Godschild Covenant: Return of Nibiru

by Marshall Masters

  Ann-Marie quickly slipped a surgical mask over her face and rushed to Tanya's side. Slipping another mask over Tanya's bewildered face; she began to help her out of the room as the security chief looked at Chavez with a hesitant look.

  “Do exactly as Anthony says,” Chavez ordered. He stepped aside to let Ann-Marie and Tanya pass and then followed Vigo out of the room at a fast trot.

  After the four had left, Chavez closed her eyes with a pained expression on her face. “This is terrible—so terrible!"

  Anthony's demeanor softened somewhat. “Please do not be alarmed, Connie. We deal with this every day, and all of this is simply a precaution. We know what we're doing. Besides, each of use receives regular inhibitor injections for 3G to protect us from situations just like this.” What he chose not to tell her was that their inhibitor treatments were less effective against the newest variant of the 3G flu.

  Tears began to stream down Chavez's face as Anthony walked around to the other side of her bed where the I.V. stand stood.

  “This is awful; I don't know what to do,” she lamented.

  “If you wish to postpone this, that is your choice, but we will have to leave shortly. We need to place Tanya in isolation for at least 24 hours, for observation. Connie, there is nothing you can do for her, and, if I may be frank, you can help her more from the other side than from a sick bed."

  “I hope you're right, Anthony."

  “It is the honest truth."

  “Then take me across, Anthony. Do it now."

  Anthony took hold of the trigger grip with one hand and placed the other on her forehead. “I will take you halfway there, and from there you can decide this in a more relaxed setting."

  * * *

  Shut Up and Tee Off

  THE FLIGHT BACK from Berkeley had been a dark and troubling ride. Vigo and the security chief had been unable to find the ailing gardener and remained behind, while Anthony and Ann-Marie tended to Tanya on the return trip with a heavy feeling of doubt and dread hanging over them. After Tanya had been transferred to isolation, he returned to his dome exhausted, collapsing immediately on his bunk in a deep, fitful sleep.

  Starting the next day hadn't been any easier, he admitted to himself as he pushed the scrambled powdered eggs on his plate with disinterest. Luckily, his head was clear, but he only had enough appetite to slowly chew his biscuits and a few forkfuls of eggs. Washing them down with sweet tea, his mind was now centered entirely on Tanya.

  Before going to the mess tent, he stopped by her isolation room to see how she was doing. She was sleeping, but he could see the initial telltale signs of stage two 3G. Because it appeared so quickly, it was obvious that Chavez's gardener had been infected with the latest, most deadly variant of 3G.

  The virus had moved into her chest and already a hint of blue was appearing under her fingernails. She was dying and there was nothing anyone could do. Would it happen to him again as it had with Roxanne LeBlanc, his lover of years past who had secretly born a child by him? He would not get a chance to express his feelings and to let her know that he loved her.

  It made him wonder if his destiny was to watch every woman he would ever come to love die before he could find the courage to express his feelings. It was as though he was cursed in love, and it made him wonder if he would spend the rest of his life alone for no reason.

  With his eyes intensely fixed in a long stare, he agonized over this. Till now in his life, he had always avoided making himself vulnerable with expressions of love. Since he came to Los Gatos, however, everything changed, and he could no longer deny the love he now felt for a son he'd never met and whom evil and dark people were now holding hostage. He deeply hoped that he would get a chance to deal with all of that later, but for now, there was only Tanya.

  There had been an evening of inspired petting and his deep attraction to her. Had he really fallen in love with her, only to ignore it as he had with Roxanne LeBlanc? Even if Roxanne had not loved him, he loved her, and knowing that he lacked the courage to tell her so had become a deep pain in his soul.

  He faced his doubts. There was no backing out of it; he was in love with Tanya. Now that she was dying, could he let her slip away without knowing how much he cared for her? Was it so important to his sense of emotional security to remain silent as he always had in the past?

  As he pondered this question, he saw Vigo walk into the mess tent with dark bags under his eyes as they searched for him. Obviously, he'd been traveling all night and hadn't slept. Anthony smiled at him as he sat down on the bench next to him.

  “Man, I feel like I've been rode hard and put up wet,” Vigo moaned. “I'm getting too old for this."

  “I've still got a few Ginseng vials in my wall locker if you want it,” Anthony replied. “Since you already know the combination to that lock, you can go and help yourself."

  Vigo shook his head and then looked around to see if anyone within earshot of them was noticing their conversation. Most of the staff had already had their breakfast, and the mess tent was almost empty. Except for the usual cooking and cleaning sounds from the kitchen, the tent was extremely quiet. Satisfied that they had a reasonable amount of privacy, he fished the data chip from his pocket and put it in Anthony's hand and said in a hushed voice, “I didn't take this from you, son. I took it from the thief who tried to rob you this morning while you were visiting Tanya."

  “A thief?” Anthony also said with a hushed voice.

  “Not just a thief, Anthony; he was a spook sent here to spy on you while pretending to be one of the maintenance crew."

  “Oh, shit!” Anthony exclaimed as he cradled his forehead in his hands. No doubt, his dome was bugged. “How much? You know. How much did he get?"

  “I was bringing you some Scotch whisky this morning, figured I'd leave it on your bunk, when I found him sneaking out of your dome. I followed him and then took him down where we would not be noticed. That was when I found the chip and this,” he slipped a small microwave receiver from his pant pocket just enough for Anthony to see it and then pushed it back in. “It made sweeping your dome for bugs a whole lot easier, and I got them all. Trust me when I tell you that it was real state-of-the-art stuff, my boy. As it turned out, leaving the whiskey for you was a good cover for me. As for the spy, well let's just say that he just had an unfortunate rock climbing accident, as in keep your mouth shut and don't ask any questions."

  “No problemo. So, what's on the chip, Vigo?"

  “Detailed architectural renderings of an old missile silo at Fort Hood Texas, and two highly classified CIA dossiers on a couple of Syrians who go by the names of Colonel Yasin and Captain Darkazani. According to her security chief, Connie got it the day before she asked you to go to Berkeley. Jesus, this thing is big. Senator Chavez must have had to pull in some pretty damn big markers to get this stuff, because she had to get it to you. It is where Russell is being held."

  “Well then, let's go and get him."

  “Whoa, hot shot. Taking on a whole military base is no simple undertaking. With an operation like this, people are going to die. Lots of people.” Vigo leaned over and whispered. “The UNE controls that silo, Anthony. Perhaps this will give you an idea of what we're up against. Son, we'll only get one chance. We'll do it, but we've got to do it right the first time, so let old Vigo work on this till we're ready to move. Can I trust you for that?"

  Anthony smiled for the first time and nudged Vigo's arm. “Ok, grandfather. We'll play it your way."

  Anthony's endearment made Vigo's tired eyes beam with joy. “You just let old dad do the foot work here. You'd be surprised at the kind of things that can be done if you know what to do, and I've been there, done it, seen it and bought all the damn tee shirts. Now, I can tell you that this is not going to be a two-man job. We're going to need a team, but that's no problem. You'd be surprised at how many people are willing to go out on a limb for you, son."

  “Other lives at risk. I don't know how I feel about this. Have you already begun rec
ruiting a team?"

  “No. Not until you give me the go-ahead. You're Russell's daddy and I'm, by God, not going to jump into your turf."

  “These are high stakes, Vigo. I've got to have some time to think about it."

  “That's fine, but we don't have the luxury of time, son."

  “Why don't you get yourself something to eat, Vigo, and let me think a minute?"

  “Sure, them eggs look like shit but at least they're warm.” He slid out of the bench as Anthony took a sip of tea and pondered his revelations.

  Anthony was almost to the bottom of his cup of tea when Vigo returned with full tray sporting a small pile of bacon strips. Anthony glanced at the bacon. “How in the hell did you manage that?"

  “Trade secret, my boy, but no worries. I brought enough for the both of us.” He put half the bacon on Anthony's tray and began digging in.

  “OK, supposing for one minute,” Anthony ventured, “I say it's a go. Who have you got in mind for the team?"

  Vigo swallowed his mouthful of bacon and said, “For starters, your orderly, Charlie. He is one hell of a sharpshooter, and we'll need someone like him to take out a few of the guards. We'll also need a military transport and some other folks as well. The transport could be the biggest problem."

  Anthony shook his head. “Do you know the crew of the Flying Circus?"

  “Heck, yeah."

  “If and when I decide to do this, you'll find an old telescope eyepiece on the top shelf of my locker. Give it to Captain Jerome Richard and tell him what you need."

  “See, it's already coming together. I know you've got to warm up to it and all, but I smell a successful rescue here. The minute you say the word, I'll be all over this like white on rice."

  Anthony turned towards him and put an arm on his shoulder. “Vigo, I'm sure glad we ironed out our differences yesterday. It has been a long time in my life since a man could ever make me feel like a son."

  For Vigo, the words were a blessing to hear, and they brought a warm, yet fierce smile to his lips. “I could never hope to walk in your real father's shoes, Anthony, but I love you every bit as much even if I am an old, scruffy son-of-a-bitch with an attitude. We're going to pull through all of this together, and things are going to be OK."

  Anthony nodded, “Before you walked into this mess tent, I felt like my life was going down the drain. Now, I've got some hope. By the way, did you ever find that gardener?"

  Vigo's face fell. “Yeah. Seeing two jerks in moon suits with drawn pistols scared the hell out of the poor fellow. We got him down and held him till EMS arrived. He looked to me to have 3G. Funny how that virus works. Some folks go quick, and others go real slow. This guy was going slow. Heck, maybe it was the tequila, who knows? How about Tanya, what's the story on her?"

  Anthony sighed, “She's going quick, Vigo. Too quick."

  “Oh, God,” he exclaimed. “I knew it was a long shot, but I was hoping she'd be OK. Damn shame it is. I could see how much you two love each other. I was really hoping you two would have a chance to get together. Heck, everyone in this center was secretly hoping for the same thing. How are you taking it?"

  “It's different when it's somebody you care for."

  “I know, son. Have you told her you love her?"

  “No."

  Vigo stacked the trays and cups and stood up. “I'll take care of this stuff. You know what you've got to do, so get after it."

  A melancholy smile crossed Anthony's face. “I'll do it right now."

  * * * *

  ANTHONY PEEKED THROUGH the door to Tanya's isolation room. She was awake and speaking with Ramona. Baker saw him and motioned for him to enter. As soon as he entered the room holding a hand-made balloon, Tanya's ashen face lit up. He had made the balloon from a surgical glove and painted a happy face on it with colored markers.

  He walked up beside her bed and placed the balloon next to her. “Thank you, Anthony,” she said with weak but cheerful voice. “It is a beautiful balloon."

  “Well, it's not what I really had in mind,” he said tenderly. “But darn the luck, the gift shop was closed this morning."

  “But we don't have a gift shop."

  “I guess that explains why I couldn't find it,” he teased. “How are you, kiddo?"

  “I could say something foolishly brave, like ‘I've been better,’ but I know my number is up. Still the same, I'm really glad to see you. I really am."

  Looking exhausted yet determined to stay by her friend; Ramona sensed a deeper level of feelings between them than ever before and excused herself from the room to give them their privacy.

  Anthony pulled a chair next to Tanya's bed and sat close by. Reaching through the side rail he gently took held her hand. “If you get tired and need to rest, just let me know."

  “Please stay, Anthony. I've thought so much about you and how much time I wasted. We could have been much more if only I hadn't been so..."

  “Hesitant,” he added.

  “Yes."

  He squeezed her hand lovingly. “We were both hesitant, so no regrets."

  “Anthony, I don't want to die like a vegetable. Will you help me when the time comes?"

  The simple request shot through him like a painful bolt. Each day, he heard the same request time-and-again from strangers, but hearing it from her lips was a new and terrible thing. His lower lip trembled slightly as he spoke with a sad, resigned voice, “Of course."

  Troubled by the thought of helping her across, he picked up a moist towel from a medical tray and dabbed moisture into her dry lips. Lips that had once tasted so sweet to him.

  Setting the cloth down, he blinked hesitantly for a moment. “Tanya, I want you to know something that is important to me. Well, it is important that I know you know, if you follow what I mean."

  “Yes, Anthony."

  He cleared his throat. “Before I tell you, I want you to know that you don't have to say anything. I just need for you to hear it.” She nodded with soft, encouraging eyes.

  “Tanya, I love you, and I'm going to miss you terribly. I'm not asking you to love me back, but I just wanted you to know. I guess I'm just being selfish, but I couldn't go through the rest of my life knowing that I'd missed this opportunity to tell you. Losing you now is hard enough as it is."

  Tears began to well up in her sunken eyes. “Anthony, my dear Anthony. I love you, too, and I so wish we could have had more time together. When we're healthy and dealing with life, we always try and postpone some things until we feel ready. Yet, when the end comes, we realize, as I have now, that life is sweet and so short and not to be wasted on such antics."

  A wave of relief washed through him followed by a terrible sense of loss and grief. He wanted to cry more than anything in the world yet not a single tear would grace his cheek as he looked upon her with a deep sense of longing and remorse. Closing his eyes, he rested his forehead against the cool metal of the side rail. “It's not fair,” he lamented.

  With great effort, Tanya lifted her arm from the other side of her body and stroked his hair with a slight tremble. “My dear Anthony. You are so kind and good with the process of dying. If only there was a way to reverse the process.” Taking a shallow breath, she laid her arm across her chest.

  “Process.” He whispered. “A process. Yes!” The word had suddenly triggered an epiphany in his mind. His head shot up as a myriad of ideas tumbled quickly in his mind and she could see the firestorm of thought in his eyes. “Tanya, I think there is a way, just maybe. It will not be easy and you will have to help me, but will you let me try?"

  “Will it put you at risk?"

  “No. The only risk is that it will not work. Let me explain. I believe that in Chinese medicine they would say that you have an exterior wind invasion. In such a case, the treatment would be to find a way to let the evil out of your body. However, the problem is that you are so weak that it will not work. But if we can direct the healing energy of the universe into your body, it could give you the strength to achieve
the same goal."

  “Do you mean something like acupuncture?"

  “Not really, even though acupressure will be a part of it. Look, I'm not a doctor, and most doctors would think I'm nuts for talking about this, but when I was in college I took a few special interest classes on Jin Shin Jyutsu. It is a Japanese healing art, and it was practiced before Moses was born. Essentially, what you do is to use a light touch to harmonize the body, mind and spirit, to draw the healing power of the universe into the body and bring it back into balance. I've forgotten a lot of what I learned, but I still remember a few techniques and use them to help my clients to relax so they can leave their bodies. Although if my old instructor ever learned I was doing this, she'd have a fit."

  Tanya rolled her eyes. “I don't think I have enough time left to try this Anthony."

  He raised his hands. “Give me a chance, here, so I can explain the rest of it to you. Please, I'm about to tell you things that I never share with anyone else. Things that must remain between us.” Tanya smiled and nodded even though she felt certain it would not work. Yet, for his sake, she would listen.

  “All things vibrate,” he began. “Our bodies vibrate as does the spirit within each of us. While doctors speak of death in clinical terms that they can measure, what I see and know is simply a change of the body's vibrational state."

  “I'm not following you,” she said weakly.

  “All right. Let me put it this way. A healthy body vibrates at a level sufficient to contain the spirit. When its vibration rate drops, it can no longer contain the spirit. In the case of death, the spirit floats free. We can alter our vibrational state through meditation and similar techniques and give our spirits a chance to leave our bodies for a short period of time. This is really all that I do when I work with my clients. I change the vibrational state of their bodies so they can float free long enough to make their final decision. If they decide not go across, I simply up their vibration rate."

  “But Anthony, how does this relate to the 3G virus?"