Warrior's Wrath
Chapter 5
A/N: Just to remind everyone,this story is very AU. Of course, I use stuff from the series whenever I want to. To those who haven't seen the season finale, no spoilers here. Obviously I don't own "Dominion" nor it's characters...too bad.
They rose up and hovered , dark shadows in the air. Bodies were on the ground, bloated in the dessert heat, mutilated by carrion birds picking on them. Anger,hate,loss. Snarling,hissing they moved across the dessert .The nothingness comes ...no...we cannot bear the nothingness ... The shadows heaved and crept across the dessert looking for an end to the nothingness...
After that chilling encounter by the gates of Vega, the archangels were flying near the mountain ranges that border the dessert. The physical signs of the trauma they had endured earlier had been disappearing.
No one spoke during that time. Uriel looked down at Michael whom she carried in her arms. Michael's eyes were still closed, although the burns from the electric shock he suffered have all but disappeared.
"Sister, please let me ", Gabriel made a gesture to relieve Uriel of her cargo.
As soon as he spoke Michael's dark eyes opened and without a word anyone could even think of stopping him he rolled out of Uriel's arms and started to free fall.
"Look at you've done, you know how he gets " she reproached him.
He was falling, falling too fast for comfort. The ground was closing in and his wings weren't opening yet,
"Damn it " she cursed as she made a downward spiral to catch up.
As he was about to hit the canyon wall. Uriel grabbed him and landed on a flat ledge of the canyon. He fell on on all fours as they landed, his breaths shallow because of the pain," I can't fly," he stated, puzzled, as he tried standing up again gingerly.
"What were you trying to do? I should just kick your ass and spare us all the grief," Uriel yelled at him as helped him stand.
"We already got our assess kicked quite spectacularly, thank you very much." He turned slightly to one side." I see you're still here."
Michael covered the distance between him and Gabriel, and held his empyrean sword against his throat,"Consorting with humans brother to do your dirty work,"his voice seething with barely restrained anger.
Gabriel regarded the sword with half lidded eyes and sneered. "Consorting with humans that's more your department. It was that little shit, Furiad, who would've thought he had it in him. Brother, I believe he's got you by the balls. How do you think all of this is gonna sit with your beloved humans, the Chosen One?"
Michael's serious expression didn't change as he continued to keep the sword on his neck.
However, Gabriel's words was the sword that dug deep into his heart. Right now everything hurt, wings, body, everything and it filled him with mounting irritation. The attack, the unbelievable chaos that's probably happening in Vegas right now, Alex. Is all lost now?
Michael's eyes seem to bore a hole through Gabriel's skull. "Brother",Gabriel said in that mocking drawl of his. "The Chosen One will come to me as he destined to do." Gabriel unfurled his wings and left.
Uriel moved closer to him taking his hand,"Michael, this isn't our world at all. No matter what you do, no matter how much you protect them in the end it's always been their choice whether to damn it or save it",her beautifully accented voice,low,soothing.
"It might not be our world Uriel but it became our war when our brother soaked his hands in the blood of a billion humans...I need to go to Vega now," he said quietly as he gazed at the setting sun.
"You're weak, you can't fly and I'm not carrying you again. Sit there and take off your shirt, this should work". As Michael obeyed her instructions, she took her sword and made a cut on her wrist.
The bomb hit around Caesars all the way north of it. A majority of the damage was around the V1 and V2 area. The marketplace was gone. Everything was just a confusion of rubble, people, smoke .
The one place he could think Claire would be, is Treasure island. She had students that lived there. Claire had taken to have Bixby come with her whenever she went around. Wait, today Bixby was scheduled to be released from the hospital. Alex thought for a minute and decided that the V1 housing was his best bet for now.
Alex was exhausted beyond anything but the desperate need not to stop overrode everything else. Find Claire.He drove around the rubble to reach the hotel. He parked the jeep as close as he could to what once was Treasure Island and got out.
Treasure Island was practically leveled. As he maneuvered himself in the pile of rubble and detritus ,the thought of being the so called Chosen One in the middle of all this seemed absurd. "Unite humanity.. " was his eventual destiny Michael had told him. "Sure thing unite humanity that just wants to destroy itself, we didn't need any fuckin' angels " he thought ruefully. He clambered over the rubble to get an idea where to start his search.
He looked up and the orange tinged sky was a baleful reminder that soon it was getting dark. If there was ever a time he needed help from the tattoos now would be it! He stood on top of a pile of fallen concrete and became very still and thought about the time the tattoos worked. He had been very emotional and in the case of Michael he was afraid he would die. "Ok, concentrate think about Claire! " His heart pounding, just wanting to find her to hold was no strange feeling, there was no haze, no vision. He squeezed his eyes shut. Why is it so damn hard ?! . Of course , Michael wasn't around, too busy saving the rest of us. He opened his eyes and ran his hand across his hair, looking around helplessly for anything that might give him a clue. Well, a lot of good he's doing standing around here. He slid down the a pile of rubble and heard muffled yelling.
The temporary seat of government for now the bunker or code name: Fortress. As the scene at the gates played out on screen Senator Rebecca Thorn made every effort not to just run out to Michael. She also made every effort to not just lose it right there in front of everyone else. Wheele, that fucking weasel raised a questioning eyebrow at her one point which she coolly returned with the best expressionless gaze she could muster. Although all she wanted to do was just slap the smugness off his face.
She turned her attention back to the screen that outlined the areas severely hit by the bomb as she made notes. She paused for a moment and excused herself and made her way to the ladies room. She entered one stall closed it and just silently wept.
Riesen sat quietly as he listened to,the different reports and updates. The anti air cannons destroyed in the South wall was a priority. Restoring order and preventing widespread chaos and panic was a priority. Making sure that the nuclear plant remained secure was a priority. One of the Agri towers was damaged. And as Senator Thorn emphatically pointed out earlier providing aid to the citizens of Vega was a priority. In the growing list of priorities there were ongoing arguments about what had happened to the city' s protector, the Archangel. At the corner of his eye he saw Becca Thorn return to her seat.
"How do we know that the Archangel still lives?"
"What if he's with Gabriel now?"
"Can we still trust him? What are we going to do without him? Gabriel will end us!"
"All of these concerns I had, if you remember were brought up earlier when we convened after that angel attacked. What just happened, unfortunately proved my point. Michael, if he still lives should not be allowed to return to Vega." He explained using his best mellifluous, evangelist's voice. His son William who stood by just squeezed his eyes shut.
Senator Thorn moved her body forward as if to speak. But before she could say anything, General Riesen spoke,"I hear your concerns Secretary, but we shouldn't be rash in our judgment, Michael and his sister did aide the city which as from why I've seen resulted in injuries for both of them." Becca Thorn turned to him slightly indicating she was very aware of what he just did.
"Hear, hear we agree" the others in the room concurred.
"Everyone we should just focus on what we have control right now. Our job is to get Vega back on its feet. As for the Archangel, I'm sure if he was here he would want us to continue with what we are doing. Let us adjourn for now," General Riesen ended the session.
He stood and walked over to the lieutenant in room "Any news of her yet?"he asked quietly. "No sir, the men are still out there searching, I have reports that Alex Lannon is looking for her too in direct violation of his orders,"came the terse response.
Riesen sighed in resignation "Tell the Corps and the military to let Lannon be, under my direct orders, and thank you lieutenant." William Wheele heard everything and thought about where this could all possibly lead.
Treasure island looked liked a giant backhoe ate through it. From the outside it looked liked a quarter of the building was standing judging from the facade but that quarter part did nothing to mask the immense destruction that happened. It was a blessing that when the bomb struck it was late in the afternoon . Most people were still at work or school. Alex took a deep breath and ran towards the yelling. As he began walking he realized the yelling seemed to be coming from below, absorbed with his thoughts he almost fell into a giant crater that formed when the top floors came down .peering below he found a place where he could jump down into another pile of rubble and continued walking towards the noise .
About 10 feet away there was another hole about 20 feet across. "Help, help ", several voices yelled.
He walked up to the mouth of the crater. It looked like this was some sort of basement. There were about 5 people down there. One of the men saw him peering down. "Hey please don't leave, help us".
Alex recognized him as one of the guys who sells produce in the marketplace. The others looked up at him expectantly their faces covered with soot and fatigue. Another man was lying on the floor, kneeling next to him was an elderly lady holding his hand. There was a young girl leaning against a pile of debris. A man also kneeled next to her. The girl's leg was covered with a makeshift bandage blood was slowly oozing out . "Can't you just find a way out follow this corridor.?" He suggested.
"'Tried that but each way is blocked with all this debris," the produce guy answered.
"Please sir, my sister is hurt pretty bad," the man kneeling next to the girl begged.
Alex sighed a deep sigh, all she ever wanted to do right now was just find Claire. But he couldn't possibly walk away from all these looked at the group assembled below him. Most were V2s, the produce guy probably a V3 or V4.
"Ok, we'll figure out something out.I'm Alex Lannon with Archangel Corps."he said as he stood up surveying the scene around him more closely.
"Lewis" said produce guy as he waved his hand. "These are Dean and Bella" he gestured towards the girl and the boy. The elderly lady just looked up at him, not speaking.
Alex nodded absentmindedly as he thought. He heard them coughing, there was fire somewhere down there the air seemed to be getting thicker. He was just hoping they'll have enough time. "Ok wait I have an idea. I'll be back." He assured them.
He ran back to the jeep and found a coil of sturdy rope. He grabbed it and ran back to the group.
He prayed that it would be long enough. He found a sizable concrete debris with its supporting steel sticking out . He tied one end to that. He threw down the rope, it was a couple of feet short.
Alex looked down " Do you have anything that could help " .
" I think so, just wait " Lewis walked to the back of the room and began dragging a small table to place beneath the rope.
Ok let's plan this. " Dean you go first you have to hold onto Bella.""
"I'll come up there first to help hoist everyone,"Lewis said as he climbed on the table.
"Yup that's a good idea."Agreed Alex
Suddenly there was an explosion somewhere close to them . The building shook and debris starts falling again and it was getting very hot.
"Let's hurry,Come on,"Alex urged .After Lewis came up they lowered the rope for the couple.
Dean tied the rope around him and his sister leaned against him as he held onto the rope to steady himself. Alex thought that it was gonna be hard to hoist them up but with Lewis' help they managed to pull them up.
"Go outside and wait at the jeep " Alex urged them, he was getting a little bit nervous about the floor they were standing on. They nodded and quietly made their way out.
Alex worried because, bits and pieces of debris kept on falling around them . The older couple was a concern because, though the man was still breathing, he wasn't moving and his eyes were wife was a frail little thing. Apparently, Lewis thought the same thing. "Let me help her " he slid down the rope . Alex saw him talk to the lady and then lead her to the rope. After he secured the rope around her, Alex hoisted her up. He sat the lady to one side,who looked at him with sad eyes "Please help my husband,"she said before a fit of coughing overcame her . "Yes mam, I promise I will " looking at her earnestly.
"I wish this could be faster" he thought. He didn't say anything out loud seeing as how Lewis was working as hard as he was for a produce guy he's pretty strong...
First he felt the heat , then there was a "whoosh".The room below was filled with fire before he could blink."Gas line!".The lady sat in the side holding up her knees and whimpered and sobbed,shocked."My Gregory,no,no!"
Panicked Alex gasped then : "Lewis!" he screamed the rope was still attached to them! He rushed to the side of the hole. He was suddenly greeted with a rush of air in his face, he blinked.
In front of him was Lewis midair, with black wings out behind him, the man in his arms. Alex ,with eyes wide open in disbelief just looked at him .
He landed gently and snapped his wings closed." I think we should get out of here,"said calmly nodding towards the shocked lady .
Alex nodded his head slowly, still eyeing him intensely,"Mam, come on, we have your husband, don't worry "as he picked her up and they ran out.
Outside the survivors were huddled around an emergency transport vehicle. They saw the smoke come out from the building but didn't want to leave till Alex and the others got out . As soon as they saw them, everyone smiled, and thanked him. Alex and Lewis helped Gregory get settled in the vehicle. Alex saw the old lady talking to Lewis. He saw him kiss her hand and smile.
Alex walked over to him. "Michael knows about you,"Alex said more of a statement than a question.
Lewis looked at him as if trying to gauge something. "He does."
"He lied to us," Alex said evenly.
"Do you really want to deal with this right now," Lewis countered.
"What did you do with her," he tilted his head towards the old lady.
Lewis gave a slight smile."Nothing, she's old and shell shocked, she'll say what she saw but I'll doubt if any body will believe her," Lewis explained .
Alex looked at the shattered building and the small group he just helped.
"Just go, Alex they'll be fine."Lewis said.
Alex looked at him, at that point he didn't know what to even think . Without any other word he ran towards Treasure Island again, to continue searching.
A hand grabbed Alex's wrist. It was the young boy he rescued. Alex felt the tattoos moving underneath his skin and the blue markings seem to wrap around the boy's hand. In his minds eye a was a red room,curtains moving in the wind, Claire's face in tears.
"Death is the true choice" the boy spoke in an otherworldly voice.
What the hell!? Alex thought. Death? It was as if a cold hand gripped his heart.
Then as soon as it came it was gone. The boy smiled at him, "Thanks for your help, Sir,"then he ran back to rejoin his group.
There was no doubt in Alex's mind the tattoos were telling him where to go. It frustrated him to no end that they seem to work at their own whim. If they were gonna be a part of him, somehow he has to get a handle on these things. When this is all over he needs to have a long talk with Michael. He briefly wondered what was going on with the Archangel and his crazy sister. Alex knew where to go now, all this time he thought Claire was here , but as his vision showed there was only one place she could be.
Inside the bunker General Riesen and Secretary Wheele sat in chairs facing each other across a small table. The room was small, smaller than any bathroom he had in his residence, Wheele thought, but it was the only place they can find some privacy.
"What's on your mind Edward", Wheele asked. Damn it if he was going to show his cards first.
"David what have you done?" the weight of his words fell like a sledgehammer inside the quiet room.
Secretary Wheele sat leaning back his posture relaxed his fingers forming a tent in front of his face. "Everything I did, I did for Vega, " came the confident reply, no denial, they knew each other too well for that.
Riesen stood up arms behind him, then spoke, "You are a very skilled politician David. But at the end of the day, who made a difference in this war. As the entire world cowered under the angels onslaught, I led the army in the only battle that ever mattered. Out from its ashes I built Vega." He let his words hang in the air.
"Really, Edward must you talk like your little buddy, Michael?" Wheele complained as he shifted in his chair.
"It is easy to equate physical weakness with a weakness in resolve," he stated softly but deliberately as he looked at Wheele. "So, we will negotiate with Helena, Helena though no small thanks to you, have displayed her might . We will vote on this, and you my friend will support this vote. I have your word on this." He said briskly.
"Yes, General, came the caustic reply. "You think you'll live long enough to enjoy a country of crazy women ...hmph," he yelled as Riesen turned his back on him.
Alex had called command again and they still haven't found her .
Alex walked through the luxuriously furnished hallways marred by some debris from fallen center of the Senate Tower was a large, circular shaped room almost like a small scale coliseum. Part of the ceiling had fallen in from the blast revealing the night sky, the room's red drapes flapped lazily in the cool night's breeze, as its shadows played against the room's muted lighting.
Looking around he couldn't find any sign of her. "Claire, Claire " he called out. Why do they make it so dark around here, he wondered.
He walked around some more calling her name. Did he read the tattoos wrong? He was beginning to wonder, he began calling out again as he moved into one of the hallways that exited off the large council room.
"Claire, Claire," the only response was the soft whistle of the wind coming from the open ceiling.
"Over here," a muffled response. His heart leaped as he followed the sound. It was coming from one of the adjoining rooms.
" I'm coming, keep talking " Alex answered as he ran towards the sound .
"Alex is that you ?" Claire's voice answered. "Yes,Claire it's me ," Alex answered.
Alex rounded a corner into another red room and saw Claire sitting on the ground ,wincing, looking at Bixby who was standing a couple of feet from her, her back towards him .
Relief swelled inside him as he ran forward " Bixby, Claire, when did she get released from the hospital...I've been looking all over for you."
"Alex...please ",Claire breathed, eyes still at Bixby. Alex saw that her left ankle was swollen.
"It's ok Claire, we're getting out of here, c'mon Bix, "Alex said as he moved towards Claire to pick her up.
"We've been waiting for you, Alex ", Bixby said.
"Sorry it took me a while..."And for the first time Alex saw Bixby.
"NO, NO..." He shouted hopelessly.
" I'm sorry Alex I wanted to warn you but she said she was gonna kill you if I did it. I'm so sorry" Claire barely whispered." I just picked her up from the hospital then we came here. Then the sirens sounded and we ran I stumbled and fell I think I twisted my ankle but I'm ok, Alex what about Bixby" Claire said her eyes sad imploring Alex.
He turned to Bixby. Her beautiful face marred with black veins. Her blue eyes now dark circles. Her teeth, sharp and jagged."Is that you in there Gabriel?. She's only a child please let her go, what do you want ".His voice broken, pleading.
Bixby's voice answered, "Oh, we all have our roles to play even the children, as for what I want, the voice became deep ,"your loyalty as you accept my guidance ," as 'Bixby' smiled at him. "But I'm patient so how about a little lesson first."
Suddenly "Bixby" moved and backhanded Alex to the wall. She grabbed the blade from Alex's waist that the Corps carries as a side arm. Then leapt her way across the room to Claire. She knocked Claire to the floor ,she kneed her back to make sure she stayed face down on the floor. Bixby sat on Claire's back. Alex recovered then quickly pulled his side arm out as a reflex. As soon as he did it it occurred to him,he didn't know where to point it.
" Bixby,please," Claire cried. In response "Bixby" just took the blade and placed it so close against her neck blood slowly oozed out.
Alex looked at Claire then at Bixby,The gravity of the situation weighing on him, What the hell was he supposed to do? Right now his insides just hurt. Was this some sick stupid joke! They already got hurt because of him. Now that they're better...
"Ok, take me, just take me, leave them alone! It's me you want isn't it !? You just want the tattoos ...so please just take me," Alex said in between hurried breaths trying to choke back the tears and kneeled in front of Bixby. His arms on his side.
"That would be easier wouldn't it. But I want this to be a lesson for you and my dear brother. The Chosen One. Alex you get to choose. I will actually let you choose. Something that nobody ever let you do. Did you choose to have a father that just left you ,because Michael said so? Did you want to be here in Vega? Did somebody even ask you if you wanted these blasted tattoos? " Bixby asked.
"Now you get to choose between her and cute little orphan me. And in case you're wondering Alex, I can remove what I put in. It's complicated Archangel stuff. Terribly hard... Can I just the kill the orphan,it's easier," Bixby still holding Claire down, placing the blade on her own throat now."Now don't you try anything Princess or I kill her then you ," Gabriel's voice spoke.
"So Chosen One ...choose .."
Alex kneeled on the floor. Claire looked at him, although she has been crying, her eyes told Alex how much she loved him. Bixby stood there holding her with the unnatural strength of the possessed and regarded him with what seemed to be like pity.
Alex looked at the gun then looked at them. " I love you both".
"Fuck you Gabriel."He raised the gun and fired.
The sound echoed through the whole building. The knife on Bixby's hand fell. A pained expression shot through her face. "No...no.." Gabriel's voice and Bixby's voice screamed as she fell.
Claire gasped ...the shock just made her wail, that painful sound when grief just rips your very soul apart...
The wind whipped around them. Michael descended from the roof. He took in the scene in front of him.
He dropped next to Alex. His face hardened like stone, his brow furrowed, his eyes widened with disbelief, anger,sorrow. He kneeled next to him and raised his head and chest in his arm.
"Why Alex?" Michael asked. Alex looked at him the wound was making it hard for him to breath. "Death is the true choice. This is my choice..."
Author's Note: Sorry I have not updated so long...
Seriously we need to have Season 2... Come on Syfy
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