by Barry Reese
Evelyn cleared her throat and Eva turned in her direction. “I have to ask… and I know it’s terribly inappropriate to do it right at this moment… but if you’re an OFP operative, you must have powers, right?”
“You want to know what I can do?” Eva asked with a smile.
“I’m bursting to know.”
“Most human beings use only ten percent of their brain capacity. I’ve been mystically augmented to use close to sixty percent.”
“And that means… what?”
“My hand-eye coordination is enhanced, I’m a genius at picking up new skills, and my power of recall is second to none.”
The Peregrine touched Eva on the arm. “You mentioned that Mr. Dee was coming here… how do you know that?”
Eva looked sad for a moment, like a little girl who had been caught at a lie by her parents. The sound of William and Emma screaming from outside made Evelyn jump, and she ran to the back door, where she saw dark-clad men emerging from the woods, guns pointed at the children and at Josh.
“I led them here, Max. I’m sorry.”
Max’s grip on her arm suddenly became painful. “You bitch,” he hissed between clenched teeth. “I was trying to help you!”
Eva pursed her lips. “I know that, lover, and I really do appreciate it. But in the end, I have to remember the hand that feeds me. And I know the real Mr. Dee… he’s not somebody that I want to tick off.”
Before Max could respond, Eva drove her knee hard into his groin. Pain exploded throughout his body and he keeled over, fighting hard not to vomit. He could hear Evelyn resisting the men who were now forcing their way into their home and he tried to reach into his coat, his fingers fumbling over the small radio transmitter that kept him in contact with the Claws. He managed to push the control, opening a connection, but it was a brief transmission as Eva shoved him up against the wall, holding him with her arm against his throat. He was beginning to recover from her earlier attack, but he didn’t bother resisting. Evelyn was being held tightly by a stern-faced man in black, an automatic weapon held against her forehead.
The Peregrine turned his eyes upon Eva and glared at her. “I’m going to see you pay for this.”
Eva’s smile widened, revealing straight white teeth. “I’m sure you’d like to think so.” She nodded at one of the gunmen, who came forward and gripped the Peregrine’s right hand. The man used gloved fingers to slide Max’s signet ring off his hand.
The ring was tipped with a red stone, one that had been forged from the heart of the demonic figure named Nyarlathotep. The stone was adorned by the image of a bird in flight… and its touched burned those of evil intent, burning the image onto their skin for life. Only the gunman’s gloved prevented him from screaming in pain as he dropped the signet ring into a pouch on his belt.
Eva leaned forward and lightly ran her tongue across Max’s cheek. A glistening line of saliva was behind the motion and as Eva pulled back, she whispered “It’s such a shame you’re so loyal, Max. You and I… we could do wonderful things together.”
Max gritted his teeth and said nothing. A second later, Evelyn cried out as one of the gunmen raised the butt of his rifle and slammed it into the side of the Peregrine’s head, knocking him out.
Eva stepped back, letting two of her men catch Max before he fell. She looked at Evelyn and laughed. With a dismissive wave of her hand, she said “Someone shut her up, please. I’d like our return trip to be a quiet one, if possible.”
CHAPTER XI
The Price of Immortality
Klein stood in the middle of Daniel Cummings’s ruined laboratory, trying to keep from looking at what Cummings had become. The swamp monster stood like a silent sentinel in the doorway, while the ancient named Breen kicked at the scattered debris with his right foot.
“The mere fact that he was able to so accurately recreate our formula is astounding. We had once believed that humans would never achieve the required intelligence level to comprehend our works. We were wrong.” Breen looked at Klein, who seemed increasingly disturbed. “You are bothered by the changes in his appearance, Mr. Dee?”
Klein looked up at the use of his false name. “Not only that… he’s barely human anymore. I had planned to give this secret to the Fuehrer… he’d be ruined by this! He’d become nothing more than a monster to be ordered about!”
“There are drawbacks, to be sure,” Breen confirmed. He did not seem to grasp the depth of Klein’s disappointment. “But think of what Cummings has gained… he is very powerful and can heal from incredible wounds. In fact, that broken dagger you possess is one of the few things that can truly destroy him. And he is not stupid… far from it. His mind is simply slowed. For him, the world moves so quickly and is so bright that is sometimes painful to interact with it. Thus, it is easier for him to respond to a command than to try and carry on a conversation.”
Klein examined the muck-encrusted monster and sneered. “You’re saying he can still talk?”
“Of course… but with great difficulty.”
Klein moved to stand in front of Cummings, staying just out of arm’s reach. He allowed the flames to dance about his face, his features shifting from soft skin to cold white bone. “We both have our ugly faces, don’t we? But only one of us is able to finish the job that was set for us… I’m going to save the world, Cummings. And I’ll find a way to tweak your formula so that… this… doesn’t happen to those who take the treatment. You’re disgusting.”
Cummings stared at him for a long moment, his head tilting to the side. His liquid eyes seemed to shine more brightly and as Klein watched, Cummings began to move his mouth, words spilling forth like raindrops. “You… are… not… Dee. I… can… see… it… now. You… are… mad….”
Klein let out a roar of pure anger, the flames about his face suddenly turning into a small inferno. A wave of fire jerked from his skull, engulfing Cummings’s form. The mud monster thrashed for a moment, flailing wildly, and finally he sank to the ground, melting into a disgusting green and brown puddle.
Klein backed away, regaining control over his powers. Cummings had infuriated him, though Klein couldn’t admit why he his pride had been wounded so badly. He turned towards Breen, who watched him with interest. “Your immortality claims didn’t amount to much,” Klein said with anger. “I killed him easily enough.”
“Did you?”
Klein heard a strange noise and whirled back around, watching as Cummings began to slowly rise back up, his body coming together with a squelch. “Impossible,” he whispered.
In less than a full minute, Cummings was standing tall once more. The spark of light that had been in his eyes was now dimmed, however, and the disfigured man slowly turned about, shambling back outside into the swamp.
Breen moved up behind Klein, triumph in his voice. “Do you see? He has evolved past simple humanity. He is now so much more! Think of the good this could do to your world! And finally the genius of my people could be appreciated!”
Klein thought it over for a moment. Even if he couldn’t convince Breen to help him repair the formula, the Fuehrer might still like the idea of unstoppable armies at his command. Creatures like Cummings were apparently incapable of baser desires, which would purify them in a sense. That appealed to Klein.
“Who are you really?” Breen asked with interest, and the question threatened to send Klein into another murderous rage.
“I am Mr. Dee. I serve the Reich.”
“Hmm.” Breen gestured to the laboratory’s contents, which had been devastated by Klein’s men during their raid. “All of this is now unnecessary. I can help your Fuehrer recreate the formula. All I ask is that I be allowed to share the story of my people and their achievements with the masses.”
“And what is the story of your people? You aren’t human, so are you from another world? Are you aliens from space?”
“Yes. Our home world was ravaged by war and a small group of us were forced to flee, lest we suffer the same fate that befell
the rest of our race. They perished in the midst of blood and smoke… We came here, finding a beautiful planet ruled over by savages. It suited our purposes for many years but in the end, the same problems that cursed our old home took new life on this one. Petty jealousies sprang up and brother turned against brother. In the end, a group of four remained. We left behind our city in the jungle, journeying here to complete our projects.”
“But why here? Of all the places on earth, why come to the swamplands of Louisiana?”
“Because our immortality serum transformed humans into creatures of earth and water… Can you not see that the raw materials are in abundance? There were many other places that fit our needs, as well, that is true… but there seemed something right about this place.”
“And the map? Who left it behind and why?”
“I did. We always held out hope that more of our brothers and sisters from the stars would make their way here. If they did, I wanted them to find us.”
Klein felt the demon within him begin to churn. It was still angry and wanted to be released. The flames around his skull changed from reddish-orange to an almost blue color. Klein was about to say something when the sound of a motorized vehicle reached him. He moved away from Breen, peering through one of the windows. A motor-propelled airboat was slowing down outside Cummings’s old home and Klein stared with interest at the motley collection of people sitting in it. He recognized Catalyst, Esper, and Revenant from various reports, but the big man was unknown to him. The black girl in their midst must be Makeeda, he mused. Klein wondered if Cummings was still around to see her or if he had retreated further away.
“Who are they?” Breen asked, glancing over Klein’s shoulder, through the dancing flames around the man’s skull.
“Troublemakers.” Klein drew himself up, feeling the hunger beginning to swell. “It’s time to introduce them to the demon who lives inside. It’s time for them to meet the Burning Man.”
* * *
Makeeda fought the urge to cry as the airboat slowly approached the house she’d shared with Daniel. She had no idea if he was still alive or not but she was certain that their lives had been irrevocably changed.
“It’s going to be all right,” Vincent said to her.
Makeeda looked up in surprise, not realizing that her emotions had been so evident. She smiled at the big man, having grown more comfortable in his presence with each passing second. “Thank you. I hope you are right.”
“I’ve seen enough tragedy to be able to recognize it in the world around me. In this case, I don’t think it’s going to end badly.”
“Really?”
Vincent laughed. “Well, I’m no seer… and the Lord knows I’ve been wrong about things before. But if we can keep you safe and reunite you with your man, then everything else will take care of itself.”
“I hope you are right.”
Revenant barely hid the exchange. She was staring at the house before them. It was raised up on stilts, a dock just outside the shack with a ladder to help visitors up onto the platform. “Rachel, do you mind scanning the house?”
“Looks pretty abandoned,” Esper replied but she went ahead and opened her mind anyway. She gasped, throwing a warning straight into the minds of her teammates rather than waste the time it would take to formulate words. Even as a wall of flame erupted from inside the building, jetting forth onto the airboat, Vincent had snatched up Makeeda roughly, cradling her against his massive chest as he turned his back to the flames in an attempt to protect her.
Revenant jumped from the ship, landing in the swampy water, while Catalyst and Esper both flew upwards, propelled by magic and telekinetic power.
The Burning Man stepped through the doors of Cummings’s home and laughed. The maniacal sound echoed throughout the swamp and chilled Makeeda’s blood. She’d held out hope that she’d find Daniel waiting for her… but instead there was some monster, perhaps even the feared Mr. Dee.
Sally swam towards the ladder, hoping that the Nazi’s attention was being held by the others. As she began to slowly ascend, she felt the dock suddenly shake and she gripped her perch more tightly.
Catalyst was sending energy bolt after energy bolt down upon the Burning Man, who was staggering under their impact. The villain roared in pain and anger, opening his mouth to lash out with his tongue. The barbed appendage caught Nathaniel around the arm, digging into his flesh.
“Keep your tongue off my husband!” Esper yelled, drawing a look of consternation from Nathaniel. She knew he was wondering how she could joke at a moment like this, but it was one of the ways she kept sane. Esper concentrated and delivered a powerful telekinetic “chop” to Klein’s tongue. The impact snapped the appendage in two, sending a spray of blood from the Nazi’s mouth and freeing Nathaniel.
“You bitth!” Klein yelled, his words distorted by his injured tongue. “I’m gon’ kilth you!”
A heavy rock, hurled by Vincent, suddenly slammed into Klein’s head, knocking him to the ground. He rose quickly but with a dazed manner, and it was then that Revenant jumped off the ladder and came to a crouch before him, a pistol in each hand.
Klein snarled and kicked at her, his foot catching her left hand and nearly snapping her wrist. The blow caused her to drop the gun, which slid across the slick surface of the dock, dangling precariously at the edge. Klein and Sally began to exchange blows, blocking each other’s attack so quickly that they were a blur to the others. A soft rain began to fall, the water sizzling and evaporating as it struck Klein’s flames.
Catalyst and Vincent moved towards the dock, unable to strike at Klein for fear of hitting their leader. Rachel, however, was under no such restraints. She began to use her telekinesis to subtly throw Klein’s attacks off, shoving him mentally without warning whenever he would try to strike. She also attempted to telepathically confuse him about where Sally was, but his mind was well-shielded.
Revenant began to pant, realizing that Klein seemed to have far greater stamina. She knew she would have to end this quickly and when next she struck, she did so with her pistol, bringing it close enough to Klein’s head that the bullet clanged off his skull. He staggered, landing straight into the waiting arms of Vincent.
The creation of a mad doctor, Vincent was dubbed by many to be a monster. His friends knew that within his burly chest lay the heart and soul of a poet… but at this moment, the expression on his face was terrifying to behold and everyone—including Sally—could picture the effect it would have had on superstitious villagers in years past. Vincent gripped Klein’s skull, ignoring the flames that burned him, and he roared as he began to apply tremendous pressure. Cracks began to appear in Klein’s skull as the bones buckled under Vincent’s assault. The villain’s head finally imploded in a cloud of bone and gray matter.
Catalyst looked at the mess that Vincent let fall to the ground. “That’s bloody disgusting.”
“He had it coming,” Rachel muttered. “The world would be a better place if all the Nazis received that same treatment.”
“A lot of them are just people like you and me, doing their jobs,” Revenant pointed out. She had retrieved her fallen weapon and was looking back towards the shack.
“Except their jobs involve fascism and killing innocents,” Rachel said. “Are you seriously defending the Nazis?”
“I’m just saying that not everyone who wears a Nazi uniform or calls themselves a Nazi is irredeemable. Police Chief McKenzie is married to a reformed Nazi.”
Esper rolled her eyes, letting the conversation drop. “I wouldn’t get too close if I were you. There’s still someone inside there.”
Vincent had been checking on Makeeda when Esper had made this pronouncement. He looked up in surprise. “Dee had help? Are we still in danger?”
Before Esper could respond, Breen stepped into view. He was immediately met by Revenant, whose pistol was pointed straight at his face.
The ancient held up his hands in a gesture he’d come to know from his time on earth. �
��I come in peace,” he said with a smile. “I am one of the entities whose research led Daniel Cummings to his evolutionary enhancement.”
Makeeda pushed forward. “Daniel… is he still alive?”
Breen nodded. “Of course he is. In fact, there he comes now.”
Makeeda turned to look in the direction that Breen had indicated and what she saw there was horrible enough to make her faint dead away. Shambling towards them was one of the muck monsters, and instinctively she knew that her lover was locked inside that mud-encrusted prison.
Vincent caught her easily enough but he stared daggers at the alien.
“I am Breen. I was going to give my secrets to the man you just killed in exchange for his assistance in popularizing the history of my people. Since he is now dead, I shall make the same offer to you.”
“Why should we trust you?” Sally demanded. “You just said you were working with Dee…”
“I don’t think he was truly Mr. Dee,” Breen said, shocking them all. “But that is neither here nor there. You will make an alliance with me, or I will order Daniel Cummings to rip you all limb from limb.”
CHAPTER XII
The True Face of Dee
To the Peregrine’s surprise, he did not awaken in Berlin, with the Fuehrer himself standing triumphantly before him. Instead, he was shackled to a metal wall in a barren room. The air was near freezing and Max could see a tiny cloud of air come from his mouth as he breathed.
The only person in the room with him was Eva, who was heavily bundled up in a parka and skintight pants. The heels of her boots clicked on the floor as she moved towards Max, a cigarette in her left hand. The front of her parka was unzipped just far enough to reveal the enticing valley of her cleavage.
“I’m sorry for the headache you probably have,” Eva said with mock sympathy. “That blow to the head didn’t do any real damage… and we were afraid it wouldn’t keep you unconscious for the entire trip… so I’m afraid we drugged you a bit.”
