Revenge's Web (Kieran Grey Psionic Hunter)

by R. B. Fivecoat

  Damn I’d forgotten how big that thing was.

  With a menacing hiss it bared its retractable fangs. Poison was already dripping off them.

  Too bad I’m out of cannon ammo. Note to self, bring more ammo next time going to war.

  Full auto gunfire erupted next to me as Ren emptied the last of the ammo from her assault rifle at the beast. Unfortunately, just as I’d expected, the ammo had no effect.

  “Blind it!” Yuric commanded, growling in his power filled voice.

  I lost all control of my body. Reacting only to his voice, I pulled out my Walther and aimed at the left eye. The light-blue tracer line went straight into the eye. Sticky fluids erupted from the damaged eye when it exploded.

  “Don’t do that!” I screamed at Yuric. He just stared at me with those bloody orbs. I hated not being in control of myself.

  The cobra was only half blinded. I tried to shoot out the other eye. Each time it either dogged or blinked, stopping the bullet. I switched to the pulse guns. Launching a barrage of blue-white charged plasma at the beast. It took over a dozen hits before it started to waver. I started to shoot again when Yuric interrupted.

  He grabbed my shoulder and pushed me towards the door. “Go. Stop Jacob. I will handle this pest.” Yuric reached under his cloak and pulled out a wicked looking jagged sword. He had that hidden under his coat the entire time?

  “We will stop it,” Ash added raising the straight blades I’d given her earlier that were each as long as my forearm. She’s damn good with the knives. Suppose I’d get in trouble if I gave her a set?

  Sorrow spread her wings and flew straight at the beast wielding a pair of short double-bladed axes I’d never noticed that she’d had hidden behind her back, underneath her wings.

  Ren moved behind me, keeping me between her and the cobra. She made it clear that she was not staying. Fine by me. With a nod, Ren and I entered the hallway to sub-reactor B.

  Chapter 27

  The reactor staging room we entered was nothing but a huge empty cargo hold. Well, empty except for the bank of computers on the far wall. Oh yeah, and then there were the hostages shackled to the floor in the center of the room. Marsala, Tanaka and a man in his late seventies were being held by some sort of medieval looking metal stocks around their necks and arms. Is the old man Doc? I had never actually met him before. Emmy, Vicki, and Cassie were shackled to metal chairs. Everyone was bruised up and looked worse for wear as they struggled to free themselves. And then there was Cassie.

  Memory of Cassie having her face torn apart flooded my mind, bringing tears to my eyes. She was slumped down in the chair unconscious. Red marks crossed her face. A weight was lifted from me as I realized she was healing. That angelic face of hers would be fine once I got her out of there. The rest of her was questionable. Her clothes were shredded and covered in drying blood. She still had open wounds across her chest and abdomen.

  What all had they done to her? Speaking of them, where were they?

  “Kieran! Get us out of here before they return! We can help you if we’re free!” Tanaka ordered as soon as he saw me.

  Sh’right, like I am going to help out that traitor!

  Scanning the room with gun in hand I made my way to Cassie first. Ren kept watch by the main door. There were two other doors out of the room. I needed another pair of eyes I could trust.

  “Free my hand and I’ll help heal Cassie. She can help you,” Vicki nodded to her. She had read my mind.

  I moved behind them. Vicki’s hands were held behind her by a simple pin in her shackles that connected them to the chair. I pulled out the pin. Immediately she placed her hand on Cassie’s shoulder and started to use her healing powers. I undid the other shackles holding Vicki. She moved to kneel by Cassie, giving the child all her focus.

  Vicki may not be the best in a fight, but she is a shifter and a healer. That has to count for something.

  Next I went to work on Cassie’s bonds. They were some sort of sophisticated magnetic locks. I couldn’t open them. Pulling out my sword with my free hand, I used it to cut off one of the shackles around her arm. Even with my specially sharpened sword the cutting was slow. I only had the first shackle off before I heard a new noise.

  The side door slid open with a pneumatic hiss. Then the mother of all assholes stepped into the room with his waist-long jet-black hair flowing freely around his designer suit. The sharp nose and narrow eyes were easy to recognized, but the scar on his cheek confirmed it to me.

  JACOB!!!

  He strolled in like he owned the place. I never gave any warning. The single silent shot was strangely deafening in the large enclosed room. His chest bulged then exploded in a rain of thick fluids before he even had time to know I’d shot him. The world went into slow motion for me as I watched him fall.

  It’s over! Finally over! I just killed the vampire that started this entire mess!

  * * *

  I was about to let out a cry of victory, when a hairy, white hand flew into my face from out of nowhere, throwing me across the room.

  The white werewolf jumped on me ripping off my weapons and throwing them across the room before I could stop him with my shields. It took all my concentration to keep the werewolf from tearing me apart. I could see Ren trying to get a clear shot out of the corner of my eye. The wolf noticed as well. It grabbed me and started rolling us back and forth on the ground. There was no way she could get off a clean shot. I was pretty sure that I would survive a shot from the explosive ammo, but I wasn’t positive. My shields were already pushed to the max as it was.

  She must of thought the same thing, since she hesitated and then moved closer towards Marsala. I watched her while I was rolling on the floor, as she started to free the giant.

  Traitor or not he should be able to flatten this wolf.

  The thought hit me then like a freight train falling from orbit. I was fighting the white werewolf, healing bloody gunshot wound clearly visible on its shoulder. All the while Tanaka was still restrained in the middle of the room.

  What in the hell is going on? Isn’t Tanaka the white werewolf? Wasn’t he the traitor?

  “Free me,” a voice said with that same power Yuric used. A voice that I suddenly remembered all too well. It was that same creepy voice from the tape we had recovered of that girl’s rape weeks before. The same voice I’d heard in Emmy’s office calling me an abomination my second day as Kieran. I glanced up at the old man. Then I saw the ring. On his index finger was a gold ring with a gem that glowed like it was on fire. The same exact ring the cameraman wore that had made that nightmarish tape.

  It’s a trap!!! We were tricked!

  I struggled to scream a warning as the werewolf slammed his furry hand over my mouth. Ren stood there like a zombie for a second before turning to the old man. He was smiling as Ren left Marsala and walked towards him in a daze. She started to release Doc.

  Now why do I have a bad feeling about this?

  As soon as he was free he grabbed Ren by the head with both hands. I was having trouble seeing what happened with the werewolf rolling me across the floor, but I could clearly hear Ren screaming.

  “Fucking clairvoyant bitch!” Doc cursed.

  In mid-roll I pushed off of the floor with my shields, flying straight to the ceiling. I twisted halfway up so that the werewolf slammed into the ceiling first. Then I pushed against him with all my strength, tearing myself out of its grasp. We plummeted to the floor on opposite sides of the room. I quickly scanned around and found Ren on the floor by Marsala not moving.

  I rushed to her side. She was lightly babbling incoherently.

  “What happened?”

  “THIS!!!” Doc screamed from behind me as he grabbed for my head.

  I tried to duck and move out of the way, but was stopped. Stopped by the immense hand of Marsala closing around me.

  WHAT!?! When did he get his hand free?

  He held me as Doc reached out for me.

  I sooo do not want him touching me
!

  His hands rested against my shields. I used all my power to push against both of them. Suddenly I felt something like searing-hot needles that were digging through my shields and into my brain.

  I screamed, Doc’s hands on my head. The needles pushed inside me and began to burn away at my memories.

  He’s erasing my mind! Doc’s a psionic?! All this time and we had the wrong guy! Jacob didn’t erase Kieran’s mind, it was Doc!!! But, Marsala’s a traitor too?! The world started spinning away.

  “No! I won’t do this!” Marsala released me.

  The needles slid out of my mind as I fell. I felt like I was going to be sick. The world was swimming too fast for me to think straight. I felt hands on me lifting me up into the stock that held Doc earlier. A second later I passed out.

  At least I didn’t throw up.

  * * *

  I blinked away trying to force myself to focus. My head was pounding like a marching band. Apparently the painkillers had worn off. The first thing I realized was that I couldn’t call my shields. They were gone!

  What happened?! Why can’t I use my shields?! Did Doc take away my psionics?! Is that even possible? So, how long was I out this time?

  I struggled to glance around. My head and arms were held in place by the stocks. I could see Doc standing over the fallen Jacob. The werewolf paced the floor in front of us.

  I’m not sure, but I think he looks hungry.

  Tanaka must have seen me moving out of the corner of his eye. “Ren is still out of it at your feet. Vicki has been restrained again, as have you. But I bet you knew that already. You’ve only been out a few minutes.”

  “I did not ask for a SITREP from you Tanaka,” I growled at him even though I could barely make out where he was beside me.

  He had to be the traitor. So, why’s he in the same room as the white werewolf? And why does it sound like he’s trying to help me? It doesn’t make sense.

  Doc mumbled something and the wolf went to him. They were both looking at Jacob’s corpse. Marsala’s hand suddenly slid down my back and was feeling around my ass.

  Of all the nerve! Copping a feel at a time like this, especially after he turned on me! If I could have turned my head I would’ve given him the most evil look in the history of man. When I get out of this thing I’m going to royally kick his ass!

  His massive hand raised up filling my vision. He had painkillers and hydro-gel smeared on his fingers. He must’ve dug them out of my belt-pack. Before I could say anything he forced his oversized fingers into my mouth. The painkillers dissolved instantly, but he had too much hydro on his fingers. It suddenly felt like I drank a gallon of water. I spit out the rest of the gel quickly to keep from drowning.

  “There is more going on here then you know. Please do not judge until you know the facts. Soon all will be made clear,” Marsala whispered.

  All will be made clear? Don’t judge? You obviously turned on me. No question there. Bastard!

  “Why would you care traitor?!” I hissed at him.

  “I can help you. If you’ll let me.”

  “Huh? Help me what? Die faster?”

  With that I felt his hand sliding up under my shirt–my turtleneck had mysteriously disappeared. Damn pervert! I struggled with no avail to raise my shields and stop his hand. I even tried to kick him, but I missed. The oversized fingers closed around the knife clipped to my bra. With a tug the knife came loose. It came loose by painfully ripping my bra off with it. I had the knife clipped on so that you had to pull it up to get it off, not down. Thankfully my shirt fell back down covering my now free breasts.

  Somehow I just think it would be unprofessional to fight with my tits showing.

  I heard the blade open.

  Oh great my traitor is now armed and I can’t stop him from slitting my throat!

  There was a noise like stabbing a knife through a soda can. Metal scrapped against metal. Suddenly a burning pain flared on the side of my left wrist. Then I felt the blood start pouring down my arm.

  The son of a bitch cut me!

  I started to complain when I felt the folded closed knife being pressed into my left hand. Cut me then give me the weapon?! What kind of crazy shit is this?! And what happened to my bra? It did come off with the knife you know! Don’t tell me he’s keeping it for himself. Eeeww!

  “I cut one of the locks on your restraint. You should be able to use your shields and break free of the other one,” he whispered at me again.

  “You also cut my wrist you prick!”

  “Sorry. I can’t really see you from here.”

  The white werewolf returned to pace in front of us again. Well, if Marsala was on my side, and if I had my shield powers it was a good plan. Too bad there’s so much if in my life. I hope that the knife is hidden in my hand. I’d hate to be disarmed again.

  “So what now Doc? You seem to have an advantage now. Was this how you got Kieran last time? You trick her and then erase her memories too? Why don’t you release me and fight me like a man?” I let myself sound as pissed as I really was.

  “You would like that wouldn’t you Kevin? You know everything was going fine until you showed up and destroyed all our plans. If only poor Dr. Grey would have accepted her sisters passing like she was supposed to and not meddled, then our empire would be complete!”

  Does everyone know who I used to be? So much for keeping secrets. Wait, did he say empire? Someone isn’t playing with a full deck.

  “What did you do to MY SISTER YOU BASTARD?!?!” I could hear the tears in Emmy’s voice.

  “Why not ask her yourself?”

  Okay, that proves it, he is definitely insane!

  The side door whooshed open again. A familiar looking girl stepped into the room. She was dressed like a punk-rock-hooker from the 80's. Neon-purple fishnet stockings with lace up stiletto heeled ankle boots and a leather micromini with matching bra under a leather bikers jacket. Her hair was short, spiky, and dyed bright a neon-purple that matched the stockings. She smacked her gum, smiling behind her sunglasses as she sauntered into the room with an exaggerated roll of her hips.

  “Miss me Big Sister?”

  That’s my voice! She spoke, but it was my voice!

  She turned to face us and took off her sunglasses. Her eyes were the same glowing violet as mine!

  “Kieran?” Emmy asked, tear filled voice shaking.

  “Oh please! I dropped that dreadful name long ago. Call me Vixen!” she announced with pride and another roll of her hips.

  An 80's-punk-hooker-reject called “Vixen”. Did I suddenly miss when we all were transported into a low-budget B-movie? Or would this qualify as a low-budget porn? She was certainly dressed the part.

  “Alright, I’m confused–” I admitted.

  Purple Hair interrupted me. “Naturally, and how dare you even think you could pull off being me! This is fun though. It’s like a reunion. My ex-lovers and old friends. How’s it hanging Marsala? You aren’t still helping Doc in the hopes of winning me back are you?”

  “Not anymore.”

  “Aw. . . . You still mad at me leaving you for Jacob? Honey, please! I was only with you to learn the secret ins of the vampires so I could get my claws into Targ.”

  Claws? How . . . appropriate.

  “If you’re Kieran, who’s that?” Tanaka asked pointing at me with a shackled finger.

  “Oh that old thing? That, my lover, is the miracle of modern cloning.”

  “You’re a clone?” I asked.

  “Ha! Idiot! You’re the clone, stupid! I had myself cloned and dropped off without memory implants, so that dear old sweet sister would think I was dead, and leave me the fuck alone! Had no idea she would be ballsey enough to do a mind transfer though. So here you are, pretending to be me, fucking up all the hard work my little Jakey-poo went through for me. You even destroyed his decoy. He’ll be pissed at that.”

  Jakey-poo? Damn! I killed a fake Jacob? No wonder it was so easy. So Kieran herself was actually her own trai
tor? How confusing. This has to be tearing Emmy apart.

  “My Jakey-poo is building me an empire. An empire that I alone will rule! An empire that I will use to rule the entire world! BWAAAHAHA!!!”

  Evil laugh, check. Delusions of grandeur, check. Creepy henchmen, check. Plans to rule the world, check. Alright folks we have a winner for villain of the year! About now is when the hero of the movie would do something spectacular to save the day, right? Too bad I’m the hero.

  “Kieran don’t do this! Don’t let Jacob and Doc control you! You are stronger than them!” Emmy was pleading through her tears.

  “Pah! You’re right, I am stronger than them. You think they control me? Please! I was the one that brought Jacob here. I was the one that had Doc put his talents to real use. I was the one that found Terric and brought him back to life! Oh, allow me to introduce my enforcer. Terric!”

  The side door opened again. Four huge hands stretched out of the darkness, grabbing hold of the doorframe. Then the head of the arachnataur emerged, blank eyes blinking at the lights. It crawled through the door and straight up the wall in the corner.

  We’re in real trouble now!

  Everyone in the room started screaming. Everyone except Doc and Vixen. They were laughing away. Things had gone from bad to worse. I decided to try a new tactic.

  “Marsala, my shields aren’t working,” I whispered out of the side of my mouth towards him.

  He just grunted.

  I’m taking a chance telling him, but since he broke off one lock and he has a hand free, maybe he can break my restraint the rest of the way. Besides, traitor or not, we need help.

  “Shadow! I grow tired of this. Kill my worthless clone first!”

  The werewolf started to drool as it stepped towards me.

  Wait! Doesn’t the evil supervillain have to leave the room after ordering the death of the hero, so that the hero can escape due to some tragic flaw in the overly elaborate planned death? Isn’t that a rule or a law about villains? Guess not.

  Just as the wolf reached out for me it stopped and looked down suddenly. A quick glance and I saw Ren had wrapped herself around the werewolf’s legs.