Vanguard: The Complete Second Season: A Superhero Serial (Vanguard: The Collected Seasons Book 2) (5 page)

“But…”

McCabe stepped closer to Erin and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I understand what you’re feeling, Erin. It doesn’t seem to make any sense. But Anita’s right, sometimes these things just happen.”

“I’m still taking the position at Cerberus,” said Jim. “I’ll do what I can to get to the bottom of this.”

“What about Zen?” asked Koji, looking up at his teammate. “Thorne was gonna help him get back in his body, using Cerberus’ resources. But now…”

“We’ve been talking about that,” said Lee. “I’m gonna see if I can help Zenith get back to normal.”

“How’s that? Like Koji said, you don’t have the resources,” said Dom.

“We shall figure something out,” said Zenith. “Do not worry about us, my friends. Just watch out for yourselves.”

Jim looked down at his watch and gave a sigh. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. I have some interviews before I’m approved for Cerberus.”
 

“Yeah, I’ve got a plane to catch myself,” said Koji.

“Back to Hawaii?” asked Erin. He nodded in response.

“We should get you back to your mom, too,” said Anita, patting Erin on the back.
 

“Where are you off to?” asked Dom.
 

“Baltimore at first, going to stay with my mom for a bit,” said Anita. “Figure things out from there.”

“What about you, Dom?” asked Koji.

Dom shrugged. “Wherever the wind takes me, I guess. Got my pardon so I’m going to stay off the grid for a bit.”

“Can’t believe it’s all over…” said Erin, still staring at the headstone.
 

The team said their goodbyes and parted one by one. Until the only two left standing over Thorne’s headstone were Zenith and Lee. The newest addition to Vanguard hung his head and shut his eyes.

“I feel like shit.”

“I know,” said Zenith. “But we must keep up this charade for now. If we are to have any hope of getting to the bottom of this.”

“I guess…”

A series of beeps came from Lee’s jacket. He reached for the inner pocket and drew out his cell phone. After he checked the new message, he looked up at Zenith and gave a nod.

“He’s ready to see us.”

“Then we have work to do,” said Zenith.

CHAPTER 8

The shuttle soared through space, approaching the orbital space station called Olympus. They began the docking procedure, and the passengers were given permission to disembark.
 

Jim Ellis was among the passengers who crossed the passage and into the airlock of the Olympus. When the doors opened, he saw a thin man with graying hair at the temples, a man Jim knew well. The two men smiled and Jim walked right up to him, accepting his welcoming handshake. The other passengers moved by the two friends, being directed deeper into the Olympus facility.

“It’s good to see you again, my friend,” said Abram Zukov.
 

“You too, Abram.”

Zukov had been an agent of the Russian FSB when he encountered Jim and Vanguard on a mission. But now he was dressed in a black uniform with a red circle emblazoned over his chest. Inside the circle was the outline of a three-headed dog.

“I was pleased to hear you had accepted the position,” said Zukov.
 

“Felt like the right thing to do. Colonel Thorne recommended me for it and after his death…”

Jim looked away and Zukov gave a solemn nod, placing his hand on Jim’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks,” said Jim.
 

“Come,” said Zukov, gesturing ahead.
 

The two men followed the rest of the crowd. For Jim, it was strange being back in this place. The last time he was on Olympus, Vanguard was fighting the Khagan. But now, it had been retrofitted and expanded, to serve as the headquarters of this new organization.

Once everyone gathered into a large waiting area, they saw a man standing on a platform above them, a man dressed in a similar uniform to Zukov.
 

“Welcome to the Olympus. I’m Director Nathan Callus,” he began. “You’re all here because you represent the best that the world has to offer. An organization like this is unprecedented in all of human history, because now mankind faces a threat we have never seen before. We will be the first and last line of defense against a new kind of enemy, one that needs no armies, needs no weapons, needs no funding. We are the guardians of humanity, here to ensure that what happened on this very station just a few months ago will never happen again.

“Welcome to Cerberus.”

***

“Okay,” said Lee with a sigh, sitting at the controls of the Atlas’ monitor room. “Let’s see if this works.”

He entered a few commands into the keyboard and the lights flickered on and off. Zenith stood beside him, his gaze fixed on the monitors. “Are you certain this will work?”

“I think so. Perimeter sensors activated, but we’ve managed to mask any and all surveillance that the government may have put on this place. If anyone comes near this place, we’ll know about it.” He turned his chair to face Zenith. “Maybe they could put an end to Vanguard, but we’ve managed to take back Atlas for ourselves.”

Zenith nodded, looking around the monitor room. “I feel…separated from it. Lacking that instantaneous connection with all the Atlas’ systems.
 

Lee stood and patted Zenith on the shoulder. “We’ll get there. That’s our top priority right now, making sure you get back into your own body.”

“Not the only priority.”

They turned and Zenith stepped closer to the third man in the room. He eyed him with brown eyes carefully. “Are you certain of this? It’s quite a risk we’re taking.”

“They started this when they tried to kill me,” said Thorne. “The world may think I’m dead and that gives us some more room to operate in secret. Bring it up, Lee.”

Lee bent over the console and his fingers danced across the keyboard. The monitor came to life with several images. Thorne pointed at the first one.
 

“We know Ramsey was working with the Khagan and it’s a safe bet he’s also responsible for targeting me.” He pointed to the next image. “And it seems like the reason was to get Nathan Callus appointed to the position of Director of Cerberus. They tried to use Pyre to kill me, which suggests that Ramsey and Callus aren’t really abiding by the ‘no specials’ rule. And even worse, the Analyst and Azarov are still on the loose. We can’t discount their involvement.”

“Which begs the question,” said Zenith. “To what end? What does Ramsey want to do?”

“No idea. He could be continuing the Khagan’s crusade, or it could be something else.” Thorne turned, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Whatever he’s up to, we’re going to get to the bottom of it. Even if we have to do it alone.”

EPILOGUE

In another galaxy far off in the cosmos, a small, one-man spacecraft moved through an armada of warships hovering amongst the stars. The tiny ship approached the opening bay doors of one of the larger vessels, the craft shifting to hover mode. The bay doors closed and the canopy vanished as if it had never been there.
 

The pilot climbed from the seat and hopped over the edge. She reached for the ornate black helmet with gold trim and at the activation of a switch, the helmet vanished just as the canopy, as if it were an illusion. Once free of the helmet, she shook out the braids of yellow hair. Reaching a hand up, she brushed the locks behind her pointed, reddish-orange ears.

A man with her matching skin-tone, ears, and hair approached. He stopped in front of her and patted his right fist to his left pectoral before bowing. “Captain J’Karra, it’s an honor.”

J’Karra returned the salute and bow. “I was summoned?”

“Yes, Captain,” said the man. “I am General M’Lak. The Matriarch requests an audience with you.”

J’Karra drew in a sharp breath. The Matriarch worked through her intermediaries. To be summoned to meet with her directly was an honor reserved for only the most select of the Kotharians.
 

“You’re certain?” she asked.

“Aye, Captain. If you could follow me?”

J’Karra gave a rapid nod. “Of course, please.”

M’Lak smiled and spun on his heel with precision. He led J’Karra from the landing bay and into the flagship of the Kotharian fleet. They moved through the corridors, passing other crew members who paid them no mind. M’Lak took her to an elevator and when the doors closed, he said, “The Great Hall.”

The elevator rose and J’Karra clasped her hands behind the black and gold cape attached to the back of her armor. M’Lak studied the catlike yellow eyes beneath the pronounced brow.

“You seem nervous, Captain.”

“It’s the Matriarch, General.”

M’Lak nodded. “Yes, quite the honor.”

“Do you know what this is in regards to?”

M’Lak shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I was simply informed through the priests that the Matriarch wishes to address you and you alone on a matter of grave importance.”

J’Karra turned her head to M’Lak. “Through the priests? You didn’t speak with the Matriarch?”

“No, I’m…” M’Lak cleared his throat. “Not worthy.”

J’Karra gave a slow nod and tried to suppress the smile she felt tugging at her lips. It was no secret that M’Lak had gotten to his position through no small amount of sycophancy. But though he could fool the elected officials, the Matriarch was another matter entirely.

The elevator slowed to a stop and the doors vanished. They moved into a long corridor. J’Karra looked from side to side and saw the robed priests lining the walls, hovering above the ground, their eyes shut in meditation. Auras of energy surrounded each of them.
 

They approached the closed doors and M’Lak stopped. “This is where I have to leave you. What the Matriarch has to say is for your ears only.”

M’Lak saluted once more and promptly returned to the elevator. J’Karra watched him leave and after the elevator left, she looked back to the closed doors. J’Karra stepped up and when she placed her hand on them, she was instantly transported past them.

J’Karra stood in a large chamber with glass walls enabling her to look out at the stars. Just a few feet in front of her was an opulent bathtub and a figure rose from the steaming, crystal liquid. Her appearance was similar to J’Karra’s, but with a radiance that was unexplainable.

J’Karra fell to one knee, bowing her head. The Matriarch draped a robe over her body and approached the Captain, laying a gentle hand on her yellow hair. “Rise, my child.”

As J’Karra looked upon the face of the Matriarch, the ruler of her people, she felt her heart exploding with joy, tears welling up in her eyes. “My Lady, I—”

The Matriarch touched a single finger to J’Karra’s lips. “This is not the time for platitudes, dear J’Karra. I have an urgent matter to discuss with you, one which could determine the future of our entire race.”

J’Karra blinked several times. “What troubles you, my Matriarch? I will do anything for you.”

“Our priests have discovered that the Chaknaar is being used in violation of the proper rituals,” said the Matriarch, her voice darkening.
 

J’Karra took a deep breath. “But…how? How could this have happened?”

The Matriarch shook her head. “I know not. But we must confirm that the priests’ visions are accurate. And for that, we require a reconnaissance mission. For that, I have determined that you are the one who must journey to a distant galaxy.”

J’Karra gave a salute and bowed. “It would be an honor to serve Kothar in this way.”

“I know,” said the Matriarch. “You must go to this planet and determine the extent of the Chaknaar. And then you are to report back directly to me. Is that understood?”

J’Karra nodded. “Of course, Your Majesty. What planet is it?”

The Matriarch sighed and held out her hand. Energy swirled around her fingers before forming into a blue orb above her open palm. J’Karra studied the image carefully.

“It is a backwater orb populated by an ignorant, infantile race of primitives,” said the Matriarch, the disdain in her voice obvious. “They refer to this world as Earth.”

To Be Continued…

#6 - FREAK ISLAND

CHAPTER 1

Erin Hastings entered the suburban, Madison house which, until recently, had been the only real home she’d known. She closed the white door behind her, turning the gold lock and hanging her keys by the metal ring on a small pegboard near the door. “Mom, I’m home!”

“How was your first day back?” came the voice of her mother, Victoria Hastings, from her home office.
 

Erin walked down the narrow hall beside the staircase into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and grabbing a can of Diet Dr. Pepper. She popped the metal top and strolled through the kitchen to her mother’s office, connected via an open door. Erin didn’t step all the way into the office, just leaned against the doorframe and sipped her drink as she looked at her mom, who was busy working at her computer. Victoria was a real estate agent, so she was able to do a lot of work from the comfort of home.

“Not too bad,” said Erin. “‘Course, after spending the past few months fighting supervillains, school’s pretty easy.”

Victoria forced a smile at the comment as she turned from the computer on one side of the wrap-around desk. She lowered her reading glasses, leaving them suspended on a lanyard around her neck. “Probably a lot less stressful.”

Erin cocked her head to the side and waved an open hand in a “so-so” motion. “Wouldn’t go
that
far.”

“Why’s that?”

“Trust me, spend five minutes in Mr. Rasmussen’s biology class and you’ll be
begging
to go toe-to-toe with an army of Dreks.” Erin sauntered into the office and leaned against the desk. “But it was good to see everyone again. Even if high school problems seem a bit…”

“A bit what?”

“I dunno…small, I guess?” Erin shrugged and took another sip from the can. “Right now I’m just looking forward to changing into something more comfortable.”

Victoria gave a light chuckle. “I can relate to that.”

“Ma, you’re still in your PJs.”

Victoria leaned back in her high-backed leather chair. “You know, there
was
a time when I had to do all my work in a small cubicle at the office. You kids and your Internet, you’re so spoiled.”