"An attractive proposition."
"It is, considering the other option,” Stone said coldly.
"Death,” Dimitri said. “Why is it that the concept of death never leaves the bargaining table? It is like your drugs in a way—the silent killer."
"Yes,” Stone said and nodded.
A silence settled upon the two men in the room as they sat and stared at each other.
Dimitri sat quietly, appearing to think it over, even though his mind had been made up before they had began the conversation. He knew that he and his men never had the option of choice. They would have to do what the general wanted; however, their dialogue had established a deeper meaning between them. Dimitri doubted that Stone had any intention of offering them anything in terms of freedom. Yet he had and now the path had been laid for him to ask for more.
"It appears that your offer to utilize our talents for the good of your country is the best option of the two,” Dimitri said.
"I thought you would agree,” Stone said. “I—"
"I hope that you will find it to your benefit to help us adjust to this country so that we can work efficiently,” Dimitri interjected.
"What do you mean?” Stone asked.
"We have been out of touch for a very long time. We have an idea of what the world is like around us, but much is missing. We would like to be taught how things have progressed; especially the technological advancements."
"So you want to go back to school, so to speak?"
"Yes, and we would like Commander Reese to be our teacher."
"Why Reese?"
"He best understands our background and he can build upon that during our education."
"I'll think about it,” Stone said. “Commander Reese is not exactly on the same line of thought as I am on certain matters."
"And the man called Johnson. Will he remain our operational point of contact? I ask that because he, too, is familiar with us and understands us."
"Johnson is a good man. I want him to stay and be team leader on all operations."
"Excellent,” Dimitri said. “We will treat him as one of our own."
"Then we have come to terms?"
"Yes,” Dimitri said, and held out his hand.
Stone smiled as he accepted his hand, but Dimitri watched as the smile quickly faded from his face as he felt the coldness of his hand touch his.
"Now, if you will forgive me, General, it is time to feed. Would you care to join us?” Dimitri smiled, as he intentionally showed a portion of his fangs.
"No, thank you,” Stone said. “I will have someone escort you back.” Then he rose and left the room.
As Dimitri waited for someone to escort him back, he thought how times had changed and now how they must change as well. We use each other to attain our goals, but your thinking, General, is long-term ... and mine is much shorter.
Chapter Forty-three
"It's all arranged,” General Stone said to Reese and Johnson after they entered the conference room where Dimitri and Stone had negotiated terms. “Dimitri and I have come to an agreement."
"An agreement? May I ask what kind of agreement, sir?” Reese asked.
"Yes, you may, Commander. Dimitri has agreed to use his men in support of ... covert surveillance."
"Surveillance?” Reese questioned. “After what happened a few hours ago, you think you can trust them?"
"Yes, I do. He will use his men in the ways that I specify to benefit the United States, and in return they will survive. He is a patriot in a way, from a different time and place, but a patriot all the same. He is also a soldier and we see eye to eye on certain things, Commander. No offense to the Navy, mind you, but there is a world of difference between floating on a ship as compared to being in the trenches—so to speak. There is a connection there."
"General,” Reese said, his voice filled with frustration. “Do you actually think that you ... I don't know, bonded with this creature or something? They aren't like that, survival is their primary—"
"That's quite enough, Commander!” Stone barked. “If you wish to remain on this special assignment, you had better adjust your attitude and go along with the program!” Then he lowered his voice to a normal tone. “Don't you see what is happening here? This is history in the making. No one will know it for years to come, but someday they will. You have to decide if you will contribute to history or just watch it being made. Personally, I don't think you have the stomach for it. If you want out, now's the time."
Reese remained silent, his cheeks flushing in anger.
"However, your services have been requested as an instructor,” Stone continued. “Your job will be to bring the creatures up to speed with the world as it is. Can you handle that, Commander, or do I need to find someone else?"
"I can handle it,” Reese replied flatly.
"You can handle it—what?” Stone's voice rose.
"I can handle it—SIR."
"Good. Good. You are dismissed. I need to speak with to Lieutenant Johnson about some tactical concerns."
"Yes, sir,” Reese replied and gave a sideward glance at Johnson, who continued to look ahead, his eyes fixed on Stone as if he had not seen or heard anything. Reese exited the room and closed the door behind him.
* * * *
"Have a seat, Lieutenant,” Stone said, indicating the chair next to him. “What is your opinion of this whole operation? Be honest."
"Sir, we have an uncertain potential for the use of these creatures,” Johnson said. “I say uncertain because unless they truly cooperate, any benefit derived will be useless."
"A good point,” Stone said. “And what do you think about Commander Reese?"
"He's not an operator, sir,” Johnson said simply.
"No, he certainly is not,” Stone agreed. “What do you think of him in terms of being an asset to this operation?"
"He has background knowledge from his association with the teams, but nothing practical to actual operations. However, these creatures are here, and without his help, we would not have captured them. He lacks the Special Forces intuition, but he could be trained. Until that time, he would be out of his league in terms of any operational uses."
"I would agree, but the creatures for some reason relate to him, probably that history crap or something. I will keep him on until he becomes a hindrance, but he will not be involved with the operational side unless I decide he needs to be. Is that clearly understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"And you are not to mention anything that would imply that the creatures are being used for anything else but surveillance. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"Now, how about you?"
"Sir?” Johnson asked, a confused look on his face.
"I have a few questions for you before I decide if you should stay on this project or not,” Stone said. “What do you think of them, the creatures?"
"Permission to speak freely?” Johnson asked.
"Of course."
"I am ... fascinated by them. The more I am around them and see them operate, I find myself becoming more in tuned to them in a way. Almost envious."
"Envious? How so?” Stone probed.
"They are almost indestructible. Their lightning-fast reflexes and highly tuned senses make them a formidable adversary, the perfect killing machine."
"Yes, they are. But what about their blood thirst? Do you find that envious also?"
Johnson thought for a few moments before answering. “It seems a reasonable price to pay for their attributes and for the price of immortality.” Johnson said it without reservation, which caused a surprised look to cross Stone's face for a moment.
"Very well, Lieutenant. Now how do you feel about them killing human beings?"
"Depends of whom we were talking about, sir."
"The enemy, of course."
"Then that would be a casualty of war, a fact of life for a warrior or soldier,” Johnson said coldly.
"My feelings exactly. I like you. You are
a lot like me when I was your age. Earlier when I was talking with Commander Reese, those remarks about the Navy didn't apply to you—you understand that?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good,” Stone said enthusiastically. “Now that all that formality is over, I am glad to tell you I want you to be team leader. Go on the missions and use them as I specify. Can you live with that?"
"Yes, sir,” Johnson said as his lips struggled to hide a smile that threatened to appear.
"Can you direct them to kill?"
"Yes, sir."
"To kill and feed off of their prey?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very good, Lieutenant. Now I have one final question for you. You understand the need to keep something like this confidential?"
"Yes, sir."
"If the information got into the wrong hands, there could be trouble."
"Yes, sir."
"You would do whatever was needed to prevent that, wouldn't you?"
"Of course, sir."
"Good. I think we have an arrangement.” Stone shook Johnson's hand, glad to feel the human warmth, unlike Dimitri's handshake. “I want you to begin their training in tactics. They almost got caught from behind in the test mission. Their strength and cunning saved them, but I don't want to take any chances."
"Is there a particular strategy that you want me to follow?"
"Stay in the infiltration and assassination mode of operation,” he said. “But remember, if Commander Reese or anyone else asks, fall back to the surveillance cover. If you need anything, contact Commander Scott and he will get it for you. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"That's all. I'll be in touch."
Johnson turned and left the room.
Stone caught a glimpse of a smile on Johnson's face. He could tell they were going to get along very well.
Chapter Forty-four
Reese was pissed off as he entered into the secure area. After the berating by Stone and the so-called deal the man had struck with Dimitri, he was ready to tear someone's head off. He found Dimitri sitting in a corner, appearing to be deep in thought as he gazed straight in front of him; his eyes had that glazed-over look one gets when you aren't really looking at anything. Andre and Iliga sat silently off on another end of the room at a table playing a game of chess, their gazes riveted to the pieces on the board. Reese wondered how they could be so calm and unvocal after what Dimitri had just done. Was their allegiance that steadfast to him?
Reese walked over to where Dimitri was sitting and stood over him. “Sold your soul again, didn't you?” Reese asked, his voice tense and curt. “Did you get your pieces of silver? Tell me, does it get easier over time?"
Dimitri calmly looked up at Reese and smiled. “Commander, everything gets easier over time,” he answered. “Especially if you have all the time that there is. And I do. As a human, you live such a short span of time that you do not learn that life is a continuous battle with one enemy—and that compromise is the only way to ultimately win. Those that do not understand this and think they can control everything, fall to the death of illusion. However, those that bend with the changes and learn to find the compromise do not break. Instead, they adapt to the situation and find a way to survive for what may be an uncomfortable period of time, knowing that it will be worth the wait in the end."
Reese looked at Dimitri with an unbelieving look. “Philosophy? You quote philosophy at a time like this? Do you know what is at stake here? You've struck a deal with a...” Reese stopped short of finishing the statement, realizing that his conversation could be monitored.
"And what were we suppose to do, Commander?” Dimitri asked. “You know what the other option was, and death does not appeal to me. We have already lost one of us since we have been here."
An uncomfortable silence settled between them. Reese found it hard to not feel somewhat responsible. He had not directly caused the death of Josip; however, his bringing them together and taking the creatures out of their own environment had contributed to it. If he had not moved them from the Balkans, Josip and Idriz might still be alive.
Finally Dimitri spoke. “Are you having an attack of conscience?” he asked.
Reese was surprised at the creature's ability to sense his mood or what he was feeling. He was sure that Dimitri had probably used this ability when he spoke with General Stone.
Dimitri continued, “You who orchestrated our capture. You must have known what you were getting involved in and what you might discover."
"I didn't think,” Reese admitted. “I didn't think there was any truth to the story of your discovery when I got the assignment. I thought it would turn out to be just another explained mystery, or that the general was just being eccentric. When it turned out to be true, people depended on me to get the mission done. All I wanted was to study you and learn about what life for you is like."
"So you sought your own personal gain from us, just as the general seeks his own. Does that make you any different from him?"
"He has other plans. I know that and so do you. I would venture to say that his are a bit more involved than what I had in mind. Speaking of which, would you care to describe this arrangement he has with you and what it entails?"
"We, you and I, shall have an arrangement of our own,” Dimitri said. “You will be our teacher, to bring us into the current time of this country and the rest of the world. There is much we need to learn about this time and all its technological advancements. You do this and in exchange, I will teach you about what I know. That is what you want, isn't it, Commander?"
"That's how you do it, isn't it?” Reese asked. “You negotiate everything."
"Is it not a fair exchange, Commander?"
Reese ignored his question. “So you won't tell me then—the specifics that you and the general have worked out?"
"No. There is no beneficial point in doing so. It would only get you removed from this position,” Dimitri said in a matter-of-fact tone. “The general and I have an understanding between us in a way that I feel comfortable with. Besides, this arrangement will be good for all of us. We learn more about this new world, you learn more about our kind, and the general gets what he wants. Perfect symmetry. You aren't going to upset the balance and miss the opportunity of a lifetime, are you? That would be extremely foolish on your part."
Reese exhaled in frustration. Dimitri's perfection of the art of argumentative rhetoric was astounding. He felt tired and knew that at the moment there was no point in trying to argue with him. It wouldn't get him anywhere. Instead, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked around the room, shuffling his feet.
Dimitri appeared to watch him with a look of amusement on his face, as if he knew he had won this debate.
"Okay,” Reese finally said. “I give up. You said compromise was a good thing to learn."
"It is,” Dimitri agreed. “For those of us who must. It is just one more battle that you can say that you survived."
Reese smiled, although it was a faint one. He couldn't help but wonder about the underlying scenario that Dimitri had put into motion. He said, “Well, where do we begin your education? Specifically, what do you want to learn about?"
"We want to learn all about the world."
"The world is a very big place,” Reese said. “Could you be a little more precise?"
"Start first with the United States and this area. What area is it?"
"Norfolk, Virginia,” Reese replied.
"Good then, we might as well learn about our new home—Norfolk, Virginia."
Chapter Forty-five
Reese returned to his quarters as morning approached. He was becoming more acquainted with the night/day routine, although he still longed for his own apartment and his own bed. Sleeping here at the compound was unfamiliar, so when he slept, it was not a restful sleep. He imagined this morning would be even more difficult after his discussion with Dimitri and this latest turn of events. He knew sleep would not come easily as his mind searched his thoughts
to better understand the motivations of these creatures, as well as the man that was in charge of them.
He wasn't sure if it was an attack of conscience as Dimitri had said, or that he felt that he couldn't trust Stone not to misuse these creatures in some macabre manner. And the images of the deaths of Idriz and Josip refused to leave his thoughts. The operation was becoming like a bad dream that kept escalating as each night went by, and getting closer to some dreaded event that lay at the end.
He heard the door to the room next to him open and close. Lieutenant Johnson must have returned, he thought. He left his own room and stepped out into the corridor. He knocked on the door of the room adjacent to his own.
Johnson answered the door and immediately Reese thought something about his demeanor had changed, but he couldn't exactly say what the change was.
"Commander?” Johnson said.
"Got a minute?” Reese asked.
"Yes, sir, come on in."
Reese entered as Johnson offered him a chair. They both sat.
"So,” Reese began. “I understand that you are in charge of the team."
"Purely from an operational standpoint, Commander. You can see the purpose in that, can't you?"
"Of course,” Reese said, detecting something peculiar in Johnson's voice. “So what's next then?"
"Training. I am going to teach them tactics in warfare and bring them up to speed on detection equipment and the like. They are going to be a surveillance team for deep cover missions."
"Surveillance?"
"Yes, sir,” Johnson said, offering no further explanation.
Reese studied the face of the man in front of him and saw how it had changed in the past couple of days. He appeared haggard and his face had a withdrawn look, but his eyes seemed more alive than Reese remembered since the operation had started. But there was something else that seemed out of place: his words sounded rehearsed, as if he was using scripted answers.
"You've changed,” Reese said. “You're not letting this all get to you are you? The creatures and the general?"
"No, sir—of course not. I admire the general's courage and determination for taking on such an operation. Also, I am fascinated by the creatures,” he said, as his eyes seemed to glimmer.
Operation: Immortal Servitude From Declassified Files of Team of Darkness Page 23
