Текст книги "Red Serpent: The Falsifier"

Автор книги: Делсон Армстронг

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

Nikolas’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Yes.” Erik said. “Our ships were near the spatial border a few hours ago. They were taking thermal imagery of the Regnum, when they spotted a life-form. The being they saw didn’t have normal human heat. Its temperature fluctuated due to an innate part of its structure. It’s the Falsifier.”

“You may be right. You may not.” Nikolas said. “But you still don’t know the whole truth.”

“Just imagine.” Daniel said. “When we find the Falsifier, we will be able to be like him. We can splice his DNA with ours and become truly immortal.”

Mikhail hurried in and reported, “Sir, all the soldiers have been transported into the ship. We are ready to launch at your command.”

“Good. Go outside and wait for me,” Daniel said, turning to the vizier, “And Erik.”

Erik turned to face Daniel.

“Please leave with Mikhail.” Daniel gestured. “I have something to tell my father.”

Erik responded, “Whatever you tell him can be said in front of me.”

“Erik,” Daniel said looking into his eyes, “I’m requesting you. That’s not something I usually do.”

“Are you flattering me? Do you think I need that? I’m the vizier of the King! You can’t talk to me like that.”

Nikolas interrupted, “This can wait. I have a mission to go on. I am sure there will be time for this when I get back.”

Nikolas walked to the elevator with Daniel, Erik and the twelve Rebels that had survived the tests, their neck restraints turned on just in case anyone tried to escape. The elevator descended a hundred and fifty feet below helipad eight to helipad six. They took an air-transport to the hangar, where the ship awaited them. The hangar, located nearest to the volatile ocean, stretched half the width of the command center. Inside there were thousands of fighters and transport tankers. Some of them were being replaced or repaired by mechanics and aviation technicians. As Nikolas walked to his ship, Daniel stopped him and whispered in his ears, “Remember. If you try to contact John Howe or do anything to compromise the mission, our three hundred soldiers are on guard.” Nikolas flashed a quick smile and left him.

John observed the fireplace, as if inspecting it—

“What is the Red Serpent?” Alex asked.

John turned around and looked at his mother, who sat on a nearby recliner observing the two of them. “Now Mom, this will be a first for you as well, I suppose.”

“Yes, it will be,” Helen paused, “well, you do know who it is, right?”

“You mean no one has any idea what or who this Serpent is?” Alex was intrigued.

“In fact,” said John, “Not even any of the vampires know, except for Anaxagoras.”

“Okay, so we don’t even know what we’re fighting?” Alex said, walking around, trying to digest everything. “I’m guessing he’s the originator of the vampire race, right?”

“You could say that, yes,” said John. “I don’t know his true identity, but I’ve been researching it and I found stories of him amongst the ancient Sumerian scriptures and even from Genesis. He could be the serpent from Genesis.”

“You’re saying it’s the Devil?” Alex smiled. “That’s a little too esoteric for me.”

“Alex, please be serious. I said I’m still researching. What I can tell you is that after the War of the Eight Kings, Anaxagoras was stronger than ever. But he had no heir and wanted to die. But a man came, whom your grandfather called the Red Serpent, and gave him new life through his own blood.”

“I know he killed my father, but...” Alex sighed. “This sounds like something from Shakespeare or a Greek play. I hardly knew my father, and I don’t understand why I have to kill my grandfather. For revenge?”

“Because the prophecy...”

“...because the prophecy says so,” Alex finished. “But if he is my grandfather, there must be another way.” He felt an anger rising up within him. “And why am I being used as propaganda for my father’s rebellious beliefs? Why am I made this ‘god’ who’s supposed to avenge everybody?”

Grandma Howe and John said nothing. They knew he was right. But what could be done about it? This was only the beginning.

John breathed in and smiled with a teary twinkle in his eyes. “Alex,” he said, moving closer to his nephew, “You once told me that you would do anything to see the real Earth, to one day regain what we lost. That,” he grabbed him by the arms, “is not nor ever was your destiny. Your destiny was written by your father and has been told to you by your mother. Nick told me that your father died in peace with a blissful smile on his face because he knew you would be the one to defeat Anaxagoras and save us all. Perhaps that’s why his body never combusted. My theory is that the curse of the vampires never touched him. I truly believe that.” He stretched out his arms and gestured towards the library. “You think you don’t have any reason to kill your grandfather but, when you read these books, you will change your mind. And you may not know your father, but you will now.” With a magnifying glass John deciphered what was written on the right side corner of the back cover of his book. Then he scribbled the number 11113328 on a piece of paper.

“What’s this?” Alex asked as John handed it to him.

“Guess!” his uncle smiled at him, “you should know this number.”

After examining it carefully, Alex realized what it was, “My birthday!” On the note, he placed two dots: 11.11.3328.

“Right.” John smiled. “But this is just the code for that.” He pointed at a gargoyle, which was on top of the fireplace. Alex still couldn’t figure it out. “Mom, do you want to stay here?”

“I think I’ll head back to the hall.” When Grandma got up, she said, “Angel called. She said she had to meet you at the café near the Monolith for lunch.”

He checked his watch. It was already 1:30. “Damn, I forgot.”

“What happened?” asked John.

“Angel had something she wanted to tell me at the party last night and I totally forgot about it after seeing you guys.”

“I hope everything’s alright.” said Grandma.

“I hope so too. Uncle John, I need to go to her.”

John nodded. “But make sure you talk somewhere private.”

“And in any case,” said Alex, “I really need to go to the Monolith and just let it all out.”

“Sure,” John nodded and gave a comforting smile.

The Monolith of Faith was a nine hundred foot stone column that stood in the center of the mega city. It was a tribute to all the different religions, spiritual teachings, and mythologies of the ancient and modern world. People were free to worship in any way they pleased, as long as they were silent in the large inner courtyard. The structure of the complex was intricate: as the worshiper entered the main courtyard, a large door would open and lead him into a large hall. Here was the Great Library, where scrolls from Alexandria, Nalanda, Taxila, and various other ancient centers were preserved. The spiritual teachings of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam and their various respective branches of philosophies, sects and denomination would be available in books and on holodiscs.

After walking through the one thousand yard library, one entered the Worship Room where people of different religions practiced their faiths as they saw fit. Here the great monolith stood, engraved with the thousands of names for God taken from ancient and modern scripts. It was carved mainly out of silver and radiated magically in the night. It truly looked like an object brought down from heaven. This was one of the many places Alex loved to visit. Here, he could pray to his mother or to God and feel at peace. Sometimes he thought he felt his mother’s presence and the divine spirit swirling in the room during his meditations.

Alex’s grandmother had told him to meet Angel at the Café Flamingo. It was one of those regular places where Angel and Alex would go together as a couple to enjoy coffee and cake. Alex loved the espresso the café made and the Dutch Truffle chocolate cake, while Angel would usually order for a Mocha Cappuccino and a Hazelnut Brownie with chocolate ice cream and syrup.

Alex checked his watch as the limo driver stopped near the café. “Thanks, Bill.” He said and hastily got out of the car. It was 2:15 and he was really late. Angel sat outside in the garden area with an impatient look on her face. Alex kissed her on the cheek and then pecked her on the lips. “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t get your message until 1:30. I was a little tied up and I guess Grandma forgot about it.”

“It’s alright,” she smiled one of those smiles that made Alex’s heart melt. “I already ordered some food for us when I saw your limo coming by.”

“What did you order?” He sat down.

“Ah, your favorite: Chicken Parmesan,” she said, smiling and looking deep into his dark eyes.

“Great, what are you having?”

“A steak sandwich and an iced tea.”

Alex looked at her skeptically. “Really? You never eat steak.”

“Well I’m feeling very hungry today,” she said with a wink.

“Okay,” said Alex. “So, what’s been happening?”

She looked apprehensive and sighed. “I really don’t know how to say this to you.”

“Just say it, Angel.” Alex said. “I asked you last night as well and you didn’t tell me anything.”

“You walked away from me,” she said.

“You weren’t saying anything! You know you were like this a while back too.”

“When?”

“Two weeks before the graduation. You had to say something about our life together while I was busy working on my speech.”

“See! It’s always about you. You never ask how I am or what’s wrong with me.”

“I’m asking you right now.” Alex protested.

“You ask it as if you don’t care.”

“Oh! Should I say it like this?” He patronized her, “Oh, honey, what’s the matter?” He scoffed, “I mean, really! You can at least tell me so I can help you out. But, no! Alexander Howe isn’t the right type of guy for you, is he?” He raised his voice. The waiter who had just arrived at the table with their food turned a little pink.

“Alex, keep your voice down. People are looking at us,” said Angel, feeling the spectators’ funny looks on her.

“I don’t care, Angel! I really don’t care.”

“What do you mean you don’t care? Is this whole relationship just a joke for you?”

“Now you’re talking like your parents. I hope you remember that I did publicly announce, almost in front of the entire population and on live television, that I want to get married to you. Wait...” Alex felt something click. “Is that what it is? You don’t want to get married, do you?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“So then?” He dug his fork into the gooey cheese and shoved some into his mouth. “Eat your sandwich,” he eyed her plate, “It’s getting cold.”

She took a fairly large bite out it, surprising him.

“You know,” he said, “you really aren’t yourself today.”

“Oh,” Angel muttered with her mouth full. “And what exactly is myself?”

“I really don’t know anymore,” he sighed, “You know, even I had something to tell you. But I don’t know how to say it.”

“So then we’re in the same predicament, aren’t we? What is all this, Alex? I mean I don’t know why we’ve been fighting so much.”

“Me neither,” Alex said, sipping his iced tea. “Maybe your parents are right.”

“No, they’re not.”

“Okay, look.” He faced her eye-to-eye. “Just tell me what is it that you have to tell me.”

“I’m pregnant.”

For a second he thought he’d misheard. But then he saw how serious she was and realized she was speaking the truth. For a moment the world stopped. He should have been happy but his face didn’t show it. He had no idea what to do and felt the heavy burden of sacrifice. “Well,” he started slowly, forcing a smile, “this is wonderful!” His eyes welled up with tears and he held Angel’s hand in his. “I’m really happy, darling.”

“It doesn’t look like it,” she said.

“Are you kidding? This news is just what I needed. The last two days have really been something else but nothing compares to this.” He laughed and let go of his fears. Now his mind and heart floated in the happiness of this news.

He took Angel into his arms and hugged her. Any sense of negativity vanished in that one embrace. He saw surprise in her face.

“I haven’t seen you like this in a long time, Alex! And I...I like it!” She kissed him. After they finished their food, Alex left money for the bill and a large tip. They walked hand-in-hand together towards the Monolith. The waiter, who had served the two lovers for years, watched them walk away and smiled. He hadn’t seen the couple so happy together since the beginning of their relationship.

“Angel, you really don’t know how happy you’ve made me today. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to understand you before. Now I know nothing can separate us.” I’m going to be a father!But what would Uncle John say? What about the people? He shook his head and smiled. What did he care what the people thought?

“Alex,” she looked into his eyes, “I love you and could never even think of being with anybody else. I think now you can put this whole thing into perspective. My parents aren’t against us being together. They’re just a little upset because I’m pregnant before the marriage. They thought you knew and so after your speech they were surprised at the way you behaved. But don’t worry, I spoke to them last night and explained everything to them. They’re still happy for the both of us.”

“Well, I’m glad about—”

A large chunk of glass came crashing down on top of him. Angel screamed in shock. People turned to see what had happened. Three men came running over and tried to help him up. “Hey pal,” one of them said. “You alright? Hello?” He snapped his fingers to get Alex’s attention.

The others gazed up to see what had caused the destruction. High above, a large rocket had smashed through the glass casing of the Regnum.

Suddenly, the computers that handled the Regnum’s climate conditions, solar and lunar cycles and seasons went haywire. For a second there was pitch-black all around. Frightened shouts of horror echoed throughout the station.

The lights turned back on and the computers were back on track. John, accompanied by security, appeared at the scene and ran towards Alex and Angel.

Alex’s head felt heavy. A pulsating pain pounded continuously in his skull and everything seemed to swirl around him. In echoes, he heard his uncle say, “Are you alright, Alex?”

“Uh...” his head spinning, he said to John, “I think so.” He touched the back of his head and felt liquid slowly trickle down from the wound. Blood. He smiled and fell flat on his face.

He heard a faint voice say, “Call an ambulance!” Everything turned black.

The reinforcements John had called for prior to his arrival hurried into their attack positions. The rocket flew towards them. As it got close and slowed to a halt just above the ground John could see Nikolas, accompanied by Imperial guards and Rebel comrades. “Hold your fire!” John commanded, recognizing his old friend.

Jarad ran to John and said, “John, what the hell is going on here?”

“I have no idea,” John said, “But I think it isn’t going to be pretty.”

“But—”

“Listen, Jarad, just get ready to fight if it comes to it.”

John lifted Alex up and supported him on his shoulder. The boy was completely unconscious.

Nikolas and the vampires touched down on the ground. He walked towards John. “Give him to me,” he said. John did as he was told. Nikolas laid Alex on the ground. He put his hands on Alex’s head and closed his eyes. A blue flash of light flickered in his palm and it radiated outward, centering on Alex’s forehead. All around them, the blue light shone brightly encompassing everything. Everyone around, vampire and human, looked at the healing in awe.

With tears in her eyes, Angel asked John, “Mr. Howe, what’s he doing?”

John smiled, “It looks like Alex hasn’t told you yet.”

“What? What did he have to tell me?”

“I think it would be better if he told you himself,”

Alex stirred and moaned slightly. He opened his eyes and saw Nikolas. He bolted up. “What?”

“Easy...easy, Alexandros,” said Nikolas.

“General Gareng?”

“That’s right. I am General...well I was a general once. But I am still Nikolas, your father’s old friend and cousin.”

“How’d you know it was me?”

“I can sense his blood in you.”

“What are you doing here?” Alex asked, getting slowly onto his feet.

“That’s what I want to know, Nick.” said John. He gave Alex a hand.

“I thought you’d know. I knew this day would come,” Nikolas bared his fangs, “didn’t you?”

“You mean...”

“Exactly. They’ve used us for this purpose.”

Jarad gestured to his men, “Kill them!”

“No!” yelled John, but it was too late. The vampires opened fire on civilians. The human reinforcements returned their blasts with lasers and rocket launchers.

“What’s the matter with you?” John yelled, running to the Egyptian councilman.

“Obviously they want a battle, don’t they?” Jarad said.

“I wanted you to order an evacuation, goddamnit. I’ll handle the rest.” John held Angel by the shoulders. “Angel, you better go home. Don’t worry about anything.”

“But, Mr. Howe—”

“Just go!”

“Uncle John!” yelled Alex, “what’s going on?”

Nikolas said, “Alex, you’ll be safe, don’t worry.” He grabbed Alex tightly around his right arm.

“What are you doing?” Alex pulled away.

John commanded his driver, “Get my sword!” The driver tossed it to him. John caught it and, in a flash, pointed it at Nikolas. “Listen Nick, you can’t take Alex with you.”

“It’s the Council’s orders, John. Listen to me.”

“I can’t believe what you’re doing! You’ve joined them!” With one quick move John grabbed Alex and pulled him towards his side. He moved the sword up to Nikolas’s neck.

“You’re misunderstanding me.” Nikolas said and backed away.

“I understand you completely!” John slashed at Nikolas but the vampire dodged the blade.

Alex dashed to the limo. His only thought now was to contact Angel. He pressed a button on the side of his watch and the chain around his neck broke apart and morphed into a headset that attached itself to his ear. He pressed the earpiece that served as a nanophone. There was no clear reception.

John and Nikolas fought like never before. They felt invigorated even though they were fighting each other. Nikolas flew upwards. “Come down here, Nick, and face me!” John shouted.

“Listen to me old friend!” Nikolas said.

“Don’t call me that! You were supposed to keep your promise, Nick! And now you break it?”

“I need him!” Nikolas said.

“For what?”

“I can’t tell you yet but I want you to take this.” He threw a silver canister towards John.

John caught it but threw his sword at Nikolas. Suddenly a silvery substance engulfed Nikolas’s body like mercury, transforming him. The sword simply bounced off his hard metallic body. It fell to the ground, tip first, and stuck there.

Meanwhile the two armies continued to fight it out. Lasers and silver nitrate bullets flew everywhere, damaging stores, restaurants and cracking glass. One of the Imperial soldiers levitated a piece of concrete with his will and flung it at some civilians, crushing them. Nikolas threw a large red energy ball towards the debris, disintegrating it.

“What’s wrong with you?” he yelled at the soldier, “This was supposed to be a simple mission.”

The soldier smiled bitterly, activating the restraining choker and Nikolas fell to the ground with a thud. John hurried to the limo where Alex was sitting. He got in beside his nephew and opened the container. He took a scroll out of the canister, unrolled it and scanned it quickly.

“What’s happening?” Alex asked, ogling the scroll.

“Nikolas is here to kidnap you,” said John. Alex was about to speak, but John gestured to let him finish. “It says here that Nikolas’s plan was to take you. And my guess now is that after seeing us with weapons, the vampire government is going to take action. They will see it as an act of aggression and try to attack us. By the time they do, we will have prepared our ultimatums and hopefully be able to avoid war by diplomatic negotiation. But before that can even happen, we will come to rescue you. Nikolas will take good care of you and he will tell you more than I know about the vampire history. So don’t worry.”

Alex said, “I’m going to be a prisoner of war for the vampires?”

“For the time being, yes. Trust me, Alex. I would never let this happen if I didn’t think Nikolas had the situation under control. I am also very confident that we can rescue you later.”

John waited for a reaction, but Alex gave none. His eyes were closed as he tried to ready himself. Finally he sighed and said. “Alright. I’m ready.”

Outside, Nikolas returned from silver to flesh. He glared at the soldier who attacked him. He ran to the limo and yelled his orders to the soldiers. “Hold your fire!”

John got out with Alex, commanding his own troops to do likewise. Alex embraced John and turned to the Rebel. Nikolas gave him a comforting look. Then he took a pair of handcuffs and bound his wrists. “Come, Alex. Don’t worry about anything. You won’t be harmed.”

“I know,” He said and added, “Uncle Nick.”

Jarad chased after them and as Nick and Alex both went to the rocket, he yelled, “After them!”

“No! Wait!” John said, clutching Jarad’s left shoulder. “Hold your fire, boys!”

Jarad eyed John with suspicion. “What are you up to?”

“You’ll see.” He smiled.

The human soldiers stood still as they watched their enemies retreating to the ship. It flew out of the Regnum and set a course for Earth.