After the Pandemic: The Enemy of My Enemy part 7: Tome (1156 hits)
Category: Quotes & StoriesRating: 1.96 on 38 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by TheCaes (View user info) at 2005-04-14 21:26:20 EDT
http://www.ubersite.com/m/61238 -- Introduction -- Jack McCallum
http://www.ubersite.com/m/61350 -- Variant C -- 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
http://www.ubersite.com/m/63504 -- Part 4: The Conversation
http://www.ubersite.com/m/63663 -- Part 5: The Story of Manhattan
http://www.ubersite.com/m/64024 -- Part 6: On the Streets of Jersey
Anthony expected an array of things once he crossed into the threshold of the crumbling brownstone. He expected a slaughterhouse, confined by bloody walls and whimpering human slaves. He expected a gang of leeches to tear them all apart. He expected an empty room with a secret passage hidden underneath the floorboards. After each step he took, he expected to be dead before his next one.
What he didn't expect was a library.
Before him sprawled a galaxy of books, stacked on shelves that reached to a ceiling that seemed too high for the brownstone to accommodate. Rows upon rows of books stretched down farther than his eyes could see. The chamber they were in seemed far too large and opulent in relation to the building they saw from outside. Chandeliers holding dozens of candles bathed the room in a warming light. There was a baby grand piano against the east wall, near the fireplace. The carpets were thick and plush and practically begged them all to lie down.
"No one moves." A stranger's voice demanded.
Khalid was face to face with another Arabian man. The stranger was holding a wickedly curved dagger up to his throat. His skin was of a slightly darker hue than Khalid's olive-brown complexion, but not so dark that you could not see the tattoos that ran up the length of his body. Swirling tribal patterns slithered their way up from the back of his hands and tapered off to sharp points at the base of his neck. Another set of tattoos flowed up the centerline of his body from his navel and spread across his chest like water from a fountain. An anatomy lesson of muscles rippled across his lithe, thin form. He was bald except for a patch of black hair that rested in a short braided ponytail at the crown of his skull. He wore no moustache, but a sculpted goatee formed from the corners of his mouth, ending in two small braids which dangled two inches from his chin. The only clothing he wore was a dark, loose pant that looked to be made of silk.
Ferdy brought his sawed-off shotgun to bear.
"Human, if you do not lower your gun, I will slit him from ear to ear and then gut you from crotch to sternum." His voice was as dry and flat as a desert and he spoke the words like a promise.
Anthony made a gesture, and Ferdy slowly pointed his gun at the floor.
"Why have you come, Khalid?" The stranger's knife pointed Khalid's chin in a slight upward angle. It was pressed delicately into his throat, but had not yet broken the skin. There was electricity in the space between their locked stares.
"Do not be so rude, Bashir." Khalid replied, taking care not to open his mouth too wide as he spoke. "Tome is expecting me."
"This does not answer my question."
"I need not answer your question. My associates and I are guests here. If you take umbrage to this, perhaps you should speak to Tome." Khalid's tone was like a loaded gun. "Or, perhaps you should slit my throat, and we shall see if that will be enough to keep me from tearing out your heart."
There was a crackling moment where everyone that could draw a breath held it. The two vampyres stood like statues about to explode.
"Very well," Bashir said, flicking his knife deftly into its scabbard. "Come with me. Tome is upstairs."
They followed Bashir up a spiral staircase with polished oak handrails. Brianna noticed that his bare feet made no sound on either the carpet or the marble floor. At the top of the stairs there was a study surrounded by bookshelves. On whatever wall space left unoccupied by bookshelves there hung paintings. Brianna was no art connoisseur, but they looked old and expensive. The room seemed twice as wide as the one they had just left. "How is all this possible? How can this place be here?" She said with quiet wonder.
"Your eyes deceive you, Strong One." Khalid murmured to her. "Tome's mental gifts are formidable, especially his influence over perception. You are seeing what he encourages you to see. Ah, here is our host now."
A lanky man in a blue surcoat sat at an antique desk, writing in a thick book with a feathery quill. Bashir crossed his arms and stood close by, where he could see them.
"Come in, come in," he said without looking up from his task. His quill scratched across the page and dipped in and out of its inkbottle at remarkable speed. It looked to Brianna that the man was writing faster than she would be able to read it.
"I'll be with you in just a moment." He finished his last word on the page with a stylish loop, and set his pen down. "There."
The man turned to his guests and stood up. And then kept standing up. Brianna thought he must be at least six-foot-seven, though his lanky frame made him seem even taller. He wore clothes that would be appropriate for a Victorian masquerade ball, and spoke with a slight British accent. His appearance and demeanor was that of a grandfatherly librarian.
"Cheers, Khalid. And guests. My name is William Henry Taylor the third, but I am known as Tome." He gave a proper bow.
"Murhaba, Tome. It has been many years." He returned the bow.
"Yes, quite. We last met in 1936, if my memory serves me correctly."
Khalid's brilliant smile flashed across his face. "Your memory never fails you, my friend. This is why we have come. We need your help."
"Mmm, yes, the business with the Butcher. You're looking for Stuyvesant's Passage."
"Stuyvesant's Passage?" Brianna said, unable to contain her curiosity. "What's that?"
The elderly looking man smiled. "It is the only way into Manhattan left open since the Sanguinary excommunicated the island four years ago. It was completed in 1661, and tunnels from the shores of New Jersey into the Bowery of southern Manhattan."
"Wait." Anthony interjected. "You're saying there's a secret tunnel that goes under the Hudson and into the Bowery District? And it was built 350 years ago?" He shook his head. "I don't' buy it."
"Ah, but it's the truth," Tome said, smoothing back his white hair.
"How do you even know about it?" Brianna asked.
The tall man chuckled. "My dear girl, it is my business to know such things. As you may have noticed," he raised his hands towards the books on the walls, "I am something of an historian. I have been chronicling the secret history of the world for centuries. It is my only passion. Well, that, and the blood of eleven year old boys. Something about that age..." He sighed wistfully. "Sadly, there are too few of them about these days."
Brianna took an involuntary half step back. Suddenly the old vampyre didn't seem so grandfatherly.
"In any event," he continued, "I am glad that you asked. It is good to share certain knowledge, don't you see? I will share with you the origins of the Stuyvesant Passage, if that will satisfy your curiosity." He rubbed his hands together.
Brianna nodded, not very keen to aggravate a child-eating old man and his scary tattooed bodyguard.
"Hundreds of years ago, New York was in terrible turmoil. Much like today. In 1624 the Dutch established the colony of New Netherland, which is presently Manhattan. New Amsterdam, in southern Manhattan, was their capital city. Not long after the Dutch arrived, they began warring with England."
Brianna watched the vampyre's animated expressions as he spoke. Storytelling was clearly a third passion.
"Eventually we gave them a sound thrashing, but Manhattan would continue to be a hotly contested piece of territory for two hundred years hence. There were insurrections and rebellions and rioting and the lot. Then in the 18th century, the Americans began to revolt. In 1775 they pushed the British out of New York, but within a year, the English returned and drove Washington and his troops out. But, we all know how that eventually ended. The British forces were finally defeated, and New York actually became the first capital of the United States from 1785 to 1790. Did you know that?"
Brianna and company shook their heads.
"Hmm." Tome looked disappointed. "Yes, well few do. In any event, the history of violence in Manhattan does not end there. It continued through the 1800's as well. I have heard many speculate on the unexplained ferocity of the Corpse War in New York. They speak as if such conflict was unique in its history." He waved his hand dismissively. "Utter rubbish. New York has long been a focal point for death and violence. The streets are built on the bones of hundreds of thousands. It's really quite a wonder that the soil doesn't bubble with blood when you trod on it," he finished in an offhanded tone.
There was silence for a moment. "And the passage?" Brianna asked.
"Ah! Yes, of course. I beg of your pardon, young lady. In 1647 director-general Peter Stuyvesant took command of New Netherland. Stuyvesant was a scrappy sort of Dutchman. Peg leg, you know. He brought a harsh autocratic rule with him, and frequently fought to gain territory. In a constant state of war with the English and the local population, Stuyvesant decided to take precautions. He commissioned a secret tunnel be constructed for him in the event of a British invasion. The tunnel began underneath his Manhattan farm, and went under the Hudson River to New Jersey. He had chosen this more challenging undertaking instead of overcoming the much narrower barrier of the East River because he had conquered New Sweden in 1655, and as such it would be safer if his tunnel deposited him there, you see."
"Wait, what's New Sweden?" she asked.
"If New Sweden existed today it would contain portions of New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. In any event, Stuyvesant never had the opportunity to use the tunnel. The English mounted a surprise attack and overwhelmed his forces in 1664. The passage entrance waits, unopened, beneath Stuyvesant's personal chapel. The chapel was destroyed, but it was rebuilt into what is now known as St. Mark's-in-the-Bouwerie Church, without the passageway ever being discovered."
"St. Mark's?" Rick exclaimed, suddenly interested. "I know that place. I used to live in the Bowery. It's on 10th Street."
"Ah, I see your skepticism. I have seen the tunnel with my own eyes, lady and gentlemen. I assure you it exists to this day."
"What can you tell us about the Butcher of York?" Khalid said, stroking his beard.
"Mmm, precious little, I'm afraid. Only that he has crushed Manhattan under his boot. He runs the island you see, by virtue of strength. Operates out of the Empire State Building. I've heard he will give his throne to anyone who can best him in combat. So far, he is undefeated. He holds gladiatorial-style games for his amusement, and has a number of breeding stations under guard by his more trusted minions."
"Breeding stations?" Brianna questioned. "Breeding what?"
Tome chuckled. "Humans of course. I should think he would have to, being cooped up on that island. The stories say he's a beast, but he's smart enough to secure a food supply."
"And his forces? How many under his command?" Khalid interjected, bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand before Tome could move to another tangent.
"Impossible to say with any precision. However, I did quite a bit of research in the matter immediately after the Corpse War, and after speaking to a number of survivors and making a few calculations, I can make a rough estimate." The old vampire paused, making sure he had everyone's attention. "Given the small number of humans who actually succumbed to the C variant of the virus, it is odd that so many of them appeared in Manhattan. But if we factor out - "
"Wait. Back up." Anthony held his hand up. "The Butcher - and all his soldiers - they're all ceevees? C variants, I mean?"
"Of course." Tome let out a perturbed sniff. "What else would they be?"
It all fell into place for Tony. That would explain all the wild stories he heard about unkillable daywalking vampires. He had heard so many tall tales in the past five years that he didn't pay them any attention. He had never seen one himself, and was too busy trying to keep his men alive to worry about the origins of super-vampires trapped on an island.
Unruffled, Tome hurried past the interruption. "As I was saying, factor out the likely percentages of those who were immune, and the larger number who were infected with variants A and B, not to mention the casualties suffered during the war and the number of those who may have starved over the years, I would estimate there are between 200 and 1000 variant C creatures at his disposal. Plus whatever standard-variety leeches he might have kept around for his own amusement."
"All those people," Brianna said softly. Her cell mates looked at her questioningly. "There were one and half million people in Manhattan. Just a few years ago."
"Nothing we can do about it, Bree." Said Anthony, gruffly. He actually felt almost excited by the numbers. To learn that as few as 200 bodies policed all of Manhattan was obscenely good news. He only felt a little guilty for thinking it.
Anthony turned his attention back to the conversation. Khalid was asking Tome for a different sort of information.
"How many local Kin do you know of?"
Tome grinned. "You fancy taking on the old Butcher, eh? I knew it. You never were one to think small, Khalid." The Englishman walked to his desk and began speedwriting on a sheaf of paper. "There are a dozen of us in the immediate area, confirmed. Also a few more pass through on a semi-regular basis. I'll jot the names and likely locations down for you, though I can't guarantee they'll all want to help."
Khalid frowned. "I had hoped for more."
Tome shrugged. "Many of us went to ground after the Pandemic struck. Some of the Kin traveled north, where the competition for sustenance isn't so tight. In general, there's little point for us to be in the big cities any more, my dark friend. It's a bold new world." He folded the page of names perfectly straight, and handed it to Khalid.
"I will assist you." Their eyes all turned towards the speaker and found Bashir. He was standing in the exact same position he adopted at the beginning of the conversation, gray eyes staring straight ahead. No one saw him speak, but there was no mistaking the source of the dry, cold voice.
The younger vampyre had been assisting Tome for the past two years, performing tasks the Englishman found mundane or unpleasant. When Bashir first arrived, he was searching for information, like everyone who shows up at Tome's door. Once he had it, Bashir found there was very little for him to do, so he stayed. He often chased away curious leeches, or went into the streets to gather information.
"Bashir?" Tome said.
"You have no further need of me. The few dogs that come sniffing about this place are nothing you cannot handle. Their wills are no match for yours. And with no disrespect, the life of a librarian is not for me."
"Ah. I see." Tome frowned briefly. "Well, I suppose it's for the best then. You were never the most cheerful of companions anyway. And your constant pacing of late is disturbing my work." He turned and looked to Khalid. "In exchange for my assistance, I only ask that you return with any information I might find interesting. I am documenting events from all around the world, and should appreciate it if you were to facilitate my chronicling."
Khalid smiled. "Shokran. Your knowledge has been most helpful. I shall return with as much information as my brain can carry. I will be in touch. Fiimaan illaah, Tome." He bowed. "Let us go." He said to his party. Bashir fell into step behind them.
As they departed, Anthony's thoughts were racing with the erratic speed of a heart attack. The tactical side of his mind had taken over. St Mark's wasn't far from the Empire State Building. They'd need guns, anti-coagulants and explosives, but if they could gather enough supplies and manpower, they could sneak in and take out the Butcher. With their leader gone, the ceevees would be disorganized, unprepared. And if Khalid was as dangerous as Bree promised, and he could round up 12 more just like him, they would have some serious muscle backing them up.
This could work. Jesus, this could actually work.
User Reviews
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-04-06 10:50:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This is just the kind of story that I like...historical fact mixed with sci-fi fantasy.
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-10-19 04:07:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
There are a solid four pages of +2 streaks with 30 or more reviews. That is stupid. I am weeding it all out by giving every one of them a +1; that way posts that have 1.99 with 200+ reviews gets best ever.
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-08-28 10:43:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
is the buildup of tension awaiting some big release deliberate?
because as much as I like the new vampyres, I'm aching for some more action in this universe.
Submitted by notyou (user info) at 2005-07-05 18:56:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-06-30 20:43:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-05-25 16:18:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
The post two installments back had no action...it was all description about what happened in Manhattan. Last one had a bit of tension, but I wouldn't call it action because nothing really happens...they just take a walk and keep finding dead leeches. So I'm not sure what you mean by that.
BUT, I do agree that the characterization goes through parts where it's a little forced...because I occassionally think, "Damn, I should really try to bring the personalities of the characters into this somehow."
Thanks for the criticism. I'm glad you like it.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2005-05-25 14:21:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Caesar... this is it.
This post is a mix of emotion, description, and action. I know I commented that the last two posts were void of everything and heavy with action, but perhaps had I read this in "book" form, and not in "posts", I would have never thought that.
Submitted by Jungle_Jimanee (user info) at 2005-05-16 13:19:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by nrduncan (user info) at 2005-05-12 17:57:31 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 Benny (user info) at 2005-04-22 00:09:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The history and the fiction was very interesting.
Submitted by Spam (user info) at 2005-04-20 12:13:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm struggling to pronounce your name.
Other than that, you rule.
Submitted by mbstateside (user info) at 2005-04-20 10:21:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
More good stuff!
Do you want to know the best thing about being away from uber for a while? By the time I read this you've already posted part 8! I'm off to read it now. Whohoo!
Submitted by Arab (user info) at 2005-04-17 03:39:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I actually believe that "an historian" is more correct grammatically. In ancient English,
"H" is actually a vowel. It comes from the crazy French people. Did you all know that to
use the word "gotten" is incorrect? In English, the word "gotten" does not exist. The
proper past tense of get is got.
That will conclude the disjointed grammar lesson for today.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-17 02:47:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Bob, there's absolutely nothing about you that tells me you're a reasonable man.
It's kind of endearing, in a get-off-my-back-you-rat-bastard kind of way.
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-04-17 01:00:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2005-04-16 20:59:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i want 8 now.
then one every next day.
Submitted by hcp28 (user info) at 2005-04-16 14:31:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Are you saying that there is no secret passage and I bought this shovel for nothing?
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-04-15 20:08:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-15 19:50:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2005-04-15 08:10:25 (#)
Ranking: 2
"I am something of an historian"
"an"
It is "a".
**************
I actually had it as 'a' at first, but changed it to 'an' on purpose. I don't actually know if what I did was grammatically correct, but it sounds fancier, which is appropriate for the fancy-nature of the British guy that was speaking.
The more I look at it, the more I think you're right. Ah well. WHY CAN'T YOU LOVE ME DESPITE MY FLAWS??
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-15 19:45:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks again, guys.
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-04-15 10:59:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2005-04-15 10:36:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow, this is some amazing writing.
Submitted by Professional_Peon (user info) at 2005-04-15 08:55:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Kristen (user info) at 2005-04-15 00:08:53 (#)
Ranking: 2
I feel smarter now.
Love,
Mrs. thecaes
--------
+4 for the story
-2 for cheating on me!!!!
<sobs>
Submitted by indoninja (user info) at 2005-04-15 08:10:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"I am something of an historian"
"an"
It is "a".
-2 Die
Submitted by Saxon (user info) at 2005-04-15 00:27:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This realy is good stuff man.
Submitted by Kristen (user info) at 2005-04-15 00:08:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I feel smarter now.
Love,
Mrs. thecaes
Submitted by tlozoot (user info) at 2005-04-14 23:13:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
!!
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2005-04-14 23:10:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
7 of 15.
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-04-14 22:32:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
It is hard to work history into a story and make it interesting. You suceeded beautifully. This was EXCELLENT.
Submitted by stardamage (user info) at 2005-04-14 22:27:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Hey, cool!
As per usual, of course.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-14 22:09:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Funny you mention the Japanese samurai...I strongly considered having one in there, but eventually decided against it. My vampyre collection is already getting so ethnically diverse that I'm afraid it will look silly. I have most of my players mapped out already (the next two posts are going to be all about introductions). I can toss one in there, but I don't think I'll be able to give him a huge role or anything. And no promises that he survives...
Submitted by DavyJones (user info) at 2005-04-14 22:05:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by ChronicMasturbator (user info) at 2005-04-14 22:02:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
CAES you caught me red handed.
Speaking of which, in several episodes can you insert a Japanese Samurai in your series..If you dont mind let me know, I need to finish my series.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-14 21:55:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by ChronicMasturbator (user info) at 2005-04-14 21:48:45 (#)
Ranking: 2
popped a boner from reading this.
**********************
Er...was it 'cuz of the guy with the peg leg? You can tell us...
Submitted by ChronicMasturbator (user info) at 2005-04-14 21:48:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
popped a boner from reading this,
Submitted by whiskey_jack (user info) at 2005-04-14 21:39:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't think I need to even bother stating a reason.
Submitted by Degreeless_Capibara (user info) at 2005-04-14 21:36:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Dammit fisher!
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-14 21:29:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Hope you guys took your time with that one, because I think I'm kind of stuck. Sorry if I went on a tangent with the history of New Netherland stuff, but when I was reading about it I thought it was really cool and I couldn't resist giving a wee history lesson.
Everything historical that I mentioned in this post is completely true, except for the secret passage thing.