KEEPING THE FAITH
The John Fisher Chronicles
(volume two)
William Lehman
Dedicated to my brothers and sisters at arms, whether in Navy blue, Army green, Air Force blue, Marine green or the tan, green, or blue of the various LEOs, thanks for standing the watch with me.
Copyright 2016 By William Lehman
No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published by: The Pymander Press, LLC.
St. Paul Minnesota USA
Submissions and inquiries: [email protected]
Cover Art by: Garrett W. Vance
Disclaimer:
Any views or opinions presented in this book are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Pymander Press, LLC., its employees, representatives or affiliates. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge my family, blood and not, for believing in me when no one else, (including me) did. I also want to tip my hat to the hundreds of writers who have entertained and taught me the trade through the years sheerly by osmosis.
KEEPING THE FAITH
Introduction
Good morning, gentle reader. This is the second volume of Officer John Fisher, Federal Park Police's story. This book is intended to be a stand-alone volume. If you have read the first book 'Harvest of Evil' you need read no further in the introduction, just go on to Chapter one. If not, this introduction will catch you up on some things you may have forgotten from school, and let you know what has happened to me lately. Everyone knows that Vampirism and Lycanthropy are medical afflictions judged by the Supreme Court to be beyond the control of the afflicted, and therefore discrimination based on these medical afflictions was judged to be illegal in "Sotheby vs. the State of Missouri" 1965. However, some of you may have forgotten some of the earlier historical preternatural events that shaped our world. So if you would like a brief review of the high points, here we go.
Magic experiences with the Fey, run-ins with vampires, lycanthropes of various species, and other preternatural creatures, predate written history, and are well documented from the earliest writings on through the current day. The history spans from the giants of the Norse sagas and the Christian Bible, through the first attempts at studying the physiology of werewolves by Leonardo Da Vinci, and Darwin's second most controversial book, "The Adaptation of Homo Nocturnus", on through the modern New England Journal of Medicine papers on the effects and cures of Asian curses.
The history of government and Church interaction with "things that go bump in the night" is almost as long. All of the great European Dragons were wiped out in the Dark Ages, though there is an outstanding existent skeleton in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. If you get a chance, it's really worth the trip. There are still a few species of wyvern in the jungles of South America and Africa though, and those are the last remaining vestiges of the Great Wyrms. The last known European Great Troll was killed by order of Savonarola in 1494; however, surviving species of trolls include the Pacific Northwestern Mountain Troll AKA the Sasquatch, and the Mongolian Great Troll AKA the Yeti. The Biblical ancient giants must have been a genetic dead-end. No giants have been reported in the last 170 years. Paul Bunyan, who is believed by many to be the last of the race, was last reported "going west" in 1820 by the Augusta Maine Reporter. There is no physical proof that he existed, and he may have been a myth. Torquemada hunted preternatural beings as well as witches, Jews and Muslims. The only known vampires in government; Vlad the Impaler, the Count of Castle Dracul, and Countess Bathory-Nadasdy met brutal and well-deserved ends. Vlad the Impaler was impaled himself in 1462. Though rumored to have survived the impaling when the original Renfield pulled out the stake, these rumors are UNCONFIRMED and believed to be legend, even by those Vampires that have "come out of the casket". Countess Bathory was condemned by the Hungarian Emperor and ordered walled up in the bedroom of her own castle. When, after five years of starvation that failed to kill her, the castle was blown up at high noon on the summer solstice in 1614, the sun did the rest.
The more modern story of the preternatural effects on history is not much more enlightened, though there are some high points. The defense of England by the United Covens of England, Wales, and Cornwall against the Spanish Armada, causing the loss of most of the Armada in a 'freak' storm, is one such, as is their more recent defense work during the Battle of Britain in the Second World War. Also, the signing of the Peace of London Treaty in 1875, formally recognizing the Seelie and Unseelie Courts as sovereign realms, basically gave citizenship to any member of the Fairy realm willing to abide by human law, also granting limited immigration to and from the Fairy Lands. Many mortals with incurable illnesses immediately applied for consideration, but most citizens of the Fairy realms could not abide modern civilization anyway (too much iron). England was also the source of the Lycanthrope laws and Sanitariums which were the model for the "civilized" world. The most famous, the "Bedlam Sanitarium for Lycanthropes and Other Mad Men" was not closed until 1935. During that period Lycanthropes (much like American Indians and Blacks) that could pass for "normal" did. Then there was the first Battle of the Khyber in January of 1842. Akbar Khan, with five-hundred Afghan troops and a Jin, massacred sixteen-hundred British troops at the Khyber Pass. The Sepoy uprising in India in 1857 started when a British colonel killed a Naga by accident and one of the priests of Shiva brought her into himself. 2,500 dead British soldiers later, a lucky shot to the head by a twelve-pounder cannon sent Shiva back where she belonged, along with her follower. The United States had the1880's Spirit-Shirt uprising by the Sioux, finally put down by silver-dipped bullets. Unfortunately, the spell/prayer was lost with the last of the Shaman involved; otherwise, we wouldn't need body armor for cops.
The Germans had a significant history from before the unification of the Germanic tribes. Some of the high points include the German WWII "so called" Werewolf Brigade. (An unpublished fact is that they really were Werewolves, not just nicknamed such.) For those who are interested, the Werewolves were units trained to act and speak as American G.I.s and sent through the lines to destroy communications and wreck supply lines. Of course, we had Lycanthropes too, usually working with the OSS, though there was one unit with the 101st AB, and a unit of mixed lycanthropes and others (like Kitsune) with the 442nd combat team.
There were also the ground-breaking studies by Dr. Mengele on the transmission and morphology of Lycanthropy at Auschwitz. Most of the more enlightened treatment of those afflicted with Lycanthropy and Vampirism, along with those with various other metaphysical conditions, happened post World War Two.
In much of the world, Lycanthropy or Vampirism is still a death sentence if you are caught; however, as a result of the Civil Rights movements of the 1950's and '60's, it's legal in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, France, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, and Italy. Magic and other metaphysical abilities are more accepted in much of the world, but figuring out what is legal and what is not, requires a lawyer and a half dozen research assistants.
I was a Submarine Sailor in the United States Navy when a hunting accident made me into a Were-Cougar. At that time, someone infected with the Lycanthrope vir
us in the Submarine service had three options. 1) Medical discharge, 2) Assignment to the SSBN fleet (BORING), or 3) try out for SEAL Team Twelve. I tried out and was accepted; I went through BUD/S and became a SEAL. Upon retirement from the Navy, (or at least as retired as they ever let a SEAL get. Yes, I'm still subject to recall), I went to work for the Federal Park Police, assigned to the Western Washington Region. During the last few weeks, I have been dealing with a "Murder by Magic" case, which ended in the death of my great uncle Lars Scalagrimson, as well as the bad guys. It also introduced me to the gal that may be the future Mrs. Fisher if I don't screw it up.
On the Biology of Lycanthropy and Vampirism:
Lycanthropy: is a viral disease passed through blood exchange, bites, or scratches while the afflicted is in animal form. Some varieties are more virulent than others, the wolf, being the most contagious, followed by bear, rat, and the big cats. Avian Lycanthropy, non-carnivorous mammal, and reptile are the most difficult to catch. The human body doesn't seem to be very willing to cross class, and the non-carnivore mammals' virus seems to be very weak as well. There may be some metaphysical reasons for this. Johns Hopkins is doing ground-breaking research on this, following up on the research of Nazi Germany. Upon contracting the virus (usually via a bite or scratch; the virus is dormant and non-communicable while in human form) the victim will change on the first full moon and all full moons thereafter. If the victim has the potential for "mastery", they will be able to change at will after only a few changes. In some cases they can even do a partial change, becoming a 'rat man' or 'wolf man', or only change part of the body, like a man with one cat paw. What causes a victim to have this potential for "mastery" is still unknown; however, the University of Massachusetts, School of Metaphysics at Salem, is currently doing research on this. It is noted, though, that any change is permanent for at least eight hours. The change occurs over a brief period, usually three to fifteen seconds, and leaves no residue. The fur comes out through the body and then the body shifts as if it were plastic. It looks painful, but actually it feels really good. The biggest advantage to the disease is that it's probably the last one you will ever get. A Lycanthrope is almost completely immune to communicable diseases (the exception being viruses that can cross species lines) and the body is immensely resilient. Any wound that does not kill instantly is usually survivable. However, silver-caused wounds, wounds caused by another Lycanthrope, or burns, heal at normal human rates (oh, and by the way, Silvadine Cream is NOT recommended). The downside of the disease is that if you stay furry for too long, you "lose yourself" and go feral. Also, any emotional reaction is more violent, and uncontrollable (a Lycanthrope in a rage is really something to see, preferably from about ten miles away) and mental instabilities are exaggerated. If you're not completely mentally stable, the virus will drive you over the edge. The other downside is that if you do need medicine, you're shit out of luck. The same factors of the virus that protect you from catching disease also keep the body from getting any good out of medicine.
Dr. Vladimir Trikovitch's Commentaries on Newton's Laws in Regards to Shape Shifters, 1855, observed that all shape shifters (Lycanthropes, Selkie, magic users, and the cursed) change shape but not mass. In other words, if you are a Were-rat, when you change into a rat, you don't become rat-sized, you are a rat weighing the same amount you weigh as a human. Note, denizens of the fairy realm and certain religious practitioners are exceptions to this rule, physics work differently in other universes, and they seem to bring a pocket universe of their universe with them into our realm (which is why trans-dimensional physicists have nervous breakdowns).
Vampirism is another viral infection, transmitted via a two-stage process: you must be bitten, and you must ingest some of the vampire's body fluid (saliva sometimes, blood, semen or vaginal excretions).
There are five genetic strains of Vampirism. Vampires have named them the Nosferatu, Lycan, Castillos, Ephemerals, and Praetorians.
Each of these have the same basic set of symptoms: they are extremely allergic to sunlight, ultra-violet light, and garlic; they have the ability to gain nourishment from the blood of any warm-blooded creature as well as the inability to gain nourishment from normal food; the ability to fog minds of the weaker minded (for instance, those that believe "Elvis Ain't Dead"), they have superior senses and incredible strength. All strains have a completely dormant period spanning from local sunrise to local nautical twilight, though there are some exceptions. First, Old Master vamps of any family can stay awake during daylight in emergencies, though they pay for it later (power has a price). Secondly, Master Lycan Vamps can become day walkers without needing to be Old Masters and without the heavy toll in energy. All strains also experience a susceptibility to damage from holy objects held by a believer; the need to be with their "native soil" (earth from the country or state they lived in prior to conversion) and incredible life spans. What they can't do, old wives tales aside, is turn into bats, rats, wolves, mist, nor can they fly, though a Vamp running at full speed gives the perception of flight because they are so damn fast. There are certain things that can kill them, including fire, and beheading or dismemberment (like from a bomb) as will complete destruction of the heart with wood or silver, or severing of the spine. Also, it was found in the jungles of Vietnam that people or animals exposed to large doses of Agent Orange or certain other chemicals become poisonous to Vampire-kind. Part of the law changes as a result of "Sotheby" includes the concept that Vampire bites, without informed consent, constitute first degree aggravated rape, which is now a Federal capital crime.
Darwin's studies describe the various families of Vampires as follows:
Nosferatu: Appear to be continuously rotting, as if from Leprosy. They can call/control the dead as if by Necromancy. This is the most powerful line as far as other Vampires are concerned. Masters can feed off fear.
Lycan: Has the power to control animals, almost indistinguishable from human except for fangs and complexion. Masters can become day walkers and don't need blood as often as other races. Second most affinity with man.
Castillos: Appear as super beautiful "like a god". These are the aristocracy of Vampire kind, while the Nosferatu are more powerful, they are much feared and hated by the rest of Homo Nocturnus. This tribe specializes in politics and mind control. Castillos masters can feed off emotions instead of blood.
Ephemerals: The only artistically gifted strain, and the only strain that actually creates new things. They have supervampiric senses including the ability to see far into the UV and IR spectrum, and the ability to see bars in the color spectrum. This family has the most affinity with man. Masters are transmitting empaths and can feed off of love/lust.
Praetorians: They are uncommonly ugly, but have a natural gift for mind control, and pass unnoticed unless they allow you to see them (note, some humans are naturally immune to this). This tribe is often the power behind the throne. Niccolo Machiavelli is rumored to have been one. Masters can kill at a distance with a word.
Virtually all monotheistic religions have stated that the Vampire is a "Damned Creature", which is one of the downsides of the disease. Other downsides include the above listed vulnerabilities, a large risk of mental instability, and the risk of "Going Feral" if you don't feed often enough. Feral Vampires lose all higher mental functions, and it's a one-way street. Lycanthropy and Vampirism's virus both seem to have several things in common. They are both a semi-metaphysical virus, one which attacks through normal and magical means. They both grant super-human powers at great risk of mental instability, possibly having to do with the magical part of the virus. Both virus's are damaged by the presence of silver; once the virus has taken over, it's the only thing keeping you alive, so silver wounds are just as debilitating to either. Mastery in Vampirism seems to work in a similar way to Mastery in Lycanthropy; if you have the genetic potential for it, you may develop it in as little as fifty years for "Vamps", six months for "Thropes". If you don't have the potential, no amount of life
span will change that. And finally, exposure to one will make you immune to the other.
So now that you are up to speed, on with my tale.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Author's Afterward
Chapter One
As I walked into the district office on Monday morning, most everyone applauded. A few gasped, and one or two muttered something under their breath. The last time most of these guys had seen me, I'm told I was more dead than alive. I don't remember much of it, sort of passed out on the way to the Medevac chopper. Lieutenant Murphy stuck her head out of the office to see what was going on, smiled at me and motioned me back to her office.
Keeping The Faith (John Fisher Chronicles Book 2) Page 1
