Chapter 20: The Angel of Death (Part I)
"He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity. He who kills with the sword must be killed by the sword." Revelations 13:10 (NKJV)
Karbala, Versua
January 2, 2017
0800 hrs
Kei Nagase couldn't be more furious to see these corporate people at the base. Cormorance Alou and Andrew Fisch couldn't be happier to see these people. They should not have been at the base. But, with Jackson and his men working out the kinks in the Leviticus, there was nothing to stop them from coming. Now the truth of the war was being revealed to everyone...and Kei Nagase thought it was rather insulting.
The tragic mishap, if one could call it that, in Valuria was the tell tale of the war. The city was in ruins and the Allies had all but bypassed the city. For some strange reason, Command had declared that it had no strategic value anymore. Of course, most smart people knew why. Of course, medical help was provided for the thousands of people injured and the millions that had been displaced. The official death toll from the wildcat burst from the Dispater/Leviticus duel was approaching a staggering forty thousand. What happened depended on which side's military command was asked. Allied Command had determined that the Leviticus and the Dispater produced a rare effect at their highest frequencies. Versuan High Command had determined that the Leviticus may have malfunctioned at the critical moment of the tragic incident. Whatever really happened, it was a watershed moment for both sides.
People back home in Osea were appalled at the loss of life. However, they were worried about their own soldiers. The death toll was already approaching nearly four thousand, and the wounded in action counts were rather grievous as well; such was the brutal reality of the Dispater weapon. The Versuan people were suffering on a magnitude that was utterly staggering; but no one in Osea really cared. President Cohen, her supporters, and her generals were not going to stop until the White Crow was utterly destroyed or the enemy surrendered unconditionally. It was clear that Masson was not going to give up either.
In a strange paradox, Command was playing it safe. Long range attacks on the Dispater had failed simply because of the extremely tough defensive net surrounding the weapon of mass destruction. But the attacks had revealed the extent of the Dispater's defenses. It was defended by a large network of anti air defenses, three airfields, and electromagnetic jammers. Plus, the Christos area was just a remote location in a mountainous area, making a ground attack impossible. Cruise missiles were intercepted by a rather skilled air squadron.
But Osean people were getting impatient; however, that wasn't the only problem Command was facing. Despite President Cohen's compassionate words, liberal detractors claimed the war was merely for Versua's resources rather than the liberation of the people of this country. It didn't help that one of Cohen's primary supporters was Anthony Bogart, the head of the Cylaron Energy Corporation.
Cylaron only happened to be the biggest oil contractor in the Osean Federation. However, it was thought that Cylaron had fallen on hard times with the economic shaping during the Harling Administration. They had not quite recovered and since the war with Versua had become one of necessity anyway, the liberal argument fell flat.
But the truth was that Cylaron was involving itself rather openly during the war...and many Osean soldiers, many of whom were outspoken supporters of the Madam President, could have cared or less. Now several of Cylaron's contractors were here inspecting the area. With the electromagnetic protection in place, the Osean army could act in relative freedom at the front line. Wardog had been given the day off as everyone prepared for Operation Iron Sea, a thrust into the industrial heartland of Versua...the city of Disra.
Cormorance and Fisch had taken the time to go into town to see the local fair. With them they took Sueltana, as David was tied up with some mechanical issue with his new plane. But they were not in town only to have a good time. They actually attended an impromptu shareholder's meeting for off-duty military personnel who had stock in Cylaron, or their spouses who had stock as well. It was actually just a motivational party for the troops, many of whom had lost dear friends and relatives in this bitter struggle. They would have gotten away with it, had Sueltana not opened her mouth about it. But who could blame her?
Sueltana had a grand time; meeting people she'd seen before, tasting things she'd never tasted, seeing things like ultra high definition displays, and much more. When she excitedly told Kei and David...Kei was outraged because she knew what their true motives were now. She knew why Andrew and Comorance were so indifferent about the war. They had corporate cash riding on it; the sooner the war ended, the sooner they could get their payoff when Big Oil moved in. It was enough to make her sick.
And yet, Kei knew all too well could not be sanctimonious about it. She'd sold out her own beliefs to take revenge on the Versuans for her daughter's death. She seemed rather insulted. Many of the allied pilots were hanging around this area, including some of the Sotoans, and a few Yukes that had landed her as well. The base was yet another piece of road, with everyone using tents for homes. However, at least in this part of the country the sand was not so bad. So Kei and David walked over to the tent where one of the Cylaron reps was talking to Cormorance and several other pilots. Serena Batiste, Polly Elbe, Lillian Izzo, Andrew Fisch, and even Hans Grimm were also listening to this attractive sales representative.
Kei joked that Lillian, given her ambiguous sexual orientation, was probably paying as much attention to the words as the other guys were; which was to say absolutely none. Of course, who honestly wouldn't be mesmerized with this saleswoman's stop-traffic looks? But this woman seemed totally out of place. It was ironic since Lucien Jackson would not allow media around the squadron...but they let sales reps from a major oil company come to the base? It all sounded fishy to Kei Nagase. It was almost as if Lucien had a business stake in all this…and Wardog was their insurance policy.
Kei had to give the woman credit. She could see the bulkiness of the kevlar vest beneath her suit. This woman's speech was mostly asking about how the war went. She never once brought up the company or business. She asked about their spouses, their kids, their cars, their general home lives. She did not seem condescending at all. She was rather nice. After the Q & A session, she gave the Oseans pamphlets about Cylaron and promptly left. Soon some of the foreign pilots left, and that left David and Kei alone with Grimm, Lillian, Polly, Andrew and Cormorance. Kei didn't waste any time walking over and nearly pulling Cormorance by his collar. She almost blindsided him completely and caused him to fall backwards over a chair.
"You've got stock in Cylaron? You're linked to same company whose sales reps are convincing you to whore yourselves out for money? Money that's going to be stolen from this country?" said Kei angrily.
"Hey, calm down Ava! It's no big deal." said David getting in her way. David did not want Kei to raise a huge scene. While he did agree with her points, doing this could give away their double lives. Cormorance picked himself off the ground. However, he didn't look enraged.
"So what? It's legal. Besides, I got to have some income, don't I? It's the Osean way." said Cormorance. He sounded callous and dismissive. But Kei wasn't the only one who seemed put off by this.
"And when were you going to tell us this?" Lillian said.
"I was hoping never. I think bringing that girl was a strategic error." said Cormorance, almost half-heartedly guilty after-the-fact.
"You're damn right it was. I mean, she had fun but...I knew something was going to go wrong." said Fisch.
"Well, she had a good time. It wasn't all bad. She's a sweet kid...big mouthed sweet kid, but a sweet kid nonetheless." said Cormorance.
"I can't believe you two! God, I thought we were here to help these people and get rid of this horrid regime that would use their own mega...colossal...tower...or whatever against them! You're here just to get paid." said Lillian. Cormorance became aggressive at this point and approached Lillian with a dismissive, waving finger.
"Look, I'm sorry if I'm breaking any hearts here, but yes. Isn't that the Osean way? Work harder for your money and you get more stuff? Besides, my wife has the stock, I've got friends who've got stocks in other companies..." said Cormorance.
"Well, I suppose if he's going to have more kids then..." said David, bringing up what Cormorance said weeks ago. Alou smiled.
"Thank you! Finally someone who gets it!" said Cormorance.
"But...I just never took you for the business type Captain." said Grimm. Grimm realized what David was trying to do as Kei was turning purple now and he had to diffuse this situation. But Alou prepared to leave, when he turned to both Hans Grimm and Kei Nagase and said...
"Oh, I'm a businessman alright, Mr. Preston. But I wouldn't worry about the oil, Ava. Just be thankful my primary business is death."
Cormorance left the room and a strangely quiet Polly did as well. Kei couldn't believe what she was hearing, which was ironic because she once appreciated his consummate skills; and he was right...his job was to kill, period dot.
"That was one bad ass way of putting it. The Businessman of Death. That's what they called him at Heirlark." said Andrew.
Kei angrily left the tent after he said that, David following her. She unfurled the opening to her own tent as she walked in and sat down on one of the cots she had laid out and let out an exasperated sigh. As David walked in, she took a long pause before she spoke.
"My primary business is death," said Kei, imitating Cormorance's nasal tone, "Why do I even bother? Sometimes I wonder if he cares about anyone else but himself."
Cormorance Alou was just not a good human being after all. Kei knew she was a better person than Cormorance. However, her husband was about to be the judge of that.
"That's a broad statement. He just doesn't care about our enemy. The same way you did not at one time...remember?" said David. Kei could hear a proverbial record scratch in her mind.
"Are you saying I'm being a hypocrite?" Kei asked, almost judgmental. Kei looked at her husband in total contempt, as if to say, how dare you ask me that question?
"In a manner of speaking; I mean...wasn't it you who said, where have you been for the last few weeks? Do you even remember that spiel?" said David after a long pause. Kei turned around and shook her head.
Kei cursed out loud; and a rather nasty curse at that. She said nothing to protest; a silent admission that her husband had been correct in his analysis.
"Masson. I would give just about anything to go right up to that bastard and stab him in the heart with an ice pick." said Kei, her voice vicious and callous.
"You and me both." David said sitting down next to her. Neither spoke for some time, a strange bit of uncomfortable silence between the two. Suddenly, there was the sound of screaming. Kei knew immediately who it was. That was the excitable Sebastian Navarro, her F-14's backseat "wizzo". He was running around with his arms outstretched, and several others were doing the same thing. She walked up to him and stopped him rather forcefully,
"What's going on?" Kei asked him.
"Wooo! It's a celebration people! Wooo!" said Sebastian, still excited. Kei looked at him as if he needed his head examined.
"Calm down, Sebastian! What in blazes is going on?!" asked Kei. Sebastian climbed on top of a jeep that was nearby the area. Everyone began to rally around him, including those who knew ahead of time.
"Ladies and gentleman, I have an announcement to make! We've just gotten word from Allied Command that Operation Iron Sea has been cancelled! Disra has demilitarized! They're surrendering!" Navarro shouted.
Suddenly, the issues with Cylaron faded away. Navarro would have known of course, considering that he was up at Base Command getting the combat maps from the brass up there.
"Well, finally we got some good news!" David said. Kei was suddenly full of life. If only this had happened during the last war but...there was the now, and now it was time to be full of joy. Because with Disra gone, the nails in the coffin were being nailed down even more. The end of the war was approaching.
"This does call for a celebration." Kei said.
Kei couldn't help herself and just kissed David right in front of the others. It was no surprise of course save just the public display. They almost always kept their affections a secret.
Lillian was standing behind both of them and it was...rather hard to describe what she was doing. She was making this obscene gesture with her index and middle fingers, poking her tongue through her exposed fingers; all with a goofy face, a laugh and rolling eyes. David saw this bizarre display once, though Kei didn't care too much. It was some strange a term of admiration for this sudden make-out session. Of course, everyone brushed it off considering that everyone knew that Lillian Izzo was a very strange woman. All except Serena Batiste...as wondered if this Lillian actually needed to have her head examined.
"Faura masi...what in the hell are you doing Lillian?" asked Serena in her nasal Sotoan accent.
"I'm just acknowledging the love in our presence." Lillian said. Serena nodded oddly having deduced that it must have been some Osean gesture implying a rather obscene sensual act.
Of course, the jubilant mood was infectious. Everyone was whooping and hollering, slapping each other on the back, and giving high fives. Kei finally broke the kiss, and she was mugged by Lillian again, and still barely kept her from trying to make out with her. Polly wanted to hug Kei too, but Kei backed away, not wanting anymore feminine affection from this giant of a woman. David always thought it was funny as hell.
"I wanted to blow up something but...I guess a cancelled fight is a good one." said Cormorance.
Kei smiled at her husband, the bad taste washed away now.
"You know just when I thought the enemy had no soul...they prove me wrong." said Kei with a smile.
"Let's not get too hasty...remember the war isn't over. Masson is still running this country...and I think things are not going to be too peachy in that House." said David.
He could not be more correct.
Casta van Veranna
Clavis, Verusa
January 2, 2016
00 hrs
Sasha Masson's world and her family's lofty perch above the country were falling apart faster than Hollywood marriage. It had been the end of a terrible week for Sasha, and things were going to get worse. It was her twenty second birthday, and there was no cheery mood to be had. At least, Portia and her father had no reason to celebrate anything. And in reality, Sasha had little to celebrate either.
William Masson could not contain his rage at the Disra situation. It was almost as if the tragedy of Valuria was forgotten. But then again, Sasha knew her father had a short memory. His life was based on the principle of 'what have you done for me lately'. Valuria was absolutely terrible. Her mother's home had been destroyed by Allied bombs. Her hometown was in ruins. Forty thousand people, and counting, had lost their lives. All because of that dammed Tower her father put so much stock in. Sure he said it was an accident, but now Sasha could only just contain her rage. Sasha wanted something, anyone to just yell and scream at; she needed something to placate her rage. The rage at the world she was in, her rage at everyone and everything. She almost found herself hating everything she cared for. It was all indicative of the hard times Versua was now facing.
Her husband was missing in action and Xalia was involved in some battle and hadn't been heard from since Disra collapsed. And Disra was simply embarrassing to the High Command. It created so much vitriol that one of their own would simply surrender to the Allies. To make things worse, Disra was the industrial heartland of the country! Sasha knew that her father's dream was finished. Sasha saw the writing on the wall...and yet the people that she loved and respected couldn't stop themselves from this self-destruction. They were determined to die on their feet rather than live at the mercy of the Oseans. Now Sasha had heard rumors of Osean oil contractors coming to Versua. The game was over. Big Oil was here. The White Crow was done.
And that was what drove Sasha insane. But she had no power in the family. She'd only been allowed inside the circle of trust because her last name was simply Masson. She knew nothing of
military tactics or strategy or their terms. But Sasha was probably the last person with common sense left in the Versuan's circle of government.
Her father went berserk when Disra surrendered. He received the news when he was merely having a word with Sasha. It was supposed to be a precious heart to heart between father and daughter. Something that Sasha had to admit she sorely missed. But when the news arrived, her father transformed in a single second. He was turning over tables, cursing, and Sasha was escorted out by her father's men. It wasn't sadness...it was rage at his own men. Not at the Allies, where the hate should have been directed.
Those bastards! How dare they!? How dare they bring down my dream! Traitors...they're all traitors to our cause!
Her father's Pentecostal-like, border-line insane ranting was a watershed moment for Sasha. It was clear that things were going to end in a terrible way. Her father would not stop the bloodshed because of his own elite ego. So many people were going to die senselessly and no one cared! They were all too egotistical to realize it. Now Xalia and her husband could have been casualties...and it would all be her father's fault. So Sasha turned her back on it all...and prepared to leave the Casta. She wanted to go somewhere, anywhere but home. She was going to check into a rather glitzy hotel for the evening, far away from her family. Her only regret was that she couldn't crack a few daiquiris while she was there. She didn't want her unborn child to be a disfigured mess.
As she walked out, she suddenly encountered the only person that understood her...Dise Graysel. She ran up to him and gave him the largest hug. She almost knocked him over, which was not good for a man in his late fifties.
"Uncle! It's so good to see you!" said Sasha, excited. Sasha suddenly felt all the goose bumps all around her body.
"I'm so glad you're alright. I heard about what happened in Valuria...just terrible. It's only fortunate your mother could not witness this." said Graysel. Sasha frowned.
"No, I wish she could. I still miss her after all these years. If only I knew what really happened to her..." said Sasha, trailing off in thought.
"No one knows; but, she went peacefully. She's still looking over us." said Graysel, trying to comfort her. Sasha shook her head and put a hand on her uncle's shoulder.
"Thank you. You've made my birthday almost tolerable...just by being here. It's...it's...just...it's just been a really shitty week for me, okay? Pardon my terrible language but...I'm just drained by all this." said Sasha, with multiple emotions in her soul. Graysel embraced his niece.
"I understand. You're a young, beautiful woman. You have so many good years ahead of you and soon you'll be a wonderful mother...just like your own. As for Ammon, I've learned that he's somewhere in Cabu, fifty miles south of Disra. But, we've no word from Xalia. Apparently, she was fighting above Disra when she disappeared. We're not sure if she's alive or dead, but I'll get on the case as soon as I finish meeting with your father." Graysel said.
"Thank you." said Sasha softly.
Sasha began to walk toward her car when Graysel suddenly stopped her again.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I have the UMD you requested. Sorry it took me so long...but consider a birthday gift." he said.
Graysel gave her the small disc and on it was written the names of several song titles such as Out of the Fire, Black Eyed Devil, Frenzy, Jimmy The Exploder, One More Time...
But Sasha's eyes lit up when she saw the last one: Face of the Coin.
"Ah...thank you dearly! I've been waiting for years to hear these songs again." Sasha said, kissing her uncle on the cheek. "I'll see you later."
Sasha smiled and got into her car. She almost crawled on the seats to the front seat of the limo and inserted the disc into the drive. The driver was almost bewildered when he heard the guitar riffs and melodious singing of Face of the Coin emerge from the player. She heard it many times when she was in North Point, and she was looking forward to hearing that rather popular song again. Sasha had clearly changed her opinion of cars. It was far too dangerous to fly anywhere now. But at least if she was going to ride in a car...she was going to do it to the tune of a good song.
"God, I've missed this song. I love this sound. It really calms me down." she said directly to the driver.
Meanwhile, Portia was looking outside the window as Graysel and Sasha hugged each other and she left in her black limo. The armed convoy flanked her vehicle as they all left as well. Portia walked over to the table, one that her father had not tipped over in sheer rage, and picked up a pot of tea she'd made; a very...special pot of tea. Percival was on his way to the meeting; he was running late as another malfunction in the Dispater kept him busy. Ignis was also at work and he had the first good news the Verusans had in weeks. The Azazeal was ready for liftoff.
But now, it was time for Portia to make her move. She'd had enough of her father's screw-ups and she believed Versua had a genuine shot to win the war...or at least force the Allies into a truce. Phase One was to take control of the White Crow. Phase Two was to take back Disra. She hoped to accomplish both in one day. She walked in right when the two were talking and informed them of the decision.
"So, the Azazeal project is complete?" asked Masson.
"Yes. Ignis had informed us that it is already on the way to the front. I understand you wanted approval first, but...time is not a luxury we have." replied Portia.
"I see. Normally I would be rather upset at him jumping over my head, but if this at least gives us a fighting chance...then I'll accept the circumvention." said William.
"Oh, it will. I don't think the Allies will have ever seen a gargantuan like the Azazael. Its power is beyond any behemoth they've seen before. I have laid eyes on this invention...and I trembled before its power." Portia said, clearly exaggerating. Graysel wasn't buying it; he was a realist.
"Why do I get the feeling that this is merely a pipe dream?" the Prime Minster said.
"Oh it is no dream Prime Minister. It is reality now. The first phase is to retake control of Disra at all costs. Considering the Allies have...discovered a method to counter our super weapon, we will surprise them with our own secret weapon. This weapon will have all the advantages of the Dispater Tower, plus more. Ignis and Makin have studied things like this in wars past. We've fixed the mistakes of the past. The Azazael will be an once-in-a-lifetime flying revolution." said Portia, showing them the schematics of the massive machine.
"I give you...The Angel of Death, Azazael." Portia added.
"Impressive...this is an incredible feat of man and machine! But we cannot risk casualties around the factories." said William.
"No...we only need the oil and metal. We can do without the factories. There's plenty around Ciudad. We only need a cushion to make sure we can manufacture what we need. We still have vast reserves of firepower." said Graysel, suddenly coming around to the idea.
"But, we're losing countless air personnel. Mortanus is doing the best he can, but with these defections...things are only going to get worse." said William.
"If worse comes to worse...but at this point, the worst is unfolding before our eyes. We must demand sacrifice in order to win. Only then, will we be able to at least force the Allies into a negotiated peace." said Portia.
"How about giving our people some hope of victory? It'll mean nothing if we cannot maintain their positive morale. Now, the people see that can have options. We must act now, while we still have some support left." said Graysel.
"See, that's the difference between us. You and I are never going to see eye to eye on this. Mainly…there is this...literal "Iron Sea" between us. But, the truth is...these people have feared us because of what we were capable of." said Portia.
"We have to show them why they need us. I suppose that breaking a few eggs to make the omelet may be the appropriate statement here." interrupted William.
"This is madness sir! We cannot sacrifice our own people for victory! There'll be nothing left worth fighting for!" said Graysel.
"At this point, we have to consider our survival. We'll be cast as criminals and I will not spend the remainder of my life in a prison cell!" William said angrily.
"Funny you should say that..." Portia said to herself.
"By the way darling...this tea is...excellent." said Masson, sipping the last of the tea Portia made. Graysel had only imbibed a small amount...but in the end the result would be the same.
"Thank you. I made it myself." Portia said. She smiled sweetly.
Suddenly, Masson felt limp. He dropped the cup to the ground and began to twitch as he too fell over. The black suited guards outside did not respond. How could they...when Masson couldn't even speak. Masson realized he'd been betrayed by one of his own; his own daughter. She did nothing to help...she simply smiled and stood there. Portia had poisoned them both!
"Well, I suppose I owe both you an explanation in these last few agonizing minutes of life both you men have left." said Portia. Portia walked over to her father's collapsed form and stood over him.
"The truth is, by sheer I ended up representing a lot of people you ticked off back in the old days. I represent the remnants of Orchid. People like Ignis and Morales, and Percival. People who've always thought they could do what you do better. The same people you tore apart. The same people you depended on to remove the traitors. They were the most loyal of your followers. And you double crossed them. You took away their power. You set them back." said Portia.
It all became terribly clear to Masson now. Everything he'd ever done had been for his own future. That selfishness had come back to haunt him. Was it so wrong to want to dream? Now it was clear that perhaps Portia had been responsible for the deaths of Rossi and a few other generals. Now everything he'd accomplished meant nothing. His life, his victories, his talent...all for naught.
"After all, you knew that it was going to be them or you someday. It just so happens that you never knew it was them. Remember, they were the subordinates when it went down. Now they've had enough of your laziness with this war. They want real leaders. Smart, ruthless leaders...not dreamers like you."
She was right. But there was nothing William could do. He wanted to kill her, he wanted to curse her to hell...but he couldn't even move. And yet...perhaps this was really vengeance. Perhaps he'd finally gotten his comeuppance for all the years of his terrible, unspeakable acts in the name of fulfilling his dreams of a world superpower. All the contract murders, the affairs, the terrible decisions he'd made. Now it was too late.
"It's nothing personal father. Cut can you honest say that you didn't see this coming? I mean, all the people you killed to get to this point; are you really shocked? You taught me all the right lessons about life and here I am, alive...and you suffering an agonizing, paralyzed end. You had some sense but...it came too late."
Damn you, Portia. My destiny has not yet...been realized. Hell is my last stop...I guess I'd better ask the Devil for a favor...a favor that everything will go to Hell with her in charge.
And with that, William Masson was gone. Portia merely sneered and walked over to the paralyzed Dise Graysel. Portia came over with even more jubilation at watching him die.
"Oh, Graysel you have no idea how long have I waited this. I've been waiting patiently to watch you die for a long time. For all your doting over Sasha...weren't you the one who murdered her mother, if I remember correctly? The only thing she cared for all these years? She still cries for her death six years after the fact...and yet it was you who committed the deed. And the irony of all...you are dying by the same untraceable Orchid poison you killed Sasha's mother with. All on my father's orders..." Portia said with the utmost sarcasm.
Graysel couldn't even think. His body would be racked with pain...if he could feel his own body. He felt limp and helpless...and yet he felt his life slipping away. Portia got up and walked away from him. She sat down triumphantly in one of the chairs.
"So, I think you two have already made those reservations in Hell. Meanwhile, I will take the mantle as the savior of this land, the woman who could do the impossible after her father dies after a sudden and tragic heart attack. The Prime Minister brought low by assassins' poison..."
Graysel could only think about Sasha...how he'd betrayed all those years ago. How he had to tell a sobbing fifteen year old girl a bald faced lie to save his own life and reputation.
I'm sorry Sasha...please forgive me. I had no choice...I cared about Viera too...I'm so sorry...
Those would be his last thoughts as Dise Graysel passed from the sordid life he'd led.
"Well, aside from that Graysel, how did you like the tea?" said Portia sarcastically as they both expired.
Portia laughed hysterically and sat back in the chair. If she had a cigar at the moment, she would have lit that baby and sucked it down into her lungs. Now she was the one in charge of things. She was going to be the hero now. She was going to save the country and rebuild it in her own image.
For a few long minutes, she simply sat there and silently enjoyed her victory. Then, after she'd made herself a drink (a non-poisoned one obviously) and fetched an aforementioned cigar...she saw Percival walk into the room. He smirked at the body of Graysel and merely looked coldly at the body of William Masson. Percival didn't really hate Masson, but Portia was the obvious stepping stone to what Percival really wanted...more power. Portia got up in a jubilant mood.
"Well...it's about goddamn time you did something." said Percival looking at the bodies. Portia came over and put a strong hand on his shoulder.
"Come on! Drink up! Percival...I hereby remove the idiotic handcuffs you've had on your machine. But...we must see how the Azazeal performs first." said Portia handing Percival a glass of liquor. She took a drink of it herself.
"Thank you kindly. But where is Ignis?" asked Percival taking the drink.
"He's at the Demogorgon. Azazeal is ready and should be lifting off...in the next few hours." said Portia, looking at her watch. Praeten smiled.
"Well, I'd better find something to do until then...I'm not missing this show." said Percival, sitting down in one of the chairs.
"Make yourself at home, but whatever you do...don't drink the tea..." said Portia, mindful of her tainted drink.
Somewhere Near Disra, Versua
January 2, 2016
0830 hrs
Xalia! Respond! Are you okay? Are you okay Xalia?!
It seemed disingenuous now. Sasha heard the radio calls...and smashed the radio in a rage. But it wasn't rage at Baraka Molina's sudden, and convenient attitude adjustment; at his sudden silent treatment of Xalia or at his simple unwillingness to admit the obvious. It was rage at everything.
It was rage as Mephisto and the air force at Disra had been betrayed from within.
Xalia had been fighting for her life over Disra. Baraka had escaped but Xalia had not been so lucky. She was brought down to Earth literally. Beneath the cloth top of the deflated parachute, Xalia Masson curled into the fetal position in shame, anger, and sadness. So many friends in Disra were brought low by traitors.
It should have been a simple combat air patrol. Xalia had been sick with the news of Valuria's destruction. But Baraka only concerned himself with the Deceivers. The obsession with those Oseans was beginning to drive him insane in Xalia's opinion. But in the end, it was not the Oseans who ended it all...
The city surrendered and their own soldiers tried to lay down their arms. In a stunning move, command ordered the planes to attack the enemy. But some of the planes had the same opinion as the ground...and no one saw it coming. It was almost calculated and orchestrated. It was a disaster. A helicopter had made it near Xalia's position...only to be brought down by a missile. And yet, Xalia felt nothing but the weight of time.
Is this how it's supposed to end? That was the only question she could think of. The city had no intention of helping their own. They'd sold out of the Allies and their ideals. They thought the grass was greener on the other side. But Xalia also began to look at the other side of the fence as well. Xalia wrestled herself free of the parachute and looked at the barren landscape.
To the west lay the Allied lines; to the east was king and country. One side represented freedom and the other represented loyalty. With Baraka's voice silent, she looked back over all of her experiences. As her brown hair fluttered in the morning wind, Xalia realized that Sasha was right. Her life had been a waste. She'd failed every time to come through on her oath to defend what mattered most. But everything that mattered was all but gone. Her friends, her lover lost to an obsession that enraged her...but she never questioned her father until Valuria. When Xalia spoke of it to Baraka, he cared nothing for it. A beautiful place destroyed by their own weapons and he didn't care. He simply poured over tape of previous battle...a warrior to the bitter end.
Xalia realized that she wasn't that kind of warrior after all.
She'd lost many friends, many people had died defending this land...and nothing could stop the machine that was the Allied advance. Disra knew it...and they acted accordingly. Kaida was still hanging around, but she only hoped he would wise up too. Xalia could not fight any longer. Sasha had implied that their father had been insane to continue fighting when all was lost. Xalia realized that she may have been right. Xalia had enough of the heartbreak, enough of the death, enough of failure.
But men like Baraka Molina created delusional worlds around them that told the dreamers that there was some way victory could be had. Verusa had no friends left in the world. No longer did the Osean leadership have the liberal attitude about war. They were going to finish this war one way or another.
Xalia could not go back home. She would not. She didn't want to see Sasha anymore. Perhaps things were better that way. It was a watershed moment for her. Hope was only good if the results were feasible.
Besides, the Versuan people were no longer concerned. For all intents and purposes, Versua had turned on her father and his dreams. What was the point of fighting on? Xalia would have gladly given her life to protect her father's dream weeks ago. But now, with no hope of winning...Xalia realized how valuable her life was. Pragmatic? Perhaps, but it was better than being forgotten or killed. Sasha would be okay. God owed her a chance at life. So Xalia picked herself up, packed up the parachute, and began to walk west. She walked west to leave her old life behind.
"So long Baraka...father, I'm sorry...please forgive me." she said, walking into the arid land.
Above Disra, Verusa
January 2, 2016
1745 hrs
Despite the celebration, the pilots of Wardog were soldiers; soldiers were still soldiers; and soldiers still had a job to do. The Osean Army advanced without incident into Disra. As they marched in, thousands and thousands of Versuans soldiers laid down their arms and marched to the Allied rear. Their heads were high, almost proud of what they were doing. There would be no bloodshed in this city. And in truth, everyone was happy. For these brave soldiers, the war was over and they welcomed it. Many were simply drained from losing countless battles, saw the writing on the wall and realized...they had no shot to win. The soldiers that were in the city were mostly hardened veterans of the failed Yuktobanian excursion, Moab Madra, and so on.
For the Allies, there was no incident. It was easy and painless. Disra was once a small town, but its population exploded when industry came to town. Of course, it came and went with the regimes. But Masson had these places working overtime for the war machine. Now it had been ground down and there was the obvious threat of a scorched earth strategy here. That would have been many magnitudes worse than the relatively minor oil fires outside Valuria. But, with someone in the Versuan command having some sense...it was a non-issue.
Wardog flew over this industrial jungle of factories and fuel dumps that surrounded the city. The nickname Black Iron Sea was particularly accurate.
"Hey Dragon, Artemis here; go to UHF Secure 9." said Alou.
Cormorance was asking David to go to a secure radio channel. Of course, the channel could be heard by everyone in the squad. So Cormorance was flying near David, and he signaled down so they'd go, not to Channel 9, but nine down to Channel 1. But Cormorance was distrustful of many nosey ears. However, there was an unwritten etiquette rule about secure channels in-squadron. No one else asks any questions. It had its reasons; after all, most of the subject matter on secure channels was usually incidents of extremely inappropriate humor.
"Are you two always that amorous? I mean, she looks like your librarian. I'd never expect her to be so...spontaneous. If that's the case, you two must like flying under the radar if you know what I mean. So, tell me...what's you and Ava's...nighttime situation? I mean, hot and heavy or...you know, normal? You know...just between us guys?" said Alou.
David almost laughed...but it was mostly of embarrassment. David was never comfortable talking about he and Kei's intimacy when they were living their normal peaceful life. But David Lovecraft wasn't David Lovecraft here. He was Jonathan Sosabee. And Jonathan was always more open to discussion about certain things David would never discuss even with his closest friends. Thus, he had to stay in character.
"Believe me…you don't know the half of it. Don't be fooled by her meekness...she is a tiger when it counts." said David. And yet, he'd lied and told the truth at the same time. It was the truth, but David was acting and he almost confused himself; but Alou didn't know the difference anyway. Besides, despite his tendency to be pain at times, Alou was a man you could count on to keep one's secrets.
"I know what you mean! My wife is an animal when it's appropriate. It's amazing you two don't have more kids, or any for that matter. You never did tell me why. Oh wait...can I guess? I mean, that's probably why Ava said she wanted to take that kid back home." said Alou.
David was caught a bit off guard with that question. He'd talked to Kei about it briefly, but only that. How did he find out? But interestingly enough, he could tell the truth again without compromising his true self...almost.
"Well...we've had some problems. Some really bad things have happened..." said David, trying to find words.
Cormorance did not need to be told anything else. He got the message.
"Oh, I see. Sorry to hear that. Prenatal death is becoming a serious problem now in places like Rouge Park. But, my mother used to tell me...keep living and keep trying. That's all I can say." said Cormorance.
David knew Alou hd a point. It went back to when he tried to have some hope about being in this hellish land. However, elsewhere...Grimm wasn't really concerned with the CAP. He wanted to know what those guys were talking about so secretly. It was an uncomfortably long wait, as the AWACS was transmitting information. David saw the communication and changed back to an open channel.
"What were you two talking about?" asked Grimm.
"Funny thing you ask Preston. I was asking Jonathan here if you were a cross-dresser." said Alou, as if to say, mind your own business. Lillian laughed, Andrew laughed, and Kei just couldn't believe the shot he was taking at Grimm. David though...had a hard time not laughing. After all, he was in the secret conversation.
"What?!" Grimm shouted.
"That was low-brow…even for you." said Polly.
"Okay, knock it off you guys." Kei interrupted.
"Can no one take a joke anymore?" said Cormorance.
Grimm merely shook his head. Below, Disra seemed serene. Grimm thought that this was the way war was supposed to end. He'd imagine that Lauren would be proud of this sight as well. But there was something strange about her. Despite the horrifying wounds she suffered to her legs, she held no hatred for her enemies. Yet, Grimm held all the hate for the enemy. Now Grimm began to think he was the strange one...
"This is Scion to all allied craft. We are picking up a large object on radar closing at approximately 200 miles. I've never seen anything like this...there is radar jamming in the area. Be alert."
Blaze became Frozen as he looked at his radar screen and then the horizon. David had faced down airborne giants once before. The SOLG and the Arkbird were the elephants of the past. But David knew about them back then. Whatever this titan was...it was certainly unsettling. It wasn't the existence part ...it was the not knowing anything about it part.
"I hope it's not what I think it could be..." said Kei, her voice measured.
"And what do you think it is?" asked Andrew. Kei had a long pause.
"You don't want to know." replied Kei.
Kei's heartbeat could be heard now. Her labored breathing could be heard all over the radio. But it was not just her; everyone was jittery now.
"My father told me a story about some large flying vessel during the Belkan War. I didn't think it was real until I got to the service but..." said Lillian.
"175 miles and closing. It's passing over Ciudad. All units point your nose to 12:00 and await further orders." said the AWACS.
David, Kei and Grimm's individual heartbeats reached a hyper pitch. They'd dealt with two gargantuan craft years ago. Secretly, they hoped this was some trick by the enemy. In truth, it was a trick. A trick pulled by the Versuans as a desperate play; a slight of hand and metal the likes of which no one had ever seen before...
Morasi, Verusa
January 2, 2016
1800 hrs
Sasha was stunned now. She had gone to relax at a resort hotel just outside Ciudad. She'd gone to sleep as soon as they entered the hotel, simply tired from all the affairs. Everything her father had built was on the verge of collapse. It was amazing she could even close her eyes. Then again, who needed to have nightmares when reality had become one? Basra was gone, Versuan soldiers being drug through the streets, Valuria in ruins, Disra gone. Versua was falling apart. Her husband was still out there fighting, and her sister was missing. And now, she suddenly came face to face with a living, breathing nightmare. She felt someone was there...and she woke up...to muzzle of a silenced pistol. Sasha screamed bloody murder and it probably could have shattered the windows. Sasha was looking right into the eyes of the Looking Glass.
"I'm sorry...did I wake you?" said the terrorist, grabbing and holding her mouth shut. He still had on his black balaclava.
"No one's coming to help you. Your bodyguards are dead. It was not that easy. But all it took was a little casing and a little knowledge about you. And yet, here I am in the flesh once again." said the Looking Glass.
"So you're...Carlo Tenenbaum. What do you want? Are you going to kill me?" said Sasha.
"No...If I wanted to kill you...I could have killed you in your sleep. There is no escape from me, nowhere to hide from me. And for your family...there is no escaping my revenge." said Tenenbaum.
Sasha was bewildered. She was visibly shaken once he released his hold over her mouth. What did he mean by, revenge?
"The reason I came here is to ask for your help; your help to end this war, and avenge so many dead." said Tenenbaum.
Sasha became furious. This man murders people at a whim...and expected her to believe he wanted the war to stop!
"Why do you care? You've killed our soldiers...you're just a murderer spreading lies about everyone!" Sasha said angrily.
"And your father is not?" retorted Tenenbaum.
Tenenbaum moved away from Sasha. Sasha froze. Her facial expression was one of total confusion. She knew that some shady things had happened in the past with her father...but he wouldn't be responsible for outright murder? Would he?
"Your father's legacy was not built on rebuilding this country in the way you may think it was. It was built on the blood of innocent people. Your comfortable life, your sister's career your husband, your unborn child...all of that was built on death and lies. Death and lies that men like me had to bear responsibility for. Even the Dispater Tower was built on the blood and bones of innocent people." said Tenenbaum.
All the neurons in Sasha's brain exploded at that point. She kept repeating the same questions over and over at millions of miles an hour. She almost laughed at the statement once her brain cells reformed.
"You're full of it. There's no way..." said Sasha, refusing to believe this man.
"Oh, am I? Go ask the people of Basra what they think of all the great things your father has done." said Tenenbaum.
Sasha's blood was ice cold now. She was petrified of this man. He was murderous psychopath it seemed and now he had Sasha at his mercy. And there was nothing she could do but listen.
"You are a rarity. You are ignorant of the cold, horrifying reality of this land not by your own volition, but of design. You've been manipulated your entire life. So has your sister Xalia. But she's a fool. She is a deluded fool who will die a meaningless death in battle. Your father and his allies are going to drag everyone down into Hell with him; your husband, Xalia's lover, all your friends, many innocent civilians, and of course many brave Allies of three nationalities are going to die unless you and I join together. But before we can do that...you must first know the truth about this entire country and the legacy it was truly built on." Tenenbaum said.
Sasha hated being lied to more than anything. If this man was accurate, that means that her entire life was a lie and everything she believed her father did was a sham. She at least wanted to hear him out...not that she had a choice in the matter.
"Speak; tell me your side of the story then." said Sasha.
"I like you. You are reasonable. Reasonable as anyone would be in the face of a loaded gun." said the Looking Glass.
Tenenbaum stood over her, completely showing his position of power. He put the gun away. He then pulled off his mask. Sasha almost recoiled in horror at this man. Now she knew why he covered up his face. All down the left side of his face was an extremely nasty scar. He was bald, and his left ear looked almost warped, as if something had burned it. He took the gloves off his hands, to reveal his burned hands. Sasha could tell this man was in his mid thirties, but it was hard to do. He clearly was a man with nothing to lose.
"You father's men did this to me. Your father is a malevolent man who hides behind the belief that the ends justify the means; just as I did once. I like so many before, believed in your father's dream. They called us Orchid Division; the secret police. But in order to realize it, a lot of people had to die. We were to wipe the old culture from Versuan's history and enforce your father's laws...by any means necessary. We used every method imaginable. We kidnapped, we imprisoned, we raped, we killed, we tortured, we gassed, we bombed...for six years, we forced the hand of the people. We gained their loyalty...or else. There was never any negotiation." said Tenenbaum, almost with an air of sarcasm to his voice.
"No..." Sasha said in total disbelief.
"I was paid to kill for your father. We all sacrificed so much for peace in this land. We sacrificed our morals and our souls. But, we were betrayed from within. We were accused of crimes we did not commit by our own peers. With that, we along with our families were hunted down to extinction. There were a lucky few who managed to escape. There were even fewer that were kept close to Masson as he trusted them. I am one of the few left alive from your father's purge." said Tenenbaum.
"Why?" Sasha asked. Sasha almost felt pity for the man…if she could deduce this was the truth.
"We were loyal to Masson to the death. But there were those inside Orchid who grew dissatisfied with Masson's methods. Those who thought they could control the White Crow better actually tried to seize power for themselves. But they failed..." began Tenenbaum.
"...and they blamed you and the others. But who?" said Sasha, having deduced the result.
"The true conspirators kept themselves hidden. They still remain like weeds in your father's house. These were the ones Masson trusted the most, but even he does not know they planned it all along." concluded Tenenbaum.
"How did this happen? Why...I don't understand. Why would my father do these things?" said Sasha, almost to the point of tears. Tenenbaum put his gun away and sat down next to Sasha.
"The truth is best told with a story. Like most stories, there are heroes and villains. The story starts with a single woman. This woman has no regard for human life at all and like her father believes the ends justify the means and the means are always cold and vicious. She befriends several equally depraved and callous people, three men and a single woman. Together they build a weapon, a weapon of mass destruction...the Dispater Tower." Tenenbaum began.
"This woman is borderline psychotic; she grew up privileged and learned brutal, evil lessons about life from her father and her late mother. She grew up with the talent to take advantage of everything; everything is to be used and thrown away. She is responsible for many deaths. She is put in charge of organizing labor to build this weapon of mass destruction. This labor was made up innocent people snatched up for making negative comments about the party…or prisoners and other scum and they are sent to labor and perish in work camps. This woman takes joy in personally torturing the workers. This woman has the workers buried in mass graves to never be seen again." said Tenenbaum.
Sasha looked like she was going to be sick; and Tenenbaum got closer to Sasha, almost uncomfortably close...as if he could be anymore creepy...
"This woman is the lynchpin of the plot against your father. Surrounding her are the people I mentioned before...all conspirators in the inevitable coup d'état. They will eliminate everyone in their path just so they can lay claim to the corrupted throne that is the leadership of the White Crow." continued Tenenbaum.
"Who is this woman you speak of?" asked Sasha...almost afraid of the answer. Tenenbaum smiled.
"You know her quite well. She is your own blood...your own sister...Portia Masson." said Tenenbaum.
Suddenly, Tenenbaum froze before Sasha could collect her thoughts. She was in total shock about Portia...he couldn't have been telling the truth? Could he? Suddenly, everything in the room began to shake.
"What is that?!" said Sasha, hearing the rumbling beneath her feet. She thought it was an earthquake. Then the outside became even darker. It was if a large shadow had passed over them. Sasha came to the window, looked up...just as the Looking Glass did. Tenenbaum was amazed at what he saw. He'd never seen this before, and yet he had no doubt about who was responsible.
"Hmm...It seems that mad scientist Dimitri Ignis has a talent for ingenuity." he said looking at the gargantuan flying machine.
Sasha could only see the bottom of what looked like a massive red colored triangular razor in the sky. Sasha nearly had a heart attack at the size of this thing. It looked like a massive Concorde-type jet from the bottom and its length was only less than half a mile; with it were a ton of planes. Sasha couldn't tell how high up it was...but it was enough to blank out the remaining sunlight for a mere few minutes.
"What...the hell...is that thing?!" Sasha said in total shock.
"It's trouble for all of us. Hmm…I'm betting I can guess where that thing's headed..." said Tenenbaum.
To be continued in...Chapter 21: The Angel of Death (Part II)