This is the third story in the Faster Than Life series. It's something of a sequel to Wizard Force, though this story will be written to stand alone. I hadn't planned on writing another Wizards story in the series, but inspiration struck me for this one.

The First Vampire

By

James Doyle

Chapter One

Jerry Russo surveyed himself in the mirror as he fastened his necktie, a device he'd avoided wearing at all costs for most of his life. He took the opportunity to contemplate the fact that he was about to begin the first major assignment of his new job, a job he never could've imagined existing, let alone picturing himself doing it.

"You look great, honey," complimented Jerry's wife Theresa as she helped him don his jacket.

"I look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy in a monkey suit," deprecated Jerry.

"Maybe," granted Theresa as she wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. "But you're my gordito."

Jerry couldn't help but smile. "You got that right, babe."

"Are you sure you'll be okay here all by yourself?" asked Jerry as he and Theresa made their way down to the living room.

"I'll be fine," assured Theresa. "Bored out of my skull, but fine."

Jerry sighed. "I know. Maybe we should've kept the shop open."

"Don't be ridiculous," argued Theresa. "Your new job brings in more money than the shop ever did, and with Justin and Alex away, it was just too much of a hassle to keep up."

Jerry nodded in agreement.

"Well, don't worry," comforted Jerry. "I should only be gone a few days, and Max should be home from camp by then. We'll do something together."

"I'd like that," approved Theresa.

With that, Theresa pulled her husband close, and kissed him in a way reserved exclusively for when the kids weren't around.

"I love you so much," professed Jerry.

"I love you too, honey," reciprocated Theresa.

Theresa waved goodbye as Jerry stepped back, taking his overnight bag in hand and producing a small device from his pocket. As soon as he'd pressed the button, Jerry disappeared with an impressive light show, accompanied by an eerie ringing noise and a thump-foom.

A moment later, Jerry appeared with a similar effect aboard spaceship, where a number of people awaited him, including a familiar face.

"Hello there, Mr. Russo," greeted the tall blond vampire.

"Juliet!" replied Jerry with a smile as he approached Juliet to offer her a hug. "It's great to see you."

"You too," reciprocated Juliet, who then stood aside to introduce the tall blond Air Force officer and bespectacled brown-haired fellow who accompanied her.

"Mr. Russo," introduced Juliet, "This is Colonel Samantha Carter, commander of the Hammond, and Dr. Daniel Jackson, head of Anthropological Studies for the SGC."

"Jerry Russo," said Jerry as he shook both of their hands, "Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise," replied Carter. "If you'll follow me, we'll get you settled in."

"So you're the new rep from the Wizards Council," noted Jackson as they walked.

"That's right," confirmed Jerry. "Given the complications with the Valenczak op, the IOA saw the need to improve communications with Council, and invited them to send a delegate. I still can't believe they picked me."

"Most people feel a little out of place when they start working with us," assured Carter. "You'll get used to it."

A few minutes later, Carter showed Jerry into his quarters, a small cabin with a twin bed, an oversized locker, and its own shower and toilet.

"Well, here we are," announced Carter. "It's not exactly the Ritz-Carlton, but it's the best we've got."

"Actually, this will do just fine," said Jerry. "Though I don't imagine I'll be spending much time here."

"Well, that all depends on how cooperative our other guest is," explained Carter.

"He could be a problem," agreed Jerry. "But hopefully I can talk him into it."

"Let's hope so," said Carter. "Otherwise, this will be a very short mission. Anyway, I'll let you get settled in. If you'd like to be a little more comfortable, there's a set of coveralls in your locker. Lieutenant van Heusen was kind enough to inform the quartermaster of your size."

"Yeah, I think I'll take you up on that," accepted Jerry.

"Right," said Carter. "See you at breakfast."

"Goodnight, Colonel," replied Jerry.

The next morning, Jerry sat down to breakfast with Juliet.

"So how does Alex like the program at Lafayette?" asked Juliet.

"Oh, she loves it," reported Jerry, talking with his mouth full as per his custom. "I always thought the Air Force might be for her. I've been trying to get her interested for years. So what about you? How'd you manage to get put into service so fast?"

"Well, I actually have a service record," explained Juliet. "I was one of the few women to be an officer in the Roman legion, and I served as a nurse in Korea."

"It must have been hard keeping your secret," noted Jerry.

"It was," confirmed Juliet. "Throughout history, there have been those amongst the brass who recognize our value as military assets, and have been willing to make certain...accommodations for us. I'm just glad to finally be in an outfit where I don't have to hide who I really am."

"You realize that depending on this mission, that could all change," noted Jerry.

"Yeah," said Juliet with a sigh. "I'm honestly not quite sure how I feel about that."

Immediately after breakfast, Jerry and Juliet proceeded to one of the ship's cargo holds, where Colonel Carter and Dr. Jackson awaited them, along with several marine guards and a brown-haired gentleman in a lab coat.

"Mr. Russo," introduced Carter, "This is Dr. Carson Beckett. He'll be heading up the research team for this project. Carson, this is Jerry Russo from the IOA."

"Don't let the title scare you," assured Jerry as he shook Beckett's hand.

"Colonel, with all due respect," asked Juliet, "Is all this firepower really necessary?"

Carter nodded. "We have to take reasonable precautions. If he cooperates, we'll ease up."

"Alright," agreed Juliet. "I got the e-mail last night. The package has been delivered."

"Good work, Lieutenant," approved Carter, who then activated the intercom. "Bridge, this is Carter. Package has been delivered."

"Roger that, Colonel," replied the bridge officer. "Signal has been detected one hundred klicks due west of Johannesburg."

"Bring him in," ordered Carter.

Upon Carter's order, the Asgard beam deposited a coffin in the center of the room. Accompanied by two marine guards, Juliet approached the container, and cautiously opened the lid, revealing the face of its seemingly-lifeless occupant.

"Dad?" called Juliet, jostling him awake.

"Juliet?" asked Alucard van Heusen as he slowly regained consciousness. His facial expression turned to one of outrage as he observed the two P90 submachine guns pointed at him.

"What's the meaning of this?" demanded Alucard.

"It's okay, dad," assured Juliet. "We need your help with something. As long as you cooperate, these men won't harm you."

Alucard growled, but accepted his daughter's hand as she helped him out of his coffin. He immediately recognized Jerry, and approached him as marines kept their weapons trained on him.

"Russo," grunted Alucard.

"Alucard," responded Jerry.

"I suppose all of this was your idea," accused Alucard.

"Not really, no," denied Jerry.

"Well, whoever is responsible," continued Alucard. "I don't like being awoken from my slumber, and I certainly don't like being abducted and coerced. Now, release me, or I shall unleash my wrath!"

"Okay, I think you can cut the theatrics," interjected Jackson. "Now that we've figured out the real story behind your kind, you don't scare us."

"And just what do you think you know about us?" demanded Alucard.

"I've made an extensive study of vampire lore," exposited Jackson. "And I've collected numerous accounts from the peoples of the Pegasus Galaxy. I've come to the conclusion that all vampires on earth are descended from a group of Wraith who left the Pegasus Galaxy almost six millenia ago. Mr. Van Heusen, the leader of that group was you."

End of Chapter One

Want to know more? You'll just have to stay tuned.