Blood on the Water

by Mark Hildebrandt

  After a minute, an hour, a day, Cassandra didn’t know or care; James broke away, “Perhaps we have given Team Two a bit more of a show than we should.”

  Disappointed she watched as he returned to his beach chair, “You started this, and all I can say at this point is, you better get used to having an audience.”

  No sooner than they were once again settled, one of the Legionnaires from Team Two approached. “Optio would like you to return to the main house. Dr. Vespus is scheduled to call in ten minutes.”

  ◆◆◆

  Optio was sitting at a table near the middle of the veranda, when Cassandra and James arrived. “Please have a seat, I expect we will contact the Minister in about five minutes. I am afraid; however, Josephus has confirmed our suspicions, the Militia’s loyalties are with the Senator not us.”

  James looked from Cassandra to Optio, “Well if they are a threat why don’t we get on the plane and get the hell out of here?”

  “Because, Dr. Woodman, the plane left last night after we were dropped off.”

  “Why? Didn’t anyone believe we could be in danger here?” James persisted.

  “That is a valuable Ministry asset, there is no way it would be left just to sit here. Besides, why leave it on the airstrip for all to see? We told the locals, members of the Third were conducting exercises, and Legionnaires don’t typically travel in craft such as that. Don’t worry, we can get one back in a couple of hours.”

  Optio’s communicator beeped. He opened it, much like a flip phone, placed it on the table in front of them, and two life-sized holo-projections appeared as if standing on the table. The image was so real and life like it appeared as if Marcus Vespus and Josephus were in the room with them.

  “Are you all right Cassandra?”

  “I’m all right, but Marcus, what is going on?”

  “I’ll try to explain, but first things first. I have requested a plane be dispatched from the garrison in Cuba to pick you up. They are mustering a century to send as protection and should be there in a couple of hours. In the meantime, keep a close eye on the Militia. As soon as Kukulcan discovers your presents, I’m certain they will attack.”

  “What does Kukulcan want? Why is he after James?”

  “We don’t have time for a complete explanation, but here is the important part, Kukulcan is completely insane. He is suffering under some delusion that the Empire is going to be destroyed, and he will rise from the ashes a new savior. Unfortunately, he is amassing great power, and could very well at some point be able to threaten the Emperor. He must be stopped.”

  “That’s it.” James mumbled, “Now I remember.”

  “James what are talking about?” Cassandra insisted.

  “I remember the name, Kukulcan. He was an ancient Mayan God. The Toltec and Aztecs, oh forget the Aztecs they probably never existed here, but the Toltec called the same god Quetzalcoatl or feather serpent. This god was chased away in disgrace but was prophesied to return and help remake the world at the end of the long count. You see the calendar repeats every five thousand years, and at the end of each long count, it was said, the world was destroyed and remade. As I recall the long count repeats the cycle in just a few years.

  Both Marcus and Cassandra were staring at James, Cassandra in confusion and Marcus in disbelief. Finally, and tentatively Marcus said, “That is basically what he said, Dr. Woodman. I can’t wait until we next meet and can discuss this further, but unfortunately now is not time.”

  Marcus was interrupted when Optio’s Team communicator beeped. The Optio tried to discreetly answer it, “Yes Pompeius?”

  “Optio the main gate has been breached. A vehicle started this way, so I destroyed it. The Locals have stopped, but it looks like only to regroup.”

  “Understood. Get ready to move. Optio out.”

  He then looked at the holo-projections and said, “Sirs, we need to move. This compound will be overrun. We will make our way to the airstrip, take cover in the jungle and wait for the plane. Any further instructions?”

  The image of Marcus leaned forward as if speaking only to Optio. “You know your fate should anything happen to my sister or Dr. Woodman. Just do your job,”

  “Yes sir! Optio out.” Optio was barking orders before the image had completely faded. He wanted gear and team ready to move in three minutes. He then selected two sets of camouflaged fatigues and approached Cassandra and James, “We will be traveling on foot. I don’t want to use the vehicle, as it will leave a trail. I know the beach is pleasant, but the scrub brush between here and the airstrip is not. I want you to put on these.” He held out the two sets of fatigues, “They are impervious to punctures of any kind and will keep you cooler than any other clothing. Oh, and I suggest you don’t wear any under garments as they tend to interfere with the suit’s moisture transfer mechanism. Now quickly go and change, we are out of here in two and a half minutes.”

  Cassandra started to voice a complaint, but James grabbed her and rushed into the bungalow before any words could come out.

  “What are you doing?” She said indignantly.

  “There are people on the way here to do us harm. I told you a man like Optio would be my first choice to get us out of a tight spot. He said put these on, I suggest we do it, it will be safer to question his orders after we are off this island.”

  Three minutes later twelve people dressed in jungle fatigues were at the front door and ready to move out.

  Chapter 19

  - An Imperial Baton -

  Marcus lay awake staring at the ceiling, and he could tell from her breathing, Irena was awake as well. She was on her side facing away. He feared the tension that racked his body, was migrating across the space between them, and filling her with the same dread. His mind kept moving in a slow spiral, and no matter how hard he tried to redirect his thoughts, they kept bounding between Cassandra, the Emperor, James and that mad man Kukulcan. He had to figure out a way to deal with Kukulcan. He was the villain, the spoiler, the destroyer, and the truly unsettling part; he honestly believed his actions were ordained by some higher power. This was no ordinary politician. When you stripped away the venire, a typical politician was nothing more than a frighten little creature. Politicians were always afraid of losing power. That fear dictated every action, every calculated step, it could be anticipated, it could be dealt with, and it could be defeated. But not so with Kukulcan, Kukulcan was not afraid, and that made him unpredictable and very dangerous.

  “Marcus why don’t you take one of my sleeping pills? Or perhaps I could bring you a warm brandy? Because if you don’t go to sleep I’m leaving.”

  He hoped she would remain silent and let him come to grips with his thoughts. He always needed to work things out in his own mind first. Once he had his arms around a problem he could relax, confident there was a solution. “I am not tossing and turning. I haven’t even moved for the last hour. How can I be keeping you awake?”

  “You don’t need to move,” she said still facing away, “I can feel the tension. It is almost like I can feel your heart beat echoing in the mattress. Before tonight I have always been able to drain some of your tension,” she chuckled, “and allowed both of us to get some sleep. This is different. I don’t remember a time when you pushed me away.” She rolled over to face him in the dark, “that is my weapon, not yours. Now do you want to talk, or should one of us leave?” She confidently slipped her hand under Marcus’s nightshirt, and began slowly tracing a figure of eight on his chest.

  Her accomplished hand seemed to lessen the clutter in his mind, but it wasn’t what he wanted, not just yet. “Irena, I need to get some things straight in my mind before I can talk about it.”

  “That’s all right. I understand your need to compartmentalize things, so you can deal with them. But at least tell me if your sister is safe?”

  “I don’t know?” he answered, now thinking more about where her touch could ultimately lead, than problems with the Senator.

  “You don’t kno
w? What does that mean?” Marcus started to roll over, and away from the building anger, but his motion was stopped when Irena changed from figure of eights to direct pressure. “What in the hell do you mean you don’t know if she is safe! She is your sister. How many times have you told me, the most important thing is family?”

  How could he tell her for the first time since he was a child he felt fear? Having underestimated this insane Senator Kukulcan just might have placed all of them in jeopardy. At least Cassandra had the best decum in the entire Third protecting her, but that damn Kukulcan doesn’t always do the expected. If she would have just stayed in London. “Irena, all I can say, all that makes any sense right now, is that it is politics. And you know politics is about ninety nine percent worry and one percent action. Probably nothing will happen.” He hoped softening the situation would allow Irena to drop the subject and go back to the arousing gentile touch.

  “Marcus, why is Cassandra involved? Is it something about her research?”

  “Perhaps, but it is more likely just the result of the name. Being a Vespus often makes one a target, and this Senator Kukulcan is a loose cannon.” It pained Marcus to lie to Irena. So, he decided he wouldn’t. But he also wouldn’t tell her everything. He alone knew how all the pieces fit. Even Kukulcan didn’t know why Cassandra and James were important. Marcus’s thoughts carried him back into the trance, he had been obsessed with all evening.

  The silence between the two was defining. Irena’s hand had come to rest over Marcus’s heart. Amplifying the rapid strong beat and redirecting it back into Marcus’s chest. He became aware of the reverberations but ignored them. Finally, Irena broke the silence, “Won’t you share some of this turmoil with me?”

  “Oh, my love, this is a burden I alone must carry.”

  His words had an effect he had not anticipated, and Irena’s action quickly retrieved him from his trance. She immediately bolted upright and glared at him, “After all these years, do you now intend to keep secrets from me? First you insist on having secret discussions with your sister, and tell me it is only ‘Family Business’, and now you hint at other secrets. If you don’t trust me, if we are not true partners, I just don’t know if we have much of a future.”

  Irena got out of bed and despite Marcus’s pleas to return, grabbed her housecoat and turned to leave. When she got the door she looked back over her shoulder and said to Marcus, “You may not wish to discuss it with me, after all I’m only your wife, but if this Senator is dangerous enough to keep you awake at night, you had better get the Emperor’s help, because if anything happens to Cassandra, I will be harder on you than your own conscience.”

  ◆◆◆

  Marcus was in his office by seven, checking messages, research progress reports and trying to rearrange his schedule. He was not in the mood to meet with the typical assortment of rabble Quintus usually scheduled first thing in the morning. He had managed to cancel most of the appointments but could not seem to concentrate on the messages and progress reports. Last night was the first time he had slept alone for years, and as a result, it now seemed he had something else to occupy his mind. Irena was his emotional anchor, without her life would be difficult.

  Frustrated by his lack of progress, it occurred to him if he complied with Irena’s suggestion, and enlisted the Emperor’s help with Kukulcan, it would rid his mind of at least one distraction. He smiled to himself and reached to push the button to summons Quintus, but when he realized the futility, Quintus wouldn’t come, all he could do was curse the Senator once again.

  He placed the call to the palace himself and was greeted by the Emperor’s personnel assistant. “Good morning Octavius,” Marcus said.

  “Ah, Dr. Vespus, good morning. My so early, what can I do for you this morning?”

  “There are a few ministry issues I would like to personally discuss with the Emperor. Would it be possible for us to meet … today?”

  Marcus was only too aware the condescending look that formed on Octavius face meant trouble. “I’m sure you can appreciate; the Emperor’s schedule is completely booked for the next month. Ordinarily the waiting list for an audience is four months.”

  Damn you Quintus, Marcus thought. Used to be Marcus could have just told Quintus to get an appointment, and he and Octavius would make the arrangements. Marcus didn’t have any idea how to deal with this scheduling nonsense. Finally, out of frustration he just said, “Look, Octavius I only need ten minutes with the Emperor. How can we make that happen?”

  “Well sir, that is highly irregular.” Octavius looked like a strutting gamecock but sounded like a prissy old lady. Apparently satisfied he was able to put an Imperial Minister in his place, he turned his attention to his display, “Well, it is irregular but let me see here.” After a brief pause he continued, “Oh yes, it seems Dr. Vespus, I have a note in your file. The Emperor left explicit instructions that should you have any important news about treating the virus, you were to be granted an immediate audience. By chance is that what you wish to discuss with the Emperor?”

  Marcus wanted to slap the old hen but was able to hide his anger below the surface and not let it show on his face, “Well of course it does. By order of the Emperor everything I do involves the virus.”

  “Very good sir. The Emperor will be busy with a Senate conference meeting all morning, but I do have a fifteen-minute slot after lunch, at one thirty, would that be acceptable?”

  “Yes, that would be acceptable. Thank you, Octavius.” Marcus broke the connection and sat back in his chair, took a few deep breaths, as his blood pressure returned to normal. Collecting his thoughts, he decided it would be best to spend a few hours with Dr. Singh and see if there were any new developments with phage research. He quickly sent Dr. Singh a message and instructed him to clear the remainder of his morning for the update.

  Before going to Dr. Singh’s laboratory, Marcus gave Josephus a call. He answered from his office, appearing fresh and undaunted by events. “Good morning Josephus, I trust you got some sleep last night.”

  “Yes, Marcus I did. What can I do for you this morning?”

  “I need to know how things stand with my sister and Dr. Woodman.”

  Josephus bowed slightly and confidently explained, “For the time being they are safe under the protection of the Decum. They have fled the main house and are hiding in the bush. We were not able to extract them by air, as the Militia had surrounded the airstrip, and anything that could be construed as an invasion by Kukulcan would have disastrous ramifications in the Senate.”

  Marcus cocked his head, “I assume from your calm demeanor, my old friend, that you have a plan to get them safely of the island?”

  Nodding agreement, “Yes Marcus. We will take them out by submersible tonight at midnight, that will be early tomorrow morning our time.”

  “Does Kukulcan’s Militia pose any danger?”

  With a sober expression Josephus answered, “We do not believe so. They lack any kind of modern equipment and should not present a problem for the Decum. I assure you, it is the team I would want with me in a difficult situation.”

  “Very well. Let me know immediately if there is any change. And Josephus, please call me as soon as they are safely on the rescue ship.”

  “Yes sir. I will.”

  ◆◆◆

  It was nine by the time Marcus got to Dr. Singh’s laboratory. The Laboratory appeared empty, but the adjoining small office in the rear, was jammed with Singh’s entire team. The team leaders were packed around the corner desk and technicians were spilling through the doorway into the lab. Marcus worked his way through the throng of technicians to the door and called out “Good morning Dr. Singh.” As soon the technicians recognized Marcus, they slowly and discreetly moved away giving him more space. Standing in the developing void he continued. “I trust you saw my message and are prepared to give me an update on patient testing and proposed phage administration techniques?”

  “Yes sir. We were just reviewing the lates
t results in preparation for your visit.” Dr. Singh turned his gaze from Marcus to the group, “I think that will be enough. You are dismissed; however, I would like Drs. Armstrong and Krank to please stay.” There was an almost palpable sigh of relief with Dr. Singh’s dismissal. The office and adjoining laboratory emptied faster than it would have, had a live bomb been tossed in the corner. Every one of the researchers knew how important this project was, and it wasn’t the impact on mankind causing the hasty retreat, it was the potential of facing Dr. Vespus’s wrath if things were not progressing to his liking.

  By the time Marcus made it to the corner desk, only he and three others were left in the office. “Well Dr. Singh where do things stand this morning?”

  “Sir.” He bowed his head slightly, “We are defiantly making progress. I have asked Dr. Krank to remain, so he can brief you on our initial patient testing.”

  Dr. Krank was a tall thin man with a pasty complexion, who apparently never left the laboratory. Even in the middle of the summer, he was as white as his lab coat. Marcus found himself distracted for a moment wondering what the man did for vitamin D, but when he realized Krank was reviewing what appeared to be notes, and had yet to say anything, he prodded him to get things moving. “Dr. Krank, put your notes away and tell me what you have discovered?”

  “Yes sir,” came a nervous reply. “We have tested the phage on two terminal patients in the tertiary phase of the disease. The point typically in the course of the disease where death is emanate and the patient is in a coma.” Krank paused and looked at his notes again.

  “Oh, for God sake man, quit looking at those notes and tell me what happened.”

  He quickly threw the notes on the desk so as not to be tempted again, “Yes sir. The phage works. It destroyed the virus. No trace of the virus could be found after the treatment.”

  With the news Marcus was suddenly beaming. “Then the patients are recovering?”