The Bloody Ripper (Leopard King Saga)

by T. A. Uner

  “I don’t understand; what warehouse?” Jack turned to Robert. “What’s going on here?”

  “You’ll never believe where I’ve been Jack, it was bloody amazing.”

  Jack chuckled. “Try me.”

  • • •

  They sat there talking. About Atlas, about Archon, about Vampiress, about the Grand Militia. Jack was not shocked in the least bit, after what he’d been through, this information was more relieving than confusing, at least now he could fill in the missing pieces.

  “So what’s next?” Jack asked.

  “The Militia is planning an operation and we’ve got a Vampire on the inside that is working with us,” Seamus said. “But we need help afterwards, to clean up the mess. You’ve got vampires and human collaborators in London that need to be arrested after we’ve dealt with Vampiress and her bunch.”

  Jack looked at Robert. “You think you can convince him?”

  “Swanson?” Robert laughed. “He may not like me much but he respects my opinions. Yeah, I can sway the old man.”

  “While you were gone, Swanson came here and interrogated me, Robert, he now considers me a prime suspect in those prostitute murders.”

  “Yes but now we know Vampiress is killing those girls, I’ll be your alibi.”

  “You think he’ll believe us? Without any solid evidence?”

  Robert patted Jack’s shoulder. “Leave that to me.”

  • • •

  Next morning Robert and Jack arrived at Scotland Yard. Everyone there stared at Robert as if he had risen from the dead; but afterwards greeted him and looked relieved that one of their own was safe. After explaining his absence story Swanson looked at Robert as if he had gone insane. “You go missing for over a week, show up out of nowhere, and expect me to believe this shit tale?”

  “It’s true, chief,” Robert said confidently.

  Swanson’s mustache twitched sideways and he rubbed his eyes. “A mythical planet named Atlas? Time-travelers? Vampires? You forgot to add the Loch Ness Monster in for good measure.”

  “And you!” Swanson pointed at Jack. “You were seen in Whitechapel last night. Didn’t I warn you when I came to your house?”

  “He’s not the murderer,” Robert interjected. “I can vouch for him.”

  “How can you?” Swanson said sarcastically. “Weren’t you busy chasing Vampires in outer-space with your time-traveling Irishman?” He called out for two Police Constables, when they arrived Swanson pointed at Jack and ordered his arrest, they dragged Jack away, who, surprisingly did not resist. Robert tried stopping them from hauling Jack down to the detention cells, but two of his colleagues restrained him.

  “I swear Jack, I’ll find a way to get you out of this mess!”

  Jack did not look hopeful.

  Eight

  Swanson ordered Robert to be released. The younger man scowled at both of his colleagues before turning on his supervisor. “You’ve just arrested an innocent man.”

  Swanson pondered Robert’s words for a moment. “Perhaps, but we’ll question him, and, if he is truly innocent, he’ll be released.”

  “I tell you he’s innocent!”

  “Robert, you’re an excellent detective,” Swanson began, “but you’re letting your personal feelings obscure your judgment. “Go home, relax for a few days, then come back to work, and we’ll talk about your absence.”

  Robert felt as if he had just wasted the last hour of his life. “But I’ve already told you chief where I’ve been. Are you deaf?”

  Swanson furrowed his bushy eyebrows. “Robert, I won’t tell you again, go home, before I’m forced to lock you up as well.”

  {2}

  Jack sat on a bench and studied his surroundings. It was a basic concrete prison cell, a pail stood in the corner while a ray of light filtered through the barred window, casting a white square on the charcoal floor.

  He had faith in his innocence, and knew he would eventually be freed. The police had no firm evidence against him. But he was running out of time and he did not want to be sitting on the sidelines when Seamus’ plan went into effect. “Bollocks!” he said angrily as he stood up and kicked air. It did not improve his situation but he felt better.

  “Having trouble, Jack?”

  Jack spun around. Floating before him was Seamus, his image outlined in white, giving the Irishman a celestial look. “Good God, Seamus, you’re a blessed sight!”

  “I leave you two alone for a few minutes and you get all locked up.”

  “Can you get me out?”

  “Hmmm…I can try.” Seamus’ image disappeared and the room darkened.

  “Seamus? Seamus!”

  Seamus’ image reappeared. “I’m back.”

  “Where’d you go?”

  Seamus looked worried. “We’ve got problems Jack, I just learned why Vampiress is killing those women. But I’ll need to get you out first. Stand back!”

  Jack took two steps back. Seamus’ image disappeared again before a doorway appeared out of nowhere. The Irishman’s head popped through it and he waved Jack through. “C’mon man, hurry!”

  “Is it safe?”

  “Of course.”

  Jack walked through the portal. He felt lightheaded at first but then his body grew accustomed to his new surroundings. “Took me awhile to get used to shifting as well. Keep in mind Jack, this technology, it’s centuries ahead of our current development stage, it’s natural for your body to experience side-effects at first.”

  Seconds later they were in front of the building where Seamus’ office was located. “Beats taking a taxi, ehh Jack? No need to tip the driver.” He said lightheartedly.

  “You mentioned something about information why these women were being murdered by Vampiress?”

  Seamus’ demeanor turned serious. “Yes, I hacked into her computer and that’s where I found the information.”

  “Hacked?”

  “Yes, that means I used my computer to infiltrate hers.” Jack nodded. “I see.” But the truth was, he didn’t completely. “Now, let me show you what I found.” They left the street and walked toward Seamus’ office.

  {3}

  The killing of the Stoker, Rolfe, weighed heavily on Vampiress’ mind.

  But it had to be done. She had to send a message that she was leader. She knew there were traitors amongst her. But until now they had evaded her. This was Ambrogio’s fault. He had grown lax and allowed Grand Militia operatives to gain a foothold in this cell. She was happy to have killed him and rid The Sect of his incompetence.

  Despite their expertise, it would take time to get the Hollow Men to locate the traitors, and the warehouse needed to be restored to a state where it could resume operations. That meant more corrupt humans in influential posts needed to be located and bribed in order to prevent detection.

  And then there was Jack’s fiancé, she too had a part to play in her plan; maybe she could use her as a pawn to rid The Sect of Jack’s interference. She had a hunch he would lead her to the Grand Militia. Vampiress had to assume Jack was working as one of them.

  So much to do, so little time. The bane of leadership, but she was determined to prove herself as a Section Chief to The Sect, and to her father. Her thoughts made her weary and she drifted off.

  • • •

  The days after Renault’s death were the hardest for Fiolia. She had lost her best friend and her twin. It seemed as if a part of her had died. While she had been re-admitted to the academy she longed to return home on leave.

  She had attempted to hang herself once from a tree in the woods behind her family’s villa, and failed. Instead of snapping her neck the branch itself had snapped. So instead of falling to her death, she simply, fell.

  The second time she had tried killing herself she had ingested poison in her room, but a house servant had found her shortly afterwards and had called for help. She had failed twice. I cannot even kill myself, she had once thought. I’m a total failure.

  Her father would have
none of her sulking and instead told her that she would accompany him on a mission.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “Bring your weapons,” was his answer.

  Their family’s personal guard escorted them. Fiolia had no idea where they were going, and every time she asked one of her father’s guards she got no response.

  They arrived in the city of Kant. A hotbed of moderate activity who had no love for The Sect. She knew there had been labor disputes here. Her father had revealed to her how the Viceroy had ordered him here to settle an issue with the Energy Guild, an organization that was vital to the survival of the First City’s defenses.

  The first Lord of Kant, a moderate vampire by the name of Xavier Nik, welcomed them and escorted them to the energy mines. There, the workers mined the precious ores that powered the First city’s economy. “What is the current status of the energy guild’s plans for strike?”

  Nik sighed. “It is to commence in two days.”

  “Have you resumed negotiations?”

  Nik shook his head to indicate that he hadn’t.

  “Take us to the energy guild’s main office.”

  Nik looked surprised by this request. “For what purpose Lord Verchase?”

  “I wish to question their President, and resolve the impending strike.”

  Nik smiled politely. “My dear Baron, that will not be necessary, I have already told you that the guild has rejected our offers. They plan to strike.” Fiolia watched intently the events that were unfolding before her young eyes, her right hand clenched and unclenched the hilt of her sheathed dagger.

  “No doubt because of your incompetence Lord Nik, by decree of the Viceroy, I am under orders to question the Guild President and come to a final resolution.”

  Lord Nik’s polite demeanor disappeared. “I would like to see these orders!” When Verchase showed them to Nik, the First Lord’s face descended into a pool of frustrated wrinkles.

  “Now, take me to the office,” Verchase ordered.

  • • •

  Guild President Smelt made them wait for almost an hour before admitting Nik and Verchase’s entourage into his office. He was a corpulent man with a row of chins that descended down the front of his neck. Fiolia could tell by her father’s solemn silence that he wasn’t happy to have been kept waiting.

  “Lord Nik, and Baron Verchase? To what do I owe the honor?” he said smugly. Fiolia looked at him disgustedly as his chins jiggled like pudding.

  Nik was silent, but Baron Verchase wasted no time in speaking. “You are currently close to engaging in sedition by issuing this strike, President Smelt. I have arrived to put an end to it.”

  Smelt laughed heartily, and when he did Fiolia felt the office floor vibrate under her boots. “By whose authority? Yours?” Smelt stood up. He towered over both her father and Nik, but Baron Verchase did not look intimidated.

  “By authority of the Viceroy,” Verchase said calmly.

  “The Viceroy has no right, it is written in Kant’s deed that the Energy Guild has the right to enforce strikes when it deems inadequate working conditions: the main shaft does not have proper ventilation, and my men haven’t received new safety equipment which was promised two years ago. ”

  “The Viceroy has sixty-two other provinces which also have needs, you must be patient.”

  Smelt did not appear perturbed. “That is not my concern Baron Verchase.”

  Verchase turned toward his guards. “Go fetch me two miners, and be quick about it.” Fiola had no idea what her father was up to, but she had a feeling Smelt would not benefit from it.

  “What is this all about Nik?” Smelt said. “Why have you brought this,” he turned toward Verchase, his meaty arms outstretched, “bureaucrat to my office?”

  “This is not my doing, Smelt,” Nik said subserviently. “I only brought him here.” To Fiolia it felt as if Smelt ran Kant instead of Lord Nik.

  The guards returned, with two disheveled miners in overalls. They looked at Smelt confusedly. Verchase turned toward the first miner, a man with one ear missing. Probably the result of a mining accident and not enough funds to undergo surgical reconstruction, Fiolia thought. “Who is the Vice President of the Guild?” Verchase asked him.

  One-ear looked at Verchase before turning toward Smelt, then back again at Verchase. “We have none, my Lord, the office is currently…vacant.”

  “So you allowed President Smelt to approve the strike without appointing a Vice-President to confer with?”

  The miner was speechless. Verchase turned toward the second miner, this one was shorter in stature than one-ear, and had protruding fangs. “What is your name?” Verchase asked fangs.

  “Mortimer, m’lord.” Verchase nodded before drawing his pulse gun. He fired a round into Smelt’s knee, the limb disintegrated into nothingness. Smelt, minus one limb, lost his balance and crashed to the floor. The vibration caused Fiolia to nearly lose her balance as well. Everyone in the room was in shock, except Verchase and his personal guard. “Mortimer, as an official representative of the Viceroy’s Imperial Office, I hereby appoint you Vice-President of the Energy Guild.” Everyone in the room was speechless. Nik’s forehead, a waterfall of perspiration.

  Smelt lay on the ground, helpless, like a blue hare caught in a hunter’s trap. Verchase turned toward one-ear, who was near tears. “What is your name?”

  One-ear mumbled incoherently. “Speak up!” Verchase said.

  “Felgor….m-m’l-lord.”

  Verchase turned to Fiolia. She felt her father’s shadow loom over her, and suddenly he was not the man who had sired her, but a stranger whom she did not know. “Vampiress,” he said, calling her by her Academy battle-name. “Draw your weapon.”

  “Father?”

  “Now girl….do it!”

  She drew her bow and nocked an arrow. Fiolia had a bad feeling she knew who the target was. She pointed it to the ground. “Father…I…I…”

  Baron Verchase pointed his pistol at Fiolia’s head. “You have your orders.”

  Fiolia could not believe what her father was doing, it was bad enough that the rights of these Vampires were being violated, even if the decree did come from the Viceroy, but now he was pointing a weapon…at her! She raised her bow and fired it into Smelt’s throat, the arrow had a disintegrator tip, which killed him instantly.

  Verchase nodded and turned to Felgor. “I hereby appoint you President of the Energy Guild; be sure to act in the best interests of your Viceroy so this unfortunate episode will not be repeated.”

  A part of Fiolia wondered what her father would have done if she had not killed Smelt. Would he have killed her? By killing Smelt she fortunately never had to find out. That was how she comforted herself, knowing she had completed an important task. But this was not like killing the Maratak, this was one of her people.

  She had gone back to the academy a different person, and when she graduated the name “Vampiress” soon became one that everyone in Kaotika feared. She had killed countless enemies, all in the name of The Sect. But she always kept Smelt’s death ingrained in her memory, as a reminder of that day in Kant.

  When Vampiress awoke from her slumber, she knew exactly what needed to be done. She ordered two Hollow Men to bring Mercedes to her office.

  {4}

  Jack watched as Seamus’ bookcase transformed itself into a strange looking device with various screens and flashing lights. “Compliments of my friends on Atlas, not their most advanced computer, but it’s powerful enough to crack The Sect’s network.”

  “One would think they’d give you an army to fight Vampiress and her kind.”Seamus sat down into a small leather chair in front of the main console and started pressing random buttons. “That’s not how Archon and his people work, Jack, they like to operate with as few operatives field as possible, that way, if anyone gets captured, the damage to the Militia is limited. The same goes for their technology, they can’t risk having their most advanced works falling in the wrong han
ds.”

  Jack appeared satisfied by Seamus’ explanation and sat next to him. “Now what was it you said you found?” Seamus’ fingers danced across the device’s console. Jack had no idea what this machine did, or how it operated, but it still fascinated him.

  “Take a look at this, Jack.” Seamus pointed to one of the screens, which to Jack looked like a small window with words on it. It resembled a glowing newspaper page. Seamus noticed how Jack was mesmerized by the technology so he read. “This is part of a mission log. The women who’ve been killed so far: Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, all were women that were earmarked to be taken over by Sect operatives.”

  Jack looked puzzled. “What do you mean by ‘taken over,’ Seamus?”

  Seamus paused for a moment. “The Sect operatives sent here were clones — that means they’re artificial life forms serving as human replicas — created to act as scouts and gather information before The Sect’s main cell arrived to begin their mission. The clones were programmed to assume the identity of these women as cover, so they’d assimilate faster into late 19th-century England.”

  It felt strange to Jack how Seamus described their present in past tense. But these were bizarre times.“There’s more, Jack, but you’re not going to like this.”

  “I already don’t like this.” Jack wiped the perspiration off his forehead with a handkerchief.

  “The Sect’s mission here to is to extract energy from humans. Thus, draining them of life force The Sect needs to help resurrect their declining population. Life force is priceless to Vampires, even more than blood since they possess the technology to convert it into other forms of useful energy. The previous Conductor of the train, a Vampire agent working with us, tried to stop it. Unfortunately he failed. But we had inserted Flick as back-up; a precautionary measure.”