RAGNAROK
BY: ANNIEO
Chapter Three
Ember Light & Tears Unshed
Hear now the Song of the Dead -- in the North by the torn berg-edges --
They that look still to the Pole, asleep by their hide-stripped sledges.
Song of the Dead in the South -- in the sun by their skeleton horses,
Where the warrigal whimpers and bays through the dust
of the sear river-courses.
Song of the Dead in the East -- in the heat-rotted jungle hollows,
Where the dog-ape barks in the kloof --
in the brake of the buffalo-wallows.
Song of the Dead in the West --
in the Barrens, the waste that betrayed them,
Where the wolverene tumbles their packs
from the camp and the grave-mound they made them;
Hear now the Song of the Dead!
“The Song of the Dead” By: Kipling
* * * * * * * *
Fear. It was a familiar feeling that surrounded all those living in the darkness of the world. Few remembered what it was like before, even fewer wanted to dwell on those memories. And yet some embraced the thoughts and feelings of the past, as if clinging to it would erase the hell that now existed. Clair Abernathy now clung to one of those precious memories as a light drizzle slowly soaked her to the bone as she trudged through the shadows. Her blond hair, now dark with grime from the fire, plastered itself to her wet head. Her clothes and face were covered in the blood from Galvin’s body, mixed with the mud of the ground.
He’s dead, she had repeated to herself many times before her mind accepted the truth and she had been able to abandon the young man that had been like a brother to her.
Mark needs my help now. Now it was into the shadows, clinging to them like a lifeline, as she moved through the city. She headed for the one safe place she knew, and the one person that could get the information she needed.
* * * * * * * * *
“This had better be good Destro.” The Baroness’s voice echoed off the cold, damp stone walls of the prison. “I was in the middle of a three-course meal when you called me.”
The man in the mask smiled coldly. “I think you will find this quite worthy of your attention, my dear.” He turned down one of the many corridors and stopped in front of one of the many cells that lined the walls. “Zartan picked up this prisoner last night in a raid on a known resistance hide out. Sadly, one of his partners was killed during the raid and the other is still at large, but we hope to have her soon.”
“And my interest in this would be...?”
“Why, my dear,” Destro cooed as he motioned to the guards to open the door and remove the prisoner. “I thought you would enjoy a little entertainment this evening.”
* * * * * * * * *
The damp chill of the small cell seemed to eat through the thin coveralls Mark had been forced to wear when he had arrived at detention. His entire body, bruised and swollen, ached deeply and he could feel the effects of the drugs given to him earlier taking hold. He forced his weary mind to focus on something besides the dreary surroundings and screams that assaulted his senses. One image burned in his mind’s eye, Galvin, lifeless, as he clutched the boy to him. Mark quickly forced his mind away from the grim memory.
Clair… he struggled to focus his thoughts on her face. He drew strength on the memories of when she used to smile and laugh, how her green eyes would sparkle in the starlight, the soft touch of her lips against his. He shuddered violently at the thought of her in the hands of Zartan and his Dreadnoks. Had she made it past them? Was she safe?
She’s safe! He angrily told himself. ‘Cause I can’t see her any other way than alive.
His thoughts froze suddenly as the sound of a voice trickled through his drug-hazed mind.
“I thought you would enjoy a little entertainment this evening.”
Destro! His mind screamed. He could hear the grating of the rusted lock as the guard turned the key and swung open the door to his cell. He tried to move, to rush the guards, to do anything, but his body refused to respond. Too weakened from the drug and dehydration, he could do nothing more than groan as the guards pulled him to his feet.
“He doesn’t look as if he will give you any trouble Destro.”
I know that voice…but from where? His mind struggled to comprehend. He felt fingers on his chin and when his eyes focused he found himself staring into the face of the one person who could save him.
Oh God, Mark…The Baroness watched impassively as they hauled the prisoner forward, and forced herself to remain so when she recognized the man they held standing before her. “He looks too far gone to be much good, Destro.” She gently placed her fingers under his chin and raised his face to hers. “Perhaps a bad reaction to the drug?”
Destro watched the scene with interest. “No my dear, he is still of use to us.” He pulled her back from the prisoner. “Besides I feel the need for some “exercise” tonight.”
Mark’s brown eyes meet the dark eyes of The Baroness, and he knew.
See you soon Big Brother. I’m so sorry Clair…
* * * * * * * *
“How the hell did this happen!” Duke’s fist slammed hard onto the table, sending several cups jumping and spilling the dark liquid in them. His blue eye caught the face of the others sitting around the table. “I want answers and I want them now!”
“Duke,” Blaine stood as he spoke. “We don’t know how they found the teams only that they
did…”
Duke’s voice was low and had the tone of barely controlled anger. “We lost four teams, Mainframe, that’s 12 people…12
more people!”
Scarlett came up behind her husband and laid a calming hand on his shoulder. “What do we know Blaine?” Her voice was oddly calm and empty of emotion.
Mainframe shuffled his feet for a moment then sat again. Moving his files around in front of him before speaking, he finally replied, “We know that not all the teams were wiped out. Team 3 had two survivors, Clair is still out there and Mark is in custody.”
Cover Girl snorted, “and you call that alive?”
“Let him finish Courtney.” Shana calmly smiled at her teammate. “Go on Blaine.”
“The other teams I just don’t know who survived, only a few did. Clair’s been the only one to report in, and even she’s on the move again.”
“And the tunnels?” Dusty asked
Mainframe shrugged, “From what I can tell, Cobra hasn’t found them, info has been sketchy. But if they had we wouldn’t be sitting here talking right now.”
Duke sighed and rubbed a hand across his tired face. “Thanks Blaine. Courtney,” he turned his attention to the woman. “Who do we have out in that area right now?”
The ex-super model quickly consulted her notes. “Low-Light, Shane, and Snake-Eyes are in the bad lands. In the city we have Bill and his team, Recondo, unless he is heading back by now, and Sarah.”
“Mac’s team is out,” Duke said, after thinking for a moment. “I need them there to relay supplies when they arrive, and they’re hauling in a prisoner. Recondo is due to have already left with what supplies he could get. Sarah is to valuable to blow her cover.” He sighed. “Looks like the Wild Cards are going to get first shot at this.” He turned to Dusty. “Contact Camille give her the low down and orders. They are to observe only, not engage.” Duke locked his gaze on to each sitting before him. “I don’t need to remind you what’s at stake here, and how many lives depend on finding out what Cobra knows.” He ran a hand quickly through his hair and glanced down at the table before speaking again. His voice was soft…his eyes tired, as he made a reluctant decision. “Dusty…inform Bill and his team that this is a code Delta mission.”
Heads snapped up with looks of shock, the silence hanging heavy in the air. It was several minutes before the silence was broken.
“Yes Sir.” Dusty answered, more out of habit after recovering from the announcement. “Code Delta.” He added quietly.
Duke nodded heavily. “Dismissed.”
He watched as they filed out of the room one by one, slowly sinking back into the chair behind him as he did so. His wife was one of the last to leave. “Shana…”his voice stopped her at the door.
She turned and startled at the look defeat upon her husbands face. “You have no choice Conrad.” She whispered softly, though her voice seemed to echo on stone walls of the room. “To many lives…”She moved back to his side and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Lives?” Duke looked up sharply. “Lives?! How many more do we have to sacrifice before it’s to many? How many more graves do I have to dig?” He shoved her hand away. “How much more blood will be on
my hands before this ends?!”
Shana stood silent.
Duke stood, inadvertently knocking his chair over. Moving towards the door, he muttered, “What’s the use of fighting when the world don’t give a damn?” He stopped, and turned to watch his wife for a moment. “You don’t know either do you?”
She shook her head.
Duke sighed, “I’ll see that the teams families are notified.” Silently to himself he said, “What’s left of them that is.” He moved to leave again.
“Duke…” His wife’s voice stopped his forward motion. “I’ll see to it.”
He nodded wearily without a backwards glance and left the room.
Slowly Shana sank into a nearby chair, tears running down her cheeks.
* * * * * * * *
Flint’s eyes roved around the cave as Ed continued his exam on Asia. The cave was small…almost too small for the purpose it served as both hospital and home to some of the residents that worked there. It was sparsely furnished, with near empty shelves scattered with archaic equipment and out-of-date medicine. Torn and faded medical charts decorated the walls. However, it was the low, desperate moans of the patients that made it a depressing place to visit. Too many people Flint knew had come into this cave and never left it again. He couldn’t blame Ed and his team, they did the best with what they had, and even managed to pull off the miracle or two. Asia was one of those miracles.
“Ok, one more poke and you’re done for this week.” Ed smiled at the girl who sat far to still and silent before him as he drew blood. “There.” He gently ruffled her hair as he stood and placed the sample on the table next to him. “You, Miss Asia, are done.” He reached into a small drawer and pulled out a small candy from his precious supply. “And this is for you.”
Without a giggle, or even a smile, as most of the other children would do, she reached out and took the small candy and placed it in her shirt pocket. Ed sighed and gently lifted her off the table and set her on her feet, then handed her the small pair of canes she used when walking long distances.
“Why don’t you go and have a seat outside Asia. I need to speak to your Dad for a minute.”
Asia’s dark eyes glanced to her father, who in turn nodded and smiled at her. “Go on mouse, I’ll be there in a minute.” He watched as she slowly moved out the tattered curtain in the doorway and into the small alcove Ed called a waiting room before turning back to the medic. “So?”
Ed leaned against the small table Asia had so recently been seated on and took a deep breath before speaking. “She’s getting weaker Dash…”
“Tell me something I don’t already know!” Flint snapped before he could stop himself. “Why?”
“I can’t be certain what’s causing it without better equipment.” Ed’s eyes flicked to the bare shelves behind Flint. “And even if I did know…I might not be able to treat her.”
“How long Ed?” Flint’s words seemed to hang in the air.
Ed ran a hand through his dark hair, “Honestly I don’t know, but I wouldn’t give her more than a year without better treatment.”
Flint’s reaction was not what Ed expected: a curt nod, a small frown. Nothing more. “Thanks, Ed.”
“I’m sorry Dash…”
“Lifeline!” The curtain that lead to the sickroom was jerked aside as Ed’s head nurse, Ella Forrest, came rushing in. “It’s Kimberly Rudat! I’ve lost a pulse!”
Ed spun around and quickly followed the woman back to the small bed where the young girl had been for several days. “What happened?” He asked as he swiftly examined the two-year-old and began chest compressions.
“She just closed her eyes…”Courtney whispered as she stood watching.
“Ella?”
The woman shook her head after listening with her stethoscope for a moment. “Nothing.” She choked out.
“Ed.” Courtney’s gentle hands stopped the man’s rhythmic compressions. “Please, just let her go.”
“Courtney…”
“Please Ed,” she said quietly as she tenderly brushed a strand of brown hair from her daughters pale forehead. Silent tears fell down her cheeks. “She wanted to see the sun again.”
Ed straightened up with a heavy sigh and glanced at his watch. “Time of death…1242.” He laid a hand on Courtney’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not.” She leaned down and kissed her daughter’s cheek. “Go on and fly, my Angel. You’re free.”
* * * * * * * *
The moonlight did little to brighten the bleak campsite or the moods of those huddled around the small fire. Michael sat watching his captors warily as they went about making a meager meal with what little supplies they seemed to have. He winced as he again tested his bounds and felt them bite into the flesh of his wrists. The wolf, which seemed to be bonded with the large silent Joe, turned its head towards him at the sound of his shuffling. Michael felt uncomfortable with the yellow eyes of the animal locked on him. And to make matters even worse the smell of the cooking food was making his mouth water.
“Hey,” he called out. “When do I get some chow?”
Shane turned and glared at the trooper. “When I feel like feeding you, that’s when.”
“Enough Shane,” Low-light admonished as he filled a plate with the simple stew they had made for dinner. “We take care of our prisoners. We aren’t Cobra. Or have you forgotten that little aspect?”
Shane’s eyes narrowed as he regarded his father before grabbing the plate and tossing it in front of Michael. For a moment the tension seemed to intensify in the small clearing between father and son before Shane lowered his eyes and went back to eating.
“Umm… how am I supposed to eat with my hands tied behind my back?” Michael spat.
“Figure it out.” Shane growled.
Snake-Eyes made a sharp gesture silencing Shane instantly. He then went over and retied Michael’s hands to the front, allowing him to eat his meal.
“We treat our enemy with honor, he signed, “in the hope that perhaps they will return that honor to us.”
“Cobra’s don’t have honor,” Shane retorted. “Only thing good for them is a bullet between the eyes.”
Low-Light instantly reached out and slapped Shane across the face. His eyes were hard as he ground out in barely controlled fury, “You do that and you’re no better then they are. And no son of mine…”
“Never asked you to be my father!” Shane cursed as he touched the cheek Low-Light had struck. “Your nothing but a fuckin’ coward!” He tossed his half empty plate onto the ground at the sniper’s feet and picked up his rifle. “I’m goin’ on patrol,” he announced as he stormed off into the shadows.
Low-Light cursed and made to follow when Snake-Eyes laid a hand on his shoulder.
“I’ll go. You are still too upset to deal with him, as he should be dealt with”.
He nodded reluctantly and resettled onto the stone he was using as a seat, watching Snake-Eyes melt into the surrounding shadows. Mentally berating himself for losing his temper, Mac cursed at himself for doing what he swore he would never do to his children. He knew he should have been there that day, but the attack on headquarters had left the Joes weak and scattered. They had reached who they could, as fast as they could. Mac had been too late to save his wife and daughter, and now, he realized with a shudder, he had been too late to save his son.
“Kid’s got a temper,” Michael sneered. “He’d make a good Cobra.”
Mac reached over and grabbed his rifle. Brandishing it at the Cobra, he warned, “One more word and ya won’t need to worry about another meal. Got it?”
“Yeah, got it.”
* * * * * * * *
Snake-Eyes followed the sounds of movement and heavy breathing and could smell the boy’s sweat before he spotted him taking his anger out on a rotting log in a moonlit grove. With covert movements he moved towards the boy, stopping within an arm’s length, yet still concealed within the shadows of the night. He listened and watched as the boy continued to work off his anger, and realized how much the boy was like his father. Both loners, both holding in much pain, and both denying the fact that they needed each other to survive. They were two pieces of the same person and without one or the other, both would fail.
“Damn it all to hell!” Shane cursed as his foot cracked through the log and threw him tumbling off balance and onto his back.
“I see that Mother Nature has bested you”, Snake-Eyes signed as he merged from the shadows directly over Shane. “Or perhaps you let her win?”
Shane’s eyes narrowed for a moment before he chuckled lightly. “I guess it’s what I get for taking it out on a rotting piece of wood.” He untangled himself from the brush and stood, dusting the dirt and twigs from his clothing. “I guess dad sent you after me.” He sat on the log he had so recently used as a target. “I can take care of myself, ya know.”
Snake-Eyes shook his head and settled Indian style in front of the boy and offered him the canteen of water he carried.
“I came by my own counsel. I have no doubt that you can care for yourself. It is when you allow your anger to cloud your judgment that worries
me”. Snake-Eyes paused before adding, “We all need someone to care for us at times.”
Shane snorted and took a swig from the canteen. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I don’t need no one.”
“What about your Father?”
“What about him?” Shane’s anger was returning, building within and threatening to pop. “He don’t need me and I don’t need him.”
Snake-Eyes sighed and took a moment to gather his thoughts. “If you truly believe that then you are a fool Shane. No man can survive alone, especially in this world.”
“I don’t have to listen to this.” Shane tossed the canteen down beside the silent man and jumped up to leave, only to have a hand of iron grab his arm.
“Sit.” The silent man commanded.
Shane stood frozen for a moment before returning to the log with an irritated sigh. He knew better than to push Snake-Eyes, and he apparently had done just that. “Fine, you win. I’ll listen...for now.”
“There are things in life no child should have to witness and you,” he laid a hand on Shane’s knee, “you have witnessed far to many of those things, as have many of the other young ones who fight the war. As your protectors, we have failed in hiding the horrors of the world from your eyes and soul”.
“I ain’t no child!” Shane protested. “And I don’t need…”
Snake-Eyes silenced him with a sharp gesture. “It is time you listened for once and stopped arguing.” He waited until the boy curtly nodded before he continued.
“You have seen to much horror and death in your short life, and it has scarred you here.”
He reached up and touched Shane’s heart. “Your wounds are not visible and not easily healed. I know, I have the same scars and fears.”
Shane startled, a look of disbelief crossing his face. “You? But you’re not scared of
anything!”
The silent man chuckled softly. “Do you truly believe that?”
The boy nodded.
“The man who has no fear is a man who will find death quickly. The smart man embraces his fear and uses it to draw strength. Fear is not a weakness, denying that you fear is.”
“I can’t,” the boy answered simply. “I won’t be like him.” He lowered his head.
Snake-Eyes reached out and titled the boy’s chin up. “Your father is a strong man. He embraces his fear. You are much like him, you know.”
Shane pulled back angrily. “I ain’t anything like him! I ain’t a coward! I was there, remember? I protected them! He didn’t!”
“I was with your father that day. He fought frantically to get to you, but we were cut off. I saw the fear and pain in his mind and heart when he found you and your mother and sister. He died that day and has been living as a ghost since.”
“I don’t care. He’s a coward, he wasn’t there!” Shane stood, his anger threatening to boil over. “Did you know Jaylynn screamed for her daddy while they raped her? And my Mom prayed he would come as they did? Did you know that? We needed him and he wasn’t there!”
The silent man remained sitting and regarded the young man before him. “And you? How did you feel?”
The question stopped Shane’s rising anger. “What’s that gotta do with anything?”
“It has much to do with everything. Were you angry? Scared? Alone?”
“Yes.”
“Too which?”
“All of them.”
“And now?”
Shane stood in the dark night and thought for a moment before answering. “Now? I don’t feel anything.”
The silent man nodded. “You deny what you feel, and it is eating you alive inside. Take care Shane or you will become what you hate.”
“I will not become my father.”
“No,” Snake-Eyes shook his head. “You will not, but something far worse.”
The silent man rose and melted into the shadows, leaving the boy standing in the alone in the grove. Shane couldn’t help but wonder why those final words had scared him so much.
* * * * * * * * *
“Do y’all really expect me to believe that you’re from another dimension?” Bill shook his head as Clutch and Grunt finished their story. “That’s the biggest fish tale I ever heard and believe me I heard a lot of ‘em.”
Clutch sighed and shifted on the rusty cot he was sitting on. “I told ya you wouldn’t believe us.”
Bill snorted. “I expect this portal y’all were talking about ain’t ‘round any more?” Both men shook their heads. “So ya expect me to just take your word and trust you two? Who are supposed to be dead, I might add.”
“Daddy?” Dustin’s voice preceded the youth into the room. “There’s one more here with ‘em, but he looks like he’s in the late stages of the fever.”
Bill looked at the pair, startled. “How long your friend been sick?”
Grunt and Clutch exchanged glances. “Just a few days now.” Grunt answered. “But he seems to be getting better.”
“Cammy,” Bill turned to the girl. “Go have a look and do what needs t’ be done.” He then pointed at Clutch. “Ya show her where your friend is.”
The girl nodded and reaching into her pack, pulled out what looked like an antique first aid kit and then grabbed her rifle. “Come on,” she ordered, motioning to Clutch. They both walked into the shadowy hallway leaving the echoing of the others’ voices behind them.
“How old are ya anyway, kid?” Clutch asked as they moved down the hall.
Cammy’s reply was sharp. “Old enough.”
“Look kid, I’m just trying to be friendly.”
“Never said I wanted ya to, did I?” She prodded him in the back with her gun. “Now where’s your friend?”
Clutch shook his head. “Last room on the left. You know,” He continued as she jabbed him again, “People tend to cooperate more if you’re nice to ‘em.”
Cammy gave Clutch a quick glance as they stopped side by side and he managed to catch the tired look in her brown eyes. “Nice don’t get ya anything but dead here.” She pushed the door to the room Clutch had indicated open. Her eyes went instantly to the man lying prone on the bed.
Steeler lay on one of the rusty cots that sat piled against the walls in the dark room. He was wrapped in moth-eaten blankets and whatever else Clutch and Grunt had been able to find in order to keep their friend warm when the chills had set in. She walked over and squatted next to him, noticing his pale completion and shallow breathing. Cammy knew the signs far to well, she had seen many friends that looked the same way.
And buried more than I care to admit. She thought to herself. She moved the blanket back from his forehead to feel it and recognized the man.
It’s Steeler! But that can’t be!
“Y’all said he’s been like this a few days?” She asked as she went about taking his pulse and noting other symptoms. “How long, exactly?”
Clutch was silent as he thought for a moment. “We’ve been here nearly two weeks now, he got sick eight days ago.”
“And he’s still alive?” Cammy’s eyes met his, shocked. “What y’all treat him with?”
“We didn’t. Someone helped us. I can’t say who.”
The girl only nodded and continued to examine Steeler. “Whoever it was saved him.” She reached into her aid pack and pulled out a hypodermic and a bottle of liquid.
“Wait,” Clutch grabbed her arm. “I wanna know what you’re giving him. How do I know I can trust you?”
“You don’t.” Cammy answered simply. “Trust ain’t somthin’ handed out ‘round here. It’s earned.” She looked down at her arm where his hand still gripped her. “I’m fifteen an’ if ya want your friend to get better I’m the only one here who can help him.”
Clutch kept his grip on her arm a moment longer before nodding and allowing her to continue. “Thanks kid.”
She looked up for a moment and to Clutch’s surprise, gave him a small smile. “Your welcome.”
* * * * * * * * *
“Well?” Bill asked as Cammy and Clutch returned. “Is it the fever?”
The girl nodded. “He’s holding his own though and I think he’ll make it.” She went and replaced the aid kit into her pack. “Give him a day or two and he can be moved.”
Bill nodded. “He’s lucky. Most die within the first three or four days.” He turned his attention back to Clutch. “And ya and your friend here are lucky not to be down with it too.”
“What is it exactly?” Grunt asked.
“No one knows, we ain’t been able to figure it out.” Bill shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. “But it kills fast and…” He stopped when he noticed Cammy’s hand reaching up to her earpiece. “Cammy?”
She motioned for him to be silent, and after a moment said, “Message from Eagle. Teams missing, proceed and recon detention center.” She listened a minute more and paled.
“What’s wrong?” Clutch asked, concerned.
Bill shot him a look to silence him, and rose to stand beside his daughter. “Cammy?” He laid a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “What is it?”
“Code Delta.”
Bill looked distressed. “Ya sure?”
She nodded slowly, swallowing once or twice. “Repeated twice and the verifying code is correct.” She looked up at her father. “End of message.”
The silence hung thick in the room before Bill broke it. “We have our orders,” he stated simply. “Lets get ready to move.” He grabbed his pack and slung it over his shoulder then turned his attention to Clutch and Grunt. “Your friend will be safe here, but you two are comin’ along.” He turned and moved from the dark room. “C’mon kids.”
The boys gathered up their packs and waited for their ‘prisoners’ to follow their father. “Wait,” Clutch touched Cammy gently on the shoulder as she moved to follow Bill. “What’s Code Delta?”
Cammy chewed at her bottom lip. “It’s used when Cobra takes prisoners.”
“So it’s a rescue mission?” Grunt asked.
She shook her head and turned away.
“Then what…” Clutch stopped as the realization hit him. “You don’t mean...?”
She nodded and in a soft voice whispered, “Yeah, we’re going to kill one of our own.”
______________________________________________________
Continued in Chapter Four!
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