Chapter 14
Bucharest, Romania
Private Airfield on the edge of the City
The plane touched down as the sun was beginning to set. The tight little rescue group each withdrew into their individual thoughts as the plane taxied to the private hanger. As the engines were winding down, out the window the occupants saw five camo-green painted jeeps with machine gun mounts in the rear screech to a halt in the hanger. Following the jeeps were two half-track in the same paint color filled with militia.
The soldiers took up position behind their vehicles. An official looking commander stepped from the last jeep that pulled into the building.
Dressed in his uniform bearing more colorful medals than anyone in the group had seen before; he approached the plane's embarkation ladder and waited for the pilot to lower the steps. Richard, the pilot stepped from the cockpit and looked for Quentin. "Mr. Collins, General Franco is requesting permission to come aboard." The members on the plane looked from one to the other and then to Quentin.
"Well of course, we don't need any problems with the authorities. I just am curious as to why we caught the attention of the military." The pilot nodded walked to the rear of the plane and opened the door and extended the ladder. Stepping back he allowed the General entrance to the plane followed by two young security officers with stoic looks on their faces. Upon entering they took up post in the rear of the plane and stood at attention.
Quentin stepped forward, "Hello, I am Quentin Collins." He held out his hand and offered up that famous Quentin smile. The General clicked his heels together and bowed, "I am General Dragos François Bucur and I welcome you to Romania. I understand on board this plane there is a Professor Elliott Stokes and two doctors a Lang and Hoffman?" Julia turned to peer at Elliot and Eric.
"I am Dr. Julia Hoffman and this is Dr Eric Lang and my friend Elliot Stokes how may we assist you?" The fact she was a woman and a very attractive woman unsettled the General. "I beg your pardon, did you say Julia Hoffman?" He sounded confused and surprised.
"Yes, I am Dr. Julia Hoffman." She was now growing as confused as he appeared.
"I was told your name was Julian Hoffman a specialist in blood disorders and mental health issues?" He had made his statement with a little insecure tone, which showed he was not accustomed to having and this was a new experience for him.
"Yes, I am that Dr. Hoffman. May I ask why it is you know of us and why you are here searching for us?" She extended her hand to the others around her. Then shot her hand forward to him to offer him a firm handshake.
The General smiled took her hand, bowed over it, and then kissed it lightly on the knuckles. "I am charmed and we have need of all your expertise. You cannot imagine how excited our government was to learn of your arrival in Bucharest. When we learned of the two doctors and the very distinguished Professor coming here we of course thought to ask for your assistance with something that requires your expertise."
The two doctors and the professor were intrigued. "Of course if we can be of any assistance to the Romanian Government it will be our honor to do so. But you do realize that we are here to bring home some of our family members whom were taken by force and brought illegally into your country?" Elliot had stepped forward extending his hand to the General. "Professor Elliott Stokes at your disposal General Bucor." He smiled
"Please I prefer to be called Franco. It is an honor Professor, you are most dearly needed and if you three will join me I will be happy to explain what is going on. Of course for the rest of you, I know you will wish to proceed to the Burgos Pass and I shall send an escort for you to make it safely through the area." He suppressed a shiver at the thought of where they were going and thought to do so without armed guards.
Quentin turned to Barnabas. "I would appreciate the escort if you think it is necessary. I hope that the others will meet up with us after they have completed their assignment to you?" He turned to peer around to the others that were separating from the group. "Um, General if I may ask?" He paused with his question looked at Barnabas and then proceeded with his question. "Why do we need escorts through the pass you reference?" He had to ask, it was a natural question to seek out the answers as to what possibly could detract from them bringing their family home.
"Let us just say the supernatural and negative reputation of the area that has long held to the country is true. We feel that it spawns the unnatural occurrences that happen to hapless travelers that pass through the area. It is just a reassurance to the government to make sure such wealthy and well known guests have a pleasant and uneventful stay while visiting Castle Florescue." Again there was the stiffening of his body and a suppressed shiver that wanted to be released.
Quentin would inquire later from someone other than a government official as to what made the Burgos Pass so dangerous to require armed guards. The General turned and barked orders to his two escorts, the two guards snapped to attention turned and left the plane. Turning back to Julia he offered her his arm. "Now, I have ordered a limo to be brought for our transportation. I feel you would be more comfortable in the larger car than our jeeps."
Julia for one was agreeable to being transported in a limo rather than a rough ride in a jeep. "We all appreciate your coutesy and must confess we are intrigued by why we are needed." Julia laid her palm over her arm resting it on the General's arm. She had to admit; it was nice being treated so special. The General covered her hand with his and Julia smiled with a soft flush, the man was handsome with his dark chiseled features and piercing blue eyes. The fact he was in a uniform and being so gallant to her compounded the charm factor two fold. Elliot and Eric fell into step behind them. Eric paused turned and looked to Barnabas.
"The injection is in the black bag in the hold with my initials and the word medical supplies embossed on the outside tag. You should be fine using the moderated dosage. If you run into any problems or difficulties." He paused again noting that Elliott and Julia had disembarked the plane. "Quentin has my cell number, call me immediately and I will take care of you." He smiled reached out a hand and spoke softly. "Let us hope we meet up again soon." Turning he walked quickly to the exit and was gone from sight.
Barnabas and Quentin were left alone and now both men turned to the pilot. "I suppose we can get help to unload the baggage, are you staying with the plane?" Quentin had this pilot for ten years and he had always been dependable.
"I am sure your armed escort were given orders from what I over heard by the General as he ordered them to help you and take you to Castle Florescue. They are waiting for you and will help empty the cargo hatch. I am going to stay with the plane, there is a bunk in the rear that can be used so I will stay here and I packed food." He smiled as he tucked his hat under his left arm and watched Barnabas anxiously look around and noted that the soft hues of a rosy sunset filtered its shades across the terminal and the hanger.
"Red sky at night. I suppose we shall have an easy ride to this Castle Florescue." Quentin glanced to the now growing full moon and smiled for once he was glad he had a portrait that protected him from his curse.
"Yes, I suppose you are right. Well Cousin Barnabas shall we go meet our escort? We have family to collect and bring home." Barnabas waited for Quentin to start for the exit when from the entrance a head popped through and a very pretty woman with her dark hair combed strictly into place and wound into a tight bun stepped more fully into the plane.
"Welcome to Romania to the Collins family. I am Captain Nadia Lara welcome." She offered up a smart salute and stood at parade rest. Quentin eyed the dark beauty and noted she had gypsy blood in her gene pool.
"Very pleased to meet you Captain, I am Quentin Collins and this is my cousin Barnabas Collins, will you be a part of the escort to the Burgos Pass?" He watched her wait for him to exit the plane. Not wanting to waste time he went past her and she turned to watch him step to the tarmac and nodded to the six heavily armed dark males that also looked as if they too had gypsy blood in their genetic make up. She extended an arm indicating she would not leave until Barnabas had exited the plane.
"Please Mr. Collins after you, I know you are a proper gentleman but it is the custom of this country to have the guest go first and we follow." She smiled and it lightened her face to that of a young woman less serious and ready to face life and what it offered.
"Thank you." Barnabas spoke softly stepped past her with a slight bow of his head and walked down the steps to peer at their escort. With the removal of the military vehicles and the milita the hanger was strangely vacant except for one large car with two men standing outside and another smaller car with the other men standing by the car watching the two Collins males with a degree of distrust. Barnabas' keen hearing could make out the word 'gorger'.
Quentin leaned into his cousin and spoke softly, "It means non gypsy. They do not trust those not of their tribe."
"Exactly Mr. Collins, the gypsies are a close nit group that stay close to each other we are loyal to our tribe, but in this case, the Count at Castle Florescue is part Collins too, he is a part of your Family from this country. Now if you wish to get there before it grows too late shall we go, we have a helicopter waiting to transport you to the castle, the Count sent his personal Huey for your use." The two men at the large black limo opened the rear doors to allow entrance into the vehicle.
"Is the helicopter far from here?" He wondered why they were driving to the helicopter since they were already at a private airport."
Captain Lara smiled, "This is an airport designated for private aircraft, because the Count is part of the militia for the area we are assigned out of the city of Bucharest. Count Florescue has sent one of his choppers to bring you to him and your family." The ride was relatively short and they were soon pulling up to a military gate with guards. Nadia lowered the rear window, reached into her pocket book at her side and pulled out a card. The guard saluted her and waved their vehicles through she smiled nodded to them and sat back raising the window.
Bucharest Romania
Country side Military Installation
"I am sure that you are wondering why all the pomp and circumstances with the General taking your friends. I have been given leave to explain some of what they are being asked to do and perhaps they will be joining you shortly at Castle Florescue." She shifted her slender long form to get more comfortable and looked at the two handsome men that sat across from her.
"I must say we were surprised at such a grand and ostentation greeting and from one of your leading Generals no less was impressive. We are simply a modest family of some means that came to bring home our family." He noted she slowly sucked in her bottom lip and chewed it and then let out a slow easy breath.
"I am sure you have read many fictional accounts of our country and the talk of the undead and ghasts, ghosts, vampires, werewolves roaming our country. You are aware of the Hollywood induced version of our country so we take these types of media depiction seriously enough to try and dispel this but the truth is they are not that far from the truth of what we do have in population here."
Quentin and Barnabas grew restless and uncomfortable with the talk of werewolves and vampires. "We have for the past one hundred years been involved in capturing those that would feed on our populace and wreak their havoc over our lands. Thus why Count Alexandru has a mystical field of protection around his castle and had extended his protection to those he refers to as his people which is us the Romney gypsies." She sighed softly looked to the passing barracks and the other static displays that marked this area as military for military personnel.
"That is why we are escorting you to the Castle near the Burgos Pass. We can travel the mists of the land and foil any that have evil intentions of doing harm to visitors. That is why you have been given this mode of transportation and how we shall bring your family out of the area. As for your friends, there has been another form of disturbance at the Castle Darkhart and we believe that the current Prince is possessed by a demon. He was not seen for years and then suddenly he appears and has a different personality. We did get his DNA and it is him but he has a different personality than what the people are used to knowing."
They had the feeling that she was now telling them what they did not already suspect. "What of this Count Petofi we have had heard he is the one in charge of Castle Darkhart and not so much this Prince you spoke of." Barnabas had sat forward and asked the obvious question. "Why do you need the doctors and the expertise? It would seem that Professor Stokes would be the one to benefit you the most."
Nadia smiled. "Because over the past few years we were fortunate enough to capture and detained several of these strigoi and have been experimenting on them to see if we could find their weaknesses and neutralize their abilities or develop them into a military weapon."
She paused to collect her thoughts. She was given permission to give them part of the information not all of it. Collecting her thoughts she continued. "So far we have not been successful. Your doctor friends have published papers in the medical journals that our scientist have developed and been somewhat successful. They are hoping that the doctors could give them some further insight in how to perfect their abilities and of course the Professor is going to be asked to help perform an exorcism on the Prince."
"Has this Prince been captured and is he being detained?" Quentin had listened with a hint of trepidation he hoped they did not have intelligence on him or Barnabas or this could be a set up and they could very well end up as an experiment on their tables. This was something he did not relish the thought of or wanted to happen.
"No, that is where you and my group will come into play. We understand that the Prince is at Castle Florescue at this time and that apparently according to our source the Prince, Count Petofi, and Count Florescue are involved in a meeting of one of the members of your party. It would seem that Miss Winters has disappeared from the castle. Your cousins Mrs. Stoddard, her daughter and your cousin David are still there and it was reported that a young girl dressed in 17th period clothing was seen leading the group away from Castle Darkhart."
"Sarah." Barnabas muttered softly and turned his head so she could not see the look of anguish that had crossed his features at the mention of his sister. Quentin glanced to his cousin then looked at the pretty woman across from him. She in her way did resemble his first wife he had taken when he was here in Romania with Petofi. She looked like Jenny the woman that had caused him the curse that was placed on him by Jenny's sister Magda.
Nadia had heard him and smiled. "I have read your history Mr. Collins we are all very aware of the protective spirit of a small girl names Sarah Collins, the little sister of the first Barnabas Collins. So, yes we believe she was the one that lead the family to safety to the Castle Florescue." Because of the seriousness of the conversation held between those in the limo they failed to notice they had arrived at a hanger near the airfield.
"Ahh I see we have arrived, come gentlemen, we will get your luggage loaded into the Huey and will be on our way to your family and the castle." She smiled, opened the door and exited the vehicle.
Quentin shifted preparing to leave the vehicle. Twisting to peer at Barnabas over his shoulder he spoke softly, "Let's hope we have not just put ourselves out of the frying pan into the fire, I for one would not wish to end up on their scientists exam tables as one of their specimens." As much as Barnabas hated to agree with the man that so reminded him of his brother Jeremiah he spoke softly.
"As do I."
Bucharest Romania
In Route to a
Secret Underground Military Base
Julia sat next to the General while Elliott and Eric took a seat across from them. Julia settled comfortably and smiled as the General poured out champagne and handed it around to his guests. "We have for sometime been conducting top secret experiments on certain individuals that had displayed aberrant behavior and characteristics." He smiled as he watched them take the glasses and hold them expectantly awaiting him to continue his explanation.
"We were fortunate enough Professor to have an operative sit in on several of your classes you gave while at the University here and even managed to have you video taped so that we could study your theories and hypothesis pertaining to the supernatural and unnatural of the Dark Arts." Franco smiled a charming smile but what he had just told them that they had been experimenting on individuals that were probably very like Barnabas and Quentin.
"Do you suppose you could give us a better idea of exactly what kind of individuals you are speaking of as having aberrant behaviors?" She wanted specifics. She also wanted and needed reassurances that they had not brought Barnabas and Quentin to a country that was about to experiment on them.
The General smiled and for the first time she noticed it was a tight smile. "I am only permitted to give you some of that information my dear Doctor. You are here at a request of the Country's leader as a . . ." He paused then spoke again. "As a good will exchange of information. As for the particular specimens we have access to well this is a matter of National Security so I am sure you understand that we must b discrete to protect this information from being leaked to the populace let alone to the world."
Julia was beginning to see between the lines and read between his hesitancy to speak frankly. "General Franco. Allow me to be candid and speak as a scientist and a doctor. The quiet knowledge of what plagued your country has been known through out the underground communities for centuries. The first reason was to keep any of our standing from feeling we were being foolish to believe in such things as a boogeyman or things that go bump or kill you by vicious means in the night. If you are referencing the fact you have been experimenting on vampires, werewolves, zombies, and demons for years, then you must be reassure your secret is safe with us."
She glanced to her colleagues who nodded solemnly in assent to her statement. "We have known of your," Elliott spoke with a soft confidence of a man that had his information and knew of what he had spoke. "Your problem with the undead for years. I came here specifically to study the mythos as you portrayed it for fear that if the world found out that they actually existed you would be beleaguered or plagued with curiosity seekers that would ultimately have ended up dead or one of those legions you have been valiantly trying to curb or curtail. I also understand you would not want a vote to destroy your country in hopes of destroying the perceived threat."
The General smiled tightly then looked to the passing scenery outside the now darkening roadway. "Yes, we have captured approximately forty vampires, thirty werewolves, fifty zombies, and twenty demons. We have been studying them for over one hundred years hoping to find a way to naturalize them or tame them to use for a more shall we say defensive purpose."
Julia finally relaxed hearing that he was starting to become more forthcoming with his information. "I see, and what do you wish from us?" She folded her ankles over each other. With the folding of her ankles she also folded her arms holding the stem of the champagne glass in her hand.
"We are hoping you can enlightened us as to what we have done wrong by following your dictates from your papers. We have tried the serum you have published to cure a destructive cell but we keep coming up with the same problem. If the vampire is old they are aged rapidly and they need to be given blood to revert to what they were. If they are young ones they don't age as fast but they die. We are missing a portion of the formula or what is your intent for the use of this serum."
Julia glanced to Eric and smiled. "I believe we can help you with that part of your experiment but why do you need Elliott?" She finally took a small sip of her wine and wrinkled her nose noting it had a bitter taste but figured because she did not like dry wines even if they were effervescent must have been the reason for the taste.
Elliott sipped his drink wrinkled his nose and noted the taste was bitter and set the drink down in a can holder. Eric had already drunk half his drink but was growing tired and did not like the taste either. "The Professor has displayed success with exorcising demons. We have a very powerful demon that has control of one of the country's Prince's that is about to be coroneted into the power as a King."
"I see so you need me to expel the demon from the body of this unsuspecting Prince and then what?" Elliott yawned he was beginning to grow tired and tried to keep his eyes open.
"Once we have the rightful Prince back we won't have to worry about a world ruled by a Dark Prince that would wish to go for World Domination." The General watched as Eric slid to the side and fell asleep. Julia sat forward with a gasp and then watched Elliott follow suit and fall asleep. Turning an accusing gaze to the General she threw the champagne in his face.
"You have drugged us! Why?' She was now fighting for control to stay awake and was furious she had fell for such a simple ploy.
"Because dear Doctor we cannot afford for you to know the location of our installation and we truly do need your help and are hoping that you will forgive this small deviation of trust and help us." Julia heard no more as she slumped forward and felt her body caught to the General's body. She along with her two friends now slept the gentle drug sleep needed to allow them access to the underground installation. å