Rise of the Fallen: Ascensionis
Chapter 15

A green light flashes and the doorknob to CIA Agent Rikki Hillman’s apartment front door turns until a click is heard. It gradually opens and the silhouettes of herself and Adam Eastman can be seen outside. Rikki enters, turns on the light and grins at Adam while saying gently, “Come in, Adam. Well, I should be calling you my little cousin, Alex Thompson, from now on.”

Adam looks down at his unresponsive feet and begins to sweat profusely. He is actually going to be living with total stranger now. For the rest of his life. This doesn’t seem the right thing to do to such a kind woman. To become such a burden on her life. He gulps and tells her, “Maybe this is a mistake, Agent....I mean, Rikki.”

She is imagining to herself how nervous he must be right now. Perhaps he feels as if he is being a nuisance and rudely intruding. Such a nice kid. She takes both of his hands, stares at his eyes and affirmatively says, “This is your home now, Adam. No. This is our home. We’re a family now, okay? Now. Get your ass in here and welcome home.”

He nods and steps inside of the apartment. His apartment. Rikki smiles and tells him, “There you go. Let’s take your stuff to your bedroom, okay?”

Minutes later, Rikki tosses the luggage onto the bed and says to Adam, “I guess you can take it from here. Not much in here for entertainment but we’ll fix that soon.”

She feels her cell phone vibrating and quickly answers the call by placing it next to her ear and saying, “Yes. Understood, sir.”

Rikki puts the phone away and tells Alex, “I have to go to work. My computer in the living room is unlocked so feel free to use it, okay? If you get hungry, help yourself to anything in the fridge.”

She unexpectedly kisses him on the cheek and runs out of the bedroom. He places his hand there and slightly blushes from embarrassment. He shouts, “Be careful out there!”

Rikki replies loudly, “Always!” and the front door slams shut. Now there is nothing but silence. He walks over to the nearby window, gazes outside and whispers, “Melanie.”

On the other side of the world, Haruka Miyazaki patiently waits inside the same abandoned store while staring, without the slightest bit of emotion, at the grotesquely mutilated body of her prisoner. It is the stare of a predator waiting for the opportune moment to pounce and devour her prey. She becomes startled by the sight of bright lights darting across the night sky and races outside to observe the approaching object. Law enforcement? No. The officers under the Miyazaki payroll would have informed her way in advance. She comes to the conclusion that the military helicopter must be transporting Barbara Echevarria and waits patiently. The helicopter pilot slides the door open and shouts at Barbara, “You’re sure about this? I can land...”

“Yeah, I’m sure. There isn’t much time. Hold on tight to me, Henry.”

Henry hesitates for a moment and then wraps his arms around her neck. He inadvertently takes a quick glimpse at the street below and shuts his eyes tightly while saying, “Let’s just land. Please?”

Barbara grins and replies as she prepares to jump, “I told you not to look.”

Haruka gasps as she witnesses Barbara leaping out of the helicopter. She is still having a hard time accepting the existence of monsters and aliens. What was once perceived as myth is now real. Barbara lands hard on the pavement with her feet which causes the concrete to break and crack.

Haruka observes a very pale Henry slowly lifting himself off of Barbara’s back and placing his hand on the car behind him for support. As she aids Barbara to her feet, she asks him in a concerned manner, “Hey...you gonna be okay?”

Barbara turns her head and replies while grinning, “He’s fine, Haruka. Right, Henry?”

All he can do is nod while trying to comfort his stomach by massaging it with his other hand. It’s no use. He can feel the vomit traveling up to his throat so he turns around and lowers his head. Both of the young women cringe at the sight of him puking all over the street.

Several minutes later, everyone is inside and Barbara is standing in front of the brutally mutilated assassin with her arms folded. He has been retrained with thick leather straps and is sitting on some sort of dental chair. She then notices that both of his calves and shins have been encased in what looks like curved metallic plates with wires that connect to a nearby laptop. Haruka stands next to her and says proudly, “I bet you’re wondering what the hell those are.”

After further examination, Barbara replies, “Uh, yeah.”

“Allow me to explain. During the middle ages, instruments of torture were invented to extract information, obtain confessions, punish suspects and instill fear into opponents. What we did here was combine medieval ingenuity with modern technology. The result? An updated version of the infamous shin crusher.”

Barbara caresses the plates with her fingertips and whispers in wonderment, “Whoa.”

“It didn’t take long to get this bitch’s name, by the way. Miguel Santos. Wanna see it in action?”

Barbara looks up at her, shrugs her shoulders and smiles deviously. Haruka returns the smile and immediately pushes a button on the remote which she is holding in her hand. Miguel shouts angrily, “Hey! Wait! We had a deal! You fucking bitch!”

As the contraption gradually begins to squeeze his right calf between the iron plates, Haruka ignores Miguel and explains to Barbara, “This is so awesome. I can snap his bones as slowly, or as quickly, as I want. I know you’re short on time soooo....”

A minute after Haruka makes an adjustment using the remote, Barbara observes, with morbid curiosity, the fracturing of Miguel’s tibia and fibula. This makes him scream and blood proceeds to gush out in multiple directions. Some it gets splattered on Barbara’s astonished face. She forcefully sits down on his lap and grabs hold of his testicles with her right hand. She tells him expressionlessly, “I’m here, Mr. Santos. You’d better tell me something useful or I’ll use my nutcracker.”

Miguel lifts his head up to look her in the eyes and says while grinning, “I gotta admit. The doctor did a helluva job. Look at you. Frankenstein’s monster.”

Barbara becomes angered and tightens her grip on his balls. While smoking his cigarette, Henry winces and looks away as Miguel shrieks in agonizing pain. A beeping sound is suddenly heard emanating from Miguel’s watch and she asks him, “The fuck is that?”

He looks up at her and replies in a raspy voice, “Yeah. You should be nervous. Let me tell you what that sound means.”

Rikki turns the steering wheel of her luxurious vehicle in order to occupy one of the empty spaces at the parking lot of a hotel. After turning off the car, she glances at her watch and sees that she is right on schedule. She then presses down on a small button and flinches as a reaction to feeling the sting of the watch’s minuscule needle puncturing her skin.

Rikki observes with fascination as the pigmentation of her epidermis gradually begins to fade from her natural Caucasian color into a significantly darker tone. She then glances at the rear-view mirror and strokes her hair to feel the difference in texture. The transformation is complete. It’s amazing how advanced technology has become in recent years! Gone are the days of wigs and masks. She clears her throat and utters, “Testing.” Even her vocal cords have been altered!

Rikki’s fingernails begin to rapidly tap on the steering wheel and she lets out a frustrated sigh. If there’s one thing that she despises the most, it’s tardiness. So unprofessional. The unexpected sound of her cell phone ringing startles her and she takes it out of her pocket. Before she can even speak, a distorted voice can be heard saying, “Our apologies, Agent Hillman. The preparations have been made and we are ready to commence Operation Big Buzz II.”

“Yes, sir.”

After a brief moment of static, the voice can be heard saying, “Time is of the essence and failure is not an option. Are we clear?”

“As crystal, sir.”

The call disconnects and Rikki places her cell phone back into her pocket. She opens the driver’s side door, steps out of the vehicle and takes a minute to think about what is about to be done to innocent civilians in a matter of hours. No time to get sentimental, girl. This needs to be done. She then slams the door shut, activates the alarm and proceeds to make her way to the entrance of the hotel.

At Kabuki-cho, Barbara takes a step backwards while shaking her head in denial after listening to Miguel’s shocking explanation of the secretive operation currently underway. Haruka leans forward until she is merely inches away from his face and tells him frigidly, “I’m taking your head, asshole.”

Miguel yells, “Go ahead, bitch! Once the wheels are set in motion, ain’t nothing stopping it.”

Barbara says in a trembling voice, “No.”

He laughs loudly and adds, “You know who’s behind all of this.”

“Diana Garrison.”

“She wants to kill Dr. Frankenstein herself. He doesn’t even have a clue that he’s gonna help us create a new world with his vaccine.”

Henry asks in a confused manner, “New world? What?”

After giving him a sinister grin, Miguel says coldly, “The age of the wendigo. Our age. Nothing can stop it.”

Haruka takes her katana and, with a swift motion, chops off Miguel’s head. Blood gushes out of his neck in a way similar to a geyser erupting violently. She then turns around to look at both Barbara and Henry and says without the slightest bit of emotion, “Sorry. I couldn’t wait any longer.”

Henry nods as he gazes into Haruka’s soulless and barren eyes. More than likely, she has taken many lives with that blade of hers. He places his hand on Barbara’s shoulder and says, “This is bad. No sign of Indrid yet?”

Barbara’s expression is that of both shock and utter fear. She looks at him and asks, “You ever hear the legend of the wendigo, Henry?”

“I kinda remember.”

“Cannibals. Human beings that devour other human beings.”

“Lovely. Try calling Indrid.”

Barbara begins to wonder if Indrid did in fact manage to survive that monstrous explosion. It’s worth a shot. She takes out her phone and notices the complete lack of coverage. She says in a bewildered manner, “No signal.”

Henry becomes equally confused and asks, “What?”

While looking at her phone, Haruka says, “Same here. This is not good, guys. Communications are being jammed...like what usually happens in a black-op.”

After several minutes of silence, Barbara thinks about her previous telepathic conversations with Indrid and whispers, “I wonder...”

Haruka looks up at her and asks, “Huh?”

Barbara closes her eyes and replies, “I’m gonna try something and I hope it works.”

In the blue skies of Nevada, Indrid’s ship can be seen heading toward Area 51 at an extraordinarily high rate of speed. She asks the A.I., “What is the status of communicating with Ludwig?”

“Unable to establish a connection due to network failure.”

“Keep trying.”

For some odd reason, Indrid is also unable to telepathically contact him. What is happening? Is she too late? Suddenly, she hears a very faint voice calling out to her and gasps when she finally recognizes who it is. “Barbara.”

The space craft comes to abrupt stop and Indrid concentrates completely on her telepathic communication. She asks, “I am unable to contact Ludwig. Is he with you?”

“There isn’t time to explain. He’s with Diana Garrison creating this vaccine that’ll make shit worse. Go!”

Indrid knows precisely where to go and doesn’t waste another minute. The space craft turns around in midair and, in the blink of an eye, disappears into the nearby cloud bank.

In the meantime, at the entrance of Bradley International Airport, the disguised Rikki Hillman is awaiting her ride outside. A limousine parks right in front of her and she begins to walk toward it while placing a phone call. The driver opens the passenger door and she quickly steps inside. As the door closes, she says to person on the other line, “Mission accomplished, sir.”

“Excellent work, Agent Hillman. You are to now await further instructions.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

Diana’s cell phone rings and she quickly answers it. She asks, “Yes? What is it? This had better be important, Philip.”

Her mouth drops open from shock and she looks up at Dr. Frankenstein. He asks, “Miss Garrison?”

She replies in horror, “There are reports of people getting sick at various airports.”

Dr. Frankenstein rises up to his feet and says, “This is an airborne virus, Miss Garrison. We need to act quickly and quarantine them as soon as possible.”

“Understood. I’ll contact FEMA right away and also ensure a media blackout. Is there any progress with the vaccine, doctor?”

“Yes. However, I will need more time to test it.”

Diana looks at Gary Jaeger in order to get his unspoken opinion. He grins and gives her a confident nod. She finally replies, “Thank you, Dr. Frankenstein.”

Indrid arrives at the StarSun pharmaceutical plant located in Hudson, New York. She scans the facility and says in a stern manner, “I am assuming that they are using some kind of advanced technology to mask the exact location of both Ludwig and Diana Garrison. Access their network and connect me to their security cameras.”

Inside of one of the research laboratories, Gary Jaeger suddenly receives a phone call from the chief security officer. This not good. He answers it and places the phone next to his ear. He hears a panicked voice saying, “We have a network breach.”

Damn it. There’s no time to test the vaccine. He disconnects the call and gives Diana a concerned stare. She notices this and, afterwards, looks up at the security camera as it focuses on her. She smiles deviously and whispers, “You’re too late, Indrid Cold.”

Diana reaches into her purse and takes out a miniature version of a tranquilizer gun. She then points it at a bewildered Dr. Frankenstein. She tells him, “I really do appreciate what you’ve done for us, doctor. Enjoy your life as a wendigo.”

Dr. Frankenstein grits his teeth in anger as he comes to the realization that Diana is not after profits, after all. She is going to use his vaccine as the second phase of transforming everyone on this planet into superhuman cannibals. He informs, “Transforming everyone will eradicate your food supply, Miss Garrison.”

“Only certain blood types will be immune. You’re not, by the way.”

Suddenly, the room becomes illuminated briefly by a bright flash and Indrid can now be seen hovering above everyone. Dr. Frankenstein knows exactly what is going to happen next and shuts his eyes tightly while covering his ears with his hands. Gary Jaeger sees this and does the exact same thing. Diana curses at herself for gloating too much and, while taking aim, shouts, “No, you don’t!”

Indrid transforms into a fiery, winged creature and begins to let out an ear-piercing shriek which causes everyone in close proximity to become extremely nauseous.

Diana then feels a painful burning sensation in her eyes. She is familiar with Indrid’s power of crippling her foes with that blood curdling scream and temporarily blinding them as well. She pulls the trigger and collapses to the floor seconds later. After another flash of bright light, Gary kneels down next to Diana and asks, “Miss Garrison?”

“Never mind me. Did I hit him?”

Gary turns his head to look at her tall bodyguard as he kneels down to pick up a small dart. He says to her, “No.”

Dr. Frankenstein hears Indrid cry out in his mind, “Ludwig! Are you hurt?”

He uncovers his ears and opens his eyes to replace that he is on board her ship. After feeling his own chest, he replies, “I’m fine. Thanks to you. I knew you survived that explosion.”

“It will take more than that. Barbara is waiting, Ludwig.”

“Right. Let’s go.”

Inside of Area 51, Marise Rondeau answers her phone and asks, “Yes, mon maître?”

Diana is heard telling her, “You can retrieve my son now, Abaris. No deviations from the plan.”

“Of course not, mon maître. I shall make our chat brief.”

“Abaris!”

She disconnects the call and grins deviously while looking at the doorway of Frank Garrison’s room. After putting up with this charade of being a soldier, the moment that she has been waiting for is finally here.

Inside the same room, Alexandria and Joshua are both intently watching Brian Gunn’s special report on the mysterious disappearance of the airliner. Frank shakes his head in disbelief and says, “I can’t believe you two watch that garbage. He’s an opportunist.”

Everyone becomes startled by Abaris as she says, “It would take one to know one. Eh, bien-aimé?”

That youthful voice. Frank hasn’t heard it since those days of DNA manipulation experiments being conducted by Project Paperclip. He gives her a frightened glance and asks, “Marise...Rondeau?”

While slowly walking to his bedside, she replies, “Qui est adorable! You remember me! I am touched.”

As Abaris takes a flower from the vase and smells it, Joshua asks her, “How do you know each other?”

She gives him an innocent stare and asks, “He never told you about me?”

Frank tells her coldly, “You look the same, Marise.”

Abaris shoves the flower into his nose and says, “One of the side effects when one’s DNA is mixed with a god’s.”

He slaps the flower away and she tells him laughingly, “Si vulgaire! Marise Rondeau is dead, just so you know. You may call me by my proper name, mortel. Abaris the Hyperborean.”

“You’re here to kill me?”

Joshua lunges at Abaris and attempts to forcefully restrain her with his bare hands. She somehow anticipates this and quickly dodges his attack. He then feels the sharp pain of his arm getting twisted behind his back followed by the ice cold tip of a handgun being placed on his temple. Abaris whispers into his ear, “Vilain garçon.”

As a strange, thick mist appears behind Abaris, she shouts at Frank, “I really am tempted to kill you. But I promised your daughter, mon maître, that I would only retrieve her son. What she has in store for you is far more gratifying than firing a bullet into your head.”

Alexandria cannot believe what she just heard and covers her mouth with her right hand. She gives Frank a concerned look and replaces that he is not too surprised. Instead, his reaction is that of disappointment. Joshua is just as confused as Alexandria and asks Abaris, “Wait...what?”

Abaris pretends to seem astounded by Joshua’s question and asks Frank after letting out a gasp, “You didn’t tell him?”

After a minute of silence, she comes to the realization that he is unwilling to reply and takes a step backward into the thick mist. She then says, “Shame on you. No matter. He’ll soon discover what he truly is. Rather ironic...I remember how much I despised the fact that you left me behind and adopted her. Now...she is my master. Who just happens to hate you as much as I do. You see, I know what you did to her tribe. You are indeed a monster, bien-aimé.”

Alexandria and Frank observe the mist as it swallows up both Abaris and Joshua. The ear piercing sound of a woman shrieking in fear suddenly fills the entire room followed by the crashing of a tray as it hits the floor. This makes Alexandria quickly walk toward the mist while calling out frantically, “Hello?”

They have all disappeared! This Abaris girl can teleport. She focuses her attention on the tray below to discover three empty cups and a puddle of coffee. The nurse seems to have been unintentionally pulled into the mist.

Frank lowers his head in shame and says, “Diana was a member of a Maori tribe located in New Zealand. We got the order to wipe them out. Seemed like the higher ups didn’t replace the idea of cannibals living nearby a prosperous city very pleasant.”

Alexandria slowly turns her head to give him her undivided attention. He continues, “It was a massacre. But we had no choice. When you’re a soldier, you follow the orders of your superiors. That’s it. I found her crying in her dead mother’s arms. I stopped a fellow soldier from firing. I decided that the baby deserved a chance. To prove that it had something to give back. So...I adopted her. Damn it. I need a whiskey right about now.”

Alexandria replies without hesitation, “And you never thought of mentioning this before? Not even to Josh?”

“I confessed what happened to her tribe on her sixteenth birthday. After that, our relationship went south. She stopped having breakfast with me. She even abandoned her original goal of joining the Army.”

Both David and Sajjad arrive at the doorway. David asks, “What happened here? Where’s Joshua?”

Alexandria is at a loss for words. She lowers her head to look at the mess on the floor and asks herself that very same question. Where is he right now?