The Chronicles of Silverwolf: The Dawning of a Hero (5 page)

“That is unfortunate. If progress is not made soon I will have to ask that you return to Mirach and begin beta testing the suit with Stone.”

“Is something wrong?”

“We’ve just received word that our allies in the Muzane star system are losing the battle against the Draconan’s. If we don’t find a way to help them soon the situation for us could get worse.”

“Lord Callosaur is relentless,” Wolf sighed.

“Indeed, which is why we are going to need to test this new suit Stone has created soon.”

“What do you recommend I do here on Earth?”

“As much as I hate to admit it, you’re going to have to take more direct measures with your trusted contacts. If that fails you will have to return to Mirach.”

“I understand.”

“I’m sorry, Jonathan. But we are running out of precious time. Good luck.”

The communication was then terminated leaving Jonathan to his thoughts about his next plan of action. He though
t about Sarah and what it would mean to leave her. Realizing the mistake he made by getting too emotionally involved with her was something he would have to live with.

Should he tell her the truth or simply cease communication with her without seeing her heart get broken?

He was aware the United States government had been monitoring his communications with Justin Gait and Sarah recently. Knowing that information would anger the Oracle is the reason he kept that from her.

Chapter 10

Robert Gait had everything he could
possibly want; money, power, fancy cars and a multinational business of his own. It took four years at Harvard and another four years to become one of the wealthiest business men in the world. For twenty years he worked hard building Gait Industries from the ground up only to see it rise to one of the richest companies in the world.

At 45 years old he still felt like he was in great shape with no intention or signs of slowing down. His genius in advance technologies, much of it a secret, had given the military the means to defend America against all enemies foreign and domestic. Designing new hardware tech for both them and on occasion, the government, was what his company was built for.

But that was only the tip of the iceberg.

His contributions had also given Apple and Microsoft a boost in their products as well. Though the companies would never admit it publicly, as a way of saying thank you they would occasionally attend a party Gait was holding at his place of business.

Yet no one knew of the deep dark secret he kept from his employees, friends and his own son whom he rarely speaks to. Their strained relationship was something Robert was not too happy about after the divorce with his ex-wife.

For years he has continued to be a contributing
member of the Shadowgate Society. Thanks to his business and the wealth he has obtained, they offered him a place on their council in exchange for loyalty and technology; two things Robert couldn’t say no to.

His ever growing desire for respect and power also played a huge role in his decision after being approached by one of the members at one of his dinner parties several years ago who told him he was impressed with the way he handled things.

Riding the elevator up to his penthouse apartment on the top floor of the Gait Industries building, Robert was now getting hungry. He had just retired from a meeting held with his top executives about this year’s quarterly profit earnings.

It was another financial success. One Robert hoped he would continue to see for many years to come as long as he continued to push forward with new ideas.

After exiting the elevator, Robert entered his luxurious modern-style apartment and headed for the kitchen when he began to feel a strange tingling sensation throughout his body. He paused in mid-walk confused with this unfamiliarity. He grasped both of his hand and rubbed them together hoping the feeling would soon go away. When it finally did he proceeded on to the kitchen hoping it was from another busy day of work.

The kitchen was as just as upscale as the rest of the place with a island stove in the middle and refrigerator and countertops surrounding it.

Feeling the need for a simple bowl of soup, he grabbed a can out of the pantry and a bowl from the cupboard before preparing to microwave it. Once done he place inside the microwave but when he pressed the button to warm the soup a small jolt of electricity ignited from his finger.

Concerned, he pulled his hand away with caution and took a step back to analyze what just happened. He looked at his finger to find no burns or scars and then tried pressing the button again only to get the same response.

What the hell?

But the supposed strange anomaly wasn’t over yet. For when he raised his hand again to reach for a nearby rubber glove, a larger surge of electric voltage shot out from his hand, damaging a nearby wall. At the same time the tingling sensation he felt earlier was now growing inside of him.

He decided to concentrate and see if he could control this new power he had discovered by closing his eyes.

Finally, the sensation stopped leaving him curious with thoughts of bewilderment.

Is this some form of mutation?  

Anxious to learn more, he rushed to his study in the next room and pulled out his encyclopedia flipping to the M section for mutation. When found it, he began to read up on it only to find that animals had shown the capacity for mutation but not always an early stage of their lives. The section also theorized that humans might one day develop a form of mutation that has yet to be discovered.

It was an intriguing summary; one Robert was beginning to agree with. If a rare mutation was beginning to develop inside of him, he didn’t show any signs of worry now.

This new power was beginning to change him.
It would soon be time to inform the Shadowgate Society of this new development.

***

No one except the society members knew where their secret meetings were held. The Shadowgate Society was very careful when picking various locations throughout the globe. Every year was someplace different.

This year their meeting was to take place in a suite at the Hotel de Pairs in Monte Carlo. First opened in 1863, the hotel has been regularly listed on the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List.

For Robert Gait, this was not his first time visiting Monte Carlo or staying at the hotel.

Once before he had
visited the city inviting his executives and business partners while hosting a luxurious dinner party; one of many he liked to host around the globe. It was subtle way of striking business deals and making new friends with companies in competition with his own.

After becoming accustomed to his new mutant power, he learned to keep it under control. Weeks of trials and tests in his private laboratory led him to the creation of a rubber-made Kevlar suit which he was anxious to show the other society members and reveal his plan.

The power somehow began to change his mentality. He couldn’t explain it. For some reason he had the sudden urge to cause destruction wherever he went but knew constraint would keep him out of jail and prevent the society from disbanding him as a member. He had a rage inside him that would never give in.

When he entered the suite, he noticed most of the other members were already there. Some were seated while others were standing smoking cigars and drinking whiskey. The smell of tobacco didn’t bother him as the others turned to him.

Richard Gibson, the group’s leader, was the first to acknowledge his presence.

“Ah, Robert. Good of you to join us,” he said. “Two of our memb
er are ill and couldn’t attend. Let’s all take our seats. We have much to discuss.”

Everyone found an empty chair around large conference table with a booklet placed in front of each member.
The booklet read
Top Secret
on the cover along with a logo depicting a black gate.

“As most of you now know,” Richard began, “about four months ago, an extraterrestrial space craft landed at Area 51. It showed no signs of any hostile threat.

“When the occupant disembarked, he made his intentions clear and proceeded to tell us why he came to Earth.”

“Can you tell us more about the occupant?” asked Robert.

“His name is Admiral Trasken. He is from the planet Rancor in the Orion star system. He is part of the Draconan Empire and his goals are the same as ours,” Richard explained. He proceeded to tell the group about the encounter. “We have made a deal with his race that will ensure our dominance over the people of this planet. Thanks to his genius in advanced genetics, he will provide us with the means to create a hybrid race of slaves so that one day soon we will stand beside the Draconan’s to rule this galaxy. The cloning process has already begun with people we’ve already abducted.”

“And he has promised us amnesty?” one member asked not familiar with the deal.

“Correct,” replied Richard. “But to achieve this, the people of this planet must fear us.”

“That may be difficult considering they are becoming more aware of the system we have put in place,” Robert pointed out.

“Then we create a new fear tactic,” another member from Germany said. “One the public has never seen before.”

“I can help you with that,” Robert smiled. The whole table turned to him.

“How?” asked Gibson.

“I’ve told you all of my new mutant power
. We should use this to our advantage. I create havoc under a secret identity instilling fear in the people. The government then begins to initiate martial law in the United States when they realize they can stop me.”

“You’re taking an awful big risk here, Robert,” said Gibson.

“I realize that but what choice do we have at this point? The people are waking up to the plans we’ve attempted in the past. We need something different in order for this to work.”

“Something unexpected,” added another member.

“Exactly. I’ve taken the liberty of testing my powers in my private laboratory back in the states. In doing so, I constructed a rubber-made suit made of Kevlar. With your permission I can add elements to the suit that will hide my true identity from the authorities,” said Robert.

The members began talking amongst themselves before finally agreeing with Robert’s plan.

“Very well,” said Gibson. “We trust your judgment on this.”

“You’ll need a name that people will fear,” a British member said.

“How about the Shadowgate Master?” Gait recommended.

Chapter 11

She couldn't stop smiling.

It was like a dream come true for her. Sarah Langston had finally found the man of her dreams. Sure there were other guys in her life but none of them fit the bill the way Jonathan did. He was perfect; great smile and a great body. Boy did he have a body.

It had been six months since they moved in together and they had never been happier.

“I hope he asks me to marry him soon,” she thought as she rode the cable car from the museum to their apartment several blocks away.

Her only regret seemed to be introducing him to her father that one time at Thanksgiving. Her father never approved of any guy she dated. Of course she hardly ever got to see her father. He was always working and away on business trips. Half the time he never told her where he was going.

“Maybe someday he will come around and change his mind,” she sighed.

When the trip from the museum ended she hopped off the cable car and walked across the street into a building and walked up the flight of stairs into their apartment that had a beautiful view of downtown San Francisco.

“Hello?” she called out to Jonathan. But there was no answer.

Langston put her things down and walked into the living room where the phone was only to find an envelope with her name on it. She opened it up. Her smile faded and her heart sank as she began to read it.

My Dearest Sarah,

If you are reading this it means I have done something that will hopefully spare your life along with mine. What I'm about to say may frighten you and even cause you to think differently about me. I have turned myself over to government officials, for they have unfortunately discovered the truth about who I am. I am not from Canada as I once told you. In fact, I'm not from this planet. That's right. I'm an alien visitor who originally came here to watch your planet evolve. That mission was put on hold the moment I met you. I was never supposed to fall in love with an Earth woman but I did. I am sorry I lied to you. It was the only way to protect us both. Now, somehow, your government has discovered who I am and I can't risk your safety by not turning myself in. Whatever happens, know that I will always love you. You hold a special place in my heart.

All My Love,
Jonathan

Tears were starting to run down her cheeks as she finished reading the letter. Many emotions were bubbling up inside her; anger, sorrow, despair. She couldn't believe it. The one person she was sure of lied to her.