Dark Inheritance

Chapter 14

Warning: Mature themes discussed

JC stood upon the cliff side overlook. Dressed in ceremonial robes, his face painted with blue streaks. Alongside him stood his four companions.

Kayslee, face painted with red streaks.

Chelsea, with black markings upon her face.

Andre, face covered with wild green markings.

Finally, Judith, yellow sunbursts adorning her face.

The five looked down at the gathered masses. The crowd raised their hands and chanted their names in celebration. Smiling, the five Nephilim joined hands and raised their arms in triumph…

…

JC woke with a start. He checked his clock; seven in the morning. Groaning, he pried himself out of bed. It had barely been a few hours since he and the others had gotten back from the Interzone. As usual, they'd anonymously contacted the police after leaving. Dr. Kurtz had a lot of explaining to do.

He dressed in a t-shirt, sweats, and flip-flops before heading out into the back yard garden. Sitting in the middle was Andre, the youth they had helped free from the Interzone. He'd proven most helpful in shutting down the facility. Now he sat quietly, eyes closed, as if in meditation. JC quietly approached him.

"Welcome, JC." Andre said without looking at him.

JC sat down near him. "Andre, I never got to thank you for your help."

"Think nothing of it, mon ami." Andre replied. "You fight well yourself."

"Andre, I know Wild Bloods like you can shapeshift, but what you did blew my mind. I didn't think you could breathe fire."

Andre opened his eyes and smiled. "We are not limited to normal animals. The creatures of fantasy are also a part of us. The people at the lab kept calling it 'Chimera', I believe."

JC was worried. He'd wanted to ask Andre about how he ended up at the lab but was afraid to broach the subject. "Andre, I'm sorry for what happened to you. If I'd known someone was trapped there…"

Andre waved him off. "Do not worry yourself. As you can see, I am just fine."

JC nodded appreciatively. "How did you end up there?"

Andre's face got solemn. "Growing up in Haiti, I could always communicate with animals. The people of my village could sense my abilities. I was marked as a special child, a magic child. They raised me to become a Hougan, a priest of the Voodoo." His face darkened. "Then one day, as I was venturing outside my village, I was attacked. I was disabled before I knew what was happening. When I awoke, I was in the lab."

JC's heart sank. Andre had also lost his family. "I guess that's something we have in common."

"What do you mean?"

JC told him about the events on his birthday, about being drugged, watching his sister get taken, and being shot. He rubbed his abdomen. "I still have the scar."

Andre was quiet for a moment. "Your sister, is she…"

"Judith. She's the final one, the woman in gold in my visions. My family has her."

Both were quiet for a while. Finally JC spoke up.

"Don't worry, Alice can probably help get you back home."

Andre shook his head. "No. While I appreciate that, I must remain here. Our paths did not cross by accident. Remember, we are already connected, as are the others."

JC remembered all the other visions, the ones that showed his past life as one of the original Nephilim. "Andre, the fact that all of us are here…what could this mean?"

"I do not know exactly. The spirits are quiet on that subject right now. But I believe we are here to fulfill some purpose. Hopefully the answers will become clear soon."

JC sighed. "I think my family's already decided we have a purpose. Obviously they want us under their control, but I haven't figured out why. And not just us…apparently they've taken many people like us into custody. It's like they're making a private army or something." JC leaned back. "I will not be used like that. I don't care what they've decided. My life is my own." His shoulders sank. "It's just that, everything that's happened is because I developed powers. My life was fine before all of this. If my sister and I had just been normal we wouldn't be in this mess."

"Do you believe your powers to be a curse?" Andre asked.

"I don't know." JC said. "It's hard to not see it that way."

Andre looked with sympathy at his friend. "I sometimes saw it that way as well. But I also realized my power could be used for good. I believe we were given these powers for a reason. Do you not believe this as well?"

JC was silent for a moment. "Andre, I just don't see how what I believe matters. It feels like the universe has already decided for me. And my family's project keeps going forward." Andre nodded in understanding. JC then looked up.

"But, somehow, I know in my heart that I was meant for this. It's just that…it didn't help went everything went down. Not with what I've seen happen. I want to believe that I have a purpose, that the universe is on my side, but doubt is everywhere."

Andre put his hand on JC's shoulder. "Faith is made stronger by facing doubt. Untested, it is nothing."

…

Judith entered the library. Since it was Saturday she had no classes and most of her day was free. She took times like these to read up on what she could, trying to learn something that could be useful to her – and her brother.

She sighed. It had been months since she'd seen her beloved twin. When he found her at the previous facility she'd been thrilled, relieved that he was okay. Sadly, as much as she'd wanted to leave, she knew she couldn't. To her family and their project, she was too valuable. At the very least, she could dig up as much info as possible that her brother and his friends could find useful.

Judith smiled. Alan had shown her the video of JC and his new friends attacking one of the group's facilities. She'd recognized them, of course – her fellow Nephilim from ages past. Since she couldn't fight alongside them – yet – she would try to help from the inside.

Judith scanned the shelves and looked for anything useful. One book sat off to the side near the back, with strange markings on the spine. She pulled it from the shelf and sat down in one of the reading nooks. The library was usually empty at this time but she wanted to ensure her privacy.

She flipped through the pages. Most had images of old rituals, complete with diagrams of how they were put together. The wording was written in the old script her keepers had told her about, a near-dead language from the time of her ancestors. What most of them didn't know was that she could make out some of the words in this language, most likely due to her potent blood. Most of the rituals, however, were unremarkable: summoning rain, growing crops, blessing marriages, nothing earth-shattering.

Judith stopped at a particular page. It displayed a large ritual involving two people embracing each other in a wide area. Around them stood several other participants in a circle, wielding strange items and dancing in weird patterns. She scanned the words and one stood out: fertility. Shuddering, she turned the page.

The image a few pages further in wasn't much better. Another person, single this time, was restrained in the center of another circle of people. Strange symbols were being painted by the participants, like a barrier around the hapless prisoner. She scanned the words describing it:

"…punishment…sealing…imprisonment…" she stopped. The meaning was clear. "What kind of society was this?" she asked herself. Nothing else in the book proved useful, so she replaced it and exited the library.

"Judith! I was just looking for you."

Judith turned to see her mother Sara, one of the scientists in the project. She smiled at her, though she still didn't fully trust her.

"Hi mom. What's up?" she asked casually.

Her mom approached. "Are you busy? I wanted to show you something."

"Okay." Judith said, keeping her little exploration to herself.

The two walked to the annex between the two buildings. "Judith sweetie, I need you to promise me to keep this a secret."

"Okay."

"I'm serious." Sara looked at her with an almost pleading look. "Do not tell anyone, especially not that cousin of yours, Marcus."

"Okay, I won't." Judith replied.

Sara led her to a door deep in the building and punched in a code. Inside was a small lab with strange equipment covering the walls. In the center was a pedestal with a baton, about three feet long, held upright. It was silvery with a golden jewel embedded at the end. Wires connected it to the equipment, seeming to carry pulses of light into it.

"It'll help with your abilities, once it's finished."

Judith was stumped. "A…magic wand?"

"Judith," Sara put her hands on her daughter's shoulders. "I know you don't think you can trust me right now, but I promise, I'm doing what I can to help you. You'll understand eventually. Until then, please don't tell anyone."

"What about dad?"

"Don't worry about him. Just promise me."

Judith stared for a moment. "Okay, mother. I promise."

Sara sighed in relief. "Good girl. Now let's get you back." The two walked back to the main building, her mom moving rather rapidly. When they reached it, Gail Smith came around a corner.

"Judith! Glad I found you. Come, we need you for something."

Wow, I'm popular today Judith thought. "For what?"

"A small gathering. Please, everyone's waiting."

Judith looked at her mom. "Go on, sweetie. It shouldn't take long."

Judith was disappointed. For a moment, she'd felt like her old mother had returned. She left to go with Gail.

…

Gail led her to a room with several lockers. Different symbols were on each wall. Judith recognized them as the symbols for peace and harmony in the old language. Gail opened a locker and took out a long, white garment. Judith took it and held it out. It was a gown, embroidered with similar symbols. "Please put this on." Gail instructed.

"Gail, what's this for?" Judith asked.

"We need you to give a speech to the other inheritors. It's important you look respectable." Judith sighed and started to pull the gown over her clothes. "No, you need to change."

Judith hesitated but knew there was no point in arguing. Gail left the room to give her some privacy. Judith changed out of her t-shirt and jeans and slipped the garment over her. It was made of soft, smooth fabric that smelled of lavender. As she stepped out Gail smiled warmly at her.

"You look like a heavenly maiden about to perform her sacred duty." She said dreamily. Judith was less than thrilled at that statement.

Gail led her to a door. Entering it led to the stage of a large amphitheater. The other inheritors that lived there sat in many of the seats. A podium with a microphone sat at the front of the stage. "Just go and read from the sheet dear." Gail told her softly. Judith, though nervous, walked out to the podium. A paper with a short speech sat in front of her. The audience grew quiet as she started to read.

"On behalf of Genetech and our respected foundation, we are proud to welcome you into your new lives as harbingers of a new era. You are the first of what we hope will be many efforts to bring a brighter future to humanity. With your help, that future is within reach."

"As a descendent of one of the original Nephilim, it is my duty to help this project move forward along its sacred journey. However, I cannot do it alone; I need your help, my fellow inheritors. Together, we will ensure its success."

"I encourage you to do your best and work with our benefactors to help secure humanity's future. Our hopes and dreams rest upon you. You are not alone; Genetech, myself, and everyone here is ready to support you no matter what."

"Once again, welcome, and may the Progenitors guide you."

The audience applauded as Judith quickly left the stage and headed back to the locker room. After changing back she found Gail outside smiling again.

"That was very good, Judith, well done."

"What was that about?" Judith asked. "Why did I have to say that to them?"

"Dear, this project is important. We need everyone's cooperation. Having someone like you, a Nephilim, will ensure they understand and cooperate."

Judith heart sank. She felt like a fraud, a manipulator, a puppet. Hopefully she'd figure something out.

…

JC laid out the contents of his pack on the table before him. The pack Alice had given him had proven extremely useful in his adventures. He'd collected a number of weapons that he kept in case they were needed.

The Ruger 5-shot revolver he'd taken from Dr. Clay.

The Combat Knife, Colt Delta Elite, and P90 submachine gun he took from that mercenary.

A Beretta 9mm taken from Dr. Kurtz.

A tranquilizer rifle from the other mercenary.

A wireless stun pistol and stun baton given to him by Alice.

Some lethal and flashbang grenades he'd gotten here and there.

Various vials with different seemingly 'helpful' liquids contained within.

His sword, which he didn't really need to store because he could summon it at will.

The final gun, the Purifier. It was a huge, double-barreled .44 revolver, given by a mysterious 'friend'.

It was an impressive arsenal. He felt prepared for anything, but was still uneasy. He'd hit the company hard, taken out two of their facilities in one night. But he was running short of effective leads. He wanted to get ahead before they tried anything else.

JC went over to the other table, the one with the different reports, files, and news articles about his family's activities. He noticed one talked about one of their literal offshore projects: An undersea research facility just off the coast of the bay. Not much was discussed, it may or may not be involved.

"JC." Diana walked in carrying some sheets of paper. She saw the weapons he'd laid out. "Wow, you're ready to take on an army."

"If it comes to that, it won't be good for anyone." JC replied. He saw the papers. "What's that?"

Diana remembered why she came there. "I went looking through the files we got from that lab, and I found something disturbing." She showed him the printouts. "It looks like a plan is going down."

JC looked it over. It was a bunch of numbers and timetables that he didn't really recognize. Diana jumped in. "It's a production manifest from the lab that they ordered to be shipped out. This…" she pointed to another string of numbers, "is the registration of a tanker ship. I think they're shipping that drug overseas."

"How much?" JC asked warily.

"A lot." Diana said. "More than what they give to one person. I crunched the numbers and determined approximately what they could do with it."

"When did you do that?"

"Last night." Diana said simply. "Not sleeping helps." She continued quickly. "JC, they made a huge amount, enough that they need a tanker to ship it. Do you know what this could mean?"

JC remembered when his family had used the drug in the local water supply. Over a hundred people had perished as a result. "Are they going to affect a country?"

"They could infect a continent with this."

"They couldn't get away with that."

"You know the company outsources, right?" Diana pointed out. "They can operate in any country they have a facility."

"When does the ship leave? And from where?"

Diana leafed through the papers. "5 am tomorrow morning. Based on the size of the ship they'd need, it can only be from the main shipping yard down by the docks."

"I can't stop the ship once it leaves port." JC said. "I need to get there tonight."

"I'll let the others know." Diana said.

"No." JC said sternly. "They can't risk themselves again. It'll be easier for me to sneak in and take care of it."

"How are you going to do it alone? You can't scuttle an entire ship by yourself."

"Watch me." JC said with finality.

…

It was near dark when JC approached the docks. He'd gone over his plans with Diana, examined blueprints and went over strategies. They'd figured it was best to hit the place near dusk. He took cover and watched the security checkpoint that led into the docks. I single one-story building sat next to a large gate where the trucks drove in after being cleared. A few spotlights sat idly lighting up parts of the area.

JC noticed that the guards patrolling the area didn't look like the regular dock workers. They wore camo fatigues and carried better weapons. He remembered the mercenaries that his family had employed for their operations. They weren't taking any chances with the shipment. This made things more serious: JC couldn't take them all on like he had the others. If they raised the alarm he was done for.

One of the guards reached the end of his patrol route and turned back towards the gate. JC quickly moved past him and scrambled up the edge of the building to the roof. Keeping low, he crawled towards the edge and surveyed the area. The place was and open loading area for a nearby warehouse, with several loading docks with trucks parked. A few stacks of cargo crates dotted the area. A few soldiers patrolled the lot. Beyond the warehouse JC could see the silhouette of the tanker that was his target. He knew from the diagrams Diana had found that several cameras scanned the area. He needed to get across without being seen by anyone. He looked again at the stacks of crates. The cameras didn't necessarily see that high. It was his best shot.

JC stood and prepared for the jump. The nearest crate was ten feet from the building he stood on. With his strength and ability, he should be able to make the jump. Here goes nothing he thought. With a quick running start he leapt over the gap. No good; he came just short of the edge. He quickly grabbed the edge of the crate and hit the side of it with a grunt.

"Who's there?" he heard a voice say. One of the soldiers had heard him! Quickly he scrambled up to the top over the crate and went flat. A flashlight beam swept across the spot where he was a second ago. After several passes the beam disappeared and things were quiet again. JC allowed himself to breathe again. More carefully this time, he crossed over the other crates. The final cate was very close to the warehouse. JC noticed a ladder leading up to the second floor walkway. When the coast was clear, he dropped to ground level and climbed up. Locating an open window, he crawled in.

The warehouse lights were dim in most of the offices. Most of the guards were likely outside or on the ground floor. JC crept through the rooms to other side of the building. Through a large window he saw the tanker sitting in the dock. Its gangplank was extended to the dock allowing easy access inside. He started to open the window but stopped quickly: The ship was not unattended. Several mercenaries patrolled the doc and the deck of the ship, all on alert. Even with his powers and gear, there was no way he was going to get aboard without a fight. He couldn't risk any attention right now. A frontal assault wouldn't work; he needed a diversion.

A nearby cawing sound got his attention. Another one came, louder. JC saw one of the mercs duck as a small dark shape dive-bombed him. Similar shapes started appearing out of nowhere attacking the other soldiers. A buzzing sound joined the fray. Soon the soldiers were panicking, trying to swat away their attackers as they ducked for cover. JC noticed that the mercs were moving away from the gangplank, like they were being herded. This was his chance! He scrambled through the window and dropped down onto a stack of boxes. Moving quickly, he ran up the gangplank and entered the ship.

Once inside the ship, JC crouched low and ducked into a nearby room with some tables and lab equipment. He knew parts of the ship were monitored with security cameras. The blueprints Diana had showed him had a control room on one of the upper floors that controlled security access. That was his next destination. He carefully moved from room to room, scanning for other soldiers patrolling. Only a couple were in the area; JC took them down carefully with the stun pistol. He searched them for anything useful; each had a keycard. Getting up the next floor by way of stairs, he carefully made his way to the control room. A card slot was required for access. With a swipe of the confiscated card, the door slid open. Inside, a man in a dark suit stood before a computer bank, his back to him.

"Who's there?" the man turned just in time to meet JC's jab before crumpling to the floor. Strange; the man didn't look like the other mercs. He must be from my family's group, overseeing this operation he thought. JC checked out the room. A few computer banks displayed different information from all over the ship. Using his phone's adapter, JC used Diana's program to access the security network. It worked like it always had; the ship was older and security wasn't as tight as it could be. The first computer controlled the cameras, which JC shut down. Another controlled the access doors to different areas. JC found one for the storage area. According to the footage, several large storage tanks occupied the area. That must be the drug they're shipping he thought. That was his next destination. Before leaving, he checked out the computer the man had been working at. Several emails were on the server. Most were about ship operations, but the last one, the one likely being looked at by the man, stood out. It was from the company's office.

"Make sure to keep a low profile as the ship is prepped to leave the port. We don't want an accident drawing undo attention. Instruct the Hawks to keep the perimeter secure in case our friend decides to pay a visit."

JC chuckled at reading that part.

"On the subject of the Hawks, the company has decided to solidify their contract. Their leader is a capable soldier and possessed of the abilities we've been seeking. A team is prepared to secure her once the ship reaches its destination. With her in our custody, we can ensure a closer work relationship and stronger loyalty for our project."

The Hawks. That must be the name of the mercenary group JC had been encountering. Their leader, a woman apparently, had inheritor abilities. He remembered what the woman at the Interzone had said to him. Next time, you'll face someone with your own abilities. She must be the one in charge. And his family was planning on double-crossing her. He downloaded the email onto his phone. It could come in handy.

…

With the security system disabled, it was easier for JC to go deeper into the ship. He followed the corridors leading to the cargo area. Surprisingly, there were few if any mercs patrolling the area. JC figured most were kept outside. Finally, he reached the main cargo hold. Before him were the tanks that contained the compound the company used to enhance inheritor powers. The drug they made from his blood.

Okay, so how do I get rid of this stuff he wondered. The tanks were huge and made of thick, study metal. Even his lightning bolts wouldn't work on them. He moved closer to the tanks – and stopped as a large, black wall appeared in front of him. He turned quickly to get around but was soon trapped on all sides. He pushed against them to no avail. He recognized what they were: the same walls Chelsea could create. Which could only mean…

The walls disappeared, only now he wasn't alone. Several mercs now surrounded him, their guns raised and pointed at him. So that's why they weren't patrolling.

"So nice of you to show up, JC Reinhardt." came a cheerful voice. The woman JC had spoken with at the Interzone stepped forward from the group. "My troops were getting antsy, but I knew you'd get here soon enough."

"Sorry if I kept you waiting." JC said politely while he assessed the situation. He was surrounded on all sides by what appeared to be well-trained soldiers. Attacking wasn't an option. "So, what happens now?"

"What happens is that my team holds you until you can be taken into custody. Your family's been eager for a reunion so I hear."

"Why are you helping them?" JC asked. "You must know what they're doing to people. People like us."

"Their cause is of no concern of mine." The woman said casually. "As long as they pay, we do our jobs. Don't think you can get any sympathy from us."

"You think they're going to keep their word? Newsflash: Once this job is done, you next assignment is as one of their 'recruits'."

The woman looked confused. "What are you talking about?"

"My family wants you on their roster permanently. They think that once you're with them, your troops will do whatever they say."

The mercs looked uneasy at that statement. "Why should we believe you? You might just be trying to get out of this situation."

"I have the proof right here." JC said, slowly pulling out his phone. Carefully, he tossed it to the woman. She tapped the screen a few times and read what she saw. After a moment of tense silence, she leaned over to one of the soldiers and whispered something to him. The man took the phone and stepped back, seeming to talk to someone on his radio. Another tense moment passed as the two sides watched each other carefully. Eventually the man whispered something to the woman. Her face hardened.

"Well, it appears your story and email checks out." She said, tossing the phone back to JC.

"So, what now?" JC asked.

The woman looked at her troops. "I'd say our work here is done. Move out!" she and the soldiers started to leave.

"You're leaving just like that?" JC asked.

"We take breach of contract very seriously, kid." one of the soldiers replied. "Do what you need to do. Just be nice and give us time to withdraw first."

…

The news was all over the incident at the docks. Apparently an electrical fire started in the engine of an older tanker ship, forcing the authorities to occupy the area. They were rather surprised to find a supply of the drug that contaminated the water supply on board. JC smiled as the report came to a close.

"Interesting night, my friend?" Andre came up behind him.

"Yeah, you could say that." JC turned to him. "You know, something strange happened tonight."

"Oh?" Andre said innocently.

"A bunch of birds and insects attacked the patrolling soldiers right when I needed a diversion."

"A little trick I came up with."

"Andre, I didn't want to involve anyone. That was very dangerous."

"JC, we are all affected by these people. It is our fight as well." Andre pointed out. "Besides, I couldn't let you have all the fun."

JC sighed. "Well, next time let's discuss it. Like a team." JC put his hand on Andre's shoulder.

"Like a team." Andre returned the gesture.

~To be continued