Joshua Graham - Terminus

All alone in this world full of savages, Lena Walker has no one to turn to when the rage threatens to overtake her. And now, it has grown into hatred.

Just like Momma, she will never be able to live at peace with humans. She’s known but one good man among them all. And they killed him.

No longer will she restrain herself for the sake of “blending in” or to please her father. Nor is there any point in forgiving that which must be punished or avenged, if not eradicated like a disease.

“I’m sorry, Daddy… I am exactly like her.”

STANDING IN A CONSTRUCT CREATED for the sake of her lieutenants, Lena’s eyes slowly swept a black-walled chamber in which the candidates she’d chosen were seated. Determined to impress her supervisor no matter the cost, she’d summoned the best of the best for this operation.

Each of them possessed a unique talent born of their unique backgrounds and cultivated over the ages. These were the most disciplined and powerful, therefore the most efficient, of all the candidates. Gunther, Johann, Dan, and Serena stood in a semicircle around her as still as trees.

She clapped her hands twice. “Look alive, everyone.”

They stood at attention.

“Now, listen carefully. We’re about to meet with a powerful executive from the High Command. None of you speaks unless I say so, is that clear?” Four nods. “Good. Your only job here is to instill confidence, is that clear?”

More nods, followed by dead silence.

“All right. Here we go.”

She waved her hand at one of the walls, and the area before them was illuminated with crimson light.

“We’re ready,” she called out, and a man in a business suit with eyes and hair black as night appeared, smiling subtly.

“You’re looking well, Lena.”

“As are you, Morloch.”

“I see you’ve assembled your crew.”

She glanced over her shoulder then back.

“The very best.”

“Are they, now?” Like a panther, Morloch circled them slowly, scrutinizing each of them one by one, head to toe. He now bore the appearance of a military leader in combat attire. The candidates towered over him, but it had no effect on his stark demeanor.

“Are you sure you can succeed with so few?” he said.

“They’re not the only ones. But you’d be surprised how much I can do with so little.”

“And you’re sure they can be kept under control, once it begins?”

“Absolutely. I am an authority on their kind.”

“So you say.” Morloch stopped pacing and regarded her with interest.

“To the humans, we’re the stuff of folklore, to the rest we’re little more than unsubstantiated rumors. The less that’s known about us, the less anyone is prepared to deal with us.”

“I like the way you think.” He came and stood at her left side, hands crossed over his chest, feet spread. A commanding pose. “Are they all the same?”

“None of us are,” Lena said. “Each Nephilim possesses a unique combination of qualities, from one end of the spectrum to the other.” No need to tell him that some were born completely human, while others could be more powerful than most angels or demons. “Since this operation is to take place here on the physical plane, I’ve chosen the ones with the greatest physical abilities.”

“You’re aware that our interests lie well beyond the physical, I trust.”

“Of course,” she said. “And I trust you’re aware that you and I are here to help each other. The more effective I am in this realm, the more ground you’ll gain in yours. Once I’ve established control of my territory, we’ll simply round the humans up and send them straight to you en masse . It will be…symbiotic.”

“I prefer the term synergistic.” He stepped behind her and whispered into her ear. “But you are a crafty one, aren’t you?”

“You’re a great teacher.” She regarded him with reluctant respect. “Now, I need some assurance that after I’ve proven myself, I’ll be given the resources necessary to follow through with the new order.”

“Have you any doubt?”

“I’m full of doubt. But I’m banking on our agendas being mutually beneficial.”

Morloch placed his hands on her shoulders and began to massage them. It released so much tension that she started losing that sense of urgency over her concerns. Damn him. He always knew how to disarm her. As much as her body responded to his touch, she felt uneasy because her lieutenants were still there, though standing as motionless as monuments.

“Lena, Lena, Lena,” Morloch said. “Don’t let yourself be distracted by minutia. I personally guarantee you’ll be given the resources you need to maintain your new global order if you’re successful at the Cabrillo Stadium event.”

“It’s as good as done.” The stadium event was an easy target, disproportionate to the payoff in which she would finally set things right. With legions at her command in both the physical and spiritual realms, nothing could stop her from establishing the new order.

“Oh, and Lena.” He took his hands off her shoulders, turned her around to face him. “There’s the matter of that angel…what was his name?”

“You mean Nikolai?” She said his name casually, not letting her apprehension show.

“Our records indicate that some of the assignments we issued haven’t been completed. Why is that?”

Her stomach clenched. “I’m not sure what happened,” she said, “but I’ll make certain they’re completed. I’m sure you can understand how menial tasks can get overshadowed by something as significant as this operation.”

“Menial?” He regarded her with a glacial look. Lena backed away, but Morloch reached out and clutched her throat, holding her in extreme discomfort. “You ought to keep better tabs on your recruits.”

“I…know, I—” His grip on her throat was so tight it was all but impossible to choke out a word.

“What do you know, really?” He tightened his grip, seemed amused as she struggled to speak. She couldn’t. Finally he released her and let her fall to the ground gasping for air.

“Nikolai had no intention of joining the Dark Dominion, as you presumed,” he said. “In fact, he’s already begun his fall.”

Lena had to cough out her words between gasps.

“This has to be a mistake.”

“Your mistake. Without his supernatural abilities he’ll be useless to us.”

“I didn’t know. I’ll fix this, I swear!”

Morloch lifted her chin.

“ You’ll have to deal with him, Lena.” She tried to stand, but the best she could do was get up on one knee.

“You said so yourself—he’s of no use. So as a powerless mortal, he’s no threat.”

“All the same,” he said as he pulled her to her feet, “if there’s any chance he might still influence an unfavorable outcome at the event, I want him dead.”

The thought of killing Nick caused her a puzzling degree of regret. But she mustn’t let it show.

“Can you handle that,” Morloch said, “or do you need me to step in?”

“No! I mean, yes, I can handle it and no, you don’t need to step in.”

“You’re not likely to be entrusted with a large scale operation if you’re unable to accomplish something this simple. Because those ‘menial’ tasks have not been completed, the event is still at risk for us. You’re losing sight.”

“I assure you I’m not—I just need a little more time.”

“Terminating him is just one part of it. Because of his failed assignments, you’ll have to try harder to stop the outbreak that will happen as a result of the Cabrillo event. That’s the greater concern.” He narrowed his eyes. “I trust you know I’ve stuck my neck out for you on this.”