Chapter 10:
Five nights after Brad's arrival, Jake, Alicia, Josh, Brad and Tristan were in the conference room just as the sun set in order to try and figure out a new plan before they sent their forces out that night.
"We need to do something different," Jake said, tiredly. "We aren't making much process. Other than Brad and Josh's killing of that one vampire, we have made no progress."
"Could he have left the city?" Josh asked.
"No," Brad said. "We can still sense him here, so can the civilian vampires. Plus, there has been no sign of his emigration."
"Not to mention there was another shooting," Alicia added. Two nights earlier, they had gotten word that another innocent had been killed by a vampire round. This time it was in another part of the city, but it was very similar to the first.
"And the police are throwing a fit," Jake said. "We have to figure something out."
They talked for an hour without much success.
"Could you lure him or his supporters out?" Tristan asked; he had been silent until then. "You could use me..."
"Absolutely not," Jake said. "I'm not going to put you in danger."
Just then, there was a knock on the door and Chris entered, looking worried.
"Sir, we have a problem," Chris said.
"What is it?" Jake asked.
"Several vehicles have parked down the roads from the walls of the compound. Their occupants exited and have taken up positions around our perimeter."
"Shit!" Jake cursed. "Call all personnel back behind the outer defenses and bump all systems up to full! I want all forces assembled in the dining room in five minutes including Brad's people!"
"I guess we don't have to worry about finding them," Alicia said.
Everyone in the room rushed out of the room. Jake's mind was running. Would Zalmon be with this group or would Tarja? Did they know it was his house? Were they after Tristan? But that couldn't be. Zalmon couldn't know Tristan was here, could he? Was this just an offensive attack against his enemy? Jake was confused as he headed for the dining room. ***
Five minutes later, they were in the dining room with twenty-four watchers and all sixteen vampires. All of them were dressed in black and appeared to be carrying heavy arms. Jake strode over to one of the large cabinets on the wall and opened the doors. Behind them was a large screen and console that resembled the ones in the underground room.
Chris moved in and took control. "We're up and operational, sir."
"What do you see," Jake asked.
"There appears to be around thirty people staked out around the entire perimeter. It's half and half." Chris said, scanning the information being fed to him by the other watchers in the command room below.
"There are fifteen vampires?" Brad asked.
"Yes, sir," Chris answered.
"Bloody hell," Brad said. "They aren't taking this lightly, are they?"
"Not at all," Jake said.
"This is because of me..." Tristan whispered, but Jake heard.
"No, it's not," Jake said. "They would attack us regardless of if you were here or not. We don't even know if they know you're here."
"Look at this, sir," Chris said, motioning to the screen. A camera shot showed a blonde woman walking down the street across from the front gate.
"Tarja," both Jake and Brad breathed at the same time.
"Chris, tell someone downstairs to contact the council," Jake ordered. "Everyone else, spread out around the buildings and the grounds immediately around the buildings, don't stray close to the walls."
Everyone moved out, pairing off as vampire and watcher. Only Chris, Jake, Brad, Josh, Alicia and Tristan remained.
"Bring the map up," Jake ordered. A second later, a map of the ground appeared with dots indicating where everyone was.
"Good," Jake said. "Now what are they doing?"
"It looks like they are just watching," Chris responded. "Tarja has left the view of the cameras, she was heading southeast last we saw."
"Where are their vehicles?" Alicia asked.
Chris brought up a street map with the compound at the center. He pointed at a few green dots. "Here are the ones we know about. There may be more."
"What are you thinking?" Josh asked Alicia.
"Well, we might want to make it look like its business as usual around here, like we don't know they are there," she said, chewing her lip. "We could send out a vehicle. Make it look like some of us are off to look for them. Then double back and plant explosives or homing devices on their vehicles..."
"I like your idea," Brad said.
"As do I," Jake said. Alicia and Josh as well as Dante and one of Brad's watchers by the name of James would do this.
Five minutes later, they pulled out of the main gate and drove off toward the center of the city. A few minutes later, they doubled back and began their job.
About fifteen minutes later, Chris spoke. "They're attempting to disable our security system!"
"This is it," Jake said. "Tristan, I want you to go down to the command center, you'll be safe there."
"But..." Tristan protested.
"Chris, take Tristan and go down there," Jake ordered. "I want full updates over the radio."
Chris nodded and Tristan reluctantly followed. Jake started to walk towards the stairs.
"Where the bloody hell are you going?" Brad asked.
"Follow me," Jake said, not looking back. Brad followed him up the stairs and to the third floor. When they got there, Jake led him through an empty bedroom to a window which he slid open and crawled out of. Brad followed him out and both crawled up a valley in the roof. Jake led them to a place near the center of the building where they could see three-hundred and sixty degrees but remained partially hidden by the shape of the roof. There they waited.
"Two moving up close on the east side," Chris called. Jake spotted them and smiled.
"No one moves until they've breeched the walls," Jake ordered. "We have surprises for them." He watched as the two moved closer to the wall.
"They're going to jump it," Jake said. Sure enough, two figures leapt into the air and soared over the wall. As they landed, the motion sensors picked them up. Out of the wall behind them, high-voltage tazors shot and hit both of them in the backs, sending them to the ground in convulsions.
Brad grinned at him, "is that legal here?"
Jake laughed, "of course not, but neither is half the other stuff we have."
Using bullets would have been too dangerous, in case an innocent somehow got across the wall, the tazor would just leave them temporarily paralyzed. The two vampires laid there still convulsing. Jake spoke over the radio, "Those two are down for the time being, but they won't be down forever. They are going to have to breech the wall in order to get the watchers across too. Let's see what they try next."
Just then, Alicia called over the radio saying they had finished their job. Jake told them to remain outside the compound for the time being. They may be needed to cut off a retreat or create a trap. Chris then came across the radio, "new movement to the south near the rear gate."
Jake swung his head around and saw two figures walk up slowly to the gate. One moved up to the gate and when he touched it, the electric shock knocked him to the ground. The other one pulled his friend away, but came back. He dropped a couple things near the gate then walked off. Thirty seconds later, two small explosions severely damaged the rear gate but didn't knock it down.
"Systems on the rear gate are down!" Chris called. Jake ordered people on the ground to reposition themselves so more were facing the south entrance. The figure that had dropped the explosives was joined by three other figures including the one who had been shocked as he approached the damaged gate. He grabbed the center of it where the two sides met and shoved them down. The crash echoed across the grounds.
"Perimeter breeched," Chris called. "Vampires inside the east wall are starting to get up."
"Zack," Jake called over the radio. "Take care of the two on the east."
Zack acknowledged and from his spot on top of the guest house on the east side of the main house, he snipped both vampires with his high powered rifle.
"Open fire on the four to the south!" Jake ordered. A hail of bullets met the four as they attempted to charge up the rear driveway. It was three watchers and the one vampire. "Three vampires and three watchers down! That means there's at least twenty some more out there!"
Just then, the compound shook as two larger explosions ripped holes in the northwest corner of the wall.
"Shit!" Jake shouted.
"Perimeter breech on north and west walls where they meet. Systems in all of the west wall and half the north wall are down!"
"Everyone move!" Brad called over the radio. "At least fifteen figures coming through the gaps!"
He turned to Jake, "Those first two were distractions! I'm going in."
Jake nodded and watched as Brad leapt down the roof then off the house and joined the men and women, watchers and vampires moving to meet the invasion of his beloved home.
Jake counted seventeen enemies coming through the breeches—seven vampires and ten watchers. That left a total of five vampires and two watchers unaccounted for...
"Alicia," Jake called over the radio. "Get to the south entrance, now."
About a minute later, five vampires and two watchers walked through the broken south gate, shooting and killing the two vampires and two watchers that had remained to watch that hole.
"Fuck," Jake cursed. He looked around his forces were primarily on the opposite side of the house and down the hill near the walls to the west fighting the larger invasion. Jake looked back at the seven walking up the rear drive. "Tarja," he hissed. He got to his feet and jumped almost one hundred feet out over the house and grounds before dropping to the ground, his trench coat fluttering around him.
"Jaakko!" Tarja called. She spoke with a thick German accent. "I thought this might be your house! We meet again at last!"
"Traitorous bitch," Jake hissed.
"Now, that's no way to treat an old friend," she sneered. Her companions opened fired on Jake who dodged all of the bullets. As the volley stopped, Jake watched as a hail of bullets rained down on the invaders from behind—Alicia and her companions had just pulled up in their car, shooting out the windows. Two of Tarja's companion vampires' heads exploded as the others dodged. Alicia, Josh, Dante and James got out of the car. They were evenly matched now. Jake shucked his coat and drew his sword as Tarja did the same. Everyone clashed at once. Tarja and Jake danced around each other, swords clashing and clanking. A few minutes passed and Jake saw Alicia kill her opponent and go to help Josh who had been wounded but was still fighting. The watchers were still battling it out two-on-two.
"Oh come on!" Tarja said. "I expected better from you, Jaakko!"
Their battle intensified and their swords clanged harder. Tarja leapt over Jake's low slice and then sliced high which Jake ducked under. They twisted and leapt and stretched to try and land a blow on the other. Tarja landed a jab at Jake's shoulder and he howled in pain. He started to lose as she moved in to take advantage of his weakened position. He stumbled and fell and Tarja moved in for the kill. As she brought her sword down to stab him through the heart, he kicked out, knocking her off balance and brought his sword down on her leg, causing a huge gash to appear. She lost her balance and Jake thrust his sword into her chest as she fell. She tried to scream, but couldn't. Jake stood and then brought his sword down and decapitated her. He looked around to find Alicia, Josh, Dante and James all rushing towards him. They had defeated the rest of Tarja's party.
"Jake!" Brad called, rushing from the other side. "Are you alright?"
Jake nodded even though the wound in his left shoulder throbbed and he realized he was losing a lot of blood.
"Three of them escaped, one vampire and two watchers," Brad said. "We captured one watcher alive, the rest are dead or dying." Jake nodded. "Let's get you inside. Jake allowed himself to be escorted by Brad and the others as the rest of the vampires and watchers started the job of cleaning up the battlefield.
Chapter 11
Jake walked with Brad, Alicia and the few others down to the underground cavern and then to the infirmary instead of the command room. A handful of other vampires and watchers were there being tended to by their friends. Jane rushed up and started working on him. Jess, Chris and Tristan soon walked in. Tristan paled when he saw Jake.
"Are you okay, sir?" Jess asked.
"Fine," Jake said. "It's a scratch."
"A scratch, my ass!" Jane hissed.
Jake rolled his eyes and said, "What's the report?"
"Fourteen enemy vampires killed, twelve enemy watchers killed, and one taken captive. That means one vampire and two watchers escaped. Each took a vehicle which we are now tracking using the homing devices planted on them."
"What were our casualties?" Jake asked. He cringed as Jane worked on his wound.
Brad spoke up, "two of my watchers and two of my vampires were slain, one of each on the south driveway by Tarja's party, the other two in the melee on the northwest lawn. One of your vampires and one of your watchers were killed on the south drive as well. We have three vampires and five watchers in here being treated in addition to you, Jake. Josh is one of the three vampires. Most of us have scratches and scraps, but the majority of us are fine."
"Good," Jake said. "Who of ours was killed?"
"Jack was the watcher killed," Alicia said, sadness in her eyes. "Linda was the vampire that was killed."
"Shit," Jake whispered. Jane was stitching his wound. His vampire nature would allow the wound to fully heal the next time he slept... which would be soon. "What is the damage to property?"
Chris answered, "Perimeter damage was heavy. However, the center of the compound is perfectly fine. Our forces are cleaning up debris as they clean up bodies. Neighbors might wonder why our back gate is missing and the wall in the northwest corner is damaged..."
"Say we're doing maintenance. The gate is being replaced," Alicia said. "And that the northwest corner had bad bricks that we're replacing. That is, if anyone asks."
"Where are the vehicles headed?" Jake asked.
"All the way across town," Jess answered. "They're entering the rural area and they're still driving."
"What is the report on the captured watcher?" Jake asked.
"He is currently being held down here in one of the rooms," Brad answered. "He's injured and currently unconscious, but he'll be fine when he wakes. We'll question him then."
Jake nodded. Jane finished up on him. "I need to brief the council."
"They're awaiting your call," Chris said. The group moved to the command center where Jake and Brad called the council and informed them of what was happening.
"There were fifteen vampires?" Teresa said, shocked. "Plus the other three you killed a couple days ago. This is the most vampires he has had in one place in a long time. Did you find out where those vehicles were going?"
Jake looked to Jess, who answered. "They just pulled into what we think is an old farm. They've stopped there."
"Do you think Zalmon is there?" Teresa asked.
"No," Jake said. "It's probably just another safe house. Then again, I could be wrong."
Nathaniel spoke softly, "Attack that house tomorrow night. We want Zalmon and his supporters dead."
"This war will end here," Jake said. "Two of his chief remaining supporters are dead, he will be next." Jake hesitated, and then informed them of who Tristan was.
"He's a descendent of my lost sister?" Nathaniel asked in shock. "I thought we had lost that line with Nikolai."
Jake looked at Tristan, who was looking worried and scared. "What should we do?"
"Keep him protected for now," Nathaniel said. They ended the call after that. Jake made sure all was in order and excused himself so he could retire to his suite. His body was tired and sore. Tristan hesitated, but Jake motioned for Tristan to follow him up to his suite. He liked having Tristan close. What the hell am I thinking? Jake thought. I can't get involved with him, he's human.
Tristan smiled timidly at Jake as they sat on a couch in Jake's sitting room, "I'm sorry you got hurt."
Jake smiled and put his hand on Tristan's shoulder. "This isn't the first time, and definitely not the worst. Tarja and many other enemies are dead and my house is safe. Things could be far worse."
"I've been wondering what this all mean?" Tristan asked, after a few moments of silence. "What does the fact that I'm a descendant of that line mean for me?"
"I wish I could answer you," Jake answered. "I've been pondering it a lot the past few days. We don't fully understand the science behind our existence and the way some blood like that of Daniel's chosen three are better suited to receive. We theorized that the traits in that blood got stronger as they were passed down to Nikolai and now to you.
"I could feel your strength when I first saw you," Jake continued. "I don't mean just your physical strength, but you have a strong will and you are intelligent and possess many powerful characteristics." Tristan blushed as Jake thought. "We don't know what the extent of the power in your blood is, or what would happen if it is combined with the vampire strain."
Tristan nodded thoughtfully before changing the subject, "do you enjoy being immortal?"
Jake sighed and leaned back into the couch, "yes and no, it has been incredible to live this long. I have seen so many things, experienced so much." A sad look crossed his eyes, "but I've seen so many bad things as well. I've seen war and strife and so much suffering in my lifetime. And I've had to watch people grow old and die many many times over. I've had to watch people I love and care for suffer and die, while I live on, unchanging. It's a lonely life most of the time."
"What about Alicia and everyone else?" Tristan asked.
"Oh, they have their own lives," Jake smiled. "And vampires tend to be independent creatures when we aren't in a time of war."
"I thought you lived in covens?"
"Not anymore," Jake laughed. "The books have it right that we once did. However, we've changed. Vampires still live together sometimes. Before the war, Alicia and I lived separately, but we tried to get together as often as possible. I lived with Marek on and off for a long time as well before his death. He was killed two centuries ago by a vampire who had gone mad and attacked him while he was sleeping," Jake looked sad again, but the look cleared quickly. "What about you, Tristan? Who do you have in your life? What of your family and friends?"
It was Tristan's turn to look sad, "my mom died a year ago. And my father died a few years ago, while I was still in high school. My father was killed by a drunk driver, and my mother died after a long battle with cancer. I have no siblings, and my mother's adopted parents are dead as are my father's parents. My father had one brother, but I haven't heard from him in years. I'm kind of out in the world on my own. Most of the few friends I have moved around the country and I'm falling out of touch with them."
"I'm sorry about your family," Jake said, squeezing Tristan's shoulder. "So there's no girlfriend?"
"No," Tristan laughed, "I'm..." he hesitated.
"Gay?" Jake asked, smiling at Tristan.
"Yeah," Tristan answered.
Jake smiled and looked at the window. They chatted a bit more before Tristan realized how tired he was and excused himself to go to bed as the sky started to lighten outside the large windows, and Jake too went to sleep.