“Maybe when I’m around you I don’t worry about it.”
“Maybe I do.”
Calida closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and smiled. “Better?”
A minute passed and Ryan allowed himself to relax. He sat up on the bench behind him. “You know, I’ve actually missed you the last few days,” he said.
Calida looked down at the floor. “Why did you miss me?”
“I don’t know. I was worried that you might . . . .” Ryan shrugged. “Nothing makes any sense to me anymore . . . about you.”
“I wanted to see you before I left, but I wasn’t allowed.”
Ryan nodded. “I don’t know what they have planned for you, Calida, but it worries me. You shouldn’t be used for any of their purposes.”
She raised her eyes at the sound of her name. “They want me to kill someone, someone important, but they haven’t told me who it is.”
“So that’s it?” Ryan asked. “They’re using you as an assassin?”
“Isn’t that what this place teaches people to do? Kill?”
“Yeah, I guess that’s what they do here.”
“Then why did you come here to work with them?”
“It’s not that simple.” Ryan defensively shook his head. “At first I figured they needed me as a scientist to help them with their research into your kind.”
“Vampires?” Calida asked. “It’s okay, it doesn’t bite if you say it.”
“Thanks, but I don’t believe that is the real reason anymore.”
“What’s the real reason?” Calida asked with her head tilted to the side. “What do you think now?”
“I think all of their effort for the last few years was for one thing. They wanted you.”
“And you helped them.”
Ryan nodded.
“That insane little man is coming to see me again, tomorrow,” Calida said, her face expressionless.
“With all of the time and money they’ve put into getting you it must be something big,” Ryan said.
“All I know is that it’s all about one man,” Calida said. “There is somebody they want killed, and they believe I’m the only one who can do it.”
“Do you know where you’re going?”
“Afghanistan.”
“Christ.” Ryan looked past Calida as a male agent entered the lab.
“It’s time to go back,” the agent said.
Calida looked at the agent and nodded. “It was nice talking to you Doctor Ryan.” She jumped down from the bench, walked past the agent, and disappeared through the entrance.
Ryan stared at the entrance for a long while after she left and wondered who the government wanted Calida to assassinate in Afghanistan. He asked himself why did they need a vampire to kill someone in Afghanistan. He went over it many times in his mind, but he kept coming up with the same name.
Chapter Fifteen
“By definition, a government has no conscience. Sometimes it has a policy, but nothing more.”
—Albert Camus, French Philosopher
Ryan and Siri received instructions to meet the Director in Calida’s cell at 5:15 AM, Tuesday morning. Both got to the cell early and were now waiting for the Director. Calida sat on a chair next to her bed talking to Siri. Ryan performed maintenance on the feeding apparatus and so far he had checked the pumps for proper operation and replaced the tubing. He removed the mouthpiece on Calida’s end and inspected it. The metal valve imbedded in the plastic had been compressed as if squeezed in a vise.
“Can you take it easy on these things?” he asked. “This is the second one I’ve replaced in two days. I’m starting to think you’re doing it on purpose.”
Calida glanced at him and shrugged.
“I’d like to get a bite measurement on you and see how much force you can make.”
Calida still didn’t say anything to him and looked toward the observation window.
“I wonder if you bite harder than a crocodile,” Ryan said aloud, to himself. “I’ve heard they have the highest bite force of any animal.”
“So you think of me as an animal?” Calida asked as she finally responded to him.
“You always know how I’m thinking of you . . . right? But we’re all animals.”
“And so we are,” the Director said, entering the room. William had followed the Director into the cell. He setup a chair just inside of the open door and then left. The Director eased himself down onto the chair with his cane and opened up a folder he was carrying. Without looking up he asked, “So why have I asked everyone here?”
Ryan sat down on one of the chairs by the feeding apparatus and swiveled it toward the Director. “I’m sure I won’t like it.”
“Certainly not a concern for me, or this agency,” the Director said.
“Why are we here?” Ryan asked.
“This project—the bringing of Miss Villena into our protection for your subsequent research—has been funded by the highest levels of our government. And yes, the science is important, but I fear it will have to become a secondary consideration at this time.”
“Secondary to what?” Siri asked.
“My good Doctor Lei, an opportunity is nearing that this country must take advantage of. And this opportunity requires Miss Villena’s unique talents.”
“Why all the coy speech?” Calida asked. “What do you bastards want me to do now?”
“Two-thousand-years-old and such a charming command of English.”
“What do you want with her?”
“Calm down, Doctor Ryan. We only want her to perform her duty, as any of you would, in service to her country.”
“I must have missed a step,” Ryan said. “Since when is this her country?”
“Since she took the oath of citizenship and contractually signed with this agency,” the Director replied.
Ryan stared at Calida who looked at her fingernails. “Why didn’t you say anything about this to me, or Siri?”
“Like you said, we’re all animals, but I’m the only one kept in a cage.”
“Miss Villena made the only choice available under the circumstances,” the Director said.
“You promised me that our research would come first,” Siri said, raising her voice. “Why is this promise being broken when we have gained her trust and we're learning so much? We might find ways to help her?”
The Director calmly reached inside his suit and appeared to fondle something. “Trust, Doctor Lei? How much trust would you like to place in her? She’s a killer, and shall always be a killer. Or have you already forgotten that she devoured poor Christopher?”
Calida leaned forward in her chair, but before she could say anything, she reached upward with both hands and grabbed her head for several seconds.
“Can’t you see there’s something wrong with her?” Ryan asked.
“She’s been having these—these seizures.” Siri got up from her chair and sat next to Calida. “We need to find out why before she goes anywhere else.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Doctors. She has more control over these moments than you give her credit for. Isn’t that right dear?”
“What do you want from me?”
“As I said, an opportunity has arisen,” the Director replied. “This country has invested, well, to be honest, it has spent nearly a trillion dollars in the fight against its enemies since September 2001.”
“I’m not surprised that you’ve mentioned the money before the thousands of soldiers that have been killed,” Ryan said.
“Money, equipment, lives, all wasted to be sure, and all because of a single man,” the Director said. “When all is reduced to its simplest cause a single man bears the responsibility for these evils.”
“This is all about him?” Ryan asked.
“You had us capture her just to kill a terrorist,” Siri asked. “That was your plan all along?”
“The plan has always been to protect this country,” the Director replied. “Each of you, and myself included, are
instruments to be used toward that end. Must I remind you of your oath to this agency and your contractual obligations?”
“The contract seems pretty one sided at the moment,” Ryan said.
“As has been your bank account,” the Director said, stabbing his cane toward Ryan. “I don’t recall ever seeing any refusals of deposit from your financial institutions, isn’t that right?”
Ryan looked away.
“How am I supposed to get close enough to your terrorist?” Calida asked. “Haven’t you tried to kill him since those two buildings fell?”
“Yes, yes, we have tried and failed, yet been so close so many times, but we must put an end to this matter once and for all.”
“What are you forcing me to do?”
The Director took out his pipe and filled it with tobacco but didn’t light it. “You shall take on the appearance of a young daughter of a Pashtun warlord called the Sardar from a tribal area that straddles both Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
“Is that all?”
“This area is known as the Pashtun Belt,” the Director continued. “And since you are fluent in Pashto, and most of the other regional dialects, this should be easy for you to accomplish.”
“This is crazy,” Ryan said. “All you’re going to accomplish is getting her killed.”
“Ooh, I’m sure she appreciates your concern,” the Director said. “But don’t forget that she is a vampire after all. I’m sure she’ll find excellent feeding where she is being sent. The Belt’s social structures have all but disintegrated and this lawlessness will work to her advantage.”
“So I’ll be a Pashtun woman in a tabar. And will I also be wearing a burqa? Not all tribes observe this custom.”
“Yes, certainly, this Sardar follows the most conservative traditions.”
“How am I going to find your terrorist?”
“You shall be taken to the tribal areas where you will be transported across the border to the mountains west of Quetta in Pakistan.”
“But she can only move around at night,” Ryan said.
“Oh, but you underestimate her,” the Director said. “This creature sitting here before us has survived nearly two millennia without seeing the light of day. And she terrorized this region at one time for nearly a hundred years, isn’t that right my dear?”
“You’re giving me too much credit,” Calida replied. “I know this area of the world.”
“It was really Doctor Lei’s research into your history that formed the basis for this remarkable plan,” the Director said.
Siri lowered her head and sat back down on her chair. “You misled me—you’ve been manipulating me all along.”
“That is an unkind thing to say, Doctor Lei. Upon Miss Villena’s successful return your studies may continue.”
“You believe the information I took from Husaam is going to lead you to him, don’t you?”
“Over the past four years the agency has had under close surveillance the extended family of an important Pashtun Sardar who is receiving arms and munitions from the Taliban. To help pay for these arms and gain favor, the warlord will be giving three of his daughters to the Taliban as servants to the Amir.”
“It’s a barbaric practice,” Siri said.
“It is an old tradition in these tribal areas to use daughters as payment for debts and other needs,” the Director said. “This particular Sardar has many daughters.”
“Who’s this Husaam?” Ryan asked.
“He is the eldest son of this Sardar and will be at this arranged meeting.”
“Husaam and his father are meeting the Amir al-Mu’minin.” Calida said.
“So you have told us,” the Director said. “You were very explicit that Amir al-Mu’minin is the title of the other person to be present during this meeting, I believe.”
“That was the name in his mind.”
“And do you know who this name refers to?” the Director asked.
“It means ‘leader of the faithful’.”
“Ooh yes, it does have that meaning, but this particular Amir is none other than the leader of the Taliban.”
Ryan stood up. “Fun and dancing . . . that’s where you went?” he directed at Calida.
“After seven years of missing your mark,” Calida began, ignoring Ryan, “why put so much trust into what is inside Husaam’s mind?”
“Ah, why, you ask,” the Director answered. “This Husaam has quickly gained the favor of the Amir. His father is trying to position his son into the Taliban leadership. Husaam has brought in great sums of money through his crafty selling of opium and heroin. The hit on the yacht, agent Villena, was a test for Husaam to prove to the Amir that he is a worthy follower.”
“It sounds as if you already knew about this meeting before you sent Calida to read this Husaam’s mind,” Siri said. “So why did you send her in the first place?”
“Thank you, Doctor Lei,” the Director said and put his pipe in his mouth and lit the tobacco. “You always see what is important.”
“Can you bring me up to speed?” Ryan asked.
“Doctor Ryan, we know that the meeting is to take place, but we don’t know when or where.”
“How are you going to find that out?” Ryan asked.
“I’m sure Agent Villena can explain it,” the Director replied. “It’s all very simple, really.”
“It was all about getting me to touch Husaam,” Calida said. “Everything else was a diversion. You risked getting me killed just so I could touch Husaam and be able to read his thoughts from anywhere.”
“Now that you’ve imprinted with him you’ll have the strongest possible telepathic link.” The Director smiled and took a long draw from his pipe.
“The prions . . . .” Siri sighed.
“Hold it,” Ryan said. “There’s a flaw in your plan. All this does is allow her to read his thoughts at a distance. It doesn’t tell you where the real target is.”
“That is why you must be present at this meeting,” the Director instructed Calida. “You must be one of the three daughters being given away and find a way to make physical contact—to imprint—with the Amir.”
Calida shook her head. “A tribal Pashtun woman would never touch a man outside of her family. It would be too obvious and could get the woman raped, or killed by her own family.”
“Possibly, but the Amir has the same character flaw that most men have,” the Director said.
“And that is?” Ryan asked.
“He is merely a man, and she is a most beautiful woman.”
“I don’t care what she is, or what her abilities are,” Ryan began. “Sending her in alone to touch this Amir so you and the government can save face is crazy.”
“She’s not being sent in alone,” the Director said. “You’re going with her.”
Ryan got to his feet. “What good would I do? I can’t speak the language and I don’t know their customs—I’d stick out!”
“No, Ryan must stay here,” Calida said. “I’ll do this, but not with him.”
“The risk is too great,” Siri said.
“My good Doctors, you both have invested all your efforts, and not to mention your reputations, into studying this creature. I am merely allowing you to have a more vested interest in her safe return.”
“I’m not a field agent,” Ryan said. “Remember what happened the last time I was in the field?”
“This time you won’t be exposed to any immediate danger, Doctor Ryan. You will be under the protection of a Special Ops team that has been working this area.”
“If you have operatives already in place what do you need me for?”
“You shall be responsible for the tracking system same as last time. And let us pray it works better than before. You wouldn’t want to be responsible for getting any more people killed, of course.”
“You rushed me,” Ryan said. “The system wasn’t ready for the field.”
“Not to worry,” the Director said. “It has since been properly f
ield tested.”
“It has? When?”
“That’s not important now,” the Director said waving his cane. “In addition to the tracking system you shall also serve as a telepathic link to her.”
“So Calida must imprint with Ryan?” Siri asked.
“She hasn’t already done so?”
Ryan turned and looked at Calida. “Well?”
“I only get a weak touch from you when you’re not close,” Calida said.
“But enough to make me forget those pills.”
“I never passed the little messengers to you. I can read you and show you things if we are close. If I can’t see you it becomes difficult.”
“Then you must imprint with him,” the Director said.
Ryan looked at Calida. He didn’t move.
“Is it that you’re afraid to touch her?” the Director asked.
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Calida said. “He’ll just have to find someone else.”
“You’re being offered the chance to help her, so make your decision quickly. I have another volunteer waiting outside.”
Ryan didn’t know what frightened him more: allowing Calida even more intimate access to his thoughts or going to the Afghan-Pakistan border. He took a breath and walked up to Calida.
She stood up right in front of him and said, “Once we’re joined there is no going back . . . do you really want this?”
Ryan reached down, grasped her hand, and held it as he spoke. “I can’t answer that, but someone needs to keep an eye on you—or should I say?—a mind on you.”
“Then it is done,” the Director said. “Siri, you will bring his vaccinations up to date and assist her with the preparatory materials.” The Director held up a folder and patiently waited for Siri to walk over and take it. “There are many photos and names that she must memorize.” Then he turned toward Calida. “There are also photographs of the daughter you shall be replacing. I want to see how convincing you can make yourself appear. You are both of similar height and weight.”
“What is to become of this daughter?” Calida asked.
“You know the answer to that question. You must make sure, however, that the body is not discovered. This is critical for your survival and I am not speaking about what the Pashtuns might do if you are discovered.”
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