Chapter 15

Chapter 15

A warm glow melted over bricks. Shadows flickered back and forth as three hooded figures huddled around a fire flourishing within an old trashcan. They were clothed in ratty attire, layers proceeding layers of torn shirts and pants. To the passerby, they were merely bums left to fend for themselves, one more effect of the pulse, but something far more sinister was concealed within the layers of grungy material.

The smell of various burning wastes lingered in the air causing the figures to draw up their noses in disgust. "Humans" one man cursed "their filth is everywhere."

"Their day is coming" a woman's voice pierced the chilled air as she neared the circle. Three heads turned to watch as two hooded figures approached. Rashne nodded sharply, greeting the members of her beloved Society. All five leaders were bonded by their unquenched thirst of power and revenge, but most of all, the ability to desire the taste of murder without remorse. They resided in five different corners of the world, strategically spreading out where their eyes were needed the most. They didn't really like each other, yet their loyalty to the `cause' as they called it was deeper than their need to live.

"Everyone's here?" Rashne removed her hood. "I didn't inform Jude of our rendezvous." The man standing across from her raised his eyebrow. `His loyalty is in question Jonathon." She stated firmly.

"We've suspected." A strange undertone to his voice shot through her. Eventually they would have Jude killed, and most likely she would be the one for the job. Rashne looked away. Why couldn't Jude just be what he used to be. Living among the people had softened him…made him want family life and children. Such fancies were sentimental mush that she had never understood the purpose of. Reproduction was no longer necessary for survival, not for them. He was clinging… not just to his ideals, but also to her. And she detested him for it. Loving her was never a part of their relationship. He had saved her life once, which she also didn't ask for. Yet, she owed some obligation to him, and the way he touched her face and kissed her neck reminded her of it daily. Affection disgusted her, yet she couldn't find it in herself to tell him to stop. He made her weak…and she could not be weak, she would die first.

"We have more important matters to discuss…the girl??" Rashne looked at up at the third man in the circle. "She's still alive. The Reds failed." Silence engulfed the group. His blue eyes narrowed in unspoken disappointment. " She knows too much about us. She must be eliminated. Our secrecy is our greatest weapon. It has been our advantage throughout these many years. Even the greatest of our achievements was blamed on terrorists. Rashne smiled at the sheer genius of the pulse…their creation…and only a taste of the plans that were in store.

"Forget the Reds. You take care of her personally." Rashne stared at the third man, his hard features interrogating her. His thick Russian accent lingered in the air. "That's easier said than done. We know she's in Seattle but she's managed to elude several attempts on her life. She also has contacts of some sort. A girl in particular…..of the Manticore project."

"You were not brought into this circle to make excuses. Do you what you must, but kill her. She is the only remaining link to the executions."

"It will be done Sasha." She felt an anger burn in her veins once more. To be reprimanded in front of the group's world representatives was infuriating.

Neither she, nor any other member of their political cult noticed a hand move slightly away from its grasp on a nearby wall. A sixth shadow disappeared from the brick wall of flickering montages. A woman of small stature slipped quietly away having heard all she thought she needed to know.

"Now," Sasha growled, "for the real reason we are here." He pulled out a small vile and held it in front of the fire. Its colors swam into each other as the heat began to thicken its texture. "This is what we have been waiting for."

The members looked at each, some in shock, and others in ecstasy. "Beautiful isn't it? One drop of its contents could take out an entire state of this size. His eyes drifted up to the misty sky of Seattle.

"The virus! Your people have finished it." Sasha nodded coolly, obviously proud of those under his command.

"This is what will end the human race as we know it. All factors have come into play, and the time is coming when we will unleash it. No longer will our presence be hidden; no longer we will hide and blend in with enemy."

"How does it function?"

"It's transmitted through the air, once it gets into the body the carrier begins to hallucinate, then eventually he will convulse and grow too weak move. Once he falls, he'll never get up alive. A fitting torture don't you think? Drowning in visions of horror without one single way to escape. Sedentary bodies will line the streets."

Rashne smiled… "They created us for survival, we are accomplishing their will. Survival will happen, just not to them." She laughed, infused with delight.

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