Chapter 7: Gunderson
Turkey
The heavy rain continued to beat relentlessly against the windows of the ancient castle, casting a somber atmosphere within the dimly lit room where Joachim Karel, the enigmatic mastermind, held his solitary vigil. The flickering lightning illuminated the darkness, while the rumble of thunder reverberated through the cold stone walls. Positioned in the center of the room, Karel remained transfixed by the tempestuous spectacle unfolding outside. Draped in a sleek black leather jacket, matching trousers, gloves, and shoes, he cut an imposing figure against the backdrop of shadows. His fair skin, radiant blue crystal eyes, and flowing blond hair created an intriguing contrast with his dark attire. As the last surviving Nephilim, he possessed unparalleled cunning and a burning desire to see his race restored, ready to go to any lengths to ensure their triumph over the world.
In the depths of his contemplation, Karel's thoughts inevitably gravitated towards the Lux Veritatis and Lara Croft, two formidable adversaries who had repeatedly thwarted his ambitions in the past. He knew he couldn't allow them to impede his plans any longer. Capturing both of them had become an urgent priority, a crucial step towards securing the resurgence of his kind and their rightful dominion.
A knock on the door jolted Karel out of his reverie, interrupting the brooding silence that enveloped the room. Letting out a resigned sigh, he placed his glass on the table and granted permission for the visitor to enter. A young scientist, clad in a pristine lab coat and clutching a clipboard, stepped cautiously into the room, bringing a faint stream of light with him.
"Master Karel, we have encountered a predicament," the scientist announced, his voice tinged with apprehension.
"What seems to be the problem, Kelvin?" Karel queried, rising from his seat and moving closer to the young man, a slight furrow appearing on his brow.
"Well, sir, we managed to extract some of Miss Croft's blood from our findings at the Strahov..." Kelvin hesitated, his words carefully chosen.
"Go on, speak your mind," Karel urged, his curiosity piqued.
"Her DNA... it matches yours," Kelvin blurted out, unable to contain the startling revelation any longer. Karel's eyes widened in disbelief. Could it truly be? The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning—Lara Croft, the relentless thorn in his side, was his long-lost sister.
A wry smile crept across Karel's face. "Well, it seems we must inform Gunderson," he mused aloud. With a nod of understanding, the scientist hastily retreated from the room, leaving Karel alone with his thoughts.
A surge of exhilaration coursed through Karel's veins. This unexpected connection to Lara presented a remarkable opportunity. He envisioned how he could exploit this newfound relationship, manipulating her into embracing his cause and aiding him in accomplishing his grand designs. The mere contemplation of what he could achieve with Lara by his side sent a wave of invigoration through his being. His mind buzzed with intricate strategies and intricate machinations, the storm outside mirroring the intensity of his plotting.
As the rain continued to cascade outside, enveloping the castle in a torrential deluge, Joachim Karel forged ahead, embarking on his next calculated move.
Surrey, England
Lara Croft's senses heightened as the sharp crack of gunfire sliced through the air, jolting her into action. She swiftly made her way towards the fireplace, seeking refuge just as a group of gunmen barged in, forcibly breaking down the front door. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, her heart thudding rapidly in her chest. Panic surged within her as she instinctively reached for her holstered guns, only to realize with a dismayed flinch that she had left them behind. Cursing under her breath, she felt ill-equipped for the imminent danger that loomed ahead.
The intruders moved through the house with the calculated precision of seasoned professionals, their weapons raised and sweeping every corner of the room. One of the mercenaries ventured perilously close to Lara's hiding spot beside the fireplace, scanning the area mere steps away from her concealed position. Holding her breath, she fervently prayed that he would not detect her presence. Her salvation came in the form of the mercenary producing a radio, diverting his attention momentarily.
"No sign of the bitch or the Lux warrior," the mercenary muttered into his radio.
Lara strained her ears, attempting to discern the familiar voice on the other end. Though it sounded vaguely recognizable, she could not quite place it. Fueled by an abrupt surge of adrenaline, she stealthily approached the mercenary from behind, swiftly seizing his neck in a vice-like grip and executing a fluid, efficient twist. Carefully laying the lifeless body beside her hiding spot, she ensured its concealment before acquiring the mercenary's firearm. Checking the magazine's contents, she deftly reloaded it, resolute in her determination to confront the remaining intruders on the upper floor.
Lara detected the voices of two mercenaries emanating from the tech room. One was stationed before the central monitor, while the other engaged in radio communication. They were fervently searching for artifacts, their intent clear: the coveted Nigrum Angelum. The voice on the other end of the conversation belonged to Gunderson, an individual with whom Lara had previously crossed paths.
"Download the files; we must present them to Master Karel," Gunderson commanded. "Any sign of the whore and her partner, the Lux Bastard?"
"According to this report, Kurtis Trent and Elizabeth Clark departed for Utah this morning, sir. Lara Croft is somewhere within the premises," responded the seated mercenary.
"Continue the search; I'll dispatch a team to Utah," ordered Gunderson.
Having heard enough, Lara burst into the tech room, her firearm at the ready, swiftly incapacitating the mercenary in the chair with a forceful blow from the gun's butt. The other mercenary, unaware of her presence until that moment, froze as she pressed the barrel of her weapon against his temple. Edward, a fellow member of Elizabeth's team, entered the room behind her, providing support in restraining the mercenary.
"Who are you?" Edward demanded, keeping his gun aimed at the back of the mercenary's head.
The mercenary's voice remained calm, unfazed by the perilous situation he found himself in. "My identity is inconsequential. However, my employer is a different matter entirely. He will locate them, you know? And he will eliminate her before she fulfills the prophecies."
Edward applied more pressure with the gun, its cold metal grazing the mercenary's skin. "What do these prophecies entail?"
Amidst a mocking laugh, the mercenary retorted, "Are you unaware? They speak of the Amazonian's awakening, and when she does..."
"Why does your boss believe she is the chosen one?" Edward inquired further.
"I've divulged enough. I won't speak any longer," the mercenary replied, defiantly spitting on the ground.
Stepping forward, Henry, another member of Lara's team, interjected, "He won't be providing any more information."
"We shall see when Miss Clark returns. He will then continue with his narrative," he declared, his voice laced with determination.
Utah, America
Gunderson and his men had meticulously tracked the movements of the Utah group for several days. They had received reliable information from their counterparts, leading them to this particular state where they had planned to execute a well-timed ambush on the house where Elizabeth and the brothers, Kurtis and Chris, were scheduled to meet. However, much to their dismay, the house turned out to be eerily vacant, devoid of any signs of recent occupancy. It seemed as though the group had either expertly concealed themselves or had departed long before Gunderson's team arrived.
The seasoned leader felt a surge of frustration and anger coursing through his veins. He had come agonizingly close to capturing his targets, only to have the opportunity slip through his fingers. One of his most trusted soldiers approached him, reporting that the area was clear and the group had indeed made their escape. The scattered empty coffee cups strewn across the room served as a painful reminder that they had missed them by mere minutes.
Unable to contain his rage any longer, Gunderson unleashed his fury by slamming his fist forcefully into a framed photograph hanging on the wall. The photograph depicted two young boys—Kurtis and Chris—both of whom held a significant place in Gunderson's personal vendetta. The glass shattered upon impact, leaving a tangible manifestation of his frustration. He proceeded to vent his pent-up anger by punching the wall, creating a gaping hole as a stark testament to his seething emotions.
"Get the men together. It's time we return to Germany," Gunderson commanded, his voice laced with a potent mix of anger and determination. The mercenary swiftly hastened to relay the orders to the rest of the team, while Gunderson retrieved the crumpled photograph from the floor. As he gazed at the image, his eyes burned with an intense rage as he addressed the two young boys frozen in the picture.
"I will find you," he vowed, his words dripping with a chilling promise. It was abundantly clear that Gunderson harbored an unwavering resolve, willing to go to any lengths to lay his hands on the elusive Utah group. The pursuit of his vendetta had become an all-consuming obsession, propelling him to unleash his relentless pursuit without restraint.
Surrey, England
Elizabeth and the brothers, arrived at Elizabeth's home in Surrey, England, only to be greeted by a scene of utter devastation. The house had fallen victim to ruthless vandalism, evident from the missing front door and shattered windows that scarred the once-pristine facade. Elizabeth's meticulously tended garden lay in ruins, adding to the disheartening sight that unfolded before their eyes. Elizabeth turned to Edward, Alex, Henry and Lloyd, her expression a mix of worry and anger, taking note of the injuries that marred their bodies.
"What happened?" Elizabeth's voice quivered with concern and frustration.
"Gunderson's men attacked us. They were here for Kurtis and Lara," Edward replied, his face etched with tension. Henry interjected, adding, "I overheard them on the radio. Gunderson mentioned sending more men to Utah, likely in search of Kurtis."
"The mercenary informed Gunderson that you were looking into my computer," Edward continued, his voice lowered. Elizabeth's smirk attempted to mask the gravity of the situation. "So, we just missed them."
Kurtis, consumed by worry, inquired about Lara's whereabouts. Fearing the worst, he anxiously scanned the surroundings. "Where is she? Have they taken her?"
Elizabeth, assuming Kurtis's concern, stepped in. "No, she's upstairs dealing with the last mercenary," Edward reassured, a glimmer of relief crossing his face. Elizabeth's mind raced, contemplating the fate of the other mercenaries.
Edward scratched his chin, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Ah... Don't worry about them. We've gleaned what we could from them."
A sudden dizziness overcame Kurtis as his Farsee ability transported him momentarily into Lara's vicinity. Edward noticed Kurtis's agitation and reached out to touch his shoulder, only to recoil with a yelp, his hand scalded. "He's burning up!" Edward exclaimed, inspecting his hand for burns.
Elizabeth swiftly intervened, explaining, "No, he's using his Farsee to observe what's happening upstairs." Concern etched across her face as she watched Kurtis, waiting for him to regain his composure.
The group followed Kurtis's lead as he darted into the house, racing upstairs with everyone closely trailing behind. Kurtis embarked on a frantic search for Lara, driven by a deep sense of urgency. Eventually, he located her engaged in a tense confrontation with the surviving mercenary, both combatants bearing evident injuries from their skirmish. The confined space provided little room for evasion, and neither appeared capable of withstanding another blow.
The mercenary, struggling to breathe due to a throat injury, managed to speak through strained breaths. "Can't take much more, can you?"
A hint of a smirk tugged at Lara's lips as she bounced lightly on her feet, adopting a combat stance with her arms raised. "Funny, that's my line," she retorted.
Before the mercenary could react, a loud report echoed through the room. Lara turned to witness Kurtis pointing the BoranX directly at the mercenary, who crumpled to the floor seconds later, motionless, blood seeping from the fatal wound in his head. Kurtis holstered his gun and approached Lara, assisting her in staying upright. Wordlessly, he guided her downstairs to where the rest of the group had congregated near the door.
Elizabeth gasped upon seeing the bruises and cuts adorning Lara's body. Henry immediately stepped forward, examining her wounds. "I'll fetch the first aid kit," he declared, swiftly retrieving the kit from the kitchen. Kurtis gently guided Lara to a nearby couch, and they anxiously awaited Henry's return, hoping to provide Lara with the care she urgently needed.
Surrey, England
Lara stirred, her head throbbing with a dull ache as she struggled to regain her focus. Blinking away the remnants of grogginess, she tried to sit upright, her surroundings still hazy. The memory of the skirmish with the mercenaries upstairs lingered, but the details remained elusive. Across the room, Kurtis sat on the edge of the couch, engrossed in a magazine, his coffee cup resting beside him. Upon noticing Lara's awakening, he set the magazine aside, flashing her a warm smile.
"Look who's finally awake," he remarked, placing the cup aside. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, thanks," she replied, gently massaging her temples.
"How are you feeling?" he inquired, genuine concern evident in his voice.
"Just a bit sore. Where is everyone?" she inquired, scanning the room.
"Edward and Alex have taken the deceased mercenary to someone who can handle it. Elizabeth is inspecting the tech room for any signs of tampering and she's gonna deal with the merc that is tied up, and Henry has seen to the brothers and settled them in their rooms," he explained.
"Good to know," she muttered, attempting to rise from the couch, only to falter and slump back with a groan. "Damn, it…"
"Take it easy, Lara," Kurtis advised, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Don't act like you care. Where were you when I returned from confronting Eckhardt?" she demanded, her tone laced with accusation.
"I don't know what happened. I was stabbed from behind and lost consciousness. When I woke up, I was in Paris," he explained, a touch of remorse coloring his words.
"And you didn't even bother to let me know you were safe and sound," she retorted, leveling a piercing gaze at him.
"I tried calling you at your home, but you weren't there," he countered.
Lara fell silent, her recollection of the events reminding her that she hadn't returned home following the ordeal. Exhaustion and anger had driven her away, rendering her too weary to engage in further conversation. Succumbing to fatigue, she drifted back into the embrace of sleep.
Hours later, Lara found herself in the training room, finding Elizabeth unleashing her pent-up frustrations on one of the surviving mercenaries. Determined to extract vital information at any cost, Edward had taken precautions to keep this particular individual alive for her. She had been granted a four-hour window alone with him, resulting in a battered, barely recognizable face.
"Tell me everything you know about the Chosen One and the Amazonian," Elizabeth demanded, her voice laden with anger and apprehension.
"Nev—" he began, only to be interrupted by a forceful blow to his stomach.
"Tell me now!" she shouted, her voice seething with intensity.
"Okay, wait, wait!" he gasped for breath, his gaze darting between the knife in Elizabeth's hand and the enigmatic fire disc hovering ominously around her. Her eyes blazed with fury, and objects within the room seemed to levitate.
"Master Karel wants the Amazonian dead because she will be his downfall, but there is more to this warrior that he fears... something he doesn't want her to discover. Master Karel is in Turkey. That's all I know. Please... please keep that thing away from me!" he pleaded, coughing up blood.
"I believe he's had enough," a voice declared, as Elizabeth's attention shifted to the doorway.
"I'm glad to see you're holding up," Elizabeth stated, clutching her flamethrower. The flames dissipated as darkness shrouded the room, and she landed one final strike on the mercenary for good measure before turning her attention to Lara, who regarded her friend in silent acknowledgment.
"Likewise," Lara simply replied.
"Let's go grab some coffee," Elizabeth suggested, leading Lara out of the room and towards the inviting aroma emanating from the kitchen.
