Destiny (33 page)

Drawing a deep hissing breath, Nessa fought the berserker fury rising up inside her that was the birthright of her people. The blinding rage that made her people so dangerous. Doing her best to ignore the overt threat the legionnaires represented, she focused instead on the words the Prince had spoken. Thinking back to the vision Wakinyan had showed her, Nessa remembered the last message from her father’s spirit. No matter what the Prince was, his words rang true to the essence of the Yatra Luonnotar had tasked her to seek out.

Bowing her head, Nessa dropped the Staff of Yatri to the ground. For her people, there was no greater crime than accepting defeat. Praying for forgiveness from her ancestors, she held out her empty hands to the Prince as she looked into his surprised eyes. Around the circle, she could feel the shocked disbelief ripple through the legionnaires surrounding her as she relinquished her weapon. Never before in the history of the Imperium had a Centaur yielded to an enemy. Immediately the Prince’s hand shot up commanding his bulls to stop as he whispered sharply under his breath.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Drawing forth her power, Nessa let the terror of all that she had seen in the vision of the future flow through her. As the spiritual energy of her aura crackled unseen around her, Nessa grasped the Prince’s armored shoulders with both hands as her musical voice rose hauntingly.

“I too am on a quest to stop the invaders that seek to destroy our world. Look through my eyes, Prince Tiberius and see the horrors that I have seen.”

Every muscle in the Prince’s body went rigid as Nessa’s vision took a hold of him. Wide-eyed Tiberius lived the future that had been shown to her by Luonnotar. The apocalyptic devastation that awaited their world if the Tuonellians could not be stopped and the quest that brought her to the Great Forest. In that shared moment they were no longer enemies or even members of different species, but fellow Questors fighting to save their world from an unimaginable evil.

Around her, the legionnaires shifted uncomfortably as tears of sorrow began running down their young leader’s face, but before they could intervene Nessa stepped away, releasing her hold on the Prince. Instantly the vision stopped as Tiberius staggered back away from her, his heart filled with dread from everything that had been shown to him. Incredulously Tiberius met her eyes, but before he could speak, the Scouts began moving amongst them clapping ironidium chains onto their wrists. Nodding to the Paladin moaning on the ground, Nessa silently mouthed her fear.

“The Klavikian must be protected.” At all cost, he had to be protected.

The only overt sign that the Prince gave that he’d understood Nessa’s message was the slight widening of his eyes. Immediately he turned to the small bull next to him, his large hands flashing quickly. Although she didn’t understand the secret language, regardless Nessa recognized the legionnaire’s hand-speak for what it was. She only hoped they could keep the Paladin safe until Enelya returned. Around them, the Wencis took up positions in-between their two groups as the two shamans nearby watched the proceedings with guarded eyes. Looking down at the chains now binding her arms and legs she silently prayed to Luonnotar for the strength to endure, when she heard an angry bellow that made her blood boil.

“By Akras sickle, you don’t have to chain her up! It’s not like she can hurt anyone in the shape she’s in. Just leave her be.” Steam rose from the Prince’s nostrils as he bellowed at the Scouts binding Lúthien’s arms and legs, but they ignored him with at the sharp nod from Dínendal as the rest of the Wild Elves tensed. Keeping his rage in check, the Prince waited until the Scouts had finished before gathering the High Elf protectively into his muscular arms.

Next they began chaining the Klavikian where he laid as they removed his weapons from their sheaths. Nessa held her breath as she saw the shimmering runic blades in the receding light. Although she’d never heard of a Paladin using such small weapons before, there was no question as to the origins of those blades. Except for Ilmarinen Ironwolf, who’d been gifted the Hammer of Vasara, the holy warriors of Ukko had always wielded massive two handed swords whenever they’d led the Armies of the Alliance into battle.

The Wild Elves around her froze as the Minotaurs suddenly jerked to attention before dipped their horns as one towards the unconscious Paladin. Nessa almost swore out loud at the obvious reverence the legionnaires showed towards the unconscious Klavikian. Although it seemed impossible after everything Ilmarinen Ironwolf had done for the races of Irlendria, none of the Scouts seemed to recognize who or what lay before them.

Unobtrusively, Nessa observed Dínendal’s reaction to the Minotaurs’ simple act as the Wild Elves began heading back to the edge of the glade. The evil she’d seen wrapped around the Scout Leader’s soul made her leery of showing anything of importance. She was just letting out a sigh of relief when Dínendal’s glowing eyes focused on her back.

“Aliya, why have you not bound the creatures on the Centaurs back?”

“I did not see them Scout Leader.” With a quick command, Aliya had her Scouts head back for Nessa. “I will do so now.”

Backing away at the evil glint in Dínendal’s eyes, Nessa began speaking in a rush of words. “Your restraints are not needed. The children are already strapped down on my back.”

Seeing Aliya’s hesitation Dínendal barked at the top of his lungs. “Chain the disgusting beasts now!”

Aliya visibly flinched at Dínendal’s words, but the rest of the Wild Elves came on without hesitation. Deadly spears brought Nessa to a stop as the Scouts dragged the semi-conscious girls off her back. Aliya voiced her anger at the rough handling of the sick children. Unconcerned, Aliya’s companions ignored her words slamming the struggling girls to the hard ground. There was a sudden flash of light and the smell of burning flesh as one of the males suddenly shot to his feet screaming. Clutching his face in agony, the Elf looked at the small disoriented girl pushing herself to her knees in shocked disbelief.

Looking at the Elf’s face, Nessa could see the wound was not serious, but a second later embarrassment and pain turned into rage as the Elf stomped back to the girl’s side. Before anyone could stop the enraged male, he slammed a booted foot into the small girl’s face.

The savage growl was the only warning any of them had before the small werewolf launched herself at the girl’s attacker. Claw and fangs ripped into the surprised Elf as the nearest Scouts rushed to his aids. Striking with the butts of their spears, they began pummeling the young werewolf into submission, when the world exploded around them.

Later, Nessa would put the series of events together in chronological order, but at the time, she could only watch in shocked horror at the unimaginable violence. The scouts beating the girls were suddenly ripped apart in a spray of blood and savage fury as a bestial growl reverberated across the glade freezing everyone in their tracks.

Chapter Thiry-One

Location Earth / Larissa Evans:

Yawning, Larissa slowly rotated the strange metal disk on her research bench studying the glyphs intently as she compared the paper Agent Kurwoski had sent her during their video teleconference meeting onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. At the age of thirty-two, Larissa knew she was the foremost expert on ancient Mediterranean civilizations in her field. Whether or not her peers wanted to admit it, over the last decade she’d become the de facto expert at translating Babylonia, Iran, Hatti, Egypt, Syria-Palestine languages and was the only anthropological linguist fully versed in Assyriology, Hittitology, and Sumerology Cuneiforms.

It was her diverse skills in cultural, physical and linguistic anthropology that allowed her to accurately piece together the various stories of the past that had led her to the sunken island of Scheria. Uncovering the Temple of Atlas and now the city of Atlantis was the discovery of her time and the undeniable proof of her skills. Finding the Eteocretan Key was arguably greater than that of even the infamous Rosetta Stone. For the first time the Minoan Linear tablets could be translated in their entirety, but not only that, they referenced a previously unknown written language that was more advanced than anything she’d ever seen before. Also, the temple and key had led to the remains of creatures that had until now only been thought of as myths. So where in the bloody hell had they gotten these translations from?

Flopping back in her chair, Larissa closed her eyes as she tried to relieve the tension that was slowly building into a major migraine. Even though Agent Kurwoski had turned her world upside down the work wasn’t going anywhere. Similar to her father’s discovery of the Minoan civilization, going through all of this data would take the rest of her life. Taking one last look at the Eteocretan Key, Larissa set the metal disk aside for later. She’d promised Captain MacRory to get some sleep before digging through this mountain of data. Yawning again as she pushed herself to her feet, Larissa was just powering down the lab when bright flashes of light on CHARLIE’s video feed caught her eyes.

“What the bloody hell?”

Angrily Larissa studied the unfamiliar controls swearing under her breath. Finding what she was looking for Larissa zoomed the camera on the bright flashes of light hitting the record button. “If those ignoramuses were destroying her archeological site she would have somebody’s ass!” As the video camera adjusted for the low light and came into focus on the screen, Larissa rocked back on her heels.

For a long second, Larissa could only stare in shocked disbelief at the figures on the screen fighting for their lives. Massive bullheaded warriors with glowing fist blades fighting alongside combat Marines against hordes of nightmarish creatures rushing out of the darkness. The scientific part of her brain reeled from seeing the impossible come to life. To not have only found and proved the existence of such mythical creatures, but to have a chance not just to guess at what had happened in the past, but to have living breathing representatives that could confirm and deny her speculations. To for once know the truth of everything she had ever theorized about the past. It was almost too much to grasp mentally.

Larissa didn’t know how long she stared the screen before the cerebral fascination of what she saw gave away to true horror. Snapping out of her trance, Larissa slammed her fist down on the klaxon for the ship’s emergency stations.

***

Location Earth / Larissa Evans:

“I said you’re not going with us, and that’s final!”

Shrugging into his long leather coat, Captain MacRory glowered back at her as he buckled the front of his jack of plates closed and roughly shoved the heavy vambraces sewn into the sleeves into place. As Sean turned for Morthwyl Gelyn hanging on the wall, Larissa screamed at his back.

“You wouldn’t have said that to my father!”

Larissa could see the tension in Sean’s hunched shoulders as he finished belting on the massive two-handed claymore diagonally across his back. Turning around slowly, Sean’s hurt bright-blue eyes bore into her soul as he spoke in his native Irish brogue. “An bhfuil cóireáilte mé riamh tú cosúil le beag íogair bláth, eirigh? An bhfuil cóireáilte mé riamh tú níos lú ná comhionann?” (Have I ever treated you like a wee delicate flower, lassie? Have I ever treated you less than an equal?)

For a long moment Larissa refused to listen to Sean’s words, but slowly the emotional intensity of what he said penetrated her burning rage. Hanging her head tears ran down Larissa’s cheeks as she answered grudgingly. “No, you’ve always treated me as an equal.”

In a hoarse whisper, Sean gripped her shoulders with his meaty hands. "Ná cad a dhéanann cheapann tú anois a bheadh aon éagsúla. Ba mhaith liom a dúirt do athair stubborn an rud céanna Tá mé ag rá leat. Nach bhfuil tú ag dul. Féach ar dom eirigh." (Then what makes you think now would be any different. I would have told your stubborn father the same thing I’m telling you. You’re not going. Look at me lass.) Lifting her chin, Larissa met his eyes as he shook her for emphasis. "Cosúil raibh sé d'athair, is é mo phost a choinneáil beo tú." (Like it was for your father, my job is to keep you alive.)

Sweeping his arm in a wide arc towards the door, Sean’s voice rose in intensity. “Ní raibh tú a fheiceáil na créatúir? Níl aon bhealach raibh mé in ann a ráthú ar shábháilteacht d'athar sa poll, díreach cosúil nach bhfuil aon bhealach is féidir liom a ráthú mise. Ba mhaith liom a rá mar an gcéanna leis go bhfuil mé ag rá leat anois. Is féidir leat a dóiteáin dom uair amháin go bhfuil sé seo níos mó ná más rud é go cad ba mhaith leat, ach nach bhfuil tú ag dul agus go bhfuil deiridh.” (Did you not see those creatures? There’s no way I could have guaranteed your father’s safety in that hole, just like there is no way I can guarantee yours. I would have said the same to him that I’m saying to you now. You can fire me once this is over if that is what you want, but you’re not going, and that’s final.) Larissa wanted to scream in frustration, but instead she expelled the air from her lungs in exasperation.

“Then go!”

Gripping her hard to his barrel-like chest, they shared a moment before Sean spoke, switching back into English. “We’ve gotta get moving if we’re going to help those lads.” Slamming a steel open-faced helmet over his curly red hair Sean headed for the corridor pulling her after him. “Now that the power’s back up, I’m taking everyone with me except for George and four of my best deck hands.”

“Seriously, you’re leaving me only George.”

“Don’t worry. Kane said the engines are ready to go and the lads I’m leaving George know what they're up to. Even if the ship loses power again and this all goes to shit, they’ll get you back to Syros in one piece.”

“Kane?”

Without slowing down, Sean blasted through the hatch to the main deck chuckling darkly. “Aye, Chief McDougal is always Kane in a fight, lass.”

As they neared the gangplank, Larissa stumbled to a stop as Sean heartily greeted the Chief Engineer along with Hans and Wolfgang standing at the older man’s sides. She’d fought with them all before in practice, but there was something different about them now. They reminded her of hungry wolves waiting for the hunt. The two Germans looked especially grim. Like ancient Vikings, they wore scaled armless vest made from steel over their bare chest and rounded capped helmets with spectacle eye guards to protect the face. Each man carried a gokstad shield and a large two-headed axe. Unlike the Germans, Kane carried no shield, helm or armor. Instead, the old man’s thick bare chest was covered with Celtic runes tattooed into his skin, while he carried yard long axes with hooked heads in each of his hands.

A shout behind her tore Larissa’s gaze back the way she’d just come as First Officer Dudek and Second Officer Crosslander came jogging up with a wide-eyed Cadet following close behind. Both Officers still wore their heavy dark-blue uniforms, but now with steel cuirasses covering their chests. In their hands’, they carried a long saber and small metal shield. Coming to a stop, both men snapped to attention flourishing their sabers in salute.

Sean gave both Officers a solemn nod as George came to attention before him. “Cadet MacSweeney, you will take your orders from Doctor Evans as if they were my own in the operation of this ship.” Looking back and forth between them both for emphasis, Sean continued. “You both know the drill. Batten down the hatches and pass out weapons to everyone who knows how to use one. Who knows how bad this is going to get before it’s over, but ...” Coming to an abrupt stop, Sean eyed George sternly. “Cadet MacSweeney, at the first sign of trouble I expect you to get the Triumph out to sea no matter what’s happening with us. Do you understand, lad?”

Clicking his heels together, George saluted smartly. “Aye aye, Captain.”

“Take good care of them lad and may Ukko protect you.” Returning the young man’s salute, Sean swept his gaze to his waiting men as Jonathan Rickshaw, Tony’s father, burst onto the deck yelling urgently. “Larissa, you’ve got to see this …” Stumbling to a stop with eyes big as saucers the words died on Jonathan’s lips as he took in the gathered armed crewmen. With one last look at Larissa, Sean called to his men, “Let’s do this!” and moved out at a fast trot heading for the cavern. Watching the crew head out, Jonathan lowered his voice.

“What’s going on Nara?”

Silently stepping up to the railing with Jonathan trailing at her heels, Larissa saw the squad of Navy Seals guarding the pier turn away from the sounds of gunfire coming from the dig. All but one man began backing up nervously as the runes on the Triumph crews’ skin and armor began to suddenly glow. Even from this distance, Larissa could clearly see Chief Petty Officer Riggs’ smirking face. As the rest of his men brought their assault rifles up nervously, Riggs’ voice called out mockingly.

“Seriously, you’re bringing a bunch of axes and swords to a gun fight?”

Riggs’ smirking face suddenly changed into an angry frown as Sean’s voice bellowed over the water. “There is no time for games, son. Move aside or join us.”

Whipping his assault rifle up Riggs’ aimed the weapon at Sean’s head. His face a frozen mask of rage as the clunking sounds of heavy machine guns firing began filling the air. For a long second Larissa was sure Sean was going to have to kill the bloody bastard, but, at the last second, the Chief Petty Officer lowered his weapon and fell back. Without a second look at the soldiers, the Triumph’s crew passed through their ranks and headed up the hill. As the last man passed, Riggs fell in with them ordering his men to follow. Forcing herself to look away, Larissa went to work.

“Mr. MacSweeney.”

“Ma’am?”

“Have the lines loosened in case we need to leave in a hurry. I want three armed men on deck and one in the engine room at all times. Otherwise, stay on the bridge and keep an ear on communications. If you hear anything important, let me know immediately.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

As George headed off at a run, Larissa turned to Tony’s father whose eyes were still wide as saucers. “Jonathan, what’s up?”

Shaking himself out of his trance Jonathan’s eyes were bright with hero worship as he took in the automatic and bowie knife that he and his son had gifted her strapped to Larissa’s waist. Gripping her arm excitedly, Jonathan started pulling her back the way he’d come.

“Nara, you’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Ripping her arm free, Larissa forced Jonathan to stop. “What are you talking about?”

“Just before we lost power I saw it. The Gorgones, she’s alive, and we have the video to prove it!”

***

Location Earth / Beth Kurwoski:

Beth jerked suddenly awake as someone hurriedly pushed their way through the narrow aisle heading to the cockpit of the plane. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, Beth momentarily looked around confused as she took in the cargo hold and the men prepping their gear until she remembered once again where she was. Wiping the drool off her cheek, Beth sat up looking for Ryan only to find the seat next to her empty. Alarmed she rose unsteadily to her feet, bracing herself against the turbulent flight as Klaus looked up at her in surprise. Clearing her dry throat, Beth yelled to be heard over the roar of the engines.

“Where’s Ryan?”

“What?”

“I said, where’s Ryan?”

Nodding his head in an exaggerated headshake Klaus pointed towards the cockpit mouthing his answer as he yelled back. “Something’s wrong. Agent Moss went to find out what.”

Giving him a thumbs up Beth began making her way towards the cockpit using both hands to brace herself. Coming up behind Ryan, she realized he was holding a radio headset to his head with both hands over his ears screaming into the MIC. “Rear Admiral Wright, you are not rerouting our flight to the USS Abraham Lincoln or the USS Wasp. You will order these pilots to deliver my team to the Island of Nea Kameni.”

Flipping the dial on her headset, Beth found the channel they were talking on as she heard a pissed off older man dressing down Ryan. “You are out of line Agent Moss. SAD holds no authority over this Task Group. I make the decisions of where you and your team will be going. For right now your base of operations will be the USS Wasp until this situation has been resolved.”

Seeing Beth’s questioning look, Ryan leaned forward covering the MIC with his hand as he quickly brought her up to speed. “Reports started coming in that the dig was under attack by an unknown force when our flight was rerouted to the USS Wasp. I’m trying to get Rear Admiral Wright to let us land onsite to deal with the situation, but he’s refusing.” Ryan’s voice suddenly lowered to a harsh whisper. “Honestly, from the combat chatter we’ve been hearing it sounds like another incursion.”