Sentinels of the Cosmos Trilogy (4 page)

“Why are these two so special and if they are your
children how can they die?” Sam asks.
“You are all my children, they are different, but
they’re still children; they have greater possibilities.
You’ll see in time. It’s best you don’t know too much.
You don’t know how rough it’s going to become.”
"Beneizen why are you flying, couldn't you just
transport yourself anywhere you wanted?" Sam asks.
"Because I like to fly," Beneizen responds. "Don't
take all the fun out of my trip. Remember it's the
journey that’s important, not the destination."
Beneizen is about to get out of the car when Sam
says, "Beneizen these Guards that you helped Charles
create are dangerous. They could wipe out humanity."
"One of many of your earth’s viruses could wipe out
humanity. Further climate change could wipe all life
off the earth. Maybe you humans have served your
purpose already. The dinosaurs gave humanity a lot
of oil. Sam, don't worry so much. Protect my children
- they aren't going to like being awakened.”
Beneizen gets out of the car and walks slowly
towards his private plane. He seems to be gliding over
the tarmac and enjoying each step; as if walking were
the greatest pleasure on earth.
Sam watched Beneizen disappear into the plane
before slumping back in his seat overwhelmed with
anxiety about the future.

Loudoun County, Virginia is only 30 minutes from
the nation’s capital and many of America's ‘finest’
lived in Leesburg and often enjoyed the fine dining at
the Lightfoot Restaurant.
Congressman Charles B. Dean from the great state of
Texas loved to eat there with friends and business
associates. His huge body was not that of a healthy
man. He had difficulty breathing and would
frequently take out an asthma inhaler from his coat
pocket and puff furiously. He was also going bald,
and to add to his endangered condition he smoked
cigars, the big Castro Havana variety. He had been
waiting for Colonel Sam Nichols, who was in charge
of the Bio safety level 4 units at The United States
Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious
Diseases at Fort Detrick commonly called
USAMRIID.
Sam walked easily into the restaurant and appeared
before Congressman Dean who was already on his
first round of appetizers.
“Glad you could come, please sit down,” Dean
offered.
“Good to see you Charles, are you feeling better since
the passing of Doris,” Sam said affectionately. The
two men shook hands and then sat down. “I see you
already have a head start,”
“I'm fine, just taking a little solace in food, just a few
scraps to get the appetite going. The Atomic crab
cakes are to die for,” the two of them laughed.
“I was truly sorry about Doris,” Sam offers as he
probes Charles’ mental condition.
“Yes, that was tragic. I understand she didn’t want
Beneizen’s help. I accept that. I was distraught for a
while, but I’m back, ready to carry on. Anyway,
enough of this morbid talk; I have asked our newest
member of the secret EOJ council to join us. The
President assigned him to the council even though
he’s a Russian General, who is also a scientist of
some repute in his own country with a military
background not dissimilar to your own; anyway I
have asked him here to meet you and to discuss a few
upcoming projects. “Ah, here he is now,” Charles
says.
Ivan Kolinski walked toward them between the
various tables. His imposing frame and startling
features caught a number of onlookers attention. Sam
stood immediately and held out his hand and shook
Ivan’s.
“You must be Sam Nichols. I have been great admirer
your work,” Ivan opens.
“I’m afraid I know nothing about you,” Sam says.
“I hope change that very soon, like you I work with
death. I grow death,” says Ivan.
Ivan sat down, took out a small vial of liquid, and set
it down in the middle of the table. "This vial of bluish
liquid could kill entire inhabitancy of Manhattan, all I
would need is pouring into Central Park reservoir and
we lower population of America by at least 1%. You
still like Manhattan, Charles? I am only joking, but it
is joyful to me to have such power in my pocket.
Don't you think so Sam? You have such power at
your disposal.” Ivan says as he puts the vial back in
his pocket.
“Why would you bring something like that here?”
Sam asks.
“It relaxes me and I just wish to make point,” Ivan
says.
“And what point would that be? Sam asks.
“Ah! I can’t remember; I have senior moment,”
making a joke out of what had happened, but looking
menacingly at Sam.
There is a pregnant pause before Charles said, “I’ve
asked both of you here to discuss a few things not to
see you both display your testosterone. One of our
Guards, Chase Stern is not accepting his
programming. He was ordered to assassinate a target
and failed the mission.”
“That’s impossible,” Sam says, even though he
realized that Beneizen had already interfered and was
bringing Chase into a state of self-awareness.
“It may be impossible, but it happened,” Charles
responds. “He’s resisting, and succeeding in his
resistance. My understanding is that resisting is
giving him headaches. The New York office informed
me that he thinks that he has amnesia, and even more
bizarre he seems to be becoming aware of himself we have a
machine
that is trying to become
conscious.”
Sam sat back in his chair saying, “I’ll take care of it;
I’ll have the New York Team bring him in for an
examination.”
“His assignment was to kill his partner, Juan
Martinez; an assassin that resists killing is useless!”
Charles says.
“I understand” Sam responds.
“Do you? Anyway, I know you will take care of it.
Up to now Chase was the best operative we’ve ever
had. I don’t want to lose him, I want to fix him. He's
different; he's not like the rest of the Kamikaze
androids that Beneizen created, maybe too different.
Anyway this is ruining my dinner. By the way Ivan,
why
do
you have that vial with you?”
Ivan took the vial out of his pocket again, “Here
catch!" Ivan throws the vial to Charles who dives for
it just grabbing it with the tips of his fingers. Ivan
never laughs but a smile spread across his face.
"Ivan you're nuts, what if I dropped this?" Charles
asks.
"Nothing, nothing would happen! It great stuff, very
stable, I found in Africa. When I put virus under
electron microscope saw completely new virus - was
beautiful. Not just new strain or type of virus but
new! Now, imagine wartime potential for virus like
this. I believe was gift from God to me! I spent lots
of time trying finding host of virus, lots of time in
stinking jungle. I finally found how they got virus -
the water, but water not stagnant, was clear-running
mountain water; lives in any kind of water. Not care
if hot or cold. Not break down easily and live in water
long time, even with chlorine. You understand?"
"Yes Ivan, but why are you telling me this. I already
know all of this,” says Charles.
“I knew nothing of this project?” Sam said.
“Very true, you didn’t need to know; I’m in charge
Sam, and have the big picture,” Charles replies and
Sam is obviously very upset. “Calm down Sam, you
don’t know about everything going on at EOJ.”
Charles says.
“And why is that? I started EOJ, remember Eagles of
Justice with Beneizen, "Sam retorts.
“Yes and our country is truly grateful for the self-
sacrificing contribution of you and Beneizen, but the
world is changing and the directives are changing to
express the times,” replied Charles.

“What new directives?” Sam asks.
Charles finishes his second peach cobbler, puts down
his spoon and re-lights his cigar. He looks at Sam and
says, “The purpose of this dinner was to bring both of
you up to speed. Why don’t you just take this all in
and you and I can have a little meeting about it later.
You have been doing genetic research on very
important projects Sam. I have not wanted to disturb
you. I believe you could have saved my wife Doris’s
life, but you didn't and I'll never forgive you for that
but on the other hand I understand she wouldn’t take
your help and let herself die. She's dead but many
others will benefit from your genius, so I’ve kept you
out of the loop on other issues. Right now you’re here
to get updated.”
Charles turns to Ivan, saying, "Now listen Ivan, I
know you're fond of your little viruses and I'm sure
they're very important, they may even be the next
atomic bomb but right now I’m very concerned about
this whole Chase affair, what if he should
remember?” he says, looking at Sam
“He can’t remember. His memory has been erased,”
Sam says.
“I see; good, but still, what if he does? His behavior
is most unbecoming a Guard.” Charles says.
“I will send a team to fetch him,” Sam says.
“So you will, I want Chase fixed, repaired, do you
understand?”
“Yes, I’ll take care of it,” Sam answers.
“Good,” Charles smiles and takes a giant puff on his
cigar.
“Anyway I must be off, nice to meet you Ivan,” says
Sam.
“Me also!” Ivan says.
The three men get up quickly, shake hands and Sam
leaves lost in thought.
“Do you think he’ll say anything?” asks Ivan.
“No, he’s a moody beast, but loyal and besides what
is there to say?” Charles returns.
Ivan took the vial out of his breast pocket and looked
at it. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a
small case and put the vial in it. Reaching into
another pocket he takes out a pen points it at the
waiter, turned the top of the pen and a small needle
flew through the air and into the waiter’s neck. The
waiter didn't even flinch.
Charles watched in amusement and asked, "So, what
did you give him?"
"Just new strain of measles - very nasty, not deadly!"
Ivan smiled.
"I am very concerned about your games and sense of
fun; I'm beginning to think you have a vicious
streak," says Charles.
"Great compliment, thank you Charles, I didn't join
military to kiss babies, now did I? This
new
form of
measles and I want to infect several people and see
what happens. I want see how it spreads. We have
tested on enough mice. The dart also injected a small
tracker. We're able to follow his misery and what
doctor does."
"But what if it spreads and our kids get it?" Charles
spoke angrily.
"It's possible, but it only measles. When are we
having next EOJ meeting?” Ivan asked.
"I don't know, probably next week. We have several
new cases that have been turned over to us. You
know Ivan you have done a terrific job, but I'm
troubled. I mean I'm really troubled," said Charles.
Ivan looked hard at Charles and noticed that he really
was particularly high strung tonight. His face was
ruddy red and blue and his hands were shaking.
"What really up? Ivan asks abruptly.
"They want us to reduce the population," Charles
spoke quietly.
"So?" Ivan spoke bluntly without emotion.
"The population of the United States… a team of
scientists has determined that at our rate of population
growth, by the year 2060 there will be mass starvation
even in the United States. We’re already seeing signs
of that. Some of the committee also wants to reduce
Mexico by 50%, but the word we have to be aware of
now is that they want to reduce the population here,
by 25%. They say a controlled plague is the best way
to solve this problem." Anyway, they have given the
problem to us,” says Charles.
"Very difficult, try control a plague, very dangerous,"
Ivan retorted.
"I don't know Ivan, you’re ‘Mr. Virus,’ you're the
expert. They want you to take out Manhattan, or part
of it. They hate New York. The religious right has
gotten into power and they hate the cities, they call
them ‘centers of sin.’" said Charles sadly.
Ivan smiled "This is joke; it good act Charles."
"It's not an act Ivan, why do you think my hands are
shaking?" Charles puffed on his cigar and stared into
space. "I don't know what’s going through these
people’s heads.”
“Who is order coming from?" Ivan asks.
"It comes from the top," Charles replied. “They insist
the famine problem is real. Food is going to become
more and more scarce and expensive. World
population is out of control and EOJ exists to deal
with these problems."
Ivan thought for a moment and then signaled the
waiter who quickly came over and said, "Waiter,
could you please bring double vodka on the rocks?"
Ivan said as he sat forward and looked at Charles.
The waiter asked, Is this Russian Vodka?
“Yes sir,” the waiter replied, then promptly sneezed.
Charles practically jumped out of his chair.
"Excuse me, I'm sorry," the waiter said.
Ivan looked at the waiter, his chiseled features
grimacing. "I think you're coming down with
something," Ivan chuckles.

Chase awakened again to screaming pain in his head.
His whole body felt like it had a fever, but he
managed to get himself out of bed, into the shower
and into clean clothes. He was still feverish,
headachy, and dizzy but after a morning cup of
coffee, a few large glasses of water with lemon, and a
Dr. Boner’s protein shake he was feeling much better.
While eating his breakfast and looking at the
aquarium the large lionfish in the tank looked at him
and said, “You’re not who you think you are?” And
then he asked the fish, “Then who am I?” The fish
looked back at him and said, "I know who you are."
Chase smiling asked, "and who is that?” "Now
wouldn't you like to know, if you bring me a big
goldfish I'll grant you the answer to three questions
about yourself.”
Suddenly he came to his senses, realizing he had been
hallucinating. “I must be sicker than I thought, but I
have to get to the precinct, my job depends on it,”
thought Chase.
Chase was very late. Lieutenant Bryan waved him
and Juan immediately into his office, saying, "Chase,
you're pushing it. You're very late again, I'm angry!”
Bryan was already working himself into a hysterical
temper tantrum, which he actually enjoyed. Bryan
was an Irishman, close cropped hair and a heavily
pock-marked face. He covered up a lot of the scarring
with a moustache and 1970’s sideburns. There was
nothing else Juan or Chase could do, so they sat down
and watched the show. The important thing was to
say nothing, keeping quiet gave no fuel to his fire
which made him angrier.
"Chase, what’s the matter with you, you have a screw
loose? What were you doing last night? Don't open
your mouth Juan. Why did he do it?” Juan tried
vainly to say something, but Bryan continued, “Chase
am I not good to you? I trained you; I've treated you
like my own son. You've created great problems for
me. I’m not sure I can bury this one. Anyway as of
right now you’re on leave, suspended, until I look
into this more thoroughly." Bryan saw that Chase was
sweating. “Chase are you alright, you don’t look so
good?”
“I’ve picked up flu or something,” Chase replied and
continued, “I know this doesn't mean much, but I’m
very sorry, I don’t know what happened out there.”
“See Susan, she’s the shrink, it’s her job to figure out
what happened to you and fix it,” Bryan says.
“I’m on my way there right now,” Chase replies.
“Good!” Bryan replies.
“You look worried,” Chase replies.
“You’ve got to be kidding. You drive over a perp,
then shoot him and almost kill your partner, and
you’re one of my best cops.”
"How do you know I'm a good cop, I mean how do
you know?” Chase asks.
Bryan looks scared, "Because you’ve solved a lot of
cases in the past."
"I don't remember any of them," Chase replies.
"You’re a real case Chase, you don't remember
because you have amnesia - what's so difficult about
accepting that condition? I can’t afford you on the
team until we’ve sorted this out. I don’t know what
I’m going to do with you. Frankly, I think you’ll be
lucky to wind up giving out parking tickets,” Bryan
says.
“I’ve only been here a few months, how can I be one
of your best cops?” Chase asks.
“Get out my office, you’re displeasing me greatly,”
Bryan says.
Chase and Juan leave the office, but Chase turns back
and notices that Bryan is already on the phone talking
animatedly to someone. They walk past all the tables,
desks and staring eyes and down the hall before Juan
says, "You’re really messed up Chase!"
“Why is Bryan scared?” Chase asks.
Juan ignores the question. “I’m going over to the
hospital to see Willie the Putz. I’m on damage control
again man, cleaning up your crap. I’ll tell you one
thing Chase; you ever point a gun at me again. I’m
going to kill
you
, you hear me, I’m going to kill you,
you piece of garbage,” Juan walks away.
"Maybe I was supposed to kill you. Maybe I just
resisted the ‘directive.’ I hear voices Juan and I
remember one of them saying, kill Juan! Somehow
I'm playing a role. I'm not this identity. I'm just
playing this role but I'm not going to hurt you Juan
and I’m coming with you to see Willie,” Chase said
as he followed Juan down the hallway very disturbed.
They take a cab to Belleview and were given the red
carpet to Willie's room. They’d given him a suite.
“I love the justice system,” Juan says to Chase as they
walked into the room and Willie greeted Chase like a
long lost friend, saying, "Chase, man like I'm sorry I
made you so angry. I’se really tryin’ to reform
myself in prison, but I understand, man, why you’se
did it. I mean I deserved it, man. You were really
spectacular out there. You were like Rambo, man,
you’se the power!"
Willie was strange but he continues, "Chase, you
shouldn't have shot me. That wasn't right! I know I
raped the old lady. I have some very unhealthy
appetites, but she sure looked tasty. That was a sin.
We both know it, but shooting me in both legs was a
bigger sin and I want you to beg my forgiveness,"
Willie was delivering a sermon. “If you get down on
your knees Chase and beg forgiveness. I’m not going
to press charges.” "Lower you’se head," Willie
pronounced.
Chase got down on his knees, and Willie leaned over
and whispered in his ear. "They thought I was asleep
last night but I wasn't, I mean who can sleep in a
hospital? There was a pair of men talking to the nurse
about you; one of them was some kind of politician
and I overheard him saying... he’s active, you may
have to ice him." Willie then made a big gesture, "I
forgive you my son."
Chase got up and looked at Juan who was standing in
the doorway almost cracking a very wry smile.