by Frank Morin
Memory walker. Sarah liked the sound of that.
“This is new territory,” Gregorios said. “I’ve lived moments like that, events where the course of history lay in the balance.”
“Those would provide the most powerful master runes,” Alter said.
“So you’re saying that those moments link to the souls of those involved, and can draw upon that power even now?” Quentin asked.
Alter nodded. “It’s a higher form of power, ever accessed only twice that I’m aware of. Most people lack the training, the individual self-mastery, and personal experience with such a powerful historical moment. For those few who do though, they may gain a glimpse of the master rune attuned to a truth of that moment.”
“So it could be done by a well trained heka?” Tomas asked.
“Unlikely. They rarely develop the depth of skill or discipline,” Alter said. “The life expectancy for such a kashaph is short, for we’d become aware of them and hunt them down.”
“If we didn’t get them first,” Tomas said.
“A Cui Dashi like Mai Luan could do it,” Eirene said.
“Perhaps,” Alter said thoughtfully.
“But she’s not doing it,” Gregorios said, slapping the table. “She doesn’t have the memory. She’s developed her machines to search through the memories of the only other people who could do it.”
“Facetakers,” Sarah said in unison with Quentin.
Gregorios nodded. “One of the effects of manipulating our nevron is exceptional memory clarity. If anyone could grant her access to a master rune, it’s the minds of the facetaker council.”
“If she has indeed learned of the existence of master runes and actually gains access to it, she could unlock terrible power,” Alter said, his expression grave. “We’ve never faced such a threat.”
“How?” Sarah asked. “I don’t understand.”
“This subject delves into theoretical metaphysics,” Alter said. “Little is known of the power of history.”
“Especially when it’s changed,” Sarah muttered.
“Are you saying history represents real power?” Eirene asked. “I’ve seen it motivate for good and evil, which is why we have to keep the truth of history secret at times.”
“It’s more than a motivational force,” Alter said, warming to the topic. “Think about it. If one who’s been properly trained can draw great power from important moments in their life, there’s something there. The personalized history runes are real. We’ve documented the sharp increase in the effectiveness of those enhancements.”
“I believe that,” Gregorios said. “But how does that translate to broader history?”
“Pivotal moments,” Alter said. “Those are the only moments we’re talking about. Think back to times you’ve lived where the outcome was so critical that nations committed their whole resources to supporting their goals.”
“Stalingrad,” Gregorios said somberly. “Both Germany and Russia committed everything to that battle. Nearly two million people died as a result of that campaign. It was one of the turning points of the war.”
“You were there?” Sarah asked. He spoke like he had first-hand experience.
“I was,” he said. “The Germans had fielded a unit of highly enhanced heka channelers during that offensive. They had hoped to shatter the Russian defenses with those superhuman troops.”
“You fought against them?” she asked.
“Not hardly,” Alter interrupted. “Gregorios worked for the Germans. My family destroyed that unit. One of my uncles died in the fighting.”
Sarah could scarce believe it. Gregorios had worked for Hitler?
Gregorios read her expression. “I worked on assignment, although I disagreed with the mission.”
“You can’t apologize for what you did,” Alter said. “There’s too much blood on your hands.”
“Did you ever ask yourself how your family learned about that heka unit?” Gregorios asked softly. “Or how they obtained so much detailed intelligence regarding the specifics of the enhancements being employed?”
“My great-grandmother Elizabeth captured the information,” Alter declared.
“It was arranged that way so your great-grandfather Ronen would believe the report,” Eirene said. “Otherwise he would’ve led your family into a slaughter.”
“I don’t believe you,” Alter said.
“Believe what you want,” Gregorios said. “I positioned assets there that your family never knew about. They turned the tide of that fight from the shadows. In fact,” He nodded toward Tomas. “I’m not the only one who—”
“Who’s getting off topic,” Tomas interrupted. He kept his expression neutral, but Sarah noted the tightening of his eyes. He was nervous about something Gregorios had been about to say. She wanted to ask about it, but maybe it was a point that would only anger Alter more.
“Perhaps I am,” Gregorios said after a brief hesitation. “Stalingrad was a moment that affected millions of lives directly, and the entire world indirectly. How would a moment like that fuel real power that someone like Mai Luan could leverage?”
Alter looked like he wanted to argue more, but reined in the impulse. “Stalingrad is a good example. If we returned to a memory of one who lived through it, we might gain access to a master rune. That rune represents a deeper truth. For example, it might tap into the commitment from the soldiers on both sides to sacrifice for the greater good of their mother countries. Millions of souls were focused on that moment, and many of them died for a cause they believed in. There is tremendous power in a soul dedicated to such a cause. When so many souls unite for the same cause, that moment in history is imbued with residual energy.”
“You’re saying that if Mai Luan gained such a master rune, she could access the lingering force of all of those souls focused on that moment?” Eirene asked.
“Yes,” Alter said. “The rune is the key to unlocking a power source mightier than anything the world has ever seen. That’s why this is such a closely guarded secret.”
“That’s it,” Tomas declared. “It has to be.”
He pulled Sarah into a hug which broke her hand away from Alter. She returned the embrace, appreciating his creativity.
Gregorios nodded. “It’s the first idea that actually makes sense. Everything fits.”
“So Mai Luan could take that master rune and use it as a personal enhancement?” Sarah asked.
Alter shuddered. “Such a thing has never been done. It would be an abomination to corrupt such a rune for her personal enhancement.”
“But it’s possible?” Eirene pressed.
He hesitated as he really considered the idea. “I’m not sure. To try might well destroy her.”
“But if she succeeded?” Sarah asked.
“She would become a force such as the world has never known. I don’t think we could kill her if she was powered by such a force.”
“She’s hard enough to kill without master runes,” Gregorios said. “But what if that’s not her plan? What else could she do with it?”
“If she could configure it properly, she might be able to couple it with the runes she’s already discovered. Amplified through that machine of hers, she could probably break the minds of anyone hooked up to it. She could re-shape their wills and turn them into her willing slaves.”
“I hadn’t thought things could get worse,” Eirene muttered. “She’s not just trying to steal access to those memories, but she’s planning on complete domination of the council.”
“That’s bad,” Tomas agreed. “With the contracts coming due over the next few years and with a little patience, she could gain control over several heads of state.”
“She would rule from the shadows and no one would know,” Gregorios said.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Alter said. “Your evil ways had to backfire eventually. Your organization might very well have laid the foundation for her to take over the world.”
“Now you’re just bein
g melodramatic,” Eirene said. “She hasn’t gained the master rune yet. We can still stop her.”
“We have to,” Gregorios said.
“If we can’t stop her immediately, we must destroy the council,” Alter pressed.
“Perhaps,” Gregorios said. “She has to be stopped. Let’s agree on that for now.”
“And how long do you think any of us would live once she gained control over the might of Suntara?” Eirene added.
They didn’t have to answer that. Mai Luan had already promised to hunt Sarah down, and that was before she gained access to a super rune that might make her invincible.
As the conversation faded into discussion of the ramifications of what Mai Luan could do if Alter’s fears proved correct, Sarah found it hard to focus. She let the others discuss questions about the master runes and timing of important upcoming soul transfers. It seemed impossible that such evil could be committed on such a global scale. She squeezed Tomas’ hand and looked to him for comfort.
He looked grave, but gave her an encouraging smile. “We’ll figure it out.”
Then he rose. “I’m heading back to the council headquarters. I’ll see what intel I can gather.”
“You’re crazy,” Sarah said. “Mai Luan nearly killed you last time. If she learns you’re alive, she’ll finish what she started in the alley.”
“There’s a couple of things I have to do,” he said, trying reassure her. “I have the element of surprise. I’ll slip in and out before anyone’s the wiser.”
She looked to Eirene for support but the facetaker surprised her by saying, “It’s a calculated risk, but Tomas is right. He has to go.”
“At least wait until you’re better,” Sarah urged.
“This is the best time,” Tomas insisted.
Quentin also rose, dabbing at his mouth with a creamy white napkin. “I also must return to Suntara. I assure you, my dear, that I can get Tomas into the building safely.”
Eirene added, “There are things Tomas has to do, things he must restore.”
“You’re still hiding stuff from me,” Sarah accused him.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” he said. “Everything will be clear then. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and left with Quentin.
Sarah watched after him, terrified she might never see him again. She trusted Quentin, but why would they all agree to send Tomas on such a dangerous mission so soon after Gregorios’ disastrous infiltration of the council building?
Gregorios and Eirene left a few minutes later to visit the medical wing.
Alter gave Sarah a warm smile. “If you’re not busy, how about we get back to that self defense training?”
“Good idea.” She eagerly followed him back to the exercise room.
She really needed to hit something.
The Swedes embrace devilish runes that grant their soldiers strength and rapid healing. But for this advantage, I would have conquered Charles’ armies long since. Gregorios informs me that a group of hunters may be amenable to removing Charles’ heka supporters and open the way for successful conquest. The only catch is that I cannot reveal to them my involvement with the facetaker, who they consider a different form of evil. This is a simple requirement. I would offer far more to obtain my second life.
~Peter the Great
Chapter Thirty-Nine
All evidence of the hysteria surrounding the supposed papal visit had been erased by the time Tomas arrived at the Suntara building. Gregorios’ description of the bedlam his ruse had caused made him wish he’d seen it. Maybe he’d take a few minutes to look up the security recordings.
Tomas bypassed the main entrance and approached an unmarked solid wood door on the side street. He swiped his ID card and pushed the door open.
A bulletproof glass wall greeted him on the far side of a plain entrance vestibule. To pass through the second gate set in that wall required a second card reader, plus a retinal scan. An armed guard sat at a monitor on the far side. Tomas had met the man a couple times, but hadn’t seen him in over a year and couldn’t remember his name.
Quentin, who had just passed through the security gate, stood chatting with the guard.
Tomas swiped his ID again and leaned over the scanner so it could check his eye. He maintained a calm expression, despite his fluttering nerves. If Mai Luan had revealed his connection to Gregorios to the council, warning lights would begin flashing in other parts of the building, triggering an immediate response by heavily armed enforcers.
The door buzzed to allow him through. Tomas glanced at Quentin as he reached for the door. His old friend wore a slight frown, but didn’t make the wave-off sign that would send Tomas bolting for his life.
The guard didn’t look alarmed. “Tomas, it’s been a while.”
“Sure has.”
“I heard you were dead.”
“I’m not finished with this life just yet,” Tomas said with an easy smile.
“Welcome back,” the guard said, then gestured toward his monitor. “I’ve got a note for you. Priority one. Shahrokh wants you in his office.”
“Does it say why?”
“No, but he’s cranky today, so don’t delay. The system will have already notified his office.”
“Thanks.”
He saluted Quentin, who fell in beside him. When they passed out of earshot of the guard, his boss said, “I checked the security board. You’re not on it, but this summons can’t be a coincidence.”
“No, it can’t,” Tomas agreed. “But they know I’m here. I can’t dodge the meeting without arousing suspicion.”
“Be careful,” Quentin said, then stepped into the elevator that would take him into the bowels of the earth beneath the building where his workshop was located.
A moment later, the other elevator chimed and the doors slid open.
Tereza stood inside.
Tomas couldn’t avoid her, so he hid his frustration at running into one of Mai Luan’s confirmed lackeys so soon and stepped into the elevator. He’d hoped to complete his objectives with a minimum of interaction.
“How did you survive?” Tereza didn’t hide her surprise.
“Mai Luan made a critical mistake,” Tomas said.
Tereza tried to exit past him, but he shifted to block her way. He leaned close, enjoying the flicker of fear that crossed her face despite the fact that she was a facetaker and he only an enforcer.
“You picked the wrong side, Tereza, but it’s not too late to fix this.”
Her nervousness evaporated with a soft laugh. “You should’ve started running as soon as you woke up, blockhead.”
“I’m not going to let you destroy the council. On my honor, I swear you’re finished.”
His glower didn’t faze her. “Save your silly honor. You can’t stop this. Worry about yourself, tough guy, and your girlfriend. She doesn’t have much time left.”
Tereza pushed past Tomas, and he was tempted to follow her back into the hall and remove her once and for all. While he hesitated, a pair of enforcers rounded a nearby corner, wrecking his chance. Tereza was a facetaker in good standing, so killing her would make him a priority target. He wouldn’t add enforcer blood to his hands, not for Tereza.
“Your time’s coming,” he called after her as the doors closed, but the threat sounded weak even to him. Unless he found a way to undermine Mai Luan’s hold over the council, Tereza’s position was secure.
As he rode the elevator up, he tried to prepare his mind for the meeting. Shahrokh was the leader of the council and used to be his boss. Asoka ran most of the enforcer units, but Shahrokh maintained an elite force assigned directly to him. With his physical and mental health deteriorating so badly, he left most of the actual leading to his subordinates.
Tomas’ current cover was a special investigator reporting directly to Quentin. The post gave him tremendous autonomy and was the only reason he managed to spend several months under cover with Alterego helping Gregorios hunt for Eirene. It also ensured he avoid
ed much contact with Shahrokh.
Shahrokh’s office was located in the corner of the building, with spectacular views of St. Peter’s Basilica. His secretary waved Tomas through.
“How is he?” Tomas asked softly.
“Grumpy.”
Shahrokh sat in an overstuffed chair situated close to a gas fireplace cranked all the way up. The spacious office was stifling, but the elderly councilman sat wrapped in a thick blanket. Two medical staffers attended him.
More importantly, Anaru stood leaning against the mantel. The huge Maori enforcer looked at ease despite the sweat dripping down his dark-skinned face. He was captain of the central command enforcer squad known as the Tenth, which reported directly to Shahrokh.
The name referred back to the elite Tenth Legion of Julius Caesar that Shahrokh had led for a time while cementing his alliance with Caesar. Anaru’s expression remained neutral, but Tomas noted the slight clenching of his massive hands. The man was a brutal fighter and a decent strategist. His massive size personified the bull that was the company standard, just as it had been the standard of the original legion. He had inherited the post as captain after Tomas vacated it.
The two had not parted as friends.
Tomas saluted. “Reporting as ordered, sir.”
Shahrokh waved the hovering medical staffers aside and motioned Tomas closer. Anaru hovered nearby, within easy striking distance. On a good day, Tomas could take Anaru, but he wasn’t feeling himself yet and the big man would snap him in two if it came to a fight.
“I heard rumors you were dead,” Shahrokh said without preamble.
“It’s not the first time wishful thinking’s failed to kill me,” Tomas said, meeting Anaru’s glower.
Shahrokh blinked a couple of times but seemed to be looking straight through him. After a few seconds he started. “What was I saying?”
“That Tomas should be dead, sir.” Anaru supplied.
The old man’s eyes focused again. “Yes, exactly. I heard rumors you were dead.”
“It’ll take more than wishful thinking to end this life,” Tomas said.
Anaru leaned toward him, but refrained the urge to turn his wishful thinking into action. Tomas was grateful that his discipline held.
