"My thoughts exactly,” Johnson said. “Good call."
"But I don't think it will come to that. It's here somewhere, I know it."
"We'll see."
Johnson left Reese and went from man to man, checking their status. There was nothing to do but wait at this point. Then Reese heard the voice over the headset.
"Located,” the SEAL said. All the members on Team One looked in the direction of the flare. They saw smoke being pushed by an obvious air current coming through the wall.
"Let's get it open,” Johnson said over the headset.
Reese felt his stomach tighten. “Look for a stone that looks out of place,” Reese added. “Discolored or worn more than the others. But don't open it until you are..."
It was too late. The SEAL standing on the left side of the door outline grabbed at a stone; the door swung open with such force that the man standing next to him was hit and thrown like a rag doll against the wall. There was an audible cracking sound as all the bones in his body were shattered by the impact.
The Navy SEALs reacted like a swarm of angry bees as they secured the area around the door, watching for any form of attack.
Reese was still shocked at the death he had witnessed. He stared at the mangled body that lie on the ground. The way in which it was horribly twisted indicated the massive dislocation of bones from the force of the stone door. A pool of dark liquid was beginning to form next to the man.
Nothing else happened. There were no rushing onslaught attack from the room. Once satisfied all was secure for the moment, Johnson checked the downed man, but everyone knew he hadn't survived. He felt for a pulse but it was evident that he did not detect any by the look on his face in the red glow of the flare. It became too quiet for Reese as he struggled to find his voice.
"These creatures are very strong and smart,” he said finally. “That door is designed to be hard to open, but when it does, between them knowing which side to stand on and their own strength, they avoid what just happened and anyone not knowing what to look for ends up dead."
"Will there be anymore surprises?” Johnson's voice crackled over the headset.
"It's impossible to tell,” Reese answered. “I've read some accounts that sometimes they have human watchdogs or animals to guard their tombs. But these are ... modern-day creatures; there is no telling what they have come up with. All I can say is to approach cautiously."
"Understood,” Johnson said. “One and Three, take the point and be careful, use the night vision goggles to look for anything odd that might be a trap. Let's go, we'll pick up Two on the way out.” Johnson's voice showed no emotion at the loss of one of his team members, but with all their discipline, Reese knew they would not mourn until the remaining team was out of harm's way.
The team entered through the door, feeling the slight change in the air pressure. But there was something else: a hideous smell. Reese compared it to rotting garbage on a hot summer day; a gush of air rose and made him gag. He fought the urge to vomit and forced out words.
"We're close,” Reese said, his voice gasping as he fought to control his stomach.
The doorway led into another narrow passageway that they followed for a few minutes before the point men spoke.
"Large open chamber ... four stone crypts on stone pedestals."
The words came into Reese's thoughts and lingered. Four crypts. They were really here. Confirmation of their existence—finally within his grasp.
"Any movement?” Johnson asked.
"None. All quiet."
"Hold station, Team One. Team Two?"
"Team Two,” responded a new voice.
"Follow our markers and rendezvous on point position."
"ETA one minute."
Johnson moved toward where Reese waited and again covered his microphone.
"What do you think?"
"We do them one by one,” Reese said. “But if we can determine which one is the master or dominant one, that is the one we must try and capture first. Then maybe the rest will submit."
"You don't sound too confident."
"It's legend, for God sakes. I don't know if it's true,” he admitted. “We need to take precautions and be ready to kill them all."
"Agreed.” Johnson said, then received a message that Team Two was in position.
"Let's do it,” he said. “Team One and Two, move in."
They entered into the open chamber that held the stone crypts. The chamber had a high ceiling of twelve to fourteen feet, the blocks of stone neatly carved into perfect squares that comprised the walls. The stone was covered by a fine layer of dirt and muffled the sounds of their approach.
Johnson indicated for some of his men to take up defensive positions. Reese studied the arrangement of the crypts and noted one of the four sat slightly off center from the other three and decided the leader might be in that one. He gestured to the coffin.
"That one first,” Reese said.
Johnson nodded in response.
The plan called for four men to handle the operation: One would open the crypt; the second would stand ready with the spray solution; the third would place the collar on the creature; the fourth held a poised machete to be used as a last resort. Two men would stand at each crypt with solution and machete if the others awakened before they were ready to handle them. The rest of the men stood at the ready with their pistols.
Reese felt his mouth go suddenly dry. He could hear his heart beating in his ears as the sweat trickled down his back. If this didn't go right—they would all be dead in a matter of minutes.
They approached the first crypt. Reese and Johnson followed the four men who were assigned to open it. The SEAL assigned to the task of removing the lid placed his hands on the sides and tested the weight, his arms the size of most men's thighs. He nodded that he could slide it off. Johnson gave him the silent go ahead by nodding back. The man slid the lid off of the crypt and sent it crashing to the ground. The sound was deafening as it slammed onto the ground.
Reese just stared in amazement at what he saw—it was not what had he had expected.
Chapter Twenty-three
Inside the crypt lay the body of a man, whom Reese guessed was about twenty-five years of age. He was dressed in traditional local garb, looking serene in a state of sleep. His face reflected a sense of calm and even nobility with its hawk-like features. His skin appeared to be pale, but in the light it was hard to determine the actual shade. All in all, he appeared to be a human, not a monster.
The rest of the team appeared mesmerized by the tranquility of the sleeping man; even Reese momentarily wondered if this harmless-looking man could be a monster who killed to survive. But when the man's eyelids began to flutter as it appeared to ascend to wakefulness, the act reminded Reese of all the stories he had read. The vampires always looked normal, just like anyone else. It's how they survived. They used their appearance to get close to others so that they could kill them. No one suspected anything until it was too late.
Reese spoke to break the inactivity of the group. “Keep that spray ready,” he barked. “Let's get the collar on ... quickly!"
The SEAL with the collar readied it for installation as the creature's eyes opened fully. The SEAL stopped as the red feral eyes stared at him. Time ceased for the members of the team as the creature surveyed the scene around him, registering the situation. Seeing that the sanctity of their crypt area had been violated, the creature became alarmed and prepared for attack as its features hardened and fangs protruded.
Reese knew that if they didn't move now, this creature would attain an advantage and all would be lost. But he found himself paralyzed by the eyes of the creature and was unable to move or speak.
"Give it a short burst of the spray!” Johnson's voice screamed, breaking the trance. “NOW!"
The SEAL with the canister hesitated before the command registered in his mind and then he keyed a short burst at the creature. The molecules of the spray seem to hang in the air, crawling through
the space between it and the creature. Finally the elixir touched the creature and tiny rivulets of flame burst along his skin.
"Reese!” Johnson snarled. “Suggestion?"
The creature screamed and writhed in its crypt. Its flesh turned dark as blood oozed from the burned areas.
Reese awoke from his stupor, which he imagined had been supplied by the vampire as a means to give him time to react, and quickly stepped forward.
"Listen to me,” Reese said to the creature firmly as its writhing slowed. “I know you can understand me. You know what this substance is and you know what it can do to you. We can cover you with this if you do not do as you are instructed. Do you understand?"
The creature emitted a guttural growl. Reese couldn't decide if it was animal or human.
"Answer me or die!” Reese said.
The creature continued its display of fierceness, its fangs bared and its eyes so red that Reese could see no white within them.
"Stand ready to spray!” shouted Reese to the SEAL beside him.
"I understand...” the creature said in a surprisingly clear voice as compared to the animalistic ravings it had emitted only seconds ago.
Amazing, Reese thought but then quickly said, “A device will be placed around your neck. Do not attempt to attack the man or remove the device or you will die.” Reese gestured for the SEAL who held the collar to come closer. The SEAL raised the creature's head, carefully avoiding the sharp teeth, and quickly attached the device. An audible click could be heard when it was sealed together. Reese held a remote in his hand that would control the injection in various amounts into the creature's system.
The creature, now almost totally recovered and healed from the initial spraying, raised his hands to the collar as if meaning to tear it off. Reese's finger was posed over the button; he placed the injection quantity to its lowest level and pressed the button.
The creature violently lurched in the crypt as the mixture made its way into its body. It screamed.
"Do that again and I will kill you,” Reese said. “Do anything but what I tell you and you will die a painful death. I think you know that now, don't you?"
The creature settled back into its crypt and stared at Reese. It bared its teeth in an act of defiance. Reese posed his finger over the button again.
"I understand,” the creature said disdainfully. Its low and regal voice was level and controlled. “What do you want?"
"Listen very carefully,” Reese said, knowing he now had the full attention of the creature. “Any move you make is being tracked, both by myself and someone on the outside of this area. Any sudden moves will result in the device at your neck being activated. Understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Do you have a name?” Reese asked.
"I am Dimitri,” he said, as his eyes glowed red in the low light.
"All right, Dimitri. I assume you are the leader of this group?” Reese indicated the other stone crypts.
"In a way, I am their leader."
"We offer the same arrangement to each one. They either accept the collar or die. Can you speak with them without them leaving their crypts?"
"I can speak to them through their dreams,” he answered and then added, “What is it that you want from us?"
Reese ignored the question. “Tell them that we will kill them if they resist the placement of the collars on their necks. I want them—"
One of the other crypts suddenly opened—the top flipped off by the powerful thrust of one of the creatures. The creature leapt out of his crypt and lunged at the two men flanking his crypt. In a fraction of a second, one man was down, his throat slashed and gushing blood onto the stone floor.
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” Reese heard over the headset, unsure who had said it.
The creature grabbed the other man but did not attack. Instead he looked at the rest of the men as he displayed large nails from his hands and elongated teeth from his mouth.
"No, Josip!” Dimitri yelled, but it was too late to stop the bloodshed. Josip sliced the throat of the other man and dropped him onto the stone floor next to the other corpse.
The back-up SEAL team, although surprised by the swiftness of the attack, responded as planned. The men with elixir-filled canisters covered the area with the fine spray of mixture before the attack progressed any further. The creature named Josip howled in pain as his body was covered with rivulets of fire. He collapsed to the ground, screaming, his burning flesh smoldering as he rolled on the ground.
"Quick!” Reese yelled. “Get the collar on him. If he makes a move, douse him and cut off his head.” He was surprised at the viciousness of the words coming out of his mouth. Dimitri looked at him with a loathing sneer.
"Will he recover?” Reese asked.
"Possibly,” Dimitri answered.
"I suggest you let the others know what will happen if they repeat this. There will be no warnings."
"The rest will not pose any problem,” Dimitri said calmly.
"We'll see,” Reese said questioningly.
The collar was placed on Josip and he was returned to the crypt. The men, prepared for a reoccurrence of another attack, guarded the other crypts. Johnson checked the two bodies on the ground. His look conveyed the story: both were dead. But he was a professional; he would finish what he had come to do. He indicated the next crypt to Reese that was to be opened. Reese nodded.
They removed the lid and found the creature lying there awake and alert but not offering any resistance. Reese made Dimitri leave his crypt and walk in the direction of the newly-opened one. He had Dimitri show the inhabitant that he wore the collar and explain that he also would receive one. The collar went on without any form of resistance, except a stare that was cold enough to freeze a man's soul. They carried out the same procedure on the remaining vampire without any difficulty.
When they were done, the creatures were given a small example of how the collar worked and its affect on their bodies. After they had calmed down after the test, Dimitri spoke quietly to the rest and then turned and spoke to Reese.
"What are you going to do with us?"
"That's a good question,” Reese said. “For now, you will remain here under guard."
"We need to feed,” Dimitri said. “You obviously know about us and what that means."
"Yes,” Reese agreed. “We will bring a cow down here later. You will not leave this space. If any motion is detected by the sensors we have installed, the collars will be activated."
"I understand."
"Is there anything else you need to ... survive?” Reese asked.
"Our freedom,” Dimitri said and then fired off another question. “How did you find us, and who told you of the elixir?"
"A man.” Reese answered. Why he volunteered this information puzzled him; he hadn't even hesitated about responding to Dimitri's question. The answer seemed to flow from him.
"His name?” Dimitri asked.
"Idriz Laupki."
Stop it. Why are you answering his questions? Reese thought to himself.
Dimitri closed his eyes. After a few moments he looked toward the crypt that held Josip and shook his head.
"No more questions!” Reese said. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. “You pull that hypnotic crap again and you'll be punished. Do you understand?"
Dimitri turned to face Reese.
"Punished? It's too late to worry about that now. Our punishment has already begun."
Chapter Twenty-four
Commander Scott finished his conversation with Commander Reese and replaced the secure phone in its red cradle on his desk. Instead of taking the report to the general, Scott sat there for a few moments, thinking about the conversation.
He had seen many strange situations in the time of his service under General Stone, but the majority of those were contrived or conjured up by man. Here was something truly bizarre, something straight out of a nightmare. These creatures ... or vampires, as he would call them, even though he
noted Reese did not use that term, existed and had been captured.
"Scott,” Stone said, as he entered his office. “Have we heard from Reese yet?"
"Ah ... yes, sir.” Scott's throat felt dry and uncomfortable. “Just called in. They ... have them."
General Stone's face lit up as the realization of the words struck. “They have them! We actually have them! This is fantastic!” He yelled like a child whose wildest dream had come true.
"The SEALs lost three men in the capture,” Scott added.
"Who would have thought,” Stone said, either ignoring the remark or not caring to comment. “These creatures exist and they are ours."
"They lost three men in the attack,” Scott repeated.
"I heard you,” Stone answered abruptly. “Let me enjoy this moment, will you, Scott? Don't you see? After all this damn time, don't you see the potential? After all the crap that I have had to endure from my colleagues—not being able to take revenge for my daughter. Three lives spent today will save many more in the future."
"Sir?” Scott said, confused. “How will that—"
"Never mind.” Stone cut him off. “We have to make arrangements. We need a story about the three deaths. Make it a training accident. Maybe a cave-in."
"Yes, sir."
"Get with Reese and figure out how we are going to bring the creatures back to the states. They'll be working with the SEALs, so let's keep them up Norfolk way, maybe even at Little Creek with the other teams. They'll need quarters ... very secure quarters."
"Yes, sir."
"I want everyone involved with this to be brought back here for debriefing, and I mean everyone."
"The civilian?” Scott asked.
"What civilian?"
"The Serbian, the man who pointed us toward them. His daughters were killed by the creatures."
"I don't like involving civilians in this operation. Make him part of the accident where the three SEALs were killed. I want all loose ends tied up, Commander."
"I understand, sir, but he is the one that developed the elixir, the solution that keeps the creatures controllable. We have not learned how to duplicate it yet."
Operation: Immortal Servitude From Declassified Files of Team of Darkness Page 12
