"Until the general says it is. You can discuss that with him if you like."
Reese sat in silence for a few seconds before he spoke again. “What did you call them? The new team?"
"Yes. We had to call it something in order to classify the expenditures under the black operations account."
"Black operations,” Reese repeated, finding it amusing—black as the night all right. “Just call them ‘team.’ Why do we have to name them?"
"No, that's too boring, Reese,” Scott said. “Let me see, they can't be killed easy so they are virtually immortal. So...” Scott went silent as he thought for several seconds.
"How far to the secure area?” Reese asked, wanting to change the subject.
"Not much further. I took a look at it today and was quite impressed."
"What about—” Reese began.
"I've got it!” Scott yelled. “They're immortal, right?"
"I suppose you could say that. Yeah,” Reese answered.
"Operation Immortal Servitude! Does that sound complex or what? The accounting weenies won't know what to think ... well, not that we pay them to think anyway. The general will love it,” Scott said, almost glowing in self-admiration.
"Yeah ... catchy,” Reese said uncaringly. “Now what about security? Men to guard and monitor our new arrivals?"
"Lieutenant Johnson and his team have been permanently assigned to this operation."
"He's a good man, but a little too military for me.” Reese commented. “But his men performed well. It was a shame that we lost three."
"Yes, it was,” Scott said. An uncomfortable silence fell between them.
"What about me? Do I go back to my other assignment?"
"We need you with this assignment. Your background is pertinent and critical to this mission, as is evident by the successful capture."
"I just supplied the information, Johnson handled the operational side. I'm interested in these creatures, but I need to know where this is going."
"What do you mean?” Scott asked.
"These creatures ... what will happen to them?"
"The general will explain all of that when he gets here.” Scott said, in what Reese thought was a well-rehearsed statement.
"Here we are,” Scott said. “Down this road for a bit, it's hidden really well, out of sight from everything else on the base.
Reese did not like the way the conversation had been ended—without any answers to his most important questions.
The trucks entered the road that led to the compound. Thick dense woods concealed its location from passing traffic. In a few minutes, they arrived at an area encircled by fencing and illuminated by high-intensity lighting. Their small convoy stopped. Reese and Scott got out of the vehicle and were joined by Johnson.
"Commander Scott,” Johnson said as he saluted, then shook hands.
"Good work, Lieutenant. I was just explaining to Commander Reese that you and your men have been assigned to compound security and monitoring."
"We better take a look around then,” Johnson said.
Another sign of Johnson's devout allegiance, thought Reese. Ask no questions, just do as you are told.
Johnson selected various members of his team for immediate assignments and took the rest on a tour of the facility. Reese and Scott followed, Scott explaining the layout. They ended the tour in the control room of the facility.
The control room was completely sealed, designed to withstand any type of forced entry. Entry to this door and all of the others in the facility were controlled by electronic card and thumbprint; considered the most secure method in private industry and high-level government installations. Inside the control room, they became acquainted with the video monitors that displayed every inch of the facility, the security alarms and the motion detectors. The last piece of equipment to go in was the remote device that would activate the collars on the creatures.
"That about covers it for now,” Reese said. “Are you comfortable with it, Johnson?"
"Looks good. But the true test is to get our friends out of the containers and turn them loose in their new quarters. The containers are off the trucks and ready to be opened. Double protection is ready."
"Let's get to it,” Reese said.
Orders were passed and the men prepared in their hurried arrangement for double protection. The first team would unload one creature at a time and escort him into the area. The SEALs would be armed with the elixir in their spray apparatuses. At the same time, the creatures would be monitored from inside the control room in the event of an attack, whereby the collar device would be activated. Reese and Johnson accompanied the first team as they opened the container that carried Dimitri; Scott remained close to them, his anticipation evident as he paced about anxiously, as if waiting to see some type of show. They unbolted the door and swung it open.
Dimitri stood there, his stance reflecting that of a man that had just disembarked a train, as he curiously studied the new surroundings. He inhaled the air deeply, seeming to digest and dissect the smell to determine its individual ingredients. After a few seconds, he smiled at Reese and Johnson and spoke.
"We are near the ocean. It has been a long time since I have seen the ocean."
"Yes,” Reese said. “We have arrived at our destination."
"And that is where?” Dimitri asked.
"Virginia,” Reese stated. “These facilities are to be your home for the immediate future. We must get you and your men into these facilities quickly; dawn is less than a hour away."
"Yes, I can sense it coming. Our sense of timing in regards to the sunrise is acute."
"Let your men know what's happening. Remind them that the same precautions are in place that have always been and that as before, we will not hesitate in using them."
Dimitri looked around, studying the faces of the armed men; he saw the same armaments as before. He raised his hand to the collar at his neck.
"These are very hard on our flesh; perhaps we can have different ones that will not abrade our skin."
"We will discuss that later. I want you and your men inside—now,” Johnson ordered.
"Very well,” Dimitri said. “I will tell them.” He closed his eyes for several seconds as he communicated with the rest of his men. Reese was fascinated by this ability and hoped to learn more about it. “They all understand and are ready,” Dimitri said.
"Okay. You first,” Johnson said, as they escorted him into the facility. The area consisted of individual rooms for each creature. The furniture was sparse but appeared comfortable. Each room contained an alcove in which their crypt would be placed. The door to each room was also keyed with magnetic card reader and thumbprint verification.
"It's not much, but we didn't have time. If our plans go okay, we will add some more niceties for you,” Reese said.
Dimitri scanned the area but did not speak. His face reflecting no concern for the words that Reese had just spoken.
"Did you hear what I said?” Reese asked.
"Yes. We are accustomed to living in an underground environment that had much in terms of amusement. However, this is quite satisfactory for a prison."
Reese ignored his comment. “We have to get everyone inside right now. Can you wait until this evening to feed?” Reese asked, his tone reflecting the obvious disdain at the thought.
"You find the concept difficult to comprehend, don't you, Commander? The fact that we must take the blood from a living creature in order to survive is revolting to you."
Reese said nothing.
"I have a feeling you will get used to it,” Dimitri continued. “As I will have to get used to whatever it is that you have in store for us."
Reese still didn't say anything. He turned and exited the creature's quarters, ensuring that the door locked shut behind him. He couldn't help but wonder if Dimitri was right—would he get used to the fact these creatures had to take blood to survive? In theory, he had accepted the fact; however in reality, the theory took on a
new life that scared him.
"They look like normal men,” Scott said, surprising Reese out of his thoughts.
"What did you expect?” Reese snapped. “Did you think they would have three eyes or fangs that hung down to their chins?"
Reese saw a surprised look on Scotts face, but he couldn't decide if the commander was surprised at his outburst or the content of the statement.
"But don't worry,” Reese continued. “They possess the attributes you and the general are looking for. Turn your back on them for a millisecond and they will slit your throat, like you or I open up a can of soda, and then drink your blood with as much delight."
"Whoa ... Reese,” Scott said, holding up his hands. “Take it easy. I wasn't trying to be funny or anything. To most of us, that's the image we conjure up. We don't have the background that you do. To most of us, they're just fictional creatures up on the big screen."
Reese calmed himself. He sensed the edginess had been growing inside of him since the conversation on the plane with Johnson. His own doubts and fatigue plagued him. “Sorry. I didn't mean to jump on you."
"You're tired,” Scott said. “Get some rest and we will talk tomorrow."
"Right ... right. Tomorrow,” Reese said and walked off to finish unloading the remaining three creatures.
The off-loading went off without any problems. Apparently Dimitri's words to the rest carried some weight. The remaining vampires were placed into their individual quarters. Job done, Reese decided to call it a night.
He headed to the living quarters, meeting Johnson on his way and accompanied him to their respective rooms.
"Nice place?” Reese asked.
"Home sweet home, Commander.” Johnson smiled. Reese imagined Johnson probably did really like the place. It had that sterile military air about it. No individuality or personal tastes; it was the same for everyone. They arrived at their rooms.
"I think Dimitri is right,” Reese said.
"What's that?” Johnson asked.
"It's a prison. I'm just not sure who the prisoner is anymore. Them or us?"
"Get some sleep,” Johnson said. “Tomorrow is bound to be a fun day."
Johnson closed his door.
Reese remembered what Dimitri had said. That he would get used to it—the fact that they drank blood. Now he wondered if he really could get used to it and if he did, what that really meant about himself.
"Yeah ... fun,” Reese said, as he entered his room and closed the door.
Chapter Thirty
"We are captives, nonetheless,” Josip said, as the four of them stood in the main meeting room of their quarters; sunset having arrived after their first sleep in their new surroundings. When they awoke, they found new clothing that had been left for them—another step to the loss of their own identities, as they were now dressed in the same blue coveralls and black boots.
Dimitri sighed as he prepared to exchange words with Josip. He wondered why the man never learned. He glanced toward the quiet pair of Andre and Iliga. More and more, they listened rather than spoke. They were always quiet and withdrawn, almost sullen. More so after they had been changed. Dimitri wondered if this was possibly attributed to their weakened state at the time when Alexander took them. Though they lacked speech in any great amount, their comprehension was fine; they understood everything and followed Dimitri or Josip without hesitation.
"You must be careful with your words,” Dimitri said. “We would not want to appear ungrateful to our hosts,” as he indicated with a turn of his head to the remote cameras in the room. “However, your statement is correct. Still, we must make the best of the situation."
Then, speaking in a tone that the audio equipment could not pick up, but they would because of their enhanced hearing abilities, he said, “I will kill you myself, Josip, if you do anything rash. Remember what I said earlier. We will study and learn before we try anything. We are in a new part of the world that we do not understand. In our many years of our existence we have experienced much, but our country is not like the West. They are different than the back-country peasants that we are use to dealing with for cattle or—"
"Did you smell it?” Josip asked, interrupting Dimitri. “When they opened the doors, it was so strong."
"The ocean ... yes, I smelled it."
"And the other scent, did you smell that also? The smell of humans; the blood of millions in the area?"
"Yes, that too,” Dimitri conceded. “Again, it is not like our home. Here the people are much closer and in large quantities. It will require more control of our hunger."
"And our captors will tempt us with their blood as they study us.” Josip said. “Have they revealed anything to you yet?"
"No, but I believe soon we shall learn what they want of us. I will handle the one that appears to be in charge ... the one called Commander Reese. I believe he has an interest that I can tap into. He treats us as a curiosity, something from the past. The others have something else in mind, which we will learn through him."
"They are soldiers as we were once,” Josip said, with a bit of reminiscence in his voice. “We marched off to protect—"
"And you see where that got us,” Dimitri told him. “We lost our human souls to this other side that we call life. For what? The glory of fighting to save our country? And what would it have mattered? Look what has happened over the years in our precious country. It goes from one war to another and now they have even resorted to killing each other. And we are in the middle, between life and death, with no will to kill ourselves and our main focus on preserving our lives."
"You would prefer death?” Josip asked, incredulous.
"No, you fool! Of course not. But for what purpose, besides our self-preservation?"
"We are creatures, who belong to our own,” Josip said. “We survive."
"But for what purpose, I ask you again? We have the abilities through our superior life spans and physical attributes—less our few hindrances in the light of day. Our physical surroundings present no problem to us like our human counterparts."
"What do you want, Dimitri?” Josip asked. “We have purpose. We must survive. That is all we will ever have. Why do you search for some greater meaning?"
"Of course we all have that, but there is more. What if survival was not a problem anymore? If food sources were always available and no one hunted us? We occupy our time with reading and exploring the world around us and remain unattached as much as possible to what goes on around us. I must have more ... we must have more,” Dimitri said, as he turned away from the group.
"You have something on your mind, some grand idea, don't you?” Josip asked aloud, this time in a normal tone, apparently not caring if the humans heard him.
"I don't know,” Dimitri responded. “Perhaps it will become more clear in time. Maybe it's just the environment change."
"Perhaps if you drank the human blood, it would raise your subconscious ideas,” Josip said in the lower tone, not to be overheard.
"That's not an option, Josip. Get it out of your head. It will only lead to trouble."
"I will put it aside for the moment,” he said. “But I will not forget it. Nor should you."
The comment jolted Dimitri. This was one of the times that Josip was correct, although Dimitri would not agree with it as easily as Josip would like. If he were to compare it to anything, drinking human blood was like indulging in a fine whiskey, as compared to drinking animal blood, which would be like table wine. It quenched the thirst—but nothing more.
Enough! He could no longer think about it. His head pounded. He was hungry, as were the others. He saw the anxiety building in them. He hoped that Commander Reese had made some kind of arrangements for their feeding cycle.
As if in anticipation of his request, a voice sounded from the monitoring system as a door in the rear area of their quarters buzzed and clicked open. The voice was familiar and Dimitri recognized it as Reese's. He found it odd that it should come when he had thought about it.
"Go through the opened door. It will lead down a corridor and out into another closed area. There you will find cattle waiting for you. When you are done, return to this area. Is that understood?"
Dimitri moved into the direct line of sight of the camera and nodded that he understood the instructions. “And then?” he asked.
"Then we have things to do. Tests to conduct on you and your men."
Dimitri nodded and headed in the direction his men had gone. Tests? But who is testing whom? This is a race for knowledge of strengths and weaknesses hidden under the poorly-knitted cloth of mankind that has too many holes in it, my friend.
Chapter Thirty-one
From the control room, Reese and the SEALs on duty monitored the feeding habits of the creatures. For those that had not seen it before, they were riveted by the actions of the creatures taking of their meals. Reese, although still having difficulty with the concept, found himself adjusting to it as just another event. He found it interesting that the cattle became subdued so quickly and let the vampires drink their fill. He wondered if the same effect resulted from the humans they drank from. Were they subdued as easily as the cattle?
"Evening,” Scott said as he entered the room. “Or is it morning for you? Your hours must be reversed to match the creatures now that...” He paused mid-sentence as his gazed moved to the monitor and witnessed the feeding. “My God!"
"What's wrong? Everyone has to eat,” Reese said. “Including those of Operation Immortal Servitude, right?” His voice frothed with more sarcasm than he had intended.
"I suppose so,” Scott said. “But it's so ... disturbing."
"Disturbing is hardly a strong enough word to describe it,” Reese said. “But like anything else, we will learn to see as it as just another event of many that are sure to come along now."
"What is the schedule for them today?’ Scott asked, ignoring Reese's statement as he looked away from the monitor with obvious relief.
"Today is test day. Major Barkley has a whole battery of tests to run on them: blood and tissue cultures, the whole gambit. We should have some answers in twelve hours or so. Maybe we can get some insight into what they really are."
Operation: Immortal Servitude From Declassified Files of Team of Darkness Page 15