Specters: A Monster Squad Novel - 8 (2 page)

“How do you want to play him? Let him in on the plan or keep dropping crumbs and see if he goes running to them?”

Jameson pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “I’m not sure. I want to test him a bit more first.”

“Did he get anything?”

Jameson chuckled into the phone. “There’s nothing
to
get. All of my files are hard-copied and locked tight in my safe. Without my palm print, retina scan and the combination, nobody is getting into it. You should have seen his reaction when he realized that.”

“Are you absolutely sure? The little shit can be pretty creative.”

“Oh, I’m sure.” Jameson closed the video file and closed the lid on his computer. “There’s nothing out there for anybody to tie us to the program except what we tell them.”

“You’d better be right. We’re not just talking about a slap on the wrist here.” Ingram shifted the phone again and Jameson got the paranoid thought that perhaps he was recording the conversation. “They could put us both away for a very long time.”

“Oh, I’m very aware of the ramifications.” He sat back in his chair and spun it to stare out his home office window. “When will they be ready for a field trial?”

“Very soon. They’re finishing the medical tests now.” Ingram’s voice dropped to a near whisper. “You won’t believe what these guys can do.”

“They’d better be good. These monster hunters aren’t to be trifled with.”

“Oh, they’re good. Good enough to get the job done.” Ingram chuckled into the phone. “And for the amount of money we’re being paid, they’ll do everything we promised and then some.”

“If the Council finds out we intend to double-cross them after all of the monsters have been eradicated…they’ll send somebody after us.”

“That’s why we save them for last. There won’t be anybody
left
for them to send after us.” Ingram laughed as he hung up the phone.

*****

Mitchell stuck his head into the secondary command center and saw it aflutter with activity. “Get me those goddamn coms back now!” Major Tufo was practically standing in the command chair, barking orders.

“Problem?” Matt pulled the door shut behind him.

“They went dark as soon as they entered the damned warehouse. We can’t see, we can’t hear, we can’t…” He blew his breath out hard and turned an evil stare toward the communications tech. “I’m told we’re being jammed. We can’t even get a good heat signature from all of the activity in the building.”

“The drones have been rerouted. They’re on their way back. Maybe you can direct them to do a flyby? Buzz the building and get you a microwave—”

“I need something
now
.” Mark sat back in his chair and ground his teeth, his eyes scanning the satellite view of the building. He turned to Matt and quickly came up out of his chair. “I have an idea. It’s a crazy one, but it’s all I have.”

“Hit me with it.”

Mark pulled him aside and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Take command here. Let me go there and see what I can—”

“Negative!” Mitchell’s brows knitted together as he stared the man down. “You’re the XO, not an operator.”

“It wasn’t that long ago I was in the field with Jack’s team and held my own…without being augmented. Now I’m…” He shrugged. “I heal faster than the men do.”

Mitchell was still shaking his head. “Negative. It ain’t happening.”

“Matt, Doc can’t tell us what exactly I am, but I’m faster, stronger, and heal quicker than anything we have. And I’m not looking to engage. I just want to see what the hell is up. If all is clear, I back off. If it’s not, I give the men a diversion. That’s all.”

Mitchell was still shaking his head. “I don’t like the idea at all. You’re the Executive Officer. If anything happened to you…”

“It won’t.” His eyes widened. “I’ll take numbnuts with me.”

Mitchell turned on him, his face questioning. “Who the hell is numbnuts?”

“McKenzie. Dom sidelined him. He’s still qualified. He’s the only operator we have on site. I’ll drag his sorry ass with me. He can report directly back to you and tell on me if I step out of line.”

Mitchell glanced at the boards and then back at Mark. “Reconnoiter. That’s all.”

“That’s all.” Mark nodded.

“Go.” He slapped the man on the back. Mitchell squared his shoulders and announced, “I have the command center.”

Mark pulled his two-way and called the duty officer. “Get McKenzie suited up and tell him to get his ass topside. Now.”

Mitchell watched the man leave, the door pulling shut behind him. He offered up a silent prayer not only for his XO, but for himself should anything happen to him.

*****

“Your people will need you.” The Wyldwood walked with the griffin through the wide rocky passageways.

“They are not my people.” Allister enjoyed correcting her. “I am doing this as a favor to you. And to enact revenge.”

“Regardless of your motivation, they are your people now. They will be looking to you for guidance, direction…insight.”

Allister paused, his mighty head turning to face her. “Insight? From me? What are they looking for? How to be turned into a mythical creature and lose everything you ever held dear?”

Loren’s mouth pulled into a tight line below her hood. “They need your knowledge and wisdom, my friend. Not your self-loathing.”

“My loathing is not for self. I loathe the she-witch that did this to me. I have spent thousands of years hidden. Locked away lest I be hunted and killed by man, monster, or beast.” He growled low in his throat then turned to continue walking. “The depths of my loathing cannot be fathomed by the likes of you.”

She watched the massive being walk gracefully through the fallen piles of rock and contemplated his words. How difficult had it been for him since his transformation? He had chosen not to interact with any other griffins until the race died out. As far as she knew, he was the last. Had he embraced his fate, who knows what he could have accomplished.

Having once been the crown prince of a great and powerful nation, he had the misfortune of running afoul of the demon queen. Her beauty beguiled him and he tried his best to woo her with promises of riches and a nation to rule. He couldn’t possibly have understood her true desires, or where her heart lay.

He blamed Lilith for his transformation, but to Loren’s knowledge, witchcraft was beyond her ability. She feared that the true source of his curse came from another; one whose ability came from a much darker source. Loren opened her mouth to say as much but quickly thought better of it. Regardless of her suspicions, he wouldn’t be easily swayed. After spending multiple thousands of years blaming someone, she doubted that she could sway him.

Allister stopped near a large boulder and sat down. “This is the one.”

Loren walked past the griffin and began to open a portal. Once the portal was stabilized she stepped aside. Allister stood and stepped forward. He glanced through the portal then turned back to her. “This isn’t the Anywhere.”

“No. This leads to your people. The large building you see is where they call home for now.”

Allister sat back down and gave her a menacing glare. “I will not reside in the world of men.”

She sighed heavily and stepped toward him. “You must. They reside in the world of men. Your people need you.”

He shook his mighty head and ruffled the feathers on his wings. “I’ve not had good luck with…
man
. They tend to be…unreasonable.”

“Their leader is a man.” She gave him a soft smile and stroked his mighty shoulder. “He is reasonable.”

“I thought you said he was a wolf?” Allister gave her a distrusting stare.

“He is. He is also a man.” She urged him through the portal. “If I came with you?” She watched him stiffen, and then shake his head.

“I need no woman to escort me.” He stepped forward slightly then turned back. “But if I end up dead, I will not be happy with you.”

“You will not. Approach them slowly and state your intentions.”

“My intentions?” he grunted. “My intentions are to kill Lilith. But something tells me that they will not care.”

Allister stared at the building as he slowly walked through the portal. His clawed feet crunched on the gravel as he stepped into the world of man. He walked slowly toward the arched building ahead of him when he heard a low growl and the sound of something digging in the loose gravel. He saw two red lights as it departed and left in a hurry. “A horseless carriage, I presume.”

“Actually, it’s called a Humvee.”

Allister turned his mighty head to see a man slowly approaching him, something in his hands pointed at him. “And you are?”

“Sentry. State your business…sir?”

Allister did his best to appear less menacing. “Mr. Sentry, my name is Allister. I have been sent by the Wyldwood to assist your people. I am supposed to ask for Chief Jack.”

The sentry slowed his approach and stared at the large winged creature. “You’re kidding, right?”

“I do not kid, Mr. Sentry. If you could show me where to find this Chief Jack, I would be in your debt.” He tried to smile, but found it nearly impossible with a beak.

The sentry watched the creature for a moment then lowered his rifle. “Call me nuts but that story is too crazy not to be true.” He shrugged and waved the griffin forward. “Follow me, sir. I’ll show you the way.” Allister fell into step behind him as the two approached the hangar. The sentry pulled a black box from his belt and spoke into it. “Duty Officer, this is Sergeant Davis. I have a…a…well, a
visitor
here to see Chief Thompson.”

Allister’s eyes widened when the box spoke back. “Escort to the west entrance and hold for clearance.”

“Copy that.” He gave the griffin a quick smile. “This way.”

“The box gives you permission to act?”

The sentry gave him a questioning glance. “You mean the radio? I had to call the duty officer to alert them to your presence. Otherwise they might treat you as a hostile.”

“A hostile what?”

“A hostile…uh…person?” He shrugged. “Just trust me, it’s in both of our best interest if I get permission first.”

“Curiouser and curiouser.”

*****

Dom finished writing his field notes and leaned back against the tree. He glanced to the east and nodded. “Sun will be up shortly. Shouldn’t your people be heading out?”

Reginald looked to the horizon and sighed. “You’re right. I can feel it. But no, we don’t have time to get back to the structure we stayed at yesterday. We’ll have to go to ground again.”

“Again?”

“Yes. During our exodus, we have had to go to ground many times. We’ve actually become used to it.” He bent and scooped up a handful of the rich, dark earth. “There’s something energizing about being so close to the ground. I wish I knew the tie.”

Dom reflected back to the Sicarii and the soil from his homeland. “I think I understand.” He shuddered slightly and turned away. “There’s no putting it into words. It’s just a…feeling.”

“Yes.” Reginald dropped the soil and gave Dom a curious stare. “You speak as though you have firsthand knowledge. Did you know a vampire who preferred going to ground?”

Dom shook his head. “Not exactly.” He cleared his throat nervously. “The Sicarii…he used to keep a box full of dirt from his homeland. Just having it close increased his power.”

Reginald nodded knowingly. “You wouldn’t think that a vampire that powerful would need a tie like that.”

“You wouldn’t think, wouldja. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, when it comes to power, it doesn’t matter if you’re a vampire, human or…whatever. Once you get power hungry, you’ll fight tooth and nail for every ounce you can get.”

“True enough.” Reginald’s voice wavered for a moment as he considered the ramifications of Dom’s words. He stiffened slightly and redirected his attention to the man. “Is there anything else we can help you with?”

Dom checked his notes then shook his head. “I think I have everything I need. If anything new comes up, we’ll get in contact.”

“Very well. Thank you. Sincerely…thank you.” Reginald offered his hand and Dom hesitated for the slightest moment before taking it.

“Sorry, it’s not every mission I end up shaking hands with the person I was sent to kill.”

“Understood.” Reginald gave a slight bow and turned back to his people. “To ground. Before the sun rises.”

Dom watched them walk into the woods and disappear into the shadows. Marshall slipped in next to him and muttered, “Do you get the uneasy feeling we’re going to regret letting them leave?”

Dom continued to watch the woods for a moment then shook his head. “Not this time I don’t.”

2

Mitchell sat in the command chair and manually switched from one feed to another. He wished that whatever was blocking their coms would stop interfering. He knew that it had to be a signal jammer from within the abandoned warehouse. Nothing else made sense. “Is there a way to override that jammer from here?”

“Negative, sir. It’s locally controlled, and whatever it is, it’s essentially put a bubble around that building.”

Mitchell sighed heavily and leaned back in the chair. He checked his watch again and wished that Mark would hurry and get his ass on scene. He knew it was just across town, but it was still far enough away to make it nearly a half hour drive. Even in the wee hours, without traffic, the best he could hope for was to shave a few minutes from the arrival time.

“ETA on the drones?”

“At least another half hour, sir, and they won’t have fuel to stay on site for very long.”

Mitchell leaned forward and glared. “Well then I guess it’s a good goddamn thing that we’re so close, isn’t it?”

The drone pilot gave him a stunned look and simply nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Mitchell groaned and ran a hand through his close cropped hair. “Sorry about that, son. I’m just a bit on edge here.”

“Understood, sir.”

The communications tech turned with a smile. “Sir, Captain Jones has reported that they’ve increased speed to return home. They have the first drone. We did use about a third of its munitions, but it will available sooner.”

“Well it’s about time something went our way. Tell Jericho to get that bird in the air as soon as he can and take up a high helical orbit. I want eyes and ears on that facility.”

“Roger that, sir.”

Mitchell glanced at this watch again and cursed under his breath. “Where are you, Mark?”

*****

Jack watched as Azrael fell back through the skylight and landed deftly next to him. “I couldn’t catch him. He is much faster than he appears.” He shook his head and his shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Chief Jack.”

“You did your best. That’s all anybody can ask.”

“Be grateful you didn’t catch him, gargoyle. He would have killed you,” the Guardian spoke softly, but his voice expressed his belief.

Azrael stiffened slightly and cocked his head. “Do not be so quick to discount—”

“He is an angel, my large friend,” the Guardian they all called Phil interrupted. “I mean no disrespect to you. I only speak truly.”

“It’s going to be daylight soon. We need to wrap this up and get my team back home.” Jack cut them both off. He turned to Viktor. “Are you coming back to the base with us?”

Viktor looked to Thorn who gave him a surprised look. “I think…” he paused and turned to Foster who shook his head slightly. “I think that we shall retire to the island. I have much planning to do in order to coordinate our next attack against Lilith.”

“As do we.” Jack approached him slowly. “The Wyldwood assembled this team for the express purpose of defeating her and sending her back to hell.” He lowered his voice and turned away from the others, “If you’re serious about fighting her, then come with us. Help us come up with a proper plan of attack.”

Thorn inhaled deeply and squared his shoulders. “And what of your intent to enact revenge for my supposed betrayal?”

Jack lowered his eyes and shook his head. “You know, it wasn’t that long ago that if you were this close, I’d have just ripped your damned head off and been done with it.” He raised his eyes and met Thorn’s gaze. “But I’ve come to realize that everybody makes mistakes. Even you. That doesn’t mean I have to like it. It doesn’t mean I have to accept it. And it damn sure doesn’t mean I have to come back to work for you.”

Thorn nodded slowly. “But…”

“But it does mean that I realize that even good people can screw up once in a while. Especially if they think they’re doing it for the right reasons.”

Thorn gave a crooked smile. “I won’t hope for forgiveness. I will accept
understanding
.”

“Good. Because you aren’t getting the other.” He turned and motioned to Kalen. “Find us a portal out of here. I’m ready to go home.” He turned to Rufus. “You can come with us and help us figure out a way to kick this bitch’s ass, or you can go and do your own thing. The choice is yours.”

*****

“Answer me, Dad. What did you do with the rest of it?” Laura shook the empty vial at him. “You didn’t inject Crystal with it, did you?” Her face paled at the very thought.

Jim shook his head. “No, Punkin. I can’t believe you’d even think such a thing.”

“What am I supposed to think? I find this thing empty and…” She stared at him and her eyes shot wider. “You didn’t…”

He nodded slightly. “I thought if a little would help, then more…” He gave her a sheepish grin.

“Oh no!” She fumbled in her bag and dug out her cell phone. “I can’t believe you’d do that.” She flipped open her phone and began punching through her call list.

“What are you doing, Punk?” He reached for her phone and she jerked it clear of his grasp.

“I have to call Evan. I need to know what that can do to you.” She found his number and punched the call button.

“Like hell!” Jim snatched the phone and pushed the top closed, hanging up mid-call. “It’s none of his business.”

“Daddy, you don’t understand. He told me to give you a specific dose. No more than 15CCs per dose. You took the
whole
vial. I need to know what sort of side effects that could have.”

He held the phone away from her when it vibrated in his hand. He stared at the device and threw it against the wall. It simply bounced away and clattered to the floor. Laura gave him a smug smile and bent to retrieve it. “It’s a ruggedized military-grade cell phone, Dad. You could run it over with a Humvee and it would be fine.” She flipped it open and saw a missed call from Evan.

“Don’t do it, Punk. I’m telling you, I’m fine.” He glared at her as he spoke.

“You aren’t acting fine.” She punched the redial button and stepped away from him. “Besides, if you’re lucky, there won’t be any side effects. But if there are, we need to know what they are.”

“Laura?” Evan’s voice sounded tinny over the tiny speaker.

“Evan, sweetie, I need to ask you something.”

“Okay. Is something wrong?”

“No, no, nothing’s wrong. I mean…maybe not.” She bit at her lower lip then blurted out the question. “What would happen if I accidentally gave him too much?”

“Too much? Like, how much too much? If you mean just a few CCs then not much. There’s always a margin of error in—”

“No, Evan. Like, if he got hold of the red vial and took the whole thing?”

“Oh no…”

*****

Mark was out the door of the Humvee before McKenzie rolled to a stop. He hit the ground at a trot and brought his carbine up to his eye, both eyes scanning the darkness. It still surprised him that he was able to so easily adjust to near total darkness without the aid of night vision. He paused and held a fist in the air, halting Mac mid-step.

Without turning he keyed his coms and whispered, “There are sentries at the gate.”

“Then we go around.” Mac began to advance again, cutting to the left when Mark held him.

“They’ve got guards at each side of the compound.”

“How the hell can you know that?” Mac shot him a questioning glare.

“I can smell them.” Mark advanced slowly, his body sinking into the grass until Mac couldn’t tell where he went. With a silent curse he tried to follow the Marine’s movements. Mark popped up next to a thicket and held a casing up. “They staged here.”

Mac slipped in behind a large oak tree and hugged the trunk. “Do we take out the sentries?”

“Negative.” He brought a pair of field glasses to his eyes and studied the western fence. “There’s only one on the western side. One on the roof. If we remove them at the same time, we should have at least a few moments.”

Mitchell’s voice cut through his earpiece, “For recon.”

Mark sighed and nodded. “Copy that, OPCOM. Recon only.” He switched off his coms and looked to Mac. “Unless we find out our people are neck deep. Then all bets are off.”

“Copy that.” Mac shot him an evil grin. “Westward ho.”

The two branched to the left and eased up on the clearing facing the western fence. Mark motioned to Mac to take the guard on the roof while he took out the fence patrol. He held up three fingers and the two operators counted down.

Almost simultaneously, both carbines belched silver plated death through suppressed barrels, their receiver actions making more noise than the bullets. The two commandos slid into the fence and Mark grabbed the bottom of the chain link fabric ripping it from its ground anchors, allowing Mac to roll under. Mac propped the fabric with his knees while Mark slid under and the two made for the nearest lit building.

As Mac came to rest alongside the building he keyed his coms. “OPCOM, signal check.” He waited only a moment before looking to his XO. He shook his head and stepped to the side of the door, stacking along the north side of the entrance. “Should we switch to First Squad’s frequency?”

“Already have. It’s silent.” Mark nodded toward the door and Mac pulled it open slightly, checking for booby traps. Convinced it was clear, he pulled it open further and the two men slid along the shadows. At the far end of the warehouse they could see a plywood mockup of some kind with a small crowd of men surrounding the north side. “Looks like we’re late for a party.” He motioned Mac along the southern wall, behind crates of equipment and supplies.

The two worked their way closer, pausing only long enough to try to make out what held the rapt attention of the crowd. Mac grabbed Mark’s arm and pulled him back behind a crate. “They have them.”

“Who did you see?”

“Spanky and John. There was somebody else, but there’s too many of them between us. I couldn’t see who.”

Mark nodded. “They have at least three. That doesn’t mean they have them all. Eyes and ears open for any they may have missed.”

Mac was about to acknowledge when something fell onto his head. He swiped at it and looked upward into the rafters of the building. Lamb gave a subtle wave from the shadows. He pointed further down, and Jacobs gave a mock salute. “I think that answers your question, Major.”

Mark pointed to his ear bud and Lamb shook his head. He pointed to the group below. Mark nodded and held up two fingers.
Go to alternate frequency.

Lamb adjusted his radio and Mark’s earpiece buzzed. “Delta Three and Four standing by for orders, Major.”

“What’s their strength, Three?”

“I’m counting nineteen, sir. Most are armed.”

“Flashbangs?” Mark shrugged.

Lamb nodded. “As soon as you’re in position, sir.”

“You heard the man.” Mark patted Mac’s shoulder. “Take up position behind those crates. We’ll catch them in a crossfire.” He watched as Mac worked his way further down and got set up. Mark took a deep breath and prayed that he wasn’t about to get his men killed.

*****

“Son of a bitch!” Bigby kicked a chair over in his office before shoving the laptop into its bag. He began throwing his papers into a satchel and rapidly going through the drawers of the desk that he called his to ensure anything that could be used against him wasn’t there when the shit hit the fan.

“What are you doing?” Martinez stared at him as he hurriedly threw things into a duffel.

“I’m getting the fuck out of here.” He jabbed a finger at the man. “You’d be wise to do the same, mate.”

“Why? We have them. Don’t you see? We can order them to send us Ms. Simmons in trade. We can ensure her safety, and they’ll never know that we were about to attack.”

“Are you daft?” Bigby tossed the computer bag and satchel into the duffel and zipped it tight. “Those blokes aren’t exactly stupid. I’d bet your left nut that others are already on their way.” He glanced through the window of the office leading to the back of the facility. “If they’re not already here.”

“Don’t be absurd.” Martinez leaned against the counter and chuckled at him. “We have their communications blocked. They can neither send nor receive any—”

“And what would you assume if you lost coms with your team in the field, eh?” Bigby tossed the duffle over his shoulder and made for the window. “I can’t believe you’re a warrant officer and you’re that stupid.”

He fought with the painted over lock and pulled his knife to pry the latch. “I’m getting the fuck out of here now.”

“I knew you were a coward.” The venom in Martinez’ voice was unmistakable.

Bigby paused and turned, the knife glistening in the low lit room. “I’m many things, mate. But a coward isn’t one of them.” He pointed out the door with the tantō blade. “You have no idea what you’ve done out there, do you? Each of those men are worth twenty of yours. And how many do you have left?”