After the Pandemic: The Enemy of My Enemy (part 10): Men Amongst Giants (1069 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.81 on 30 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by TheCaes (View user info) at 2005-05-07 17:48:08 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
http://www.ubersite.com/m/64325 -- Part 7: Tome
http://www.ubersite.com/m/64611 -- Part 8: Faing
http://www.ubersite.com/m/65301 -- Part 9: The Gathering
Brianna sat with uneasy silence, surrounded by creatures that were old centuries before she was born. There was a Russian woman who was dripping sex and claimed to know why Rasputin wouldn't die. Listening respectfully was a quiet Japanese man who looked like he just jacked in from the Matrix, trench coat, sunglasses and all. He has carried that katana on his belt for five hundred years.
Not far from him stood an African woman with her arms folded, glowering imperiously at everyone in the room as though they should be her servants. Brianna was told she once fucked Shaka Zulu.
A youthful looking man leaned against the wall. Doc Holliday had taught him how to shoot. He was twirling a magnum revolver like a toy instead of something that spit death.
There was a braying Scotsman who loudly advertised to anyone who would listen that Robert Roy Macgregor was a pansy. Brianna thought he was drunk. She wasn't sure that vampyres could get drunk.
All around the ghosts of history loomed, towering above her with the presence of ancient statues. She sat and felt like an infant. She was glad Tyler was next to her. One of his cats rested on his lap, purring demurely. His hand felt a little sweaty in hers, but she wasn't sure if that was her fault or his. It didn't matter anyway.
While she looked about with her jaw comfortably resting on her chest, Tyler looked at the ancients with a mouth fixed in a tight line, only opening it periodically to feed it nicotine. His eyes took in details, signs of lost humanity lingering on the silhouettes of gods and demons.
The Russian babe, Svetlana or whoever, the one with the fuck-me eyes and tits exploding out of her top, she was sucking up the male attention in the room like a plant soaks up sunshine. And they were happy to give it. Even Gus, who thought about engines more than he thought about women, was plying his charms with schoolboy grace. Her eyes swept teasingly along his tightening crotch. Careful Gus, Tyler thought. Maybe she just wants the blood there so she can suck it out easy.
The gunslinger was a cowboy, straight up. He didn't wear the hat, but he had the duster and the six-shooters and the dimpled cocky smile that you see the outlaw hero flash in westerns. He talked normal enough, but occasionally a "ma'am" or a "pardner" would betray his modern veneer. Then there was that smirk, the type of smile that someone shoots you just before they beat you in a good poker hand, the testosterone-confidence of a man who knows he's born lucky. Tyler hoped this guy had more than just a little luck on his side. He obviously knew how to spin his guns around. Hopefully he'd be able to shoot worth a damn.
Tyler didn't get anything off the Scotsman. He had been around for a few days now, and hadn't given any clues about a hidden agenda. Impossibly, he seemed to be just what he appeared: a boisterous lout whose two cherished loves were fighting and drinking; Tyler couldn't tell which was his favorite girl. Likewise, he couldn't pick any details off of Katsuo, the swordsman, but for opposite reasons. He was like Tyler, quiet, watchful. It was hard to figure what he was thinking behind those rectangular sunglasses.
Then there was the African one, Abayome. Like Svetlana, she exuded sex appeal, but it was a natural, raw thing as opposed to the perfumed and exquisitely artificial exterior of the Russian. And something about her was flat-out scary. Her eyes were the nails in your coffin, and her lips were so red because she had just been eating your heart. Tyler caught her stare once. He had the distinct impression she wanted to make a lampshade out of his skin.
Tyler settled his scrutiny on that...that thing in the corner. It, or he, was squatting with a monkey's grace, whispering to a handful of rats that seemed to be listening. Tyler made the effort to look elsewhere. He was so ugly it was fascinating. His cracked skin perpetually glistened with syrupy wetness, even though they had been indoors for hours. A few tufts of hair puffed from his scalp, like weeds through cracks on a sidewalk. Tyler had no idea what his story was and wasn't eager to find out.
Finally, Tyler sized up the Transylvanian. Well. He wasn't sure where he was from, but it was quite obvious that he wished he were Count Dracula, and certainly enjoyed acting the part. He was dressed in clothes that were fashionable for a bad horror movie, and he didn't talk as much as he enunciated, unraveling dialogue so the people in the back row of the theater could hear.
As far as performances go, it was pretty good. Except like many amateur actors, he had not yet grasped of the concept of acting without being obvious about the performance. Tyler saw the dark roots of his white hair, the edged halo around his bright red irises, the momentary pauses for approval and dramatic effect. If that weren't enough to send warning flags up, the name sealed it nicely. Tyler didn't know much about eastern European languages and culture, but "Vilhelm Draconis" was just about the worst attempt at a name that he had ever heard. It was something a twelve year old would name their D&D character.
This guy's as fake as a mother-in-law's smile, he thought.
Tyler looked at Brianna, and the flat line of his mouth became a worried curve. He didn't like the way she was looking at all these vampyres. Bree could be optimistic to a fault - it was one of the things he loved about her - but allies or not, each one of these things were powder kegs, probably capable of decimating the entire cell with about the same effort Tyler took to light a cigarette. Just because you make a deal with a devil doesn't mean he turns into an angel.
Had Tyler been less fixated on lovers and ancient beasts, he might have noticed someone taking a keen interest in him. Rick's eyes were trained on the back of Tyler's head with such intensity that it was a wonder his hair didn't catch fire. Not for the first time tonight, Rick asked himself what Brianna saw in Tyler.
Unsurprisingly, he couldn't supply any answers. Tyler was shorter than him, and not nearly as good looking. He couldn't shoot like Rick, or fight like him. He wasn't real strong or even that smart. Just an average guy, nothing special, no big deal. Rick swatted at the toothy plunder dangling from his neck. Tyler sure as hell hasn't taken out leeches like he has.
No one's better at it than me, he thought proudly, and it was not a boast.
For a while Rick thought that Brianna just didn't know how he felt about her. It took almost a week and three shots of whiskey to find the courage, but three days ago he finally told her that he liked her. Even through the pleasant alcoholic tingle, he felt like a stupid third grader.
She said all the right things, of course. She couldn't, she was with Tyler - like that was the only reason she wasn't with Rick. She used words like "flattered" and "sweet" and "friends", but Rick knew it was all bullshit and bum luck. Tyler had been first, that's all. She couldn't see how great he was, because since day one, Tyler had been standing in the way. They ended the conversation with a chaste hug, and when she was gone Rick punched a hole through the drywall, and wished it were his head.
They were on a mission tonight, a dangerous one. There would be contact, no doubt about it. And when the shit started to fly, Brianna would see Rick up close, doing the job better than anyone else, being a hero. Maybe then she'd realize she was settling for second best. Hell, more like fourth, fifth best.
No, that's just stupid. Tyler's a good guy. She's not gonna jump into your arms just because you can shoot an onion from two hundred feet. Stupid stupid stupid.
Rick shook his head. But he didn't stop staring.
User Reviews
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-04-06 10:54:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
It's a bit short, and not as good as the rest.
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-08-28 11:18:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
and now.....CAAH-NAGE.
Submitted by notyou (user info) at 2005-07-07 12:47:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-06-30 21:13:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
ALL DAY LONG amigo
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-06-17 11:55:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Just blew through a shitload of chapters with my morning coffee.
Now I must rate the ones I forgot to rate.
GOOD stuff.
Submitted by Professional_Peon (user info) at 2005-05-31 14:26:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Dammit! I am falling behind
*sobs*
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2005-05-25 18:08:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
HAHAHAHA
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-05-14 22:12:56 (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/66233#1324431
this review was priceless.
as was the post.
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2005-05-25 18:07:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I like the way you described everyone... it was smooth.
You're fucking smooth, man.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-05-15 02:42:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks Munkey. Glad that cheered you up.
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-05-14 22:12:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/66233#1324431
this review was priceless.
as was the post.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-05-13 01:40:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks for taking the time to rank these posts, nrduncan.
Submitted by nrduncan (user info) at 2005-05-12 17:58:28 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 2005-05-12 06:57:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
It's all been said.
keep this going.
Submitted by Rasta (user info) at 2005-05-10 00:38:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Get me into Manhattan! Your teasing me to death!!!
Submitted by Benny (user info) at 2005-05-09 23:05:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Excellent build up. Now bring on the carnage!
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-05-09 10:44:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks for the detail in the comment, mbstateside, and thanks to everyone who rated.
Next one will be long. And bloody. And will probably not show up for about two weeks b/c I'm taking off for a few days.
Submitted by hcp28 (user info) at 2005-05-09 10:42:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This was awesome I can't wait to see what is going to happen on the way to Manhattan. I wonder if there are any resistance left in Manhattan itself, that would be kind of cool.
Submitted by mbstateside (user info) at 2005-05-09 10:26:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I can't bring myself to give any of this series anything other than a +2 yes this was short but I get the freeling it's just the calm before the storm.
I did espcially like the fact that you came back to the Animosity Rick has for Tyler rather than giving in to the temptation to just make it all about the super vamps. You've got me wondering what he's gonna do about it. I can't wait to find out.
Submitted by Saxon (user info) at 2005-05-08 23:47:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This is coming along nicely, i like your style.
Submitted by Grownasskid (user info) at 2005-05-08 21:50:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
keep it up!
Submitted by LadyPlural (user info) at 2005-05-08 18:14:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awwwww hell yeah.
Submitted by the_mysterious_stranger (user info) at 2005-05-08 16:22:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Viper_04 (user info) at 2005-05-08 06:14:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Bigger is better...I want more, more damn it more!
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-05-08 02:48:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Feijuada (user info) at 2005-05-07 23:35:44 (#)
Ranking: -2
No offence, but I saw "vampyres" and I couldn't go on. Good reading up to that point.
**************************************
* sigh *
Not that you'll be reading this, BUT, there's two types of vampires in this story. Ones created by a virus and ones created by older, supernatural means. I used that spelling to differentiate between the disease-born vampires and the supernatural vampyres, just to avoid confusion for the reader.
Submitted by Feijuada (user info) at 2005-05-07 23:35:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No offence, but I saw "vampyres" and I couldn't go on. Good reading up to that point.
Submitted by Revolutionman (user info) at 2005-05-07 23:27:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
YOUR SUCH A COCK TEASE!
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2005-05-07 19:47:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
10 of 15 mothafucker.
Submitted by stardamage (user info) at 2005-05-07 18:48:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Yes! Just what I needed.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-05-07 18:45:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Just a short installment so this isn't totally forgotten.
No, I'm not stopping at 10 -- actually I never set a limit of 10, that was bob. I was shooting for something around there, but I'm such a wordy bastard that it keeps going on and on. * sigh *
Well, glad you're enjoying the story.
Submitted by Kre8rix (user info) at 2005-05-07 18:33:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice, good build-up.
You do a great job of character development; to the point where I can actually visualize each character in my head. Well done.
I suppose this means you're not stopping at 10 as was originally intended? Not that you'll hear me complain.