Bridgeworlds: Deep Flux (12 page)

Omar and the other doctors looked up in surprise to see an
average height woman with black hair, brown eyes, and bright red
lipstick.
She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
Omar had a
response to what she had said but he lost it upon looking at her. He
looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a Mack truck.

Both the other doctors stared at Omar. As his colleagues they
had seen Omar blow off many women. In their mind he was a man
obsessed with the pursuit of knowledge and he was not going to allow
anything to get in his way. This was very out of character for Omar.

Doctor Graham laughed, "Omar, try to pick your jaw up off of
the floor." He turned to the waitress and looked at Omar. "Omar, this is
Sasha. She is my brightest student. She is finishing her Doctorate this
semester."

She smiled at Omar, "Dr. Metzger, it is a pleasure and a privilege
to meet you. I have been following your work on harnessing solar power
(I mean the parts that aren't classified information)."

Omar was puzzled. He raised an eyebrow. "You have been
following my work? I didn’t realize I had people following my work." He
then smiled at her.

"I know of several students who are following your work. And
though your name is not well known at this point I am willing to bet that
it will be in the coming years." She spoke with admiration that Omar
was not used to.

"I... uh. Thank you." It was all he could say.

"I would love to talk to you sometime about your work, but for
now let me get you started on your orders. What will you be having to
drink?" she asked.

"I would like a Coke," said Dr. Graham.

 

Dr. Gupta smiled at her and said, "I would like some tea, do you
have Assam? If not I will take water."

 

She nodded, "I will check for you."

 

She looked at Omar with a twinkle in her eyes. "And you, Dr.
Metzger?"

 

He smiled back at her and said, "I would like cold water, no ice,
with a lime wedge in it."

 

She smiled, "Interesting. I'm sure we can do that."

 

When Sasha left to get drinks the other doctors question Omar's
obvious interest.

"It seems you are enamored with my student Dr. Metzger and I
know for a fact that she is fascinated with your scientific ideas," said Dr.
Graham.

"Well, I think those are strong words. However, I do find her
interesting, bold, and attractive. I wouldn’t be opposed to taking her up
on her offer of talking later as long as you don’t have a problem with me
taking an interest in your student," said Omar.

She had walked up on the last part of what Omar had said to
drop the drinks and take the food order.

 

Dr. Graham looked at Sasha then Omar, "She is a grown woman
and I honestly think the two of you would get along well."

Sasha looked a little perturbed at the nature of the conversation
about Dr. Graham's approval or lack thereof. Before she was able to say
anything Omar spoke, "Sasha, when does your shift end? I would love to
take you for some coffee when you are off."

It worked to change her focus and attitude. "I would really love
that."

 

She took their food orders and then left.

Then Omar's dream ended and he woke to find himself still in a
hospital bed. He woke with the faint memory of the rest of his evening
with Sasha.

They had spent all night talking over coffee and desert at a local
diner. But the night was interrupted when Omar was paged with
'911911' which was a signal that Misaki was in critical condition. Omar
excused himself with apologies and explained in minor detail to Sasha
what had happened. She was understanding and genuinely concerned
for his sister.

Omar left the diner and mad a phone call from a pay phone.
Misaki's heart had stopped beating for almost a minute and then just
started back up. They could not find the cause.

Omar, who was deeply concerned for his sister, took the first
flight out of Southern California to be with her.

Sasha and Omar had tried to reconnect after Misaki stabilized
but they just kept missing each other. Years went by and then they had
worked on a project or two together but things had always seemed
awkward. Mostly Omar was awkward not really knowing what to do or
say to her. Over the years they had become friends but before Omar
had left through the portal it had seemed that Sasha had wanted things
to get serious. Omar found himself thinking fondly of the idea. He sat in
his bed pondering Sasha for some time.

THANATOS SAT IN HIS ROOM in the Magi tower and waited.
After some time a portal opened and a Gauntman stepped through.
Thanatos gave him a look of disgust. He hated having to report to lower
races. He knew this Gauntman from one meeting in the past, his name
was Chorphas.

The unnaturally thin man was wearing a cloak.
He has to know
how ridiculous he looks.
It was as if someone had placed a cloak onto a
hat rack. The man was entirely too thin for such fashion.

Chorphas looked at Thanatos as if reading his thoughts. He had
a longer goatee than most Gauntmen and was a sorcerer who had
apprenticed directly under Haylale. He had glowing blue eyes and his
voice was almost mesmerizing like a beautiful song.

“Report,” was all that he has said.

 

“Does the master live?”

“Report, now. What have you been doing since the battle? Then
you will get the information you require,” said Chorphas with a
menacing look in his eyes.

If I kill him the master will be angered, if indeed the master still
lives.
Thanatos and the other servants had never seen a creature in
rebellion to the creator struck with the Sword of the Spirit. None knew if
it was possible to survive the attack but surely the master would. The
other side had prophecies yet to fulfill involving the master.

Thanatos gave him a level look. “I watched the battle and as the
master attacked Omar, I went to finish the job. Before I got there one of
my minions told me that the master had been slain with the Sword of
the Spirit. Instead of killing Omar, I started a process that may make him
a very useful tool. I found him just south of Lake City, he was indeed
dying. So I gave him my virus and then gave him the cure, but just
enough to keep him alive.”

Chorphas interrupted with, “Virus? I know not of this.”

I could kill him and the master might still let me live. I could
make him my servant.
“I am from a dimension where I rule earth. It is
because of my virus. When I came to earth, the human population
caught my virus. It kills them but keeps them animated doing the most
mundane of tasks. My own servants there – other demons – manipulate
their tasks to their liking. This virus has a regeneration effect and once
given, if given some of my blood the virus' effects are reduced. I used
this to save his life. And I plan to convince him to take a large enough
dose to corrupt his mind.”

Chorphas just stood there stroking his goatee. “How do you
plan to get him to do this? I thought your blood was the cure once taken
again.”

Thanatos nodded, “Yes but if taken a third time it gives a
regenerative ability like those who die from my virus. It does not kill him
but will give me the ability to possess him at any time I like. From any
dimension I could take control of his body. I will sell this on evolution, I
will tell him that my blood will cause his body to evolve to a point where
it heals itself at a rapid rate.”

Chorphas smiled, “This will work. You have done a good thing
here and given the master an advantage here on Soterion. You may not
possess him without direct permission.”

It would be so easy to snap his neck. “Of course.”
“The master is alive, the sword alone cannot kill him. I want you
to take up residence in the Tower of the Magi, make it part of your deal
with Omar.” With those words Chorphas waved in the direction of a
wall in Thanatos’ simple room and a portal appeared. Then he stepped
through and was gone.

Thanatos could tell that Omar was on to him. He would need to
share more of the truth with Omar and sooner than he had planned. He
needed his trust, but he would not tell the full truth of course. That
would gain him nothing.

He was still positive that he could manipulate Omar with the
right words.

 

A FEW HOURS AFTER OMAR WOKE from his dream of Sasha he
was informed that it was time to eat.

He was spoon fed something that had the consistency of sand
and Jello mixed together. When he asked, he was told it was a
substance filled with natural herbs that would help his healing.

Sebastian came in to visit him and shut the door behind him.
“Hello my friend, how are you?”

 

“How do I look?” asked Omar with a smile.

 

Sebastian grimaced, “Like something that the cat dragged in.
That is the saying on earth, isn’t it?”

Omar laughed, “Yes, you got it perfectly. I feel helpless
Sebastian. That dragon downed my blimp and there was nothing I could
do. I should have died.”

Sebastian looked troubled. “Yes, you should have. We surveyed
the wreckage and no one could have lived through that, moss or no
moss.”

Omar asked, “What do you think it means?”

 

Sebastian glanced over at Omar, “I know what it means and you
will not like this news.”

 

Omar shook his head. “Tell me.”

Sebastian nodded, “Kleis figured it out. He said that the last
name he gave us wasn’t earthen and therefore had some kind of
meaning. ‘Sathaton’ is an anagram for Thanatos. We think he is the
arch-demon who Kasey and Myles faced in the tunnels of Musterion.”

Omar sighed. “Let us get this over with. I want you to send for
him and make sure our meeting is private.”

 

Sebastian began to object, “But...”

 

Omar shook his head, “None of that, have it done.”

 

Sebastian bowed and left.

 

Omar waited and after some time Brian entered the room
alone.

 

Omar looked him in the eyes, “It is not every day that a man is
healed by an arch-demon who was taken down by his friend.”

 

Brian smiled, “You are smart then.”

 

Omar shook his head, “Unfortunately it wasn’t me that saw it.”

 

“A wise man surrounds himself with those who have skills he
does not possess,” said Thanatos giving him a playful look.

 

Omar got to the point. “What is your game?”

 

Thanatos looked wounded, “I am not an arch-demon. Do you
believe in demons, Omar?”

 

“Well, no I just…”

 

“Good, then you will have no problem when I tell you the
truth,” Thanatos interrupted.

 

“Out with it then,” said Omar impatiently.

“I am a man from a planet with a much more evolved human
species. You are alive because of my blood. It has regenerative
properties. If I were to give you another dose, you would be healed.
Otherwise from the looks of it you will be a cripple for the rest of your
life. It really is your choice,” he posed.

“And what condition do you hang this on?”

 

Thanatos smiled, “Only that I am allowed to remain amongst
the Magi without violence against me.”

Omar thought of all that he had been through… feeling so
helpless. He never wanted to feel that helpless again. Regeneration
would help toward that goal.
Well, Myles isn’t the only one who can
take a gamble.

Omar gave Thanatos a serious look, “Do it, and do it now before
I change my mind.”

Thanatos removed a syringe from his pocket and drew some of
his blood from his forearm without flinching. Then he reached over to
Omar's arm and injected it.

Omar immediately began to regain feeling in his body. There
was an initial sharp pain where bones were broken and then a warmth
as shattered bones became whole again and he could feel his skin
healing away from his bandages that had once been stuck to his body by
blood. Omar looked at his body in shock. After a few minutes he was
able to use his arms and hands. He grabbed scissors and cut away at the
casting. He slung his legs over the hospital bed looking at Thanatos with
hope and stood on the hospital floor. Omar smiled in awe, “Archdemon? More like Arch-angel! And all you wanted was a room in the
Tower of the Magi for this?”
Thanatos smiled, “Yes, that is all.”

Omar shrugged, “Well sir, you are welcome to stay in the tower
as long as you would like.” He called to the doctors who walked into the
room with complete astonishment. “I need for you to send for Kleis.
There is much that must be done.”

One waved a nurse off to tend to his request and asked, “How?
How has this happened?”

Omar turned to him, “You will get my full report, I promise. For
now I must go to my quarters.” The doctor nodded at the delay to his
question, though it looked like he'd rather ask a million more. Then
Omar addressed Thanatos again, “Brian, you may go back to your
quarters. Please let the Magi know of any provisions you will need
within reason and they will be given to you.”

Thanatos bowed with a grin. “It is good to see your
countenance change. Have a good day Omar.”

As Thanatos left, Kleis walked into the room. He looked just as
surprised as the doctors had been, and Omar gave him a smile, “I'm
going to get a lot of that, aren’t I?”

Kleis shook his head, “None but these doctors, Sebastian, and I
know of your previous condition.”

Omar nodded in relief. “Walk with me.” He waved for Kleis to
follow. It felt good to walk; something he recently thought he might
never do again.
I cannot be weak; I will not be taken by surprise again.

Omar and Kleis walked up a flight of stairs to a pair of shiny
doors. The Magi had invented gear, pulley, and steam powered
elevators for the tower, and they were made of the coppery Deanatee
metal. When they got in, gears shifted all around them and steam filled
pipes hummed with fresh steam pumping through them. As the elevator
began to lift Omar spoke to Kleis in German. Because of the
introduction of the German Bible to Musterion, the language had
almost become a second language for the Akana. Omar said, “Kleis, I
must tell you what Thanatos has told me. He admitted to being
Thanatos and told me how he healed me. He gave me his blood. Tyree
said that Thanatos worked for the Great Red Dragon and I trust Tyree. If
Thanatos is evil he had other reasons for giving me his blood.”