After
Jason, Vanessa and Anais had completed this annoying event at the airport, they
had been questioned directly by various authorities. However, only the police
and customs were interested in the three. The other groups were probably more
concerned with the attack on Dr. Doom. As fast as they could the three had left
the airport. The sun was already high in the sky when they were finally allowed
to leave. The heavily armored, completely view-proof limousine drove through
the city without providing an extraordinary amount of attention. Vanessa's
driver finally drove the car to the parking garage of the museum Vanessa owned.
Everyone had already gathered upstairs and waited impatiently for Jason to
arrive. The room that Vanessa had chosen for the council meeting was furnished
according to the occasion. She knew, of course, her master's preference for the
Middle Ages and had furnished the entire room in the style of the English
knighthood.
When the
three finally entered the room, the rest rose immediately. Jason nodded
contentedly and took a seat at the head end of the large wooden table. As soon
as he had taken his seat, the rest of the men and women sat down. Vanessa took
a seat right on his right side while Anais stayed at the door and kept an eye
on everything in the room.
"My
friends. I apologize for my delay. We were tied up at the airport." Jason
smiled into the round and looked around.
It was very
rare for him to convene the entire council. Such a concentration of power was
always a worthwhile target. After all, all his representatives, all his
confidants and their deputies sat here at one table.
These
people, whose leadership he had entrusted to Vanessa, were his extended arm in
the German Reich. It was they who helped in his name that this country
blossomed again after the Second World War. And had searched also in his name.
Each of the
present represented one of the old houses. Unlike in America, the 13 original
houses were still the true rulers of the vampires. While Dracula pretended to
be the king of the vampires, it was these 13 houses that formed most of the
vampire power. At least in the old world where their influence was still
unbroken. In America, wilder, more primitive vampires had developed, who only
loosely adhered to the old bonds. One of the worst of them was this rebel
Frost. However, only a few of Jason's goals were connected to America, so he
wasn't particularly interested.
"I
hope this mob didn't inconvenience you, sir" asked Rasputin Vernes. As the
head of the House of Ventrue, he had been instrumental in the reconstruction of
Germany. Many had expected at that time that he would lead the Council and not
Vanessa. However, he had accepted his subordinate position and for many years
had loyally helped at her side wherever he could.
"The
people have been no more than a temporary irritation Rasputin. Nevertheless
thanks to the demand. But before we get to the more general points of the day,
I guess it's time to explain why I decided to come here." Jason said
calmly and looked into the round. He had known many of the people here for a
very, very long time. But apart from Vanessa nobody had found out the real
reason why this country captivated him so much.
Now that he
had everyone's attention, he began to tell. His speech lasted almost an hour
and left a bewildered advice behind. They all knew that Jason was one of the
oldest of the ancients and that he had been created before primeval times, but
this plan was quite risky even for one of his powers. Centuries ago he had
already begun to establish himself in the German Reich and had gradually
destroyed or subdued all his opponents. And after the devastating war, which
people called World War II, he had used much of his power to rebuild the German
Reich. He had risked a lot with this country. Many others had assumed a
weakness of Jason and immediately tried to exploit this state. After the war it
had taken a decade until he had knocked down the invaders. But since that time
he had concentrated all his energy on rebuilding the German Empire. He had
granted the council much more power and then retired from the mortal world for
30 years.
There had
always been rumors that he had been hunting for something but Vanessa had never
talked about his plans.
When the
conversation was over, Jason, Anais and Vanessa moved back to the loft above
the studio. While Anais watched the windows, a servant served Vanessa and Jason
a blood wine.
"Are
you satisfied with the security measures Anais?" Vanessa asked in a good
mood and got an approving nod.
"Bulletproof
glass, mirrored windows and an effective laser network. All in all, I would say
this building is safe sir." She said to Jason who nodded approvingly.
"In
these walls I am sure my dear. After all, it's Vanessa's apartment. Don't worry
about it. We need to talk about the reason I'm here."
Anais left
the window and sat down with the others. She raised her eyebrows questioningly
when her master said so and yet she dared not answer her question.
"Don't
worry about Anais. You are an extremely capable bodyguard but you are still too
young for this game.
"Was
that a nice way to insult me?" Anais asked sourly but Vanessa shook her
head.
"No. I
honestly meant it, my love. You are not in your present position because you
can only fight. You're at his side to learn how the big game works."
"I
don't understand" Anais asked uncertainly and Jason smiled in agreement.
"Vanessa
was also in your position Anais, 400 years ago. She was trained as my bodyguard
and should take care of my body. However, it is .... Less the position of a
bodyguard which I desire than that of a capable substitute. You were chosen
from the best of the best and personally tested by Vanessa."
"From
her?" Anais asked now surprised and Vanessa leaned back and grinned
broadly.
"Don't
worry little one. I'll teach you one or two more tricks. But we should now
concentrate on the real reason."
"How
did dealing with Rasputin go?" Jason asked with a smile.
"Very
good sir. I gave him mostly false information as requested. He hasn't suspected
anything yet and assumes that he belongs to my inner circle of
confidants."
"Wait...
Isn't Rasputin one of your closest and oldest friends?" Anais asked
confusedly and now began an evil look from Anais and a blaming one from Jason.
"My
child. As I said at the beginning. You still have a lot to learn about this
game. So shut up, listen and learn." Vanessa said before she drove up.
"It is true that Rasputin Vernes has known our master for 500 years now,
but he has been a traitor for just as long.
Anais
wanted to say something but this time she avoided it and looked much more tense
at the two of them. You slowly dawned that Vanessa was right. She had completed
80 years of training and had been chosen immediately after her transformation.
But so far she had hardly experienced anything of the complex intermediate life
of the clans. She had been serving her master directly at his side for only a few
years.
"What
Vanessa is trying to say is this. Keep your friends close but your enemies much
closer. I've known about his double-cross since day one and this idiot still
thinks he could fool me. That alone would be reason enough for me to kill him,
but he has been extremely useful to me in recent years."
"To
whom does his true loyalty apply?
"Nosferatu.
He serves the Nosferatu."
"Those
dogs that supported Hydra in World War II" Anais abducted angrily.
"Exactly
this one. And just because we provided him with wrong information, he could not
bother our true concern here in the country so far." Jason smiled
satisfied until he noticed that Vanessa's face darkened a little. "Do you
want to say something to Vanessa?"
"Sir.
I'm afraid I didn't understand a point in the game. Maybe you'd enlighten
me?"
"Of
course. Speak!
"Why
did you mention to the Council that Captain Germany was not to be
touched?"
"Because
I think that this being could still be useful for me. Maybe I didn't consider
the long-term consequences of this experiment."
"Forgive
me sir. But wouldn't it have been better then not to mention her at all?"
Vanessa asked uncertainly. She didn't like pointing out a possible mistake to
her master at all.
"What
do you mean by these words?" Jason asked more skeptically now.
"Sir.
Please don't misunderstand me. But so far none of us has had anything to do
with this woman. According to the ancient laws we do not reveal ourselves to
humans and avoid heroes especially. However, you have now put them into focus.
That means ..."
"I
painted a target on her!" Jason kidnapped it when he finally realized what
she meant. "You are absolutely right Vanessa. I thank you for drawing my
attention to my mistake," he said broodingly and then said quietly.
"Remember this moment here very well Anais! Contrary to what you might
have been persuaded to do, I am neither omniscient nor omnipotent! I was born
as a human being and despite my long life I did not have the ability to avoid
every mistake. I expect my advisers to point out these mistakes to me".
"But
sir... you... I don't know if I will ever attain this kind of wisdom,"
Anais said uncertainly as she understood what he expected of her. She had only
been challenged as a warrior but Jason expected more from her than just
physical protection.
"Don't
worry my child. You'll have plenty of time to acquire this wisdom,"
Vanessa said calmly, then sighed. "And there's another bad news, sir."
"Which
one now?" asked Jason and looked at a picture Vanessa now presented to
him.
"Nina
Price" he said in amazement and took the leaf. "She's here?"
"Yes,
sir. The authorities have informed me that she met with Johanna Schmidt."
"That
complicates the situation tremendously."
"Who
is this Nina Price?" Anais asked and felt miserable. "Master! I'm
afraid I'm not prepared for my post," she said sadly until she felt his
hand on her shoulder.
"Because
you were trained to protect me from our kind. The elders in Marrakech tend to
underestimate the humans and especially the heroes. Nina Price is a kind of
vampire. A hybrid of vampire and werewolf. During the day she walks as a mortal
man in the light of the sun. As soon as the sun goes down, however, an old
curse affects her. She becomes a vampire."
"And
she's a danger to you?" she asked now a little more reassured that he
didn't punish her ignorance.
"Not
her. Unfortunately, her presence means that Blade will show up here sooner or
later!
"Blade?"
Anais snatched it now. Every vampire in this world had heard of the Daywalker
and even though he was mostly active in America, he appeared from time to time
all over the world. He was considered one of the greatest threats to the vampire
race. Strangely enough, he was also one of the reasons why the masquerade was
still active in the States. He destroyed whole packs of vampires and made sure
that humans did not run the risk of being overrun by hordes of degenerate
savages.
"Sir!
When Blade is on his way to this country, I must insist that I strengthen
security," she said energetically just to get a blaming look.
I am not
one of those degenerate American vampires Anais! And now we come to why I am
here. The Trident of Poseidon! One of the 12 weapons that could kill
Dracula."
"You
told the council that you were looking for an Atlantis traitor who escaped
Nemor and hide here. Clever. Hiding the truth in a lie." Grinned Vanessa.
"Right.
According to my research, the trident was taken by a princess from Atlantis. A
woman named Ariel."
Anais and
Vanessa asked "Ariel the mermaid" almost simultaneously.
"The
truth in a lie." Jason smiled amused.
Deep in the
heart of Munich
"Welcome
to Munich, Miss Storm. Nice to finally meet you in person." Smiled
Rasputin and offered the woman and her bodyguard a place.
When Madame
Hydra had sat down she smiled and played. "Thank you very much. Is not
necessary. However, my time is precious so I would be extremely grateful if you
would tell me immediately what is so important that I was ordered.
"Of
course. I assume you're familiar with the history of World War II. I'm
referring to the Battle of Stalingrad."
"You
mean the defeat that brought about the turning point in the war? Of course.
Why?
"Because
the man to whom they owe this defeat returned last night." Said Rasputin
calmly and firmly and could see a nervous expression on Susanna Storm's face.
"How
should I understand that?
"That means
Hydra has a problem. He has big plans for this country. And he's still pissed
off at Hydra for what they did in World War II!"
"And
why are you telling me this? Aren't you able to take care of the problem,"
Susanna grinned amusedly.
"If I
would be able to do that, I would have done it long ago, my dear. Besides, I'm
not here to fight your fights. I'm here to get information for our mutual
friend. And I already risk enough so that we both meet at all" Rasputin
replied without going into the biting undertone towards the woman.
"Yes,
yes. Our mutual friend. His information was quite useful. All right. Then tell
me what exactly this man is doing here. Or is that one of your little secrets,
too?"
"He is
here because of 2 things. However I have the feeling that he slowly gets old.
He made a mistake today for the first time by betraying more than he
wanted."
"Well
yes. If this man was in the 2nd World War then he is certainly not the youngest
mh? laughed Susanna highly amused.
"As
you say. Can I continue now or do you always have the habit to talk in?"
asked Rasputin irritated and the cool look of the man let the otherwise so
intrepid Madame Hydra shudder. She just couldn't stand those crazy people. It
was enough that they worked together with this spinner Count Vladi. This
lunatic really thought he was a vampire and ran around in this ridiculous
purple cape all the time. But this man here was only one of his subordinates
and yet he dared to talk to her like that. However, her instincts told her to
be careful. This guy was dangerous.
"Good.
He's here because he's looking for a refugee from Atlantis. A traitor who must
have betrayed Nemor. He thinks that this traitor could be a worthwhile project
to guarantee the protection of this country. After all, the Atlantians are
pretty powerful people. But this is only one of 2. things. He seems to have a
great personal interest in Captain Germany. He has demanded that they be
completely left alone. He seems to have special plans with her."
"Captain
Germany" growled Susanna by this name. "And what do you suggest? You
didn't call me here to tell me that, did you? You need the help of Hydra?
"I
don't need any help at all. I even offer you to help YOU in return. I called in
an old favor and asked for an assassin to take care of Captain Germany."
"Oh,
did you?" Susanna laughed all too clearly now. "I'd like to see the
assassin!"
"As
you wish" Rasputin nodded coolly and pointed in the direction of her
bodyguard. Susanna followed his hint and became pale as a corpse. Where one
second ago her bodyguard had been sitting now sat a blonde woman in a skintight
rubbery suit which was tailored like a 2nd skin on. The woman smiled at her
amusedly and when Susanna blinked the woman was away and her bodyguard sat
there again.
"What..."
"An
Assai. They are the best killers on this planet. Just perfect for this job.
He'll get as close to Captain Germany as necessary and then kill them with a
single blow."
Susanna
frowned and looked at them more closely. When she left the room alone, she
realized that this group of supporters might be more dangerous than Strucker
wanted to believe. On the one hand, this crazy vampire fan had provided very
useful information, but this little demonstration of power had just proved how
dangerous they were. Not only this mysterious Jason Sombra seemed to be getting
old. Rasputin had made a very dangerous mistake today. He had revealed what
resources he had. Sitting in her limousine, she picked up her phone and dialed.
"Strucker.
We have a problem in Germany. I recommend to speed up the plans and be careful
with this Count Vladi. I fear he plays a double game. Yes I will stay here in
the country. And i need all information about something that is called...
Assai... Yes. I haven´t heard of it before too but i need to know what these guys
are. And how much they cost us. "