could speak with the creature known as Josip in order to get him to produce a new batch of elixir. He’s also agreed to put together explicit instructions on its development.”

  “Offer him money,” Stone said, with a wave of his hand.

  “It’s not money he wants, General,” Reese said. “I think he wants to inflict as much pain as possible on the creatures.”

  “I’ll talk to him,” Stone said. “I’ll get him to see reason. Besides if he keeps the fear in the creatures, then all the better for us in using and controlling them.”

  Reese was about to object, but thought he would save his reservations for another time when he was alone with Stone.

  “Are there any other comments?” Stone asked.

  “I have one,” Reese said. “Just a note of concern. All security measures must be adhered to—to ensure the creatures aren’t allowed to get any human blood. That would complicate things and put everyone at risk.”

  “Of course not, Commander,” Stone said, with an exaggerated air of shock. “Aside from the obvious reason, do you have any other concerns in this matter?”

  “From what we can tell, these creatures have subsisted mainly on animal blood. It’s possible that the taking of human blood causes a development of some kind of a superiority complex, and makes them more dangerous, such as a drug addict who uses enhancement drugs that remove their fear and makes them reckless and—”

  “Thank you, Commander. Are there any more questions?”

  The men fell silent at the sudden rebuke upon Reese.

  “So,” Stone began. “Gentleman, from what I am hearing, we have positive control over these creatures and we should be able to control them and to put them through a operational test.”

  “An operational test to determine what?” Reese asked.

  “Any military benefit,” Stone said. “Why else have we gone through all of this?”

  Reese did not answer. Instead he glanced at Johnson whose face was, as usual, motionless as he stared straight ahead.

  “We’ll arrange a test for tonight; something simple but enough to show us what they can do. Make it happen, gentleman!”

  Chapter Forty

  Johnson and Reese sat in the common area with Dimitri and his men.

  “They have arranged a test for you and your men,” Reese said to Dimitri. “You are to attack a defensive position that has been set up, penetrate inside, kill the target and return without being detected.”

  “A test? It sounds more like a game,” Dimitri said.

  “In a way,” Reese said. “Lieutenant Johnson will brief you on the particulars of the mission.”

  Johnson moved away from the group and toward a table where there was a map laid out. Dimitri and his men still remained seated with Reese.

  “They want to see how their specimens work, is that it?” Dimitri smiled. A chuckle came from Josip, who had so far remained silent. “Why bother?”

  “If you don’t go through with it,” Reese said. “There will be no sense in maintaining this facility.”

  “A threat?” Dimitri’s eyebrows rose.

  “No. Not from me, but as I told you earlier, I am not in charge. If there is no benefit derived, then there is no justification for expenditure.”

  “When do we meet who is in charge?” Dimitri asked.

  “Perhaps after the test.”

  “Then that is reason enough to go through with this charade.” Dimitri motioned for his men to assemble around where Johnson waited to show them the specifics of the mission.

  “This is the building,” Johnson began with military formality, as he indicated the position on the map. “You and your men will be dropped off here, approximately two miles away. From there, you make your way through their outlying defenses. After you clear the preliminary defenses, you will find guards stationed at these areas,” he indicated red X’s that had been marked on the map. “Once through them, there are motion detectors here, here and here.” He pointed to areas he had circled on the map. “The target will be located somewhere within this building. You will spray him with the paint gun indicating a positive kill, then return to the point that you were dropped at. Any questions?”

  “We will be armed with weapons?” Josip asked.

  “Paint guns,” Johnson said. “They shoot a ball of paint. Upon impact, they release their material and mark the person as a confirmed kill.”

  Josip laughed at the explanation and received a stern look from Dimitri.

  “Clothing and equipment will be provided to each of you. We leave within the hour for the drop-off point.”

  “One more thing,” Reese said. “I know how fast you are. You might be able to escape, but you cannot hide from the tracking devices in your collars. Any deviation from the direction of the target will result in activation of the devices.”

  Dimitri looked at Reese curiously. “And whose finger will be poised on the button?”

  “Get ready to go,” Reese said.

  * * * *

  Two hours later, Dimitri and his men were dropped at the specified spot near the ocean front of the base.

  “I’ll wait here. Good luck,” Johnson said to the creatures. He received no responses.

  The four men headed off until they were out of direct sight of Johnson, and then stopped.

  “We play this madness?” Josip asked, incredulous, as he held out the weapon in front of him.

  “For now,” Dimitri answered. “Remember, learn what we can from them and when we are ready, we will disappear. But tonight, we must give them a good show.”

  Josip did not respond, but Dimitri could feel his gaze upon him as he indicated the direction for them to go. They moved swiftly and without sound. They passed through the first line of defenses easily. There were six men armed with night-vision goggles, but Dimitri and his men gave off no heat that would allow them to be detected. They approached the building that held their target. The four men crouched together outside the beams of strong light that penetrated the darkness and illuminated the approach to the building.

  “You will take the guards out with the paint guns,” Dimitri indicated to Andre and Iliga. “Scale the walls where they are not looking; they do not expect an attack from their walled areas because it offers no grips for anyone to climb. We will wait here until you give the sign that all is clear, then you act like guards while Josip and I go inside. And remember,” Dimitri said, putting an arm on each of their shoulders, “do not injure them, understand?”

  Dimitri received looks of confusion from the two.

  “We must show control, my friends. If we appear reckless and uncooperative, that will make them watch us that much more. Understand?”

  “Yes,” Andre said, while Illiga nodded his head in agreement. They disappeared into the night.

  Dimitri and Josip waited in the darkness. Dimitri was confident that they would do as they were told. He had Josip stay with him so he could keep an eye on his ill-tempered friend.

  “Fools,” Josip cursed. “We could have sim
ply marched in the front entrance and killed them before they knew what was happening. Why do we waste time?”

  “Yes, we could have,” Dimitri agreed. “But we don’t want to give away all our secrets now, do we? All we have to do is enough to get the job done.”

  Josip smiled at Dimitri’s cunning as the signal from Andre and Iliga was given.

  “Let’s go,” Dimitri said.

  They glided over the motion detectors which were easily visible to their vision and entered the building. There was a guard seated at a desk. A radio blared as he wrote in a logbook. Dimitri indicated for Josip to take him. Josip moved forward just as the guard looked up. Josip locked his eyes onto his and the guard did not move as Josip came towards him. When he was close enough, he raised and fired the paint gun at the mesmerized guard.

  As the red paint dripped from the guard’s clothing, Josip said, “You’re dead,” and he bared his exposed fangs to the man. “Be quiet now and just lay there or I will get angry.” His eyes focused on the dark red paint with longing and licked his lips with his tongue. The guard watched in fear as Josip inched closer.

  “Enough,” Dimitri said. “Let’s finish this.” He pointed toward the interior of the building. They moved forward, their feet not making any sound.

  Within minutes they heard voices coming from a room, two doors down in the corridor. They passed by the first and went into the second. The men in the room gazed up, startled by their appearance, and went for their weapons. But Dimitri moved quickly into the room and sprayed them with bursts from the paint gun.

  “Which of you is the designated target?” Dimitri asked.

  “We’re dead,” one of them said as they lay on the ground. But Dimitri noticed the smiles on their faces instead of looks of defeat.

  “Josip!” Dimitri yelled, realizing that they had made a mistake. “Check the room we passed.”

  Instead of going back the way he came, Josip charged the wall that joined the two rooms. He smashed through the wood and dry wall to find two more men preparing to exit through a door that led to the outside. He grabbed them both, one by each hand, and threw them toward the way that he had come, through the broken wall. They landed a few feet from where Dimitri stood. Josip charged toward them, his face enraged with fury that Dimitri knew meant trouble.