The Damascus Chronicles (40 page)

“I can’t get up!” said Rocko trying to move. Serena helped him up but Rocko screamed in pain. “Sweet Jesus!”

“Come on Rock, hang in there, get it together!” ordered Michael.

“Michael, go after Phillips. Marianna and I will take him back to headquarters,” said Darius as he and Marianna picked up Rocko.

“Okay,” said Michael as Marianna and Darius teleported back to Julius. Phillips and Garcia escaped into the night, speeding off like a streak of burning fire.

“How could those fools have found us? How did they know where we were?” said Garcia.

“What different does it make now? Those creatures discovered our attack on the Terrace Tower,” said Phillips.

“What are we going to do? Wait until they come and get us?” asked Garcia.

“No,” said Phillips uncovering a bomb that was hidden on the lower level of a maze of stairways of the old hydro electrical plant. Phillips brought the small bomb out of a metal box and placed it on the main power generator.

They were hiding out in the dingy dive. It had been abandoned for years. The place was filled with grime and rust and smelled like old lead paint and turpentine. Long sheets of metal covered the windows in the massive plant, protecting the hideout from the peering eyes of meddlers.

“This place is a dump. What the hell are you doing Phillips?” asked Garcia as he reloaded his pistols.

“What should have been done before,” said Phillips, lifting the bomb out of the case.

“What is it?” asked Garcia curiously.

“A miniature subatomic device. I’m going to activate it. The city will burn to a cinder and we shall have our revenge!” yelled Phillips.

“Are you mad Phillips? You’ll kill us all,” screamed Garcia. “Who cares!” said Phillips, setting the timer.

“I am a God!” raved Phillips.

“In hell you’ll be, but my men are not going to die for you!” yelled Garcia, lunging at Phillips and knocking him over as he and Phillips exchanged blows.

“Can’t you see you fool, we win this way!” said Phillips idiotically.

“Die!” screamed Garcia, shooting Phillips in the chest. But Phillips got up, shooting back as bullets pierced through Garcia’s flesh and skull, killing him instantly. Phillips took off his bulletproof vest.

“Damn fool, he never was too smart. Now to destroy this city and have my revenge. I may burn in hell, but I’m taking this town with me. HEHAHEHAHHHAAAHAHAH,” laughed Phillips madly.

He linked the atomic bomb to the power core and activated the device to the plant’s main computer board. “Within in one hour this city will be sent up in a blazing inferno!” screamed Phillips.

Back at Zoratus Enterprises Julius, Michael, Serena, Suki, Marianna, Darius, Dominus and Meridian scanned the computer tracker systems, searching for Phillips’ car.

“Damn tracking system is terrible,” said Meridian scanning.

“Zero in on Phillips’ frequency,” said Dominus, tracing the signal.

“Damn!” yelled Meridian slamming his fist on the control module.

“What’s wrong?” asked Darius.

“We can’t find anything; the damn signal must be blocked. The only thing that could do that is a radioactive device,” said Julius scanning the system.

“You don’t think Phillips would use a bomb? Holy shit!” guessed Michael.

“I can feel it,” said Serena.

“We have to stop him,” said Yoshiro.

“First we have to find out where this asshole’s hiding out. Then we can stop whatever he’s up to,” said Michael.

Kat contacted Michael on his cell phone. “Kat what’s up?” asked Michael, looking at the data on his screen.

“Just want to check on you,” said Kat typing away on her computer.

“I need some help looking for all known associations with the name Rodney Clarence Phillips. And can you find out if any radioactive or electrical disturbance signals are anywhere in the city?”

“I got you; it may take me a while but I’ll see what I can do,” said Kat.

“Try to hurry. We may not have any time to spare,” said Michael.

“Why what’s wrong?” asked Kat.

“A bad feeling just hit me in the gut and Phillips is part of it. This guy is dangerous. He’s bad news. Find him quick,” said Michael.

“You got it.”

“Thanks,” said Michael as he hung up.

“So what do we got?” asked Suki.

“Kat’s hacking the different systems in the city. Hopefully she can find why the signal isn’t registering with headquarters’ systems,” said Michael.

“That’s not going to be good enough; we have to contact the other covens to do a citywide manhunt for this maniac,” said Julius.

“I agree,” said Serena.

Julius set about contacting the other vampire covens that were loyal to his. He sent Michael, Serena, Suki, and Darius split into separate pairs to search the Scarfo hideouts to find Phillips.

But Phillips was well hidden in the silent shadows of the electrical plant. No one could find him and the clock was ticking. With thirty minutes to go it looked like the city was going out with a bang.

Just then Michael and Serena were contacted on the strip. “Who is it?” said Michael picking up his cell phone.

“It’s me, partner! Come to the hydro electrical plant; you’ll meet me there unless you want me to blow this city to Hades. If you beat me I’ll give you a password that will deactivate my surprise. Come now,” said Phillips hanging up his phone. Michael didn’t understand this sick game that Phillips was playing, but he knew how to end it with his final move.

“What's up?” asked Serena.

“It’s Phillips; he’s at the old hydro electrical plant,” said Michael.

“Were your suspicions correct?”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

Michael as he hopped on his motorcycle with Serena, taking off with wheels smoking to the plant. Speeding to the plant, Serena’s mind was filled with curiosity.

“Michael, why do you think Phillips called us?” asked Serena as the wind blew her beautiful hair back.

“I don’t know; maybe he’s looking for payback. Watch your ass out there baby,” said Michael. “Watch your own,” said Serena, giggling as the duo arrived at the back of the plant. “Punch it!”

Michael sped onto an amalgamation of boards that acted as a ramp, crashing through a large glass window that was dirty and smeared with paint. They landed in a 360-degree motion, stopping the bike with them in one piece.

Phillips looked down from a rafter and saw them. He swung down on a chain rope, pulling a switch from the wall.

“What the hell?” said Michael as he and Serena saw vents from the floor emitting a green gas that immediately knocked them out. It seemed like time stopped completely.

“Wake up asshole,” yelled Phillips, kicking Michael in the stomach.

Michael and Serena woke to find themselves covered in chains. Their arms and legs were bound and they could see the timer moving; the bomb was about to go off.

“I must say, congratulations for that marvelous entrance,” chuckled Phillips wickedly.

“What’s your catch, Rodney?” shouted Michael. “No catch at all, old friend. I just wanted a perfect excuse to get you down here. That and a chance for you to do what you always wanted to do to the man who killed your beloved sister. Well here I am, what are you going to do about it?” mocked Phillips. “This is going to be fun.” Phillips reset the timer for the bomb.

Turning to Michael, he said “Did you really think it would be that easy to take me down, you and your prissy girlfriend, just walking in here and winning? No Michael, it doesn’t work that way.”

“What do you really want?” Michael asked. “Nothing but the pleasure of seeing you beg for mercy before I kill you. It’s payback for abandoning me back on the mission back in Spain, so fuck you!” said Phillips.

“You fucking spineless coward,” roared Michael. “Let me tell you why I took the pleasure of killing your sister before you die. I did it because I was always jealous of you. Your charisma, your kindness, your love for life. All your sister saw me for were dollar signs; she never really loved me. But she cared for and loved you as her brother,” said Phillips.

“Regrets?” asked Michael, looking Phillips in the eyes dead center.

“None,” replied Phillips calmly.

“Bastard!” raged Michael, infuriated. “Are you man enough to face me, or are you a pussy who can’t fight for shit!” he challenged.

“Come on then; if you can get out of this,” challenged back Phillips.

In a superhuman rage Michael picked the lock off his chains; a surprised Phillips began to back off. Serena watched the standoff. “We’ll do this the old fashion way with guns,” snickered Phillips.

Phillips whipped out his pistol as he tossed Michael his M9 pistol that he earlier confiscated from his enemy and the duel began. The two squared off, shooting and dodging between corners of metal pillars. Michael hid behind a batch of steel barrels to reload; Phillips was hot on his trail, firing back.

Running head to head with Phillips, Michael dodged his enemy’s shots with vampiric leaps through the air, frightening Phillips as he turned behind him, and knocked him out with a head butt and upper cut to the jaw.

Serena freed herself from the chains and scrambled to get to the computer. She ripped open the system with her vampiric strength and she managed to cut the red wire linked to the atomic bomb, deactivating it.

“Pleasant dreams big boy, your ass is headed to jail,” said Michael, dragging the unconscious Phillips to a large pipe, tying his body up with the chains and sealing the lock with his telekinetic powers to prevent escape.

Michael called Commissioner Hamilton. “Hey Commissioner, It’s Damascus. Come pick up your terrorist, the one who blew up the Terrace Tower. He’s tied up at the old hydro electrical plant. His name is ex-Special Forces CIA agent Rodney Clarence Phillips,” said Michael.

“What the hell,” said the Commissioner as she hung up her phone and ordered police and SWAT teams to the scene. Busting in the door of the plant, they handcuffed Phillips and dragged him off in a police car to be taken to the state mental hospital.

After it was over, the Commissioner met with Michael and Serena who had been spying from the shadows. “Listen, I owe you two a big debt for what you have done.”

“Consider us even now, Commissioner, a life for a life and an eye for an eye,” said Michael. His debt for Watson’s murder had been paid.

“Where are you two heading?” asked Commissioner Hamilton.

“Wherever life leads us, that’s where,” said Serena. Michael smiled, his arms around her waist. “Will I see you two and your friends again?” asked Commissioner Hamilton.

“Yes, but keep that a secret. See you around,” said Michael as the two vampires sped off on their bike deep into the dark shadows of the night.

Months had passed and a time for living had come again, with the chill of autumn in the air. The holidays were about to begin. Las Vegas had begun rebuilding and things had gotten back to normal. The Santerinis and Scarfos had made an alliance to help each other rebuild the communities that were destroyed. Undead and the living had begun to migrate back into the city. Las Vegas opened new casinos and clubs and people went on with their business as usual.

On one very special night Michael sent out invitations for his wedding with Serena. A party was being held at the Black Spider, with both the Scarfos, Santerinis, and his Coven present. The place was jumping; Isabelle sang on stage with little Sally joining in. Old Mickey Blue blew his saxophone loud and clear. Drinks were poured and nothing but good times hung in the air. No one had a worry in the world; it was pretty as a picture.

“Honey, I never thought this day would come,” said Serena affectionately, straightening at her black bridal gown.

“Neither did I. Can you believe all that has happened since we have known each other?” Michael smiled.

“Pretty wild isn’t it,” replied Serena, kissing him on the lips.

“Have you chosen a best man?” asked Serena. “Jackie, of course. I love that kid,” said Michael.

“Suki is going to be my bridesmaid,” said Serena.

“Happy Halloween baby,” said Michael.

He held Serena tenderly in his arms as she looked at him sweetly in his eyes, then glancing at the silver engagement ring on her finger. They walked out on to the balcony and looked at the rising moon from their new penthouse above the Black Spider Club, courtesy of Don Felice.

“You ready for Paris, love?” asked Michael.

“Sure,” said Serena.

“Tomorrow night is our wedding night. I’ll love you for eternity,” said Serena.

“Now and for all time,” answered Michael kissing Serena deeply.