Dominant Species

by Guy Pettengell

  Working in pairs, the survivors carefully picked their way through the fallen enemy, making sure they were all dead. As they did, more of the resistance appeared from out of the mist and smoke. An eerie silence hung in the air as they were automatically drawn to Jake, crowding around him, forming a large circle.

  In the centre of this circle, Jake was in deep conversation with Trent, Father Matthew, Lano and Megan. He nodded to them and then turned toward the crowd that had formed. The others moved away allowing him some space. Jake waited for the last few survivors to join them before he finally spoke.

  ‘Today we have fought a monumental battle. We have faced our enemy. Man to beast. And even though they were stronger than us, even though they outnumbered us, we have prevailed. He watched them carefully, gauging their reaction. ‘Today we have felt the sharp pain of loss. Many of our friends, our family, have given their lives. Winning today doesn’t feel like something to celebrate.

  There was a murmured muttering of agreement.

  ‘And what’s worse,’ continued Jake, ‘is that today is not the end, but just the beginning.’ Jake’s jaw tightened as he tried to control his own sense of loss. ‘Now we must take the fight to them. We must do all we can to save our way of life, so that those that have died didn’t do so in vain.’

  Behind him, Trent watched in admiration, a flicker of a smile on his face. He turned to Megan who was standing next to him and noted that she too had the same look of admiration in her eyes.

  ‘You know what Megan? It looks like Jake has finally become the man I always knew he was.’

  She smiled back at Trent whilst the sound of Jake’s voice, powerful and certain, continued in the background, but there was a part of her that wondered at the cost.

  Jake spoke softly, people hanging on every word. ‘But we might have a chance to change the way we live. Father Matthew has risked his life to bring us a message, he knows of someone who may be able to help, may even be able to bring this madness to an end once and for all. Because of this, Trent and I have decided to lead two teams into the vampire city. One will free our captive brothers, giving us some additional leverage, whilst the other will meet with Father Matthew’s contact with a view to try and broker a truce.’

  A voice called out from the assembled crowd. ‘What, with the demons?’

  Jake locked eyes with him, but didn’t hesitate. ‘Yes, with the demons. There are some of them that realize that we need to work together to survive, man and beast. In the end I believe that it’s our only hope for any real future.’

  ‘What about the rest of us?’

  Jake tried to smile. ‘We’ll return in forty eight hours. In the meantime you’re to move to the shelters. We’ll arrange defensive teams to stand guard, ensure that everyone remains safe.’

  ‘How do you know this will work?’ asked a young woman in the front row.

  Jake hesitated and the seconds passed, finally he said ‘In truth, I don’t. All we can do now is trust in God.’

  In the United Nations building, Karick stood with his back to Drameer, unable to face his old friend.

  ‘It is too late my friend.’

  ‘You’re giving in?’ Drameer’s voice was flat but the tone of accusation was clear to hear.

  Karick didn’t rise to the bait. ‘What other choice do I have? The Queen has already asked Rodan to intervene. I have no choice.’ He shook his head.

  ‘Karick, you must realise that unless you stand firm, it shall be the end of us all.’

  Karick finally turned to face Drameer. ‘Perhaps that is what we deserve then. Perhaps it is our time too.’

  ‘Is there nothing that I can say to…’

  ‘… The Queen is too powerful, and now that Rodan has her counsel...’

  Drameer considered this for a moment, before taking a step closer to Karick, his eyes fixed on the floor.

  ‘You disappoint me old friend.’ He paused, as if to underline the importance of what he was about to say. ‘You know the one thing I have always found remarkable about the human race is the fact that even when there appears to be absolutely no hope whatsoever...’ He raised his head, looked straight at Karick, his eyes blazing with life. ‘They still don’t give up… ever.’ Drameer turned and walked away, speaking without looking round. ‘Perhaps there are some things we could learn from them?’

  Karick watched as Drameer closed the door softly behind him. Yet the click of the lock sounded like the thunder of a door being slammed for the last time. He scanned the empty room and for the first time in his long, long life felt helpless.

  Outside the room, Drameer closed his eyes as Karick’s roar vibrated throughout the hallway. It was the roar of defeat.

  The dust and smoke of the battle had finally settled and now the remaining resistance stood in silence, their heads bowed uneasily, as Father Matthew finished the pray.

  An embarrassed and whispered Amen filled the air. Jake nodded and the crowd dissipated as Megan walked through the throng to join Jake. She hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder.’

  ‘You were amazing.’

  Jake breathed in the smell of her skin and felt the warmth of her body against his as he watched the last of the men disappear; each determined to do their best.

  ‘It all seems a bit late.’

  She looked up at him and gave him a sad smile. ‘You know, I heard a wise man once said that if the time was right, how could it ever be too late?’

  Jake smiled.

  They were alone now; the last of the resistance had disappeared to prepare for the next stage. Jake half turned, but Megan’s hand on his arm stopped him. She moved closer, their eyes locked. Slowly she reached up, and gently pulled his face towards hers, their lips touched. The kiss was both gentle and mesmerizingly beautiful. Jake looked deep into Megan’s dark brown eyes as they kissed and suddenly years of pent up passion spilled over as he pulled her tight to him.

  Kathryn stared out of her apartment window over the ruined City of New York, the scene almost unrecognisable from the vibrant pictures she’d been shown by her Mother and Father as a child. Behind her she heard the click of the lock and turned quickly as the door opened. She had faith in Drameer and had been convinced that he would be able to make Karick see the light, but as the door swung open the feeling of hope that had risen in her chest faded immediately as Drameer entered his face tired and drawn.

  ‘I think...’ began Drameer. He looked down, hiding the deep misery and failure that he felt as well as the tear that appeared in the corner of his eye. ‘I think it would be safer if you were to leave. I can help you get past the…’

  He hadn’t sensed her move from the window but her hand was suddenly on his face, lifting his chin. A single tear marked its way down from the corner of his eye to the edge of his jaw.

  When she spoke her voice was soft, but sure. ‘I was brought up to believe that we had nothing in common, you and us. That all vampires were evil killers with no feelings.’ She gently wiped the tear from his face. ‘But I was wrong. You’ve taught me that. I don’t believe that you’re unique, the only one who understands. There must be others, there must be a chance.’

  ‘Don’t you understand?’ Drameer almost shouted, desperation getting the better of him making him regret the harshness of his tone immediately.

  His next words were spoken softly, ‘Tomorrow will mark the beginning of the end,’ he said, forcing a calmness he didn’t feel into his tone, ‘…a new hierarchy of vampires, led by Rodan will take over this city. Without the control of Karick they will run amuck. As their power grows so will their thirst. It will quickly become a thirst that cannot be quenched. Even with the programme, there simply won’t be enough food.’

  ‘You know I don’t like it when you call us that.’

  Drameer grabbed her by both arms. ‘You don’t understand. They have no conscience, they will kill every last human, regardless of the consequences. Then the food will run dry. There will be no food for us, we can’t feed on the half
-lings; they are as poison to us.’ He held her by the shoulders. ‘But…we can feed on each other, and we will; when the hunger overtakes us, there will be a war. Do you not see? Tonight is the last night, our last night, before it all falls apart. Tomorrow is the dawn of Hell.’

  Kathryn took his hands in hers and looked directly into his eyes. ‘If tonight is to be our last, then let it be a night to remember. Drameer, I love you, my place is with you.’ She reached up and kissed him on his lips.

  Karick was sat, slumped in his chair, on the stage in the United Nations building when the mains doors crashed violently open. He hardly moved, just glanced up, a resigned look on his face. Two female Queen’s Guards, both in glistening body armour marched towards him. Their demeanour was purposeful and efficient. The tallest guard spoke, her voice whispered through the air like silk.

  ‘Overlord Karick, you are under arrest. The queen wishes to see you, NOW!’

  Chapter 21

  The Resistance Enter the City in Hope

  As Karick was being arrested, two resistance teams approached the city from the disused subway tunnels to the South East of the City. As the resistance emerged into the City in Lower Manhattan the two teams split up. The first team, which consisted only of Jake, Megan and Father Matthew, headed north up Broadway, before cutting right and up towards the Lower East Side. The second team, which consisted of the twenty best fighters they had was headed up by Trent and Lano, they headed straight across to West Street and 12th Avenue, towards the area known as the meat packing district.

  Although it was only an hour’s walk, they knew they were entering extremely dangerous territory, so they had allowed two hours in total for their journey, enough time for Jake to see whether the offer was for real. In addition to his shotgun, Jake carried an old World War Two Very pistol and two flares. If it was a trap he was to fire the flare as a warning, Trent was still to rescue any men and women that they could but was to head straight back to the resistance stronghold and then on out into the outlands where they would find another, safer place to start the community again. This had been the plan that they’d agreed together, just the four of them, Jake, Megan, Trent and Father Matthew. These were the thoughts that ran through Trent’s mind as he led his team up through the old City.

  For Jake and the others it was a careful hour and thirty minutes later when they arrived at their destination. Father Matthew took the binoculars from Jake, checked ahead, and then handed them back to him, pointing towards an old, red brick building. Jake peered through them in the general direction indicated. There were a line of buildings; some clearly occupied, but with what, Jake didn’t want to know, whilst others lay abandoned.

  ‘You see that row of buildings, Jake, well look to the derelict one, third in from the red brick, got it?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Go to the left, ten, maybe fifteen yards.’

  ‘Okay.’

  ‘Do you see it?’

  ‘No... Wait… yes… near the pile of rubble?’

  Father Matthew nodded, ‘That’s our way in.’

  Jake and the others slipped down between the broken brickwork and scattered debris, their hearts pounding in their chests. Sprinting across the open space toward the derelict building, they pressed themselves against the wall, breathing hard.

  Father Matthew pulled aside some rough boards, then crouched down and grabbed the end of a concrete block. He nodded to Jake to take the other end and together they heaved it to one side revealing a small hole, just big enough for a person, in the side of the building. All the time, Megan kept watch.

  With one last glance around Father Matthew slid into the hole.

  Jake watched the Priest disappear. A minute later Jake heard the whispered all clear and quickly helped Megan through, before slipping in behind them, pulling a piece of board over the entrance. Inside Jake and Megan paused allowing their eyes to become accustomed to the darkness. Ahead of them Father Matthew’s white dog collar almost glowed in the dark as he crossed toward them in the darkness.

  ‘Wait here. I’ll be back soon.’

  ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘Father Matthew hesitated. ‘To make sure the coast is clear. I’m going to meet Drameer and arrange for him to meet us shortly. He hesitated again, looked at the shotgun Jake had across his back.

  ‘Would you mind if I took the gun…Although I don’t feel that comfortable with it, I…’

  Jake nodded and slipped the shotgun off his shoulder.

  ‘It’s loaded with six rounds, the safety is on,’ he showed the Priest how to disengage this, ‘When it’s off, just pull the trigger, you re-load the next round by pulling this hard,’ he then re-set the safety and handed the shotgun to Father Matthew.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Father?’

  ‘Mmm?’

  ‘What’s she like…my Sister?’

  The Priest opened his eyes and hesitated for a second.’

  ‘She is a joy and very beautiful.’

  ‘How did she cope with..?’

  ‘She made the best of it.’

  ‘Does she blame me?’

  Father Matthew sighed and shook his head. ‘Just like a true Catholic. Why must you carry so much guilt?’

  Jake stood back and stared at the ground.

  ‘No, Jake; she doesn’t blame you. You did what you needed to do, she understood that. Look, I didn’t tell you before, I didn’t want to raise any hope, but when I told Drameer of my plan, told him where I was going and what I was going to do, I asked him a favour. He promised to find your sister and bring her to the meet too. Now, try and get some rest, I won’t be long.

  Jake felt the tears pricking at his eyes and he looked away.

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, Jake, you’ll see her soon, too. Now, please stay here and make yourselves comfortable.’ Without another word Father Matthew turned and disappeared through the same hole they had entered through.

  After the Priest had gone, Jake threw Megan a glance. They both scanned the derelict room.

  ‘Comfortable?’ Raising an eyebrow Jake took his coat off and placed it on the floor for Megan.

  Trent and Lano had found the streets emptier than they had expected and had therefore made far better progress. An hour in, they were now moving through the remains of Union Square and West village on their last leg towards the meat packing district and their target; the warehouses where the human slaves were kept.

  Father Matthew moved the board away from the hole and slipped once again into the derelict building. The sound woke Jake who had fallen asleep against Megan. She smiled at him and gently stroked his face, moving a piece of stray hair away from his eyes.

  Father Matthew checked his watch, an automatic timepiece, and simply said. ‘It’s time.’

  Jake sat up and stroked Megan’s hair as she rested her head on his shoulder.

  ‘Are you both ready?’ Asked Father Matthew, his tone subdued.

  Jake and Megan nodded in unison. Father Matthew handed Jake back his shotgun and turned to lead the way, the others followed the Priest across the floor to the boarded up hole, where Jake worked away the pins and needles that had crept into his legs.

  Karick and Voltan stood before the Queen, beside her, was Rodan unable, or unwilling, to hide the sanctimonious look on his face.

  ‘My lady, may I ask the meaning of this? On what grounds do you consider you can arrest me?’ asked Karick.

  ‘I have grown unhappy with your governance, Lord Karick and have decided therefore to appoint a new Overlord.’

  Voltan threw Karick a sideways glance and Karick couldn’t help but think there might have been a ‘told you so’ somewhere in it.

  ‘With the greatest of respect, I’m not sure it is within your gift to do so. Vampire governance is split between the Royal House and the Vampire Council and, as you will be well aware, I answer to the Council.’

  The Queen raised an eyebrow.

  ‘Not any more Lord Karick. You will k
neel here, now, and pledge your allegiance to the new Overlord.

  ‘To Rodan?’ roared Voltan, ‘Never!’

  Karick span, already having sensed the danger behind, Voltan a split second behind him. Six female guards fanned out towards them.

  ‘Disappointing, now you will both stand trial for treason. Seize them,’ ordered the Queen.

  She waved a dismissive hand as four of the vampires moved to Karick and Voltan’s right, whilst the other two stepped smartly to their left. All wore the official body armour of the Queen’s own guard.

  Karick and Voltan stood back to back, hopelessly outnumbered, their teeth bared, growling low as the female guards closed with a sneer, hissing their disapproval.

  The six female guards attacked together. Their speed was immense. Voltan struck out blindly, missed and was driven quickly to the ground by two of the guards. Karick was quicker. He caught an imperial guard by surprise, his fist smashing into her jaw with a satisfying crunch. But he knew it was futile. Already another was on him, hitting him from the side. He roared throwing her across the room, but the next was already on him and the next. Their bodies locked as they wrestled for an advantage.

  Held down by two guards Voltan struggled to look up. His eyes closed as three of the Queen’s own Guards slowly pushed Karick to the ground in front of their Captain. Her face contorted and her teeth lengthened as she kicked Karick hard in the face. He dropped like a stone.

  Half unconscious, Karick watched as Rodan stepped toward his friend

  ‘Will you yield to me now?’ He asked.

  Voltan managed to spit on Rodan’s boots. The thin blade sliced from nowhere like a scalpel, stabbing Voltan through his side and into his heart.

  ‘You bastard’ roared Karick, struggling against his captor’s grip.

  Rodan turned, a smile forming on his lips, the blade thick with Voltan’s blood. Karick watched as Voltan’s body slumped forward, dead.