by SK Benton
The two immensely large men, one a god and the other near-immortal, walked with purpose down the main thoroughfare, the near-immortal one noticing the beautiful women as they passed by more than the tall, gleaming skyscrapers.
"Brother, it is truly amazing how you are able to travel through space and time. So we are in the 29th century, on Max's world?" asked Krynos, still watching everyone woman he saw.
"Close, old friend. We are on Luna, a moon that orbits Max and Jennie's home world. Look back here. Do you not see the huge mass that nearly fills the sky?"
Draagh nudged Krynos to turn around so he would see how Azul nearly covered to entire eastern sky - looking as if it were covered in a mist. Luna orbited on its own axis, and saw Azul in different phases, much like Krynos saw his tiny moon in his own world. Luna's orbit around Azul was forty days, with twenty of the days being exposed to sunlight, and twenty in the darkness. It was the same for Sienna, Azul's other moon, which was tidal-locked with Luna. This made for a two-day-long phase 3 cycle for active lycans on Azul, but this could easily be escaped by going to either of the moons or even off to Vera, which orbited the gas giant Prometheus. In fact, Vera was such a reliable escape from the werewolf cycle that special cages were built in underground bunkers, similar to the cages in Krynos' sub-basement below his castle's dungeon.
"Impressive. Truly impressive, brother. So tell me - what is our mission today?" the lycan king asked his Primulus friend.
"We are going to make a record of the basic genetic makeup of the population." Draagh pulled what appeared to be a pair of glasses, with a lens only on one side, from his pocket. He held it out for Krynos to take. "Put on this device. This part goes on your nose," he instructed while pointing between the lenses. "You shall see things quite clearly once you have donned the device."
Krynos put the device on and immediately gained a surprised expression. He started to look around in all directions, and once he had completed an entire revolution he looked at Draagh while wearing an enormous grin.
"This tells me that we are surrounded by normals. Am I to assume that if I see a ghoul it will also give me the vile creature's information?"
"Yes, old friend, but please - if you happen to encounter a vampire, do nothing. We are currently invisible and no one can hear us, but those of this world are innocent and lack the abilities of their brethren in your world. Remember Lennie, Max's vampire friend in Hollywood? The genetic vampires in this world have even less abilities than that poor lad"
"Yes, yes, of course. I shall conduct myself with the utmost of care. We are, after all, on a reconnaissance mission."
Krynos continued to look around, noting that every person was non-extra-genetic, until he excitedly tugged on Draagh's shirtsleeve.
"Brother, look! A lycan. Ah, a female, and quite lovely is she."
Draagh spied the young woman, who appeared to be approximately Jennie's age. The two started to follow her as she walked down the broad sidewalk and entered into a building. Taking seats in a small café, the two invisible spies sat down next to her just to watch what she was doing. About five minutes after a waiter had brought her a cup of coffee she touched her ear, activating the telephone that was embedded in her earlobe. While no one in the café was privy to her conversation, it was quite a different situation for Draagh and Krynos. They heard both ends of the call quite clearly, thanks to a quick modification to their comm devices, done on the fly by the ancient Primulus.
"Bobby, I'm in public, so I can't really say a lot, but it's true. The underground is all abuzz with the info. Johnson disappeared, and no one knows where he is. The weekly vid address was a fake. He's been gone for weeks already, and the military is stumped. Two officers are also missing, and it's assumed they are with him."
The woman obviously had some information, and her mention of the underground piqued Draagh's curiosity.
"We figured as much, Maria. No one here knows what's going on either, but we did manage to dig up some archived data on that house that exploded. The owner was in Johnson's scientific group, and even though they attempted to wipe the entire family from the data net, we know they existed. They'll be remembered."
The voice on the other end of the call was middle-aged in sound, and apparently was part of an attempt to trace what had happened, ironically, to Kyle Reynolds' family.
"Krynos. Do you realize what they are talking about?" Draagh asked over their shared mental comm.
"No, I do not, old friend."
"They speak of the family of Kyle Reynolds - the nephew of the lover of Luigi Bagatelle. It appears that she may be a rebel. I find it necessary to speak with her. Please do not speak out loud."
Draagh waited for the woman, Maria, to finish her conversation, finding that she was a reporter - a very dangerous profession in the current age. She was finishing her coffee and preparing to stand up when Draagh contacted her, pushing his voice through her earpiece.
"Maria. Please, do not be alarmed. I have accessed your communications device in order to speak with you. I am a friend."
"Who is this?" she whispered, alarmed.
"My name is unimportant, but I believe I can assist you with your investigation into the death of the Reynolds family. Would you like that?"
"Even talking about that can bring death. Who are you and what do you want?"
"I am here to help. That is all. And to tell you that everything is going to be alright."
"Where are you? I always like to put a face with a voice, and you sound… odd."
"You must promise me that you will not be alarmed, my dear. No one will see me but you. It is… advanced technology. Are you fine with this?"
"Yeah, sure, but… oh… my… wow."
Draagh faded into view, seated right before the woman. It would have been startling enough, but Draagh maintained the appearance of a Viking warrior, so it made the situation all that much more comical.
"Greetings. Please, continue to act as though you are on a phone call. No one else can see me."
"Umm, and a good thing too, hun. Who the hell are you?"
"All in good time, my dear. May I ask - are you a reporter with a desire for… freedom?"
The woman nodded her head, confirming what he had suspected.
"And you would like to know what happened to the Reynolds family?"
Again she nodded her head.
"They were murdered in their sleep. The husband, a fine man who unfortunately worked for Chairman Johnson, asked too many questions and was eliminated. However, his son had earlier snuck out of the house and was spared. We have him in a safe location."
"The poor child. I'm glad he's safe. Are you part of the rebellion? Where are you based?"
Draagh paused momentarily before answering. He figured the truth would be vague enough.
"The 43rd century, on Earth. Well, that is where Kyle is. We have bases in many locations throughout space and time."
The woman shook her head and moved to stand up, but found herself unable to do so.
"What is this? How come I can't stand up?" she hoarsely whispered, visibly upset.
"Please, my dear. I only wish to help, but you will need to accept what I tell you. Are you aware of the fate of Rear Admiral Luigi Bagatelle?"
Draagh's mention of the name Bagatelle caused the woman to relax and not attempt to stand up again.
"Bagatelle - yes. He was under house arrest, and that's still the official story, but it's a well-known fact he simply disappeared one day. Why? Do you know what happened to him too?"
"Yes, in fact, I had breakfast with him this morning."
"Where?"
"Oh, the same place. The 43rd century, on Earth."
"Ok, release me or I scream. I'm done with you."
Maria struggled to stand up, but was unable to even move a muscle. Further, she tried to scream and her mouth didn't work. Panic seared through her torso, terminating in her heart. She was seated in front of someone no one else could see, and she was paralyzed. She had no
choice but to cooperate.
"Maria - you name is Maria, am I not correct?"
The woman nodded in the affirmative. He allowed her to do that much.
"Now, my name is Draagh. I am one of the Prīmulī, older than time itself, and you, my dear, are quite special also. Would you like to learn of your heritage?"
Again she nodded her head. She had no choice otherwise.
"Listen, my dear. It is quite a tale. Do you have somewhere to be? It may take a few minutes."
"I'm good for now. I have an interview in an hour, but it's right around the corner."
Draagh was quite convincing, and spent the next fifteen minutes explaining the history of Mankind to Maria. She was especially interested in vampires and their connection to most politicians. It turned out that the woman was a well-known reporter in Azul system, and also part of an extremely unorganized civilian underground. Her group had hacked military communications - hence, her knowledge of the disappearance of Johnson and the death of the Reynolds family.
"So, Draagh, if what you tell me is true, I am different than most people and things of legend - lycans, vampires, magic - they're all real things, just not here?"
"Yes, that is correct my dear. I would like to verify that your little group of rebels is… not a front. Once I have done this I shall like to introduce you to some very important people."
"Like who? What people?"
"I shall reveal this to you once I have verified your group's intentions. Shall we meet here after your interview? I am only in town for the day."
"Sure, meet me back here at six."
Draagh and Krynos continued walking around town, and then with the mage slipping the two to various locations on the moon. They found the same normal/lycan/vampire/mage ratio everywhere they went - less than one half of one percent total of all extra-genetic subspecies. Much lower than Azul, and probably lower than Sienna. Still they had been incredibly lucky to run into Maria earlier in the day. After a couple of hours they returned to Santiago and waited outside the café they had been in earlier, hoping the woman would show up at the predetermined hour. Their luck, it seemed, never ran out.
Maria walked up to Draagh, seeing him standing outside the café. The woman was intelligent, and, not wanting to seem like she was insane and talking to thin air, she stood next to Draagh and whispered to him.
"I can see you. Are you invisible to everyone else?"
"No one else can see me. Oh, I did not tell you, I have a companion with me and he would like to meet you also."
Krynos came into view, but didn't cause the woman to flinch. She merely looked at him and smiled.
"Wow. You guys look like something out of history books," she murmured softly.
"We have been told so, my dear. Please, I would like to introduce to you Krynos, King of the Rhönen Dominion on Earth of the 43rd century."
"Greetings, young one. Are you part of the valiant attempt to free your world of the vampire scum that have so penetrated its political infrastructure?" asked Krynos
"Um, yep. That's about it."
Excellent, my dear," said Draagh, "now we would like to meet your group of rebels."
"Um, not so fast, sweetie. I need some assurance you aren't part of some hi-tech military… oh…my".
Rhönen Dominion, 4268
Maria found herself standing outside Krynos' castle and looked at the moat just as one of the sharks breached and crashed back into the waters below.
"Welcome to my castle, young lady," said Krynos.
Maria, I need for you to smell the air. Look afar and tell me if your senses are sharper," inquired Draagh.
The woman drew in deeply through her nose and gained a pleasant look of knowledge on her attractive face. She scanned around and apparently was listening to things she had never heard before.
"It's real. You weren't kidding, were you? But, how did we get here?"
Before Draagh could answer, Gabriel flew over and landed with a concussive boom in front of the trio, his beautiful wings spread out and lightly flapping. Maria was more than shocked and stared at the archangel in awe.
"Father, who have you brought to us? She smells of Max's world," asked Gabriel.
"Who… who are you?" asked Maria.
"I am Gabriel."
"Who is my son," said Draagh.
"Oh my god… are you… God?" asked Maria, looking at Draagh, and causing him to chuckle.
"Oh no, no, no my dear. He, who you refer to as God, we know as Jah, and He is my father. This is Gabriel, the-"
"Archangel. Yes, I know. I'm Catholic. I just never thought that… wow."
"It is my pleasure to meet you. What is your name, young human?" said Gabriel.
"Maria. Maria López. I'm a reporter on Azul and… oh wow. This is cool."
"Well, Maria. It was a pleasure meeting you. However, I have great need to speak with my father. If you'll excuse us for a moment."
Being polite, Draagh and Gabriel walked a few meters away, and were obviously communicating telepathically. The woman could hear nothing, but Krynos called her attention to the castle.
"Maria, would you like to tour the grounds?"
"Um, sure. I guess."
"My brothers, I am bringing young Maria into the castle. Please call upon us when you wish to depart. Young lady, come this way if you would," said Krynos, putting his hooked arm out for her to hold onto.
Maria watched with fascination as she walked with Krynos across the expansive drawbridge. She noticed a small girl picking up an impossibly large piece of an animal carcass and easily tossing it into the moat. The child casually waved to the pair as they entered an open court, where numerous men and women moved about.
Wow, it's like I'm in a historical vid. Craaaazy!
"So, my dear. Would you like to meet those who would save your world?" asked Krynos.
"Um, yes! Who are you talking about? And, I can't really be gone that long, ok?"
"Lord Draagh will place you back from where we left at the same exact moment we departed. Ah, look! It is young Max. Max! Here, my boy!"
"Just a minute. Is that… Max Gunnarsson? The technology thief?"
"The one and only. King Krynos, who do you… hey! You're Maria López! Reporter for Zorro News, aren't you?" Max recognized the woman as easily as she recognized his name.
"The very one. I want an exclusive interview once the revolution is done with."
"Hang on. I'm not so sure about that," said the hybrid captain, "and we have other, more pressing matters to attend to at the moment."
Max never had a great love for those in the news industry. They tended to fold like a deck of flimsy cards under government pressure. And it was thanks to them that the population of Azul and her three moons were so enthralled with Johnson and his new brand of government.
"I want to know how you got away with Lt. Ryder Johnson's invention. Where did you go with it? You were reported as dead, but we hacked military transmission that said you were alive, and operating with impunity under some sort of cloak."
Max gave her an incredulous gaze, with a rare sneer lining his lips.
"I stole no such technology. I discovered side space and invented the hook drive. Johnson's a liar, and I have no time for people in your profession." Max started to walk away, when his gorgeous wife approached, seeing her husband and Krynos talking with a strange woman in modern clothing.
"Hey baby. Who's the newcomer?" asked Jennie.
"Oh my god! Lt. Jennifer Escalante? How far does this go?" yelped the foreign reporter.
"Are you serious? Max, what’s she doing here?" Jennie immediately became perturbed after recognizing López.
'Hey, don't blame me. The King here and that old dude out there practically accosted me in a café in Santiago. I was there for an interview, and now I'm here."
"Jesus Christ, Max. Wipe her brain! She's part of the problem… damned reporters," said Jennie.
"Max looked like he was considering what his wife had just said, mak
ing Maria nervous.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"The old guy-"
"You shall address him as Lord Draagh, young whelp!" bellowed Krynos, now having lost respect for his guest. Krynos was a forgiving type, but anyone who spoke of Draagh, Max or Jennie in a demeaning fashion instantly incurred his wrath. The woman instantly changed her tone as she continued.
"Apologies. Lord Draagh found me. I guess he was listening to me speak with my underground. We are fighting Johnson's regime, and he-"
"You're a rebel?" Max interrupted.
"Yes, I am part of an underground network - the only one doing anything, and he wanted to meet my team. I said I wanted to make sure he wasn't with Johnson first, so he took me here. By the way, where's here?"
"Earth. Germany. 43rd century. Didn’t he tell you that? And you're in the amateur league, sweetie. We're the real rebellion," informed Jennie, going heavy on the sarcasm.
"Yes, yes he did. Sorry. I'm just. Wow, Miss Escalante, did you know you smell amazing?"
"It's Mrs. Gunnarsson to you."
"You guys married? Oh please, please! I really need to have an exclusive interview with the two of you once everything's back to normal. This is too good!"
"Girly, you don't get shit until you prove yourself," growled Jennie.
"Love, be nice. I know Pops, and he has a reason for everything. We'll need the media on our side for this to work," said Max to his beautiful mate.
"For what to work, Commander?" Maria asked.
"That's Captain… and if you pass muster we'll show you soon enough."
"Why doesn't my recorder work?" asked Maria López, completely unaware of the fact that technology and magic, in most cases, were completely incompatible. She was seated at what passed for the family table in the commissary, surrounded by Max, Jennie, Draagh and the newly-arrived Michael.
"Your little box is useless here, girly. Besides, you mention a word of what we have here and my husband will fry your brain." Jennie didn't like the woman and it showed. She was fiercely protective of her own, and she made sure the reporter knew it.
