After the Pandemic: The Enemy of My Enemy (part 14 ): Details and Divinity (1175 hits)
Category: Quotes & StoriesRating: 1.98 on 42 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by The Caes (View user info) at 2005-06-03 22:26:16 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
http://www.ubersite.com/m/65871 -- Part 10: Men Amongst Giants
http://www.ubersite.com/m/66684 -- Part 11: The Temptress and The Aristocrat
http://www.ubersite.com/m/66752 -- Part 12: Trial by Blood
http://www.ubersite.com/m/67296 -- Part 13: Words and Swords
They had planned and postulated; they had schemed and speculated. They had taken the scenario and combed it for the finest of details, grooming it to something approaching perfection, something that could strut on a runway. But somehow the hour for their invasion had snuck up on them like a thief. It started off as a stranger but now suddenly was their neighbor. Very soon now, they would have to stop talking about their bold steps and actually walk them.
The preparation had gone smoother ever since Khalid and Vilhelm had their now-infamous discussion. No longer was the false aristocrat slowing down discussion with his sniffy criticisms or melodramatic suggestions. Even though no one had required it, he had all but excluded himself from the process, content to sit aside with his arms folded. It was not even clear he was listening. When engaged, he would respond only with curt nods and irritated sighs, as if the matters at hand were too trivial for his involvement.
He did not even bother attending two strategy sessions, and had avoided talking to his fellow undead ever since he figured out that whenever Svetlana spoke to him in Russian, it was some kind of insult.
It had been three days since the raid on the Blood Bank, and their last meeting before they would enter Stuyvesant's passage. The samurai and the cowboy were sitting at a table, taming their thirst with red fluid as Turner and his lieutenants went over some tedious detail with Khalid. The Japanese man sipped at his tin cup and frowned.
"Not your cup o' tea, Katsuo?" Cash chuckled at his own joke.
"No." His voice was quiet and unassuming, but he spoke with a strict precision. "It is cold and tastes of copper and bile."
"I know whatcha mean," Cash replied, swishing it around in his mouth and frowning. "I don't know if it's because it was stored in metal cans, or because it's so many different blood types, or what...but it ain't like takin' it straight from the tap, that's for sure." Katsuo made a noise of agreement. "I tell ya, I'm hankerin' for the good stuff. Something from a redhead, an Irish girl. I always liked the taste of Irish."
Katsuo said nothing.
"So lemme ask you somethin'...if you hate this swill as much as I do, why are you goin' along with this thing?"
"I gave my word." He sipped at his coagulating swill.
Cash waited until he was sure no further explanation was forthcoming. "Ohh-kay...but why did you do that? Why agree in the first place?"
"Because it is necessary," he said in a tone that was very matter-of-fact. "Because if these creatures are allowed to continue, we will be reduced to feasting on cats and vermin."
"I hear ya, I hear ya. But that's not all, is it?" Cash's eyebrow arched slyly. "I seen you fight. I fight because I like it, and I never get tired of shootin' stuff. You, you fight like you're doin' a job, but that ain't all. You got somethin' else that makes you swing that steel so fine."
Katsuo was quiet for a moment. He turned and looked at the cowboy's smirk, and smiled at his intuition. "Yes, there is something else."
"And...?"
"This is OUR world. We own it. We have owned it for hundreds upon hundreds of years. And I will not stand and watch it taken from us by a germ."
Cash grinned. "Hear hear, buddy." He lifted his drink.
They clanked their cups together.
**************
"All right," Tyler said, staring at the map that plotted their route from St. Marks to the Empire State Building. "All right, I think that's it." It felt ridiculous to say it, to claim they were ready out loud. But how do you make yourself completely ready to sneak through a 350-year-old tunnel and assassinate a vampire zombie lord?
Tyler was right, though. Anthony knew it. Manhattan was waiting for them, a black beast sleeping in a cave of bones, and they didn't know how many teeth it had. But there was no way to find out without walking into the cave. They were as ready for it as they could be, but the thought was about as comforting as a prisoner's last meal. Turner's eyes flickered as he ran over the plans again in his head, looking for God or the Devil. There must be something, some detail he could exploit or correct, but if it was there, it was too small for him to see. And they had waited long enough. The Sanguinary was turning up the heat all over the boroughs, and it was time to leave. He wished his ribs didn't hurt so bad when he took a deep breath.
"I want to go through the equipment list one more time with you and Gus," Anthony said.
Tyler groaned. "Tony - "
"No harm can come of it," Khalid said, stroking his pristinely sculpted beard.
Tyler shot a disparaging look at the Arab. "I'll go over it with him. Don't worry Chief. It's all covered."
Anthony nodded. "Good. We have to nail this, Tyler. Trust me, this isn't something we want to run into unprepared. All right," he said, addressing his squad leaders. "Are we clear?" They answered with a silent chorus of nods. "Are we clear on EVERYTHING?" The chorus sang the same note. "Does anyone have any questions? No? Okay, then break into your teams and make final prep. Double-check everything. We meet at dusk tomorrow." His lieutenants nodded a final time and dispersed. Rick started to leave, but Tyler stopped him.
"Rick, wait up."
"What?"
"I just wanted - ah..." He rubbed his chin as if he were trying to coax the words out. "I just wanted to say thank-you, man. For two nights ago. For..." he struggled for the proper sentiment. Rick let him twist with it. "For saving her. I...I can't tell you how much it means. She would have been gone, if it wasn't for you."
"Yeah. She would have." He agreed. Rick began to walk away.
"Hey! Is...is that all you've got to say?"
Rick stopped. Hell no, that's not all he had to say. There were so many things he wanted to say he couldn't think of it all. He wanted to tell Tyler it was all bullshit, that Brianna should be with him and not some chain-smoking nerd. He wanted to tell Tyler how bad it sucks to have someone owe you something, but not be willing to give you the only thing you want. He wanted to tell Tyler it wasn't fair. Instead, he only said one thing.
"Yup."
"Man, what is your problem? Why are you pissed?"
Rick faced him. "Why did you wait?"
"What?"
"To say thanks. You could have said it before. Or when I actually saved her. Instead, you didn't say shit. You just walked off with her and didn't say shit."
"Oh, is that --?" He made an exasperated noise. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? We were both just a little upset at the time..."
Rick rolled his eyes. "Tyler, it takes two seconds. You didn't bother taking TWO seconds to be grateful for saving your girlfriend's life. Kind of makes me wonder if she means anything at all to you."
Tyler's expression went flat. "Hey. Brianna means everything to me. We're both grateful."
Rick turned loose an ugly laugh. "Yeah, she seemed real grateful. To you, at least."
Tyler cocked his head, not understanding what he was hearing. "What the hell are you saying? She was knocked unconscious. She probably didn't even know you were there."
Tyler's words twisted around Rick's gut like rusted wires. "Yeah. Exactly." He muttered. Rick abandoned the conversation and walked away, leaving Tyler in a fitful state of uncertainty. He paused long enough to toss two words over his shoulder.
"You're welcome."
************************
Khalid made his way towards Brianna's sleeping quarters. She had moved herself out of the makeshift infirmary the humans had set up. Though she had an ugly black eye and suffered from occasional headaches and nausea, she didn't feel comfortable being coddled with the people who were seriously wounded. The medics said she had a slight concussion, but it seemed like a cruel joke when compared to the fact that they had to amputate Dan's arm, or that Terry might not ever wake up.
When he arrived, Khalid was pleased to see that she was talking cheerfully with the Scotsman.
"Oi, look who it is." Faing called when Khalid entered the room. "Come tae check on yer bonny lass?"
Khalid nodded and walked to the side of the padded table she was using for a bed. "How are you, Strong One?"
"I'm fine," Brianna smiled. Her eye stuck out like a bloodshot white pond in a mottled purplish landscape. "Faing here has been keeping me entertained with bawdy Scottish folk tunes."
"I have the bedside manner of a Saint, so I do. She'll be oan her feet afore ye know it."
Khalid regarded the Scot thoughtfully. "It's very kind of you to keep her company." He said like a fisherman casts his line.
Faing shrugged. "Ach, she's the closest thing to a countryman tha' I've goat here. Sure'n she's goat some Irish in 'er, but I'll nae hold it agaynst 'er."
Brianna rolled her eyes theatrically. "You're so gracious, good sir."
Faing chuckled and continued. "Ach, most o' me blood out there are stuck up primsies. Noat to mention, I'm not one fer aul that plannin' and schemin' and the lot, it bores me ta tears. Just tell me where to go an' what to hit and be done with it."
"Fear not," Khalid said with a pearly grin. "Tomorrow you'll be doing quite a bit of hitting, I imagine."
"Losh, it's aboot bluddy tyme." The broad Scot cracked his meaty knuckles. "I've been goin' daft waitin'." He looked at Brianna, who returned his look with amusement. "Weel, I'll be oaff. See yeh t'mmorrow yeh wee smasher."
Faing stood to leave. "Oh, one more thing," he said to Khalid. "That thing with Jerry the other night, that was a thing o' beauty. 'Tis a good thing ye put that buftie in his place. I was ready to give 'im 'is teeth tae play with, so I was."
Khalid nodded. "I regret that it was necessary, but I will admit that Vilhelm has been much more tolerable ever since."
"HA!" The sound burst out of Faing's beard like an eruption. "'Vilhelm.' T'be honest, I think I prefer 'Jerry.' In fact, that's what I'll be callin' 'im from 'ere on out."
"No, I don't think that's a wise idea," Khalid said sternly. "The fruit of silence is tranquility, and I do not want to ruin it."
"Oh, come oan," the Scotsman pleaded. "I cannae pass a thing like this up."
Khalid shook his head.
"Just once."
Khalid shook his head. "If you antagonize Vilhelm further, my hirsute friend, I will have to reveal the secret of your name."
Faing's eyes turned into moons under his bushy eyebrows. "Ye wouldn't. Ye couldn't."
"Sure he could." Brianna winked at him.
"Oh, ye clype. Ye told 'im?" His eyes darted to Khalid. "She told ye?"
Khalid grinned mischievously. "If Vilhelm's new name is to be known as 'Jerry Talbot', yours will be known as 'From the Sheep Pen.'"
Faing stood in silent horror. Slowly, his open mouth tightened to a grin. "Oh, yeh sneaky wee basturds." He poked a meaty finger at his blackmailers. "Awright, ye've a deal. But if I catch one of those puddocks callin' me a sheepshagger, it'll be lights out fer the both of ye." He stomped away, leaving Khalid and Brianna to their shared laughter.
Brianna wiped a tear from the corner of her unblemished eye. "Ahhh. Where did you find him? He's like a cartoon come to life."
"In a bar, of course," the Arab replied over the last of his chuckles.
Inevitably, the mirth trickled away, and they were left with nothing but silent thoughts that hung in the space between them like a curtain. It was Khalid who pulled it aside.
"We depart tomorrow for the passage."
Brianna nodded. "I know. I'll be ready."
"I wish you would reconsider this. There is no telling of what awaits us in Manhattan."
Brianna folded her arms. Khalid could not tell if she was disappointed or irritated. "Yeah, Tyler tried to talk me out of it too," she said. "'You're hurt, it'll be dangerous', et cetera. That's a load of sexist bullshit. The Chief is going, and he can't take a deep breath without his ribs hurting.
"I'll be ready, Khalid." Her blue eyes captured his and held them tight. "I'm not being left behind while every one else takes the risk. I may not be the best soldier, but I know what I'm doing, and I know we need all the help we can get. There's too much at stake here because I've got an injury about as serious as a broken nail." She said, pointing at her black eye.
"I'm going."
Khalid looked at her as she scowled at him from a posture more defiant than he would have imagined possible from someone who was lying in bed. He saw the flickering behind her eyes and heard the determined thumping of her heart. His ivory smile opened like a white seam on a dark cloth.
"Rest today, Brianna. Tomorrow we take Manhattan."
User Reviews
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2006-04-06 11:00:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-10-19 04:05:46 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 thecaes (user info) at 2005-08-29 04:20:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Ha ha, "manly Muslim"
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-08-28 12:12:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
haha, "clipe". I see you did your research.
this was great, by the way.
new prediction: Khalid will over to make Brianna a vampyre, so they can be together forever. Tyler will be forced to kill Rick, and then he will lose Brianna to the manly Muslim.
Submitted by notyou (user info) at 2005-07-07 15:19:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2005-06-30 17:21:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Your accents rule
Submitted by Professional_Peon (user info) at 2005-06-30 17:08:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"I'll stop at ten" MY ASS!
If you don't wrap this up by part 30 then we will have to have an intervention!
Luv ya bunches!
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-06-20 11:58:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You won't. He didn't sign up.
Submitted by Adamdidit2u (user info) at 2005-06-20 11:32:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I hope I don't have to face you in UM
Submitted by Jungle_Jimanee (user info) at 2005-06-20 11:24:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
They had planned and postulated; they had schemed and speculated. They had taken the scenario and combed it for the finest of details, grooming it to something approaching perfection, something that could strut on a runway. But somehow the hour for their invasion had snuck up on them like a thief. It started off as a stranger but now suddenly was their neighbor. Very soon now, they would have to stop talking about their bold steps and actually walk them.
this is great
Submitted by Jungle_Jimanee (user info) at 2005-06-20 11:17:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Woo hoo, was bored now have two to read, excellent!
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-06-17 20:45:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Good eye. Yes. This is the 'before' shot of a 'before and after 9/11' set of pictures that I found. The 'after' showed a smoking crater, which I thought was in poor taste. I suppose I could have searched a little harder for a more recent photo.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-06-17 15:17:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I SEE TWIN TOWERS
Submitted by Jack_McCallum (user info) at 2005-06-17 11:58:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Just blew through a shitload of chapters with my morning coffee.
GOOD stuff.
Submitted by Benny (user info) at 2005-06-14 23:25:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Another quality instalment. I thought this had some very nice imagery eg a plan so good it could strut on a runway and the part where Khalid and Brianna are talking and he moves the curtain of silence that lay between them.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-06-14 17:51:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks Kre8rix, that means a lot to me.
Submitted by Kre8rix (user info) at 2005-06-14 16:24:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I can't believe I missed this.
Stupid work, taking away from all my fuck-off time.
Anyway, you have a gift for character development. Your down time is as good as the action parts. Great work man, keep it up.
Submitted by Rads_wife (user info) at 2005-06-14 00:52:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/68315
WINNER!!!
Submitted by nrduncan (user info) at 2005-06-08 09:06:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Awesome
Submitted by Chroniclysm (user info) at 2005-06-07 23:46:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Brilliant as usual.
Submitted by Spam (user info) at 2005-06-06 10:37:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Unleash the fury!!
Submitted by Grownasskid (user info) at 2005-06-05 10:59:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
what your doing is like holding a sandwich out to a hungry man then yanking it away at the last second!!!
can I please have the sandwich?
Submitted by Viper_04 (user info) at 2005-06-05 09:04:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Once again you succeed to deliver a mouth-watering 'pre-post' before all the interesting stuff happens....you must be the biggest tease in real life
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-06-04 20:04:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-06-04 13:04:51 (#)
Ranking: 2
okay time to go back and catch up on your ATP series!
********************************************
I think because my series has the "Enemy of my Enemy" subtitle, we should all refer to it as ATPEE.
...What?
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-06-04 18:53:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Munkey, I'm glad you enjoy that review so much.
Urbane...seriously? That's a lot of reading...you must have been pretty bored.
I think there's about 6 to 8 more parts to this. Maybe. Thanks guys.
Submitted by YELLOW-MAN (user info) at 2005-06-04 17:50:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by UrbaneMischief (user info) at 2005-06-04 13:33:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i tend to have no patience for waiting for the next part... so often i blow off posts that are multipart.
i went and read them all, this shit rocks Caes
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-06-04 13:13:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
you are an excellent story teller.
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-06-04 13:04:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/66233#1324431
So I was bored as shit and I came across this.. again.
and I laughed my ass off... again.
okay time to go back and catch up on your ATP series!
Submitted by bob (user info) at 2005-06-04 11:40:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
14 of ?
Submitted by Yes (user info) at 2005-06-04 11:39:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Rads_wife (user info) at 2005-06-04 11:38:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/67772
=================================
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-06-04 08:39:51 (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 because this is my new desktop.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-06-04 08:20:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Revolutionman (user info) at 2005-06-04 01:06:18 (#)
Ranking: 2
hawty
**************************************
Um...thanks?
Thanks for the comments, guys.
Submitted by DanielH (user info) at 2005-06-04 02:56:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I've only read enough of this series to keep up, the writing is exceptional. (As I mentined in earlier review, plan to read all this summer. +++)
Submitted by Revolutionman (user info) at 2005-06-04 01:06:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
hawty
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2005-06-03 23:17:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
OH, they want irish blood...
EVERYONE WANTS BRIANNA.
I see where you're going with this.
(sorry, had to re-read it)
Submitted by corn_nugget (user info) at 2005-06-03 23:00:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You have nothing to worry about, as far as your posts getting long/boring or whatever it was that you were concerned with... this was beautiful.
Submitted by jgreening (user info) at 2005-06-03 22:38:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ceas, may I call you Ceas?
Anyway, Mr. Ceas, may I be the first to say you kick large amounts of posterior.
Oh, I'm not the first to say it?
Well, may I be the first to say it while dancing the lindy in my underware?
Why thank you, thank you so much.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-06-03 22:31:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by girlintheworld (user info) at 2005-06-03 22:27:44 (#)
Ranking: 2
Just turn this into a book. Sell it on here, become a millionaire, and then love me forever for the *radical* suggestion.
***********************************
Dude, I'll love you forever just for reviewing it.
Submitted by knucklesnelson (user info) at 2005-06-03 22:30:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
nice touch with the picture
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-06-03 22:27:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Wooo, that picture is dangerously close to being too big...
Submitted by girlintheworld (user info) at 2005-06-03 22:27:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Just turn this into a book. Sell it on here, become a millionaire, and then love me forever for the *radical* suggestion.