Malevolence: CATU Book 4 Ch. 18-20

What is the status?" Typheryian asks turning in his chair to face Oriatis.

Magnus takes a seat in one of the two chairs in front of the desk before answering. "The cargo ship has already left and is on its way to the crater. However, our facility there has taken substantial damage and will take several months to get repairs made."

"No matter. The Ancients have been waiting for a long time, what's another few months," Typheryian says smiling. "What of the woman?"

"Samantha?" Oriatis asks. Typheryian nods confirming his question. "It seems Rythern let the other human pass as he deemed it necessary to fight her himself."

"And you let him?" Typheryian asks fuming. He stands and slams his fists onto the desk. "You know how egotistical he is. He could have ruined it all for us." Oriatis remains silent not daring to anger the other demon anymore. Of the Ternion, Typheryian is the strongest and if his plans come to fruition he'd become an Ancient. Oriatis wanted to stay on the stronger demon's good side as long as he could. "I can understand that little shit not succeeding in killing the human, but how were you defeated?" he finally asks after his anger subsides and he sits back down.

"The humans do prove to be more resourceful than we expect them to be," Oriatis explains. "He used some sort of grenade that not only exploited our weakness but managed to destroy the equipment."

"Yes they have been getting more and more resourceful throughout the centuries haven't they? When we finish with the portal, it won't be a problem any longer. Soon, my dear Oriatis, we'll have everything we have spent millennia working toward. We will erase the mistakes of Anubis and Ra and their foolishness. Have we heard anything about Natalya?" he asked almost as an afterthought.

"Nothing as of yet, but I suspect she'll turn up."

"With the winning side no doubt. Watch her Oriatis. She may be weak compared to us but she is conniving and slithery and we need not drop our guard with her."

——

CATU Headquarters, Washington D.C.

Sam and Spencer take the first plane back to the United States having to resort to using false passports and aliases to do so. The police reacted quickly with the attack on True Energy and mobilizing their force to find the suspects. The two agents, however, were in time leaving the country before pictures were distributed.

They now sit in Director Mike Grines' office giving him the details of the entire mission. "Well at least now we know the demons run the True Group. The question is the players themselves. From the sound of things you two put their plans on hold for a little while buying us time to form some kind of plan against them."

"Have we any leads on Avyanna?" Spencer asks.

"That's the interesting thing," Grines' says with a chuckle. "Up until I received a call from Major Duncan Graves, we had no idea where she was."

"Graves huh?" Sam smirks. "That slimy bastard only helps when he wants something in return."

"Well at least he asked for something we can help him with."

"Let me guess. He fucked up somewhere and now needs our help," Spencer speculates.

"You could say that. It seems he sent a team in, the same one you two worked with in Madagascar and they were supposed to have taken the base the demons set up in Antarctica and report in."

"Not the one on White Island?" Sam asks in shock.

"The very same one."

"But I destroyed it after the scientist and I escaped."

"From the looks of the satellite imaging it was destroyed. We didn't have the resources at the time to send a confirmation team. So we used thermal satellite imaging and it didn't show any activity. Unfortunately we assumed wrong."

"Out of curiosity," Spencer says. "Do any current pictures show anything?"

"Up until twenty-four hours ago no. Since then there has been a lot of activity. It won't be long before another agency sees the same thing we have been seeing. I have contacts in the FBI and CIA clamping down on things, but even they aren't sure they can contain it."

"So basically we have to hold our breath and hope for the best," Sam states.

"So far, but that doesn't mean I'm not sending you in. Consider this your first mission of your new task force. I will be sending you two in to find Avyanna and destroy her and gather information about the gate. The other team—the two members I told you about—will go in and rescue the stranded DEP Six team."

"Sounds easy enough," Spencer says.

"Always does in the planning stages," Sam remarks.

"Nothing is ever easy," Grines confirms.

"How soon do we leave?" Spencer asks.

"You're flight leaves in thirty minutes."

——

Spencer and Sam take a flight to Punta Arenas, Chile where they then get a flight provided by the Chile Coast Guard and dropped off sixty miles off the coast. Their wait doesn't take long. The USS Seawolf breaks the surface within five minutes of them treading water. The trip takes only a few hours and they are dropped off as close to the shore as the submarine would allow. Clothed in heavy winter gear and restocked equipment they begin their trek. The other two members of the newly formed division were coming in a different way, much like the way DEP Six were dropped in.

The trip through the ice fields isn't too bad. They are able to match much of the surface features with the aerial map and the trek is just over five miles. They chose a path that would bring them to the east gate, which upon reaching it they can see evidence of a battle.

"Think this is where the team's mission went wrong?" Sam asks.

"Could be," Spencer speculates. "Whatever the hell hit them though was big."

"I'd say. Hey, the door!"

The two agents duck behind a snow bank as a group of Russian soldiers run out and turn north. "Well this makes it easy for us," Spencer says grabbing Sam's arm.

The two agents run across the field keeping alert for any surprises that might jump out at them. They don't encounter any resistance and both make it through the door just before it closes. They stand in the doorway for a moment around seeing they have a choice to make.

"So which tunnel do we take?" Sam asks.

"I have a feeling it won't matter. I honestly can't there being too many places to go."

Soldiers appear from around the tunnel to the right opening fire onto the two agents. They return fire as they head up the opposite tunnel.

"So much for secrecy!" Sam yells over the gunfire.

"You didn't expect it to last forever did you?"

"Not really."

There run through the tunnels taking out soldiers as they come. After spending nearly an hour in the tunnels they come to a small circular room. Sam points out traces of blood on the floor and they guess at least a couple of the DEP Six team made it in that far. Beyond the door in the back of the room is another tunnel. It doesn't look different than the other ones they trekked through. This tunnel, however, seems to go down at a slope leading deeper into the ice. Eager, the two agents proceed.

The tunnel curves to the right and brings them to a large area with openings at opposite ends. One leads to a large tunnel slopping back to the surface—the agents can see the night sky vaguely at the end—the other leads still sloping down.

"At least our options are getting better," Sam remarks.

The tunnel takes another ten minutes to traverse and brings the two to a large excavation site. Scaffolding sits circling the area. Shovels, picks and wheel burrows are scattered throughout and the only thing missing is the thing being excavated—the Demon Gate.

"Looks like we're too late," Spencer says dryly.

Of course you are foolish humans. You don't expect to stop my plans do you?

The Demon Lord floats down from the ceiling landing softly on the ground below her. Her wings folded behind her back as she lands. Spencer and Sam lift their guns. Avyanna raises a hand pulling the weapons from their hands and tosses them across the room into the wall. They break into pieces falling to the floor.

You won't be in need of those. Sam pulls Kotetsu free. Ah, Kotetsu. Now where did you acquire such a remarkable piece of weaponry?

"That's no concern for you," Sam answers. "The only thing you should be concerned with is me kicking your ass."

I think not. Sam's weapon is ripped from her hand and held mid air in front of Avyanna. Yes, such a finely crafted weapon. One with origins stretching across time itself. In demon hands it holds considerable power; in the hand of a human detrimental to one of us. Too bad you aren't going to be in need of it. She throws her hand to the right; the sword follows flying at immense speed and slams deep—almost to the hilt deep—into the wall. Now. Shall we?

She steps into a fighting stance with her right hand held out motioning for them to come forward. Sam leads the attack striking high while Spencer is right behind attacking low. Sam throws a combination of punches which are quickly blocked. Spencer on the other hand throws kicks and a couple of leg sweeps. Avyanna either lifts her legs to dodge the attacks or block the ones too high to.

Avyanna stays on the defensive smiling the entire time. The agents are beginning to breathe hard while the Demon Lord doesn't show any signs of wearing down. Sam grows tired of the smirk Avyanna has and steps up her attack.

My, my. I was told you were a threat. I even witness your fighting prowess and I must say I am really no impressed. The Demon Lord aims to provoke the agents, but both are trained too well to let insults lead them to do something stupid. The fighting keeps up until Avyanna decides her attempts aren't working. It is time to show the humans who was going to win.

As Spencer throws a kick, Avyanna grabs his leg and kicks out at his other leg. As he falters she brings her leg up and around, kicking him in the chest sending him to the floor. Sam feels concern for him, but she shows no signs to the effect. The next punch Sam throws is caught by the demon. Her grin widens as she twists Sam's arm to nearly the breaking point. Sam grunts in pain refusing to give in. With a sudden snap her arm goes limp. Avyanna reaches in grabbing the young woman by the throat and sends her flying away.

Spencer is on his feet launching an attack at the demon's back while she is preoccupied with his partner. The attack is futile. Avyanna spins around catching the now surprised agent by the throat in a similar fashion. Predictable. Humans are always so predictable.

"So are demons bitch," Sam sputters out.

A look of surprise crosses Avyanna's face as she looks down at her chest. Kotetsu gleams like light hitting ice. Black blood seeps from the demon's chest. She releases the grip on Spencer's throat letting him fall to the floor. Sam pulls the sword free and stands back. Her broken arm lay limp at her side. A trickle of blood flows from her head. "So you were saying something about predictability?"

Avyanna begins to laugh. Her wings spread out forcing Spencer to fall back out of the way. With a whoosh the Demon Lord is in the air. Both agents can see the poison of Kotetsu flowing through her veins under her flawless skin.

Whatever the sword is made of is just as Avyanna said it was: detrimental.

Avyanna lets out a scolding scream and explodes. Sam moves toward Spencer and the entire room turns white, engulfing everything.

From outside along the shore of White Island the DEP Six team stand with their two CATU rescuers. They turn to see a huge sphere of pure white light appear on the horizon then just as quickly fading into nothing.

"What the hell was that?" Matthews asks out loud.

"I don't know, but I know it couldn't have been good," Nash says a full minute later.

——

People's Republic of China

General Tsu Wei, stepped forward," a uniformed man sitting amongst a group of similarly dressed man says.

Wei stands at the lone table that sits in front to the panel. He is dressed in his uniform and he holds himself with confidence even though he already knows this summons will not bode well for him.

"We have listened to the message Captain Delun Tong sent before his death," the same man continues. "We have determined he fought valiantly for Mother China and died so too. He will be remembered as a hero of the people."

"However," another of the men steps in, "Your actions have brought shame to you and in doing so would have brought shame to the men under your command. This council has decided to strip you of your command and decorations."

"We have made a decision," the first man continues. "Because of your bravery and accomplishments for Mother China, we offer you a choice. You can go freely setting your family to be disgraced or you can accept death, sparing your family disgrace."

Tsu Wei stands taking a moment to digest and think about his decision. He does it for effect since he already has his mind made up long before stepping before the council. "I'll accept death," he says at last.

Washington D.C.

In an unsurprising turn of events it is President McKinsey that has won the elections again for a second term. His quick actions in the Russian/Chinese conflict combined with his new policies have shown the people of not only the United States, but the entire world he is a man that will not step down without a fight.

"With his administration battered over the last few months and attacks not only against America but other countries as well, he is more determined to wipe out terrorist no matter where they try to hide. Today he not only celebrates his winning at the polls, but he celebrates victory with his long time friend and new Vice President, Admiral Russell Pellington. We cannot wait to see what this administration has in store for America and the terrorists that aim to wreak havoc on the world. This is Camie Paumer, Eyewitness 8 at the White House."

New York City

Natalya sits at her bar in her studio apartment on the fifty-sixth for overlooking the city. She is drinking a Captain Morgan and Dr. Pepper while enjoying the success of her plans.

"You know it won't be long before the Ternion succeed where others have failed. Thanks to a big part in the role you played."

A sour look overcomes her face. She is getting tired of the games Rythern and his kind are playing. She quickly changes her expression when he comes around the bar to face her. She smiles at him.

Let him think what he will. Soon I will have what I want and the Ternion will be no more.

Rythern returns the smile. "I see you are healing pretty fast."

"The same can be said about you."

"What can I say; I guess it's just something natural."

"Did you come here to flaunt your arrogance or did you have something else?"

"Why?" he asks looking hurt. "I can do whatever you'd like."

"Right now Rythern, I'm not in the mood." After a pause she says, "But I can be. I just can't guarantee you'll live long afterward."

The glint in her eyes tells him she isn't playing around, that she means business. "I'm not here for that either. I'm just relaying a message from the Ternion. They are moving into the next phase."

"I thought the facility in Argentina was shot to hell?"

"A minor setback. By the time Phase II is complete the facility will be ready to go online."

Not if I can help it.

DEP Six Facility

It's good to see you all in one piece," Major Duncan Graves says as the members of DEP Six deboard their transport plane.

"We're just glad you sent someone in to rescue us," Nash says shaking the man's hand.

"I couldn't leave my best team out there."

"Whatever happened to not acknowledging us should something goes wrong?"

"That's only if you get caught."

Nash laughs at the comment. The rest of the team heads off to the infirmary to get checked over by the DEP Six doctors. Nash continues to walk with Graves. Once the rest of the team are out of ear shot he asks, "So do we get some down time?"

They stop and Graves look at the man for a few moments. "I was going to tell you no. Things are moving fast and I'm going to need your team. I'll give you all one week. One week and you report back."

White Island

What is the situation?" Director Mike Grines asks one of his field agents.

"What is left of the facility is this crater," the man says pointing to the crater. They stand on the edge of it overlooking the giant hole in the ice. "We found Special Agent Reeds lying in the center with the sword."

"No sign of Roberts?"

"No sir. We searched the surrounding area and found nothing."

"Have the sword sent back to my office and do another search. I want to keep updated on Agent Reeds condition."