Stone Soldiers 5: Black Knight Down (16 page)

Jimmy Kane came running up, transforming back into a human as he approached Kenslir and Hercules.

"Who the hell were those guys?" he asked the priest.

"My father called them the Titans."

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Eight hours later, Father Lee Schuler, or Hercules as his new American friends now called him, found himself in the cramped hold of a supersonic plane streaking over the Mediterranean.

The team had quickly regrouped after Oklahoma, receiving full authorization from Washington to pursue the antediluvians in the interests of national security. Of course, they were limited in the resources they were allowed to do so.

For one, the Stone Soldiers remained in the U.S.. The Pentagon had placed U.S. Military forces on high alert, and the men of living stone were broken into two teams and stood by their RA-12
Raven
supersonic transports- ready for redeployment the instant the blue invaders reappeared on American soil.

That left Colonel Kenslir with slim pickings for a team to pursue the otherworldly Nephilim. He, Jimmy Kane, Josie Winters and Father Schuler had been joined by a very eager Dr. Laura Olson in Missouri. There they had boarded one of the Detachment's modified MB-1R bomber-transports and set out for Greece.

"I've always wanted to go to Greece, " Dr. Olson had said as they got underway and the Colonel brought her up to speed on the events in Oklahoma.

"So, they're really the Titans?" Josie asked Father Schuler. She had taken up a seat next to the priest, rotating it around so she could face him.

The forward bomb bay of the MB-1R was now a passenger module- a row of twelve seats lined up along the port side of the aircraft, an aisle on the starboard side. It was like riding in a school bus with half the seats pulled out.

"I don't know for sure what they are," Hercules answered
.“
The Fallen are full of lies- they thrive on distorting the truth and tricking men. But my father, Zeus, often talked of a previous generation- beings of great power, the first to be born of mortal women and Fallen angels. They were cruel tyrants who bred amongst themselves, producing my father and his siblings."

"Then why aren't you blue?" Dr. Laura Olson said. She'd walked to the front of the module and was eyeing Hercules hungrily. She extended a manicured hand and smiled. "Dr. Laura Olson, M.D."

Hercules smiled politely and accepted the hand. He'd already been warned Olson was coming along- and that she was a vampire. She seemed harmless enough, wearing the same multicam combat uniform Kenslir and Josie had on, complete with tactical vest and sidearm. She had long, curly red hair and big brown eyes. And a devilish smile.

Laura squeezed Hercules' hand, testing his strength. "My, but you're a strong one. Where have you been hiding all of my lives?"

The priest pulled his hand back and sat up a bit in his seat.

"Laura, we are on a mission," Josie said. "Do you have to start?"

"She's right you know," Laura said. "We may not make it back. Ever been with a vampire, Father?"

"Laura!"

"I am sorry, Doctor," Hercules said. "But I am a man of God."

Laura reached up and unzipped her combat vest a few inches. "Not even a little curious, Father? When was the last time you were with a woman? You have been with a woman before, right?"

"Dr. Olson!" Colonel Kenslir snapped from the back of the plane. He and Jimmy Kane were double checking the equipment lashed in place there. Unlike the others, Jimmy's multicam uniform consisted of a t-shirt and stretchable pants.

"I was married once- but my wife died a long time ago."

"I'm sorry, Father, she's not like this all the time," Josie said.

"What is it with you married guys?" Laura said, crossing her arms. "What's a girl got to do to get some action around here?"

"Dr. Olson! Now!" Kenslir said, pointing to the floor by his feet.

Laura smiled broadly. "Coming, dear... Looks like I'm in trouble this time- maybe he'll spank me!"

She scampered away, heading to the rear of the plane while Josie blushed brightly.

"How can you trust her?" Hercules asked, watching the vampire walk away.

"She's saved all our lives before," Josie said. "She puts on that stupid act, but she really is a good person.

"Tell me more about the Titans."

"Zeus always claimed he killed his father and the other Titans- he bragged about it to anyone who'd listen. But I noticed the story changed every so often. I had my suspicions he'd never actually killed them, but I couldn't figure out where they went."

"So, they're the Hindu Gods? The Titans, I mean."

"No. I'd guess that stories about them- maybe even stone carvings- were discovered long after the Flood and people guessed at who they were and made up stories to tell one another."

Josie frowned. "In Catholic school, that's what a teacher once told me about dragons- that they weren't real. That people found dinosaur bones and made stories up about them to explain what they were."

"And you didn't believe that?" Hercules asked.

"No- I bought it hook, line and sinker. Until I saw my first dragon."

"A dragon?" Hercules asked, surprised. He had
n’
t seen one in centuries.

"Well- it was a shapeshifter, but still."

"Everybody get some rest," Colonel Kenslir said. "We're over the drop zone in just under three hours."

Dr. Olson raised a hand. "I need to potty."

Kenslir sighed and pointed to a small crate just behind the last seat. "That's a chemical toilet."

Laura grinned devilishly. "I didn't know you liked to watch."

***

B'Ashmayaw's eyes fluttered slowly open. He barely had the strength to do so.

"Shhh, brother," Ah-moowatt whispered in their native language. She wiped gently at his brow with a damp cloth. They were surrounded by the bright white light of their vessel.

"Where are we?" he asked, sitting up.

"Nearly home," B'Yabshaw said, stepping over. He helped his brother sit up with two hands on his back.

B'Ashmayaw looked around- they were back in their
ale-pa
, the vessel that had held them for centuries, their brother B'Yamaw at the controls.

"What happened?

"The leader of the mortals killed you," Ah-moowatt said, nearly spitting. "We were lucky to revive you."

"You retreated?" "B'Ashyamaw demanded, standing up from the table he had been laying on.

"The mortals had powerful weapons," B'Yamaw said. "We are not yet at full strength, Brother. We need to rest after our long sleep."

"What of Yo-ahyuwatt?"

Ah-moowatt lowered her eyes. "I am sorry, brother- her body was destroyed by the mortals. We could not save her."

B'Ashyamaw trembled with rage. His body shook from head to toe, and he seemed to notice for the first time he was naked, like his sister, Ah-moowatt.

"Where are my clothes?" he demanded.

"I am sorry, brother," Ah-moowatt said. "Your body was destroyed- all I could save was your head. And this."

Ah-moowatt reached down and picked up the peacock crown her brother had worn for so many years.

Now B'Ashyamaw noticed the sad state his siblings where in. Ah-moowatt's body was scarred and bruised from the battle, and covered in dirt and ash. Many of her chains and belts were gone. B'Yabshaw, her husband and brother, was similarly disheveled. He had a new tunic on, undoubtedly made by their vessel, but it failed to conceal the damage he had suffered as well. Unlike his older brother, the younger Titan no longer possessed his crown.

Even B'Yamaw was worn looking. His long red robes were tattered and dirty and his long white hair was speckled with dirt.

"What a fine lot we are."

"Fear not, brother- we are nearly home," B'Yamaw said. "Come look".

The three siblings moved to the front of their flying craft and looked out the large front viewing panel. They were flying through a mountain pass now, the sun setting.

"Where are we?" B'Ashyamaw asked once more.

"This world was reshaped by the Great Disaster," B'Yamaw explained. "Continents have fallen below the sea, coastlines have changed. Even new mountains have arisen. But our children maintained the passage. Look."

A mighty mountain lay before the small craft, stretching up into the clouds. Something about it felt familiar to B'Ashmayaw. As he watched, they continued to ascend, at last leveling off with a shelf gouged out of the side of the mountain.

B'Yamaw guided the small craft in and passed his hand over a control panel. The rock face next to the shelf split and cracked, two enormous doors opening slowly. They glided through the hundred-foot-high doors, into a vast cavern. Even through the hull of their vessel, they could hear the great gonging of bells.

"See- the slaves still stand watch," Ah-moowatt grinned.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

"I'm not sure about this," Hercules said nervously as Josie double checked his parachute harness.

"Two thousand years old and you've never been skydiving?" Josie asked.

"I prefer to keep my feet on the ground."

"Ooh! He can ride me down," Dr. Olson said, stepping forward. "I love a good tandem jump."

"Josie, you take the priest," Colonel Kenslir said. Like the others, he was in full parachute harness now.

"Lucky girl," Laura said, faking a pout.

"Olson, you're with me," Kenslir said.

The Doctor's pout immediately reversed into a broad grin. "Now that sounds promising!"

"You've done this before?" Hercules asked as Josie attached tandem jump straps to the priest.

"Mark's been putting me and Jimmy through the ringer all summer- I've learned skydiving, scuba diving and sharpshooting. We'll be fine."

"Jimmy, you've got the bulk of the gear," the Colonel said, passing Jimmy two large duffel bags crammed with equipment.

"Got it, boss," Jimmy said. He quickly strapped the gear into place then picked up his helmet.

"Final weapons check," Kenslir announced. "Winters- get your helmet on!"

"Right," Josie said, picking up two helmets.

In addition to their combat vests and parachute harnesses, each team member carried a sidearm on a low-slung thigh holster- with an ammo carrier on the opposite thigh. For Josie and Jimmy, it was a large USP semiautomatic handgun. Colonel Kenslir carried a massive submachine gun based on the Arm
y’
s M4 rifle, while Dr. Olson had what looked to be a sawed-off double barreled shotgun.

Josie slipped her helmet on as the others did so, and then offered Hercules one. "Father?"

Hercules frowned, but took the helmet and put it in place. He noticed that he was the only one of the small team not have a set of the tactical goggles they all wore. "Do I get goggles?"

"Sorry, Padre- state secrets," Dr. Olson said, backing up to Colonel Kenslir. She made a point of rubbing her backside against the Colonel. "Jump me, baby."

With everyone's helmets and goggles in place, Josie buckled in behind Hercules- a difficult undertaking considering the priest was almost two heads taller than her. They all shuffled to the end of the module where Kenslir pulled a lever. Beneath the floor, mechanical devices lurched and moved, the vibrations transferring through their boots. A sudden hiss filled the air and then wind began whipping about as a long section of floor began to lower- a ramp four feet wide, leading down, out of the belly of the bomber.

"Cross your arms over your chest and try to keep your feet together," Josie yelled. "We're passing pretty close to the engines- but it's perfectly normal."

Hercules swallowed nervously and shook his head up and down.

At the end of the ramp, Jimmy gave a big thumbs-up and a grin. "See you suckers on the ground!" Then he turned and ran down the ramp, yelling excitedly as he fell.

Colonel Kenslir and Dr. Olson were next, shuffling down the ramp together. When they got to the end, the Colonel simply picked Olson up and dove out the opening in the floor. She too let out an excited yell as they vanished from sight.

"We're next!" Josie said. She guided the priest slowly forward. "I think you're going to have to do the jump!"

Hercules shook his head affirmatively and reached back, grabbing Josie's legs. He lifted her then took three steps and plunged out of the plane.

The wind was stronger than the priest had expected and they were tumbled end over end for some time. He finally remembered what Josie had told him and crossed his arms in front of him and crossed his booted feet at the ankles. They slowly leveled out, and he opened his eyes.

The wind was fierce, making it almost impossible to keep his eyes open, but he could see their target clearly, even from this altitude. Mount Olympus- the home of the gods.

***

The strange silver craft settled slowly onto the hard floor of the cavern, spider-like legs extending from its body. Brother Toutopoulos swallowed his fear and walked out to meet it, leaving behind the cowering throng of his brothers.

For centuries, they had been manning this hidden monastery inside Mount Olympus- guardians of ancient secrets that predated the nation of Greece and most of recorded history. Their own records told of previous visitors to the mountain, and their climb to the Passage several levels above this. But no story had mentioned a craft like this.

Brother Toutopoulos wondered if they were aliens.

The silver craft began to come apart- panels folding open along its length, the entire roof of the craft a segmented, hinged array. A bright, white light shone from within it, far outshining the torches burning throughout the massive cavern.

Figures began to emerge from the craft- walking slowly down the panels.

Brother Toutopoulos' eyes went wide when he could finally make out the first back-lit passenger. A blue woman, with an athletic body, barefoot and as naked as the day she was born. She wore bands on her wrists and ankles, and chains of gold and silver adorned her hips and neck, failing to conceal any of her modesty. Her long, black hair hung down on her back and two pairs of swords hung on her hips.

And she had four arms. Definitely an alien.

"Welcome, visitors!" Brother Toutopoulos said, scurrying forward, bowing low at the waist. "Welcome to Olympus!"

Toutopoulos paused at the blue feet of the woman, daring not to look up. He could see more feet, also blue, emerging from the craft and walking up behind her.

He slowly looked up and saw two men, one with blonde hair, the other with black. Both wore shimmering white tunics and carried golden tridents. The black haired man had hoop earrings and a crown on his head with a peacock feather rising from it. The blonde carried an axe in one hand in addition to his trident.

A fourth man, possibly older than the rest, wore long red robes, not unlike Brother Toutopoulos'. He carried a jewel-encrusted, gold staff and had long, white hair.

"I bid you Welcome," Brother Toutopoulos said, addressing the eldest four-armed visitor. "In the name of our Lord Zeus!"

The naked woman recoiled. Swift as lightning, she drew one of her swords and sliced it through the air, beheading Toutopoulos in one stroke.

"Do not speak that name in my presence!" Ah-moowatt shrieked.

***

They landed roughly on the slope of gray stone the mountain was made of. Despite his prodigious strength, Hercules felt his legs give way and he tumbled forward, bringing Josie with him. She landed hard on his back.

"Oof!" the girl exclaimed. "Sorry, Father!"

They were then jerked onto their sides as the wind caught their parachute and began pulling them. The mountain scraped roughly below them and Hercules panicked that they might go over the edge. Suddenly, they stopped moving and their chute was blown away.

Josie quickly disconnected from Hercules and climbed to her feet. She noticed right away that Jimmy and her grandfather had not cut loose their parachutes, but had rolled them into tight bundles. She'd have to remember that in the future.

"Why couldn't we land like that?" Laura Olson asked, punching Colonel Kenslir roughly in the arm.

Hercules stood slowly, blushing despite himself. He hoped no one would notice in the darkness encompassing the mountain. It was well past sunset and the moon was but the faintest of slivers in an otherwise clear sky.

"Close enough?" Kenslir asked. He had his parachute harness off and held a rifle over his shoulder.

"Yes," Hercules said. "We should be able to descend there." He pointed to the side of the angled plain that formed this part of the mountain.

"Rope's ready," Jimmy said. He was crouched by the two duffels he had worn on the jump. One was packed with weaponry and the other with rope and mountain climbing gear.

As they walked closer, Jimmy dug out a short M4 carbine and passed it to Josie. She quickly slung it over her shoulder then crouched down to help Jimmy with the climbing gear.

"You know, Mark," Laura said, grabbing one of Kenslir's hands. "We've got the kids here, and a priest. The view is spectacular. What say you make an honest woman out of me?"

Kenslir frowned and pulled his hand free. "You sure you can climb?"

Laura did another fake pout. "Of course I can. If I somehow managed to let go, I'd have these."

She held up her hands and her nails almost immediately extended to a length of three inches each. "But I promise- I never let go."

Josie and Jimmy stood and passed out coils of rope. "I think we're set."

The Colonel grabbed two long spikes from the bag and walked to the edge of the cliff. He bent down and drove the spikes into the granite with his bare hands.

Jimmy and Josie quickly attached two lines, triple checking the connections. Kenslir walked back to Laura and the Priest. "Go time."

Hercules nodded and walked to the edge, quickly hooking up his safety line then stepping over. "This I have done before."

Jimmy and Josie took the other line, rappelling down one after the other.

When it was Laura's turn, the Colonel knelt down and double checked the harness around her thighs and waist.

"I've been waiting a long time for you to tie me up."

"Dammit, Laura," the Colonel said, standing quickly.

"Shhh," the vampire interrupted him, putting a finger on his lips. "All kidding aside, I want you to know that I talked the Doc into thawing out your ball and chain before I left Michigan."

"Why? She wasn't scheduled for two more months."

"I know, but, these Titans sounded like bad news. I might not be around to help later."

"Laura..."

"Shhh," the vampire said again. "She's stable, but in a medically induced coma. Dr. King is concerned their might be lasting trauma from the length of her petrification."

>>>U GUYS COMNG?<<< Josie sent out as a text message over the tactical goggles.

"For luck!" Laura said, grabbing Kenslir's neck and pulling herself up to give him a quick kiss on the lips. She then pulled away, quickly connected to a rappel line and went over the edge.

"Come and get me, hot stuff!" she called out as she sped down the line.

Kenslir shook his head from side to side and hooked into the other line and went over the side after her.

***

Now she felt better. A warm bath always did that. Ah-moowatt lifted her hands up and splashed more blood in her face. She licked her lips as the blood passed down over them, enjoying the saltiness of it. She thought to herself again how peculiar these modern mortals tasted. It must be something in their diet.

"We are ready," B'Yabshaw said from the doorway. He had bathed himself as well and exuded the power and confidence that had first drawn her to her brother.

"So soon? Why not join me? We may not have time for this when we reach Olympus."

B'Yabshaw stepped over the drained bodies on the floor of the large bathroom and walked to the tub his wife sat in. He perched on the edge of the tub and ran a hand over her cheek.

"We shall bathe in the blood of our cowardly nieces and nephews," B'Yabshaw said.

"All of them?" Ah-moowatt asked. "Who will service me if we leave none alive?"

"Fear not, wife- we can journey back to the world and procure you many mortal men to break between your thighs. Your passion will paint Olympus with their blood. Then you and I can begin anew- we can build a new Army to serve us in this modern age."

Ah-moowatt smiled and stood, letting the blood run slowly off her body. With her husband's help, she slipped on her chains and swords, her anklets and bracelets.

"You could find me no brush?" She asked, running her hands through her long hair.

"No- these strange slaves all shaved their heads."

"Idiots."

The couple walked from the bathroom, Ah-moowatt leaving bloody footprints as she went. The hallways of the secret temple carved from the heart of Mount Olympus were silent as a tomb now. Which was fitting, since the Titans had slain every human within it. They had needed to prepare after all- for their return to Olympus, to deal with their disobedient children.

The couple soon found their way to a long staircase leading up further into the mountain. At the top of the stairs, B'Ashmayaw and B'Yamaw waited by a massive stone door.

"Are you ready, brother, sister?" the leader of the Titans asked.

Ah-moowatt and B'Yabshaw spoke in unison. "We are."

B'Ashmayaw nodded to B'Yamaw and his brother raised his staff to the door. The crystal gems in the staff glowed brightly and the door began to move. Granite scraped loudly against stone as the door swung slowly inward. It was at least twenty feet high and several feet thick. It weighed several tons, but glided open easily under the Titan sorcerer's direction.