Hero

by Richard Mann

  COUNCIL MEETING OF THE VAMPIRE ELDERS

  Deep in a cave in the catacombs of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia is a secret vampire base. A complex of rooms is carved out from the rock. There are rooms for weapons, bedrooms (vampires do sleep), storage rooms, a generator room and the council meeting room. In this room, around a long old oak table, vampire elders and nobility from around the world are assembled. There is Baron Titas, short and stocky, from Germany, Lord Aswerne from the Philippines, a tall and powerful shape shifter, and the elegant Lady Vesilia from England, who exudes charm and good manners.

  There are many others from around the world. Some of them are chatting, while others cast suspicious stares at their assembled colleagues, memories of old rivalries, and vendettas, still fresh in their memory. Count Cassian rises to speak.

  ‘This council meeting is in order. This is da 101st session of da Vampiri. Thank you for coming at such short notice. We have a quorum of twelve, so our decisions here today are legal and binding. On our agenda is the proposal to help da humans in their conflict with da aliens. Lucia, your report please.’ Lucia rises. Cassian is glad he made Lucia his second in command, her strong personality and strength are a great asset to him, and above all, she is loyal, not like some of the two-faced vampires assembled before him.

  ‘I managed to capture a Narzuk commander on one of their raids last year. I persuaded him to talk, and before he died, he told me they were a dying race, and needed new humans for their program. Da Sumeri, da old enemy, have invaded Earth, this time in force, to restart their destructive biological experiments. Their gene pool has become depleted, so they have come to Earth for new genetic material, to restart their failed breeding program.’

  Lucia and Cassian look around the table, trying to gauge their commitment.

  ‘As well as destroying the political and military infrastructure they have killed many humans. We cannot allow this to continue. We cannot protect all humanity. We are symbiotic to da humans, we cannot survive without them, our artificial blood bank project is a failure, we have no other food source. We cannot survive alone. Da humans will not survive this invasion.’

  ‘Thank you, Lucia. Why are they attacking in such large numbers this time? Six thousand years ago it was a raid here and there, snatch a few women, kill da men, then they were gone,’ asks Cassian, although he has a good idea of the answer he wants the assembled vampires to hear.

  ‘I think last time their needs were limited, to supplement their poor DNA. Now they are desperate, they are a dying race. They live on a dying planet. They want to take over da Earth, take our resources, our food, our mineral wealth, our water, but primarily to capture human women for their hybrid breeding program, to genetically re-build their race, at da expense of the humans. From what I can make out their women are all barren, they have all but lost the ability to reproduce. With each successive generation, fewer and fewer children are born,’ replies Lucia. ‘The prisoner confirmed as much before he died.’ Cassian smiles.

  ‘I was almost going to say they are an ungodly race but that would be rich coming from us.’

  ‘Maybe God has turned his back on them, like us…’ Cassian ponders.

  ‘We should not feel sorry for da Sumeri filth,’ Lucia adds.

  ‘Maybe we can redeem ourselves with God, maybe Professor Picard is right. I think we should help da humans. I do not fancy sharing Earth with da Sumeri filth,’ Cassian adds.

  Lucia agrees, ‘Neither do I. I like da humans, they have great spirit.’

  Baron Titas, an old, wizened vampire elder raises his hand. His leather jacket creaks as he puts his elbows on the oak table. ‘Count Cassian, old friend, we have survived these crises before, and we can survive them again. You cannot trust the humans, they don’t care about us.’

  ‘Baron Titas, da alien filth’s intention is to become the dominant species on Earth.’ Cassian, in a rare show of emotion, bangs his fist on the table, looking at each of them in turn, his eyes now a frightening shade of red.

  ‘They want dominion over Earth. They won’t stop this time, and remember, they drew first blood so feel no mercy for them, they will hunt you down. Don’t think you can hide in some dark cave. None of us can!’

  Cassian calms down and becomes more conciliatory. ‘I have detected a change in da humans, they are more open to talks now. They are more willing to trust us.’

  Lucia nodded in agreement.

  Lady Vesilia chooses her moment to speak. She stands up, showing her long pleated black hair and elegant, Victorian style dress. She licks her lips and smiles at Cassian. There is a sparkle in her eye of old memories as she looks at him.

  ‘Count Cassian, you have always been a reliable ally and a good friend - more than a friend.’ Baron Titas smiles.

  ‘England is no longer our home. It is red with the blood of murdered humans, it has been defiled by this alien vermin! This time, the Sumeri will stop at nothing. We have no choice but to help the humans, you can count on our support.’

  Lord Aswerne now stands. He is a half-vampire, half were-dog shape shifter and huge in stature – over seven feet tall, and built like a werewolf. The other vampires eye him warily as he is a close ally of Count Cassian. Those of them who oppose Cassian, and are even considering deposing him, now have second thoughts. Lord Aswerne looks around the table in silence before speaking, gauging their motives. He will speak to Cassian in private later. He now speaks with a deep guttural Filipino accent.

  ‘Cassian, my old friend,’ looking around the table again for emphasis.

  ‘We have not spoken for over twenty years, but you have always been a trusted friend and brother to me. I will never forget how you helped us in our war with the Spanish invaders, some three hundred years ago. And then helping us to fight the Japanese in World War Two, the secret war. But that was then, and this is now. It was difficult to get here from the Philippines, the alien ships are everywhere. Our country is now overrun with the alien plague, we have the advantage of the jungle, so we have been fighting a guerrilla war, hiding out in the mountains, and valleys, biding our time, then attacking, here and there a war of attrition. But I think we are wearing them down Cassian. We are using the same tactics as we did against the Japanese.’ The assembled vampires nodded, regarding Aswerne with respect. ‘The humans are so innocent, they cannot survive on their own. Cassian, know you can count on us.’

  ‘Thank you Aswerne.’ Cassian stands up and looks at all the vampires in the eye before speaking.

  ‘All is not lost – there is one who can help us. An ancient human warrior foretold in the Book of Prophecy. Caius.’

  ‘Pah old wives tales,’ grunted Baron Titas. Lucia grimaced and showed her fangs. Cassian continued. ‘We will meet him soon. I’m sure I can convince him to join with us. The sword he carries belongs to Prince Michael himself.’

  If it were possible the assembled vampires all grew paler at the mention of that name. ‘The one who banished the fallen angels from heaven. The fallen are our comrades. Can we trust this Caius?’ asked Vesilia.

  ‘He is our only hope,’ said Lucia. She felt a tear run down her eye as she thought about him. She had seen him in New York, she remembered him from somewhere, and he touched her soul, an ancient happy memory perhaps. A stone city, a grassy hill, the smell of lavender, a warm evening. She had lived for thousands of years and she knew she had she had met him before. But this ancient warrior had reincarnated now in their time of need. She knew she needed him. They all needed him. Humans and vampires alike. She broke out of her trance as Cassian spoke.

  ‘I think we should vote. All in favor of the motion to help da humans raise their right hand.’

  Six of the elders raise their hands.

  ‘Now against.’

  Six of the elders raise their hands. Cassian is furious.

  ‘This is outrageous!’

  The elders are arguing
among themselves as Cassian shouts above the throng.

  ‘I have da casting vote. The motion is carried! Let it thus be recorded. Lords and Ladies, please leave the room. We will meet again in four hours. Lucia, you stay, we have some planning to do.’

  Cassian sits down, hands on his forehead, worry lines on his face.

  ‘Lucia, my divinations tell me US President Wilson and his staff are nearby in their base in da Virginia Mountains. We must visit them tomorrow, if we are not to be too late. Time is of the essence. I should rest now, but there’s too much to do. I have another meeting, and work to do tonight!’

  Lucia touches her master’s arm. He is like a father to her, and she loves him like one. As she puts her arm around him Cassian almost smiles.

  ‘Cassian, go rest, I will finish tactical planning before da next meeting. Go.’

  As Cassian enters his private quarters in one of the caves he climbs into his four-poster bed and covers his head. The centuries weigh heavily on him, as he places his hands over his chest, closes his eyes and ponders the day’s events. He now knows who his friends are, and who are his enemies amongst the vampire clans, but he won the vote and his rivals have now reluctantly agreed to fight the alien filth: all ancient vendettas are on hold. The Vampiri are committed to helping the humans, there is no going back now. They must throw in their lot with them and fight the alien filth together, or both their races will die.

  Former enemies, both human and vampire, must become friends. That’s the rub of it. But can humankind learn to set aside their petty conflicts and unite in a common cause? Issues of race, religion, class and skin colour are now irrelevant in a fight against a common and vicious enemy.

  And one human holds the key: Caius.

  Chapter 63

  Vampire Moon

  It is night-time. The moon is full. Cassian is standing tall on top of a mountain near their base, the sky is clear and the stars shine above him in the velvet night. Magical. His mind reaches out to vampire elders scattered around the globe who could not make it to the meeting: Baron Alexander in Russia, Raja Vamdevi in India, Sir Elijah in Australia and Viscount Vinicius in Brazil. Images flash through Cassian’s mind as he makes contact. Pictures of old friends and allies, old rivals, old grievances, old vendettas.

  ‘Brothers and sisters. A moment of crisis faces us, the old enemy returns, da alien filth. We must unite and put aside our differences and oppose this threat otherwise we, and da humans, face extinction.’

  Baron Alexander replies, ‘Cassian, old friend, we are fighting a vicious guerrilla war here in Russia in the major cities, Moscow, Leningrad. That’s where the vermin are centred. In the countryside, there are very few of them, but then Mother Russia is very large. We will help the humans as we fought the Nazis in the siege of Leningrad. You can count on me.’

  As he stands there and looks at the Moon he is joined by Lady Vesilia, in an elegant scarlet Victorian-looking dress which touches the floor, her hair flowing over her shoulders, she smiles at Cassian and holds his hand. Cassian returns the smile, ‘Sweet Vesilia,’ he whispers. As he holds her hand, Cassian remembers the time they spent together in Victorian England, near Old Baker Street, walking in the cobbled streets of Old London in his elegant clothes, top hat and tails, and cane. She was wearing the same scarlet dress. She looked so beautiful, so elegant, she is wearing the same musk perfume, it fills his nostrils as he smiles; the memories come flooding back, strong emotions burnt indelibly into his mind.

  They had many happy years together.

  Could a vampire feel love?

  His eyes water as he looks at her. The night at the opera in the Royal Opera House, it was Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, he looked into Vesilia’s eyes as the opera came to its climax, the violins playing, then he kissed her red lips. He held her hand tight, promising never to let her go. Then she smiled as she read his mind.

  ‘Puccini,’ she whispers as she kisses him.

  But that was then, and this is now.

  ‘I have contacted the rest of da Vampiri nobility. They will fight da filth on their own turf. We will fight night-time when our powers are strongest.’ He touches her hand, then kisses it.

  ‘I am leaving soon, sweet Vesilia, but I have a task for you, a great responsibility. When I am gone you must look after this stronghold; also I have another task. In da strong room is the Book of Borossus.’

  Vesilia gasped, ‘I thought that was a fairytale - you mean you actually have it? Why didn’t you tell me?’

  ‘Some things are best-kept secret, my love. I want you to study it—find out if there is any other information we can use in our coming battles. Be warned, though, it is something of a Pandora’s box, it has a life of its own. Tell no one else, for they may attempt to use it for their own ends. I have put a charm on it to stop thieves, and this is da key.’

  ‘I will need to brush up on my Greek,’ Vesilia replies.

  Cassian’s eyes shine blue as he speaks. ‘Keep it secret. All our fates are intertwined with that book!’

  Vesilia’s eyes became watery. ‘Why are you leaving me?’

  ‘I seek the one called Caius – before it is too late!’

  The story is continued in

  VENDETTA

  DOMINION

  First Blood Series Book Two

  OUT NOW

  (Buy it quick else Vinnie the Terminator will pay you a visit

  – I’m joking)

  Sign up on my website for new book releases, free books, stories behind the books, competitions, news and gossip, sample chapters

  www.richardgmann.com

  Give feedback on the book email: richardgmann@yahoo.co.uk

  Follow me and Like my Facebook Page: facebook.com/richardgmann.author

  Join my Richard Mann Author Sci-Fi Group on Facebook

  Sign up for news and book releases at www.richardmannblog.com

  Follow me on Twitter: @richardgmann

  Search Dominion First Blood on Google and Youtube

  Amazon Review

  If you like my book, I would be eternally grateful if you could give a review on Amazon. To submit a review is quick and easy:

  1.Go to the product detail page for the item on Amazon.co.uk (search Amazon for Dominion First Blood)

  2.Scroll down to the customer reviews section

  3.Click Write a customer review

  4.Rate the item and then write your review.

  5.Click Submit.

  (Note: You need to have an Amazon.co.uk account that has bought something to post a review). After submitting your review sign up on my website for my newsletter and priority early bird previews and free ebooks. If you are using a kindle then I suggest you post the review from the main amazon website.

  Acknowledgements

  My thanks go to Dennis Turla and Jose Pepitojr for their help with the book cover. To my patient wife Brenda as I spend endless hours in front of the computer on my book as she gently asks, when will it be finished? To my son, David for his suggestions on various things. For Celine Byford, Chris Robbins and Kevin Berney for their eagle eyes. To Allison Wright my editor, you are always right. And thanks to Led Zeppelin for keeping me sane during the long hours at my keyboard.

  Appendices

  Cockney Slang

  Rhymes with

  Meaning

  Cream Crackered

  Knackered

  Very tired

  Pen and ink

  Stink

  Stinks

  Tom and Dick

  Sick

  Sick

  Bees Knees />
  Business

  Effective

  Adam and Eve it

  Believe it

  Would you believe it?

  Boat race

  Face

  Face

  Tom Tit

  Shit

  Going for a shit

  Alan Whickers

  Knickers

  Women’s Knickers

  About the Author

  Richard Mann grew up in being an avid reader of books, even from an early age he loved the literary giants JRR Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Frank Herbert and Douglas Adams. (If you like this kind of books you will love Richards books). He started writing at 16 and started a book called tales from Mellyms Tarc, with a character called Gluloidic. The dream of becoming a writer faded until a few years ago when he started writing again. During his twenties, he studied business studies and accountancy. During this time, he also studied Shaolin and Wing Chun Kung Fu and even started a school with a friend. He has worked as an accountant, Software developer in the City of London for banks and insurance companies, and is now an author.

  His mercurial work is action packed, fast-paced, and guaranteed to keep the reader turning pages to the end. This wholly original book falls within the Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic, Superhero genre with elements of thriller and horror. It combines incredible action, hair-raising scares, and big laughs. It will shock the reader into thinking about his own place in the world. Warning: This book may keep the reader up all night!