Chapter 3: Family Ties

We finally arrived home after spending an excellent week in Hawaii celebrating our second wedding with lots of sun, sand, drink, and of course, sex. It really was nice getting away from the daily grind of tracking and killing inter-dimensional beasts. Noei even sat for me as I drew a picture of her on the beach, looking out over the ocean.

“That’s beautiful,” she said when I showed it to her. “We definitely have to get this framed.”

“I’m glad you like it. I love drawing this beautiful face,” I said as I kissed her. We ended up making love right there on the beach. So what if anyone saw us, we thought.

Unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end. As wonderful as Hawaii was, we had to get back home and back to work. And I needed to look into something that had been in the back of my mind for a few days now.

After spending a nice quiet night at home in our own bed, we got up and began our everyday routine. Noei got up before I did, took her shower, and made breakfast as I did my morning business. After breakfast, we went to the lab downstairs and caught up on the creatures’ activities.

One of the two creatures I had tracked while Noei was being prepared by the Errnocht was in a town about two hours from our current location. But there was something different – the creature seemed to be in another person than before. I pulled up the history and confirmed it.

“Could you look into this for me, please?” I asked Noei.

“Sure,” she said as she worked her magic on the search tool Svan provided for us. Noei displayed what she found on the large wall monitor within a few minutes. The original host, Brenda Harrison, was killed in an auto accident just four days ago. According to the report, she was driving at an increased rate of speed when she lost control of her vehicle and slammed into a concrete post. She was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The report said Brenda had suffered a heart attack right before the accident.

“Seems a bit young to have had a heart attack,” I said.

“I agree,” Noei said. “You think the beast inside her did that?”

“Or maybe she was trying to fight it,” I said. “We’ll never know.”

The new host, Rhonda Baker, worked as a swing-shift manager for a local hotel and was married to an over-the-road truck driver named Alan. In her late twenties, she was an attractive woman with long wavy brunette hair, brown eyes, and a smile that could melt butter. I could see why the creature would find this woman a suitable host.

“What do we know about her husband?” I asked. Noei was already ahead of me and placed his information on the screen next to Rhonda’s.

“He works for Apex Logistics and spends as much as a week on the road at any given time,” Noei said. “According to the company’s schedule, he’s supposed to be back this afternoon, in about three hours or so.” I looked at Noei, surprised, and wondered how she could get this little tidbit.

“How did you find that out?” I asked as I walked to her station.

“Easy,” she said. “I just hacked into their internal scheduling system.” I simply nodded, figuring it was an ability Svan gave her during her preparation.

“Where is the creature now?” I asked.

“Currently at the Baker residence,” Noei said. “It doesn’t look like they’re alone.”

“We can get there in two hours,” I said. “Why don’t we head on down and meet with Alan first.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Noei asked.

“I prefer to meet with the husband first, if at all possible,” I said. “It could save a lot of problems later. After all, we don’t need an enraged husband thinking we’re trying to kill his wife and try to shoot or attack us while we’re dealing with a creature.”

“I ... see your point. Well, then, we’d better get moving,” Noei said. We gathered our things, loaded up the truck, and headed out. Noei also packed a couple sandwiches and some snacks and drinks for the trip.

“Arte, something’s on your mind,” Noei said after we had been on the road for a while. “I can always tell, you know.” I knew this would happen, and I debated whether or not to tell her my suspicions. I finally opted for honesty and full disclosure.

“Do you remember when I told you I had a feeling your father and grandmother knew more than they were letting on?” I asked.

“Yes, I remember,” she said.

“Your father told me a bit about the legend,” I said. “Thing is, it was very close to what actually happened. You know, it’s rare for stories that old to remain so close to the truth when passed down by word of mouth. I got the feeling he knows a lot more than what he says.”

“You think he may be working with the creatures?” Noei asked. There was no accusation in her question, which made me feel better.

“No, I don’t,” I said. “But I would like to check something when we get back home.”

“The Errnocht database?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. “How much do you know about that?”

“Not much,” she said.

“Our transectors are designed to collect data on everyone they pass through,” I said. “DNA, biographical information, you name it. That information is later added to the database, which the Errnocht use for their own analysis. We can search that database to see who has been possessed by the creatures.”

“You think my father may have had one of those things in him at some time?” she asked.

“I think it’s a definite possibility,” I said.

“But why?” she asked. “That just doesn’t make any sense.”

“I think they have been tracking your family line,” I said. “Specifically, I think they may have been tracking you.”

“Me?” she asked, surprised. “But why?”

“To get to me. Perhaps, to keep us apart. Remember the first night we met in that bar?”

“I’ll never forget it,” she said.

“You had one of those things inside you. And the first thing it did when we were alone was to attack me. Rather interesting, wouldn’t you agree?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said. “What do you suggest we do?”

“When we get back, I’d like you to do a genealogical search on your family. I’d like to know if anyone in your family shows up in the Errnocht database,” I said. “Are you okay with doing that?”

“Of course, Arte,” she said. “If my family has been tracked or harassed by these things, I want to know about it.”

“Good,” I said, taking her hand in mine. “We may need to have a little talk with your folks.”

“Are you sure we should do that?” she asked.

“They have a right to know,” I said.

“I suppose so,” she said quietly. Nothing more was said about it for the rest of the trip. We ate a sandwich and drank one of the bottles of green tea she packed in the ice chest.

“That hit the spot,” I said after I finished the olive and cream cheese sandwich she made. Noei got me hooked on those things when she moved into the house. “Thank you.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” she said. We reached the city where Alan lived and saw we had about 45 minutes before he was due back, so we drove by his house. Sure enough, there were two cars in his driveway, and the tracker showed the creature was there, along with two human life signs. One was Rhonda, and the other only registered as “unknown male.”

We took a picture of the vehicles in the driveway and continued on our way. We reached the trucking company where Alan worked and pulled into the parking lot a few minutes later. We got out of the truck and went inside, asking for the dispatcher. The receptionist called him, then gave us directions to his office.

“Gary Simpson,” a large man said as he offered his hand. “What can I do for you folks?”

“Steve Iverson, this is my wife, Noei,” I said, handing him a business card. “Has Alan Baker returned yet?”

“As a matter of fact, he just pulled in,” Gary said, reading the card I gave him. “Is there a problem?”

“We hope not,” I said. “But we’d like to speak with him if that’s alright.”

“Okay, hang on,” Gary said. He picked up his phone and spoke into it. “Hey, Cotton, tell Baker there’s a couple PI types here in the dispatch office looking to see him. Alright, thanks.” He hung up the phone and turned back to us.

“He’ll be here in just a minute,” he said.

“Thank you,” I said. Soon, the door opened and a large muscular man wearing a short-sleeved western shirt, and Stetson came through. Gary looked up at him.

“Alan, these folks would like a word with you, if that’s alright,” Gary said. Alan looked at us before speaking.

“Alan Baker,” he said, extending his hand. We introduced ourselves as we shook hands. “Is everything alright?” he asked.

“Is there someplace we can go and talk?” I asked.

“Yeah, Fred’s Diner is just down the road a piece,” Alan said. “It’s usually pretty quiet. We can go there if you want.” We followed him to Fred’s Diner and ordered a cup of coffee.

“So, what is this all about?” he asked.

“Mr. Baker, is everything okay between you and your wife?” I asked.

“Please, call me Alan. Yeah, so far as I know,” he said. “Why? You think she’s fucking around on me or something?” I pulled out my phone and showed him the picture we took of the cars in his driveway.

“Do you recognize these vehicles?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he said. “The one on the right is Rhonda’s car. I’ve never seen the other one.”

“When was the last time you spoke with your wife?” I asked.

“We talk every day when I’m on the road,” he said. “I spoke to her early this morning.”

“Everything seem normal?” I asked.

“Well, to tell ya the truth, she has seemed a bit ... pre-occupied these last couple days or so,” he said. “If she’s been fucking around, so help me, I’ll kick her ass to the curb. Is that’s what this is all about?”

“We believe your wife is with ... someone ... we’ve been tracking for a while,” I said, not trying to give away too much.

“So, what do you want from me?” he asked.

“We’d like to accompany you back to your house, if that’s alright with you,” I said. He eyed us for a few moments before responding. I could tell he was thinking the worst, and the more he thought about it, the madder he got.

“Okay,” he finally said. “You can follow me back to my house.” Noei reached out to Alan.

“Mr. Baker ... Alan,” she began. “Just so you know, you may see some things that you might not be able to deal with right off the bat. I just want you to know that we’ll be there for you.” He gave her a confused look for a few seconds before responding.

“Look, I appreciate what you’re saying, lady, but I was in the Marine Corps for four years. Served in Iraq. I’ve seen more than my share of crap,” he said. I looked at Noei and nodded my head.

“Alright, we’ll follow you then,” I said. We left the diner and headed for Alan’s house. The two cars were still in the driveway. Alan parked on the street in front of his house, and we parked behind him. Alan got out of his truck and headed for the front door. We followed close behind.

We went into the front door and instantly heard the sounds of sex coming from the upstairs bedroom. Alan’s face turned red as he opened his gun cabinet. I touched his arm and shook my head. He got my meaning and closed the cabinet before storming upstairs. We let Alan enter the bedroom first.

“What the FUCK is going on here?” he thundered. The young, blond-haired man between Rhonda’s legs stopped, looked at Alan, then got off the bed. He flexed his muscles as he eyed Alan. He was the same height as Alan and looked every bit as strong. Rhonda stayed in bed, an evil grin on her face.

“Well, looky here,” Blondie said. “It’s the cuck.”

“What the FUCK did you call me, shithead?” Alan roared, grabbing the other man by the neck. The man was startled by Alan’s outburst and tried to get free, but Alan wasn’t having it. He slammed Blondie into the wall, cracking the drywall.

“I’m going to give you just five seconds to get the FUCK outta my house, asswipe,” Alan said, spittle flying from his mouth. “After that, they’ll need to carry you outta here in a body bag. GOT IT?”

“Yeah, man, I got it,” the man said. Alan kneed him in the balls to make sure he got the message, then tossed him to the floor. The man groaned as he hit the floor, then grabbed his clothes and crawled out of the bedroom. A furious Alan turned to Rhonda. She laughed maniacally as he began to approach her.

“Wait,” I said, grabbing him by the arm. “She’s not herself.”

“What do you mean?” he asked. Noei and I pulled out our transectors and activated them. Alan looked at the flaming electronic swords, and his eyes grew wide. “What the fuck! Are you gonna kill her?” he asked.

“No,” I said, positioning myself between him and Rhonda. “Just the thing inside her. Please, stand back. And don’t try to interfere.” Rhonda’s eyes grew wide, and I could see the beast inside her trying to climb out.

“YOU!” the Rhonda-Beast screeched in an unearthly voice. “I’ll shred your pathetic human body and feed you to the dogs, Celt. Along with your pretty little plaything.”

“I think not today, beast,” I said, holding my transector at the ready. “SEMPER INVICTUS!!” Noei and I swung simultaneously, cutting the beast in four sections. Our electronic blades came into contact at some point, and the room was bathed in a blinding flash of light, and pieces of the beast flew across the room.

When the light faded, we saw pieces of the thing lying everywhere. We saw the dragon-like head of the beast attached to part of its ripped torso as it tried to crawl away. It looked up at us, fear in its eyes.

“Mercy,” it screeched, holding out one claw. Noei drove her transector through its red, pulsing heart, causing it to break open and disappear in a puff of smoke. As the heart disappeared, so did the rest of the creature’s body. Rhonda fell back on the bed.

“What the fuck just happened?” Alan asked, his eyes wide with fear. I pulled out a bottle of water and handed it to Noei.

“See to her, if you would please,” I told Noei. She took the water bottle and mixed in a packet of powder as I turned to Alan. “We need to talk,” I said, guiding him out of the room.

“Damn right we do,” he said. “What was that ... thing?”

“That’s what we’ve been tracking,” I said. “It took possession of your wife’s body.”

“It made her act like a slut?” Alan asked.

“Technically, no. But it lowered her inhibitions and fed on her inner desires, amplifying them,” I explained.

“Is Rhonda going to be okay?” he asked.

“It hasn’t been in her very long,” I said. “There’s a good chance she’ll recover. Physically, anyway, but she has had a traumatic experience. Mentally, her barriers have been breached and weakened.”

“How long was it in her?” he asked.

“About four days, as best as we can tell,” I said.

“Where did it come from?” Alan asked.

“That’s a bit ... complicated,” I said. “Let’s just say it came from someplace very far away.”

“It seemed to know you and your wife,” Alan said. “How is that possible? And why did it call you ‘Celt’?”

“That’s a reference to my bloodline. I’ve been tracking it for a while,” I said. “And I’ve encountered quite a few creatures like it before.”

“So there are more of those things out there? Will they come back for her?” Alan asked.

“Yes, there are more of them. I doubt they’ll come back for her, though. They generally don’t possess the same person twice,” I told him. “There is one thing you should know, though.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

“There is the possibility of relapse without possession, almost like an addict or someone with a psychological issue. She may feel the desire to cheat on you at some point in the future. And it’s possible she won’t be able to stop herself when that desire hits,” I said.

“What do you suggest I do?” Alan asked. “I won’t tolerate her cheating on me. She knows that.”

“I’m not a marriage counselor, but I suggest the two of you speak to one. That is if you want to remain married to her. Do you love her?”

“Yes, I love her very much,” Alan said. “And I want to stay married to her. But I won’t be a willing cuckold.”

“I understand completely,” I said. Just then, Noei showed up.

“She’s regained her senses,” Noei said. “She’s shaken, but I think she’ll be alright. She’s asking for you, Alan.”

“Why don’t you go talk to her?” I asked. “We’ll be right here.” Alan wiped his face with his hands and looked at me for a bit before nodding his head.

“All right,” he said. He got up and walked back into the master bedroom. He sat on the bed next to his wife, who sobbed when he took her in his arms.

“I’m so sorry, Alan,” she sobbed. “I don’t know what got into me. It was all so strange -- like I couldn’t stop myself. Please, forgive me.”

“It’s ... alright,” he said quietly. “The thing is ... gone.”

“What was that thing?” she asked through her tears. “What happened to it?”

“I don’t know what it was,” Alan said. “But these people killed it, and it’s not coming back.”

“I don’t feel so good,” Rhonda said. “I feel nauseous and shaky inside. Like I’m about to fly apart. I have to call in sick tonight. Please, Alan, stay and hold me.” Alan looked at me, concern on his face.

“That’s quite normal,” I told him. “She’ll be shaken for a little while. Give her a chance to get some rest.” Alan nodded his head.

“I’ll stay right here,” he told her. “I don’t have to go back on the road for a few days, so why don’t you take a couple nights off. Get some rest.”

“Okay,” Rhonda said. “I will. Just stay with me, please. I’m so scared.”

“It’s all right,” Alan told her. “I’m here for you, sweetheart.” He looked up at us before speaking. “What do I do now?” he asked.

“Stay with her. Reassure her. Give her comfort. Maybe have her doctor check her out,” I said. He nodded his head. I didn’t want to raise the issue of STIs or a possible pregnancy at a time like this, but I got the feeling Alan understood.

“Yeah, okay. I’ll do that,” he said. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Noei said. “And feel free to call if you have any questions.” We said our goodbyes and left.

“Well, how do you feel now that you’ve taken out your first creature?” I asked Noei as we hit the road.

“I know it may sound strange, but I feel ... invigorated,” she said. “Excited, even. And a little sad. For them, that is. Is that normal?”

“Yes, it is,” I told her.

“Is that how you feel after you’ve taken one of those things out?” she asked.

“Yes,” I told her. “The thrill of victory tempered by the knowledge of what it may cost. Some couples can work through it, but most can’t.”

“Do you think Rhonda and Alan will be able to get through what happened today?” Noei asked.

“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe. Hopefully. But that’s not our concern. All we can do is deal with the beasts and point the victims in the right direction. What happens after that is up to them.”

“I understand,” Noei said softly. “It just seems so ... cold. I wish there was something more we could offer them.”

“Unfortunately, there’s not. You have to understand that every situation is different. Every marriage is different. If we intervene early enough, and if the relationship is good, there’s usually a somewhat better than average chance the victims can get through it,” I said. “Most of the time, though, the damage is too great. Think you can deal with that?”

“I think so,” she said. “I know that it feels good to fight at your side again.” I had to smile at that. It did feel good to be in the field with Noei.

“Yes, it does,” I said.

“In fact, I’m feeling a bit ... horny right now,” Noei said with a smile. She scooted closer to me and began rubbing my crotch while kissing my ear. “Think you can find someplace where we can ... park for a bit and, you know, fool around?”

“Are you sure about this?” I asked with a smile. “We’re not teenagers, you know.”

“Oh yeah,” she said as she began to unzip my trousers. “But being here with you makes me feel like a horny teenager.”

“We could get caught, you know,” I said.

“Good,” she cooed as she fished out my cock. I saw a park just ahead, so I pulled in and found a shady spot that looked pretty secluded. I didn’t see any cameras, so I stopped the truck and turned to Noei, who was already removing her clothes.

Soon, we were both in the back seat of the crew cab, with Noei on top of me. She was on fire as she slid down on my hard cock. I had read about people having sex in a parked car, but this was the first time in my 2,100 years of existence it had happened to me.

Noei moaned in our native tongue as we screwed like mad in the back seat. It didn’t take long for us to reach our climax. Spent and covered with sweat, we held each other in the back seat until we caught our breath.

“What brought that on?” I asked.

“I guess the excitement of being in battle with you again just turned me on,” she said. “You’re not upset with me, are you?”

“Never,” I said, giving her a kiss. “But we’d better get dressed and get going before a cop spots us here.”

We dressed and spent the rest of the trip in small talk and got home in time for dinner. It was a bit late to start cooking anything, so we ordered a pizza and ate that as we completed our reports.

“So, what now?” Noei asked.

“Well, we have a few days before we can face another beast, so let’s get started on that project we talked about the other day,” I said. Noei agreed, and we decided to hit the hay and begin our projects the following day.

When we got to the downstairs lab the next morning, I noticed the communicator was flashing, so I fired it up and saw Svan’s face appear on the monitor.

“About time you two decided to get up,” he said with a smile. “So, Noei, how do you feel after your first encounter?”

“I’m excited,” she said. “I can’t wait to do that again.”

“Well, I’m afraid both of you are going to have to wait a few days,” Svan said.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“We detected a ripple in the space-time continuum and traced it to the moment your transectors intersected with each other,” Svan said. “The Directorate decided to modify the Rule of Six for the two of you. We want you to wait ten days between assignments. The last thing we need is a rip in the fabric of the multiverse.”

“That bad?” I asked.

“We’re assessing the damage,” Svan said. “Right now, it doesn’t look as bad as we first thought, but the Directorate wants to make sure the rift has healed before you two engage again.”

“I don’t understand,” Noei said.

“When you and Steve engaged with the beast inside Rhonda Baker, the fields of your transectors briefly came into contact with each other. That’s what caused the flash of light you saw. But that flash was more than just light. It actually affected the entire space-time continuum. If your transectors had remained in contact much longer, they would have created a tear in the fabric of the multiverse,” Svan said.