Fic: Ouroboros: Darkness Ascending, Part 2b
Return to part 2a
A week after Ashley's birthday and this time it was Will who brought her the bad news. Helen had been going over some changes Henry and Nikola wished to do to harden their power and utilities against interference.
"Solar would work, certainly. If we were in Cairo. Or anyplace not perpetually overcast," Nikola drawled.
Henry gave him a flat look. "Look, every bit helps. We did some research while we were converting Cairo to solar and the new generation of paneling needs way less sunlight than previous ones."
Nikola arched an eyebrow.
Will coughed from the doorway.
"Will?" Helen asked. He looked a bit flushed, possibly even angry.
"The department of Homeland Security wants to know about the terrorists we've been encountering at our facilities abroad. They would like to confirm that the report given by your colleague Mr. Wexford is complete and accurate." He handed her a computer with an email queued up.
Helen set her jaw and quickly read the email. "Henry," she said. "Would you call the other Heads. We have a matter to discuss."
"Terrance, I cannot believe you would do such a thing," Pili said.
Thus far, Helen reflected, she'd had to do remarkably little in the way of chastising. Once the other Heads had heard what he'd done, most of them had either scowled or bawled him outright. Sydney looked like he might agree with Wexford. Jakarta certainly did, but said little given the lack of general support.
"We must stand united or not at all," Pili concluded. She'd not raised her voice, but had calmly chewed him out for not respecting the other Heads, his own station, and the decisions made by the group.
"I maintain that I was asking in the best interests of the network as a whole," he said in his defense. His humility in the face of the other Heads didn't appear to be as genuine as Helen would have liked, but it was
"That's all well and good," Declan said, "But you did it anyway, and now we're dealing with the fallout." None of them wanted additional attention from the world governments, knowing it would simply become another avenue for the Cabal to attack them. Now Terrance had thrust the door wide open, practically inviting them in. The annual UN inspections were already enough of a security concern without adding national governments.
"You should be removed," Onryuji, Toyko's new Head added. He still did not have a permanent place of residence for his people, but he, Beijing, and Moscow were all on this call. His pale eyes were narrowed to slits as he regarded Wexford.
"We cannot afford a change at this time," Jakarta spoke up.
"That is a very harsh punishment," New Delhi added.
Onryuji said nothing, but his irate expression remained.
"Perhaps probation," Pili proposed.
"What do you suggest?" Helen asked.
"Oversight from another House. Someone who will watch and assist Terrance until we are certain he can be trusted to act like an adult, and not a rebellous child." Pili’s expression was one of extreme disappointment.
Wexford reacted to that dig with a scowl, but he seemed to respect Pili enough to not say anything.
"Do you have anyone who could be spared?" Ravi asked. "Does anyone?"
A handful of the Heads nodded, mostly the Houses that had not been hit as hard, Rio, Cairo and London among them. Helen put Will's name there as well, though she would have preferred he stay to help wrangle the situation here at home.
"Terrance, we will discuss the matter and contact you," Helen said, speaking over everyone when it looked like a solution wasn't immediately forthcoming.
His wore a surly glare, but nodded. "I trust the good judgment of the Network Heads," he said and signed off.
"So," Helen said, "What shall we do about this?"
"Is it really that bad?" Jakarta asked.
"The decision was made," Onryuji said. "He took it upon himself to go against that decision."
"But what if he's right?"
"Since he opened his mouth," Helen broke in, "We've had to field several inconvenient questions from the government. Will has been able to handle them thus far, but we've also had several attempts made on our network. I find it hard to believe that these events are unrelated."
"With some oversight, Terrance will be fine," Berlin added, clucking as he shook his head. "He's new to being a Head of House and was just doing as he thought was best. It was wrong, yes, but I do not believe he's a lost cause."
"I could send Will, but I'd prefer someone who was more familiar with the network as a whole," Helen said. Will’s familiarity was based mostly on Old City. If and when this war ended, she would have to make certain that he gained some experience at the other Sanctuaries. "Aaron perhaps?" she offered, looking at Declan. She remembered Maria's push for Aaron to head London and wondered if perhaps he did want to move upwards. He was certainly a better man to deal with than Terrance was.
"I'd prefer to keep him here in case things go pear-shaped," Declan said, "but he's spent some time in New York and would be a familiar face."
"Tiaa Bahur is currently there, I believe," New Delhi spoke up.
"She was planning on returning home," Pili said. "But if we asked politely, she might consider staying."
"She was considered for the New York position originally," New Delhi said.
"For that reason, I'm not sure she would be the best choice," Dr. Li said, speaking for the first time. "He may become defensive and more likely to repeat his mistake."
"Given that he has now brought the United States government into the picture," Ravi added, "A nine-hundred year old sphinx may not be the best choice."
"Well, she wouldn't be out and about," Declan said. "So he might feel some job security in that."
"Can you spare Aaron, and would he be willing to go?" Helen asked.
Declan rubbed the back of his neck as he thought. "There’s no one here I trust more than Aaron," he said, obviously reluctant to give up a valuable staff member and friend given the current chaos. "He's not one for politics so he won't be happy moving, but he'll go and he'll be honest."
"It is settled then," Maria stated. "Enough time has been wasted on this foolishness." She cut the communication abruptly.
Helen fought the urge to sigh. Japan signed off almost as briskly.
"I'll make arrangements," Declan said.
The other Heads disconnected their calls and finally Helen did sigh and rub at her temples. "How bad is it?" she asked Will, who'd been lurking the last few minutes.
"Not bad," he said. "Not good, but not bad. We could be worse off."
"I suppose it would be worse if the building were on fire," Helen added darkly.
"We can expect an inspector," Will said, passing her a tablet computer.
"Lovely."
"This sort of thing happen often?" he asked, pitching his voice low.
"Until recently it was rare for the whole of the network to need to weigh in on something. At least we have the technology to make it work. The earliest conference calls were nightmarish."
Will chuckled. "But seriously, what usually happens when a Head steps out of line?"
"There are repercussions and we have procedures." Helen sighed. "Sometimes it feels like a kangaroo court, but these are reasonable people."
Will leaned against the table. "In reasonable times, maybe."
Helen had to grant that point. "The severity is more that he directly undermined my authority as the Head of the Network on top of going against the majority of the Heads. The issue had been decided and while we do have some leeway, as you said it, these aren't the most reasonable of times." She shook her head sadly. There were a number of things she'd done, some she'd even gotten away with, that would not sit well with the rest of the network. Helen prayed those betrayals wouldn't be uncovered. She'd made her bed and she'd lie in it, but it would be inconvenient now.
"I have some contacts in Washington. Hopefully they're not in the Cabal's pockets already." She stood. "I'll make those calls now. Best to nip this in the bud while I still can."
"Wexford's new. Maybe we can say he panicked."
"Maybe. I'm afraid he's opened a door I'd rather have left closed."
"Hey," Will said, spreading his hands and arms wide. "Things haven't been going our way. That has to change sometimes."
Helen smiled, but she didn't managed the optimism Will had.
By the evening, Helen had managed to arrange when the government inspection team would arrive. They'd been called an "anti-terrorist specialist" team, but Helen knew they were likely FBI agents, there to inspect her facility and team. It would require very delicate handling, but they had some time to prepare.
She became aware of the other presence in her office. For a moment, she thought it was John, since he was the one who was most able to come and go, quiet as a shadow. Howewver, it was the dark-skinned abnormal man who was inspecting her curio case when she looked up. He cast no reflection.
He pointed at an artifact in the case, a small reptile skull with a large pearl set into the forehead. He smiled. "I haven't seen one of these in ages."
Helen folded her hands on her blotter. "It's very old. It was a gift from a colleague of mine."
He nodded and continued to peruse the artifacts in the case, naming them and often the region of origin. Masks, pendants, tools, bones; he seemed to have a broad understanding of many of the items in the case. He paused at the middle shelf. "This one... An unusual set. I'm afraid I'm not as familiar with technology. What is it?"
Helen stood and walked a few steps over so she could see what he was pointing at. "Those are... Special. They are a series of cryogenic apparatuses. I designed the first in the eighteen-eighties."
"You seem troubled."
"Well, I have an abnormal in my office who no one else has seen nor heard of."
"True," he mused, "But that isn't everything."
"I'm not certain that I have anything I should discuss with you."
"Oh?"
"You're either an abnormal with powers of invisibility and possibly either phasing or teleportation, or..."
He smiled gently. "Or you're going crazy and I am merely a figment of your imagination."
Helen made a little "there you are" gesture with one hand.
"That is a quandary."
Helen's eyes narrowed. "So which is it? Who are you?"
He chuckled. "Tell me, Dr. Magnus, what do you think about your incoming visitors?"
Helen weighed her options. She could engage in this conversation, or she could leave. If there really was an abnormal in her office, she could get help. If she were going crazy... Helen really didn't want to consider that option. Too many people needed her right now for her to have a psychotic break. If it were a matter of her not getting enough sleep and being under too much stress, this could easily be her subconscious trying to resolve the past several months.
"It isn't what I would have chosen, but now we have to deal with it. Perhaps it's an opportunity to gain more allies," she said, diplomatically.
"So you see it as a good thing?"
"There are a great many dangers. The Cabal could use this as an avenue of attack, the government could decide they wanted to come in and change things, exploit us, or shut us down. We've tried to maintain good relations, but they don't always understand us and people fear what they don't understand." She crossed her arms. "We have to handle it, try and get them to understand that what we are isn't a threat. I suppose while I'm not pleased with how it happened, I won't let it beat me." She sighed and went to the window, staring out at the night. "The longer this conflict dragged on, the more likely it was that it would spill out. I suppose it was inevitable. Now we have to manage it, and if possible, make it an advantage."
The man nodded. "Perhaps this is a good thing. There was a time long past when abnormals as you call them, lived and worked alongside what you consider normal humans."
"Yes, and the preeminent race of abnormals enslaved humanity."
"Not just humanity but others of their own kind as well as other abnormals." He shook his head sadly. "The Akhkharu. Such a tragedy."
Helen frowned. "What -"
"What would you risk to save your people? Would you sacrifice your secrecy?"
That was something new and different. "Is that a threat?"
He stared at her evenly. "It's a question."
Helen stepped away from the window and into her office. "I've thought about it. We've not been precisely secret, but we haven't exactly advertised either. There are times when I think I'd like a little bit more awareness..." She said, trailing off. Helen recalled the reporter and camera man who'd stumbled onto one of their hunts. It had ended badly for the cameraman. "Then there are many other times," she continued, "I am terrified of the idea. It isn't anything I would rush into. The world isn't ready for a broad reintroduction yet." Her lips quirked. "Perhaps we aren't ready for it either."
"If you and your people do not act, then you may be quietly killed before you have the opportunity to consider greater goals, let alone accomplish them."
"Who are you, really?"
"An interested party."
"Hey, Doc!" Kate called from the door.
Helen spun around, surprised. "Kate. Has something come up?" She expected more bad news.
Kate walked into the office warily. "No," she said, drawing the word out. She looked around. "Who were you talking to?"
Helen turned but of course the abnormal was gone. Helen faced Kate again. "An abnormal. I believe he might be one of the refugees."
She arched a brow. "You believe? Doc, you know everyone and every critter in this place." She crossed her arms.
Helen lifted her chin. "Will and I discussed this."
"And he didn't find anything when he went looking," Kate said. "He had me help." Kate dropped her arms and her eyes grew soft. "Look, Boss, do you want to take a day off?"
"Thank you Kate but I'm fine." Helen looked away but something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She was in mid-turn when Kate dove forward, shoving her back and down. The glass shattered and Helen felt a spray of heat. Kate cried in pain and they hit the floor. Helen's breath was knocked out, but she curled away from the window, ducking her head.
"Shit," Kate swore.
Helen was relieved to hear her voice. She'd been sure Kate had been shot. There had even been blood. Helen gasped for air and her hand found a warm pool. Someone had been hit. She felt her chest with her other hand and didn't find any wounds.
Kate groaned and had curled in on herself. "Doc..."
Helen looked at the window. One of the panes had been shot out. She stayed low in case another shot was taken, and found her blackberry.
"Hang on, Kate," Helen ordered as she quickly called Henry's phone.
"Yeah, Doc?"
"Sniper! Put us in lockdown!"
"Oh, shit!"
The heavy protective metal slammed down a moment later as Henry activated their security protocols.
"Henry, Kate's been hit. I need help up here!"
"On it!" he said and hung up.
Helen dropped the now blood-covered phone to the floor and crawled over to Kate. "Let me see," she ordered, as she used firm hands to move Kate so she could see the wound.
"I'm really beginning to hate these guys," Kate ground out through gritted teeth.
Helen applied pressure to the wound, waiting for Will and her Old Friend to arrive with medical supplies and a stretcher.
John was the first to arrive. His eyes flicked to the window, the pool of blood and down to Helen. "Helen, what's happened?"
"Sniper. Kate's been shot."
"They tried to take out the Doc," Kate told him, still wincing from the pain. "Had to have come from across the river."
Helen frowned. She'd not intended to tell John that part. John held her eyes for a moment then rose, long coat swirling about his feet ominously.
"No!"
He paused.
"They could be trying to flush us out."
"They're trying to kill you!" Kate said.
John glared at the shuttered windows. "I'm going to take a look."
"The sniper is long gone."
"I'll be only a few moments," John said. He turned and left before Helen could protest further.
"Magnus!" Will raced into the room with her Old Friend right behind him. They slid to the floor beside them. Will looked at the shattered glass then met Magnus' eyes. His jaw set, eyes flashing in anger.
"Help me get her to the infirmary," Helen ordered. She'd deal with everything else once she was sure Kate wasn't going to bleed out.
Kate woke up with the sneaking suspicion that she was in the infirmary again. Slowly opening her eyes, she immediately winced. Yep. Those were the infirmary lights. She was once again in the stylish infirmary attire. At last this time she wasn't handcuffed to the bed. Everything was floaty and muted so she'd been put on the good drugs.
"You're awake."
Kate looked to her left. It took awhile because she lost her head for few minutes. Eventually she saw Biggie. "I think so."
He grunted. "I'll tell Magnus."
"Awesome," she said, resuming her study of the ceiling.
Magnus was suddenly there with a pen light. So was Will.
"What happened to your cigar?"
The Doc frowned. "Cigar?"
"Yeah." Kate blinked slowly. "Did we kill the bugs?"
"Bugs?" Will questioned.
"Yeah. Blondie and I were killing these big lovecraftian bug alien things." She blinked a few times. "You were there."
"Uh, Kate?"
Kate tried to focus on Will. "Yeah?"
"You were shot."
Kate looked at the bandages around her shoulder. "So," she said after careful consideration, "This isn't from the alien bug queen stabbing me."
"No. I'm afraid you're on some rather powerful painkillers," Magnus told her. "And we have you on some additional medication to prevent infection and promote healing."
"Oh. Who shot me?"
Magnus and Will exchanged a look. "We believe it was the Cabal."
"Oh." She looked at the bandage again, but it was too close and it hurt her eyes to focus at that short distance. she settled for scowling at the far wall. "I hate those guys."
Will chuckled. "We're glad to see you awake. Magnus I'll...?"
"Go," she said, shooing him off. Will left, leaving Kate and Magnus alone. "You should get some rest," Magnus said, pushing some drug or other into the IV bag Kate hadn't noticed.
"You're the boss," Kate said, falling asleep.
Helen was in the infirmary when Kate woke next. She groaned in pain and Helen hurried over to assist.
"Ow."
"Here," she said, carefully helping Kate sit up. She gave her another dose of the pain medication. "This will take effect in a moment."
Kate groaned. "Anyone else get hit?"
"Some shots were taken at the other sanctuaries," Helen said. Kate was not the worst casualty, but they'd been lucky. Extremely lucky.
"Who?" she asked, evidently having picked up on what Helen hadn't said.
"Suharto, the House Head in Jakarta. The House Heads appeared to have been targeted."
"Sloppy," Kate said, grimacing. "Saw them paint you."
"We believe," Helen told her, "that they were not seriously trying to assassinate us all. If they got any of us, that would have been fortunate for them."
"So what?" she asked, "they were just being dicks because they can?"
"We believe they are trying to cause panic and demoralize us."
"It's totally working."
Helen nodded. "Kate," she said, gently touching Kate's hand. "Thank you."
"Huh?"
"You pushed me out of the way. Thank you."
Kate didn't quite meet Helen's eyes. "Just doing my job, Boss."
Helen knew Kate wasn't exactly the type to get overly emotional. Ashley had been much the same way - so was Helen herself, to an extent - so she recognized it easily. She patted Kate's hand. "Thank you," she repeated.
Kate met her eyes this time and nodded. "Sure," she said shrugging her shoulder. Unfortunately she shrugged the injured one. "Ow."
Helen helped her settle back into the bed and turned to leave so Kate could get some rest.
"Doc?"
Helen paused. "Yes?"
"You should maybe talk about this abnormal you keep seeing. I don't think he exists."
Helen had been afraid of that. She looked over her shoulder. "I'll discuss it with Will then." And perhaps she'd discuss the abnormal with Nikola. He'd mentioned the vampires, and Nikola was an expert.
"Cool," Kate said, settling back into the bed. She let out a long sigh. "I'm stuck here for awhile, aren't I?"
Helen nodded.
Kate rolled her eyes. "Great."
Henry rolled his shoulders. He'd been hunched over his workbench for way too long, but he couldn’t stop now. The Cabal had literally taken a shot at them, had tried to take out the Doc from across the river. He had a plan for replacing all the windows with bulletproof glass, but it was prohibitively expensive unless they discovered a pile of cash under a mattress or something.
Tesla worked at the bench behind him. While Henry was working on armor, Tesla's project was more offensively minded. The tiny pulse weapon would hopefully knock most things out without killing. Non-lethal had been Magnus' only stipulation and while Nikola had grumbled, he'd held to that limit. The initial tests were promising at least. It could knock out a Nubbin at fifteen meters.
"Nikola?" The Doc was at the door.
"Hey Doc," Henry greeted.
"Helen." Tesla wiped his hands. "What fresh hell has happened?"
The Doc rolled her eyes a little. "Nothing so dramatic, Nikola."
Tesla shrugged a shoulder and went back to work. "I'm not quite finished with this task if you were wondering about that. Perhaps you should pester your little wolf. He insists on using that horrid Kevlar weave."
Henry gave the Doc a "help me," look then turned back to the armor.
"Actually Nikola, I had some questions about the Akhkharu."
Tesla stopped what he was doing.
"The who-now?" Henry asked.
"The Akhkharu, Sanguine vampiris, The Vampires." He grinned. "My people."
"O-kay," Henry said, unimpressed. Tesla scowled at him then gave Magnus a more mild expression.
"First of all, I didn't know you knew that name for the ancient vampires." Tesla resumed his tinkering. "What do you wish to know?"
"I've been in contact with an unusual abnormal. I haven't been able to find any record of him but he called the vampires the Akhkharu and said that they'd not only subjugated and enslaved humanity and other abnormals, but their own race. Given that he seemed to know so much about them, I was wondering perhaps you'd come across his people in your studies."
"The vampires beat up other vampires? I thought they had the whole master race thing going on?" Henry asked.
Tesla gave him a flat look. "There were some powers struggles before the clans settled the various parts of the world. Peace was eventually worked out."
Henry crossed his arms and leaned back against the table. "You mean they killed one another until there wasn't anyone else left to kill, and the victors divvied up the planet."
Tesla ignored him. "That was well before most of recorded history. The stories and legends of that time are largely lost because my people were rendered fallow and hunted to extinction."
Henry arched a brow at him. Tesla was Tesla because someone had gotten it on with one of his ancestors. Tesla seemed to sense what he was thinking about and rolled his eyes. He focused on Magnus. "What sort of abnormal were you speaking with and why doesn't he have a record?"
"He seems to have the ability to become invisible, or teleport. Perhaps both. He's appeared to me a few times now. I thought he was a refugee from Mexico City, but Will wasn't able to find his description in the records of refugees, and things have been rather confusing."
"Invisibility and teleporting?" Tesla questioned. "What does he look like? The lovechild of Griffin and dear old Johnnie?"
"Nikola -"
"Yes, yes." He waved a dismissive hand. "He came from Mexico? So native then? Or was he more European?"
"Native."
"There was a vampiris presence in the South Americas, though the sources of that bloodline were a separatist group. My direct ancestors were largely more concerned with Europe, Africa and Asia."
"Meaning they hadn't gotten around to the Americas yet," Henry added, unable to resist needling Tesla.
Tesla sighed.
"Henry," the Doc said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Right. Working." Henry said, turning back to his armor.
"The Conquistadors were sent by the Church to remove any remaining Vampires as much as they were there to convert and conquer. By that point they were either long dead or had retreated to Bhalasaam. The conquest of the New World was rather hard on the records and keepers."
"So this doesn't appear to be a species of abnormal that was subjugated?"
"It could have been," Nikola said. "They were the Lords of the Earth. Practically all the ancient civilizations were ruled by the Vampire, including those in South America. Those blood rituals practically scream Vampire."
"Could it be an enemy then?" Henry asked over his shoulder. "Any mythical boogeymen in the Vampire mythology?"
Tesla pondered that for a moment. "There was a war with a great enemy who retreated in the face of the combined might of their empires. The opposing host doesn't have a single description. They're usually just referred to as "The Enemy" in the few documents I've been able to pry from the cruel fingers of history."
"Allies?" Helen asked.
Nikola arched an eyebrow. "Allies?"
Helen nodded.
Nikola frowned, shaking his head. "No records of other empires who were allies. They built empires, Helen. They didn't run to them for shelter."
"Maybe that's why they died," Helen said.
Magnus' phone rang. She picked it up. "Will? I'll be there in a moment." She hung up. "Excuse me. The government inspectors are here." She nodded at their workbenches. "Let me know if you need anything."
Will met her in the foyer with a quick update. "We cleared them through the front gate. Henry's new scanner says they're car is clean. They're a group of four. When they flash their badges we'll grab their info and be able to verify their identities. We already got the one at the gate." He checked his clipboard. "An Agent David Simms."
"Delightful," Nikola said, joining them. Helen gave him a questioning look and he shrugged a shoulder. "I'm done with my work, but Heinrich is still playing catch up. We'll go into the testing phase when he's finished."
"And you're here… why?" Will questioned.
Nikola grinned. "Well this seemed to be the most interesting thing to do." The doorbell rang. "And I believe the party is just about to start."
Helen nodded and squared her shoulders. "Time to meet our guests. Nikola, mind your manners, please." She didn’t have to look at him to hear his disdainful, yet playful, sniff.
"And pray nothing else goes wrong," Will muttered. "How's Kate?"
"More lucid than she was," Helen quipped. Nikola trailed along behind them, silently amused.
Will snorted a laugh. "How does this sort of thing usually go?"
"We usually start with a tour of the less shocking aspects of the house. A conference in my office usually follows. With the UN inspectors we take them to the lower levels to see containment is secure, as by necessity they're already more aware of what we do here."
"We're pretty full here Magnus."
"I assure you that thought has crossed my mind," she concluded, sotto voce as they arrived at the door.
The lead agent was a tall man with dark hair and eyes. He seemed to have a permanent five o'clock shadow. He introduced himself as Agent David Simms and while he gave Helen a firm handshake, he seemed to hold himself distant. The second agent was a tall, dark skinned woman with close-cut hair, Agent Angela Coulton. She had a genuinely warm smile for Helen, but her eyes missed nothing. The second gentleman on the team, Cliff Braxton, was somewhat gangly and probably the youngest, but he seemed pleasant enough and it was likely he was capable. The last agent was another woman with a cheerful smile. She gaped when she saw Will.
"Will? Will Zimmerman?"
"Uhm, yes?"
"Abby Corigan. We trained together at Quantico."
"Right. Yes. Abby. Hi."
Nikola ducked close to Helen's ear and said, "We really need to teach that boy how to lie properly. At least to women."
Helen couldn't swat him in front of the agents, and he knew it. He grinned at her and introduced himself.
"Nikola Tesla."
"Like the scientist?" Abby asked, extending a hand.
"Just like," Nikola said with a smile. He didn't shake hands.
"Well, shall we begin the tour?" Helen said, gesturing towards the interior of the house.
"Yes, I believe that would be best," Agent Simms said. "We noticed you seem to have rather heavy shutters on your windows."
"We were scanned coming in," Braxton, the most "geeky" of the bunch said. He had a tablet computer in one hand.
"We've had some trouble. One of our facilities abroad was firebombed," Helen explained. Which wasn't entirely untrue. At the rear of the group, Abby was peppering Will with questions.
"And what is it you do here, Mr. Tesla?" Agent Coulton asked.
"Mostly I drink Helen's wine, and provide color commentary," Nikola said, giving the woman a charming smile. "But occasionally I conduct the odd bit of research."
"Research into what? Simms asked. The other agents chuckled at the perceived joke.
"Well my personal research is into world domination, but Helen rarely lets me indulge in that when I'm in her facility. Usually I assist with creating capture and containment apparatuses. I do the odd bit of computer work as well," Nikola said with a dismissive gesture. "Terribly boring stuff."
The inspection began in the common areas of the house. It was almost like they were conducting business at night, given the shuttered windows. Her Old Friend had done some decorating to that effect and even lit some candles in some of the common areas. There were a few residents up and about. The extremely varied group playing Wii in the entertainment room drew some arched eyebrows. The Satyrs watching hockey a few rooms down resembled a frat-house. Fortunately there was also a knitting circle in one of the day rooms and the chatter in there was far less boisterous.
"You have a knitting circle?" Nikola questioned when he believed the agents were out of hearing range.
"We have a lot of people stuck here for the time being, Nikola," Helen told him. He snorted because he hardly needed to be reminded. "Activities such as these give everyone something to do. Some of those refugees lost everything. This is a way for some of them to feel productive and active. Some of them wear what they've knit, some of them donate it to others either here or at the other Sanctuaries."
"At least it's only a few of them or our new government friends might decide you were running a sweat-shop, or worse. Perhaps your large hairy friend should avoid serving drinks that resemble kool-aid just to be safe."
Helen pressed her lips together in thought. "Perhaps it is a good thing no-one can tend the gardens at the moment."
"It occurred to me," Nikola said, "That young William might not actually have known Agent Corigan."
"It occurred to me as well. He said he does vaguely remember her."
"Well, she's clearly interested," Nikola drawled.
"Be nice," Helen said. "It's not good to embarrass FBI agents."
"Hmm, true."
Helen's phone rang. "Henry's calling." It rang again. "And Declan."
"That's not a good sign."
"Is something the matter?" Agent Simms questioned.
"I hope not. I believe I'll have to take this call," Helen said, ducking down the hall a ways. "Henry?" she answered. "What's happened?"
"Rio's under attack!"
"Helen?" Nikola asked. Will had wandered over with the agents.
"Rio is under attack. I have to go assist them. Will if you'd please continue?"
The agents looked at one another. Simms spoke. "Dr. Magnus if your facility is under attack, maybe we should stick around in case something happens here. We can conduct the rest of the tour when your situation has settled abroad."
Helen blinked at him, stunned by the offer. She tried to see the angle, but he didn't appear to be running a con on her. She looked at Will for his opinion and he shrugged minutely, expression indicating he didn't think it was a false offer. Helen gave the agent a grateful simile. Perhaps something was finally going right.
"I appreciate your flexibility, Agent Simms. That would be greatly appreciated. Will, I'll call you if we need your help."
"Go."
Helen left quickly, breaking into a run when she wasn't in view of the FBI agents. Nikola kept pace beside her.
"This is now the most interesting thing going on. Also, if you're going to do what I think you are, then it's fortunate I finished my new little toy."
Helen hit the elevator button and dialed John's cell number. "Will you come?"
"You're planning on going?" he arched a brow.
"I have to." The call connected. "John. Rio is under attack. Meet me in the main lab." He agreed and hung up. Nikola raced off before the elevator doors were fully open.
"Don't leave without me!" he called over his shoulder.
"Wouldn't dream of it!" Helen said, hurrying to the main lab.
The monitors showed the Heads of House once more. Henry looked white as a sheet. There was a great deal of shouting going on. Helen stopped in the center of the video pickup.
"What do we know?"
"They're surrounded. I was on a call with Rio when it happened," Declan said. "We were able to maintain the call for a few minutes. She gave me the basics before they cut her internet access off. Their facility has lost external power entirely and they're running on backups."
The head of the Asunción Sanctuary spoke up. "I've been trying to go through the contacts in the area I know, to see what I can do to help. I've been able to contact a few of the staff members who were not home at the time and warn them away."
Helen nodded. "Good. They're assaulting with teams? Do they have support from the local government?"
"We're not sure at the moment," Henry said. He was frowning as he consulted his computer. "The beefed up security network gave them a little warning. The power seems to have been cut to the whole neighborhood so there is some unrest, but it looks like they're trying to do it more like Lima rather than Mexico City again."
"We have to get down there," Helen said. "We have to repel them."
"I can help with that," John said. "If you gather teams, I can take them a few at a time. We can drop in where they won't expect us then retaliate."
"How many can you take at once?" Declan asked.
"A few. There is a limit to the amount of mass I can move. I'd prefer to take many trips with less mass." Distance wasn't an issue.
"I'll assemble a team outside our EM shield. I wouldn't put it past them to try to hit the rest of us while we're distracted."
"How much mass are you limited to, Mr. Druitt?" Pili asked. "I have a few residents who'd be willing to help, but they're rather large."
"How large?"
"The better part of a ton."
John's lips quirked in a smirk. "Sphinxes?" It was a logical conclusion given Cairo's location and the creatures' native habitat.
Pili nodded, wearing a matching smile.
John chuckled. "I believe I could manage one at a time."
Helen knew that taking that much mass was at the outer edge of John's ability. At least it had been when they'd studied their new powers. He'd be exhausted at least. Her Old Friend came in with body armor and weapons. Helen began to strap on the armor. It didn't precisely go with the business suit she was wearing, but it'd have to do. Time was precious.
"You're leaving?" Aaron questioned.
Helen nodded. "Maria and Lucás are both there. I will not let them stand alone."
"We've lost one House Head already," Sydney spoke up. "Is that wise?"
Probably not, Helen thought to herself. "I have to go," she said aloud. "Time is running out and I have extensive field experience. Additionally, there has been a surprise benefit to Mr. Wexford's decision to involve the local government. The Inspectors are here in the house and I doubt the Cabal will be willing to attack overtly. Of us all, I'm actually in the best position to assist Rio."
"Are you certain those inspectors can be trusted?" Declan asked.
"Reasonably." She put on the helmet as well.
"Uh, I ran background checks when they came in," Henry added, "They're all clean as far as I can see."
"Magnus, I have a team just outside of the south courtyard," Declan said. "They're in full riot gear."
"Thank you. We'll come in on their south side, behind their line. We'll try and take out what command post they might have set up, first. Hopefully they haven't breached the perimeter yet."
Continue to Part 2c, the Conclusion
A week after Ashley's birthday and this time it was Will who brought her the bad news. Helen had been going over some changes Henry and Nikola wished to do to harden their power and utilities against interference.
"Solar would work, certainly. If we were in Cairo. Or anyplace not perpetually overcast," Nikola drawled.
Henry gave him a flat look. "Look, every bit helps. We did some research while we were converting Cairo to solar and the new generation of paneling needs way less sunlight than previous ones."
Nikola arched an eyebrow.
Will coughed from the doorway.
"Will?" Helen asked. He looked a bit flushed, possibly even angry.
"The department of Homeland Security wants to know about the terrorists we've been encountering at our facilities abroad. They would like to confirm that the report given by your colleague Mr. Wexford is complete and accurate." He handed her a computer with an email queued up.
Helen set her jaw and quickly read the email. "Henry," she said. "Would you call the other Heads. We have a matter to discuss."
"Terrance, I cannot believe you would do such a thing," Pili said.
Thus far, Helen reflected, she'd had to do remarkably little in the way of chastising. Once the other Heads had heard what he'd done, most of them had either scowled or bawled him outright. Sydney looked like he might agree with Wexford. Jakarta certainly did, but said little given the lack of general support.
"We must stand united or not at all," Pili concluded. She'd not raised her voice, but had calmly chewed him out for not respecting the other Heads, his own station, and the decisions made by the group.
"I maintain that I was asking in the best interests of the network as a whole," he said in his defense. His humility in the face of the other Heads didn't appear to be as genuine as Helen would have liked, but it was
"That's all well and good," Declan said, "But you did it anyway, and now we're dealing with the fallout." None of them wanted additional attention from the world governments, knowing it would simply become another avenue for the Cabal to attack them. Now Terrance had thrust the door wide open, practically inviting them in. The annual UN inspections were already enough of a security concern without adding national governments.
"You should be removed," Onryuji, Toyko's new Head added. He still did not have a permanent place of residence for his people, but he, Beijing, and Moscow were all on this call. His pale eyes were narrowed to slits as he regarded Wexford.
"We cannot afford a change at this time," Jakarta spoke up.
"That is a very harsh punishment," New Delhi added.
Onryuji said nothing, but his irate expression remained.
"Perhaps probation," Pili proposed.
"What do you suggest?" Helen asked.
"Oversight from another House. Someone who will watch and assist Terrance until we are certain he can be trusted to act like an adult, and not a rebellous child." Pili’s expression was one of extreme disappointment.
Wexford reacted to that dig with a scowl, but he seemed to respect Pili enough to not say anything.
"Do you have anyone who could be spared?" Ravi asked. "Does anyone?"
A handful of the Heads nodded, mostly the Houses that had not been hit as hard, Rio, Cairo and London among them. Helen put Will's name there as well, though she would have preferred he stay to help wrangle the situation here at home.
"Terrance, we will discuss the matter and contact you," Helen said, speaking over everyone when it looked like a solution wasn't immediately forthcoming.
His wore a surly glare, but nodded. "I trust the good judgment of the Network Heads," he said and signed off.
"So," Helen said, "What shall we do about this?"
"Is it really that bad?" Jakarta asked.
"The decision was made," Onryuji said. "He took it upon himself to go against that decision."
"But what if he's right?"
"Since he opened his mouth," Helen broke in, "We've had to field several inconvenient questions from the government. Will has been able to handle them thus far, but we've also had several attempts made on our network. I find it hard to believe that these events are unrelated."
"With some oversight, Terrance will be fine," Berlin added, clucking as he shook his head. "He's new to being a Head of House and was just doing as he thought was best. It was wrong, yes, but I do not believe he's a lost cause."
"I could send Will, but I'd prefer someone who was more familiar with the network as a whole," Helen said. Will’s familiarity was based mostly on Old City. If and when this war ended, she would have to make certain that he gained some experience at the other Sanctuaries. "Aaron perhaps?" she offered, looking at Declan. She remembered Maria's push for Aaron to head London and wondered if perhaps he did want to move upwards. He was certainly a better man to deal with than Terrance was.
"I'd prefer to keep him here in case things go pear-shaped," Declan said, "but he's spent some time in New York and would be a familiar face."
"Tiaa Bahur is currently there, I believe," New Delhi spoke up.
"She was planning on returning home," Pili said. "But if we asked politely, she might consider staying."
"She was considered for the New York position originally," New Delhi said.
"For that reason, I'm not sure she would be the best choice," Dr. Li said, speaking for the first time. "He may become defensive and more likely to repeat his mistake."
"Given that he has now brought the United States government into the picture," Ravi added, "A nine-hundred year old sphinx may not be the best choice."
"Well, she wouldn't be out and about," Declan said. "So he might feel some job security in that."
"Can you spare Aaron, and would he be willing to go?" Helen asked.
Declan rubbed the back of his neck as he thought. "There’s no one here I trust more than Aaron," he said, obviously reluctant to give up a valuable staff member and friend given the current chaos. "He's not one for politics so he won't be happy moving, but he'll go and he'll be honest."
"It is settled then," Maria stated. "Enough time has been wasted on this foolishness." She cut the communication abruptly.
Helen fought the urge to sigh. Japan signed off almost as briskly.
"I'll make arrangements," Declan said.
The other Heads disconnected their calls and finally Helen did sigh and rub at her temples. "How bad is it?" she asked Will, who'd been lurking the last few minutes.
"Not bad," he said. "Not good, but not bad. We could be worse off."
"I suppose it would be worse if the building were on fire," Helen added darkly.
"We can expect an inspector," Will said, passing her a tablet computer.
"Lovely."
"This sort of thing happen often?" he asked, pitching his voice low.
"Until recently it was rare for the whole of the network to need to weigh in on something. At least we have the technology to make it work. The earliest conference calls were nightmarish."
Will chuckled. "But seriously, what usually happens when a Head steps out of line?"
"There are repercussions and we have procedures." Helen sighed. "Sometimes it feels like a kangaroo court, but these are reasonable people."
Will leaned against the table. "In reasonable times, maybe."
Helen had to grant that point. "The severity is more that he directly undermined my authority as the Head of the Network on top of going against the majority of the Heads. The issue had been decided and while we do have some leeway, as you said it, these aren't the most reasonable of times." She shook her head sadly. There were a number of things she'd done, some she'd even gotten away with, that would not sit well with the rest of the network. Helen prayed those betrayals wouldn't be uncovered. She'd made her bed and she'd lie in it, but it would be inconvenient now.
"I have some contacts in Washington. Hopefully they're not in the Cabal's pockets already." She stood. "I'll make those calls now. Best to nip this in the bud while I still can."
"Wexford's new. Maybe we can say he panicked."
"Maybe. I'm afraid he's opened a door I'd rather have left closed."
"Hey," Will said, spreading his hands and arms wide. "Things haven't been going our way. That has to change sometimes."
Helen smiled, but she didn't managed the optimism Will had.
By the evening, Helen had managed to arrange when the government inspection team would arrive. They'd been called an "anti-terrorist specialist" team, but Helen knew they were likely FBI agents, there to inspect her facility and team. It would require very delicate handling, but they had some time to prepare.
She became aware of the other presence in her office. For a moment, she thought it was John, since he was the one who was most able to come and go, quiet as a shadow. Howewver, it was the dark-skinned abnormal man who was inspecting her curio case when she looked up. He cast no reflection.
He pointed at an artifact in the case, a small reptile skull with a large pearl set into the forehead. He smiled. "I haven't seen one of these in ages."
Helen folded her hands on her blotter. "It's very old. It was a gift from a colleague of mine."
He nodded and continued to peruse the artifacts in the case, naming them and often the region of origin. Masks, pendants, tools, bones; he seemed to have a broad understanding of many of the items in the case. He paused at the middle shelf. "This one... An unusual set. I'm afraid I'm not as familiar with technology. What is it?"
Helen stood and walked a few steps over so she could see what he was pointing at. "Those are... Special. They are a series of cryogenic apparatuses. I designed the first in the eighteen-eighties."
"You seem troubled."
"Well, I have an abnormal in my office who no one else has seen nor heard of."
"True," he mused, "But that isn't everything."
"I'm not certain that I have anything I should discuss with you."
"Oh?"
"You're either an abnormal with powers of invisibility and possibly either phasing or teleportation, or..."
He smiled gently. "Or you're going crazy and I am merely a figment of your imagination."
Helen made a little "there you are" gesture with one hand.
"That is a quandary."
Helen's eyes narrowed. "So which is it? Who are you?"
He chuckled. "Tell me, Dr. Magnus, what do you think about your incoming visitors?"
Helen weighed her options. She could engage in this conversation, or she could leave. If there really was an abnormal in her office, she could get help. If she were going crazy... Helen really didn't want to consider that option. Too many people needed her right now for her to have a psychotic break. If it were a matter of her not getting enough sleep and being under too much stress, this could easily be her subconscious trying to resolve the past several months.
"It isn't what I would have chosen, but now we have to deal with it. Perhaps it's an opportunity to gain more allies," she said, diplomatically.
"So you see it as a good thing?"
"There are a great many dangers. The Cabal could use this as an avenue of attack, the government could decide they wanted to come in and change things, exploit us, or shut us down. We've tried to maintain good relations, but they don't always understand us and people fear what they don't understand." She crossed her arms. "We have to handle it, try and get them to understand that what we are isn't a threat. I suppose while I'm not pleased with how it happened, I won't let it beat me." She sighed and went to the window, staring out at the night. "The longer this conflict dragged on, the more likely it was that it would spill out. I suppose it was inevitable. Now we have to manage it, and if possible, make it an advantage."
The man nodded. "Perhaps this is a good thing. There was a time long past when abnormals as you call them, lived and worked alongside what you consider normal humans."
"Yes, and the preeminent race of abnormals enslaved humanity."
"Not just humanity but others of their own kind as well as other abnormals." He shook his head sadly. "The Akhkharu. Such a tragedy."
Helen frowned. "What -"
"What would you risk to save your people? Would you sacrifice your secrecy?"
That was something new and different. "Is that a threat?"
He stared at her evenly. "It's a question."
Helen stepped away from the window and into her office. "I've thought about it. We've not been precisely secret, but we haven't exactly advertised either. There are times when I think I'd like a little bit more awareness..." She said, trailing off. Helen recalled the reporter and camera man who'd stumbled onto one of their hunts. It had ended badly for the cameraman. "Then there are many other times," she continued, "I am terrified of the idea. It isn't anything I would rush into. The world isn't ready for a broad reintroduction yet." Her lips quirked. "Perhaps we aren't ready for it either."
"If you and your people do not act, then you may be quietly killed before you have the opportunity to consider greater goals, let alone accomplish them."
"Who are you, really?"
"An interested party."
"Hey, Doc!" Kate called from the door.
Helen spun around, surprised. "Kate. Has something come up?" She expected more bad news.
Kate walked into the office warily. "No," she said, drawing the word out. She looked around. "Who were you talking to?"
Helen turned but of course the abnormal was gone. Helen faced Kate again. "An abnormal. I believe he might be one of the refugees."
She arched a brow. "You believe? Doc, you know everyone and every critter in this place." She crossed her arms.
Helen lifted her chin. "Will and I discussed this."
"And he didn't find anything when he went looking," Kate said. "He had me help." Kate dropped her arms and her eyes grew soft. "Look, Boss, do you want to take a day off?"
"Thank you Kate but I'm fine." Helen looked away but something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She was in mid-turn when Kate dove forward, shoving her back and down. The glass shattered and Helen felt a spray of heat. Kate cried in pain and they hit the floor. Helen's breath was knocked out, but she curled away from the window, ducking her head.
"Shit," Kate swore.
Helen was relieved to hear her voice. She'd been sure Kate had been shot. There had even been blood. Helen gasped for air and her hand found a warm pool. Someone had been hit. She felt her chest with her other hand and didn't find any wounds.
Kate groaned and had curled in on herself. "Doc..."
Helen looked at the window. One of the panes had been shot out. She stayed low in case another shot was taken, and found her blackberry.
"Hang on, Kate," Helen ordered as she quickly called Henry's phone.
"Yeah, Doc?"
"Sniper! Put us in lockdown!"
"Oh, shit!"
The heavy protective metal slammed down a moment later as Henry activated their security protocols.
"Henry, Kate's been hit. I need help up here!"
"On it!" he said and hung up.
Helen dropped the now blood-covered phone to the floor and crawled over to Kate. "Let me see," she ordered, as she used firm hands to move Kate so she could see the wound.
"I'm really beginning to hate these guys," Kate ground out through gritted teeth.
Helen applied pressure to the wound, waiting for Will and her Old Friend to arrive with medical supplies and a stretcher.
John was the first to arrive. His eyes flicked to the window, the pool of blood and down to Helen. "Helen, what's happened?"
"Sniper. Kate's been shot."
"They tried to take out the Doc," Kate told him, still wincing from the pain. "Had to have come from across the river."
Helen frowned. She'd not intended to tell John that part. John held her eyes for a moment then rose, long coat swirling about his feet ominously.
"No!"
He paused.
"They could be trying to flush us out."
"They're trying to kill you!" Kate said.
John glared at the shuttered windows. "I'm going to take a look."
"The sniper is long gone."
"I'll be only a few moments," John said. He turned and left before Helen could protest further.
"Magnus!" Will raced into the room with her Old Friend right behind him. They slid to the floor beside them. Will looked at the shattered glass then met Magnus' eyes. His jaw set, eyes flashing in anger.
"Help me get her to the infirmary," Helen ordered. She'd deal with everything else once she was sure Kate wasn't going to bleed out.
Kate woke up with the sneaking suspicion that she was in the infirmary again. Slowly opening her eyes, she immediately winced. Yep. Those were the infirmary lights. She was once again in the stylish infirmary attire. At last this time she wasn't handcuffed to the bed. Everything was floaty and muted so she'd been put on the good drugs.
"You're awake."
Kate looked to her left. It took awhile because she lost her head for few minutes. Eventually she saw Biggie. "I think so."
He grunted. "I'll tell Magnus."
"Awesome," she said, resuming her study of the ceiling.
Magnus was suddenly there with a pen light. So was Will.
"What happened to your cigar?"
The Doc frowned. "Cigar?"
"Yeah." Kate blinked slowly. "Did we kill the bugs?"
"Bugs?" Will questioned.
"Yeah. Blondie and I were killing these big lovecraftian bug alien things." She blinked a few times. "You were there."
"Uh, Kate?"
Kate tried to focus on Will. "Yeah?"
"You were shot."
Kate looked at the bandages around her shoulder. "So," she said after careful consideration, "This isn't from the alien bug queen stabbing me."
"No. I'm afraid you're on some rather powerful painkillers," Magnus told her. "And we have you on some additional medication to prevent infection and promote healing."
"Oh. Who shot me?"
Magnus and Will exchanged a look. "We believe it was the Cabal."
"Oh." She looked at the bandage again, but it was too close and it hurt her eyes to focus at that short distance. she settled for scowling at the far wall. "I hate those guys."
Will chuckled. "We're glad to see you awake. Magnus I'll...?"
"Go," she said, shooing him off. Will left, leaving Kate and Magnus alone. "You should get some rest," Magnus said, pushing some drug or other into the IV bag Kate hadn't noticed.
"You're the boss," Kate said, falling asleep.
Helen was in the infirmary when Kate woke next. She groaned in pain and Helen hurried over to assist.
"Ow."
"Here," she said, carefully helping Kate sit up. She gave her another dose of the pain medication. "This will take effect in a moment."
Kate groaned. "Anyone else get hit?"
"Some shots were taken at the other sanctuaries," Helen said. Kate was not the worst casualty, but they'd been lucky. Extremely lucky.
"Who?" she asked, evidently having picked up on what Helen hadn't said.
"Suharto, the House Head in Jakarta. The House Heads appeared to have been targeted."
"Sloppy," Kate said, grimacing. "Saw them paint you."
"We believe," Helen told her, "that they were not seriously trying to assassinate us all. If they got any of us, that would have been fortunate for them."
"So what?" she asked, "they were just being dicks because they can?"
"We believe they are trying to cause panic and demoralize us."
"It's totally working."
Helen nodded. "Kate," she said, gently touching Kate's hand. "Thank you."
"Huh?"
"You pushed me out of the way. Thank you."
Kate didn't quite meet Helen's eyes. "Just doing my job, Boss."
Helen knew Kate wasn't exactly the type to get overly emotional. Ashley had been much the same way - so was Helen herself, to an extent - so she recognized it easily. She patted Kate's hand. "Thank you," she repeated.
Kate met her eyes this time and nodded. "Sure," she said shrugging her shoulder. Unfortunately she shrugged the injured one. "Ow."
Helen helped her settle back into the bed and turned to leave so Kate could get some rest.
"Doc?"
Helen paused. "Yes?"
"You should maybe talk about this abnormal you keep seeing. I don't think he exists."
Helen had been afraid of that. She looked over her shoulder. "I'll discuss it with Will then." And perhaps she'd discuss the abnormal with Nikola. He'd mentioned the vampires, and Nikola was an expert.
"Cool," Kate said, settling back into the bed. She let out a long sigh. "I'm stuck here for awhile, aren't I?"
Helen nodded.
Kate rolled her eyes. "Great."
Henry rolled his shoulders. He'd been hunched over his workbench for way too long, but he couldn’t stop now. The Cabal had literally taken a shot at them, had tried to take out the Doc from across the river. He had a plan for replacing all the windows with bulletproof glass, but it was prohibitively expensive unless they discovered a pile of cash under a mattress or something.
Tesla worked at the bench behind him. While Henry was working on armor, Tesla's project was more offensively minded. The tiny pulse weapon would hopefully knock most things out without killing. Non-lethal had been Magnus' only stipulation and while Nikola had grumbled, he'd held to that limit. The initial tests were promising at least. It could knock out a Nubbin at fifteen meters.
"Nikola?" The Doc was at the door.
"Hey Doc," Henry greeted.
"Helen." Tesla wiped his hands. "What fresh hell has happened?"
The Doc rolled her eyes a little. "Nothing so dramatic, Nikola."
Tesla shrugged a shoulder and went back to work. "I'm not quite finished with this task if you were wondering about that. Perhaps you should pester your little wolf. He insists on using that horrid Kevlar weave."
Henry gave the Doc a "help me," look then turned back to the armor.
"Actually Nikola, I had some questions about the Akhkharu."
Tesla stopped what he was doing.
"The who-now?" Henry asked.
"The Akhkharu, Sanguine vampiris, The Vampires." He grinned. "My people."
"O-kay," Henry said, unimpressed. Tesla scowled at him then gave Magnus a more mild expression.
"First of all, I didn't know you knew that name for the ancient vampires." Tesla resumed his tinkering. "What do you wish to know?"
"I've been in contact with an unusual abnormal. I haven't been able to find any record of him but he called the vampires the Akhkharu and said that they'd not only subjugated and enslaved humanity and other abnormals, but their own race. Given that he seemed to know so much about them, I was wondering perhaps you'd come across his people in your studies."
"The vampires beat up other vampires? I thought they had the whole master race thing going on?" Henry asked.
Tesla gave him a flat look. "There were some powers struggles before the clans settled the various parts of the world. Peace was eventually worked out."
Henry crossed his arms and leaned back against the table. "You mean they killed one another until there wasn't anyone else left to kill, and the victors divvied up the planet."
Tesla ignored him. "That was well before most of recorded history. The stories and legends of that time are largely lost because my people were rendered fallow and hunted to extinction."
Henry arched a brow at him. Tesla was Tesla because someone had gotten it on with one of his ancestors. Tesla seemed to sense what he was thinking about and rolled his eyes. He focused on Magnus. "What sort of abnormal were you speaking with and why doesn't he have a record?"
"He seems to have the ability to become invisible, or teleport. Perhaps both. He's appeared to me a few times now. I thought he was a refugee from Mexico City, but Will wasn't able to find his description in the records of refugees, and things have been rather confusing."
"Invisibility and teleporting?" Tesla questioned. "What does he look like? The lovechild of Griffin and dear old Johnnie?"
"Nikola -"
"Yes, yes." He waved a dismissive hand. "He came from Mexico? So native then? Or was he more European?"
"Native."
"There was a vampiris presence in the South Americas, though the sources of that bloodline were a separatist group. My direct ancestors were largely more concerned with Europe, Africa and Asia."
"Meaning they hadn't gotten around to the Americas yet," Henry added, unable to resist needling Tesla.
Tesla sighed.
"Henry," the Doc said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Right. Working." Henry said, turning back to his armor.
"The Conquistadors were sent by the Church to remove any remaining Vampires as much as they were there to convert and conquer. By that point they were either long dead or had retreated to Bhalasaam. The conquest of the New World was rather hard on the records and keepers."
"So this doesn't appear to be a species of abnormal that was subjugated?"
"It could have been," Nikola said. "They were the Lords of the Earth. Practically all the ancient civilizations were ruled by the Vampire, including those in South America. Those blood rituals practically scream Vampire."
"Could it be an enemy then?" Henry asked over his shoulder. "Any mythical boogeymen in the Vampire mythology?"
Tesla pondered that for a moment. "There was a war with a great enemy who retreated in the face of the combined might of their empires. The opposing host doesn't have a single description. They're usually just referred to as "The Enemy" in the few documents I've been able to pry from the cruel fingers of history."
"Allies?" Helen asked.
Nikola arched an eyebrow. "Allies?"
Helen nodded.
Nikola frowned, shaking his head. "No records of other empires who were allies. They built empires, Helen. They didn't run to them for shelter."
"Maybe that's why they died," Helen said.
Magnus' phone rang. She picked it up. "Will? I'll be there in a moment." She hung up. "Excuse me. The government inspectors are here." She nodded at their workbenches. "Let me know if you need anything."
Will met her in the foyer with a quick update. "We cleared them through the front gate. Henry's new scanner says they're car is clean. They're a group of four. When they flash their badges we'll grab their info and be able to verify their identities. We already got the one at the gate." He checked his clipboard. "An Agent David Simms."
"Delightful," Nikola said, joining them. Helen gave him a questioning look and he shrugged a shoulder. "I'm done with my work, but Heinrich is still playing catch up. We'll go into the testing phase when he's finished."
"And you're here… why?" Will questioned.
Nikola grinned. "Well this seemed to be the most interesting thing to do." The doorbell rang. "And I believe the party is just about to start."
Helen nodded and squared her shoulders. "Time to meet our guests. Nikola, mind your manners, please." She didn’t have to look at him to hear his disdainful, yet playful, sniff.
"And pray nothing else goes wrong," Will muttered. "How's Kate?"
"More lucid than she was," Helen quipped. Nikola trailed along behind them, silently amused.
Will snorted a laugh. "How does this sort of thing usually go?"
"We usually start with a tour of the less shocking aspects of the house. A conference in my office usually follows. With the UN inspectors we take them to the lower levels to see containment is secure, as by necessity they're already more aware of what we do here."
"We're pretty full here Magnus."
"I assure you that thought has crossed my mind," she concluded, sotto voce as they arrived at the door.
The lead agent was a tall man with dark hair and eyes. He seemed to have a permanent five o'clock shadow. He introduced himself as Agent David Simms and while he gave Helen a firm handshake, he seemed to hold himself distant. The second agent was a tall, dark skinned woman with close-cut hair, Agent Angela Coulton. She had a genuinely warm smile for Helen, but her eyes missed nothing. The second gentleman on the team, Cliff Braxton, was somewhat gangly and probably the youngest, but he seemed pleasant enough and it was likely he was capable. The last agent was another woman with a cheerful smile. She gaped when she saw Will.
"Will? Will Zimmerman?"
"Uhm, yes?"
"Abby Corigan. We trained together at Quantico."
"Right. Yes. Abby. Hi."
Nikola ducked close to Helen's ear and said, "We really need to teach that boy how to lie properly. At least to women."
Helen couldn't swat him in front of the agents, and he knew it. He grinned at her and introduced himself.
"Nikola Tesla."
"Like the scientist?" Abby asked, extending a hand.
"Just like," Nikola said with a smile. He didn't shake hands.
"Well, shall we begin the tour?" Helen said, gesturing towards the interior of the house.
"Yes, I believe that would be best," Agent Simms said. "We noticed you seem to have rather heavy shutters on your windows."
"We were scanned coming in," Braxton, the most "geeky" of the bunch said. He had a tablet computer in one hand.
"We've had some trouble. One of our facilities abroad was firebombed," Helen explained. Which wasn't entirely untrue. At the rear of the group, Abby was peppering Will with questions.
"And what is it you do here, Mr. Tesla?" Agent Coulton asked.
"Mostly I drink Helen's wine, and provide color commentary," Nikola said, giving the woman a charming smile. "But occasionally I conduct the odd bit of research."
"Research into what? Simms asked. The other agents chuckled at the perceived joke.
"Well my personal research is into world domination, but Helen rarely lets me indulge in that when I'm in her facility. Usually I assist with creating capture and containment apparatuses. I do the odd bit of computer work as well," Nikola said with a dismissive gesture. "Terribly boring stuff."
The inspection began in the common areas of the house. It was almost like they were conducting business at night, given the shuttered windows. Her Old Friend had done some decorating to that effect and even lit some candles in some of the common areas. There were a few residents up and about. The extremely varied group playing Wii in the entertainment room drew some arched eyebrows. The Satyrs watching hockey a few rooms down resembled a frat-house. Fortunately there was also a knitting circle in one of the day rooms and the chatter in there was far less boisterous.
"You have a knitting circle?" Nikola questioned when he believed the agents were out of hearing range.
"We have a lot of people stuck here for the time being, Nikola," Helen told him. He snorted because he hardly needed to be reminded. "Activities such as these give everyone something to do. Some of those refugees lost everything. This is a way for some of them to feel productive and active. Some of them wear what they've knit, some of them donate it to others either here or at the other Sanctuaries."
"At least it's only a few of them or our new government friends might decide you were running a sweat-shop, or worse. Perhaps your large hairy friend should avoid serving drinks that resemble kool-aid just to be safe."
Helen pressed her lips together in thought. "Perhaps it is a good thing no-one can tend the gardens at the moment."
"It occurred to me," Nikola said, "That young William might not actually have known Agent Corigan."
"It occurred to me as well. He said he does vaguely remember her."
"Well, she's clearly interested," Nikola drawled.
"Be nice," Helen said. "It's not good to embarrass FBI agents."
"Hmm, true."
Helen's phone rang. "Henry's calling." It rang again. "And Declan."
"That's not a good sign."
"Is something the matter?" Agent Simms questioned.
"I hope not. I believe I'll have to take this call," Helen said, ducking down the hall a ways. "Henry?" she answered. "What's happened?"
"Rio's under attack!"
"Helen?" Nikola asked. Will had wandered over with the agents.
"Rio is under attack. I have to go assist them. Will if you'd please continue?"
The agents looked at one another. Simms spoke. "Dr. Magnus if your facility is under attack, maybe we should stick around in case something happens here. We can conduct the rest of the tour when your situation has settled abroad."
Helen blinked at him, stunned by the offer. She tried to see the angle, but he didn't appear to be running a con on her. She looked at Will for his opinion and he shrugged minutely, expression indicating he didn't think it was a false offer. Helen gave the agent a grateful simile. Perhaps something was finally going right.
"I appreciate your flexibility, Agent Simms. That would be greatly appreciated. Will, I'll call you if we need your help."
"Go."
Helen left quickly, breaking into a run when she wasn't in view of the FBI agents. Nikola kept pace beside her.
"This is now the most interesting thing going on. Also, if you're going to do what I think you are, then it's fortunate I finished my new little toy."
Helen hit the elevator button and dialed John's cell number. "Will you come?"
"You're planning on going?" he arched a brow.
"I have to." The call connected. "John. Rio is under attack. Meet me in the main lab." He agreed and hung up. Nikola raced off before the elevator doors were fully open.
"Don't leave without me!" he called over his shoulder.
"Wouldn't dream of it!" Helen said, hurrying to the main lab.
The monitors showed the Heads of House once more. Henry looked white as a sheet. There was a great deal of shouting going on. Helen stopped in the center of the video pickup.
"What do we know?"
"They're surrounded. I was on a call with Rio when it happened," Declan said. "We were able to maintain the call for a few minutes. She gave me the basics before they cut her internet access off. Their facility has lost external power entirely and they're running on backups."
The head of the Asunción Sanctuary spoke up. "I've been trying to go through the contacts in the area I know, to see what I can do to help. I've been able to contact a few of the staff members who were not home at the time and warn them away."
Helen nodded. "Good. They're assaulting with teams? Do they have support from the local government?"
"We're not sure at the moment," Henry said. He was frowning as he consulted his computer. "The beefed up security network gave them a little warning. The power seems to have been cut to the whole neighborhood so there is some unrest, but it looks like they're trying to do it more like Lima rather than Mexico City again."
"We have to get down there," Helen said. "We have to repel them."
"I can help with that," John said. "If you gather teams, I can take them a few at a time. We can drop in where they won't expect us then retaliate."
"How many can you take at once?" Declan asked.
"A few. There is a limit to the amount of mass I can move. I'd prefer to take many trips with less mass." Distance wasn't an issue.
"I'll assemble a team outside our EM shield. I wouldn't put it past them to try to hit the rest of us while we're distracted."
"How much mass are you limited to, Mr. Druitt?" Pili asked. "I have a few residents who'd be willing to help, but they're rather large."
"How large?"
"The better part of a ton."
John's lips quirked in a smirk. "Sphinxes?" It was a logical conclusion given Cairo's location and the creatures' native habitat.
Pili nodded, wearing a matching smile.
John chuckled. "I believe I could manage one at a time."
Helen knew that taking that much mass was at the outer edge of John's ability. At least it had been when they'd studied their new powers. He'd be exhausted at least. Her Old Friend came in with body armor and weapons. Helen began to strap on the armor. It didn't precisely go with the business suit she was wearing, but it'd have to do. Time was precious.
"You're leaving?" Aaron questioned.
Helen nodded. "Maria and Lucás are both there. I will not let them stand alone."
"We've lost one House Head already," Sydney spoke up. "Is that wise?"
Probably not, Helen thought to herself. "I have to go," she said aloud. "Time is running out and I have extensive field experience. Additionally, there has been a surprise benefit to Mr. Wexford's decision to involve the local government. The Inspectors are here in the house and I doubt the Cabal will be willing to attack overtly. Of us all, I'm actually in the best position to assist Rio."
"Are you certain those inspectors can be trusted?" Declan asked.
"Reasonably." She put on the helmet as well.
"Uh, I ran background checks when they came in," Henry added, "They're all clean as far as I can see."
"Magnus, I have a team just outside of the south courtyard," Declan said. "They're in full riot gear."
"Thank you. We'll come in on their south side, behind their line. We'll try and take out what command post they might have set up, first. Hopefully they haven't breached the perimeter yet."
Continue to Part 2c, the Conclusion