The Nephilim Protocol

by Stuart Killbourn

  Armando smiled and turned toward the casket. Kate looked up at her husband who nodded and instructed the guards.

  “Open the casket.”

  The intimacy of the exchange left Gary feeling isolated from the ambassador – despite his immediate proximity – and isolated from his country and his duty toward it. He would no doubt be berated as soon as they retreated back inside the aircraft. Why did he talk about Escobar? Why did he speak at all? What answers could he give – he barely knew himself. More than ever, Gary wanted out. He no longer had the capacity to care.

  Chapter 59

  National Secure Archive Facility

  Julia stepped gingerly between the panels and boxes that blocked the entrance to the control room. Ryan immediately replaced those moved aside to let her in. He checked the barricade. It was secure and would hold in the event of an attack. There were four assault rifles to make sure no one else approached. Ryan examined Julia closely to check for weapons.

  Julia looked around. The control room was a jumble of panels and consoles with lights and computer displays. Stationed round the room were those apparently loyal to Ryan. Chris was there. He looked pale and nervous – near breaking point. There were three of the younger men that Julia did not know very well. It seemed to Julia they were the ones who had been selected and privileged – groomed for positions of authority within the Ark. She had always felt inferior to them. It was partly their attitude and treatment that contributed to Julia's chronic feeling of resentment. They made her feel on the outside. The only woman present was Andrea. She seemed to be holding up well. Julia knew she was cold and emotionally repressed. She might not have an appetite for violence – she relied more on manipulation – but she would do what was necessary when the time came.

  Five men and one woman. Julia smiled sardonically. It was not a promising starting point for a well-balanced, healthy society. Julia felt suddenly vulnerable – the barricade also enclosed her. Beyond the barricade were the insurrectionists. They were led by Josiah – a source of embarrassment for Chris since Josiah was his deputy.

  Julia turned to Ryan and studied him. He was calm on the surface but Julia could see his assurance had been shaken. Events had progressed rapidly and he would no doubt want time to think.

  “I brought some food. You can't have much here to eat.” Julia unslung a backpack and placed it in front of Ryan. Julia's words served to remind him of his desperate predicament. He was under siege and badly prepared. Something had to give and soon. Ryan had nowhere to run.

  “Thank you. Tell me, Julia, are you with Josiah?” Ryan asked directly.

  “No,” Julia stammered. “I'm not on anyone's side.”

  “Josiah let you come?”

  “It was my idea. I want to help … I mean, I want to prevent further bloodshed.”

  “Then take this back. From here I can open the vents and flood the Ark with air from the topside – I can irradiate the entire facility. Josiah needs to negotiate. He needs to bring something to the table. As ringleader, he will need to pay the price for insurrection. His life is forfeit – what's left of it. Thomas, told me he hasn't long to live, months at best, maybe only weeks. I have worked too long and too hard for this to have it taken away. My whole life has been about one thing: to preserve the Ark and the humanity in it. Josiah knows nothing. And I want the papers stolen from Thomas.”

  Julia listened to Ryan's demands. He clearly thought that things could return to the way they were. She was forced to admire his blooded-minded, obsessive conviction but she could see gaping holes in his reasoning. She shook her head slowly.

  “I'll tell Josiah. I can't see it personally but who knows. What are you offering in return?”

  “An end to controlled reproduction. People will be able to choose. Nothing else.”

  “Enjoy your supper.” Julia turned and walked back to the opening. One of the young men was staring her right in the face. For once, she held his gaze – not something she had been able to do. She had not noticed it before but he bore a striking resemblance to Ryan. It was in the eyes and the manner. She looked round at the other two. She saw the same thing. She turned back to Ryan.

  “These are your sons, aren't they? All three of them?”

  Ryan did not answer but emotion rose in his face to confirm Julia's guess.

  “Go and tell Josiah my terms.”

  Julia walked back to Josiah. The doorway was barricaded instantly behind her. All the way down the corridor Julia nervously felt guns trained on her back, dreading at any moment that she might be shot. She made it back to Josiah and the others unharmed.

  “Well, what did he say?” asked Sarah.

  “As I suspected, he threatened to kill everyone by flooding the Ark with air from the surface. He made demands. He wants Josiah tried for treason – it won't be a fair trial. He offered to end controlled reproduction. But Ryan wants to stay in power.”

  “There's no way Josiah's going to be cut loose,” insisted Sarah. “It's Ryan that should be tried for treason.”

  Josiah spoke up, “I don't care what happens to me. It's not important and I'm not worth condemning everyone else for – but I don't trust Ryan. If he is allowed to take back control, you can be sure that sooner rather than later he will take revenge on everyone who stood up to him. I can't let that happen.”

  At that moment, while they were gathered round talking and discussing their plans, the lights went out. None of the emergency backup lights came on. The Ark was plunged into inky black darkness. The revolutionaries instantly snatched up their weapons and made ready. The initial scramble silenced. A tense wait ensued with only nervous breathing to be heard.

  Josiah whispered, “They've cut the power. They must be planning something. Stay calm. Stay alert.”

  “Josiah. I can't hear anything.” The voice was Sarah's.

  “Wait until we know what they are up to.”

  “I mean, I can't hear the ventilation fans.”

  “Damn, you're right.”

  “It's happening just like Julia predicted.”

  There was black silence while Josiah considered options. Then he spoke, “We've got to finish this thing and take the control room.”

  “Wait, Josiah,” protested Julia. “Let me talk to him. I'm sure I can convince him to back down. Let me try. There's too much at stake.”

  Julia heard Josiah stand up and move back towards her. He whispered her name and when he found her, he took hold of her arm and gently pulled her aside so they could speak alone. Josiah spoke very quietly.

  “Julia, you can go but first I have to tell you something. I knew your mother before you were born. We were very much in love and we wanted to have a child together. I did a deal with Thomas to fix it. Well, when you were born it was pretty obvious – your red hair – that you weren't mine. Maybe not even your mother's. I was enraged with Thomas, he never apologised or explained. I'm sorry, Julia. In a way you were supposed to be my daughter but you're not. I couldn't stomach loving someone else's.” Josiah hesitated. “I can't explain to you what your mother felt. She felt violated. You probably know that one day she just couldn't cope and she walked topside. I can't tell you how much hatred I've had to keep buried for all these years. It was never your fault. You have to know that. Now that I see you today, I can honestly say that, if I were your father, I would be so proud of you.” Josiah was welling with emotion and his voice was strained. “If it's any consolation, I've practically adopted Sarah. I'm so glad she's your friend.”

  Julia felt her world churn. Josiah's confession at a moment like this shook her. Some of the enormous void that engulfed her shifted and settled. It was an explanation of sorts.

  “Ryan said that you only have weeks to live. Is it true?”

  “Yes, it's true. The radiation is killing me. This is my last chance to set this right. Suddenly, I no longer cared what happened. The imminence of death has set me free. They couldn't intimidate me anymore. And I don't really want revenge – it's gone beyond that
. I only care about you and Sarah and the others. What Ryan and Thomas and the rest were doing was wrong – they had no right. I just wanted to be a father and they took that away from me, from everyone. I hold them responsible for your mother's suicide. I could have done better but they manipulate everyone.”

  Tears streamed from Julia's eyes. Josiah was telling her the truth, she was certain of that. It was hard to process. Emotional lumps stuck and refused to go down. There were so many concerns vying for Julia's mind. She was thankful that Omar was safe. She was worried about Sarah – she was crazy enough to do something rash and get herself killed. Ryan was unstable and was capable of just about anything. She had to try to negotiate again, everything depended on it.

  “I have to talk to Ryan – I have to try again.” Julia turned to go.

  Josiah whispered after her, “Go! Do it.”

  Julia returned to the corridor leading to the control room. The two sides were at a standoff. No one moved.

  “Ryan! It's Julia. I'm coming over … to talk.”

  Julia bravely stepped forward into the darkness. She felt her way along the wall. Her heart raced with nerves. She breathed deeply and regained her composure. It was a long walk which she had to take slowly but she reached the barricade.

  “Ryan. Let me through.”

  “Are you alone?” Ryan called from inside.

  “Yes. I want to talk. This is getting crazy and dangerous. I just want to talk.”

  The barricade slipped aside and Julia re-entered the control room. Having made the door secure, Ryan retreated to scan the control panels. His voice was calm but in the glow of the displays and indicator lights, Julia could see he was increasingly agitated. Chris was oblivious to what was happening around him – he remained in shock. Andrea had picked up Chris' gun and taken his place instead.

  “What have you got to talk about? Tell Josiah to turn the lights back on.”

  “He didn't turn the lights out. We thought it was you. Wasn't it you? You have the controls?”

  Ryan punched some of the switches on a panel. Nothing happened.

  “Not me – not any more. What's Josiah trying to prove – that he's in control? We're not giving up. Josiah has nothing to offer anyone. He's as good as dead. What does he want? To settle some grievance – some disillusionment?” Ryan spoke angrily; he poured scorn on Josiah.

  “Ryan, the lights are out and so is the ventilation. There's something wrong with the Ark and everyone is in danger – you need to put all this to one side or we'll all die.”

  “We all have to die some time – even you, Julia!” The words were spiteful and tinged with jealousy. Julia could not work out why he was attacking her but there was resentment against her. Ryan became distracted. His attention was drawn to a flashing red light; an alarm buzzed. Julia followed his stare and saw it was a smoke alarm that had triggered in the food production area. Ryan hesitated with indecision, blinked and continued to stare. He tried to bring up the camera feed from the area but the link was not working. Ryan cursed. More sensors in the food production and storage areas were triggering. Ryan turned to Julia laughing madly.

  “There's a massive fire in the food production area. I could let it burn. We'd have no food. We'd starve – probably start eating each other ... or I could activate the sprinkler system. For a fire that big, I'd empty the entire water reservoir – it might not even put the fire out. Without water, none of us will last long. Either way, the Ark is dead.” Ryan's tone was chilling and challenging. His hand hovered over the activation switch for the fire suppression system.

  “Omar tried to warn us. He told us what they found in Zlatoust. It's happening here just the same.”

  “That's for sure. Omar's got a lot to answer for. I'd kill him if I knew where he was.”

  Ryan picked up his gun and moved over to Chris.

  “Chris, you're a useless idiot.” Ryan viscously struck Chris with the butt of the rifle. Chris barely reacted but was thrown backward onto the floor unconscious. Julia screamed. Ryan had become unhinged. He had hit Chris for no reason. Ryan started giving orders to the others to break into a wall panel and climb up an air vent. Everyone had to put on radiation suits. He pushed Julia in front of Andrea. As Julia climbed in terror, she heard gunfire from the control room behind. It sounded muffled inside the ducting but she had seen the results and could not help but imagine the effects of the fatal volleys. Julia was forced upwards by Andrea. Below Ryan was the last to enter and ascend the duct.

  Julia crawled out an open hatch in the duct. She found herself in a workshop she had never seen before. In the middle was a large vehicle. Julia had seen similar things in photographs and video clips held in the archive. Now she understood: Ryan was planning to escape the Ark. This was not something she had considered. She thought it impossible. Where did Ryan think he would go? He seemed to have gone crazy – he could be leading the group into suicidal madness. The others just obeyed his instructions without question. The vehicle was opened and his three sons starting loading it. Only Andrea seemed surprised by what she saw but she quickly accepted it and helped out. Ryan shouted instructions and waved his assault rifle down the air duct. The loading was finished. One of the men took the driver's seat while another called to Ryan.

  “Get in, Julia.” Ryan motioned to Julia with his gun.

  Julia hesitated. “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “Get in!” Ryan demanded more forcefully.

  Julia turned to the vehicle. It was brutally unfamiliar – perhaps it was most like a bus but it did not have wheels, it had a belt of interlocked metal plates. Inside there was room for up to ten or twelve people. The engine started and made the most horrendous noise. Julia clamped her hands over her ears. A bitter cloud of fumes filled the bay. Julia stood at the door but could not step inside. Ryan grew yet more angry.

  From the corner of her eye Julia saw Josiah emerge from the vent shaft. Ryan must have seen Julia's head turn and he, himself, turned ready to shoot but Josiah unleashed his weapon first. Ryan ducked behind crates and barrels. He had been hit but maybe just a scratch.

  Josiah was stuck in the air duct and could not break out. Ryan popped up and fired a volley that forced Josiah to duck back down. Ryan picked up a metal canister and rushed over and poured the contents – a clear liquid down the vent shaft – it was petrol! He was going to burn Josiah alive. Julia saw an opportunity. She picked up a heavy spanner from a tool bench and rushed Ryan. He saw her just in time to raise an arm and deflect the blow but the rifle was knocked from his grasp.

  There was a loud thump and a hiss heard even over the roar of the engine. The far wall of the bay was a door and it began to open. Ryan looked shocked – it opened directly outside. Sunlight poured in. Ryan grabbed Julia by the waist and lifted her up. Julia had no idea he was so strong. She fought to resist but could not break Ryan's grip. Together they edged over to the vehicle. He could barely see where he was going. As the door creaked upwards, a silhouette appeared standing in the opening. Against blinding incandescence, it was impossible to tell who it was. Julia knew. She sensed it was Omar. He had come to rescue her. Ryan caught sight of the challenging figure defying him. He cast Julia to the ground and faced the figure shielding his eyes with his hand. He tried to penetrate the searing sunlight. He stepped forward. Julia had to hand it to Ryan: he faced up to the challenge. He was no coward.

  “Omar?” called Ryan.

  The figure nodded, “That's right, Ryan.” It was Omar's voice. Julia was reassured but apprehensive all at once. “I'm here for Julia – you can go but you can't take her.”

  “You!” screamed Ryan enraged. “You tell me what I can and cannot do!? You took all this from me. It was your plan from the start. You come here and infect us with your lunacy.” Ryan's rage could not find an expression.

  “You were the one who went a little crazy, Ryan.” Omar was calm. “You let the power go to your head. If it's anyone's fault that people began to hate you, it's your own. You lost the v
ision.”

  Ryan charged at Omar. Omar braced himself and grappled Ryan but Ryan was strong and taller. Though Omar was squat, Ryan's fury pushed him to the ground. Omar kicked and Ryan had to stand back. Omar was back on his feet and rushed at Ryan lowering his shoulder to catch Ryan in the gut. The blow connected and Ryan staggered backward, winded. The vehicle lurched into life and careered at Omar driven by one of Ryan's sons. Omar just managed to throw himself aside to avoid being crushed under the steel tracks. Ryan snatched up his assault rifle and was now ominously bearing down on Omar, the muzzle of the gun probing Omar's stomach.

  Julia screamed out, “Stop! I'll go with you. Just don't shoot!”

  At that moment Josiah reappeared from the air vent.

  “Ryan, this is between you and me.” Josiah levelled his gun and had Ryan in his sights.

  Ryan turned to face Josiah.

  Josiah pressed the trigger and a volley of lead tore into Ryan. The sound of gunfire sent stabs of pain into Julia's head. It was terrifying and numbing. She saw holes open in Ryan's radiation suit. The holes rimmed with red – four or five across his body. Ryan stood still, captured in slow realisation of his demise. He teetered and fell backwards thumping on the ground.

  The muzzle flash from Josiah's gun ignited the petrol fumes dowsed on his clothing and around the opening in the vent shaft. Julia saw flames lick round the opening and engulf Josiah in an inferno. The workshop filled with rank, black smoke. Julia coughed and turned away but she could not get rid of the smell of burning hair and flesh. The stench repulsed Julia. She scrambled to get fresh air. She made it outside in time to see the vehicle driven by Ryan's sons start up again and roar off over the fields. The sound of the engine faded as it passed over the brow of the hill as it headed inland, away from the ocean, away from the Ark.