After the Pandemic: The Enemy of My Enemy part 4: The Conversation (1026 hits)
Category: Quotes & StoriesRating: 2 on 27 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by TheCaes (View user info) at 2005-04-04 19:02:28 EDT
http://www.ubersite.com/m/61238 -- Introduction -- Jack McCallum
http://www.ubersite.com/m/61505 -- Part 1: Brianna
http://www.ubersite.com/m/61614 -- Part 2: Khalid
http://www.ubersite.com/m/63145 -- Part 3: The Meeting
When Anthony Turner returned to his command's current safehouse, he arrived tired and discouraged. He and his recon crew had been monitoring some of the main leech traffic arteries in hopes of gathering information on bloodsucker behaviors and movement patterns through the city. Though it was useful, sometimes even vital intelligence, it was terribly boring and often provided nothing that was immediately helpful.
Today they were based in an abandoned high rise on Summit Avenue in Hoboken. From there they had a clear view of St Francis and Christ hospitals. The next night Anthony planned to do an observation job on Jersey City Medical center a few blocks south.
As expected, leech activity was very low. No longer being human, they didn't need hospitals. That was the reasonable explanation, but secretly, Turner believed that even heartless bloodsucking monsters couldn't stand being in Jersey. If these areas were still relatively clear in the next two days, Anthony would send out daylight scavenging parties. Hopefully they could recover some medical supplies.
They observed from confirmed cold zones using scopes and binoculars, and weren't in real danger. Even though the vampires didn't densely occupy this area, they only stayed out for a few hours past dusk, just to be safe. Anthony was a cautious man, made so by seeing many risks go wrong. He had seen many comrades lost because they lit up a cigarette like a homing flare in leech territory, or approaching an Immune human without considering they might be working for the leeches as spies or servants.
What so many of the survivors didn't realize was that this was a war, without a doubt the most important war ever fought. Anthony had never gone to war before this, but his army service had made all the difference in this terrible new world. He was not a hard man, but he knew discipline, and he knew the difference between a stupid risk and a calculated one.
Tonight, none of his squads were taking any big risks. His crew had a routine obs-job, and Tyler's crew was pulling a simple daylight scavenge. They weren't the glorious war operations that oily politicians and naive men used to praise and idealize. But it got them information, food, and supplies, and most importantly, kept everyone alive.
So when he led his five-man crew wearily into the safehouse, he was not at all prepared for the tension that hung in the air like a thousand coiled springs. When he walked in, everyone present stood up and looked to him, in the way that he hated more than anything. That look that said, "Someone died."
"What's wrong? What happened?" He dropped his pack to the ground and searched for missing faces.
"Ran into a muncher haunt, Tony." Tyler said, eyes on the dirty floor. "Three of us gone."
Anthony winced and closed his eyes. "Who?"
"Johnny, Ann, and Sean." Tyler paused for a moment to let it sink in. Anthony and John had known each other for two years now. "We didn't know they were there. John practically stepped on one and it bit him. He shot it, and it woke up the others. We got surrounded." He took a drag from his cigarette. "Johnny, he...he took care of himself before...before he could change."
Anthony was quiet for a moment. "Bree and Heather got back okay?" Tyler nodded, and opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted.
"Don't mean any disrespect, Chief, but we got bigger problems," Gus said.
"What is it?"
"We got a bloodsucker in the next room."
"WHAT?"
"He came back with Brianna. Says he saved her from a couple'a juicehounds. Wants to talk to you. We were gonna blow him away, but..." Gus cast a sideways glance at Tyler. "...We decided we oughta wait for you."
"Wait for me?" Turner was incredulous. "What's to wait for? You shouldn't even BE here right now. If we're compromised, you should have dusted him and moved to the next rendezvous point. Tyler, you should have taken care of it!" He barked, jabbing his finger in the air.
Tyler heard Gus quietly grunt in agreement. "Chief, it's not like that. This isn't a regular bloodsucker. Hear me out."
Chief Turner looked at his man as if Tyler was completely insane. "Trust me, Tony." Tyler said. "You need to hear this. Bree's in there with him and she's backing up everything he says. We've got twenty guns trained on him. He's not going anywhere."
Anthony sized up Tyler with steel-sharp scrutiny. He had never known Tyler to be stupid, gullible, or insincere. But this was so ridiculous it was hard to believe it was happening. He pondered for a moment.
"You'd better start talking."
*************************
Ten minutes later, Anthony stood in front of the door where the vampire was being held. He took a deep, steadying breath, and then strode into the room.
There he was, sitting in a chair, looking pretty as you please while practically every bullet-spitting piece of steel in their cell was aimed at his chest, by men and women filled with hate and desperation. To Anthony's surprise, Brianna was standing by his side, almost protectively. When she saw the Chief enter, her face lit up in a strange mixture of relief and anxiety.
"Greetings," the vampire said in rich baritone. "You must be the man we were waiting for." He stood up in acknowledgement, sparking a racket of clicking and clacking as every weapon in the room was cocked and steadied.
"I am."
"I am Khalid Ibn al-Abbas as-Saffah." He dipped slowly into a short bow. "I have a proposition for you."
"So I hear. My men tell me you're on our side. You expect me to believe that?"
Khalid smiled richly. "Your men told you that? They misunderstood me. I am of my own side. It just so happens that my side and your side want the same thing."
"Really." He replied flatly. "And what is it we both want?"
"The extermination of these genetic abominations, of course. The 'leeches', as you put it."
"He's on the level, Chief," Brianna said. "He took out two - "
"We'll talk later, Brianna," Anthony said without taking his eyes off Khalid. "I've heard the story, vampire. I trust my men and I believe in them. What I don't believe in, is YOU. If you think I'm going to hop into bed with you because you brought me a bloodsucker's head as a present, you've got another thing coming. I'm not that cheap."
"It is to your credit," Khalid said. "After all, it is the foolish man who puts his trust in a stranger and who mistakes foes for friends. But I am not proposing friendship. I am proposing partnership."
"We don't need partners like you in this war." He snarled. "You're the enemy."
"Know that I am not the enemy you have been facing." Khalid's gaze narrowed chillingly and locked on Turner's eyes. "Know also that you would not want me as your enemy."
Anthony found it difficult to hold his stare. He glanced away, hoping it looked casual. "Right. You claim to pre-date the leeches. How?"
"The vampyres of old did not come about as a virus. We have existed for centuries. The secret of how the first of us came to be is lost. But we have lived amongst men for longer than even I know, discreetly, in small numbers. It does not behoove us to cull your kind like a diseased herd."
Anthony smirked bitterly. This made sense to him. "You need us. You need to kill us to live. It wouldn't do for someone else to use up your food supply, right?"
"Your tone is pointed, but essentially you are correct." Khalid said grimly. "We need blood to live, like you need water. But we need not drain a man dry, unless the bloodlust is upon us. A balance must be maintained. My kind has always understood this. Those of us who could not abide by our laws and constraints were dealt with harshly."
The Chief stroked the three-days growth of fuzz on his chin, considering the Arab's words. "Let's say for a moment that I believe you, that you're not a leech. Why should we join with you? What's the difference between being a juice box for the leeches or a juice box for you and your vampire buddies?"
"I have been sleeping for ten years, and know little about this new world, but a fool could see that your kind is on the verge of extinction. You've been usurped by a germ and toppled to the bottom of the food chain. You live like hunted dogs in a land of jackals. In fifty years humanity will be nothing more than farm animals, grown for food and sport." At his words, everyone in the room shifted uncomfortably. The notion that they were fighting a losing battle had not been lost on anyone. "I cannot allow this to stand any more than you can. We both need help to fight these creatures. You need my strength and I need your knowledge and resources. Saadni. Help me achieve our common goal, and I will help you in return."
Khalid pointed at Brianna. "Your own soldier can attest to my worth as a warrior." Brianna nodded fervidly. "And there are others of my kind. If I can find them, I can assemble a powerful force to fight these pretenders."
Anthony stood on the knife-edge of decision.
"In the desert, the wise person travels in a caravan, while the fool prefers to travel alone," Khalid prompted. "What say you? The path of the wise or fool?"
Chief Turner pulled out a chair and sat down opposite the Arabian. "I say you'll have to prove yourself. And I say we'll have to do a lot more talking. You can start by telling me what you're actually capable of, and what this big plan that Brianna says you have is all about."
"Brianna can attest to my capabilities. As for my plan, I wish to wrest control of the island to the east."
Anthony looked at him questioningly. "Island to the east?"
"Manhattan." Brianna said.
User Reviews
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-04-06 10:43:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-08-20 00:27:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Zak, it's awesome that you're getting that impression, because that is EXACTLY what I was going for.
I love it when a plan comes together.
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-08-19 15:21:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I have to say, I really really like this storyline.
there is a strange allure to the character of the ancient vampire. an aura of power and wisdom and surety that is almost magnetic. from the moment the character was introduced I've had a firm vision of him in my head.
Submitted by notyou (user info) at 2005-07-05 17:02:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-06-30 16:55:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i dont know why i never got into this series. i just started after all the people on Jack's mentioned it, and i gotta say, you're fucking money.
best line: "Turner believed that even heartless bloodsucking monsters couldn't stand being in Jersey"
only because i am living in jersey, and i can't stand it.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2005-05-24 16:12:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I liked this, " "Your tone is pointed, but essentially you are correct." Khalid said grimly." He is a man of logic, and has full control of himself.
Submitted by Jungle_Jimanee (user info) at 2005-05-16 11:52:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by nrduncan (user info) at 2005-05-12 17:56:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I have just got done reading these all and I have enjoyed them all. Great work everyone, +2's for all!
Submitted by Spam (user info) at 2005-04-11 09:38:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Dannie (user info) at 2005-04-06 12:11:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Blah blah *insert witty comment here* blah blah blah
Submitted by Benny (user info) at 2005-04-05 22:37:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Brilliant stuff.
Submitted by pen_name (user info) at 2005-04-05 04:34:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
thank god i don't have a case of pandemic.
(i don't know what that means)
Submitted by Kristen (user info) at 2005-04-05 03:18:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wanna know what sucks more than juggling chainsaws? When your Internet husband calls you "convenient".
Yes, I'm going to milk it...
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-04 23:52:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by NYCRulz (user info) at 2005-04-04 19:10:57 (#)
Ranking: 2
Excellent story......keep it comin
*********************8
Ah crap, you're from NYC. I feel compelled to tell you, I know squat about New York, so if I eff it up, don't take it personal.
Glad you guys enjoy this. Thanks again.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-04 23:46:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by stardamage (user info) at 2005-04-04 23:10:30 (#)
Ranking: 2
Oh well. Don't stop writing yours! And if you do, BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN. I promise.
**********************
Why is it that when people want to motivate me to continue a series, it's with menace and insults? Stardamage is threatening me, Bob called me a fucker...
...I bet this never happens to Jack McCallum. :)
Submitted by stardamage (user info) at 2005-04-04 23:10:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I know, there aren't many people doing the ATP thing anymore, which is a shame because I really liked a lot of it. I thought it was an awesome idea.
Well, I'm working on the next installment of mine, too. Not sure when it'll be up though. I was a bit unsure of posting the other one yesterday because I thought it would be way out of context.
Oh well. Don't stop writing yours! And if you do, BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN. I promise.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-04 23:05:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks guys. I hope to get one of these out every 3 to 5 days or so...but I might run into some rough spots. I probably should have waited until I had some more installments ready to go, but the whole Pandemic thing was dying down and I didn't want to miss the banana boat, mon.
No idea why I got Jamaican there.
We jamman...hope you like jamman too...
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-04-04 22:10:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Satansgotsyphillis (user info) at 2005-04-04 19:07:51 (#)
Ranking: 0
looks like a lot of effort was involved
too bad this bored me to tears
solid 0
--
Yet another cunt who can't write for shit trashing somebody who is actually telling a story.
Keep 'em coming, T.
Submitted by ChronicMasturbator (user info) at 2005-04-04 21:05:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This.is.awesome.
Keep up the work caen. I check regularly for this post.
I enjoy this shit.
Submitted by garcon_fou (user info) at 2005-04-04 20:50:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
keep on rollin
Submitted by DanielH (user info) at 2005-04-04 20:15:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You're in The Zone. +++
Submitted by DonovanMD (user info) at 2005-04-04 19:48:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Very fun to read.
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2005-04-04 19:31:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
4 of 10.
Submitted by Yes (user info) at 2005-04-04 19:14:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
still a fan.
Submitted by stardamage (user info) at 2005-04-04 19:10:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awesome!
Submitted by NYCRulz (user info) at 2005-04-04 19:10:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Excellent story......keep it comin
Submitted by Satansgotsyphillis (user info) at 2005-04-04 19:07:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
looks like a lot of effort was involved
too bad this bored me to tears
solid 0