Jonathan Bond - The Terminus experiment

Julius nodded gravely. “It looks like you were right. I knew Marco was a vampire, but he has been so for many years and it didn’t seem to affect his control of Fratellanza. Recently, he underwent an experimental procedure that left him crippled.” Julius grimaced. “I believe it also drove him insane.”

De Vries gave Julius a melancholy smile, “Derek was even more insane than his father. When I learned of his creation, I immediately devoted all my resources to learning the secret behind it. I am not ashamed of killing your nephew.”

Julius sighed. “I am sure you’re not,” he said. “And I know you did the right thing. Derek’s soul was dead long before you got to him. He was killed by his own father.”

“And now Marco is trying to do the same thing to Warren,” de Vries said, “and eventually will try to do the same to you.” Julius merely nodded.

“You can break the cycle,” de Vries said. “You can help me bring down the facility in Hell’s Kitchen.”

At just that moment, Rachel heard the beeping of a wrist-phone, and Biggs answered it.

Julius turned to look at the man, who had gone white. “What is it, Biggs?”

Biggs disconnected and turned to face Julius. “That was Marco,” he said. The words hung in the air, as the warehouse went silent.

“Well, man, don’t keep us in suspense. What did he have to say?”

Biggs shook his head. “You’ve been removed from the board of Fratellanza, and if I see you I’m supposed to place you under house arrest.”

Julius laughed, a low, hollow sound that rang through the warehouse.

“There’s more.”

“I thought there might be,” said Julius. “What else?”

Biggs’ face turned into a grimace. “He says he’s arranged for the release of Warren, and that as soon as your son appears, we’ll be taking orders directly from him. Warren’s in charge of the entire corporation until Marco reappears.”

“Now is the moment of truth,” de Vries said. “You have the loyalty of the troops, I have seen that. You…”

Julius interrupted. “I have already started proceedings for a hostile takeover based on the fact that Marco is no longer mentally competent. That’s in the corporate constitution. I’ve given the go-ahead to the lawyers, and by tomorrow afternoon Marco will be out of the picture, provided I haven’t underestimated him again.”

Julius rode next to Biggs in the back of the midnight-black stretch Toyota Elite winding up Magnolia Bluff. As they passed the first checkpoint, he could see the early morning sunlight refracting off Elliott Bay.

Julius looked at his watch, a Dulcola-Fra that accented his charcoal Armante suit. It was just short of eight in the morning, and they were making good time, despite the heavy morning traffic.

Julius glanced over at Biggs, who had also changed from battle gear into a business suit, though the double-breasted garment didn’t hang as well as the designer had intended on the big ork’s bulky frame. The deep circles under Biggs’ eyes told the tale of how exhausting the previous night had been. Neither of them had slept, going straight from battle into the planning meeting that had hatched the course of action they were about to put into play.

“You should have stayed behind with the others,” said Julius. “You need the rest.”

Biggs looked over and flashed a grin that melted the weariness from his face for a moment. “You gotta be slotting me, sir. I wouldn’t miss this little whammy for the world.”

Julius smiled. “I appreciate that, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t glad you’re here.”

Biggs said, “Besides, what kind of second would I be if I didn’t have your back when you needed it most?”

Julius nodded and gazed out the window again.

They both felt the limo slow to a crawl as it approached the mansion’s gate. Then it accelerated as the guards waved it through.

Biggs looked over at Julius and smiled again. “You ready to do this?”

Julius thought about his brother, and for just a moment, he felt a flash of shame. From a very young age all he’d ever heard was that family was everything and that to betray family was to betray oneself. Then he thought of Marco’s face last night-which felt like a million years ago-on the telecom. Trying to convince him that Warren was somewhere else.

You betrayed me and mine first, big brother. Now it’s pay-back. He nodded to Biggs. “Let’s get this over with.”

Both men got out of the limo, and without a signal, the big car pulled forward, toward the garage.

Julius looked to his left and saw Marco’s Rolls Royce standing ready.

With Biggs’ hand on his arm, just above the elbow, the two of them ascended the steps to the front door. The guards let Julius pass with a nod.

Entering the foyer, going from the brightness of day into the dimness, the two men paused.

“Good. You brought him.” Marco’s voice was a pained wheeze that made Julius flinch.

Beside him, Julius felt Biggs snap to attention. “Yes, sir.”

From the gloom at the other end of the hallway Marco’s wheelchair rolled forward, being pushed by Peter, Marco’s assistant.

Marco’s makeup was smeared with sweat, and he was hunched over, making him look like a carved demon. Julius studied his brother, but for the moment. Marco’s attention was on Biggs. “I understand how difficult it must have been For you to carry out your orders,” he said. “It’s not an easy thing to take your boss’s authority away from him. Rest easy, though. I will reward your loyalty upon my return.”

Marco’s eyes flashed to Julius.

Well, there’s life in the old boy yet, thought Julius, as his brother’s piercing gaze locked with his own. “Little brother, I apologize for the inconvenience. Unfortunately you gave me no choice. Until I can return and explain things to you fully, you’re just going to have to trust that this is for the best. You’ve jeopardized matters of which you have no comprehension, and I can’t take the time right now to show you the error of your ways.”

Julius let his head fall forward. “Actually, I do understand. I disobeyed you, thinking of nothing more than my son. I was blinded by my fear for him.”

Marco nodded his vulpine head as Julius looked up at him I. “I too understand, little brother. Still, I do have good news. I’ve discovered Warren’s whereabouts, and I’m going now to secure his release.”

This is it. thought Julius. He forced all the surprise he could his voice. “Warren? You know where he is?”

Marco nodded, and chuckled. “He is safe and well and should be returning to the fold in a few days. When he does, he will be in charge until I can return and clear things up with you. I expect you to give him the same good counsel you have given me all these years, though you will not have the same authority. He is the future of Fratellanza, Inc., little brother.”

Julius nodded. “Let me go with you. I want to see my son. I promise I wont do anything… rash.” Julius held his breath.