Chapter 1: Ludin
Charles Ludin sat at his computer screen pouring over the lines of text that streamed before his eyes. His desk sat in a small apartment that had reference manuals and various religious books covering the floor and bookshelves. Most lay open stuck on different pages, others stacked one on top of another forming tall stacks that a slight breeze would most likely knock right over. The drapes were drawn closed to block out the bright glare of the sun, while the only light in the room, came from the glow of the computer screen giving the surroundings an eerie blue tinge. The figure sat hunched over the keyboard as his eyes scanned line after line of scrolling text. His fingers flew across the keyboard entering a continuous stream of command code until a small dialog box popped up on the screen.
password required for pentagon research department.
The figure swiveled in his chair to his left and flipped a series of switches on the machine that sat there. The machine's fans came to life and the blue glow in the room was muted by a new red glow. The code breaker sat computing for a few seconds and then the popup on the screen faded and was replaced as another appeared.
password accepted.
A new line of text slid down the screen and then it stopped as the man sat back in his chair in shock. The words slipped from his lips, "this shouldn't be here..." as he rocked forward in his chair and tapped his finger on the screen.
Suddenly the silence of the room was broken by the phone ringing. As the man answers a voice is heard on the other end without him saying a word. "They're coming you must leave now" and then the line went dead. As the man stared down at the receiver in his hand in complete shock at the phone call, the door to his apartment exploded inward as it was kicked in violently from the hallway. When the dust settled three men were standing in the door way silhouetted against the light streaming in from the hall. The center man was wearing a black business suit and black sunglasses and had an air of contempt about him. "Mr. Ludin, we need you to come with us please." the man spoke in a voice that seemed to pierce the very skin of Mr. Ludin. The man to his right, who was dressed as the center man was, then said, "it is not a choice Mr. Ludin, you will come with us now, like it or not." Mr. Ludin could only rub his eyes and stare in disbelief as if looking for an answer to why in their emotionless eyes. Then his eyes wandered to the last of the three men, who was dressed in a black cloak and had black sunglasses but who had not spoken a word. In a flash this last man pulled a blade from under his cloak in one graceful stroke and beheaded the two men standing in front of him. Mr. Ludin could only stare in shock as the two men, who slumped to the floor, became Mrs. Portman and her husband, who lived down the hall in apartment 2B and then disappear into a bright flash of green light. The strange man then holstered his blade and spoke quickly. "Mr. Ludin, come with me, I'm here to take you to safety but we must leave now, they will be coming!" "You were the voice on the phone" stammered Mr. Ludin. "There is no time" replied the unknown man "you must come with me now! They are here!"
the man rushed to Mr. Ludin's side and grabbed his arm and roughly dragged him out of his apartment and down the hall. At the head of the stairs was old Mrs. Waterbee from 2E straining against her walker and a load of groceries. As Mr. Ludin watched, Mrs. Waterbee disappeared and was replaced by another man in a black business suit and black glasses. From the man's coat, he produced a silver handgun and emptied a clip of six rounds at Mr. Ludin and the stranger. Before Mr. Ludin could even flinch, the stranger beside him again drew his blade and faster than the eye could see in a blur of motion moved as if to block the bullets with the blade. Mr. Ludin could only see the six fired bullets embed themselves into the ceiling, floor and walls in front of him. In one fluid motion the stranger pulled his own gun from his cloak and fired one round between the sunglass covered eyes. As he fell to the ground he disappeared and became Mrs. Waterbee once again with blood pouring from the hole in her forehead. "Look I know it's a cliché", spoke the man in an unwavering tongue "but come with me if you want to live"
Mr. Ludin and the man ran down the stairs and out of the empty main apartment lobby into a waiting van sitting idling at the curb on the deserted street. The moon hung low in the sky meaning that dawn was only a few hours away. Several hands from within the darkness of the van pulled both inside and then the door was slammed shut. "Where... where are you taking me..." Mr. Ludin managed to stammer. The driver turned his head and said "Its no longer safe for you to remain here, we need to get you out of this place" "but why me?" asked Mr. Ludin. "All will be explained soon Mr. Ludin, so sit back and relax" was all the driver said in response. After what seemed like driving for hours the van stopped and the passengers all got out. Looking up Mr. Ludin could see they were standing in front of a large cathedral. The rain from the previous night was thinning finally and the sun was trying to peek through, causing the stain-glass windows in the cathedral to appear as if they were glowing from within. Mr. Ludin looked as his strange kidnappers exited the van; he was shocked to see four men get out all armed with either a blade or a firearm, each scanning the surroundings. Mr. Ludin's eyes wandered towards the cathedral and looking up the front stairs he could see a black man walking down them towards him. He too wore a black cloak and suit much like the others, with a pair of glasses that seemed to float on the bridge of his nose. With one hand he led Mr. Ludin up the stairs of the cathedral and through the giant front doors. Once inside the mysterious man spoke in a powerful and calming voice "welcome Mr. Ludin, its time for you to understand" "understand what?" answered Mr. Ludin as he gazed around the cathedral frightened of the events that had just unfolded. "Understand what can not be shown, what can not be told, what you must discover for yourself. You must understand why man is a slave..."