by SK Benton
Max determined Jennie was a safe distance away from any ghouls, so he decided he would join his father and uncle in a hunt for the escapees.
"Jen, why don't you head back to the police station and help Jake out. I'll be back in a bit."
"Why? Where are you going, Max?"
The hybrid smiled as obsidian wings unfolded from his back, with him then going invisible. Jennie felt a tremendous rush of air as he took off into the sky.
Wish I had wings. So cool. Be safe, love.
Jennie took off down the street, heading directly to the police station, which was a scant five kilometers away. Still in her phase 2 form, she easily leaped over cars and major obstacles, even using her enhanced claws to climb up the side of a building. Reaching the top, she got an aerial view of the city, while she checked her levels meter. She would need to consume some calories before she did much else. She could see clusters of Vrol blasting anything in their paths, and against her better judgment, took off in their direction. She was nearly at their location when a bomb dropped onto a rather large group of bugs, obliterating them where they stood. She looked up and saw a heavy weapons aerial tank, called a Pig, dropping charged cluster bombs onto anything Vrol. But she became immediately upset when she saw a number of civilians injured by the powerful explosives. With a snarl, she jumped from building to building, chasing the craft, and nearing where it was hovering, leaped through the air, barely grabbing the landing gear. Jennie quickly climbed up and inside, scaring the life out of the two airmen inside.
"What the hell are you doing? Those are civilians down there!" she screamed. Her voice had taken on an alternate tonality, due to her enhanced state, and her appearance was enough to frighten any normal person.
"Who… who are you?" the pilot cried out, right before he noticed the commander stripes on her shoulders.
"Commander Jennifer Gunnarsson, you moron! Stop bombing women and children and fight those bugs like humans. Get over to that clearing. I'll draw them away from the people, and then you can nail them. Do you have a handheld comm?"
"Yes, Ma'am. Here you go," said the pilot, handing her a small device.
"When I say to, you drop everything you have on them, whether you can see me or not."
The pilot turned again to confirm her orders but she was no longer in the ship. He flew out west to the clearing Jennie had pointed out and watched below, as a single person hacked and slashed away, in an attempt to move the bugs to a more convenient location. After five minutes it seemed to be working, and she had managed to get nearly all Vrol to the top of a parking garage.
"Pilot, drop your ordinance, now!" she demanded.
"Ma'am, I can't get a fix on your location."
"Now!"
The pilot took a deep breath and nodded to his weapons officer, who pushed a button, releasing their payload on the parking structure.
The entire area disintegrated in a massive explosion.
"Holy shit! I don't think she got out," exclaimed the pilot.
"Oh, we're fine, sweetie," said Jennie, now back to her day form and looking fabulous as always. To her side was Max, sitting in a jump seat with a wide grin on his face.
"But…but, how did you do that? We're fifty meters in the air?" stammered the weapons officer.
"Personal levitation device. I got to my wife just in time," said Max, lying through his teeth.
"Thanks for snagging me out of there, honey. I don't wanna hear you were babysitting me."
"Naw, I just happened to notice a phase 2 lycan leaping over buildings and luring stupid bugs to their impending doom."
"So, how did you know it was me?"
"Sorry, let me rephrase that - I saw a super-hot phase 2 lycan leaping over buildings. And you need some food, pronto. I can see your levels and they're about tanked."
"Lieutenant, go back to base and reload. We have more bugs to kill," ordered Max.
"Sir, yes sir!" responded the pilot, who then turned back around and asked, "Sir, are you Captain Max Gunnarsson? The one who was on the vid?"
"Yes, that's correct, Lieutenant. Why do you ask?"
"I just wanted to thank you, sir. After Admiral Bagatelle was detained we had no idea what was going on. There were rumors about the Artusians, and he was right all along. May I ask where you were for an entire year? Were you running the resistance?"
"Um, no. I was on Earth, planning our return. Look out!"
Max noticed a little too late, as a Vrol flyer attacked their craft, grabbing onto it with its claws and ripping the engines off one side. The ship careened to port, with Max and Jennie nearly falling out of the open door. Max knew the ship was doomed, so he did what was instinctive - he slipped all four of them out and to an open area.
"Holy crap! What happened? Where's the ship?" the lieutenant cried out in dismay. His weapons officer lie on the ground, knocked unconscious by the attack.
"Hang on a sec," said Max, adjusting his vision and looking at the pilot through his enhanced Primulus meter.
"Jen, he's lycan. The weapons officer is a normal. Should we pump him up?"
"I'd say no, but he does deserve a small explanation."
"Lieutenant… Rodriguez," Max started, looking at the pilot's name badge, "I assume you watched the entire vid of the joint session of Congress, right?"
"Yes sir, I did. Why do you ask?"
"Do you recall the part where we said that Mankind used to have enhanced subspecies?"
"Um, yes sir. Why?"
"Well, you're one of them."
"Oh god. Am I going to be arrested?"
"Huh?" Jennie and Max both exclaimed simultaneously.
"About one-third of Congress was removed, I heard they were arrested."
"That wasn't on the vid. How did you find out?" asked Jennie.
"Rumors fly around. So, am I in trouble?"
Max laughed. "No, not at all, Lieutenant. There are two main subspecies - lycans and vampires. You're lycan, like us. Well, not exactly like us. Our abilities are in full bloom."
"So, we're lycans, like in the old Underworld movies?"
"Not even close. We're much cooler than that. Plus, we're super sexy in comparison. I swear, lycans so got the raw end of the deal when it came to fantasy writing and movies on Earth," complained Jennie.
"So, if lycans are good, are vampires bad?"
"All the congressmen who were detained were gen-vamps; vampire-potentials, and had some really nasty traits."
"Chairman Johnson?"
"Vamp!" Max and Jennie laughed out at the same time.
"And what do these vampires look like... hey! Is that Senator Byrd?"
All three watched as a naked politician ran screaming by them, holding the severed arm of an unfortunate victim in his hand.
"Looks like it. And he's an active vampire. Hang on," said Max, as he impossibly drew a sniper rifle out of his sub-dimensional pocket, aimed and blew the back of the fleeing senator's head wide open, dropping him to the ground like a sack of lead.
"Looks like the Military Scientific Research Department has some new toys these days," said Rodriguez, wearing a smile.
"We don't have a full moon for weeks. I'm doping him," said Max.
"Lieutenant. I'm activating your lycan genome, under the direct authority invested in me by Admiral Luigi Bagatelle."
"Um, how can you… ouch!"
Max grinned as he capped the syringe and put it back into his pocket.
"You'll start feeling the effects soon enough. Come with us, we need to acquire you a new ship and get your weapons officer to the infirmary."
The previously unconscious weapons officer started to regain his wits, but Max snapped his fingers, knocking him out again.
"What I'm about to do is classified. You are to tell no one of our method of travel. Do you understand, Lieutenant?"
"Yes sir. Oh. Sharga." Rodriguez saw his surroundings suddenly shift to an infirmary in Buenos Aires' naval base.
After Jennie had consumed a pound of beef
, and getting the weapons officer admitted to the infirmary, Max gave the lieutenant a hub-relay comm. The three then took off for the hangar, with Max signing off on a new ship for Rodriguez and sending him on his way with a new weapons specialist.
"In about an hour you'll start hearing communications in your head. The comm is basically telepathic. I want you to keep me updated with what you see from low altitude. Avoid bugs and just look for vampires. If you see any, hit me on the comm. Just think my name and I'll hear you."
"Thank you, sir. We'll find them. And sir?"
"Yes, Lieutenant?"
"Vampires really aren't sexy, beautiful immortal creatures like in Earth's movies, are they?"
"No! They die young and smell like ass!" Jennie blurted out, laughing as the two of them disappeared with a light pop.
I wish I had paid more attention in science class, Rodriguez thought to himself.
Chapter 31 - Pure Genius!
After five days of ground and air fighting the Azulian forces were still unable to quell to constant barrage of Vrol troops. To make things worse, the Brood Carrier was nowhere to be found, but bugs were still being transported to populated areas, forcing the science team to create more radio frequency transmitters. Max wracked his brain, trying to figure a way he could detect the Vrol's main vessel, but without side space drives they were stuck in the water. Draagh said he could not detect the craft, but for some reason he seemed a bit aloof, as if he was waiting for something to happen.
Then Max suddenly realized he had what he needed all along.
Stupid! Stupid! How come I didn't think of it before?
###
Standing on the steps of Seven Sins, Dons' nightclub in PAH, Max steeled himself and walked up into the bar. He was instantly recognized, and had numerous beers shoved into his face before he could get to his target - Lennie.
"Heya Maxie! Good ta see ya, mate!" exclaimed the good-natured vampire.
"Hi, Lennie. You are looking well. How's Jelly?"
"'Bout ready to pop any day! Little Max will be healthy and happy, we hope."
"I'm sure he'll be just fine. Lennie, I'm not here on vacation. You know, the Vrol attacked and we're at full-blown war."
"I heard. So why are you here, then?"
"I need your help. I need your blood."
"Huh? Sure, but why?"
Max sighed, trying to figure out how to tell his friend the truth. He chose otherwise.
He lied.
"Lennie, you know how vampires are really bad actors where I live, right?"
"If you mean assholes, yeah. I know."
"Well, I believe a sample of your blood will enable me to make a cure for them."
"A cure? So they can be more like us here?"
"Exactly."
"Take all you need, my friend."
Lennie pulled up the sleeve of his shirt and exposed his alabaster-white arm, smiling and willing to do anything to help his friend. Max honestly wished what he was saying was true, because then he'd be able to take Lennie and Jelly back to Azul for a decent chance at life. But he needed the man's blood for other reasons. Max pulled a syringe and two vials out of his pocket and drew a substantial amount of Lennie's life fluid. Not nearly enough to make the man weak, but enough for what he was about to do.
Max pocketed the vials and walked back to the bar, calling Marko over. He had earlier asked the mutated lycan if he wanted to assist in the recapture of Azul, to which the man had anxiously agreed.
"Marko!"
"Sir! It's really good to see you."
"Still want to see the galaxy? And get into some fights?"
"You bet! I'm your man! But… what about the clan?"
"I already ran it by Dons," said Max, as they both looked over to the clan leader. Dons merely waved and smiled. He wasn't about to leave his home, but had no problem letting anyone else help Max out.
"Okay, stand next to me. You start basic training now."
"Basic… training?"
Max Gunnarsson and Marko disappeared from the bar without further ado.
###
"Josh, use this blood. I've made it so Johnson's crap devices will read it as live," said Max as he approached the young LTJG while accompanied by a homeless-looking man.
"Captain, when did you find Johnson? I've heard nothing."
"This isn't… Johnson's blood. I just hope it will work."
Josh gave Max a quizzical gaze, and then excitedly turned to his test equipment. Generating the same type of gelatinous card as he did with Ryder Johnson's remains, he inserted the card in a slot.
Stage One: complete.
Stage Two: complete.
Everyone held their breath, only exhaling when the hook pushed out of its encasement and started to glow.
Cheers filled the hall, while Josh shut the machinery down, not wishing to activate a live hook in a warehouse, potentially murdering everyone in its vicinity by sucking them into a chaotic, sub-dimensional realm.
"What was that? What did you do, Captain?"
"Never mind. The sample was close enough. You're coming with me. Which is the primary vessel that will activate all the other ships?"
"Um, that would be the Revolution, sir," responded the young man.
Max looked at the junior officer, and gave him a great smile. Then, taking a step back, he put on his best official face, and said, "Josh Mannheim, Lieutenant Junior Grade, I hereby grant you a brevet promotion to the rank of full lieutenant, to be made official by Admiral Bagatelle as time permits."
Josh nearly stumbled back, stunned. Smartly saluting Max, he was surprised when his superior officer grabbed and hugged him, while grabbing Marko's arm. Josh was even more startled when he found himself in a small room.
"Where are we, sir?"
"On the Revolution. I just don't like slipping into crowds of people. Only a few know of my abilities."
"I think I'm gonna puke, Mr. Max."
"Marko, you'll get used to it. We're only here for a few, anyway. Josh, where's the thing we need to stick your card into?"
"On the bridge, sir."
The three made a mad dash for the bridge, which was on the other side of the ship. Josh was no longer the anti-athletic geek he once was. His activated lycan genetics had turned him into the practical equivalent of an Olympic decathlon athlete, and if anyone appreciated that fact it was his wife. Marko, however, had yet to be inoculated and was struggling to keep up.
They reached the bridge, startling Bagatelle, who had his eyes glued to the numerous view screens, as usual.
"Permission to enter the bridge, sir," said Max.
Bagatelle waved the two in. "Hello Captain. Any news? And why did you bring the junior lieutenant and the Hollywood bartender with you?"
"Wanna start the hook?"
"Are you saying you can activate the side space drive?"
"Yup. And he's now full lieutenant. I gave him a promotion."
Bagatelle nodded his head as Josh dashed to the equipment Johnson had his techs install in the Revolution - equipment that required live samples of the dictator's DNA in order to activate the hook drive. Josh pushed his card into a slot similar to the one in his test equipment.
Nothing.
"Lieutenant, what happened? Why isn't anything working?" demanded Bagatelle.
"I don't know, sir. It should work."
Max carefully scanned the panel where the card was inserted, and realized the equipment wasn't started by a card. "Josh, look, there's a thumbprint on the console. Pour some of this blood on it." Max handed the young man a vial of Lennie's blood. Josh then carefully put a drop on the thumbprint. Almost as if by magic, a panel of lights started flickering wildly.
"Sir, we have hook drive control," barked Alicia Vasquez, seated at the command chair.
"Check with the other ships and see if they are similarly affected," the admiral ordered.
Moments later they received confirmations. All ships on Azul's fleet now had side space capabilities, including t
he Draeders that Max had previously deactivated and then reactivated by merely disconnecting and then reconnecting some wires.
"Start searching all side space frequencies for occupiers. Immediately," said Bagatelle. "And Lieutenant, make sure this is permanent. By the way, good work. As for your promotion, whatever Max said is official in my book. We'll make a record of it later."
"Sir, thank you, sir."
Max looked out at the depths of the galaxy, as the Revolution was sucked into side space. Wildly weaving strands of multicolored light ran in all directions, each a path to a different place in the galaxy, and potentially the known universe. No one knew exactly what side space was, but it was the fastest way to get around the universe at the time - for humans. Max and his family could go much faster. Still, he felt stupid. For as smart as he was, he tended to be too logical in his thought processes, and not creative - at all. Lennie was the key all along. He had guessed Lennie, the kindly vampire drummer from Post-Apocalyptic Hollywood, was Len Johnson's doppelganger long before, but never made the genetic connection for starting the hook drives.
I'm gonna have to take some creative writing courses or something. I just don't see things.
"Admiral, I'm picking up Jennie and getting back to the Reagan. Plus, I need to drop Marko off for training. Then we're going to start hunting. Josh, would you like a lift back to the base?"
The lieutenant paused briefly, and then looked at his superior officers. "Actually, sirs, could I stay aboard the Revolution for a while? I've worked with this technology so much, and I'd really like to experience it a bit if I could."
