The Revelation Chronicles: Evolution

by Eric Burney

  “It’s good to be free.” He gingerly rubbed his wrists where the cuffs had started to chafe his skin.

  “We’re not out of the woods yet,” Standeval cautioned with an eye to the door. “This place is crawling with your abominations. Care to take a guess who they’re after?”

  “Well that’s touching, but I have other plans,” Viktor said, unfazed by the news. “Where’s your brother?”

  “He’s here too. They sent a rescue party after him of course. I was even able to recruit the federal agent in charge of hunting him down to aid in his release. He’s proven more capable than I originally thought.”

  “That’s good, but you should have stayed with them to ensure your brother’s release. Thanks for the assist, but I could have handled things here.”

  “I can see that.”

  Standeval’s blood boiled and he remembered just how much he wished it was Viktor’s body lying on the floor bleeding out instead. But he kept his composure, as usual, masking his true feelings. He was the master chess player after all. And a true master would have anticipated this move by Viktor. He had to have the resilience of a tree planted by the water, nerves of impenetrable steel, and the patience of the biblical Job. Otherwise, Viktor would see right through him and cut him down like the weak, young sapling he presumed him to be, family or not.

  “Where are they now? It’s imperative we find Charlie and get out of here as fast as we can. Can you jump us to him?”

  “No. My ability to locate him or anyone else is distorted on this ship for some reason.”

  “Then it’s worse than I feared. The past is coming back to haunt us. Come on, let’s go.”

  Viktor moved to take a step and stumbled forward, losing his balance. The serum was still coursing through his system, he realized too late. Standeval caught him and helped him back to his feet.

  “Are you going to be OK?”

  “I’ll be fine. Now help me out of here and let’s go find your brother.”

  Chapter 56

  Cain stepped through the entryway over a pile of motionless bodies. The guards had proven to be no match against his army. Evolution was spreading throughout the ship like a virus, destroying everything in sight.

  Even still, there was no sign of his prey. It was just a matter of time though. There were only so many places to keep him on a ship.

  “Tear this place apart, piece by piece if you have to, search every inch. We’re not leaving until we have him.”

  Lucian grunted and barked out the orders. A barely conscious guard crawling on the floor nearby made the mistake of reaching out for his boot. The giant brute shook the hand loose as though it were dirt on the bottom of his shoe. He then proceeded to stomp the man in the face, shattering the glass plate of his helmet. The act was about as callous as an unwelcome cockroach being squashed.

  They came to an open area of the ship that branched out in different directions. The pungent odor of something burning filled the corridor. Red emergency beacons provided little light, making visibility difficult. It was similar to a darkroom photographers use to develop film.

  “Titan, take your men and search down that way. You, come with me,” said Cain to the woman who’d grabbed his attention with her earlier heroics. He wanted to keep her close, not only because she’d shown a tremendous amount of grit. Followers of her particular caliber weren’t exactly plentiful. Besides, he saw it as an opportunity to become more acquainted with his newly promoted lieutenant.

  “My name is Alexis, but you can call me Rebel,” she said in a curt tone.

  “I like that,” he said.

  She brushed the hair back from her stoic, almost blank face and pressed on, unaffected by his sudden attention.

  “You showed a lot of moxie out there,” said Cain. “Wish I had more like you.”

  “You don’t have me,” Rebel corrected him. “And the others would be just fine if they spent more time training and less time searching for the bottom of a bottle.”

  Cain was impressed. She was quite a woman. Strong, opinionated and not afraid to speak her mind. Her comments were obviously meant to strike a chord in him, but he didn’t care. She was perfect in his eyes. Her brazen attitude only made her more likeable. And the faint hint of a British accent merely added to the appeal.

  “How come I’ve never noticed you before?”

  “I suppose it’s because you were preoccupied with other things, like the Vice-President you kidnapped or the building you attacked, or a hundred other things. But, then again, only you know the answer to that question.”

  Boy, was she sharp.

  “I suppose you’re right,” Cain admitted. “Either way, it’s my pleasure to formally meet you, even though this isn’t exactly the ideal environment.”

  “Look, I just want to be clear. I’ve been on my own since I was thirteen, fighting and stealing to survive. No one has ever given me a damn thing. I’m only with you because I don’t want to end up in a place like this. Being poked and prodded as someone's science experiment isn’t exactly my idea of fun. Safety in numbers, right? There’s no place in this world for freaks like us. So I’d just as soon see it all go to hell honestly. That’s it. That’s my story.”

  Cain nodded as he took it all in.

  “You’ve been through quite a lot, I will say that. But I have to disagree with your perception that we are all freaks. I like to think we are gods. And though you may only be with us out of convenience, if you allow me, I will show you a new world. We can shape and mold that world however we see fit.”

  Rebel finally showed an inkling of emotion at that. Something remarkably similar to a smile—or so Cain hoped. With her it was too hard to tell.

  “Hold here,” said Lucian brusquely. He threw up his hand. His eyes were locked on to something ahead of them. His nostrils flared and he sniffed the air like some sort of wild animal. “I think we found him.”

  Yards away and oblivious to Evolution’s presence, two men moved silently through the corridor. One of them was badly injured, judging by the way he leaned on the other for support. And then they noticed Cain and his followers. The two men froze; still as two deer in headlights.

  Cain exhaled and smiled a wide, animated smile. The search was over. Business was surely about to pick up.

  “Viktor,” he said under his breath.

  The man with Viktor leaned him gently against the wall and wasted no time with pleasantries. He attacked first, surging forward with astounding speed and precision. He disposed of the first two Evolution members he encountered with a solid crack to the jaw and temple with only the walking cane he carried.

  Lucian charged at him, building speed and momentum with each massive step. His target just stood there, waiting for him as he casually twirled the cane. He appeared as calm as a person waiting for a taxi. But Lucian was no taxi. His chest was nearly as wide as an ‘85 Cadillac Fleetwood, and when he made contact, it was sure to leave a nasty mark.

  Remarkably, just before Lucian was set to turn him into roadkill, the man slammed the cane down hard upon the deck. A scarlet shockwave sent Lucian flying backwards like a foul ball at Yankee Stadium. He crashed into the wall, leaving behind a huge indent from the impact.

  After witnessing the awesome display of power, Rebel went after him with determination. She stretched her arms out by her sides. Projectiles shot from her palms and arched through the air towards the man in the expensive suit. Like an agile contortionist, he leaped in the air and ran across the wall. With the cane in his hand, he swatted each projectile with ease, sending them back to their owner. The last one would have surely struck Rebel had Cain not drug her out of its destructive path. She glared at him at first, until she realized what he had done. He stepped in front of her, all six feet four inches of him.

  “Let me take care of this.”

  Cain walked toward the man with the Wall Street banker look and the stylish cane. He was back on his feet and appeared ready to continue the fight. The cane was tucked tightly
under one arm and the other was out to the side. It reminded Cain of a martial arts master from one of the old Kung Fu movies he and Charlie used to love so m—

  Cain fought back the memory and focused on the man, who so far had given a clinic.

  “Watch yourself, Standeval. Do not underestimate him,” Viktor called out weakly.

  “Ah, yes. Standeval. Knew I recognized you. You’re the mysterious one who likes to pop up out of thin air. If I recall, you also have a dependability problem. Now why is it you would choose to protect someone like Viktor?”

  “Why don’t you come find out?”

  “Gotta admire that spirit,” said Cain as his eyes began to glow. “But… you should have listened to Viktor.”

  Standeval had heard enough. He lunged forward with the ball of his cane pointed outward. The crystal ball began to glow a reddish hue, similar to the previous shockwave that disposed of Lucian. It grew brighter the closer he got.

  At the very moment he was about to strike, his entire body suddenly went rigid. Unable to move, he was suspended midair, frozen as a statue. His skull felt like a pincushion being stuffed with nine-inch nails, and not the musical variety either. The only thing he remained able to move were his eyes, and they were fixated on the large man in front of him. Standeval was at his mercy.

  Cain’s eyes were so bright it hurt to look upon them, but he was unable to look away. It was as if someone else was behind the wheel of his own mind and body.

  Standeval’s cane was ripped from his grasp and floated like a feather into Cain’s outstretched hand. He seized it and turned it over a few times, admiring the markings.

  “This is truly impressive craftsmanship.”

  “Let him go,” Viktor said, shuffling forward along the wall. “You came here for me.” He labored to push away from the wall and finally stood unsupported, albeit severely wobbly. He didn’t know how much of his strength and abilities had returned, but he wasn’t going to go down without a fight.

  “What’s he to you?” Cain asked, intrigued by the surprising display of self-sacrifice.

  “He saved my life. I think I owe it to him to at least try and save his. As you can see, I’m no threat. Let him go and I’ll do whatever you ask.”

  Cain laughed and glanced first at Rebel, then Lucian, who had finally recovered from his forced nap and was back on his feet.

  “Hmmm. What do you think?”

  Standeval could only watch as his fate was being decided.

  “Kill him,” Lucian said and growled.

  Cain turned to Rebel.

  “And you?”

  “I say we let him go. We have what we came for.”

  Cain turned back to Viktor.

  “There you have it. I will spare him, but not because you asked. You have no choice in the matter when it comes to doing as I say. You have witnessed my power and know what I am capable of.”

  Standeval was lifted higher. His body swayed as he moved closer to the ceiling and far wall before being slammed hard into the opposite wall with the speed and impact of a car wreck. His body dropped to the floor violently.

  Cain smirked at Viktor, who only closed his eyes and sighed. He hoped Standeval was alright, but knew that line of thinking was wishful at best. They’d had their share of rough patches, but he didn’t deserve to go out like this. No one did.

  “Lucian, collect our prize and bring him along.”

  Gripping Standeval’s most prized possession with both hands, Cain brought the stick down hard across his knee, snapping it in two. He tossed the broken pieces next to Standeval’s unresponsive body.

  “We’ve got work to do.”

  Chapter 57

  I was starting to sweat like I was in a sauna. I was having involuntary tremors and my skin felt like ants were crawling around underneath having a fiesta or something. It was no fun, no fun at all. And apparently, it was only just beginning.

  “You’re going to tell me what I want to know, or by God, you won’t live to regret it,” said Secretary Proctor. He was starting to perspire as large streaks of sweat trickled down his face. It was victory enough watching him get all wound up. If I didn’t make it out alive, at least I’d die knowing this prick didn’t break me. I had no clue what a Revelation Cube was; let alone where to find it.

  The spider-like device had been removed from my eye, but I knew it had left something behind. I could sense it, something attacking me from within. I hoped it wasn’t one of those Alien embryos like the movie. That would really suck.

  “You know this man in the photo. You were fighting with him at the Grand. Tell me where he hid the Revelation Cube.” Secretary Proctor raised his voice to imply the sense of urgency, pacing back and forth in front of me. He could have used a megaphone for all I cared.

  My teeth were starting to chatter like I was hypothermic, but my core temperature was through the roof. I knew, because I could see it bright as day on the vitals machine next to the table where I was being detained. 102 degrees and rising. Shock, maybe? I remembered reading something about that condition in Physiology class. Guess I should have paid more attention because for the life of me, I couldn’t recall a thing about it.

  “Give him an IV bolus of the serum,” he instructed the scientists. “I want him to get as much of the Solirium as possible.”

  So that’s what it was called. A serum called Solirium. Say that five times as fast as you can. Guess the government wasn’t much on originality. Whoever came up with that name needed to be taken outside and shot.

  “But, sir, if we give him the max dose he will die. His vitals are already borderline,” the youngest of the two scientists argued. He had reddish-brown hair that seemed to grow in all directions like a mop.

  “I don’t care!” Secretary Proctor shouted. “We are running out of time.”

  He shoved the scientist aside and grabbed the IV infusion pump that was next to the vitals machine. He pressed the corresponding button several times until the machine setting was at the maximum flow rate. I watched in agony as the syringe piston dropped rapidly, pushing even more serum through the tubing. I didn’t need a medical degree to know that wasn’t good.

  And then, just when I resorted to thinking about all my transgressions in life and the things I hadn’t done—or would never get the chance to, I heard the most beautiful sound. Actually, it wasn’t a sound at all, but a voice. A voice in my head. Faint at first but growing stronger and stronger by the second.

  Charlie… Charlie… can you hear me?

  It was Kara!

  Either the Solirium was causing me to hallucinate or she was here. But how? Then I remembered that small detail wasn’t even remotely important. What was important was getting off that table somehow before I met my maker.

  Kara! I yelled, as loudly as one could yell telepathically. I’m here!

  Charlie! Thank goodness.

  I felt a wave of joy and relief at the same time.

  We’ve been looking everywhere for you. We’ve come to rescue you.

  Well, you’d better hurry, because I don’t know how much longer I can hold out.

  Tell me where you are.

  I don’t know where I am!

  Right. Agent Simmons said if you could at least describe your surroundings, then maybe we can pinpoint your location.

  Um, I’m in some sort of—wait, what?! Did you just say Agent Simmons? That man can’t be trusted, Kara!

  I couldn’t believe he had been able to deceive her, too. What a snake!

  No, no. It’s OK. He’s been helping us get through the ship. He was with Standeval before we met up with them.

  Standeval? This day was just getting weirder and weirder. Yet I had no choice but to roll with it.

  I’m in a room with a bunch of medical equipment… computer monitors. It’s about the size of a shoe box. There’s a number… 136… on the wall in large yellow paint.

  Ok. Hang tight. Jasmine’s looking up the schematics now.

  Jasmine was here, too? Of course
she was. And Santa Claus. And the Easter Bunny. Solirium was a powerful psychedelic apparently.

  Got it! We’re on our way!

  Great.

  I wasn’t too optimistic. I tried to focus on Secretary Proctor who was steadily shouting something in my face, but I couldn’t hear him or make out what it was for that matter. My hearing was failing right along with my vision.

  We’re here, Charlie, Kara’s voice said in my muddled mind again. We’re going to have to find a way in. The door is sealed shut.

  I have an idea. There are two guards at the door. If this is really you, Kara, then you should be able to use your mind control to force one of them to open it.

  I could sense surprise and then, just as rapidly, disappointment. Maybe I was being a little too rash. Maybe it really was Kara.

  I’m really here, Charlie. If you truly care for me, then you’ll know it’s me. But, I don’t know if I can do this… my abilities seem to be dampened here…

  She doubted herself, which was understandable. And she cared for me. That much I knew was real. I had to trust and believe in her the same way she did for me.

  I’m sorry. It’s just… I’m not thinking straight right now. But I know you can do this, Kara. Focus. Two guards. One on either side of the door.

  Secretary Proctor had taken his jacket off and resorted to wailing on me. Stiff jabs with the left, then right. Pretty good form, too. Guess he finally decided the only way to get the information he wanted was to beat it out of me. Too bad my face was mostly numb.

  I tried to keep an eye on the two guards in-between blows. I noticed the one on the right twitch a little. He shook his head and placed a hand to the side of his helmet. I couldn’t see his face, but it was a safe bet his expression was one of utter confusion.

  That’s it, Kara. You’re doing it. Now focus harder.

  If she was going to pull this off, she was going to have to hurry, because I was fading fast.

  “You don’t understand,” Secretary Proctor said. This time I was able to make out his words. “They won’t stop. No matter how hard you try. I’ve witnessed what they can do. You need to tell me where to find the Cube.”