Episode 31: bEAST OF EDEN

“Sister?”

Sabbath Black skulked about in the darkness. Sight perfect in the pitch she made her way through the narrow hallways of the oil tanker Velchek. Reaching a large meat locker that was kept sealed from the outside world she palmed the massive door. Sensing, probing, awaiting acknowledgment. She knew her sibling was within, but it had been weeks since she had communicated with her. Something was blocking all mental connection between them.

“Lily?”

A thump was heard upon the interior wall of the door. No words spoken, fear crossed Sabbath’s face. She wanted to abuse her strength and rip the door from its hinges and locks. Yet, to do so would bring punishment. Lurking children eying her behavior stood ready to report back and attack in their mother’s best interests. Mother would be cross if they didn’t.

Now that the fallen angel, the deformed demonic being Verago had been released Sabbath’s sister had been isolated and kept to herself. As to why? Sabbath had no idea. Could it be what she had learned from James Ian Pryce be true? Could she and Lily truly be the reincarnation of Adam and Eve? A single soul split into two. That would make sense.

With Mother’s keen interest in her sister Lily, Sabbath concluded that her sibling was more important. Yet, Sabbath herself had some role yet to be played out. Otherwise, her children would not have come for her while she was held by the local Pastaway’s at the Ganthorian Hilton.

For years now Sabbath Black had been allowed to come and go as she pleased. Unlike her sister! She never fully understood exactly why she was being banned from her side. Even though the mad magician had made she and Lily, inevitably their true master was Mother Lilith. She who made Sir Primross, her brightest prodigy yet her dimmest failure.

Within the meat locker a beautiful young woman stalked about as ever. Unchained and left to roam free within her prison, still wearing the tattered dress that she arrived in. Lost! Feeling forgotten and saddened by her sister’s abandonment. At least there was a positive to this when sensing her Maker’s demise. Primross was no longer controlling her thoughts. Now only Mother communicated her love. Yet, why would any true Mother treat her child this way? Voices unheard! Sabbath on the opposite side weeping blood. She too was lost. For now, two sisters could only miss one another.

Within her nesting chamber Mother smiled. Everything was coming together. A child would be born soon. Her little Angel.

Sixty-three miles away Colonel’s Jack Ramse and Ruby Goddard took the time to sit alone on the bridge of the Ganthorian starship. All of the others in their group were occupied in preparing for the dawn. In a sense this was the calm before the storm.

“Are we insane to risk ourselves like this Jack? None of you may survive. That just leaves me and James here to hold our position. Feed the cattle. Wait on your reports.”

“Cam is still out there stuck inside this Verago. We can’t just turn our cheek. He’s one of us. Besides that, those vampires are going to keep on coming unless we put an end to them. If that’s even possible.”

“I can’t help but worry.” She rubbed her belly. “Just in case.”

Jack nodded at her hand. In a bold honorable reaction, he removed his dog tags and placed them around Ruby’s neckline. As tough as Ruby was, that gift brought a tear to her eye. Jack at least acknowledged parenthood. If she was indeed pregnant. Time would tell.

“Damn you, Jack. That was too sweet.”

“Don’t get too misty eyed. I know how you feel about the kid checking you out but while we’re gone it might be a good time to get a confirmed diagnosis. You saw how I couldn’t touch your belly. Obviously, something’s wrong or my kid has issues with me.”

“Surely not! Unlike everyone else I haven’t been around anything that could give me any powers or wreck my health.”

“We had sex. My health was boosted up. That weaver bug increased everything about me Ruby. That’s enough to alter my whole outlook. Not to sound arrogant but my semen was probably nitro in the tank. If it causes you harm, I’m truly sorry. I know we’re not in any position to be raising a baby in this crazy world. But if it does happen then we deal with it.”

“We? Don’t you mean me, Jack?”

He narrowed his eyes then dropped his gaze while choosing his words wisely. Seeing him confused she beats him to the punch. “Get real, Jack. Your resume says it all. You’re a lone wolf. Staying here this long is a shock. We both know that someday I’ll wake up and you’ll be long gone.”

“Let’s just win this war and deal with my actions later. One step at a time, okay?”

“So, baby steps?” She cocked an eyebrow to make him think.

“Yeah! I better go check on James. He said that he was working on something more for me to use. I’m going to put on a life fiber suit too. Whatever gives us a better chance at success.”

She too nodded with a timid scowl. “You do that.” then patted his cheek before walking away. Ruby needed space to cry. Plenty of it in this stadium sized starship!

Inside of Sophia Ridge’s isolation area, her mother Madigan snuck in on her. Walking in this time rather than phasing through a wall. Life fiber was her new best friend. She wanted to surprise her daughter, but a hug would likely prove deadly. Dying once was enough for her! Instead, she merely spoke up.

“Piper Sophia?”

“Hey, Mom!” Sophia sat Indian style on the floor. Having sat so long her body had etched an imprint that lightly smoked from her acidic flesh. She had been getting to know her newest allies. That and attempting to understand the amulet’s mystical properties now that it was also a part of her.

“Look at me Sweetheart.”

Her daughter opened her eyes and glanced to her right. Jaw dropping she turned it into a smile. “You’re back to the land of the living.”

“I am.” Maddy took a seat on the floor. “Wearing this life fiber suit has maintained my human switch. Yet, I can also prompt myself back and forth now. I don’t seem to be so dead after all.”

“I still don’t grasp that you’re alive. I’m just glad that you are.”

“As am I. I’m not even going to attempt to understand it all. Just chalk it up to this strange place we live in. God is good.”

“Is he? I’ve been sitting here trying to communicate with the amulet. When I was trapped within it I kept feeling like something else was in there with me. If I could read Xander’s mind I’d ask him if he sensed, it too.”

“James does have a translator collar on his dog now. Ask him when you get the chance.”

“Right! I still have a few hours before dawn. I’m going to meditate a while longer and see if I can pinpoint more. I want to hug you but I’m afraid to right now. My friends might allow it, but the amulet could suck you into me. I can’t risk losing you again.”

“I understand. Someday things will be back to normal. Normal enough to let us bond better that is. God willing!”

Each time that Sophia heard the word God spoken out loud she felt a tingling within that she just couldn’t explain. Was it good or was it bad? Not even her little friends could predict it, let alone seek its source. Will mysteries ever cease! Probably not! At least mother and daughter could relax together and speak of the past. It was time to mend fences.

Outside the Ganthorian Hilton, Roman Centurion Antonaeus Gaicazar stood guard. Now within his newfound armored state he felt more invincible than ever. His heavenly light returning gave him reason to rejoice. He could not comprehend his luck outside of his belief in Christ. His hand involved in all of creation spoke volume.

In his patrol of the grounds, he noticed Kansas resident Greta Winston feeding her cattle and her horse Quiver. She had no idea how long they would be gone; therefore, she worked hard at tending to the herd. Gaicazar respected a hard-working wench.

“Your horse appears strong. A sturdy beast indeed.” He called out to her through the static fence.

“Ole’ Quiver here is young and full of it. Been more faithful to me than most Fellas.”

“A worthy steed is better than the riches of the emperor himself.”

She eyed the Roman with a bit of worry. Pointing at him directly she sneered. “Don’t you get no ideas about hightailing it with my horse. MINE! Not yours.”

“Fear not! I will respect your wishes. I merely miss my own steed Romidas. He rode into this world with me and my Legion. I fear he perished long ago.”

“Vamps kill him?”

“Nay. We ate him. My Legion was starving. All of our steeds were lost over time.”

“Dang! Well, my Quiver’s not on any fancy menu. I’d die before havin’ to eat him.”

“I thought as you did. I was Immortal. However, my Legion was not. Sacrifices were made. A decision I do not regret. Unfortunate, it was that we encountered the children of the Mother. My Legion was lost. Only I survived until overcome, held hostage for years to feed their number. In the end it was I that was sacrificed by my Legion.”

“Sorry for your loss.” She checked the pumping system to make certain water from below was still flowing properly. Fanning her hand, she knew she needed to clean up the bovine shit but had no time to do so. It would have to wait.

Conversation waning Greta excused herself to head back inside. Gaicazar had yet to step foot within the ship. Preferring to embrace what he understood in the outside world. That, and the ship reminded him far to much of gladiator arenas. A colosseum if you will! “Nay! I shalt not enter without a fight.” Too many bad memories!

“Step ten!”

Young genius James Ian Pryce had aggressively moved from one toy to the next. He was trying his best to consider all probabilities to secure their future. His friends needed every bit of tech he could muster on short notice.

Programming the drones with multiple functions made sense. Everything from using them as transport to ultraviolet bursts was logical. Going so far as incorporating what he referred to as Fizz Jizz. The concoction he made from the mass supply of lava lamps that they acquired from within the salvaged cargo containers. Applied to a mere dart that once injected would create a waxy texture in the blood stream of the vampires and force them to literally harden up. That should made slaying them so much easier.

His mission included having the orbs scan and share the knowledge written inside the Chinese spell book. Computer verse might prevent associating curses upon the reader. If anything, an orb sacrifice would protect the humans. At least he hoped so!

His final step led him to piece together parts to conceive a utility gauntlet for Jack. Adding in thought-controlled options that he could choose from as needed. Speak of the Devil and here he is!

“How’s it going Kid?” Jack entered the lad’s workshop.

“Almost ready! I built you a personal weapon.” Lifted from its cradle James showed it off. “This gauntlet responds to whatever the wearer tells it to mentally. By attaching it to your life fiber it will pick up on your brain communication.”

“What’s it do?”

“This works on a vibrational level. It can create shockwaves in the form of bombarding energy. Not extremely powerful but it will knock its target for a loop. Just point, aim, and fire. As long as you wear the life fiber over your hand it won’t break any bones. I wouldn’t try it without the glove though.”

“Earthquake feature all it does?”

“Short notice, yeah. Sorry, I couldn’t do more. Survive this and give me time I can build pretty much anything.”

“Just not get this ship up and flying?”

“Sorry, Colonel. The energy required is beyond what we have. Someday, maybe. But it’s going to require a lot of power. That and fixing the hull where the pool is down below.”