Plura Ater Nox
Chapter 30
Into the night she slunk, her feet moving over the cobblestone path with graceful silence, as she sought to escape before she could be questioned. There was no point in lurking at the risk of capture. The allied forces were showing gathering strength and intelligence; that was a sign of weakness for the Nazis, especially if there were too many factions.
She knew the Vichy government wouldn't come up short, nor would the Austrian, but the Italian government had gone belly up after an uprising and assistance from the allied forces captured Mussolini, the Italian dictator and his mistress for a public execution in the heart of the Vatican. She had her doubts about the Easter Europeans, they were too good at shady dealings, untrustworthy, but at the same time valuable in such times.
She recalled Johann telling her of the German alliance system. He explained to her that the Ukrainians (also very anti-semantic; almost as fanatically as the Germans) were the greatest ally against the incoming commie bastards (who she had learned were indirectly associated with the Jewry of Russia because one of the leading members of the Bolshevik uprising had been one…). The rest of that rank and file of Slavs and gypsies were weak-willed and were too easily over-run.
The look on his face as he told her of his adventures on the Eastern Front as the German Blitzkrieg overran various countries in that area following the appeasement and the annexation of Austria. She remembered that look; gleeful. Never had she seen it before. It had been the first and last time she ever saw it. She had seen looks close, but never as close to when he spoke of the blitzkrieg to conquer the Eastern European countries.
She smiled at the thought, while she waited patiently in the darkness of the docks, adorned in the Nazi-issued uniform for women, concealed beneath a smart trench coat. She kept her arms folded over her chest, as she gazed around, waiting for her contact to show.
Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a pack of cigarettes. She only took them out if she grew impatient while waiting for a contact. They weren't a regular thing for her, even though she enjoyed the rich flavour as it filled her mouth and aroused her senses, relaxing her.
"The birds fly at midnight." A man, also dressed in a trench coat said in clipped French, heavily accent.
Aimée gazed over, exhaling a trail of smoke, as she gazed coldly at the contact through a haze of smoke. "Over the Dead Sea." She replied.
Tipping up his hat, he walked next to her. "What did you learn, Agent Beauregard?" His eyes caught the light of the moon, as it shone through the light cloud coverage over the docks in Dun Laoghaire, just outside of Dublin, where she had made her contact with Captain Andreas and his allies.
"They have done extensive
planning; this is old. The two men leading
the operation are Captain Julien César Andreas of the United States of America Armed Forces and Captain Russell Stonewall of the
English Armed Forces. They have begun to
draft rebels from the IRA, who feel betrayed by the Germans for the multiple U-Boat
attacks on Irish docks and on Irish merchant ships."
She gazed around then peered closely at him, realising who her contact really
was. She didn't comment on that, but
rather added the following: "they have a
handful of Seishi as well. The two captains
are respectfully Nakago and Hotohori. There
is Lieutenant Marcus Faulkner, a veteran from the Great War, who has joined
their ranks. He's better known as
Chichiri. Also working under them are,
Tasuki, Suboshi and Amiboshi. The
general who is giving them the resources they need, General Dwight Marshall is
Mitsukake, whose secretary, and military assistant planner, Chelsea Llewellyn,
is Chiriko."
Raising the cigarette to her lips and inhaling thoughtfully, she took a couple of steps away then moved back to where her contact stood. Clearing her throat, she continued with her report. "With the help of IRA defects and a few men from the regiments of Andreas and Stonewall, as well as the Seishi, they plan to infiltrate Calais in order to make a back door attack on Dunkirk and drive the Germans to the sea.
"They are still fixing the finals bugs, while they train their men. They plan to launch the attack in exactly one week at 0630 hours on the shore of Calais. They have all modern arsenals that have been recently over to aid the US and allied forces on their campaign.
"And if I'm not mistaken, other regiments and companies in the allied forces are planning on other attacks; major infiltration attacks along the French coast."
While Aimée spoke, her contact took out a cigarette of his own. The flame from the match that he struck against the rough surface to ignite the flame briefly lit up his face before he extinguished it. He inhaled thoughtfully, saying nothing.
Her grey eyes scrutinised him closely. Exhaling a trail of smoke as she dropped the remains of the cigarette butt to the ground, the ashes scattering, she turned her gaze heavenward. Using the toe of her boot, she ground out the smouldering remains, a line of smoke fading into the night air as she did thus.
"So, you escaped death." It wasn't a question, but a blunt and to the point statement.
Agent Wherther Yorck gave a cold chuckle. "It would seem it, wouldn't it?"
"It would, wouldn't it, Miboshi?!"
Taking a deep inhalation of
the cigarette's rich flavour, Agent Yorck held the smoke in his mouth before he
exhaled it through his nostrils. He
nodded. "And you say that there are more Seiryuu Seishi working for the enemy? How many have defected?"
"Almost all, except you, me and Tomo. I
know nothing of Ashitare…" Aimée replied, as the two began to walk in the
direction of the small craft that Yorck had acquired.
Yorck smiled knowingly. "He was one of us this time, not one of the defects or traitors. He was a long friend of mine, who died around the same time I did; only he had been killed by dissidents who were rising up against the Führer."
A nasty cunning smirk caressed his lips. "My last vessel was killed at the hands of Father Faulkner, who you quoted to be Lieutenant Faulkner. He thinks I'm dead, but doesn't know I took the body of the cardinal bishop who had excommunicated the veteran for acts of dark magic and satanic rituals."
"So he knows more than he
should."
"Too much. He
has to be the first to go." The former Seiryuu Seishi Miboshi ascended, as he
stopped and sat on a crate left on the dock.
"He overheard one of my reports given into Van Eyke. I don't know how much he heard, or how many,
but he is likely to know something that he has reported to that pathetic group."
She nodded, as she watched him take a seat. "What do you propose or what has Van Eyke told you the next move was to be?"
"He wants you to co-ordinate that. He's placing trust in you, though I don't see why." Yorck flippantly remark, a snide smile over his lips, as he gazed at her, his nasty cat-like eyes scrutinising her. "You're just a stupid little French girl is all, who merely defected to the right side."
As the words crossed his lips, he didn't notice the open-palm hand that was raised then lowered, aimed at his face with an alarming speed. He had only a chance to finish his cruel remark, as Aimée's hand connected with his face, sending him tumbling to the ground off the crate upon which he sat so high and mighty, arrogance and confidence radiating from his aura.
"Hakujin Raihou~"
Stunned from the blow, Yorck groaned. He lay on the ground, facing the sky, and could only stare in utter horror as dark clouds gathered above. "Damnit."
That was all that left him before a bolt of lightening descended from the heavens, summarily frying him, making him a crispy and burnt Nazi agent. He lay, twitching after the strike ended.
An anguished groan escaped him. She had become much stronger than she had never been before. He wasn't afraid to admit that. What he didn't want to face, was that he was dying again. It really sucked, it really did. He knew the body he had chosen wouldn't survive the attack that the former Seiryuu Seishi Soi had delivered.
He lay, knowing he would die, as an old and familiar smirk crossed his lips, as he watched her leave.
Closing his eyes, he killed the body he had and briefly left the old body long enough for a little bit of revenge for the attack…
~~~~
His gaze was fixated out the window, his reflection faintly gazing back, as he rested a hand on the cool glass, lost in thought. He never noticed anyone coming up behind him; he was already staring at his reflection, so the duplicated reflection went unnoticed.
"Brother, you look lost in thought."
"Maybe because I am."
"Are you thinking about what horror we're about to face? The unknown world were about to fall into, not knowing what lies ahead for us, tomorrow and the days after? The trauma of not knowing if you're going to live to see the future?"
Jeremiah turned to face Séamus. "When I joined the army in America, I never imagined that I would have to fight in any war, in some unknown foreign place against a faceless enemy. Now…I don't know what is going to happen. Yes, I fear what lies ahead unknown to me…to us."
Leaning his forehead against his twin's, Jeremiah sighed softly. "How did we ever get wrapped up in fighting in a war again? Why couldn't we just live a life of peace for once…with no violence…no fighting…no death…"
Tears that took formation in his eyes, unheeded trickled down his face two parallel streams.
Reaching up, Séamus wiped
away his twin's tears. "We are only
doing this because we are those who can fight to get this peace. In this world, there are two choices: go and
fight, risk death for the chance that the future will be brighter for future
generations or run away and pretend that it isn't happening.
"You done the latter before, now why don't you try fighting to get it? You know that ignoring it won't make it go
away. I hate the idea as much as you,
but I accept the fact that I have to fight.
Can I at least this time have my twin watching my back, as I watch his?"
Staring sorrowfully into the identical baby blue orbs, Jeremiah lamented, briefly closing his eyes, images rapidly flashing by his eyes; memories of an earlier life, one plagued by much death and fighting, no peace…only misery…
The sadden eyes of a mousy-haired girl danced around. The piercing olive green eyes, quivering with tears, as she clutched one end of his flute, not wanting him to let go, as she expressed forgiveness for his sins, something he couldn't accept, as he tried to take his own life.
His body had been swept away down that rushing river. He remembered nothing after that, except waking up to face an unknown couple who gave him a second chance to live a life of peace under the name of Kaika.
True he had been at peace…for once, but at what price?
Swallowing, he opened his eyes, gazing into his twin's. "What do we do? You know I don't want to fight, but I don't want to turn my back on you again."
Kissing his twin's forehead after pushing loose strands of hair back, Séamus sighed. "I would say that you should fight, but you don't want to.
"I can't decide for you, my brother, you have to decide that yourself."
"I don't want to hurt you again, or betray you. I'm going too…"
~~~~
'So, they have begun together.' Johann thought, as he turned off the makeshift radio. He felt something amiss, despite that it was evidently Aimée that he had received the report from. He didn't think she was quite herself. Her chi didn't seem to be hers; it seemed to be someone else's.
His golden eyes narrowed. 'Damn you Yorck! Your ass is mine when I see you again and I swear, I will personally send you to hell and back, though, I don't hate the devil that much.'
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his shin. 'Nobody crosses Tomo and takes what rightfully belongs to him, without first facing the consequences.'
A puff of smoke came up, engulfing the Lieutenant, who took on his old form.
From him, as he examined himself in the mirror, came a soft echoing spine-chilling cackle.
~~~~
Wondering back in silence, Aimée slipped into the quarters that were reserved for her under the protection of the base. She had only nodded at the guards who said nothing. Once alone, she removed her trench coat and began to slowly undress.
When she was down to only her slip, brassiere, underwear, garter and girdle, she turned, her arms covering her bosom, as the door opened, revealing Captain Julien César Andreas. She growled ferally at him, angered that he had such nerve.
Chuckling softly, Julien sauntered over. He was dressed in over his breeches and an under shirt from his uniform, which clung tightly to his muscular form. He stopped in front of her, staking her in his arms. "Now that you play hard to get, you're even more tempting than before. I can't have you, I'll make you mine."
Her eyes were narrowed into such thin slits that the change in her eyes wasn't immediately obvious. She hissed out scathingly, "get your damned hands off me, pervert!"
"Soi, I don't know how ways I can apologise for hurting you, but, I always loved you. Can't you at least reciprocate?" Julien whispered huskily, pressing his lips to her slender neck.
Scoffing, she pushed him away. "Get off me and get out of my room before I scream bloody murder for everyone to hear!" she threatened, picking up the metal nail file on the night-stand.
Julien actually looked sincerely hurt. He blinked in shock as he stared incredulously at her, not quite knowing what to think. She had been acting very differently earlier, warmer. Now she was acting hostile again. He just didn't understand…
"Let the woman go, Yorck." A deep sultry male voice hissed in soft German.
Julien looked around quickly, trying to find the source of the voice. He gave up, once picking up a distinct chi. That of Tomo… So…it would appear that the man who dared to steal Soi from him was here…
"I don't know what you're talking about." Yorck replied, his voice slightly feminine. "I'm fine; I'm myself, Johann."
Julien's eyes narrowed. So, it seemed that the body of Aimée was merely just a body; she had been pushed into the back as this guy Yorck, Miboshi's reincarnation, and had a hold on the reincarnated form of Soi.
The azure kanji of kokoro glowed menacingly on the centre of his forehead. "You heard him, let the girl go!" Julien growled scathingly.
"So it would seem that this little stupid French girl has toyed with the affection of two little men who can only think with their dicks; they can't see beyond that." Yorck purred nastily.
Smirking, Tomo slithered out from the shadows, "you'd say that wouldn't you? You don't have any balls, after all; you were circumcised and only spared the gas chamber because your parents converted just before the Führer got into power."
He had been intending to make this Yorck son of a bitch know how he felt, but at the appearance of Tomo, Julien's priorities shifted. He may have hated Yorck for taking over Aimée's body, but he hated Van Eyke more for taking Aimée entirely from him.
"How nice of you to show up, any last words before I kill you?" Julien seethed hatefully, raising a hand wielding a glowing ball of chi.
The other Seishi smirked. "Go on, kill me… But you still won't get your dear Soi back. She no longer cares for you, she sees through your façade." He purred, his golden eyes fixed intently on his former friend and ally. "She hates you and only used you for her own ends."
Feeling insulted, which he rightfully was, Julien gave a flick of the finger, sending the chi blast spirally rapidly towards Tomo, who merely stood there, unmoving. The blast hit him at full forces, knocking him back. Falling to his knees, he collapsed, his body vanishing, the only remains being his Shin.
The entity of Aimée within her own body, suppressed by the will of Yorck, gave an anguished cry when her dearly beloved got brutally murdered without the blink of an eye, by the man who claimed to also love her…
The loss was too much for her. She yearned to get out and just hold that shin; she knew that she wouldn't be able to hold his body. Still, she wanted just to hold something of his, anything; inhale the scent and remember…
Giving a shrill scream, she
tried to break from the barrier shrouding her, throwing herself against it,
resulting in Yorck gasping out in surprise, unready for the attack, and hence,
weak on the defences. He found himself
in a struggle to regain control. But it
would be too little too late, as he would be cast from the body without the
person killing themselves.
Thrown against the wall, Yorck cried out in pain before vanishing into
nothingness.
Collapsing to her knees, Aimée passed out.
Before she hit the ground, her limp form was caught by Julien. He held her body close to his. 'I'll make you mine yet.'
TBC…
Author's Notes: Ah, you thought I would be ending it here, didn't you? I got some inspiration while I was away last month, so I have some more to do before I will be ending this. Don't worry, there is more to come and it'll be good. The final battle scene will be worth the wait. *wink* and I bet you didn't expect some of the twists in this chapter, eh? I hope you all liked it. Don't forget to R&R! Thanks.