THE VROL TRILOGY

by SK Benton

  Miles had just unknowingly given Max a bit more information about his current world - the Vrol arrived under false-friendly pretenses. And apparently the government was either fooled by, or was in league with the aliens. It also seemed that mages were common in earlier times. Max felt that there was a good chance that mages still existed - they wouldn't simply die out.

  "Miles - yeah, that's what I meant. A faker. They have little boom sticks that can make stuff happen. You know, instead of going back to Hollywood I think it'd be better to travel up north. Kinda got a feeling about it, ya know?"

  Miles gave him a serious look and blinked. "Why do you feel like going up there? It gets nasty. Vrol have a lot of nests, especially through the central valley."

  "It's just… too hot here. I'm used to cooler weather, and it's probably never gonna happen, me getting to Argentina and all."

  Max couldn't resist that pull to the north, and even though he felt a bit of responsibility in returning to Hollywood he also really considered going up through California to who knew where. Watching the group carefully, he followed the three as they went and took seats at the fire pit.

  "So, Max, what are lycans like in Argentina?" Indie asked with a bit of curiosity to his voice.

  "Pretty much like anywhere else, I guess. We… um… we have packs and we hunt and fight a lot. Why do you ask?"

  "Oh, no reason - just curious. We're out here alone all the time."

  "We stay alone for a reason, dickweed," Miles said to Indie, in a less than friendly manner.

  "Everyone's out to get us, so we need to train and be strong. Plus those humans over yonder have stuff we need, so … hey! I have a great idea. Our new friend here can help us to get some supplies from that annoying crew up in Saugus. Waddaya say, Max?"

  Max didn't want to seem like he was really any different than this group, so he gave them a smirk while he took a long draw from his coffee mug, the beverage already starting to get cold.

  "Sure, Miles. I like kicking ass just like the next lycan."

  ###

  In Seven Sins, Dons was eating breakfast at his new seating setup, which had been kindly made by Max, when Adam approached him, leaning down to take a seat.

  "Oy mate, what do you think you're doing'?" he demanded of the fake mage as he put his hand out, making a motion for the man not to sit down.

  "Oh, my dear sir, may I sit with you? I would like to discuss something quite serious about our friend Max."

  "You can stand there just fine. And what would that be anyway? Besides that fact that he is a raging frikin' beast on the full moon, he cooks an amazing stew."

  "His presence should not be tolerated here. He has access to certain… technology. He can nearly nullify my magical skills, which makes him a threat to all of us, as it is extremely difficult for me to protect our lovely clan from one such as him. If and when he returns, we will need to kill him while he sleeps. I was deathly afraid of him, and I apologize for not having said anything earlier. I feared for my life - all of our lives."

  "And for your shorts? Mate, you out-n-out shit yourself. Those pants had to be put into hazmat bags. If he was that bad why didn't you say anything then?"

  "I was… unable to say anything. You see, it's that his technology has an effect on particular vocal patterns. I was unable to say anything against him. It seems to be similar to Vrol technology. And as I bring that up, how did he suddenly appear out of nowhere? Perhaps he is a Vrol agent?"

  "A Vrol agent? Adam, you're such an ass. Go do something useful."

  Adam gave Dons a sneering glare as he reached down to move his shirt aside.

  "Who do you think you are, Dons? Just because you beat people up and took-"

  Dons was up with his short blade at Adam's throat before the man could utter another sound.

  "Listen to me, mate. You don't demand anything of me - ever. You are here because you're useful. When your usefulness ends, so does your presence, and I couldn't really give a damn if it's dead or alive, you feel me?"

  Dons waved the man away as if he were a mosquito while pointing his blade at Adam's face, and giving him a very serious one-eyed stare. He knew that Adam had designs on everything he had built through fighting, blood, sweat and honesty - and Adam was nowhere near being an honest man. Max, however, was honest. Dons was human, but he could tell. He could feel it. His girls could smell it.

  He just hoped that Max was okay.

  Having lost his nerve, Adam stormed out the front door at the same time that Jessica and Pandy went skipping in. They both watched him go by, and then looked at each other inquisitively. It was odd - they were nearly like identical twins that were not identical in a physical sense. Hopping over to their boss, they took seats on either side of the dinette and then looked at him expectantly. Dons just shook his head a bit and looked at the door.

  "I hope Max is okay. He's a good bloke, but what happened needs to be explained also."

  "What's Adam's pickle? He looks quite vexed," asked Pandy.

  "He wants us to kill Max if he comes back… while he sleeps. The rotter."

  "What? Is he crazy? Max needs our help, if anything!" exclaimed Jessica. "It's probably not his fault he turned into a giant dog, or whatever the hell it was."

  "Adam is soooo brave," chortled Pandy, laying on the sarcasm.

  "Girls, have you ever seen Adam without his wand?"

  The two looked at each other and got almost identical expressions of concentration on their faces.

  "Um, I think I have, but he usually keeps it in his back pocket, underneath his shirt," responded Jessica.

  "Why do you ask, boss?" asked Pandy.

  "I think Adam's power resides completely in his wand, kinda like your bracelets. I don't believe he's really a mage, as he claims."

  The two girls were the perfect power support couple for Dons in fighting situations. Besides having enhanced strength, as they were both lycans, they also possessed magic-enhanced bracelets that gave them mild healing abilities - for themselves and others. They didn't know it, but their bracelets enabled them to manipulate naturally occurring nanobots geared towards healing - bots that Max had always called salubots. However, in their world no one knew the truth about what was called magic.

  With Jessica and Pandy as support, Dons could basically take on a small army, as any wounds he suffered were almost instantly healed. Aside from that, the girls could invigorate his system and amp his strength levels, and they were extremely good at playing off each other. Lycans on that world didn't have organic levels meters like Max, but they were pretty adept at knowing when they would hit a skills timeout.

  "I think we can snag his wand," said Jessica, with an agreeing Pandy nodding her head enthusiastically.

  "Oh yes, I believe we can, but we will also need to keep an eye - and nose - out for Max. If he is okay and makes it back we will need to make him aware of the danger that Adam can pose."

  Pandy crossed her arms, quite satisfied with her contribution.

  "Ay, girls. I also hope he's well, but in all honesty, I think Max has something hidden up his sleeve. He roughed Adam up pretty badly, and did so without even breaking a sweat. Besides that, he also punched Marko so hard the bloke flew the length of a footy field. Bastard's still on a cot and can barely walk. No, I think Max is the real deal. It's Adam that needs to be afraid, but when one operates on a basis of fear they tend to do some pretty stupid things. We'll need to keep an eye out for the boy, but even more important, I need you to get Adam's wand, right?"

  The girls gave their boss small grins, with Jessica then looking out towards the door, wondering where Max could be.

  ###

  "I usually use a Japanese katana, but it was lost when I was captured by the Vrol," said Max, as he continued concocting his fake back-story to his new acquaintances.

  "Them samurlie swords? Wow, I heard of ‘em. They can slice an engine block in half, right?"

  "Samurai… and no, but they can do damage to trees… and necks."<
br />
  Miles gave Max a grin - one that showed he really liked the stranger's response. It was honest and knowledgeable - and a bit dark.

  "Well, it's too bad you didn't get to bring it with you. We have an old, rusty blade you can use on the raid," said Miles.

  "That sounds great. When do we go?" asked Max, happy that he had been able to survive so far.

  "We'll attack tonight. We can use the tunnel."

  "What tunnel do you mean?" asked Max.

  "It's a… shortcut. Mage stuff they left," responded Indie.

  Max gave them a surprised look and nodded, his face growing into a grin, as if he really liked the idea of using advanced technology to get the jump on a possibly innocent group of people.

  "Okay, I'm in. Hey, how was your full moon? Had a good time?"

  Max asked Miles, simply wanting to get a bead on what happened to lycans all over his new world, figuring that things could be different in alternate locations.

  "Oh man, this time it sucked for me, my mate being with child. It's usually a big ‘ol party, everyone nakeds n stuff, but having a pup is worth it. How was yours?"

  "Oh yeah, it was great. Man I went crazy. Even beat up some nekos!"

  "Hah! Awesome! I knew I liked you, Max!"

  Miles looked overjoyed at Max's comment about beating up nekos. It was appearing more and more that the pack leader enjoyed preying on the weak. That was something Max felt he would need to eventually deal with - on harsh terms.

  "Tonight it is, then," said Max, "and do you have a name for your group?"

  "We're Lykanrol," responded Miles, "and I'm the leader of course."

  Chapter 11 - Hello, Gabe

  Jennie's normally beautiful face was contorted into a visage of rage and blind hunger. Her brother had obediently lashed her up high in the closest tree, half-knowing what was to come to pass. He knew that the cannibal virus could temporarily affect a lycan, and that also, on rare occasions, the effect was permanent. All he could do was simply pray that it wasn't the case with his little sister.

  Jennie flailed about, gnashing her teeth as she pulled desperately (and mindlessly) at her bonds. Bagatelle could do nothing but stand back and make sure that the ropes held fast. All of the other afflicted had been corralled into their caves, never to know the sweet touch of the sun again. They would expire from lack of nutrition, as afflicted never ate the brains of other afflicted. Something just didn't smell right about cannibal brains, and smell was what attracted them.

  Miroslav, one of Jennie's sergeants, approached cautiously. He looked upon the face of his commander with great despair while her body tried to burn the virus into oblivion. Only the weakest of lycans would fail to do so, so all of Jennie's recon troops kept their faith. They simply had to wait it out. Looking at his new ensign, Bagatelle, he put a hand on the man's shoulder, knowing that the newcomer was more preoccupied than anyone.

  ###

  "Query: My Lord, is it really necessary to call upon one with such an intense hatred of not only the Taxiarch, but also mankind as a whole?"

  "Socrates, my dear fellow, I am afraid that we must. Yes, we must. It is precisely that hatred that will bring us to Mija-El. You see, Gabriel despises his brother so that he keeps a constant eye on him. You know the saying - keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer."

  "Yes my Lord, I am aware of that archaic phrase. Your logic is sound. Query: Shall we go to the Hub?"

  Draagh nodded his head at the semi-transparent floating mask. It wasn't necessary for him to rely upon Socrates for transport to the Hub, as he could use his staff at any time, but it was quick and easy. In but a fraction of a second the old mage found himself in his offices - an expansive chamber that looked as if it were in a castle somewhere in medieval Europe, but was actually nowhere. It was completely outside of the realm of space and time. A human, if left there, would not age. He or she would simply exist for eons without sprouting even a gray hair. It wouldn't even be necessary to eat food.

  Draagh brought up an infoscreen, scanning various timelines and realities as he looked for Gabriel's presence. He tried to not do the one thing that he actually could - as Gabriel was his son he could simply command the archangel's presence, but Draagh needed to show some respect - respect that was not deserved, but respect nonetheless.

  Draagh looked into multiple worlds, scanning for Gabriel, hoping to detect his unique signature. In each world he saw only trace amounts of the archangel's presence. Gabriel was indeed busy in all of the worlds of the multiverse, but he did not stay in one spot for any great length of time. Draagh then started to throw out signals - ways of letting Gabriel know that his father was there - that he perhaps wanted to be found. He had Socrates create targeted communicanters, controlling what Max would have called communibots, effectively sending out an invitation for Gabriel to go to the Hub. From that point on all he had to do was sit and wait, so he spent his non-existent time putting together some lesson plans for his granddaughter, Liliana.

  ###

  While all of the recon team was busy making sure the afflicted had no means of escape from their tunnels, Bagatelle stayed near Jennie, who was slumped forward and had apparently burnt through the cannibal virus that infected her system. Curious, he poked her in the arm in order to elicit a response, but none came. Thinking she was passed out, he started to loosen her restraints, but was unable to move away quickly enough when she lashed out and bit him on the hand. Shocked and nearly unable to speak, he looked at the broken skin on his hand as salubots quickly repaired the wound. Unfortunately, the cannibal virus had infected his system. Jennie was out of her bonds faster than he could react. He saw her run off in slow motion towards the others in the recon team, but they were quick to act and avoid her. However, they were unaware of Bagatelle's infection as he ran over towards his compatriots - men who looked like food to his now-infected sensibilities. He managed to bite two of his fellow recon team members before they could defend themselves. Fortunately, no one was killed, but what had happened turned into a chain reaction, resulting in all of the captured afflicted escaping, and the infected lycans running about sniffing the air for new, uninfected victims.

  Jennie had sprinted off as the last remnants of the cannibal virus waned from her system, bringing reason back to her mind. Realizing where she was and what had happened, she quickly climbed a tree and used her gauntlet to perform a magnification cantus. She wanted to see where everyone was and then formulate a plan to keep them from reinfecting each other, which would have basically kept them in a perpetual state of infection. Infect, burn out, infect, burn out, and on and on it would go.

  She watched her brother as he ran around the perimeter. She needed to get him to safety as soon as he showed signs of recovery, but she couldn't let herself be caught off-guard again. Bagatelle was slowing down, and started to wander off so Jennie jumped down and swept around, flanking his position. Jennie hid behind a tree, waiting for Bagatelle to approach. It looked as if he was going to reach her on his own, but some afflicted soldiers smelled his change and started to move in his direction. She had no choice but to dart towards her brother. Seeing his confused and dull expression, she punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious. She then executed a gravicantus and levitated herself up with him over her shoulder. Tying him to some high branches in a tree, she determined that she was going to get the whole situation under control once and for all.

  Jennie floated over the afflicted as they desperately jumped up, trying to get at her. Moving out quickly to draw them away from her brother's tree, they followed, encircling her position. Still safe at a height of eight meters above their heads, she prepared a push cantus of the greatest power she could muster through her katana. She only had one shot in her plan, and if it failed it would be up to her to recover her brother and to try and save them.

  "G, can you hear me? Are you healed yet?" She touched her comm emblem, calling out to her brother, and waited a minute for his response.

  "Yeah Je
nnie, I'm good now. Damn, that thing kicked my ass. My head hurts."

  "Oh, sorry sweetie. That was me."

  "What was?"

  "I punched you. Had to get you to safety without getting bitten. You aren't mad, are you?"

  Jennie heard her brother laugh as he waved to her. "Excellent command decision, little sister. What's the plan now?"

  "I'm going to drop into the crowd and try to knock everyone unconscious with a push cantus. If I fail you'll totally need to get me to safety so we can try again. Got it?"

  Bagatelle nodded at his little sister and watched her drop into the crowd beneath her levitated position. Immediately, every single afflicted was blown back into a heap of unconsciousness. Bagatelle was out of his tree and down at Jennie's side in a flash, as they two started to physically drag their compatriots to a nearby and tree and tie them up before they regained consciousness. One by one the afflicted lycans came to their senses - with the exception of one - a youth by the name of Lucius. Jennie was crushed to see that someone so young was irreversibly infected, but she couldn't leave him with the humans. She took a muzzle mask and chains, and had him properly restrained. It was her intention to take Lucius back to Krynos' castle to see if her grandfather-in-law could do anything, as he was capable of doing many, many things. When all seemed hopeless, Draagh would come to the rescue.

  ###

  "You called, Father? I could scarcely believe it when I saw your poorly constructed attempts at communication. Why did you not command my presence, as you so often did in the past?"