GOD’S Assassin
Bruce Savage
About Bruce Savage He is the author of thriller, science fiction and horror novels including the smash hit Casualties of War has been on track to being on the bestseller list in the US and Worldwide since its release. He writes full-time and loves hearing from his fans. "If you took the DNA from authors Stephen King, Tom Clancy, James Patterson, Arthur C. Clarke and H.G. Wells and spliced them together in a ultra-secret government lab controlled by a mad scientist from an alien world and then gave birth to a writer from that combination you would have the one of a kind writing style and unique stories of Bruce Savage. That is author Bruce Savage.� Bruce Savage - Gods Assassin (A Jack Carson Thriller, Book #1)
BOOKS BY BRUCE SAVAGE The Novels: GODS ASSASSIN NO MERCY FOR THE DEAD LEGEND OF THE DRAGON THE SKULL EUROPA'S CHILD RUSSIAN GAMES QUEST FOR THE TABLET ORIGIN SHORT SCARY STORIES PSYCHO CASUALTIES OF WAR For previews and information about the author: Visit www.brucesavage.com.
Table of Contents ABOUT BRUCE SAVAGE BOOKS BY BRUCE SAVAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS DISCLAIMER COPYRIGHT QUOTE PROLOGUE CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 9 CHAPTER 10 CHAPTER 11 CHAPTER 12 CHAPTER 13 CHAPTER 14 CHAPTER 15 CHAPTER 16 FROM THE AUTHOR WAIT!
1 7 11 15 19 27 43 53 57 69 75 83 91 103 109 113 123 127 129
Disclaimer Gods Assassin By Bruce Savage Copyright © 2015 Bruce Savage Paperback Edition This paperback is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This paperback may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite paperback retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems without the express permission in writing by the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. First Edition 1.0 Bruce Savage – Gods Assassin (A Jack Carson Thriller, Book #1)
Copyright Copyright © 2015 www.brucesavage.com All rights reserved. ISBN-10: 1516972503 ISBN-13: 978-1516972500
Bruce Savage – Gods Assassin Visit: www.brucesavage.com or your favorite book seller to order additional copies.
GODS ASSASSIN – BRUCE SAVAGE
Quote “We are made of stardust; our whole body consists of material that has been here before the beginning of time.� - Giorgio A. Tsoukalos
GOD’S Assassin
Bruce Savage
GODS ASSASSIN
1
GODS ASSASSIN
Prologue
The country road wound through miles and miles of the Chinese wilderness as a white sedan navigates its way through the darkness of the night. The only light was from the brilliant display of stars in the night sky above and the dimly lit headlights of the aged Russian built car. A man was at the wheel of the car steering it on its way through the wilderness on its way to a destination only he and his wife who sat quietly beside him knew. They were on route for a rendezvous. A rendezvous with beings not of this world. Being more ancient than Earth itself. In the back seat of the sedan slept a little boy. Their son Jack who lay quietly on the backseat dreaming the dreams of a little boy of only five years old. His mother turned around and looked at him sleeping peacefully and then turned to her husband. “He's so young. Are you sure he will be alright?� She asked. 2
GODS ASSASSIN
“He will be fine. I promise. Arrangements have already been made. It's safer this way. He'll be safe with the monks.” The man said assuring his wife. “Are you sure they won't find him?” She asked. “I'm sure. This is the only way we can assure his safety. His destiny is set. He is the last hope for humans. The monks will teach him what he needs to know as it was taught to their ancestors long ago. And when he is old enough and it is time he will lead humanity to its future and place in the galaxy.” He said. “What about the Krehlians? They will never stop looking for him.” “Sooner or later the Krehlians will be defeated. They won't find him until it’s too late and he is full grown and able to protect himself. He will be ready then and know the truth and he will take his place and do what he needs to do to save humanity. His DNA is part human and part Arushian. He will be the bridge between our two people and lead humans on to their destiny and place in the Universe when it is time. He will bring about the end of the Krehlians once and for all.” He said to his wife placing his hand gently on hers. The car sped along the country road occasionally hitting a pothole and bouncing the car about but the little boy in the back seat did not stir. Above them in the night sky stars twinkled brilliantly unmoved except for one. This star seemed to be moving and getting larger and on a course that coincided with the sedan. Larger and larger the light in the sky grew as it moved closer and closer to the sedan. Suddenly the car started to sputter as it lost power and the headlights started to flicker on and off. The man and 3
BRUCE SAVAGE
woman looked at each other knowing what was going on and what was about to happen. “It's time my love.” The man said to the woman and pressed his foot on the brakes and brought the car to a stop on the side of the road. He got out of the car and his wife did the same and went to stand next to him in the road as the light approached them. He took her hand and looked at her and gently touched her face. “Don't worry my dear. You'll see...everything will be fine. The monk will raise him and the society will watch over him.” He said as a large glowing orb hovered above them. “The monk isn't here yet.” The woman said worriedly. “He will be. Relax dear. Everything will be fine. Everything is as it should be.” “I want to say goodbye.” The woman said to her husband and turned to the car and opened up the back door to see that her son was still sound asleep. She leaned in and kissed him on his head and spoke to him. “I will see you again Jack. I love you.” The woman said as she looked at him sleeping peacefully for a moment and then closed the car door and took her husband’s hand and walked towards the glowing orb. A light beamed down on them and in the blink of an eye they were gone. The orb lifted upward towards the sky higher and higher until it disappeared into the night sky. It was hours later that the boy awoke alone in the backseat of the sedan and began searching for his parents to no avail. They were gone and he was alone. He began to panic and opened up the car door and stepped out of 4
GODS ASSASSIN
the car and looked around. It was dark still and he had no idea of where he was or what had happened to his parents. He started to walk and called out to his parents hoping that they would appear. “Mom! Dad!” The boy hollered into the night but there was no response. He left the road and started walking through the wilderness stumbling from time to time on rocks and roots. He continued to call to his parents but there was no reply. Where had they gone? Why did they leave him? Where could they be? He wondered through the dark woods not knowing where he was and tripped on a rock and tumbled down a hill into a ravine and hit his head on a rock knocking him unconscious. When he woke up he found himself in a strange place and an Asian man standing over him. The man spoke Chinese and Jack didn't understand what he was saying to him. “Forgive me. I forget myself sometimes. You are American. I will speak your language.” The man said to Jack. “Where are my parents? Have you seen them?” Jack asked. “I am Master Lee. You are here at my monastery. Everything will be fine. You have a bump on your head but you will be fine in a few days.” The man said to Jack. “Where are my parents? I want my parents!” Jack protested. “I'm sorry but your parents are feared dead.” Master Lee said to Jack as he placed a bandage on his head. 5
BRUCE SAVAGE
“They can't be. Where are my parents? I want my Mom and Dad!” Jack replied angrily. “I'm sorry little one but there are things in life that are a mystery and will always be. I'm sorry but your parents are gone. You are welcome to stay here. Get some rest.” Master Lee said as he stood up and pulled the blankets over Jack. “You will begin your new life once you are well. I know that you are going through a difficult time and you don't understand but you will in time.” Master Lee said as he walked to the door of the room. Jack laid back on the bed and cried. He was alone. He was in a strange place. His parents were dead he was told. His life was about to change forever.
6
GODS ASSASSIN
7
BRUCE SAVAGE
Chapter 1 The air was cold as it rushed by North Korean agent Jun Lu who was falling faster and faster towards the Earth below. He looked at the altimeter on his wrist and saw that he was approaching 40,000 feet. Below him at 20,000 feet a dark lumbering shape came into view. It was an American C130 cargo plane. His target. He adjusted his arms and legs and aimed himself at the massive jet. Closer and closer he sped towards the American transport plane until finally it was time for him to pull his chute. With a sudden jerk he slowed his descent as the large aircraft approached and he pulled on the ropes of his parachute to guide him to the fuselage of the aircraft until finally he lined up with the top of the 8
GODS ASSASSIN
massive jet and released his chute. The chute quickly fell away. He turned on the magnetic boots he wore as he connected with the body of the jet and secured himself to the top of the aircraft. Now it was time to get to work and cut a hole in the plane and inject a gas that would knock out the pilot and soldiers on board guarding the cargo he was after. He attached a magnetic device to the body of the jet and began tracing a circle large enough for him to fit in and turned on the laser and began cutting a hole in the fuselage. Jun tossed away the metal from the hole and took a canister from his vest and pulled the pin and tossed it into the hole. There was a loud pop as the canister exploded and filled the jet with the gas and rendered the people inside unconscious. He waited a moment and then entered the hole. The jet started to tilt and change course as the unconscious body of the pilot leaned against the steering column. Jun hurried to the cockpit and unstrapped the pilot and pulled him from his seat and sat down in the pilot’s seat and took control of the aircraft. He adjusted nobs on the control panel and nudged levers and altered the course that the massive jet was on setting in on a new course to North Korea. He flipped a switch and put the plane on auto pilot and then turned off the transponder making the C130 disappear from any radar that was tracking it. He got up and went to the rear of the Jet to examine the cargo. A large metal box sat on a pallet connected to rollers in the cargo hold of the jet. He took the clipboard that was hanging on the wall and looked at it to find that he had the right cargo. A quantum computer. One of the most powerful computers 9
BRUCE SAVAGE
ever engineered. A machine that would change the course of history for his country. This was his mission. To hijack the jet and take it to North Korea. He hung up the clipboard and went to the back of the jet and pushed a green button opening the back door of the jet. As the door opened the air rushed in and cleared the air of the remaining knock out gas he had deployed earlier. He looked around to find two soldiers unconscious and dragged their bodies to the door and tossed them out of the jet. He watched for a moment as their bodies tumbled through the air towards the ground. He went to the cabin and dragged the bodies of the pilot and co-pilot and did the same and then closed the door of the jet. He went to the cabin and sat down in the pilots’ seat and took off his gas mask and took out a small orb from his pocket and waved his hand over it. A mysterious voice started to emanate from the orb. “We have been waiting for word from you Jun Lu. What is your status?” The voice spoke. “Mission successful. Cargo is secure. I'm on route home.” Jun Lu said in Korean. The voice replied. “Our dear leader is very proud of you. We await your arrival. You will be rewarded as a hero of the people!” The voice said praising him. “Estimated time of arrival six hours.” Jun replied and then waved his hand over the strange orb ending communication with the man and sat back and smiled. He had done it. He had hijacked the American jet and stole the most powerful computer and most dangerous weapon ever built. It was now the property of the North Korean government. It was now in the possession of a 10
GODS ASSASSIN
regime that would use it to destroy the western world.
11
BRUCE SAVAGE
Chapter 2 Tokyo, Japan Everything that has a beginning has an end. Everything that lives eventually has to die. This is just the nature of the Universe and how it has been since the beginning of time. When it comes to people though how they die depends on how they lived their life. Some people die peacefully with loved ones surrounding them as they take that last breath. Some die from a bullet that they have long deserved. Jack Carson thought to himself as he knelt down on the floor of the 42nd story of the abandoned office building in Tokyo, Japan. He was a 12
GODS ASSASSIN
half mile away from where his target would be. That was intentional to make sure his target didn't hear or see the end coming. To make sure he wasn't discovered. He took out a bullet and looked at it with a solemn look and quietly said to himself, “Everything that has a beginning has an end…”, before he loaded it into his rifle and adjusted the scope and peered through the lens to find his target. This was the last job. The very last job for him. It was time to retire from the business of being an assassin for hire. He gripped the high powered rifle in his hands and steadied himself and peered through the lens again and lined up the cross hairs and found his target. It was an Asian man about 65 years of age getting out of a very nice black Mercedes Benz. The man was surrounded by bodyguards as he made his way to the entrance of a luxury hotel. Jack held his breath and gently squeezed the trigger and sent the last bullet he would fire at another human being on its way. In a flash the high caliber round sped on its way past buildings, cars, pedestrians and a park where children were playing until finally reaching its target. The head of the Asian man. The man that controlled Japan's ruthless crime syndicate known as the Yakuza. The bullet passed through the old man’s skull and shattered the glass door of the hotel spraying blood and brains across the entrance and then the man collapsed to the ground. His entourage of bodyguards immediately went into a panic and drew their guns and started searching for the location of the shooter in futility. Jack peered through the scope for a moment more looking at the fallen Asian man to make sure he wasn't getting up. 13
BRUCE SAVAGE
He was not. He quickly disassembled the rifle and put it back into its case and took out his cell phone and sent out a text message. • Mission complete. Target eliminated. He waited for a moment for the response. • Kill confirmed. Good work. Your money has been transferred to your account. • This concludes our business. I'm done. Goodbye. Jack replied. • Are you sure you won't reconsider? • I'm done. This is the last job. It's over. • Best of luck on your retirement. Jack shut off his phone and breathed a sigh of relief and then picked up the rifle case and slung it over his back and headed for the exit of the room and onward to the airport where a private jet would be waiting for him to take him home to his wife and daughter. His days as an assassin was now over with. It was time to just be a husband and a father. It was time to live a quiet mundane life. His daughter Mary was 9 years old now and he promised her he would be home to stay. How much of her life had he missed he thought to himself? His wife thought he was a software developer and had to travel for business sometimes. That's what he told her when they met 18 years ago in college. That's the lie he's had to live with this long. That's what kept him traveling and away from home for so long. She didn't need to know what he really did for a living. It was safer this way. 14
GODS ASSASSIN
He took great care all these years keeping his personal life separate from business. But it didn't matter anymore. His days as an assassin was over with. He was thirty-eight now and had enough money to give his wife and daughter the life they deserved. It was time to live a normal life. A life he never had growing up as an orphan. His parents died when he was five. The events of their deaths he could never piece together even though he was there when it happened. Fragments of memories that never fit together. Never made sense. Mary was going to have a father and mother now and a normal life. That's all he really wanted. Or at least that was the plan. But like all good intentions; something always goes wrong...eventually.
15
BRUCE SAVAGE
Chapter 3 Chico, California, One Year Later... The California sun peaked through the bedroom window of Jack Carson's house in Chico, California just as the alarm clock struck 7 am and started to blear. He reached over and pressed the snooze button but kept his head pressed into the pillow hoping for just a couple more minutes of sleep. His wife Lucy started to stir next to him as she turned over to face him. “Hey, sleepy head. We have company.” Lucy sleepily said to Jack. Their daughter Mary was standing on the side of the bed fully dressed and ready to go. “Come on Dad, wake up! It's Saturday I don't want to be late.” Mary said as she pushed against her father’s shoulders trying to get him to come to life. Saturday was 16
GODS ASSASSIN
swim day and Mary was training for a swim competition. She was ten years old and the strongest swimmer on her team and she never missed a practice or failed to spend hours at home in the swimming pool practicing. “Oh Shit! Its Saturday isn't it? I'm awake. I'm awake.” Jack gruffly said as he turned over and threw the covers off him. “I'll take her Jack. You promised to take the Range Rover to the garage and find out what that noise is in the engine. Remember? I get to drive your Jaguar today.” Lucy said as she climbed out of bed and put her house coat on. “Coffee...I need coffee!” Jack said as he climbed out of bed and gave his daughter a hug. “I made it already. Just the way you like it.” Mary said smiling at her father for the good deed she did. “That's my girl.” Jack said squeezing her tight and giving her a kiss on the cheek and then started to find his way to the bathroom. “Give me fifteen minutes Mary and I will take you to swim practice.” Lucy said to her daughter as she fumbled around looking for jeans and a shirt to throw on. “I'll be by the car. Hurry please!” Mary said as she picked up her backpack and headed out to wait for her mother. Jack finished in the bathroom and headed for the kitchen as his wife shot past him giving him a kiss on the cheek as he reached for the coffee pot to pour a cup. “Bye baby, see you in a couple hours.” Lucy said as she snatched the keys off the kitchen counter to the Jaguar and headed out the door. 17
BRUCE SAVAGE
“Don't put a scratch on the Jag!� Jack hollered as his wife hurried out the door. Jack poured his coffee and smiled knowing he had the life he wanted now and the past was behind him. Nothing but blue skies from here on out he thought to himself as he put two teaspoons of sugar in his coffee and stirred it. He heard the doors of the Jaguar close and the car start up as he lifted the cup of coffee to his mouth. And then it happened. An explosion ripped through the two story house sending Jack flying through the sliding glass doors of the patio in the kitchen. His head slammed against a cement statue and it was lights out. The next thing he would see would be the lights of the strange room he was being held in when he woke up. His life and his world would change drastically.
18
GODS ASSASSIN
19
BRUCE SAVAGE
Chapter 4 Jack slowly opened his eyes only to shut them again. The light was bright and sent a pain through his head and made it feel as if it was filled with shards of glass. His head felt like it would explode. He breathed in and tried again to open his eyes. Little by little his eyes adjusted to the light until they focused and he could see the florescent light panel in the ceiling above his bed. He was alive he thought to himself. But where was he? Slowly his mind cleared and he remembered the explosion and he jumped up screaming his wife and daughters name only to be held back by something that was wrapped around his wrist and ankles. They were leather straps. Straps that were restraining his hands and feet. Keeping him in bed. A voice echoed in his ears. He was not alone in the room. “Good Mr. Carson. You're finally awake. You've been unconscious for almost two weeks.� The voice quietly said from across the room. Jack turned his attention to the voice to see a man in an expensive looking white suit sitting in a chair drinking something from a tea cup. 20
GODS ASSASSIN
“Where am I? Who are you? Where's my wife and daughter? Where's Mary and Lucy?” Jack angrily asked the man as he tugged at the straps that held him in check. “Yes, of course. I hate being the bearer of bad news Mr. Carson but I'm afraid that your wife and daughter are...dead. I'm very sorry. The bomb in your car was meant for you not them. If that's any consolation. I'm sure it's not but...there it is.” The man said as he casually sipped his tea. Jack fell back in the bed and surrendered to the straps that held him there. He wanted to cry. He wanted to explode. He wanted to kill. “Who the fuck are you? Where am I?” Jack screamed at the man as he attempted to sit up again but failing to defeat the hold the straps had on him. “First...let me introduce myself Mr. Carson. I am Oliver James III. And you are someplace safe for the time being. The doctor says your fine. Just a nasty bump on the head. This facility is of the highest level of secrecy and you are receiving the finest care possible. Only the staff and a handful of people around the world know of its existence. Where exactly you are is of no importance at the moment.” “What the fuck do you want with me? What the fuck am I doing here?” Jack asked as he decided to give the straps another try knowing full well there was no way of freeing himself from them. “Yes of course. What are you doing here? Good question. Right to the point. I like that. We Mr. Carson would like to help - you. We know who it was that put the hit out on you and killed your family. We Mr. Carson are a group of gentlemen and women if you 21
BRUCE SAVAGE
want...that manage world affairs. We would like to offer you some justice. And in return we would like for you to work for us.” “You're offering me a fucking job?” Jack said with a puzzled look on his face. Who would go to these lengths just to offer him a job? “No Mr. Carson. We are not offering you a job. We are offering you a purpose. What is life without a purpose? You didn't actually think that a man in your line of work could just retire and disappear did you? You never thought to yourself that someone somewhere would want revenge against you for the things you've done. You can't just kill the type of people you've killed in your line of work and think that you can retire to suburbia and pretend it never happened. I'm sure that right at this moment you are filled with rage and anger and wanting revenge against those that killed your beautiful wife and daughter. I can understand that and respect that. We can give you that justice. Set things right. And in return you will work for us. We have been watching you for a very long time. We know everything about you Mr. Carson. It's our business to know everything. We have been following you from the beginning.” “Watching me?” Jack said confused. “You were born at Mercy Hospital in Seattle, Washington. Your birth parents Julie and Richard Carson were both professors, theoretical astro physicist. You were just five years old when your parents were killed in the country side near Zhengzhou, Henan province, China. But their bodies were never found. A 22
GODS ASSASSIN
Chan Buddhist monk found you unconscious in the wilderness bloody and near death and brought you to his temple and raised you in the ways of the Shaolin. He raised you as if you were his son. Although to this day you have no memory of what happened that day or how or why your birth parents died. You are a master of Shaolin Kung Fu. When you were 18 years of age they sent you to America to get a college education at Columbia University. You studied Computer and Information Systems and graduated Magma Cum Laud with a Master’s degree. You have an I.Q. Of 160. Matching Albert Einstein’s. From college you were recruited by the CIA and trained as a covert agent. After six years with the company you walked away after a failed mission in Syria that resulted with a young girl accidentally being killed. You met your wife Lucy while you were in college and married soon after graduating. The CIA gave you a cover as a software developer and that's what your wife believed you were. After the CIA you were desperate for money and went to work for a secret organization known only as Theta. You took your training as a Kung Fu master and what the CIA taught you and became a lethal assassin. A true killing machine. Their best of the best. You successfully completed over 57 missions working for Theta and rid the world of some nasty individuals until you retired last year after killing the head of the Japanese Yakuza. You've been living quietly in Chico with your wife and daughter ever since. You see Mr. Carson. We know everything about you. We know what you’re capable of and what your skills are. And we could use someone like 23
BRUCE SAVAGE
you. And in return for your service we will give you the justice you seek for the death of your wife and daughter.” “I'm not a killing machine. I only kill bad guys. Not the innocent. I have a code I live by.” Jack said grinding his teeth. “We like that about you Mr. Carson. Work for us Mr. Carson and I promise you no innocent people will ever be harmed. What you will be doing I promise you will be to protect the innocent and shape the world and usher in a new age for all of mankind. You will have complete control over your missions. Me and my associates as I stated earlier are in the business of shaping world affairs. We are already rich beyond imagination. We already have power beyond imagination. It's what you do with that wealth and power that really matters. It's what you leave behind for the next generation that truly determines how history remembers you. What do you say? Are you in?” Oliver said as he finished his tea and stood up. Jack stared at him for a moment thinking before speaking. “I don't have much of a choice now do I? You can kill me anytime you want if I say no.” Jack said. “I assure you Mr. Carson...we have no intention of killing you unless you are a threat to us. We want you to join us of your own free will. Help us Jack and I promise-we will help you.” Oliver said. “I have control? Complete control over the missions?” Jack asked. “I give you my word Mr. Carson. Complete control. Your finger will be on the trigger and it will always be your call.” Oliver replied. 24
GODS ASSASSIN
“And you'll give me the mother fucker that killed my wife and daughter?” “Yes, on a silver platter if you want.” Oliver replied. Jack paused for a moment and stared at Oliver before speaking. “Then I'm in. Get these fucking straps off me.” Jack said as he tugged at the straps. “I'll have the nurse come in and release you. But I assure you that if you’re thinking about going back on your word and try to escape you won't get that far. You should know you're one mile underground with the most advance security technology money can buy. Even if you make it off this level and even if you make it to the elevator going to the surface you will never make it outside. There are chemical agents in the elevator that will render you unconscious and explosives that will blow you to smithereens long before the elevator makes it to the surface. And just so you know while you were unconscious we took the liberty of implanting several nanite devices. They are microscopic so don't bother trying to find or remove them. One is attached to your heart and the other is attached to your brain stem. The one on your heart will blow a hole in your heart large enough to cause cardiac arrest. It also monitors your heart rate and body temperature among other things. The one on your brain stem can deliver a charge large enough to render you unconscious. It also monitors your nervous system. So we know when you are lying or telling the truth. I suggest you always be completely honest with us. Both devices are monitored by V.A.L. If she thinks you are going to harm one of us or do something against 25
BRUCE SAVAGE
us...she will flip the switch so to speak. Only authorized personal are allowed to leave and enter this facility. So do keep that in mind when the nurse comes to release you.” Oliver said and then turned and started walking to the door. A laser beam scanned his face and there was a click sounding at the door releasing the magnetic lock. “We will begin tomorrow Mr. Carson. Get something to eat and some rest and we will begin our business tomorrow. Good-day.” Oliver said as he walked out of the room. Jack laid back in his bed and thought about what was happening. He thought about the explosion. About his wife and daughter. He would not try to escape. He would do what he said he would do. He would get justice. If this guy knew who killed his family, he would do what they wanted and make sure whoever killed his family paid.
26
GODS ASSASSIN
27
BRUCE SAVAGE
Chapter 5 Jack sat at the table in his room in his hospital gown and ate his breakfast. Scrambled eggs and bacon and a side of toast and washed it down with a cup of coffee. It had been a while since he had something to eat other than being fed intravenously while he was unconscious. He devoured his meal like a starving wolf. There was a click at the door sounding that the magnetic lock had been released. The door opened and he watched as a tall white haired albino man came into the room carrying a suit. “Good. It's good to see you are up Mr. Carson. I see you’re getting your appetite back. I trust your breakfast is the way you like it. I'm Maxwell Pennyworth your 28
GODS ASSASSIN
handler. Oliver thought you would like some clothes. I brought you an Armani suit. I believe you’re a 42 long. I hope it's to your liking.” Maxwell said as he laid the suit on the edge of the bed. “Who are you supposed to be? The butler?” Jack grumbled as he swallowed the last of the coffee in his cup. “Your handler. My job Mr. Carson is to help you adjust to your new...situation....as it were. I will be able to help you adjust and prepare for your missions. If there is anything you need then please feel free to let me know. You have a meeting with Oliver in fifteen minutes. I'll be back then to collect you. So please get dressed. Oliver has a thing about being punctual.” Maxwell said as he walked to the door. A laser scanned his face and then there was a click and he stepped out of the room. Jack put down the coffee cup and went to the edge of the bed and picked up the suit and looked at it. It was a nice suit. He got dressed and sat on the edge of the bed and waited for Maxwell to return. A click at the door announced Maxwell's arrival as he came back into the room. “Oliver is ready for you Mr. Carson. Please follow me.” Maxwell said as he held the door open for Jack. “The suit looks good on you Mr. Carson. Armani is a genius when it comes to men's clothing don't you think?” Maxwell said trying to initiate small talk. 'Yeah...it's a nice suit. I have a couple of them in my closet.” Jack sarcastically replied as he followed Maxwell down a corridor and to what appeared to be an elevator. They stopped and a laser scanned both their 29
BRUCE SAVAGE
faces and the doors opened to the elevator and they got in. “So who or what is Val?” Jack asked. “V.A.L.? We like to call her Valerie. She prefers having a human name. Acronyms are so cold and inhuman. You will meet her in person soon enough. V.A.L. Stands for Virtual Artificial Life form. She runs this facility among other things. Oliver will explain to you I'm sure. Valerie? Why don't you introduce yourself to Mr. Carson?” Maxwell said speaking as if to a person that was in the room. “Good morning Mr. Carson. May I call you Jack? I am Valerie. I am an artificial life form responsible for the day to day activities here in this facility. My sensors have determined that you have a slight headache. Would you like some aspirin Jack?” A female voice echoed from around them. Jack looked for the speaker but found nothing. “Artificial life form? A computer is running this facility?” Jack asked. “Yes. If you want to think of it that way. Please don't call Valerie a computer though she doesn't like that. We like to think of Valeria as one of us. She has complete control and our complete confidence Mr. Carson. Oliver will explain everything to you.” Maxwell said as the elevator stopped and the doors opened. He raised his hand in a gesture to exit the elevator and him and Jack stepped out. “Follow me. Oliver is waiting in his office at the control center.” Maxwell said. “Aren't you worried that Valerie will malfunction? 30
GODS ASSASSIN
What if she decides to do her own thing? I take it you haven't seen any of the Terminator movies?” Jack asked as they arrived at Oliver's office. “I assure you Mr. Carson. Despite what you've probably seen in Hollywood movies Valerie doesn't malfunction or desire to do her own thing. She's not built that way. We have the uttermost confidence that won't happen.” Maxwell said. “Didn't Stephen Hawking's say that artificial intelligence would be the end of human civilization?” Jack smugly replied. “Dr. Hawking's wrote Valerie's moral directives. He said that to keep Valerie a secret and to buy the world a little more time before the technology is released to the public.” Maxwell replied as another laser scanned him and Jack. There was a click and the door to Oliver's office opened. Jack walked in and looked around to find Oliver sitting at a glass desk staring intensely at a holographic display emanating from a crystal sphere on his desk. Oliver looked up and began to smile and then stood up. “Mr. Carson. Good to see you again. I trust you’re feeling well this morning? Please have a seat. That will be all Maxwell.” Oliver said as he gestured to a chair in front of his desk. Maxwell exited the office and the door clicked behind him. Jack looked around at the sterile office again before finding his way to the chair. “Let's begin shall we?” Oliver said. “Yes....let's.” Jack replied sarcastically imitating Oliver's British accent. “First I think we should discuss some personal 31
BRUCE SAVAGE
business. Your wife and daughter have been buried at St. Mary's cemetery outside Chico. I believe that's where your wife's mother and father are also buried. Everything has been taken care of and they received a very respectful funeral I assure you. As for your absence and where a bout’s that has been taken care of also. You've been listed as dead also. You died in the fire caused by the explosion. You will be able to go pay your respects later today Mr. Carson or should I call you Jack? We like to think of ourselves as family here.” Oliver said. “Jack will be fine. Thank you for taking care of my family's funeral. I appreciate it.” Jack replied. “You’re most welcome Jack. Like I said we like to think of ourselves as family here. As for the police and the explosion everything has been taken care of. It's been ruled as an accident. Defective fuel system in your car. Your wife's family will be notified of the findings and your last will and testament will be officiated next month with your estate being delegated to those you listed in your will. Officially you don't exist anymore. But have no fear you shall have a new identity very soon. Maxwell will brief you on your new alias out in the world.” “Looks like you guys got everything covered. So why don't you tell me where is here and who is this we?” Jack asked. “Here- as I said earlier is one mile underground in a secure location. This facility is inside a large subterranean cavern approximately three miles long and two miles wide and one mile high. It's completely secure. Even if an asteroid the size of the one that killed 32
GODS ASSASSIN
the dinosaurs hit Earth this place would very easily survive. The only way in or out is through the elevator system. As for the we-we are in the business of shaping the world and that includes the survival of the human race to be more specific. This facility is capable of initially housing a base line close to one hundred and fifty thousand men and woman in case of such an emergency. Selected for their genetic purity of course from all races to rule out disease. In case there is a threat or catastrophe threatening the future of humanity this facility is designed to protect the survivors and sustain them for centuries if necessary.” Oliver said as he spun around in his chair towards the white empty wall behind him. The wall changed from white to transparent in an instant revealing a large room filled with staff working diligently at terminals and large displays on the walls. “This is the control room. Where everything in the world is monitored. Governments, wars, agriculture, disease outbreaks, financial markets...you name it, it’s being monitored and analyzed right here by these men and women and Valerie.” “You said we are one mile underground? How come it's not hot? That far underground there should be tremendous heat coming from the planets core.” “Ahh yes...this facility is powered by a one of a kind Geothermic reactor. It uses the heat from the Earth's core to create energy. As for the facilities environment that is being controlled by Valerie. She makes sure things stay nice and comfy for us. She also handles the environmental conditions for the agricultural section of the facility. Over a mile and a half of every 33
BRUCE SAVAGE
fruit, vegetable, nut and grain you can imagine is being grown down here in a completely controlled environment. Enough food for up to one million people if necessary. As for our water supply that is delivered from aquifers above us. This is a completely selfsufficient facility. Along with agriculture there is also a seed bank and a DNA bank containing every seed and DNA from every living creature on earth.” Oliver said as he turned back around. “Pretty impressive.” Jack replied. “Yes it is. It took ten years to build. Robots did most of the work of digging the hole one mile down to the cavern. There were many workers in environmental suits that did some of the construction that the robots weren't equipped to do. It's all very impressive.” “You still haven't told me who we are?” “Yes, this part might seem a little strange to you. But since you will be working for us I like to just put everything on the table so there is no surprises.” “Good policy to have.” “Do you believe in Aliens Jack? You know from someplace other than Earth.” Oliver asked giving Jack a humorous smirk as he pointed at the ceiling. “Aliens? Like little green men from Mars?” Jack asked. “Well...they are not exactly green. Or from Mars. We don't really know exactly where they are from. We suspect somewhere in the constellation of Orion. But we do know they are here and have been here a very long time and they are watching us. Let me start at the beginning so that you understand everything.” 34
GODS ASSASSIN
“This should be interesting...please continue.” Jack said giving Oliver a suspicious look. “You may have heard of the book by Erich Von Daniken called Chariots of the Gods. It tells of how aliens have been visiting us for a very long time. They taught us language and mathematics and engineering and an array of different things in order for our species to survive and evolve. Well, I can assure you that Mr. Danikens book is spot on. These aliens called the Arushians have been watching over us from the beginning of human life on this planet. They are planetary engineers if you want to think of them that way. They find life on a planet and then tweak it along its evolutionary path to ensure its survival and development. But if they feel that there is a flaw in a species development they have no problem with wiping out that species and beginning again. It was done to the dinosaurs and with us long ago. You may have heard the story of Noah and the Ark. Almost every race on Earth has a story relating to the great flood. They did it and wiped out almost everything and they have no problem doing it again. You see we almost became extinct during World War II. These beings that have been watching us were completely disappointment with the level of barbarity that we had shown during that war and decided that it would be necessary to wipe us out and start again. And that's what they decided to do. In 1947 the Arushians sent a doomsday device to Earth capable of killing every human being alive. At the last minute they decided to give us one last chance and destroyed the device. The remains of the device were found on a ranch 35
BRUCE SAVAGE
in Roswell New Mexico by a rancher. You may have heard about the whole Roswell incident. Anyway a meeting between President Truman and the Arushian leader took place and an agreement was made. The world would be governed by a secret organization that will shape society and human development moving it towards a less destructive path. And so it has been since then. We consist of a group of world leaders and business leaders and religious leaders and the most intelligent people from a number of fields. We use our status and abilities to move humanity towards an existence that is more in line with what the aliens want for us.” “So aliens are watching us and if we don't evolve the right way they will wipe us out? And it’s our job to shape the world and humanity in order to move it towards a peaceful existence? And the world is being secretly governed by a secret society? Am I right? Is that the bullshit you're trying to sell me?” “Yes that's about right. You have the gist of it. I assure you that it is not bullshit Jack.” Oliver said. “Sure sounds like bullshit to me.” Jack replied. “Believe me Jack a man in my position has no time or need to bullshit you.” Oliver said. “Fine.” Jack replied giving Oliver a suspicious look. “Let's continue. There is another group of aliens called the Krehlians that I need to make you aware of. They don't like us very much and are constantly causing problems. They are not as nice as the Arushians I told you about but they are just as determined to destroy us as 36
GODS ASSASSIN
the Arushians are to save us. You can think of it as a war if you will between angels and demons. If you were to look at the history of humanity and all the religious accounts of angels and demons with ancient mankind, you will come to that conclusion.” Oliver replied. “Angels and demons? There are two groups of aliens and one wants us to survive and the other wants us to be extinct. Great...are you on drugs or something? Seriously?” Jack said sarcastically. “I assure you I am not on drugs and what I'm telling you is the truth and highly classified. You are to tell nobody what I have told you. Where do you think that the idea of angels and demons came from throughout human development? Every culture and religion speaks of them especially in ancient times. Angels and demons...are aliens! They are aliens at odds with each other and we are stuck in the middle of it for now at least until the Krehlians are destroyed.” “Ok! Ok! Demons and angels are fighting about us and we are stuck in the middle of it.” “Yes, exactly.” Oliver said. “If the Arushians are so powerful why don't they just wipe out the Krehlians so we can live in peace?” Jack asked. “Because the Krehlians outnumber the Arushians 1000 to 1. The Krehlians inhabit a large portion of the galaxy. I assure you they have tried and tried to wipe them out. The Krehlians are like cockroaches. You swat one and two more pop up someplace else. I'm sure the Arushians have tried everything in their arsenal to eradicate the Krehlians. The Krehlians may not be as 37
BRUCE SAVAGE
advanced technologically as the Arushians but they are very resourceful and very evil.” Oliver replied. “So what is it you want with me Oliver? What the hell does any of this crazy shit have to do with me? I'm not a social engineer or astronaut or whatever. I'm a killer! I kill people...I'm not a diplomat or a peace maker. I go in I find my target and I kill it. That's what I do very well.” “Right to the point. I like that. Yes...you are a killer and you are very very good at what you do and it's your skills and abilities that we are in need of. I think Jack that you are much more than a killer. Why else would you have walked away from what you did and try to live a normal life? I think there is a great deal of good in you. Good that is capable of love and caring for something other than yourself. Instead of killing for money Jack wouldn't it help you sleep better at night knowing you do what you do for a purpose that is greater than yourself? A purpose that serves all of humanity? As you know Valerie runs things around here. Valerie is a next generation quantum computer with artificial intelligence. She can handle and process more information in one second than there are atoms in the known universe. She's constantly monitoring events around the world via satellite and other methods and is capable of taking that information and formulating a feasible projection of world events and their outcomes which is then analyzed by those people you see behind me. There are currently five quantum computers in existence today. Three of them are being used by the CIA, NSA and NASA for space exploration and code 38
GODS ASSASSIN
breaking. The other two are Valerie of course and her twin sister Veronica. The other three are not as sophisticated as Valerie and Veronica. They don't have artificial intelligence capabilities. Only Valerie and Veronica do. Unfortunately, Veronica has been stolen. Hijacked if you will while on route to NASA for deployment at another facility off world.” Oliver said. “Off world? You mean space?” “I mean the moon. For several years now we have been establishing a secret base below the lunar surface. Veronica's job was to administer that facility. What we want you to do is destroy Veronica before she's operational.” “And where is Veronica?” “North Korea. Thirty miles outside of Pyongyang. That's were Valerie has tracked her to. You see a quantum computer needs to stay at -456F below zero or it becomes a big box of junk so to speak. That makes it the coldest thing in the Universe. Valerie has located a temperature drop of that magnitude in North Korea. We cannot allow them to have Veronica. If they are able to use Veronica nothing on Earth will be safe. They will be able to hack and control any phone and computer and any electronic device they wish. They will be able to crash financial markets at will and cause environmental catastrophes as well as start a third World War. They will have access to all the world’s nuclear weapons. And the worst of it is them getting their hands on Helium 3. Helium 3 is what is used to keep Veronica and Valerie cold enough to operate. It's very rare here on earth which is why we established a base on the moon to mine it. It's 39
BRUCE SAVAGE
in great abundance there below the surface. Helium 3 can also be used to create a fourth generation nuclear weapon. A planet cracker. Just one weapon powered with Helium 3 is enough to make all life extinct on earth. And we must not allow that to happen.” “So what is it you want me to do?” “We want you to drop into North Korea and attached an EMP device to Veronica and then get out of there before you are discovered. The EMP will detonate and render Veronica completely useless and cause a chain reaction in her cooling system. The Helium 3 will be released from the cooling system and everything within a mile of Veronica will be frozen solid once that Veronica shuts down. Thankfully the location where Veronica is being held is remote and populated by North Korean military only...no innocent civilians. She's being held inside a mountain base. Valerie has been trying to contact Veronica and initiate her self-destruct but has been unsuccessful due to the geological composition of the mountain. That's why we decided to send you.” “Sounds simple enough. But I can guess it's not going to be.” “No it won't be a walk in the park Jack. Veronica is heavily guarded. There are approximately 150,000 heavily armed and well trained North Korean soldiers at that location. You'll go in at night specially equipped with the latest technology to assist you. Maxwell will walk you through your equipment for the mission. If you are successful, you will be picked up at the designated extraction point and brought back here. Then you will receive our end of our agreement and the information you 40
GODS ASSASSIN
need to get justice for your family’s death.” “When do we start?” Jack replied clenching his fist eager to get this over with and find the bastard that killed his family and end their life. “The mission begins at mid-night tonight. I wish you the best of luck. But I’m sure you won't need luck. We chose you because you have the skills necessary to succeed. We are certain you will.” “And what's to keep me from going off grid and disappearing once I'm on the surface again?” “Valerie will be watching and assisting you once you leave here Jack. I assure you she can flip the switch on your nanites no matter where you are in the world. But I'm sure it won't come to that. You want the one that killed your family. And you'll do anything to that end.” Oliver said. “You know me so well.” Jack replied. The door behind Jack clicked and Maxwell entered the room. “I'll take you to pay your last respects to your family Jack. If you will follow me the jet is waiting.” Maxwell said as he held the door open for Jack. “Best of luck Jack! Oh...I just want you to know that I am truly sorry for having to put you in this position Jack. I know that this is a time of grieving for you but this mission is of the utmost importance. I apologize for having to put you in this position.” Oliver said as Jack walked towards the door. “Just make sure you keep your end of the deal.” Jack said as he headed out the door.
41