“I’m amazed you could sleep at a time like this.”
“I was tired.” Koji looked over his shoulder and in the row of seats behind him, Dominic was also soundly asleep, snoring. “Looks like I’m not the only one for that matter. Are they still cutting that thing open?”
“Yup.”
“How long have they been at it?”
Erin checked the display on her phone. “About four hours or so.”
“Damn.” He stood for a more complete stretch. “Shouldn’t we be out there looking for the one that got away?”
“Without knowing what we’re dealing with?”
“Yeah, but the longer we just sit around, the harder it’ll be to find it later.”
The door to the med-bay opened and Jim entered, followed by Anita and Zenith. Jim approached the front of the cabin, gesturing for Koji to sit back down. Anita sat beside Dominic and poked him in the arm with her elbow. He gulped a snore and though his eyelids were still heavy, he managed to open them anyway.
“What’s the deal?” he asked, wiping drool from his mouth. “Finish carving the turkey?”
“Might say that,” said Jim. “McCabe also reviewed the scans of blood samples taken from the creature. And we’ve come to some conclusions about it. Zenith, you want to do the honors?”
Jim stepped aside and Zenith moved in front of the team. “From the examination, we have concluded that these creatures produce increased amounts of adrenaline, which accounts for their strength. Their skin and bones are highly durable, and their skeletal structure has altered, accounting for the strange size.”
“What’d it do to me?” asked Dominic.
“They secrete a toxin, delivered through their claws and teeth, which paralyzes their victim as they feed on the blood.”
“So they’re like vampires?” asked Erin.
“In a way,” said Zenith. “The DNA scans reveal that they are human, however. Except there was something quite interesting discovered in their blood. Or rather, something which was not discovered—no presence of a special gene.”
“How are these things not specials?” asked Erin. “If they’re human, that’s sort of required, isn’t it?”
“Indeed, which leads us to believe that there may have been something else at work,” said Zenith.
“Wait, I thought the Event gave everyone a special gene?” asked Koji. “Could’ve sworn I heard Doc McCabe say something along those lines.”
“You’re right,” said Anita. “Which means these things were probably created before the Event.”
“What do you mean ‘created’?” asked Dominic.
“We believe these creatures may be the result not of natural mutation, but rather human experimentation,” said Zenith.
***
After Timur Levitan returned Lt. Tsert to Iskander, he reported in to the FSB. They ordered him to leave Iskander immediately and deliver a message, without informing his partner of where he was going. Levitan hiked outside of town where he was met by a helicopter that took him deeper into the mountains.
It was dusk by the time Levitan was dropped off in what appeared to be an abandoned village. This was one of the closed cities the Soviet Union established during the Cold War, unlisted on maps and used to conduct sensitive experiments and research.
Levitan shivered slightly despite the summer night. It was not a chill from the cold, but rather his fear. He’d heard the legends, there were none in the FSB who hadn’t. But until today, he had no idea of the truth of the situation.
Inhuman howls filled the night air. Levitan fumbled to open his jacket and draw his Serdyukov, but by the time he had the weapon in hand, he was already face to face with one of the bizarre creatures. It growled at him, baring its claws and fangs. Another scream came from behind and both sides.
Their death-stench violated Levitan’s nostrils, their wails causing the hairs on his neck to stand on end. Levitan brought up the weapon, his forehead now coated with fear-sweat. But a voice in Russian bellowed over a loudspeaker. The creatures turned at the sound and quickly retreated, running down the main street of the closed town.
The city lights turned on and Levitan blocked his eyes from the sudden brightness. Against the backdrop of the light, he could see a figure walking towards him down the main street. The creatures were in step behind him, moving alongside as if they were his faithful pets.
He was a slender man, with skin so pale it almost matched the color of his white coat. His head was bald and lined with scars, of which his dark beard did only the slightest to cover up. The man’s right eye was a steel gray and the left was pure white. Levitan caught a glimpse of his reflection in its glass surface.
“Identify yourself.”
“Timur Levitan, Federal’naya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti.” He lowered his weapon and took out his identification. The pale, scarred man took the ID and examined it before handing it back.
“Welcome to Virey, Agent Levitan.”
The agent stood in silence in the presence of this tall, pale man, constantly trying to look away and yet his eyes continuing to pull his gaze back. This did not escape the man’s notice. “I believe you already know who I am.”
Levitan gave a cautious nod. “Professor Erik Azarov.”
Azarov slyly grinned at the sound of his own name. “What can I do for you, Agent?” He placed his long, thin fingers on the head of one of the creatures who knelt by his legs, lovingly stroking its leathery skin.
“I come with a message. From the President.”
Azarov’s demeanor darkened at this. “Vorobiev. What does that fool want now?”
Levitan swallowed hard. “Some of the…umm…the Dreks…they escaped Virey.”
“Then handle it. That is what you do, yes?”
“There’s a problem, Professor.”
Azarov’s steel-colored eye flamed with anger. “What problem?”
“The Dreks have attracted the attention of superhuman operatives from America,” said Levitan.
“Oh?” Azarov’s smile returned.
“Yes, and the President is worried about potential exposure. He has ordered Virey to be shut down and for the Dreks to be…” Levitan paused, looking at the Dreks that flanked their master. He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Eliminated.”
“Does he, now?” Azarov continued to smile, but the artificiality was more apparent. “And what does our President plan to do with me?”
“You will, of course, be permitted to continue your research. Despite this…problem, the President still believes you are one of the brightest minds the motherland has ever produced. He is prepared to offer you better facilities, as well as a full research staff.”
Azarov turned from Levitan and stepped back towards the town without saying another word. Levitan was left staring at the Dreks, slowly backing away from them as they stared at him with their beady eyes. “Pr-Professor Azarov? The President would like me to return with a response to his offer.”
“Yes of that fact, I am certain.” Azarov clasped his hands behind his back, still facing away from Levitan. “Do not worry, Agent. I have a message for Vorobiev.”
Azarov raised a hand and snapped his fingers. The Dreks moved closer to Levitan and he backed further. “Professor Azarov…? Your creations, they are… Sir, if you could command them to-to—”
The sounds of Levitan’s screams scarcely grew above the wails of the Dreks as they tore into the flesh of the FSB operative. And Azarov’s smile grew wider.
“Superhumans, eh? Excellent.”
CHAPTER 4
Abram Zukov stood at the window of the small motel room he and Levitan had rented out. Tsert told him that once he and Levitan returned to Iskander, the FSB agent made a call on his phone and then left without another word. It wasn’t like his young partner to just disappear without notice, and the fact that he received a phone call before going made Zukov suspicious. Especially since he left the rental car, so he couldn’t have gone far.
His phone vibrated agai
nst his leg. He took it from the pocket of his trousers, half-expecting it to be Levitan, but instead the caller ID just said it was a blocked number. He answered the call. “Zukov.”
The voice on the other end belonged to his supervisor. “We have another matter we need you to look into. Please return to headquarters.”
“With all due respect, sir, I cannot leave Iskander yet.”
“Why?”
“Because Agent Levitan is missing. He has not reported in and he isn’t answering his phone.”
There were a few moments of silence on the other end. Zukov could hear some whispers in the background before his supervisor spoke again. “Do not concern yourself with Agent Levitan. Simply do as you are told and return to headquarters.”
“Yes sir, understood.” Zukov ended the call and after placing the phone in his pocket, he unbuttoned his suit jacket and drew the Serdyukov, double-checking the ammunition. The sudden order for Zukov to retreat without knowing what became of Levitan had all but confirmed the veteran agent’s suspicions about his partner’s phone call. Levitan must have received a call from headquarters giving him a new assignment. And if they didn’t want Zukov to accompany him, that gave the elder man the impression that Levitan was either in danger or already dead.
He wished he’d had some way to get in touch with Vanguard. Their abilities would come in handy with the search for his partner. Zukov chided himself for that thought. “You got along just fine for years without help from superheroes. You can do it again.”
Zukov left the motel and got into the rental car. He drove out of town, heading into the vacant lands that surrounded Iskander. He didn’t even have a clear idea of what it was he was searching for, but he knew he had to find it quickly. The FSB was expecting his return and if he took too long before getting back, they would quickly become suspicious. Possibly send other agents after him.
Dusk had already fallen, which meant this terrain had now become more dangerous with those creatures still out there. Zukov drove slowly, scanning the area illuminated by the car’s headlights. He kept his phone in hand, and continued to call Levitan. If something happened to him, then perhaps his phone was somewhere nearby, and it might hold some clue.
Zukov lowered the windows to improve his chances of hearing anything. And though the only sounds were those of the night, there was the unmistakable scent. The same one from earlier in the forest.
Zukov dropped the phone by his feet and took out his weapon, holding it at the ready as he began a U-turn. While turning, his car’s high-beams fell upon the form of the same type of snarling creature he saw earlier—and it obviously did not like being in the spotlight. It hissed and covered its face with its spindly arms. Zukov stopped and stuck the gun out the window, firing while he shifted into reverse. The bullets struck the creature, but only angered it and it stepped towards the car. Zukov slammed on the gas, the tires grinding in reverse, kicking up dust and sliding back. Zukov managed a good bit of distance between him and the creature, and then he grabbed the gear shift and moved it into drive.
The tires spun in the opposite direction and the car went off like a rocket at the creature. Just before the front bumper struck it, the beast hopped onto the hood, its weight leaving an indentation in the metal and forcing the car to stop. It punched through the windshield, the glass shattering into thousands of tiny fragments. Zukov brought one arm up to shield his face, the other one emptying the Serdyukov’s magazine into the beast.
“Hey, ugly!”
The creature looked up just as a crimson-gloved fist smashed into its face. Paragon gripped the monster’s oversized head and effortlessly threw it off the car. She hovered above the vehicle, moving closer towards the angered beast. It had recovered from the attack and now prepared to pounce.
“Looks like someone wants to play,” she said with a smile. A blood-curdling screech was the response and the creature launched at her. Paragon met the beast with a well-placed uppercut, the impact throwing it back.
Zukov climbed from the car. He came to Paragon’s side, but she was more concerned with the monster. The rest of Vanguard soon amassed in the area as well. The beast seemed to possess reason enough to know when retreat was the best option. It turned and bolted off into the darkness.
“We can’t let it get away this time!” said Gunsmith.
“I’m on it,” said Paragon, taking to the skies.
“Sharkskin, you follow on foot,” said Gunsmith. “If Paragon loses it, hopefully you can keep track of its scent.”
“Given how rank it is, that shouldn’t be a problem,” said Sharkskin, darting off into the night, following the creature’s trail.
Gunsmith turned his attention to Zukov. “You okay?”
Zukov nodded. “Yes, thanks to you. How did you know I was in trouble?”
“Call it a coincidence,” said Shift.
“My dear, I’ve been working in espionage for over two decades. There’s no such thing.”
Zenith offered an explanation. “When we first met, I was able to make a note of your cell phone’s frequency. We’ve been monitoring your service usage and we were able to use the GPS to track you. A call from a number of unknown origins followed by your departure suggested some activity that deemed further investigation.”
“You were right. And here I thought you Americans were against surveillance.”
“Clearly you don’t watch the news,” said Wraith.
Zukov smirked. “Well, I’m grateful.” He considered something else. “Wait, if you were able to track my phone, could you do the same with my partner?”
“Your partner?” asked Gunsmith. “Did something happen to him?”
“That’s why I was out here in the first place. He’s gone missing,” said Zukov. “The call was from my supervisor. He told me to return to headquarters, said I shouldn’t worry about Timur.”
“I’m gonna take a stab in the dark and say that’s not standard operating procedure,” said Wraith.
Zukov nodded. “You would be correct. To just abandon Timur like that…it roused my suspicions.”
“Don’t blame you.” Gunsmith looked at Zenith. “Did you pick this up?”
Zenith shook his head. “Unfortunately no. I did not have enough time to acquire Agent Levitan’s signal.”
“Chyort voz’mi…” Zukov sighed and holstered his gun.
“Hey, I’ve got something of a revolutionary idea.” Wraith stepped over to the car and climbed up to sit on the trunk. “How about we start being straight with each other?”
“Don’t know what you mean,” said Gunsmith.
Wraith fixed his gaze on the team’s leader. “Oh. Right. Of course you don’t.”
“What’s that mean?” asked Gunsmith, crossing his arms.
“How about we look at the facts?” Wraith held up a finger to accentuate each point. “Fact One: We know that whatever these things are, they aren’t specials. Fact Two: Zenith said these things were probably the result of human experimentation. Fact Three: The FSB is snooping around and now one of their agents has vanished under mysterious circumstances.”
“I thought I already told you to can it with that conspiracy talk,” said Gunsmith.
Wraith shrugged. “You say lots of things. Kinda hard to keep track.”
“He’s got a point. Tell me you aren’t a little suspicious, Gunsmith,” said Shift.
“Suspicious, sure. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to start entertaining bizarre theories about—”
Zukov interjected. “Please. I appreciate your position, but your teammates are right to have their suspicions. I have them myself.”
“Would you be willing to share them, Agent?” asked Zenith.
“It’s…more of a legend, really,” said Zukov. “A holdover from the Cold War. After the end of World War II, the Allied Powers uncovered evidence of human experimentation conducted by the Axis. Josef Mengele and Shiro Ishii—the work they did was not only shockingly beyond the pale, but also a valued source of
information for the Allies. Particularly for the United States and the Soviet Union. Both were aware of the potential threat posed by the other, and both tried to get their hands on as much of the data as possible. Not only human experimentation, but all sorts of research conducted by German and Japanese scientists.”
“You’re talking about Operation Paperclip,” said Gunsmith.
“On the US side, correct,” said Zukov. “In Russia, though, we had something more. A man named Erik Azarov, who was regarded as a genius ahead of his time. The work of Mengele and Ishii paled in comparison to him. As did their indifference to human suffering. The legend states that Azarov began his work experimenting on POWs and later, Gulag prisoners. Azarov’s theory was that there was a hidden potential locked inside humanity, and his experiments were designed to release this potential. But his work was…obscene. Even by the…relatively lax standards of the time period. For this reason, he earned a nickname within certain circles—the Cold War Frankenstein.”
“I beg your pardon, Agent Zukov. But I have just done a thorough scan of all databases I have access to,” said Zenith. “And I cannot find any conclusive proof of the existence of an Erik Azarov. Nothing outside of certain fringe websites, that is.”
“Exactly my point. The man was believed to be a myth,” said Zukov. “Something cooked up by Stalin’s propaganda in order to frighten the US intelligence community. And yet…”
“We are looking at a pretty weird situation,” said Shift. “Maybe this Cold War Frankenstein isn’t such a myth after all?”
“But even if Azarov was real, this legend dates back to the end of the war. He would have to be in his nineties,” said Zukov. “It’s just not possible, is it?”
“This guy found a way to turn people into those…whatever they are,” said Wraith. “You don’t think maybe he’s learned some other tricks along the way?”
“Even if he is dead, it wouldn’t mean those creatures died with him,” said Gunsmith. “But one thing’s for sure, they have to be coming from somewhere. And there has to be a reason they’re suddenly turning up now after all this time.” He reached a hand to his headset. “Sharkskin, what’s the status?”
Vanguard: Seasons 1-3: A Superhero Adventure Page 14
