Deadly Weakness (Gray Spear Society) (10 page)

He walked around to look at the first set of monitors again. Watching people sleep was boring, but it was better than watching a lot of empty rooms.

A window popped up on a monitor. It contained the words, "zero: hello, norbert."

Norbert looked around. Only Aaron and Marina knew where Norbert was hiding, and they were asleep.

More words appeared, "zero: talk. I'll hear you."

"You can hear me?" Norbert said out loud. "Who are you?"

Suddenly fearful, he checked the room again. One day the huge space would be his new headquarters. At the moment it was just a big, dark, empty box. There was no sign of movement.

"zero: I am the number that comes before all others, the point at the center of every real line. I am the Identity."

Norbert's eyes opened wide. "You're God. Is this how You talk to the twins?"

"zero: yes."

"What do you want me to do?" Norbert said in a quavering voice. "Should I kneel and bow my head? Should I prostrate myself before You?"

"zero: if you want."

"You don't care?"

"zero: no."

Norbert swallowed. This wasn't the first time he had encountered God. Personal visitations by the Almighty seemed to be one of the perks of being a Spear. Still, Norbert was so nervous he was shaking. He didn't know what was expected of him.

"zero: I just came to thank you. you're doing a great job with Bethany and Leanna. they've never been happier or healthier."

"Thank you, Sir," Norbert said softly, "but it's not the most interesting assignment. Sometimes I feel like a glorified babysitter."

"zero: it's an extremely important assignment. I have been working closely with the twins on a project of profound significance."

Norbert calmed down a little. "They told me a little about it. Some kind of upgrade to the universe?"

"zero: all you need to know is that I have a keen interest in their success, and your assistance is appreciated."

"I'm not complaining, Sir. I love those girls. Still, I wish my life were more exciting. I train very hard every day, but I never get much of a chance to demonstrate my skills on a real mission."

"zero: be careful what you wish for."

"Is that a threat or a promise?"

"zero: yes."

Norbert paused. That one word resonated in his mind like a thunder clap. "May I ask a question, Sir?" he said.

"zero: you may."

"The first time I met Wesley, he told me something interesting. One day I'll save his life. Is that true?"

"zero: you were born to be a guardian. there is greatness in your future. keep training. good bye."

The window closed. Norbert stared at the blank space on the screen and made a promise to himself. He would never again ask God for a more exciting life. That had been a very stupid move.

Chapter Six

Aaron shivered in the frigid early morning air. He sipped his hot coffee. With his free hand, he pulled Marina close and rubbed her shoulders. She huddled against him for warmth.

They were standing at the door of one of the cabins. The door opened, and Guthrum ushered them inside. Ethel's bodyguard wore a skin tight suit made of a black woven material with thick fibers. It reminded Aaron of a yarn comforter. Overlapping plates shaped like fish scales protected vital organs. The suit covered Guthrum's entire body from the neck down.

Aaron and Marina entered Ethel's room. The legate was sitting on her bed in a purple nightgown and reading some papers. A tray on her left held the remains of a simple breakfast. Her silver machetes were on her right side.

"What is Guthrum wearing, ma'am?" Aaron said. "Is it some kind of body armor?"

Ethel looked up from her papers. "It's a brand new design. Top secret. More comfortable and more protective than the best armor currently available. I'm about to deploy these suits across the whole division. Did you call your girls, yet? I want their report."

"I'll do that right now."

Aaron took out his phone and dialed Bethany's number. It didn't matter which twin he called. Both of them always answered the phone together.

"Good morning, sir," Bethany said in her soft voice.

"The legate wants your report," Aaron said.

He looked up at a corner of the ceiling. He couldn't see it, but a surveillance camera was hidden there. He expected Bethany was watching him now.

"I think it was a quiet night," she said. "Actually, sir, we were asleep for most of it. Norbert was on security duty. He went to bed when we woke up."

"And he didn't tell you anything?"

"No, sir. He went right to sleep. He was tired. Oh, there was one interesting thing. Smythe spent the night with Odelia."

Aaron made a face. "Who is Odelia?"

"The woman with white hair from Los Angeles."

"I'll deal with that later. I need to speak privately with the legate. Turn off the surveillance in this room for fifteen minutes."

"Yes, sir," Bethany said. "Please tell Marina we wish her good luck in the tournament."

"I will. Bye." He closed his phone and faced Ethel. "Nothing to report. A quiet night."

"Not a surprise," she said. "We didn't expect the traitor to make his move immediately. Do either of you have any idea who it might be?"

He shook his head. "No. I talked to everybody last night, but it's a very tough crowd to read."

"I had the same experience, ma'am," Marina said. "All your people know how to keep secrets. Did you see anything suspicious?"

"No." Ethel lowered her eyes. "I was hoping if I looked hard enough, I'd see the stain on the traitor's soul. I couldn't. So, we must proceed according to the plan. Aaron, what are your thoughts?"

"If I were the enemy," Aaron said. "I'd attack during the banquet tonight. It will be dark outside, and all of us will be gathered in one place."

"They won't wait until later, when we're asleep?"

"The rooms are too scattered. Stragglers might escape and cause all kinds of havoc. The enemy will want to finish the job in one bold stroke. I don't think they'll wait until Sunday, either. That's pushing the schedule too far. No, I believe they'll hit us with everything they got while we're eating tonight. I can almost guarantee it."

Ethel smiled a little. "Your confidence is encouraging."

"I just hope my trick works. Otherwise, it's going to be a very unpleasant meal."

* * *

Smythe opened his eyes. He was in his own cabin but he wasn't alone. Odelia was lying beside him, breathing softly, still asleep.

What have I gotten myself into?
he wondered.

They had made love until the early morning, packing an entire week's worth of sex into one glorious night. Her magic glowing hands healed more than just injuries. They also worked wonders on sore and tired genitals. Smythe and Odelia had stopped only because of a mutual decision that they really needed to sleep.

He kissed her on the cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him.

"Good morning," he said.

She smiled. "It's a very good morning."

"You realize we now have a big problem on our hands. It's a classic Romeo and Juliet scenario. We live in different cities, and I don't think our commanders will be willing to let us see each other."

She appeared sad. "I know. I don't want to think about that now."

"At least we have this weekend." He kissed her on the lips.

"What time is it?" She looked over at a clock. "Crap, it's nine o'clock! We need to get going!"

She started to slide out of bed.

"Hold on." He wrapped his arm around her waist. "The tournament doesn't start until ten. Let's stay in bed for another half-hour."

She leered at him. "I'm sure the legate is already wondering where we are. I also want breakfast. Once the tournament starts, we won't have much time to eat."

"I think I was supposed to help serve breakfast. Oops!" He grimaced. Reluctantly, he let her go.

They washed up and got dressed.

When Smythe stepped outside, bright sunlight made him blink. The sky was clear blue from horizon to horizon.
A perfect day,
he thought.

He and Odelia hurried through the cold to reach the main building. When they entered the dining hall, it became clear they had missed breakfast. A few people were sipping coffee, but there wasn't any food still out.

Jack came over. "Sir, where were you? Breakfast service was at 7:30. You were supposed to help us."

Smythe was used to seeing Jack in plaid shirts and blue jeans. The man didn't look right in plain gray. His bald head still gleamed under the lights though. His blue eyes glared at Smythe.

"Sorry about that," Smythe said. "I had a... situation."

Jack turned to Odelia. "You have good taste in situations."

"I can't help with the lunch service, either," Smythe said. "I'll be busy with the tournament. But I'll be on time and ready to go for the banquet. I promise."

Jack abruptly straightened, turned, and walked off.

"Ah," a familiar voice said. "The lovers finally make their appearance."

Smythe and Odelia turned around and found Ethel standing there.

"It's that obvious, ma'am?" Smythe said.

"Very."

His face grew warm. "We didn't plan this."

"But it happened nonetheless," Ethel said. "I'm not pleased about this lack of professionalism. The good news for me is this problem will resolve itself come Monday morning. Am I clear?"

"Yes, ma'am," Smythe and Odelia replied in unison.

"Until then, I give you permission to enjoy this weekend. You can hold hands if you want."

Smythe took Odelia's hand. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Did you do your homework at least?" Ethel said. "Did you decide the rules for the tournament?"

"Yes."

"Then you can explain them to everybody when we start. That's less than an hour from now. I suggest you find some food before then."

"We will, ma'am," Odelia said. "Thank you for being so understanding."

Ethel rolled her eyes and walked off.

* * *

Xavier looked around the dining room. He spotted a woman in the plain gray shirt and pants of an assistant. She had brown, frizzy hair, cut short. Her robust build made her look big but not fat. Her full lips were curved in a pleasant smile.
She'll do,
he thought.

She was wiping down the tables and whistling softly to herself.

He walked over to her. "Hi," he said in a friendly tone. "What's your name?"

She looked up at him. "Nancy, sir."

"You're part of the Chicago team?"

"Yes, sir."

"You're doing a good job. The convention just started, and I'm already having fun."

"Thank you." Her smile grew bigger.

"It must've taken a lot of work to get ready for this."

She nodded. "We've been here for two solid weeks."

"I expect most of the effort went into the security precautions," he said.

"Yes, sir."

"Maybe you can answer a question for me. There is a road nearby. I just wanted to know if somebody was watching it."

Nancy's smile faded a little. "Sorry, sir. I can't talk about security. I'm sure Aaron or Marina will be happy to discuss it with you."

That would be too dangerous,
Xavier thought. "Aaron ordered you to keep quiet? Why?"

"I can't say." She shrugged.

"What do you do for him? What's your specialty?"

"Sorry, sir. Any other questions should be directed to Aaron or Marina. They're around here somewhere."

He furrowed his brow. "You're being a little rude."

"My apologies, sir. Would you like me to get you some coffee? We just brewed a fresh pot."

"No." He turned and walked off.

* * *

Marina stood in a line with twenty other
legionnaires
. All of them wore gray tights that wouldn't get in the way during combat. The tights offered no protection, either. The combatants would fight with the bodies and gifts God had given them, and nothing else. They weren't even wearing pads.

The tournament was taking place in a large meeting hall with a tile floor. Black tape marked off a twenty foot square in the middle of the room. The commanders were on one side in their formal robes. The fighters faced their bosses from the other side of the room. Ethel sat at the front of the hall with her bodyguard near her. The convention staff stood by the doors in back. Everybody had come to see the show.

Marina was very nervous. There were some big, scary guys in line with her, and some of them also had gifts. This was going to be a rough day.

Ethel stood and moved to the middle of the square. "The tournament will proceed as follows," she said loudly. "It is single elimination. If you lose, you're done. I will pick the matches according to what I want to see. You may feel my choices are unfair. Too bad. I'll also judge the winner of each fight. Each match will proceed at full speed without a break until I declare a victor. At that point it will
instantly
stop. Am I clear?"