by Marc Lindsay
“No,” she said horrified, realizing she only had half an hour till the Harvest Moon ceremony started. Selene jumped to her feet and took off in a sprint towards town. She prayed her friends had already discovered that the person behind this was Ms Gaia and that the fate of the world didn’t rest on her shoulders.
Chapter 45
The fire escape at the Parthenon Theatre had been upgraded two years earlier due to a non-compliance with new fire safety laws. As such, Ms Jax and Ursula had been able to climb their way to the top with barely a sound made. The pair were confident they would have the element of surprise on their side when confronting their target.
The first person to reach the top was Ursula. Staying low, she ascended the ladder onto the roof. Even with her night vision goggles she had trouble seeing any movement past the large air conditioning units and extractor fans that lay staggered across the roof top. With Ms Jax following close behind, they spread out in an attempt to cover the area quickly. Motioning for Ms Jax to stop, Ursula crept around the air conditioning unit, her silenced pistol raised at the ready her movements quick and precise.
Waiting anxiously, her fists cocked, Ms Jax watched Ursula disappear out of view, fully expecting her to reappear on the other side. A tap on the shoulder broke her concentration. She turned in time to see a large, closed fist come crashing down into her face. Attempting to roll with the blow she was thrown backward by the impact, the dark figure advancing upon her. Moving quickly to her feet, she raised her hands to defend herself, the light from the street below glinted off the gauntlets she wore.
“She wants to play,” another voice spoke up. Ms Jax turned to see another figure walk into view, this one smaller, dragging the still figure of Ursula behind.
“Don’t underestimate her, she took one of my strongest hits and she’s still standing, not to mention she’s armed,” the tall dark figure advised warily.
“This one was armed too, not that it helped her any,” the feminine figure said in a static charged voice.
“Let’s finish this quick. I don’t want any other unexpected visitors,” the tall figure said.
“Will you relax? Ulysses is being taken care of as we speak,” the feminine one replied.
“What did you say?” Ms Jax said, alarmed at the mention of her friend’s name.
“I wouldn’t worry about Ulysses,” the feminine one said. Just then another series of fireworks lit up the night sky, illuminating the roof top and all its inhabitants.
“You!” Ms Jax cried and charged the unsuspecting pair, her fists raised displaying the brutal gauntlets she now wore. Strix was not ready for Ms Jax’s speed and ferocity as she lunged back in surprise. Ms Jax swung her fist in a deadly arc aimed at the avian hunter’s face, the only thing that was preventing the removal of her head was the intervention of Onyx. Throwing himself at his partner, he instead received the blow meant for Strix. The sound of steel on rock made a residing tang. Ms Jax followed up with a kick to Onyx’s midsection, the force of which lifted him several feet from the ground.
As she prepared to deliver the final blow to the still form of Onyx, she was kicked from behind by Strix who had doubled around to Ms Jax’s flank, waiting for the right time to strike. The kick itself wasn’t very powerful but the angle of the blow had caught her unaware, knocking her off balance and landing atop Onyx. As she scrambled to her feet, Strix was ready. Producing a pair of titanium tipped batons, she attacked without hesitation. The batons were a blur of movement as she struck Ms Jax multiple times, hitting vital points that on an ordinary human would have incapacitated or killed, but on Ms Jax, it was just pissing her off.
The speed in which Strix moved was extraordinary. Ms Jax had centuries of combat experience fighting in battles both on earth and off, but despite this, she was completely unable to land a single blow.
“Rraaaggghhh,” Ms Jax raged as she advanced forward, firing a punch forward with each step, only to be met by Strix’s back flipping figure and unnerving static laughter.
“I can’t believe I was concerned about you, the famous warrior Ajax,” Strix sang as she danced around Ms Jax’s attacks.
“I’ve heard about you too,” Ms Jax growled back. “Assassin, mercenary, no honour, just dirty work in the dark,” she added.
“Hey bitch, I’m not hiding now,” Strix shouted back as she launched a flurry of strikes delivered from the ends of her batons.
The hits were blinding her vision as she raised her gauntlets in defence. Taking a step back she tripped on an exposed vent protruding from the roof. She landed on her back, the breath knocked from her. Without missing a beat Strix jumped in the air bringing her foot down onto the exposed face of Ms Jax, who rolled at the very last second. The combat boot came down hard onto the roof, missing Ms Jax’s head by mere inches. Swinging wildly, Ms Jax struck the ankle of Strix who shrieked and flipped head over tail, hitting the ground with a loud thud.
Struggling to her feet Ms Jax rushed the fallen form of Strix, grasping her by the hair with one hand and raising her other metallic clad hand in a fist ready to deliver the coup de gra. She was stopped in her tracks by a burst of sudden excruciating pain. Struggling to turn from the agonising pain, she peered through blurred vision and found Onyx standing before her, a small black device held in one hand, his thumb poised on the trigger. A blinding white energy was pouring out of the device and into her. Onyx smirked and removed his thumb from trigger. Instantly the pain stopped. Dropping to her hands and knees she gasped in relief.
“I’ve gotta give it to you Ajax, you’ve more than lived up to your rep. Neither of us is an easy mark,” Onyx said casually as he indicated himself and his avian partner who was also getting to her feet, a look of anger and scorn on her face.
“Don’t play with her Onyx, just put her down,” Strix said.
“That’s not your call. She wants them both alive,” Onyx replied.
“Who wants us?” Ms Jax asked, wincing as she tried to get to her feet.
“Hold it there Ajax,” Onyx ordered, his voice wary. Ms Jax froze, her gaze on his.
“Who’s behind this?” Ms Jax asked again.
“You’ll meet her soon enough,” Onyx replied as he depressed the trigger, sending thousands of volts of electricity coursing through her. Ms Jax gritted her teeth, trying to retain consciousness. Despite her fighting spirit, both time and firepower were on her adversary’s side and after what seemed an eternity of pain, she blacked out, her body slumping to the ground.
“Check her,” Onyx said as he kept the black device trained on her still form. Strix moved forward warily and after a brief examination stepped away.
“She’s alive, her pulse is as strong as a bull,” she replied with disdain.
“Good. I know our orders are to bring them in alive, but if this didn’t work I don’t know what would,” Onyx said indicating the black device he held in his hand. Strix had already started restraining their two fallen foes. The chains and cuffs she used were a sparkling silver in colour and appeared slender, almost fragile.
“Will these hold her?” Strix asked, referring to the chains.
“They better. If they can tether a Martian sand worm, than they should hold her,” Onyx stated plainly. “Let’s hurry up and get these two below, it’s almost time,” he added.
Chapter 46
Most of the festivities had already played out, not that Jason had been able to enjoy it. He was sick with worry over Ulysses and Selene. Now he was unable to raise Ms Jax or Ursula on his comms headset. The whole town was present in the city centre awaiting the rare celestial event. With the introduction of free cider provided by the Black River Brewery, the patrons appeared jovial and happy. Children were running around playing hide and seek among the fairy light lit trees. Some of the teenage boys had managed to procure a number of bottles of the alcoholic cider and now loaded up with Dutch courage, were doing their best to impress the girls with feats of strength and bravado. Men and woman gathered in groups discussing work
, kids, the wonders of the universe, and what’s on TV at the moment.
On several occasions Jason had drifted into the darkness and changed shape into something small and obscure, like a cat or a dog, searching the outer lying area for anything out of the ordinary. Despite being surrounded by the entire township of Perigord, Jason had never felt so alone. Drifting through the crowd he made his way toward the library. Climbing its steps he flopped down at the top and dropped his head onto his folded arms.
“Where the hell is everyone?” he breathed.
A high piercing static sound shot through the PA system on the main stage. It made everyone jump, including Jason. The sound was followed by a heavy thump, thump of someone tapping a microphone. Everyone’s attention was drawn to the stage where a large, portly figure dressed in an immaculate navy blue suit stood. The figure loudly cleared his throat before addressing the crowd.
“Ahem. First up, I’d just like to say what a pleasure it is to see such a wonderful turnout tonight and as Mayor, how proud I am that festivities have been conducted in the spirit with which they were intended. So thank you all,” the Mayor said in a polished voice. His speech was met with applause and cheering from the crowd. “Especially you Lloyd,” the Mayor added with a smirk. Everyone turned to a skinny dishevelled figure sitting against a tree nursing a bottle of cider, obviously drunk as a skunk. The crowd cheered again including Lloyd.
“How long till the moon changes colour?” a young voice called out from the crowd.
“A very good question young man. The lunar event I’ve been told starts in exactly ten minutes,” the Mayor announced. This was met with more cheering. “Please enjoy the night,” the Mayor added and waved to the crowd before stepping down from the dais.
He sat there stunned. The words of the Mayor sinking in.
“Ten minutes. I have ten bloody minutes,” Jason whispered sitting on the top step staring into space.
“What do I do? Where is everyone? I don’t know what to do,” he mumbled dropping his head in his hands, despair taking over. Sitting there for several minutes, he was unable to move. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of everything. These thoughts and more sunk into his bones.
“Jason,” a faint voice carried through the crowd. At first he wasn’t even sure he heard it.
“Jason,” the voice was a little stronger now. The noise of the crowd was loud and boisterous but the name being called was definitely there. His ears pricked. He scanned the crowd looking for whoever was calling his name.
“Jason.” This time the voice was clear and concise. Still looking, he didn’t have to wait as Selene burst from the swarm of people below. They both locked eyes and ran to each other. Her relief at finding each other and the stress they had both been placed under seemed not to exist as they dived into each other’s arms.
“Where have you been?” Jason stammered as he hugged her tight.
“I’ve got so much to tell you,” Selene replied as she held Jason at arm’s length. This was the first time Jason had really taken a good look at her and he was shocked at what he saw.
“What the hell happened to you?” he asked as he continued to take in her ruffled and dirty appearance.
“I’ll tell you later. I know who’s behind this,” Selene said. This statement silenced Jason as he waited to hear more.
“It’s Ms Gaia. She has the Gjallerhorn and she’s here somewhere getting ready to use it,” Selene added.
“Ms Gaia? What, I don’t understand? How is she planning to distribute the potion and conduct the ceremony?” Jason replied perplexed.
“The potion, it’s in the cider,” Selene said much to Jason’s confusion. “The cider. The ingredients are in the free cider everyone’s drinking.” Jason’s eyes darted over the crowd. Everyone he spied had a bottle in hand. Men, women and children were all drinking or holding one of the locally brewed beverages.
“Oh my God,” Jason breathed as the full realisation sunk in.
“That’s right. The whole town is gonna go Jekyll and Hyde…,” Selene checked her watch and added, “In three minutes.” Jason pulled a program from his pocket.
“What’s this?” Selene asked as she took the program from him.
“Have a look at the bottom. I think she’s planning on performing the ceremony in plain sight,” Jason said. “There’s several performances starting in the next few minutes, but I’m betting it’s the historical re-enactment of Heinrich Perigord, on the main dais,” Jason said with complete certainty.
“I agree. Where are the others?” Selene asked as they both started to push their way through the crowd toward the centre stage.
“I don’t know. I lost contact with Ursula and Ms Jax half an hour ago. I haven’t seen Ulysses since this morning.” The pair slowly made their way through the throng of party goers.
“Are you saying the others are all MIA?” Selene asked shocked.
“Yeah I’m afraid we’re on our own,” Jason said grimly as he pulled Selene by the hand. They had just located the dais up ahead when a darkness fell across them. This was followed by a collective gasp from the crowd. They looked up to the sky. The sight stopped them momentarily in their tracks. The full moon was looming abnormally large on the horizon, now a blood red in colour.
“Keep moving,” Jason yelled as he continued to pull himself and Selene along. They managed to reach the stage, now under the glare of a crimson light. Several performers dressed in hooded robes were beginning their act.
“I can’t see her,” Selene cried as she struggled to see Ms Gaia.
“Me neither,” Jason replied dubiously.
“We have to get up there now” Selene instructed as they raced to the side of the dais and up the stairs. A large tattooed security guard blocked their way at the top, raising his hand motioning for them to stop. Jason changed his size, slightly increasing his muscle mass. That coupled with his momentum, allowed him to easily push the guard from the steps and to the ground below. The pair entered the stage where the four performers stopped mid step to regard the intruders before them.
“Which one?” Jason called out. Selene had a moment of hesitation. Before she could answer the largest robed figure took a step toward Jason.
“What the hell are you two doing?” the robed figure growled. This was all the motivation Jason needed. He dived at the figure, tackling him roughly to the ground. There was a collective gasp from the crowd as they watched Jason manhandle the robed actor. With his added strength, Jason was easily able to pin the large figure and rip the hood back, revealing his identity beneath.
“Get off of my son,” one of the other robed figures screamed out as it too pulled back its hood to reveal a plump middle aged woman in her fifties. She was looking at him in wide eyed horror. Jason stared at the woman then down at the figure he was sitting on. It was a kid Jason recognised from school. He was in a grade beneath him. The boy was big for his age but had a soft pudgy face. His eyes were clenched shut and his hands were raised awaiting the beating he suspected he was about to receive.
“It’s not them,” Selene said weakly. Jason nodded dumbly in response.
“I’m sorry,” Jason said, but the kid peered up at him and refused to move. It took Jason a moment to realise that he was still sitting on him and had a fist raised above him.
“Get off of him you horrible child,” the boy’s mother screamed. “He’s done nothing to you,” she added.
“Yeah asshole.” Another of the robed figures had thrown back its hood. An elder gentleman in his early sixties with a weathered face looked scornfully at Jason. “Pick on someone your own size,” the older man added. The crowd had by now recovered from the initial shock and people were now angrily hurling their disgust and ridicule at Jason and Selene. Jason got to his feet and tried to help the robed boy to his feet.
“Don’t touch me,” the boy cried and tried to pull away. Jason realised with shame that the younger boy had begun to cry. Despite the urgency of what was about to happen, Ja
son felt completely worthless as he stood in front of the crowd as they yelled abuse at him.
“It’s all just a misunderstanding, we didn’t mean it,” Selene cried out to the crowd as she tried to angle herself between Jason and them.
The crowd had started to call for the sheriff to come. The robed actors had left the stage leaving Jason and Selene to face the angry mob alone. “We’ve really messed up,” Jason whispered to Selene who nodded in agreement.
“What do we do now?” she whispered. Jason was about to respond when the deep resonating sound of a horn erupted from nearby. Everyone stopped in their tracks and turned in the direction of the horn blast.
“What was that?” Jason said mystified.
“I don’t know,” Selene replied. The horn trumpeted again louder and longer this time. The crowd that had only moments earlier been berating Selene and Jason were now transfixed on the sound and the direction from which it was coming. As the horn sounded off again, everyone began to shuffle toward it. Looking on in a state of panic, Jason and Selene watched the people of Perigord stagger away from them and toward a small stage erected at the far side of the festival. Their movements were jerky spasmodic. Glazed eyes stared at the small figure sitting on a large chair made of Wicca. The figure had the Gjallerhorn rested upon the ground and was blowing it slowly and rhythmically, much like a musician on the bagpipes. As the town’s people reached the figure they started to spread out subconsciously and form a perfect circle around the musician. Thousands of people all facing in, men, women and children, fell to their knees.
“No,” Jason said, his face beholding a primal fear. Selene’s face had turned an ashen grey.
“We’re too late, that’s the Gjallerhorn,” Selene said hollowly.
Chapter 47
The horn blew over and over. Every person within Perigord that had sampled the cider surrounded the small stage and knelt before the figure blowing the horn. Jason and Selene leapt from the stage and raced towards Ms Gaia.
