by Celeste Raye
"I promise he's already made my badge and prints invalid. I'm a fugitive, remember?"
"The cleaning and kitchen staffs have badges that would get us past the security. They're not even assigned specific badge numbers. They can't get us in the director's office or anywhere classified, but the basement has never been off limits. The weredragons have to be fed, and I doubt the agents would be willing to do it. No one pays attention to those who serve in that capacity. Once they've passed all security tests, they are ignored," James, one of the rogue agents, explained.
"Aren't their prints checked when they arrive for their shifts?" Shark asked.
"Sure, but I can get us around that," Belle answered excitedly. "When David was demoted, he was given that as a duty. It was supposed to embarrass him into changing his view of the weredragons. It's a rookie's job, but perfect for our purposes. He'll let us in."
"Not us, Belle. You can't go. You would be recognized in a heartbeat. Your picture is everywhere. I'll do it," Shark declared.
"You can't stop me. Blayze trusts me. I'm doing this. I can cover my red hair with a wig, wear colored contacts, change my face shape with cosmetics, and wear clothes that are padded to change my shape. I know how to do disguises. I've used them for work lots of times. If you think facial recognition won't tell them who you are, you're dead wrong. You'd get in but getting out would be impossible. Cameras will scan our faces everywhere we go and send the pictures to the computers instantly. If we match the database, we'll be detained. We have to appear so average that we match hundreds of other faces."
"The weredragons won't be disguised, and the cameras will catch them as we move through the building. How do we get past that?"
"I can fix it," James replied. "You'll have to hurry and exit from the bottom floor. I can control the cameras for ten seconds each without drawing attention or setting off alarms. I'll shut each one off for ten seconds as you pass it, then unlock the door on the bottom level for the same amount of time. It won't be easy to coordinate. Our timing will have to be exact. If the weredragons don't do as you say, we'll all get caught."
"Hey, there's a news update coming in," another agent called out.
Everyone gathered around the screen to hear the president announce, "I have called an emergency summit meeting to discuss the weredragon conspiracy. The leaders of all nations will be joining me in a secluded location to determine whether the alliance with the Talonians should be abolished. The fate of the terrorists will also be on the agenda. They were given citizenship to our countries and are thus guilty of treason. The summit will take place a week from today. I can't share with you the exact location, for there are still weredragons loose on our planet. We were disappointed to discover that many were able to hide from us. Don't be alarmed. We will find them. It is possible that those missing are not involved in the conspiracy at all. If you see one, do not attempt to approach him. Whether involved or not, they may be dangerous. I am truly sorry for the mistake my predecessor made by trusting an alien species. I will rectify it all over the world. Thank you for understanding."
"He did this. He's talking like he has control of all the countries and he's purposely scaring the population. People have weapons. They'll defend themselves as soon as they see any Talonian. He made certain of that. What is he doing?" Shark asked.
"You said it. He's talking as if he has control of the whole world. That's what he's after. How convenient it would be to have all the world's leaders in one secluded place at the same time? Let some contaminated weredragons free and under mind control. Be late for the meeting, while it is attacked by those weredragons. Then, destroy the 'terrorists,' dissolve the alliance, making the Talonians enemies, and become a hero. Consolidate the grateful nations. He would be all-powerful."
"He has help, doesn't he? The director is one of them. How did he convince anyone this was a good thing?" James asked.
"Power. He promised them power. Gaining power is intoxicating to some people. It becomes an addiction. He had some power in the Senate, then more as vice-president. It wasn't enough. He refused to sign the alliance, even lobbied against it. The president's power beat his out. When the former president died, he got what he thought was the highest power possible. It didn't take long for him to realize others were equal to him and had to be consulted in all decisions since Earth now works as a united world. He wants it all. The people who are aiding him are just a means to an end. They'll be shocked to find that his promises were lies. He's not giving up anything. I believe it's called a god complex," Belle explained.
"Do you think it's possible he had something to do with the former president's death? Could he be that crazy?" Shark wanted to know.
"It's not only possible; it's most certainly true," she replied.
"He's got associates all over the world. He has to. He can't be everywhere. There are scientists, doctors, politicians, and henchmen involved. This conspiracy goes from the top all the way to the least of us. What happens if we manage to show the world what he's done?"
"The rest will fall like a house of cards. They'll panic and rat out each other, maybe kill or commit suicide. This will be a mess that takes years to clean up."
"If he succeeds, what then?"
Belle looked him straight in the eye and said, "The world will become chaos. He wants to rule all of it, but he's not omnipresent. One man can't control everyone. Besides, he's crazy. What kind of laws do you think he'd come up with? The economy will collapse. There will be revolts, riots, starvation, basically the end of everything. Do you own any planets, Shark? We may need one."
"That's the one thing I wasn't prepared for. So, we have to stop him. Maxxus arrives tonight. He's not going to allow us to get the weredragons without him. It's going to be hard enough to tell him we can only try for those here. We don't know where the others are or who we can trust to help find them. How do we disguise him?"
"We can't. Maxxus is going to be the inside man at the summit. He'll present himself just before it's supposed to happen and insist on attending. He has a right to be there since he is involved in the alliance and it is his species being charged with terrorism. Until the alliance is abolished, they are citizens and have a right to a defense. The government will be forced to give him the secret location. We'll use that information to stop it. We might be able to warn the other leaders and keep them from showing up, or at least convince them to leave before the biologic is released."
Belle hung her head and sighed. "I'm sorry. Those are just thoughts and suggestions. If you have some, we can discuss them when Maxxus arrives. I don't intend to sound so dictatorial. I'm just so scared an exhausted."
"We all are, Belle. This is crazy sci-fi movie stuff. You do realize we could be all wrong, don't you? We could be reading something into the president's words that isn't really there. I mean, we're so tired and want answers now, so we see what we want to see. I know we're right about the weredragons. They're definitely not to blame, but a terrorist group could be using them," James suggested.
"I'd rather that was the case, but my gut says it's not. They're pushing too hard to blame the weredragons, and terrorist groups like to take the responsibility themselves. They're proud of their accomplishments. The places being targeted don't make sense for your normal, garden-variety terrorists either. This is an act of terrorism, just headed by a different type of traitor."
11
Blayze
They came for him in the middle of the night. Invisible gas, breathed in as he slept, kept him from knowing the masked men had arrived. Condor and Promesus were in forced slumber as well. Blayze was lifted onto a gurney and taken to yet another surgical suite.
It was hours later before he woke. His mouth was dry, and he was dizzy. He moved to sit up and grabbed his head as it spun. His fingers touched a bandage. Investigating, he discovered it covered his entire head. What was this? He moaned. His fellow prisoners must have heard it, for they called out.
"Blayze, is that you? Are you awake?"
"We are not sure what was done. We seemed to have been drugged during the night. We awoke dizzy and confused. We called out, and you did not answer," Condor replied.
"You were not in your cell. We know because we did see them return you. We saw the bandage. No one would answer our questions. They told us to be silent or we would receive the same treatment as you," Promesus added.
Blayze tugged on the bandage, loosening it to slide a finger beneath. His suspicion was right. There was a new cut directly above the scar and a bare spot where his hair should have been. Had they removed the control device? Why?
Footsteps stopped the conversation. These were heavy and loud, unlike the soft soled shoes worn by the staff who brought them food. A familiar face peered through the small window. It was grinning, though not in a pleasant manner.
"Sleeping beauty has awoken, I see," the CIA director sneered. "I assume you are feeling the effects of your surgery. You might even be intelligent enough to hazard a guess as to what occurred. However, I'll explain anyway. You didn't respond as we had hoped to the little device in your head. You managed to defy our commands despite the pain. That upset us and, to be honest, hurt our feelings. After all, we worked hard and spent a lot of money to make those devices. The creators gave their lives for them. My superior wasn't pleased with me. He likes to know he has complete control. So, we've upped the power. It wasn't really necessary since we don't need you. I did it for my own amusement. The original device was removed. We might have caused some damage in doing so. We had no motive to be careful. Anyway, I digress. I had it replaced by a much larger, deeper-embedded version. It's one of a kind: an experiment. We'll test it later. I want you fully awake and my superior wishes to watch. You won't be able to resist this time. Oh, yes. I almost forgot to mention that your target is Special Agent Belle Simons. We'll find her and her cohorts soon, and it will be you who kills them. That's a little perk I was given for a job well done in China."
Belle
Maxxus was several hours late in arriving. It had taken extra time and negotiation to convince Earth's security to allow the trade ship through the shield protecting the planet. Then, Australia hadn't wanted it to land. It was finally given permission with the promise that the weredragons would remain aboard, opening their cargo hold to the humans. The trade would be made by only human hands, and the ship would depart immediately after the trade was done. That had posed a problem for Maxxus and the two weredragons he had brought with him: Daer the healer and a soldier for protection. The trio had eventually slipped out through the cargo hold during a fist fight among the workers.
Now Maxxus sat beside Belle, listening to the latest report of violence. Daer was in the bunkhouse with Dr. Davis, setting up a surgery center to remove the encapsulated biologic and the microchips from any weredragon brought to the ranch.
"An attack on the Kremlin was thwarted this morning," the news feed began. "A single weredragon got past security and made it to the main entrance. He was met by the leader's own bodyguard, also a weredragon. The pair argued verbally, giving precious time to evacuate the building. They transformed and fought, the intruder eventually resorting to the use of dragon fire on his own species. Both perished from the biologic. Several citizens were infected and are expected to succumb to the weapon's release. All of Russia is disturbed and confused. One weredragon fought to protect the palace, while another sought to destroy their leader. We have no answer for the discrepancy, and the world leaders aren't responding to our confused inquiries. No one has even told us how a weredragon remained free in the home of the Russian leader. We, the people, are left without acknowledgment or explanation."
"A report came to us from England that is almost as vexing," the reporter continued. "A weredragon stumbled onto a small estate, collapsing in the garden. He appeared to be injured. There was a wound on his head, gaping open and seemingly done by his own hand. His throat was also damaged, shredded by claws. He hasn't regained consciousness and surgeons report that some object was torn from both areas. They are uncertain as to the recovery of his mind. Brain tissue was severely damaged."
"The weredragons seem to dominate the news today," a second reporter announced. "In Australia, a trading vessel was allowed to land. It was unloaded by humans, the weredragons having been ordered to remain on board. Yet, cameras caught three figures, dressed unlike the workers running from the scene as an argument took place between two coworkers. It is believed these were indeed weredragons from the alien ship. All trading has now been stopped between the Talonians and Earth. This vessel was forced to leave without receiving its new cargo."
"Well, you were seen, but not recognized as the king or followed. Those are points in our favor," Belle told Maxxus.
"There was simply no other way out," Maxxus replied. "It is upsetting to hear the reports on my people. They are suffering. I am proud of the bodyguard for protecting his charge and very saddened that he had to fight against his own kind, even more so that he lost his life doing it. I assume the man who is hospitalized removed the capsule and the microchip himself. The pain must have been excruciating. I want him taken home to his family, whether his mind heals or not. He should be with those who love him. We must stop this madness before all affected weredragons resort to the same solution."
"I know. The summit is in two days. It will end then, one way or another. If everything goes badly, get as many of your species off this planet as you can. Stay away. Forget about Earth. It won't last long. Hopefully, it won't come to that, but I just had to say it."
"Should the worst occur, I will not leave you or your loyal group behind. Talonia will welcome you."
"It's more than us, Maxxus. Earth is huge, and billions of people live here. You can't take them, and I won't leave them. I'll fight until the end, trying to rectify the issue.'
They were interrupted by Shark. "I've got something to help us tonight. I started thinking about the timing issue with the cameras. One second too long with them blocked, sets off alarms, and one second too soon, and we're seen. I wasn't happy with that arrangement, so I went to some of my buddies for better technology. Don't freak out. I didn't say why I wanted it and they would never ask." He held up four small, square, plastic boxes. They were approximately two inches square. "These contraptions will do all the work for us. As we walk, they'll block the cameras we encounter and allow them to activate once we're past. No perfect timing necessary. The rest of the plan stays the same."
"Bless you, Shark, and your money too," Belle laughed. "I'm so glad it was you I called."
"I know. You couldn't have done it without me," he teased. "Too bad you're in love with Blayze and I'm too old for you. I'd ask for my payment in kisses."
Belle gave him a hug and kissed his cheek. "You're not old, just seasoned. Have you spoken with your daughter? Does she wonder what you're up to?"
"We talked. I didn't tell her what I was doing. She's used to that. Most of my really good deals or acquisitions are secret. I sent her to the lodge I own up in the mountains. It's secluded, and she'll be safe until this is over."
"It's disguise time. Are you ready to become someone else?" Belle asked him.
"Make me younger and more handsome," he replied.
"I will ask once more. Can I go along? I shall remain in the transport if you wish," Maxxus promised.
"You have to stay here. If we're caught, it's your job to carry through with the rest of the plan. You'll have the cooperation of both our groups of friends. Remember, come out of hiding twelve hours before the summit is set to start. The world leaders will already be here or be in route. They won't be able to change the venue. Once they've given you the location, try to get our people there ahead of time. Convince the leaders to leave. Tell them what we suspect, but only them. The guards who are with them could be under orders from the pres
ident. I'd warn them now if it wasn't for all the listening ears that can't be trusted."
"We have been over it many times, Belle. I know what must be done."
Neither Belle nor Shark were recognizable. Belle's beautiful red hair was covered in a mousy brown wig. Her eyes were dull gray, and her face appeared twenty years older. It was also plumper. Prostheses had been added to her cheeks and nose. Beneath her food service uniform, she wore a padded suit, adding forty pounds to her thin frame.
Shark wore glasses. His classic nose was covered in a bulbous prosthesis. His skin was wrinkled and darkened. His thick silver hair had been covered in a very obvious, cheap toupee. He was livid. "You've ruined me, Belle. I'm disgusting. Why couldn't you make me younger and better looking like I asked?"
"Because, my friend, you are too handsome to improve and older is easier to accomplish. At least I refrained from adding a pot belly and bad teeth." The horror on his face was priceless.
The plastic boxes, two each in case one didn't work as expected, were hidden in their waistbands. They were in the off position until after Belle and Shark made it through security.
James was solemn as he said goodbye. "I'll alert David that you're on the way. If he doesn't reply, we'll have to abort. It would mean someone else was at his station."
"He'll be there. The director's too worried about finding my hideout to watch for me under his nose. He doesn't believe I'd dare to enter his domain."
Belle's nerves didn't kick in until the transport entered the CIA grounds. It was a shuttle that exchanged staff during every shift. She and Shark blended in with the other workers, tired, old, and poor. Exiting the shuttle, she elbowed Shark in the side. He was flirting with one of the women. He shrugged his shoulders at her admonishment and grinned sheepishly. "It comes naturally," he whispered.
