Chapter 7

From Edenia, Raiden returned home and had lunch with Amperica in the privacy of his Study. Amperica was asking, "Ronin, are you sure that you want to partake of this fighter select for Kung Lao? Is it really fair? After all, you are a God and any competitor would only be a mortal." He answered, "Quite certain Amperica. Kitana had a valid point. Not all of Kung Lao's enemies are human. Some are very powerful in their way. Besides, I was quite clear about the No Fatalities rule for this tournament. Anyone wishing to serve as a personal bodyguard for such highly visible people like Kitana and Kung must be willing and ready to face the unknown and unknowable fighting abilities."

Amperica looked sheepish a moment. "What's wrong love?" asked Ronin. She said, "Nothing's wrong per se but I realized early in our relationship how much I enjoy watching you train. How much you enjoy your fights with Master Bo Rai Cho. I may not like the damage you inflict on each other but you don't seem to mind it too much. May I accompany you to Edenia when the tournament is held?" He said, "I don't see why not but I will have to send you ahead. For an event like this, I will need to indulge a flair for the dramatic to further drive home the point about who will be faced at tournament's end and what kinds of enemies may be faced in the pursuit of their duties as bodyguards."

Amperica smiled. "I think I will enjoy seeing that. I can't help but wonder if anyone will say it then do it when you appear. I know that may be rather mean of me but I see your point now; where to now Ronin?" "I think I'll go see Jax and Sonya at the OIS headquarters in Area 51. I'll save the visit to Johnny's film location for last so I can practice my dramatic entrance. I have to admit, while Johnny's first few movies were the typical action/martial arts blockbusters, after he won the Oscar for Best Actor in 'Matrix Master' as the hero who sacrifices himself to save a world that his children would inherit, he's been choosing his projects much more carefully. I think he has a genuine shot at Best Director someday if he continues choosing his projects carefully." The sarcasm dripping off of Amperica's comment, "Really?" was thick enough to collect in a bowl when Ronin laughed, "Yes, I do think so. Married life and fatherhood have both really agreed with him I think."

A quick flicker of pain crossed Amperica's features and Ronin realized what he said. As he reached over and caressed her face gently and brought her eyes back to his, he said, "Forgive my poor choice of words love. Nothing could make me happier than to take you as my wife in name as well as deed and to have children with you but to my knowledge, and I have looked, it is not possible. If that ever, ever changes, you will be the first to know. I promise this to you. The first Raiden was created from the cosmic ether at the will of the Elder Gods and though I don't know for absolute certain, I suspect that they too may be a Cosmic Office that is taken by a mortal being periodically."

Amperica straightened her posture and said, "I know love but sometimes it is hard to remember. Regardless of that, I do love you and am happy just to be by your side. Now, enough of subjects that are best left alone for now. Unless I am mistaken, it is shortly after 12 noon in Nevada. It might be best to go see the OIS now. While you're gone, I'm going to continue my research here in your Study."

"You're right Amperica. I'll see you tonight for a hot bath after my meeting?" he asked. "Of course my Lord Raiden; until you return then." Amperica gathered up the dishes from their lunch and left. Raiden made a short entry into the journal then put it away, stood, straightened his clothes, pulled the black hood up over his head and replaced his straw hat and refastened it under his chin.

Upon exiting his home, Raiden summoned another large ball of lightning, thought of the location address given him by Jax and created another portal. As he stepped through and the portal closed behind him, Raiden found himself in the large circular, white space known as the Portal Room. The doorway on one side stood open and as he strode towards it, a soldier stepped in the frame and declared, "Halt and identify yourself traveller!"

Not breaking his stride, Raiden's well-bottom voice said, "You should know who I am. Send for Colonel Briggs or General Blade at once!" The soldier didn't seem to know who Raiden was and declared again, "Halt and identify yourself at once or be detained!" At any other time, Raiden would have been more patient, even amused but as that he had a purpose, and while the soldier was only trying to do his job, Raiden didn't feel like being challenged especially since Jax had said in his message that he would be seen immediately upon his arrival at the OIS.

Raiden stopped this time and heaving a sigh said, "I have business with either Jax and/or Sonya, but if you challenge me again mortal, you will find there is no 'detaining' one such as I." Raiden's eyes crackled with electricity and annoyance.

At that moment, Jax's voice rang out from behind the soldier, "What the hell is going on Corporal!" The soldier, the corporal, straightened to attention and executed a sharp about-face and faced his unit's executive officer and said, "Colonel Briggs sir, this traveller appeared in the Portal Room but refuses to identify himself. My duty is to challenge all portal travellers." Jax came into the doorway, his modified working uniform neat, clean and pressed. Hair in a precise high and tight, with ribbons showing and metal-shod arms glinting in the light of the corridor behind him and the Portal Room in front of him.

Jax's tone of voice was not to be mistaken as he said, "That traveller as you call him Corporal, is Raiden, God of Thunder and Protector of Earthrealm. Since you're still new to this post Corporal, you will not be subject to disciplinary action this time. But I suggest you apologize to Raiden and reacquaint yourself with your post orders, specifically the section on Authorized Travellers who are not to be challenged. Do you know what a light bulb looks like when you drop it? The popping sound it makes when it breaks?" The Corporal nodded. Jax continued, "If Raiden had wished it that would be your head as he blasted you with the equivalent electric charge of a hydro-electric dam and there's not a damn thing I could do about it! Do you read me Corporal?!"

The Corporal visibly swallowed and turned back to Raiden, "I sincerely apologize Lord Raiden. I'll not make the same mistake again." Raiden quashed his annoyance and said, "Apology accepted Corporal. You remind me of a similar situation I was in a decade ago with another soldier. Would you like to know what I did to him?" The Corporal swallowed again, "Sir, no sir. That will not be necessary sir."

"As you wish Corporal; some other time perhaps." Jax stood aside and motioned with an enhanced arm down the hallway. Raiden stepped past the Corporal who unconsciously stepped further away than was necessary, and proceeded up the hall with Jax close behind. Once they were out of earshot of the Corporal at the entrance to the Portal Room, Raiden said, "Why did you have to scare the poor kid that way Jax? I wouldn't have done more than I did to the last soldier to challenge me unwisely." Jax chuckled loudly. "You know that and I know that, but he didn't and the look on his face was priceless! I gotta have my fun somehow since I don't get to go offworld much anymore. Since we're on the subject, what did you do to the last soldier who, as you say, challenged you unwisely?"

Raiden chuckled this time as he remembered. "He was a gate guard to Kitana's city in Edenia. I hadn't been in Office long so I didn't know how to get to Edenia. Kung Lao had been there already and so I used his thoughts as a guide-line. After he and I had a small adventure in the fields of Edenia, we made our way to the gate. This soldier, a man by the name of Tram, challenged us as we tried to enter. After trying to warn us away, Tram made as if to skewer me on his spear but I grabbed the tip and sent a charge of high voltage, but no amperage, up the handle. By the way, I should mention that the spear was as much decorative as functional and was all metal. Anyway, I don't recall how much voltage except to know that it sent the man flying into his two-man team behind him. I got my point across and after the messenger was sent to the palace to inform Kitana, Tram practically begged forgiveness with his hair still sticking out at straight angles to his head. It was really quite funny in the seeing. Honestly, that's all I would've done to your Corporal back there."

Jax silently contemplated the image Raiden had given him and then broke into a hearty laugh and said, "Makes me glad the OIS, like all the other American military branches requires its men to keep their hair short. Here's Sonya's and my offices just up ahead. Because of the nature of our mission here at the OIS, we're made up of personnel from all the services just in case you wonder."

Raiden said, "I figured as much even though the few times I've been here I only saw the Master Sergeant at the Portal Room, you and Sonya. Speaking of which what happened to that Master Sergeant?" "He retired a couple of months back. That's why that newbie Corporal is on the door to the Portal Room. He's still pretty green as OIS personnel go but I think with a little seasoning, he'll have command of his own strike team before too much longer." said Jax.

As they entered the clerk's outer office just before the C.O. and X.O. offices proper, the Navy Yeoman Petty Officer stood to attention at the sight of Jax and his guest. Jax waved her back into her seat and opened the door that had the sign "GENERAL BLADE" on it. When Raiden entered, Sonya was at her desk and looked up. At seeing Raiden, she stood and came around the front of the desk and extended her hand in greeting.

Raiden took the proffered hand and shook it in a full grip and saw that Sonya was in a maternity uniform though not showing much yet. Sonya said, "Great to see you again Raiden. How can the OIS help you today?", as she offered him one of the two visitor's chairs and sat down again behind her desk. As soon as Jax had taken the seat next to him he said, "Thank you for seeing me so quickly. I don't pretend to understand the amount of work you probably had to delay by my coming here but I do appreciate it. First though, congratulations on your child there; I seem to recall the first time I visited here the name on the door said General Cage, the second time, it said General Blade-Cage and now its only General Blade."

Sonya laughed lightly, "Thanks for the compliment; I'm about 4 months along now. Johnny's totally excited about it. Raiden asked, "How is my god-niece these days." "Jordanna's doing great. Among other things, she's looking forward to having a little brother or sister and she practically has her father wrapped around her ten year old wrist like a favorite bracelet. I think she's going to have Johnny's penchant for flashiness and my penchant for zero tolerance of bullshit. Right now, Jordanna is with Johnny in Thailand. He's trying to finish the last movie of his Fighter of the Gods trilogy and then he says he'll stay with me through the rest of the pregnancy and just review scripts, maybe write a few and train. As soon as he's home we'll find out the sex of the baby so that we can plan its room at the house. We're both hoping for a boy this time, but even if it's a girl, we're both sure this will be the last. As to the name on the door, I kept catching flack from other flag officers about who my husband is so after I almost threw the Chief of Staff of the Pentagon through the nearest bulkhead with a leg grab, I decided to just keep it as General Blade and avoid the hassle. Johnny understood completely as that he's seen more than enough celebrity marriages blow up over stuff as trivial as who's name is on the marquee."

Raiden smiled at the comment and told Jax and Sonya his suspicions and what he had found out from Kung Lao and Kitana. They both listened intently and when Raiden finished, Sonya pressed a button on her intercom, "Yeoman?" "Yes General?" came the answer. "Are Agents Kenshi or Cyrax in the complex at this time?" The yeoman answered, "Not at this time. They're both offworld right now but are due back sometime in the next three hours. Is there something else I can get for you?" Sonya said, "Yes, bring in the file marked 'Poison Adder' and then send to the Galley for some tea for our guest, some diet sodas for the Colonel and some ice water and saltine crackers for me and then hold all my calls unless it's the President or something. I'll be in closed conference for awhile reviewing some information with our guest. Understood?" "Ma'am, yes ma'am.", came the answer.

Ten minutes of small talk later, there was knock on the door followed by the Yeoman from the outer office pushing a cart with a steaming teapot on a warmer brick with an assortment of teabags next to it, a few bottles of diet soda that had already started sweating in the room temperature air and some similarly sweating bottles of water and a package of saltine crackers.

Sonya thanked the Yeoman as she closed the door behind her then eyed the package of crackers with a genuine look of revulsion in her eyes. "I really, really hate those things but they're just about the only snack that my stomach won't reject and eject faster than a pilot bailing out of their plane. Anyway, enough of my problems; look through the file there Raiden. Jax and I just about have it memorized."

Taking a breath, then a bite of cracker with a sip from the water bottle as Raiden started to seep a cup of Earl Grey and Jax opened a soda, Sonya started, "About three years ago, a series of gang related incidents started popping up all over the country." "While this is unfortunately becoming quite common all over America, these incidents started with the appearance of distinctly military firepower in the hands of previously disparate gangs more concerned with taking over each other's turf than with accomplishing anything even remotely like a plan. Two years ago, these same gangs started to unify under a common banner. They call themselves the 'Poison Adder'. The Adder is a small snake that is easily missed. It's also called the 'two step snake' since once it bites you the average adult takes about two steps and keels over dead, the poison is that quick to act. They're organized and getting more so. Their targets are churches, mosques, cemeteries and other assorted holy ground. First there was graffiti, then the threats against the various men and women of the cloth. Animal carcasses were next. Necropsies by veterinarians indicated slit throats and exsanguination. The animals were bled to death; this follows with the blood sacrifices that Kung mentioned to you."

Jax spoke now as Sonya bit into another cracker and drank more water and Raiden sipped his tea, "That still wasn't enough. Then the little bastards started jumping priests and nuns. Thank all the gods, and I mean that literally, that there have been no rapes. Isolated fire-bombings sprung up around the nation. People started being afraid of practicing their religion. For a nation whose guiding principals include the Freedom to Worship when and wherever they want, this started getting serious. Usually the local police forces can handle these things but that changed when the military hardware started showing up. After some stand-offs ended badly in and around major cities, not like the religious cults in the ass-end of nowhere, but actually in the cities, the FBI was called in; shortly after that the ATF. Then our agents inside of both groups started sending in pictures and lists of names and suspected and known sites for 'Poison Adder' splinter groups."

As Raiden started leafing through photos and dossiers, Sonya said, "Those pictures are the top twenty group leaders and their lieutenants. We suspect they have set up groups in most if not all of the costal states except for Alaska and Hawaii. Kenshi says this is because both those states have long histories of nature religions and indigenous people. The native Samoans in Hawaii and the Inuit in Alaska are thought to be protected by their versions of the Elder Gods as well as minor gods like you. Also, most of the interior states seem to have been left alone. Again, we think it's because of the Native American spirits and protections."

"To date, we can confirm the deaths of ten of the men and women in those pictures, the ones marked with a red 'X' and a date and time at the bottom. Three of them are off the radar but are listed as 'persons of interest' to every law enforcement agency in the world. Two are in custody but they had lawyers before we could even finish reading them their Miranda rights and haven't said a thing. The only reason they're still in custody is that we already had a mountain of evidence on them and can charge them with other things. The final five are thought to have joined forces somewhere in Washington State. The OIS believes them to be in or around the vicinity of Seattle/Tacoma/Kirkland/Bellevue. Even if they don't go to any of those cities, there's a lot of unexplored wilderness in the state yet, so they have places to go to ground and still be in reach of cities, internet and phones. Right now we have a lead on one of them and I was going to dispatch both Kenshi and Cyrax after they returned from their current mission and could be debriefed."

As Raiden came to the next-to-last picture, he sat straighter in his chair than he already was. Sonya saw his reaction and said, "From your reaction, I'd say that you're on the next-to-last picture." Raiden looked into the smiling face of Shang Tsung. The demon's eyes faintly glowing as he looked straight at the camera. Jax said, "That picture was the last thing our agent saw. The group he had infiltrated literally tore him apart. If you look at the next picture, you'll see what we did when the Medical Examiners put all the parts back in the proper order."

Raiden flipped up the picture of the demon sorcerer and saw the ultra-pale complexion on the body parts on the Morgue table. Even though the dead agent had been a black man, the paleness of the body had nothing to do with the man's race. Raiden said, "I know what this is. Your agent had his soul taken from him at the moment of his death."

"We figured as much but we can't exactly say that to the average person, they'd think we'd gone around the bend or something." said Sonya. Raiden put the pictures back in the folder and said, "Can I get a copy of these for my own reference?" Jax said, "Sure. Keep that one in your hand; anything else?" Raiden said, "You mentioned sending Kenshi and Cyrax to Washington State to follow up on a lead did you not?" When both officers nodded, Raiden stood up to leave, drained his teacup and said, "No . . . leave them to me, I will deal with these five myself."

After Raiden thanked Sonya and Jax for their assistance he left their office. Shortly after that, a message came from the Portal Room to say that Raiden had left. Jax shivered in his seat. Sonya choked down yet another cracker with a sip of water and again reaffirmed her hatred of the little squares of starch and carbohydrate. "I think I know what you're thinking Jax. I actually feel a smidgen, just a smidgen mind you, of pity for those five." Jax just said, "Aww yea."