Full Moon Rising - 02 (19 page)

“A lie detector?  How will that help tell us if Mark was u
nder duress?” the captain asked.

“It analyzes
stress
, silly.  Whether one is lying or under duress, this will show it.  Get it?”

“Oh.  Now I do.” He answered somewhat sheepishly.

“So, I just punch up the recordings for today’s incoming calls.  And…we find the folder where they save the incoming primaries…and then we click on this one…and then…viola!  Then I click here and we drag it there and copy this file and save it here and we can now analyze it.” He said.

Laura watched as Evan manipulated the files.  “I didn’t know you had access to all of this, Evan.” She said.

“I don’t.  I hacked Mitchell’s password years ago and he never changed it.” He muttered.  Then he smiled up at her.  “Not that I use it except when he needs me to.”

She shook her head.  “Remind me never to piss you off.”

“I never use my powers for evil, my dear.” He stated.  “Okay, folks.  Here we go.  Analyzing one ex-Marine Gunnery Sergeant Mark Tufo.”  He clicked the button and the recording began to play.   The voice analyzer displayed both Tufo’s voice and the Duty Officer’s on the screen.  The Duty Officer’s voice registered hi’s and low’s between 1.2 and 1.4.  Tufo’s voice, although it sounded normal, registered between 4.5 and 4.7.  “Hmm.  This doesn’t look good.”

“No, it doesn’t, does it?” Laura said.

“I think we should compare it to some of his older calls.” The captain said. “I’m telling ya, he sounded normal on the phone.”

“Agreed.”  Evan said.  “Let me go to the archive.”  He b
egan thumbing through the archive which was a bit more difficult since the archives weren’t saved by name, only region.  “What area does he cover?”

“Region seven.” Laura answered.

“Aha.  Okay.  Here’s some.  I’ll copy three of them so we’ll have a working sample to go by.” Evan said. 

After comparing the three copies, it was agreed.  Tufo’s voice stress analysis indicated that his call that morning was de
finitely under stress.  In fact a call from two years prior, a secondary sighting confirmation that had him, at the time confirming on his cell phone while firing upon a class II gargoyle, and his voice stress level never broke a 2.3.  The man was obviously made of sturdier stuff than most.

“I’m not waiting for any secondary to come in.  I’m sending Second Squad in.” Laura said.

“Yes ma’am.” The captain snapped to.

“Did you trace where his call came from?” She asked.

“It was his cell, but we can triangulate from the towers the location of the call and get a location.” He answered.

“I want it ten minutes ago.” She said.  “Alert the squad.  They’re going active.”

17

“Sicarii, the trap has been set.” The messenger informed the dark vampire.  “The humans require being told
twice
of threats, so our people have abducted their agent and forced his hand once.”  The little messenger seemed quite proud to make his report and actually made eye contact, his head held high.  “Once it is closer to sundown in the Americas, we will make a second report to draw the hunters in and then our people will take them and destroy them!” he was positively beaming.

The dark vampire watched him intently, waiting for him to correct his obvious mistakes, but he didn’t.  After a moment, the messenger began to falter and broke eye contact, bowing his head, his eyes, glued to the floor.  “You
do
mean, that our people will destroy all but
one
of them, do you not, Puppet?”

“Of course, master!” he cried.  “The whole plan is to capture one for your amusement and interrogation.” He began visibly shaking.

The dark vampire shook his head.  “Puppet, the trap is not yet set.  The humans have been informed of a
potential
threat, if they require a second notice, yes?”

“Yes, master.  Once again, you are correct.” The messenger answered.

The dark vampire slowly approached him and placed a hand on his trembling shoulder.  “Take pride in being a vampire, Puppet.  You are a predator.  And you serve a mighty king.”  The dark one they called Sicarii used his nails to raise the messenger’s chin so that his head was once more held high.  “Quit acting like a mouse and be vampiri.” He whispered.

The messenger squared his shoulders and did his best to stop shaking.  “Yes, master.”

“Inform me when the hunter has been captured.” He stated.

“Yes, Sicarii.  As you will, so mote it be.” The messenger turned and left.

The dark vampire appeared to merely step up to the second story window once again and peered out onto his city.  So many descendants of the Romans in the region and this city held the name of the empire that tortured and killed its way across the known world.  He could hardly wait until the inhabitants were shrieking in fear, quivering in their homes, afraid of the shrinking sun and the terrors that awaited them in the darkness.  A slow smile spread cross his stony features and he allowed himself to feel joy at the triumph that he knew was at his hands.

*****

The HH-60 Pave Hawk settled in for a landing along the wooded line of Thorn’s island.  Chief Thompson knew that Rufus took a huge leap of faith giving the coordinates of his home to their unit and he had full confidence that setting up this meeting was the right thing to do.  As first squad disembarked the helicopter, they set up a defensive perimeter around the transport, but Jack and Colonel Mitchell stepped out and went forward to meet the people who were approaching to greet them.  The sun had not quite set yet, so Jack knew that none of the vampires that called the island home would be among those nearing the helicopter.

Jack recognized a few faces from his time on the island, but a tall man with dark, wavy hair and goatee stepping lively in a grey business suit in the lead was a new face to him.  They stopped at the end of the path and waited for the hunters to close the distance.  From the rear of the helicopter, Nadia and Natashia stepped out and kept their heads low, the wind from the rotors, blowing their hair about.  The man with the dark hair suddenly smiled upon seeing them. 

Nadia and Natashia turned to follow Jack and Colonel Mitchell when they spotted the dark haired man.  Nadia suddenly burst out, “Father!” and Natashia turned to spot him standing at the end of the path.  Nadia was already running to greet him.  For a fleeting moment, she was six years old again, her pale hair glowing in the twilight as she played in the evening air catching fireflies to place in a jar.  Viktor had to blink twice to see her as the young woman that she truly was. 

Her embrace nearly knocked him from his feet and he stu
mbled at the end of the path, her laughter a tonic to his soul.  Oh, how he had missed his little girl.  When he looked up again, his beautiful Tasha was before him, as lovely as the day they were wed.  His heart broke all over again.  He pulled her to him and held her so tightly, he breathed in her scent and nuzzled her neck.  It felt good just to know that she was real.  He kept staring at his Tasha, but Nadia was saying something to him, pulling him as she used to when she was little…there was something she wanted to show him, someone she wanted him to meet.  But that would have to wait.

“In a moment, sweetheart.  I have formal business for Rufus, first.  All in good time, my dear.”  He told her, and her smile never left her face.  His family was together again.

When the Colonel reached the path the tall man extended his hand to him, “My name is Viktor and I shall escort you to Monsieur Thorn.”  The man’s face was all business, but he offered a smile, Nadia still clinging to his arm.

“Colonel Matt Mitchell.  Thank you for your hospitality.” Matt tried his best to be friendly, but his nervousness was ev
ident.

Viktor turned and escorted the team into the rear courtyard of the castle.  The sentries at the spires evident, however, their eyes were not on the team below but to the skies and the ocean beyond.  “Please, forgive the security measures, Colonel.  This is a rather…historical meeting.  Monsieur Thorn would rather be careful, than careless.  I’m sure you understand.”  No mention was made of the fact that the team behind Colonel Mitchell was fully armed.

“I understand completely, Viktor.  From what Jack has told me, there are those who would like to prevent us from knowing the truth about a lot of things that have happened in the past.” Matt said.

“This is very true.  The Lamia Humanus are a very ruthless group.  They see humans as nothing more than a meal.  Even though they once
were
human themselves, many of them, anyway.” Viktor lead them through the great parlor and the dining hall, smells of a banquet being prepared washed through the hallways.  “Monsieur Thorn has prepared a feast in your honor this evening.  I hope you will be our honored guests and attend?”

Matt looked at Jack with raised eyebrows.  “I didn’t know anything about it Colonel.”

Nadia finally let go of her father and grasped Jack’s arm.  “You must, Jack!  Rufus would be
so
disappointed if you didn’t.  You know how he is about these things.” She said.

“I do?” Jack said.  “I mean, I do.  I guess.”

“So, this is Jack?” Viktor said, stopping and turning to face the couple. 

“Yes, daddy.  This is Jack.  This is what I wished to tell you about earlier.” She was absolutely bubbly.

Viktor did not appear happy, but before he could say anything else, Natashia stepped forward and placed her hand on his shoulder, “Don’t even think about it, my husband.”  Viktor turned and glared at her and she shot him a stare that Jack couldn’t even begin to read.  It was a cross between seduction and hate, between ‘I dare you’ and ‘I’m gonna screw your brains out’.  It scared him and turned him on at the same time.  He swore to himself, if Nadia ever looked at him like that, he’d probably wet himself before he said, ‘yes, dear’ to whatever she wanted.

“This way, please.” Viktor said through clenched teeth.

The group continued to follow him through the castle until they got to the meeting room.  Jack recognized it as the room where Rufus had held the meeting with the Lamia Beastia council where he was introduced to them and he gave his impromptu speech.  He thought he did a pretty decent job.  It must have worked though, as they decided to allow Rufus the time to try to set up this meeting and viola!  Here they were.

The team walked in and Viktor opened his arms to show them the table.  “Please, take a seat wherever you wish.  Mo
nsieur Thorn will be here momentarily.”

Natashia left with Viktor but Nadia stayed with Jack.  As each squad member sat, servers came in and brought refres
hments.  Water with ice, wine, soft drinks, pastries, breads, fruits and cheeses were all laid out for the men.  “Nice spread.” Lamb stated.

“These are only refreshments.  The meal will be shortly.” Nadia informed him.

“Sweet!” Jacobs said, taste testing the goodies.

Jack sat down and got a drink while they waited.  Mitchell noted that the table was round, like King Arthur’s where nobody sat at the ‘head’ of the table.  Nobody was ‘above’ the other, and everybody had a good view of the other.  Matt glanced around the room, checking out the decorations.  “Who would have thought an English castle would be sitting on an island in south Texas?” he muttered.

“Not many do.” A French accent answered.  Matt turned to see a vampire walking in from a side door.  “Please, forgive my tardiness.  One must make an entrance though, oui?” Rufus said with a smile.

“Rufus!” Nadia exclaimed and jumped up to hug him.

“Nadia.”  He hugged her and kissed each cheek.  “It is good you have returned safely.  I worried.”

“Jack kept me safe.” She whispered.

“I knew he would.” He whispered back with a wink.

Jack had stood and went forward to make introductions.  “Colonel Matt Mitchell, may I introduce Monsieur Rufus Thorn.  Rufus, this is my commanding officer, Colonel Matt Mitchell.”   The two shook hands, Matt noting the coldness of Rufus’ touch.

“Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me, Colonel.”

“My pleasure, Mr. Thorn.  Jack said we needed to discuss this matter of the…um, what are they called?  The bad guy va
mpires?”

“Lamia Humanus.” Rufus answered.  “But I do like the ‘bad guy vampire’ descriptor.  Very apt, non?”

“If what the Chief is telling me is accurate, then yes, sir.  It is
very
accurate.” Matt stated.  “Let me start off with an apology.  If there truly is a large contingency of vampires out there that have sworn to defend human life with their very own, and have sustained themselves with the blood of livestock?  And if our people have been mislead into hunting these vampires down erroneously and killing them, then…I owe you and your people one
hell
of an apology.” Matt was staring Rufus in the eye, trying to read the vampire.  He was tough, like stone.  He would be a world class poker player.

“Thank you, Colonel.  Your words are comforting and, I can tell, very heartfelt.” Rufus replied.  “It makes me feel…well, I was going to say ‘warm’ inside but…”  Rufus tried to make a joke, but it was lost on the hunters.  He sighed.  “Sorry.  Poor attempt at vampire humor.”  He nodded and smiled at them as they suddenly realized what he saying.  “Anyhow, thank you very much, Colonel for your kind words.  I know that if we work together, we can make a very large difference in how things go in the future.”

Matt stepped back and considered Rufus’ words.  “And how would you like to see the future go, Mr. Thorn?”

“Ah.  Direct and to the point.  I like this.” He smiled.  “Very well, Colonel.  If I may?”  Rufus stood at the table and motioned for the others to take their seats.  Jack had seen Rufus give the other Lamia Beastia familia great oration while on his feet and figured he was in for a pretty good speech.  He sat back in his chair, a handful of grapes at the ready.

“Colonel, you and your hunters…nay, hunters worldwide are a force to be reckoned with.  This is a fact that cannot be argued.  The Lamia Beastia is proposing an agreement with you, the human hunters, that would be both mutually beneficial, but also…”

Rufus’ oration was interrupted as one of the servants came in and approached him, wide eyed and fearful.  Rufus did not become angry, but merely confused.  “I asked for us not to be disturbed Tonya.  What could possibly be so important?”

The young lady whispered in his ear something that, even with their augmented hearing, the hunters couldn’t hear.  If it were at all possible for a vampire’s face to drain of color, Rufus’ face drained of even more.  He stiffened where he stood and dismissed the girl.  He paused a moment while he considered his options, then turned to the colonel.  “Colonel Mitchell, rather than stand on ceremony, may I be so pretentious as to beg your forgiveness in advance?  Something has come up…something of
grave importance
that may well affect us both.”

Matt was taken aback.  What could possibly have come up that could put off this meeting that Jack made sound so i
mportant?  “If you say so.” Matt responded slowly, unsure of any other answer.  “Would you like us to come back another day?”

“No.”  Rufus answered a little too quickly.  “In fact, if you wouldn’t mind…just wait here a little bit longer.  I hope to take care of this matter rather quickly…or, as quickly as I can.  If you could just give me as much time as your patience will allow.”  He sighed.  “I can’t explain at the moment, but it would be in both of our best interests if…” Rufus sighed again.  “Somebody else has arrived unannounced at the island.  An emissary of a common enemy.  It would be in both of our best interests if they don’t know that you’re here.”

Matt understood now what Rufus was getting at.  “Okay.  I gotcha.  You need to find out what they want before we go any further.”

“Partly, yes, but I also need to ensure that they don’t disco
ver that your group is here either.  This party arrived by watercraft and they couldn’t have seen your aircraft because the castle is between the docks and where you landed.”  He explained.  “So, if you could please excuse me, and…please, if you and your men could try to be as quiet as possible?  I’ll get back with you as quickly as I can.”