Authors: Rafael
The
light evoked a familiar but distant memory. Miranda stared, mesmerized by its
sparkle and shine. Then it burned her eyes. She flinched and cowered, turned
her back to its glare. Tears leaked through squeezed eyelids. Another familiar
sensation seeped into her consciousness. Cool water gurgled from a hose,
splashed over her head and body. Thought processes shut down as the liquid
cleansed to her very soul. She opened her mouth and drank through sodden hair
until a rough hand covered it. “Enough. Too much right now will sicken you.”
Without
toweling, a blanket descended over her. The darkened interior allowed a peek to
the tiled floor. Her feet plopped as water dripped and eyes readjusted. Her
brain formed no coherent thoughts. The hand on her arm guided a blank automaton
along the hallway. Memories formed and faded as doors opened or closed. She
felt neither relieved nor expectant when the hand guided her to a wooden chair
and left the room.
Minutes
passed before the sound she heard reconnected shattered neurons and severed
memories. The rhythmic slap, slap of flesh against flesh accompanied muffled
groans and whimpers. Covered with one blanket edge, she lifted another and held
it to shade her eyes. She looked about and found herself at one end of a long
conference table. At the other, a beautiful Asian girl lay bent over the table,
nude from the waist down. She had a mouth taped shut and hands tied behind her.
Eyes widened in fear, also reflected impotent rage. She strained and struggled
but with painful upward tugs of her arms, the man behind her kept her in place.
Thrust after thrust pounded into the helpless woman. Face distorted by pleasure
and effort, he paused long enough to gaze toward Miranda. He gave her a smile
his cold, dead eyes gave no warmth to. As if embarrassed by her prurient
intrusion, Miranda lowered the blanket. After a time, the sounds stopped.
Footsteps
neared. Still catatonic, Miranda made no attempt to cover herself when the
rapist snatched the blanket away. He reared back and slapped her so hard she
flew from the chair, landing on the floor with a hard bounce. Dizzy and dazed,
Miranda struggled to orient herself. She felt her face redden with heat and
swell with pain. The man leaned down, yanked her by the hair, and slammed her
back on the chair. Woozy, she again fell off and banged her head. Again he
grabbed a fistful of hair before jamming her into a sitting position.
“Hello,
Miranda. My name is Nicholas Koh. I’m going to ask you some questions. That’s
just a sample of what will happen if you lie to me. Watch what will happen if
you continue to lie to me.”
From
behind her a giant of a man stepped forward to walk the length of the table.
The woman thrust herself up, tripped over a chair, then struggled to regain her
footing. Cheeks puffed hard against the tape as the survival instinct demanded
oxygen to fuel escape. Fear. Stark, palpable fear blazed from her eyes. With
unexpected agility, the giant closed the distance. Huge, meaty hands closed
around her neck. Her face reddened and swelled, her body writhed and kicked.
Miranda’s
torpor-laden eyes watched without interest or care. She felt disconnected from
the reality playing out before her. Unable to comprehend, her fog-addled mind
ignored the dim alarm clanging deep within.
The
giant’s hands squeezed. Movement slowed then died. Seconds later, eyes bulging
in horror, so did Jasline.
Instinct
screamed at her adrenal glands. Electricity sparked deadened neurons. Her
vision cleared and reflexes reignited. Lethargy dissolved. She bent to retrieve
the blanket but Nicholas reached it first. He gently draped it around her
shoulders. Closed it to restore propriety. A knock on the door took him from
sight but he returned with a tray to take the adjoining seat. Koh removed a
glass of orange juice and placed it before her. “Take slow sips.” While she
obeyed, he spooned soup to cool the steam wisps. Still half-filled, he slid the
orange juice away, placed a napkin then the bowl before her. As she reached for
the spoon, he brushed away a long tress.
Miranda
stared at the meaty soup, briefly considered throwing it in his face. Hunger.
Raw, primordial hunger wrenched away her will. Survival overpowered any
interference to eating. After the first mouthful, composure disintegrated. She
tried to wolf down the remainder. His hand closed over her wrist. “Slow down.
Your stomach can’t yet handle a rush of food.” Beneath his grip, her flesh
crawled. Disgust crept up her arm. When he released her, she willed herself to
comply.
“Are
you Janesh McKenzie’s woman?” Brow furrowed, she paused her eating, gave him a
blank look. Like a tidal wave, memories flooded her thoughts. She remembered
the events aboard the ChangLi. A sharp inhale swelled her lungs.
“Janesh?
Is he okay? Is he alive?” Nicholas frowned.
“I
assure you, he’s quite hale.”
For
the first time she acknowledged a truth the question asked for. Peace descended
across her shoulders. Self-control took tentative steps. Her voice low, flat,
emotionless, she locked eyes with Koh.
“Yes.
I am his woman.” Koh flashed brief annoyance. She took another mouthful.
“What
do you and McKenzie know about the equipment in the cargo containers?”
“The
scientific equipment?” He nodded. She shrugged.
“Nothing.
That’s why we searched for it. We thought it would explain why Joshua Ang died
or what he used it for.” Again Nicholas nodded. Her quick, natural response
could not be contrived. Another spoonful disappeared.
“What
is the CIA’s involvement in all this?”
“Without
Joshua Ang knowing it, they sponsored his research. They feared a foreign agent
had compromised him and forced the invoice falsification.”
“Why
did the CIA involve you? You’re not in the business so to speak.”
“The
agency found indication of an animal’s presence at the scene. They wanted me to
confirm or deny it.” Thus far I’ve found the evidence inconclusive.”
Nicholas
pondered the information. With Miranda not mentioning the method of death, he
connected it to nothing, not even the three physicists. It had to be a dead
end. “Why is McKenzie involved?”
“He’s
a trained field biologist and a hunter. A professor we have in common thought
his assistance might be helpful.” Koh mulled over the response. He marveled at
the intricate serendipity that had brought the
Mahān
Śikārī once again into his life
—and this woman
. Nicholas shifted his gaze toward Miranda as she finished
the soup and reached for the orange juice. He placed a hand on her shoulder,
caressed it.
“You see. There’s no reason why you and I can’t have a perfectly
civilized relationship.” He leaned closer, lowered his voice. “We can talk,
exchange. I can do so much for you. I can place the world at your feet. I can
fulfill your every whim and desire.”
Miranda looked toward the crumpled corpse. She reflected on a
previous life in which violence had played no part. Indeed, its portrayal
repulsed her. She had possessed open, compassionate views on crime and its
punishment. She lauded rehabilitation and humane imprisonment. Miranda turned
toward her jailer. She embraced the emotion that welled within.
“You
should have no illusions about your future, Mr. Koh.” He stiffened.
“And
why is that?”
“Janesh
McKenzie is going to kill you.”
From
all sides time pressed upon Nicholas. It had shredded his seventy-two hour
window but he hadn’t been idle. Back against the wall, he once again had done
good work. He stared out the window where the lights of Kluang, Malaysia had
begun to glow as his helicopter skirted its southern boundaries and maneuvered
for final approach. A disdainful grunt escaped his lips. The effort hadn’t come
cheap. A ten million dollar endowment to the Malaysian Association of
Theoretical and Applied Physics paved the way for the four professors on board.
He turned toward its President.
“We’ll
be landing in just a few minutes, Professor. We’re coming up on the estate now
but if you look to the clearing beyond the forest here you can see the lights
of the research facility. It’s a ten minute ride away. For tonight you’ll be my
guests. Every accommodation and convenience will be made available to you and
your associates. I again apologize for the hurried arrangements but time is of
the essence. I do appreciate the courtesy you and your team have extended me. I
do not expect you’ll be gone more than a week and rest assured your services
will be well compensated.”
“It
is our pleasure, Mr. Koh. Your generosity will permit the Association to better
serve Malaysia. It’s the least we can do.”
“The
pleasure is mine, Professor. I have some business matters requiring my
attention but I will join you for dinner.”
The
helicopter circled the property once before executing a smooth descent onto the
helipad between the tennis courts and swimming pool. Once the Chief Steward’s
staff, with hotel-like courtesy and service, carted the physicists to the
estate’s guest wing, Nicholas turned with his Security Chief toward the main
house.
“How
is our other guest?”
“Ms.
Logan is in her room. Other than a half hour in the pool taking laps she’s been
quiet and presented no problems.” A staff member opened the door to the main
house’s air-conditioned interior.
“Good.
Could you bring her to my office, please?” Koh continued to his ground floor
office where he waved away an assistant who needed documents signed. As well,
he ignored the paperwork of empire atop his desk. The single-minded focus which
had enabled him to create a global transportation network now served to propel
a new one toward the stars. With the physicists in place, he only needed to
ensure the device’s security. He pressed a button on his mobile. As usual, it
rang once.
“Yes,
Mr. Koh.” Jithu Ong—methodical, thorough, emotionless—had indeed proved himself
a competent professional. With each passing assignment, Nicholas’ confidence in
him had grown.
“Are
preparations complete?”
“Everything
is in readiness, Mr. Koh.”
“The
night security shift understands they’re off tonight?”
“Yes,
Mr. Koh.”
“The
replacement shift is briefed and in position?”
“I
have seen to every detail.”
“Double
check and return here. I want you as my fallback option.”
“Very
well, Mr. Koh. I’ll be there shortly.”
Nicholas
leaned back and closed his eyes, tried to think what he might have forgotten. A
few women and some cash ensured the local constabulary would patrol elsewhere
tonight. The replacement shift, with no connection to his company, comprised
ten professionals who would not be paid their $5 million fee unless they
eliminated Janesh McKenzie. With everyone else off for the night, there’d be no
eyewitnesses to the carefully laid ambush he’d set for his nemesis. If
everything fell apart, his helicopter would be fueled and ready.
But
if everything went well, the wormhole device could not be in a better location.
Within the year, the engineers at his research facility, along with the
physicists, should have a solid plan for how best to integrate the technology
into the existing transportation systems. He tried to imagine the press
conference. A live demonstration broadcast across the globe would send tremors
throughout the world.
A
knock on the door preceded his Security Chief opening it for Miranda Logan.
He’d had several Kluang boutiques along with hair stylists and makeup artists
come to the estate. A simple, white, linen ensemble of shorts, sleeveless top
and wedges only served to enhance an astonishing beauty that approached
ethereal. On an unmade face, her thick, mane-like red hair framed jade-green
eyes that sparkled. A gasp almost escaped his lips.
“Please
be seated, Miranda. Make yourself comfortable. May I offer you a drink or
something to drink?” A flat tone accompanied a guarded, cautious expression.
“Green
tea. Iced. No sugar.”
Nicholas
nodded toward his Security Chief. One last time he toyed with the idea of not
turning her over to Janesh McKenzie. But handing her over to the
Mahān Śikārī would forestall whatever
counter-actions his rival had in mind. The device’s security and integrity
trumped all other considerations. Beauty had nothing to offer power.
What
a waste, he thought. She’d have to die along with McKenzie.
“Relax,
Miranda. I have good news.” She fixed him with eyes that remained blank. A
knock on the door and a staffer entered with a tray bearing a pitcher, a tall,
frosted glass, and a bowl of ice. Nicholas rose to take the tray and place it
atop his desk. He tonged some cubes, poured the tea, and handed her the
refreshment. “Tonight I’m going to hand you over to Janesh McKenzie.”
For
an instant Miranda’s mask dropped, her eyes widened. Excitement shone through
before it again snapped shut. She sipped the tea without savoring it then
sipped once more. Nicholas walked back to his chair and leaned back. She
waited.
“I
assure you it’s quite true. But you have plenty of time to prepare. It won’t
happen until after midnight.” Miranda raised the glass then stiffened and inhaled
sharply. Her eyes bored into his.
“It’s
the science equipment. He’s threatened it unless you turn me over. What is it?
What did Professor Ang discover?” Koh gave her a viper-like smile.
“You’ll
learn soon enough. But let me satisfy you with this. It will render every form
of transportation obsolete and alter the future course of human history. You
should feel flattered. Only something on that scale would cause me to release
you.”
Miranda
sipped the tea, savored it. Simmering, smoldering, emerald eyes met his. Her
smile resembled a cobra’s.
*
* *
Around
them the jungle’s quiet deepened. Nothing skittered, nothing chirped. Both men
looked at one another. One glanced toward a luminous wrist dial—12:22am. Too
early for the 1:30am swap. Thumbs unlocked safeties.
Both
had marveled a near-impenetrable jungle lay this close to a major Malaysian
city. Behind them the leafy undergrowth glowed dimly from the research
facility’s lights. The team leader had expected the other side might send an
advance scout team and positioned them here to interdict any such attempt. But
if not humans, the two imagined a leopard might prowl the stygian gloom. Or
worse, a tiger. Eyes and ears strained to identify what had stilled the jungle.
Fingers slid onto triggers.
A
rustling sound, like an oncoming breeze arose. Both men tensed. Without warning
one rose into the air. The other turned in time to see his teammate’s boots
disappear into the leafy overhang. He held his fire afraid to hit his
colleague. A few feet away a weapon fell to the ground. A moment later a body
thudded hard. Something had wrenched his head to face backward.
He
rose and whirled around searching for a target. Panicked fingers tried to key
his radio. “This is Team5. I’m under attack. I’m under attack.” Neck hairs sprang
to life. He reeled about and stared. A gigantic, green-feathered bird stood
eight feet away. An elongated black beak opened and hissed. Against all
training, his finger depressed the machine pistol’s trigger and stayed pressed.
A stream of bullets entered the creature with no apparent effect. Something
slammed the back of his head. He puzzled how a black beak had burst through his
face then died before his body crumpled.
“Team5
report. Team5 report. Do you read me?” Kreetor reached into her marsupial pouch
and retrieved the Seer. The sphere floated toward the squawking broadcast,
hovered, glowed orange, and pinpointed the other six radios. She took to the
air, twisting and weaving through the branches and trees until she burst from
the tops.
Nicholas’
team leader remained calm but his thoughts raced. Even with the loss of one squad,
the remaining four had strong positions. He’d placed two to cover the parking
lot where the meet would occur as well as the approach road. Though he occupied
a second-story office overlooking the empty parking lot, the position sat four
stories above ground level. Beneath him, the cavernous building housed a
facility where engineers designed and tested all manner of conveyances. The
enormous workspace stored his mission priority, a stack of containers the
content and purpose of which he had no idea. Also locked within, the fourth squad
guarded the equipment. If necessary he could cover the parking lot teams’
retreat into the building. At that point, nothing less than a full on assault
force could dislodge them.
He
opened the windows wider. The jungle’s sounds, the chirps, squawks, and trills
continued undisturbed. If he’d lost the forest team, they’d served their
purpose
—prevent
any surprise from the woods. The team leader cycled through radio channels.
Everyone reported clear. He retrieved his mobile and pressed a button. It rang
once. He found Nicholas Koh’s man scary but respected his thoroughness.
“Yes.”
“We’ve
had contact.”
“Casualties?”
“The
forest team may be lost. Nothing else has occurred.”
“We
expected they’d be fearful of coming alone. Now they know we didn’t either. The
trade is too important. Nothing further will occur until it happens.”
“ETA?”
“The
schedule remains unchanged. The principals will depart at 1:10. I’ll be in a
backup role. Contact me immediately if your status changes.” The line went
dead. The night remained still. The team leader waited.
Within
the testing facility, one guard returned from double checking the doors
remained locked. He and the other decided to increase the distance between
them. Anyone breaching the entrance would find themselves in a vicious
crossfire. Behind forklifts, they faced the doors, placed full clips within
easy reach, and again reported clear. Above and behind them a wormhole opened.
Out flew Kreetor. She glided to the ground and disappeared.
Seconds
later one guard’s eyes widened in shock and amazement. He screamed at the
other. “Look out. Behind you.” The other turned to freeze in place. Before him
stood a monstrous, feathered creature that towered over him. He screamed and
unleashed a torrent of bullets. When the hammer clicked empty, he rolled to the
ground while desperately trying to load a fresh clip. He bumped up against an
identical creature who buried its beak into his chest. The guard stood.
Gurgling sounds accompanied a collapsed lung and a gush of blood. Hands pressed
to his chest, he stumbled a few steps, then dropped face first. Spasmodic
tremors wracked his body. Seconds later they ceased forever. Both demons disappeared.
Nerves
shattered, his partner flinched at each creak and groan. He whirled in every
direction, babbled it had to be a nightmare. One appeared alongside him. He
screamed as his weapon chattered its death song. From above, another crushed
the terrified guard to the ground where five-inch talons left a shredded corpse.
With a mighty flap, Kreetor took to the air, screeched her triumph, and flew
into a waiting wormhole. Beyond the doors, a quiet night masked the horror
within the sound-proofed facility.
Ten
minutes later the team leader smacked the radio against his palm. “Team2, can
you read me. Team2, come in.” Nothing. Not even static. “Team3, how you read?”
“Loud
and clear, Team1”
“Team4,
can you read me?”
“Roger,
Team1.” Couldn’t be his radio. He rose and handed it to his second who pointed
a sniper rifle out the window.
“Stay
alert. I’m going to see what’s going on.”
Downstairs
at the entrance, he inserted a pass key then entered a code. The doors slid
away to the sides. It took a moment for him to locate one guard. The sentry lay
face down in a pool of congealing blood. He didn’t bother to check for a pulse.
He smelled the other before locating him behind a forklift. The unfortunate lay
with his guts torn open and their contents strewn about.
The
team leader leveled his weapon and tried to make sense of something that had
none. Except for the cargo doors on the other end, the huge hangar-like
facility had no other entry point. Nothing appeared disturbed, especially the
cargo containers. The manners of death screamed animal or at least a maniac. No
answer arose to the question how. An eerie sense pulled him into an altered
reality.