Pursuit of the Zodiacs (5 page)

I
t was quarter past eleven in New York City. A man requested more coffee from a waiter at a local diner. “Thank you, my dear,” he replied, as she kindly refilled his cup. She calmly smiled and walked away to attend to her other customers. He waited patiently as security frisked his anticipated guest.

With a menu in her hand, another waitress questioned the odd guest, “Table for one, Sweetie?”

“No, Sweetheart, I’m here to meet an old buddy of mine.”

The guest was none other than one of the Gemini. Taurus waived over to him and sipped his coffee.

“Where’s your other half?” Taurus asked.

The Twin answered, “He is not too far behind. He’s watching our ass.”

Taurus combed the menu. “Their specialty tonight is Italian wedding soup. He’s missing out.”

“It’s alright. Let’s move forward,” was the curt reply.

Taurus asked, “Did you get any information out of Brother Jacob?”

The Twin answered, “We weren’t given the chance, unlike the rest. Before we were able to detain him for torture, he put to use some impressive special weapon.”

The Gemini missed out on all the information that they would’ve derived by torturing Pastor Jacob, but unfortunately, things ended abruptly.

Taurus continued, “All right, let’s get down to business. For the record, I have a public speech to nail in the morning involving our friend Brother Jacob. You guys screwed up on that big time.”

The Twin responded, “Like I said, he didn’t give us many options.”

Taurus said, “Well, it will be quite pleasing to know that Sagittarius’ whereabouts have been discovered.”

Surprised at this news, the present half of the Gemini moved in closer to hear more and so they could talk more quietly. Booths have ears. “Where is he?”

Taurus handed over a business card, with an address written on the back of it. “That’s his whereabouts. Where exactly he rests his head is beyond me.”

The Twin took the business card and memorized the address. “Great news.”

Taurus said, “Find him and disclose the Scroll. Everything should be easy after that. Unless, of course, he refuses.”

The Twin pocketed the business card and headed towards the exit.

Taurus said, “Stay out of sight until called upon again.”

The Twin exited the diner.

Until they unearthed Aries, Taurus ruled. Once all of the Zodiacs Align, they will stand as one of the key ingredients to the final movement against God. Not only was Taurus a Zodiac, he was an Elder Zodiac. If survived to adulthood, a Zodiac becomes more powerful in season.

And it was indeed Aries’ season. She was to be the Ruler and have dominion over all the Zodiacs until the cusp.

Ever since their casting out of Heaven, the original Zodiacs had already passed and gone, but their bloodline carried their gifts from generation to generation. The new generation of Zodiacs migrated across countries to unidentified Earths and Galaxies. Anyone attempting to find them would need nothing short of a miracle.

The Pursuers stationed themselves on the roof of a skyscraper in the heart of New York City. After finishing a hymn, they continued their meeting.

“There is a traitor among us,” Natenal said it so suddenly that it caused an uncomfortable silence.

Grenad responded, “My Lord?”

Natenal continued, “Pastor Jacob’s assassins were tipped off from someone within our unit. His death was marked before our exodus from the safehouse.”

Goliath said, “How is this possible?”

Confusion reigned within the group.

Natenal restored order to the rapidly disintegrating meeting. “Pursuers, before this meeting gets out of hand, please bear in mind that we don’t have time to even raise suspicion. The traitor will be revealed as our enemies’ end draws near. It is clear they have pledged their allegiance to Lucifer or another Covenant, and there is no changing that. When the Devil is defeated, all who have sided with him will share his defeat. We have Zodiacs to pursue and a Scroll to intercept.”

Levi added, “The Bookkeeper will soon make his presence known, and he’ll have to witness and record everything he sees here. How shameful it is that the traitor will be someone of importance in his book. The thought of this turns my stomach.”

THE SURROGATE MOTHER

My Sister was a Zodiac who went by the name Sagittarius. Her husband’s name was Lieutenant Marvin Erkvin of Pluto. He was one of the Mercenaries for the Dark Graduates. It has been seven years since their marriage, and he had no idea his wife was a Zodiac until the sixth year. Many times, he would wish she had never told him; but, for the sake of their future, she had no other choice.

He’s been on many classified missions involving the rumors of Zodiacs. Who would’ve thought that this whole time one was right under the Dark Graduate’s nose? When the Dark Graduates were getting closer to finding out her identity, that’s when a distraught wife decided to disclose the news to her husband. From then on, they were both in danger. If the news was ever to surface, and he held out on this information, it would be considered treason by the Dark Graduates and punishable by death.

The Dark Graduates were known for enforcing their laws rigidly, which is what made them the most dangerous society this Universe had ever seen. It was only a matter of time before he could no longer tamper with evidence, which slowed down the advances of his fellow associates. So, they both took refuge.

Sadly, for some reason, my Sister could not conceive a child. Through her blood, her offspring would be the heir to and future of her power. I allowed their secret doctors to implant my Sister’s fertilized egg into my uterus.

For years, the Dark Graduates tracked them down. Marvin was forced to kill his own Mercenaries, men he considered Brothers. But times have changed for the Lieutenant, and only the survival of his family mattered.

After the married couple killed too many soldiers, the Dark Graduates sent Hybrids. When the Hybrids fell, Marvin knew it would not be long before Special Alien Forces would be dispatched to capture them. Even Giants might be sent.

So, my Sister and Marvin decided to bring the fight to the Dark Graduates. I continued to live out my duties as a Surrogate Mother. As hard as it was, they said their goodbyes to their unborn child. Seven months into my pregnancy, I was sent to another part of the Universe. That was the last time I would see my Sister and Marvin. One night I was awakened with anxiety. I thought I was having a miscarriage, but I soon learned from the doctor that the baby suffered an unknown process or stage that challenged their expertise. They had no explanation. But, thank God, the baby was still alive and well inside my womb.

Sadness came over me, and I could not hold back the tears. I cried uncontrollably. I knew my Sister was dead. Despite her power and his skill, they knew they were no match in taking on the Dark Graduates. But, for the sake of their unborn child, they wanted to buy enough time for me to get her to safety.

She was a healthy baby, weighing nine-and-a-half pounds. Another Zodiac had been brought into this Universe … a Universe that would soon prove to have total disregard for her innocence, let alone her life. She would grow up so fast, but I would make it my goal to ensure that she had a childhood, even if it killed me.

Chapter 5

COMMON INTERESTS

A
t the headquarters of a famous news station, Mr. Anderson, a well-established news anchor for the ZDYX News, was in the process of relocating his office. He guided his assistants towards another office across the hall. “Careful with those! They’re very important documents.”

His secretary confirmed that his 6:30 appointment had arrived.

Mr. Anderson answered, “Thanks, Jane. I’ll be right with him.”

The visitor was Pharisees, who waited patiently in his suit and tie reading a
Time Magazine
.

Mr. Anderson added, “Send him to my old office, Jane. Thanks.”

Jane entered the waiting room and notified the guest, “Mr. Anderson will see you.” She escorted him to Mr. Anderson’s office. The door shut securely behind them.

Pharisees entered the office, and after a few pleasantries, they got right down to business.

Mr. Anderson said, “May God be praised. It is time, I suppose.”

Pharisees answered, “Yes, my friend. Take a leave of absence, and meet us at these coordinates.” He passed the news anchor a piece of paper and moved towards the door.

Pharisees remarked, “Mr. Anderson?”

Mr. Anderson answered, “Yes, Pharisees?”

Pharisees says, “Bring a lot of paper. Rest assured that what you’re going to witness will be Biblical.”

“I understand,” Mr. Anderson nodded.

Pharisees took an elevator to the street level. It was another busy New York afternoon downtown. He saw the average corporate and city workers fresh into their daily routine, flooding the streets of this never-sleeping city. Two strange men with suits and ties entered the building just as Pharisees made his way out. Pharisees thought nothing of it. He walked around the corner. A few minutes into his walk, he sensed danger. “There’s something wrong here.”

He walked back into the building to check on the newly appointed Bookkeeper.

The phone rang.

“Mr. Anderson?” his secretary, Jane, interrupted him.

Mr. Anderson, irritated at being disturbed, huffed, “Yes Jane?”

Jane reported, “Your 7:30 is here.”

Staggered, he replied, “My 7:30?”

Jane confirmed, “Yes, they said they were here on behalf of that Stock Exchange story you reported recently.”

Paranoia set in. He gathered his important documents while in his new office and told Jane that he would be right with them. Just in case, he checked on his hidden 9mm handgun in the center drawer of his new desk. He took the safety off and closed the drawer. He shut off his office lights and closed the blinds.

“Can you bring them to my old office. I’m still cleaning things up.”

Jane didn’t notice Mr. Anderson’s high alertness. To her it was just another instance of unannounced visitors. “Sure,” she obliged.

Mr. Anderson hid in the dark to see who these so-called 7:30s were as Jane escorted them to his old office. He wasn’t surprised to see his suspicion confirmed. He’d never seen any of these guys before. Something told him that his 9mm stood no chance against these unexpected guests.