Medford, Texas – Cassia's Office
Jan 11th 2058
Rick had been traveling with this band of warriors for days. In all that time however he still hadn't figured out if he had made the right decision. He had messaged his wife and let her know he was fine and even checked in with his old employer. His company informed him of his termination but oddly enough they did so with unusual care and concern for his welfare. Six months' salary plus the bonus that had been promised him when he signed on. The fact he wasn't fired for cause was a shock. But to get his bonus? His family would be living on that until he could figure out what in hell was going on. As of now he had no fucking clue how to answer that question. Or what to tell his wife for the future. He didn't know these people, or understand exactly what they wanted from him.
The news had said nothing of his old boss. Other than a notice of his death due to a heart attack buried deep on the company website. What went down in Mexico was passing as quiet as a mouse. Rick knew better, his old boss and the whole team had been killed by these men. No way in hell he died of a heart attack. But who in hell were these people, and what in hell did they think he could do for them? Rick was old and well past his prime of life.
Rick had left the marines after only a year of service. Doing most of his time in uniform with the Army after he recovered from a bad injury in war. Past 50 Rick was winding down his life not ramping it up. Why did an elite force like these men, want of him? One look at how they operated spoke volumes. All were young, in the prime of their lives and in peak physical form. They were disciplined like veterans, not like the children they actually were. What could he do for men like this?
This Jacob fellow had proven to be every bit the child he suspected he was. He was only 22 and only a single year removed from his own military service. The youngest member of that team, and yet so laser focused. It astounded Rick and a part of him wished he could be young again. In the 72 hours he had spent with them he had traveled to three countries and witnessed this "Moonstone" in operation. They had multiple teams including this "Theta Team" he had met in Mexico. Jacob and his team were good, and could run rings around him. The day they had returned to the States they had taken him out on a 14 mile "break in" as they called it. To see what kind of man he was.
Rick had thought them joking since this team had been deployed twice in the span of two weeks. But true to his word the 24 or so men of the team and Rick went on a run with full equipment. Thankfully he was allowed to run in comfortable clothing. All of the others however had over 150 pounds of equipment and gear strapped to them. He felt like he was cheating running with them in sweats and comfortable shoes. But 15 miles, at his age and against these kids? He was ready for them to shoot him after only 6 miles. Yet these boys had run without any sign of fatigue. How in fuck did they manage that? Whoever they were, these kids were on another level. He had worked with special forces before, but these kids….. something wasn't right with them. They should be tired, beaten up, but they weren't. Later that night he had watched the team train on hand to hand. Some of the moves they made defied logic, some hands and feet moved faster than his ability to keep track. And yet… somehow these kids seemed untaxed, and ready for more. The one thing that he was used to and appreciated was the camaraderie. That he could identify with thanks to his time in the service. It was clear these men all trusted each other. They teased and they taunted each other but the looks said much to a man like Rick.
"Rick if you don't mind waiting here, someone will be with you shortly."
Rick nodded to the pretty young woman who had escorted him alone to a building in this small Texas town. He had heard of it before, an old acquaintance from the war had come from here. Medford, Texas…. Not really an interesting place really. Smallish when compared to his home in Virginia. But that name, Medford. Now that brought back memories. Rick, Bobby, Jack, Hunter, Kip and Travis all had been in 2-man recon teams training together. All had deployed to war decades ago. As far as Rick knew he had been the only one to come home. Two of those guys had come from this place, Rick wondered if they still had family here. He had barely thought about them in the decades that had gone by. Mostly because of how Hunter died. Pushing that war back into the distant past, Rick stood looking at the small office he had been escorted into.
Whoever had this office it had to be a woman. Lots of pictures of kids, and then what looked like grandkids. Many of them were in uniform. Rick recognized that Jacob kid in several of the photos. Whoever this kid was he had to be family. Everything was ordered and neat, and then that symbol he had seen before. A grey circle with a Greek symbol at its center.
"It's not an A young man, its Greek for Lambda. That symbol has been used by armies for centuries."
The voice was female and odd in that it sounded young. When Rick turned he was right, the speaker was indeed very young, but she spoke like she wasn't. Then he noticed the way she carried herself and how she was dressed. She carried herself like an older person. Confident, but not sexual. As if she knew herself completely and had nothing to prove to anyone. She wore a simple piece of cloth with gold trim. But it was the eyes that most shook him. They were strong and piercing. Like she was looking past him to the image on the wall.
"What you see there is the logo for Moonstone. Welcome to Medford Rick, I hope my children have treated you well?"
She moved with ease past him towards her seat. Rick marveled at her, the cloth was not fully opaque and you could see all of her if you looked close enough.
"You must have many questions after spending days with my children. They are not what you are used to are they?"
Again, she called them her children. That seemed a bit creepy but some PMC's tried all sorts of stupid shit to keep people. Perhaps this chic had some sort of weird thing going calling all her employee's children, it didn't matter. This chick wasn't old enough to have kids out of diapers yet. So, who knows what was going on in her head. Rick was ready to check out and go home. By this point he was pretty sure all those threats Jacob had given him were bogus.
"I have been treated well, I am afraid I didn't catch your name… you are?"
She smiled and asked him to sit which Rick did. He had never seen such a young woman act like she was 60 before. It was almost comical. Actually, it was if you considering what she was wearing. He had to stop himself from laughing at how weird these people truly were.
"Rick my son believes you are a good fit for us. Looking at your record I have to agree."
She had not answered his question, just went right into her sales pitch he thought. She pulled a file from a filing cabinet. Something right out of an old movie, it was so strange he asked without thinking. She looked up, not expecting the question and explained that she didn't like computers. Rick didn't bother hiding his amusement this time. Talk about an old soul in a young body.
"Recon Marine 2033-2034, hurt in a helo crash off Taiwan. Fairly bad crash from the looks of it, the Marines gave you a medical discharge."
She looked up at him seeing his amusement and looked back down at the file.
"Somehow you managed to con the Army into thinking you were fully fit. I wonder how you did that?"
Rick remembered what it required, a favor from an old girlfriend who worked in MEPS. It was a time of war and most services were happy to take someone with his level of training. Most didn't ask too many questions when the Doc's signed off. Thankfully he never saw any before he joined the Army.
"Served with the 101st and did 2 combat jumps. Several commendations including a bronze star. Impressive career Rick, it's too bad your injuries caught up with you. You almost got your 20 in."
Rick frowned at that, after the war he had left the Airborne and became a trainer. He managed to keep that work for nearly a decade before medical figured out he had a screwed up back. Only five years away from a pension he had to reinvent himself. Since then, not much had gone his way. As the woman spoke Rick could hear the doubt in her voice.
"Yes, I can see why my son likes you. But joining us is not for everyone Rick. Do you understand what kind of commitment it requires?"
He had long since decided to say thanks but no thanks to the offer and go home. He explained himself to her and thanked them for getting him out of a jam. Her face changed just a twitch, before she sent a cold feeling down his spine.
"We didn't threaten your old company, and bribe a foreign government just as a favor RICK. We spent those resources and took those risks because we believe you are worthy of joining us. I know Jacob explained the situation, you accepted his offer. Are you saying you don't want to join us now?"
It was creepy and there was something ominous in her stare. Lots of people try to be intimidating, that isn't anything new. But after you lived long enough you got the sense on who was faking it and who meant it. Just something about the way she spoke, and how she looked at him. Serious as a heart attack, and without remorse or concern. This woman had killed before, and more than once if Rick had to guess. That realization and his own growing concern from whom this woman was, finally took hold of his judgement.
"Look I don't know who you people are. I get it you are serious. But I don't just pledge my soul to someone I just met. If you want me to sign up for your little cult, then you are going to have to convince me. You sure as shit aren't going to intimidate me into joining."
The smile on her face was immense and she stood and moved to sit next to him. Seeing her lovely form move to be next to him he got just a bit more creeped out. Just what did this freak want now?
"Take my hand"
Rick took it quickly and was going to quip some sort of rebuke when the room and everything in it disappeared. Rick wasn't sure what happened, he felt terror in the short moments he was still conscious.
Medford, Texas – Agoge
Jan 11th 2058
Jessie was focused she had some time before her own trials would begin, the least she could do was help her brother with his. Of her brothers she always liked Malcom more. He could be a pain sometimes, trying to be her dad more than her brother. But when it really mattered Malcom was always there for her. A few times he had taken the blame for things she had done. Jacob loved her and she liked him too, but it was different. She couldn't trust him like she could Malcom.
The sounds of combat were loud. Grunts and small shouts of anger. Malcom had them in hand to hand drills this morning. She was here to check up on him and find out why he had not come home last night. Malcom was home now, and as a Hoplite he was still mothers' property. His home and his place was under her roof. Mother was pissed at his insolence but she was also hurt. Mother was spartan in her heart and soul, but she was still a woman. She loved Malcom and it hurt her that he had not come to her.
"Woman you can't be here!"
Jessie was so happy the boy had called her that. He was around 14 and tried to use his newfound vampiric strength to put his hands on her. She responded like any good Grey woman would. She disarmed him in an instant and shoved him hard sending him off his feet. The next boy posted as a sentry was much older, at least 16 or 17 and he wasn't going down as easy as his friend. Or so he thought anyway…
It took three moves instead of one but the beast of a boy was cut down. She used his own size and girth to propel herself over his head, landing on her feet. As a woman she was dressed in the simple cloth peplos of her people. It was open and allowed her skin to easily breathe in a place like Texas. Even in January it could get warm sometimes. Her clothing wasn't restrictive like the boys was. Many of them wore armored leather bits to shield from blows from the staffs they were using.
Now seeing this for the test that it was, the boys closest to her entered the fray with an intensity. Jessie was far more ready than they. Most of them were pulling their punches, where she wasn't. One of the young boys managed to land a fierce strike to her face which enraged her. That boy nearly flew from the kick she landed. Another boy she kicked hard in the chest, he doubled over like a piece of paper. Avoiding another boys punch, she rolled and used the one boys folded body as a weapon against the others. Using her motion and vampiric strength, Jessie took ahold of his hands and lept with all her might. It was enough that it sent the folded boy airborne and like a bowling ball collided with two boys moving in close. Then she saw a shape fly towards her in her peripheral vision. She reacted like the warrior she was at heart. She withdrew from the attack that was incoming and pivoted to deal whoever attempted it a fierce blow. But instead of landing on unprepared flesh it felt like it hit stone. Turning to see what had absorbed her strongest punch she found Malcom had simply grabbed it and had ahold of her arm now. Before her mind could warn her of what was to come, she felt herself be tossed into the air, far from where she had been before. She caught enough air that it gave her time to right herself to land. It wasn't graceful and most of her lower section was showing to the boys. But she was in a position to resist if anyone came to continue the fight.
Jessie smiled at the sight before her. In the few seconds since her attack, she saw at least five boys her age with bloody faces and egos that were wrecked. Malcom stood there dressed only in shorts and sandals with a long spear. When one of the boys started to move to attack her, he stopped him.
"Battle can come from any angle, any direction. Never underestimate your opponent. You saw a girl and held back your strength…. did she? She bested some of the strongest here, take that lesson to heart boys. Even the strongest among you can be beaten by the weakest. You must work as a team, not as individuals. Had you done so, she wouldn't have gotten past the gate."
Jessie stood tall, and moved her peplos so it covered her properly again. As a grey she was not afraid of her sexuality nor letting others take a peek at her. Jessie walked up to her brother and with an impudent look asked just who he was calling the weakest? She took pride in the looks she was getting. Both those angry at being bested by her, and those that desired her for other reasons. Malcom ordered the gate guards back to their posts and then ordered the assembled to go to their rest cycles. What that meant, Jessie had no clue, as a woman she wasn't allowed in the Agoge. Which was one of the reasons why she had decided to come.
"Nathan is going to want revenge for that slash on his face you gave him. I would watch your back for a few days if I was you."
Jessie looked back at the boy in question who was one that had been looking at her with anger and resentment. She just smiled for him, just to rub it in a bit.
"Sis what are you doing here, you know the Agoge is off limits."
Jessie had secretly wanted to train with the Agoge all her life. She had damn near twisted her other brothers arm off to get him to help train her. She knew she could fight, like a lioness she could. Today was about proving that and her worth to her family. But it was also to be here for Malcom. She knew what he had to be going through.
"Mom sent me, you know why don't you?"
A moment or two later she was in his office. A small room with a single window that looked out on the training field. Malcom put the spear in the corner and put back on the small cloth covering that served as the only clothing he was permitted other than his shorts and sandals. That she had heard about and like she had imagined, made him look rather silly. Malcom was fit and a true warrior yes, but he didn't look like those Spartans in the movies. He lacked the massive abbs and oiled physique.
"I needed to get things in order here first. If this is to be my duty then I must have it in order, do I not?"
Jessie knew sulking and this was clearly that. The Agoge had run with little change in 20 years. Or at least that was what father had said. What could possibly be keeping him here other than a hurt pride?
"What of your duty to us? Isn't attending our mother your first duty? I am to inform you that mother demands your presence today no later than 7pm. Father is adopting a new son tonight into the family and we are to be there to welcome our new brother."
That got his attention, father had never adopted a grown adult man before. This would mean a change in their station. Jessie desperately wanted to partake in that, a battle to see which son was better. The winner of that fight would be fathers' choice for prostatis, "protector of the house". It was a place of honor that Malcom held. A position he and Jacob had fought for two days over. That battle would now have to happen all over again. Jessie with her heart and soul consumed by her calling desired so much to take part. She knew she could take Jacob and a part of her believed she could Malcom as well.
"Fine, tell mother I will be there."
He looked at her and a moment later started to laugh. He was amused at her antics, something else she had expected. Now was the right time to ask for what she wanted.
"So, since I am here and all, I would like to train some. I believe I have earned the right. Your defenses were a joke, was I your enemy I would have gotten into the heart of the Agoge with little effort. I think in honor of my achievement I should be allowed to train today."
Malcom roared in laughter and tossed the cloth back off of him and on to the small desk he had. Standing and taking the spear he was moving about animated now. Amused that she thought she could handle such a place.
"You caught them by surprise, next time they will curb stomp you. That pretty face of yours will be full of scars. Besides I can't have you making love behind the barracks with the first boy you take an interest in."
She was offended by his assertions but she knew he wasn't wrong. Part of the reason why she wanted to train was to see which of the boys her age would be one she would desire to have for herself. One day she would have her own house and it would be expected that she would pick among her peers which would father her children. Mother had done this with father, as did all Grey women. Men might think they were selecting or choosing, but they did nothing of the sort. The real power behind the clan were the women. It was they, not any of them, not even father, who really led the clan.
Malcom took a breath and now serious looked at her with something she had rarely seen, defeat. At seeing that her love for him made her want to rush to his side and comfort him. But that wasn't their kind of relationship, instead she teased him. Especially about his physique. At hearing that he brightened and taunted back a bit. He was sad, she could see that clear enough.
"You know if you want to talk about it I can listen."
She wanted to say more, encourage him to lay it out there. It's what she did when she hit the wall in this strange life they led. But Malcom was a man, and he could not. So, she changed her request just a bit to encourage it.
"It's not because I want to hear your problems or anything, God no. I just figure if you tell me what is going on then I will have more information I can use against you later."
He smirked and put both hands on the spear, his badge of office. He looked ridiculous standing there, like a dollar store version of Gerard Butler. But a moment later he began to open up to her. Like he always did after a bit of nudging. The reality of his fall was starting to sink in. He wasn't a child about it, he accepted that he had failed. Which Jessie knew he had from talking to mom. But the way they treated him in the Agora wasn't right. He deserved to be respected and they had treated him like something not worthy of it. Malcom went on for a bit explaining his new job, and how it suited him. He was trying to make this change something positive. But Jessie knew better, he was devastated that his own mother and grandmother had spoken to him without honor. In all the years she had known him she had never seen him take something this bad. Granted he hadn't faced something this serious before.
"As you can see I am fine sis, I have my duty now and its going to be fine. No need to concern yourself on me."
She taunted him saying she never did in the first place. But that was a lie both knew it to be. Just like she knew what he had just said was all for show as well. Malcom was hurting and crushed by what they had done. No hug and smiles would fix this. Everything Malcom had come to expect in life had been taken away, and she was worried how he would respond.
Medford, Texas – Cassia's Office
Jan 11th 2058
Travis saw him knocked out in Cassia's chair. He closed the door and smiled to himself. Long ago they had been friends, both going through the Recon course. All of those guys had bonded over what they knew they were training for. Their instructors had been brutal in how they trained them. But for good cause, they had also been honest with how many of them they expected to return. They had predicted half their number would die in the war that at that time, was just getting underway. They weren't far wrong, by the end of the war only Rick and Travis were still breathing. All the other guys were at the bottom of the South China Sea or buried in Taiwan or here in Medford.
Travis kicked the chair Rick was sitting in hard, causing him to jerk awake.
"Good morning sunshine, do you army types always like sleeping in the middle of the day?"
Rick was alert but he didn't recognize Travis at first. It had been two decades since they last saw each other. Travis had to remind him which made Rick's jaw drop.
"Didn't you die on some island…Isagaki or something? I thought you were dead man?"
Travis just grinned and Rick got up and took his outstretched hand. Since they were alone and the door was shut he pulled Rick into a hug. Just like Rick, he had thought his friend long dead as well. When Yelina came to him with this job it had shook him to his core. He wasn't going to let his old friend die protecting a dirtbag. After the quick hug Rick commented on how ugly he was as an old man.
"I don't know if you know this Rick but you were fucking ugly when you were young. You haven't gotten any prettier…"
To the outside observer these two were having a nice moment. But for men like them it was far more intense. Both men had genuinely but quietly mourned the other. Seeing each other again brought out more emotions than they wished anyone to see. But as men this only went so far. Travis moved to go behind the desk and talk business. Rick remembering where he was and what happened started to put two and two together.
"So, this is your thing, Trav? This isn't some sort of joke is it?"
Travis smiled and told him honestly why things had gone down this way. Travis wanted to recruit him.
"What happened to the girl is she ok?"
Travis shook his head and filled in his friend what he had been doing the last couple of days. With the help of a few of Medford's best they had delivered the girl back home. Sophia an Emerald, had tagged along making sure the girl was physically healthy while getting a feel for her mental state. That damage would never be undone, but with help, and a lot of love she might build a life for herself one day.
"So, what was with that chick that was in here earlier. Did she give me something, because I don't normally pass out without drinking first."
Travis laughed and explained that the woman in question was his mother and that she had used her ability on him. Travis knew that would cause more questions; Cassia was physically less than half his age now. He could see the confusion grow so he cut to the chase.
"I know you spent time with my boy and his team. You have eyes, nothing is as it seems here, is it?"
That cut right to the bone and shut down the questions fast. For a human this place was a Disneyland of strange. A moment later Cassia came back into the room still dressed as before.
"We have a lot to cover here my friend and my mom has a very efficient way to get you up to speed. But it requires you to be still and open minded. Cassia is going to touch you again and link with you. She is going to show you visions and let you see just what we are and what we are offering you."
Rick was a quiet for a second looking between Cassia and Travis. Then he seemed to come to a decision and asked directly just what they were.
"We are vampires my friend, my mother here has lived for over 4000 years, and will probably live for another 4000 if she has her way. Those kids you have been running around with are all vampires. They can out run and out lift any marine you ever met. And if you agree to it, so will you."
Medford, Texas – Yellina's Home
Jan 11th 2058
Rick was still trying to process everything that he had been shown. It was a lot to take in, his friend was a fricking vampire. He had met his mother who looked like she was 20 but clearly wasn't. And through this link that Travis called it, he had seen so much. Abilities and skills Rick could only dream of. And all of these "Grey" had those abilities and more. He was being offered the chance to join them. Become a vampire like them, he would become young again and fit again. But there was a catch, a massive one. Like any vampire in the movies, he would have to prey on others. That he was both ok with, and not ok with. Thankfully he didn't have to choose today. But what of that boy's warnings? If he said no, would his friend take his life? If he had to guess the answer to that was yes. A part of Rick didn't blame him, if he was King of a group of vampires he would want to keep it secret too. Just having that thought made Rick laugh out loud.
"What is so funny, I know my pasta isn't the best but…"
Rick quickly made his apology to his host, this Russian woman who was Travis's wife was looking at him with concern.
"No, I was just thinking about all the things I learned today. It's just a lot to take in I guess. My friend is a King over a vampire clan. I don't think I had that on my bingo card."
Yelina smiled and passed to him more to drink. Something he was glad for, whatever kind of wine it was he enjoyed it.
"Every human says something like that at first. But our lives can be ordinary too. Most folks only see the things we gain. But they forget we still have to live. Our lives are more alike than you might suspect Rick. We still have to find someone to share our lives with, and a purpose for our abilities. My children here are finding this out now. Each is facing their own challenges, and being a vampire doesn't help does it children?"
Rick looked around the table and saw the mixed reaction to their mother's comment. One son, the eldest, was clearly upset at being here. Each time his mother spoke he saw that spark in his eyes. There was a serious beef between him and his mother. Meanwhile the other son, Jacob apparently was equally upset at attending. But his beef seemed to be with him. Why Rick could only guess, perhaps he didn't like a black man sitting at his table who knows. Lots of white guys were like that. The only one of her children to respond was the teenager. That one had trouble written all over her. Rick was afraid to even look in her general direction.
"I think all of us are more than ready for it. Jacob is proving himself in his team, and Malcom is doing wonders with his students. I know I was very impressed with their combat capabilities."
Travis cut in and asked just how she would know such a thing. A part of Rick knew where this was going, she had that look on her face, the one a cat has when they have the bird right where they want it.
"I tested them myself dad. The first time I attacked I easily got through. But after Malcom got them to work together I had a much harder time defeating any of them. I still did, but it wasn't as easy the second time."
Rick smiled and tried to picture what hand to hand combat looked like for vampires. Meanwhile the teen was asked just how in hell she had gotten inside the Agoge. That was yet another Greek word that he was trying to figure out. From the way they talked it sounded like a basic training unit. Looking at how Travis's PMC operated and just who staffed it, he wouldn't be shocked.
"Jessie you're a woman, it's not proper for you to be there. What if Malcom wasn't there, can you imagine what could happen to you?"
Rick closed his eyes seeing before the others at the table just what the teen thought of that challenge. She made it clear in her response she would welcome the combat, but it wasn't just that. Rick could guess she wasn't exactly green when it came to sex either. That girl of Travis was more than a handful, she was a grenade with the pin pulled.
After the back and forth of the dinner and after the kids left it was time for some honest talk. Rick and Travis made their way to a side room where they could have a few beers and privacy. Rick liked Travis and his family, but he wasn't the same man he was two decades ago. That old version of him would have taken Travis up on the offer back then. But now, no way in hell. Life had changed him and he couldn't be that version of himself ever again. You can't go back in time, at least normal people couldn't. He didn't waste time in explaining that to Travis.
"Look Trav I appreciate everything you have done for me. You getting me that money and covering my butt means a lot to me. But a lot has changed man. I am not that punk kid that thought he could go anywhere and do anything. That little swim taught me that. I thought we were so fucking invincible, and look at us now? You might be, with what you are, but me…. Man even if you turn back the clock, I am still me. No way I would do half the things I did before…you follow me?"
Travis looked sad and it worried Rick, wondering if they would carry out the threat they had given him. To ease things a bit he asked about that kid that hung around him when they were training. Bobby had been from Medford too and looked up to Travis the whole time. He knew they deployed together, and like the others he had no idea what his fate was. Clearly he was gone, but Rick wanted to know how. Travis smiled a bit on mention of his name.
"We were on Ishigaki together and it was hairy shit, but we made it out. After that we went our own ways and he joined up with another group of vampires. They died a few months later when the Red's overran their position. Every last one of them.. I brought him home to his momma and his clan. I would wager you know a good number of the guys lying next to him up in Woodlawn. God knows I do."
Rick hearing that bit made it clear he had probably served with more than just them during his time over there. In a strange way it was a bit comforting to know they were in the end, vampires were just as vulnerable as humans were. Rick shared a bit about some of his losses and then got back to letting down his friend gently.
"Look man I respect what you have going, but I am not that man anymore. I left all that behind a long time ago. Your boy told me there was no going back, but that is what I want brother. I got kids and a life, even if it isn't super amazing like yours. It's mine brother, and I want to live it you understand? The only reason I still do this crap is because it's the only thing I know. If I could teach or fix cars I would do that. God knows I never want to be what we were."
Travis looked at him hard and then took a long pull from his beer.
"Yeah I dig it Rick. What about us, can you keep a secret as big as this one?"
Rick didn't think anyone would believe him if he did, but he needed and wanted to leave. He made it clear that he was sure that he could. After a few moments Travis sighed and shook his head yes.
"I get it, after I got out I didn't think I would ever be this again. But it's the call of my people and I can't seem to ignore it. You are free to go Rick. I will have my aviation guys get you back to Lynchburg. But before you go, I think there is one last thing I can do to help you, do you mind staying another day?"