Blueblood 5.1: Red Alert!! - 21. The Dream

Kuyvashev smiled as everyone at the table was eating, and now was doing it much slower, and seemed to enjoy the sensations they got from the chicken. Luxuriating at the taste. The first one to feel what we cautioned them about was Daria whose eyes widened,. She dropped her fork and rushed to the “Ladies Room.” Then Kalsi and they each were fleeing the café…leaving Stan and Mark there staring with smiles because they weren’t being affected as the others were.

I chuckled, “Don’t be so smug.” I said to Stan and Mark. “I had a reaction only days after Colin bit me. You might, as well.”

George nodded, “Your brain was reprogrammed as was your bodies. The serum will just remind your brain what it’s supposed to do.”

I grinned as Hiccup was happily licking Colin’s face, which Colin didn’t stop. In fact, he encouraged it by said nonsensical things to the puppy that only a dog, or puppy, understood. Dogs understood less about WHAT was being said and more about HOW it was being said. In that way, Colin was doing the same as I was said to be able to do. Communicating love to a dog was pretty basic and simple. My talent just did it better…so I was told. These social creatures have been with us even before the Old Ones were created! I was told fifty thousand years! They proved themselves loyal and willing to be with us. They knew how to communicate with us. Dan-D was going to be loved and spoiled. This I already knew. Hell, they all would be. I could never understand how anyone could be neglectful or mean to a dog in ANY way. Dogs loved and trusted people. How could any person betray that trust?

Dan-D and Pechenye were perfectly happy being held. What they were smelling from the table got their noses going. THAT they wanted to investigate. However tempting, giving them food from the table was, that was not going to happen yet. You didn’t want to ween them too soon. Anton had created the right supplement for Dan-D, but adding meat too soon would cause Pusik to stop nursing. Dan-D was catching up with his brothers and sisters, but he wasn’t there yet.

“No,” I said to Pechenye and Dan-D and kissed them both on the heads. “Not until your Mama says you can eat meat.” I received licks from both. I sighed a bit sadly.

“What?” Colin asked with the tone that said he knew something was going on in my head.

I shrugged, “I just hate to leave them.”

“We’ll only be gone a week and perhaps a few more days,” Colin reminded me.

I nodded, “Yes. However, if you go along with what they say is the passing time for dogs, six or seven times the average time for Humans, that’s over one and a half months for them.” I raised my two lightly. “Maybe two months!”

“I don’t know if we can take Pusik with us,” Colin said helplessly. “There are laws…”

“And when has that stopped us?” I almost growled. “We brought in Iustina, Repetate, and Ralph, they weren’t really brought in legally!”

Colin nodded and sighed to himself, “Yes, but how will Pusik travel on a plane?”

“We’ll ask Anton,” I shrugged. “We always land at a private airport and are flown to Holmes’s Laboratories by helicopter. We’ll take Pusik and her children with us!”

Colin shook his head, “I don’t know if that would be a good idea.” He grinned, “The separation might be too much for Anton.”

“You could ask me,” Mark said with a smile.

We looked at him surprised. He was across the table and not just across from us. Normally, he could have heard us with a device or something, but he shouldn’t have been able to hear us. Colin and I weren’t speaking more than a whisper.

Mark chuckled, “Man, you weren’t kidding, George. Our senses have been heightened.” He waved in the direction of the bathrooms, “With them in the bathroom I could hear everything.” He thumbed toward the kitchen, “Even Dima arguing with someone in there! Since I didn’t have the translator I didn’t know what about, but…”

Stan chuckled, “I heard it, too. How do you sort it all out?”

I grinned, “You learn to focus. It comes naturally now.”

Kuyvashev l0oked puzzled, “I’m sitting right next to them. They were talking but I couldn’t hear them, but you did?”

“We did,” Stan nodded.

“And before you say it,” Colin began. “Using these people as agents is not a good idea.”

“You could use these people as agents,” I nodded. “There is a lot of adverse things.”

“You outlive your family and friends,” Colin stated.

“But your daughter,” Kuyvashev pointed at Colin. “And you have your mother…” he said to me.

“True,” Colin nodded. “That’s complicated.”

“Vampires on the serum can’t make new vampires,” I shrugged. “Please don’t think of this as a Fountain of Youth.”

“It’s really a curse of an abnormally long life,” Colin said sadly. “Almost no one knows or understands. Friends and family die: you won’t.”

“Yes,” I added. “He has a daughter that is also a vampire he thought was dead for over a hundred years. We found her and put her on the serum. My mother, like I did, chose to become a vampire because of love.”

“I almost feel like a pedophile marrying Devon,” Colin admitted smiling at me. He shrugged, “I am so much older than you.’

My head went back a little in surprise, “And what about Amasis and Wayne? Talk about an age difference!”

Colin grinned and shrugged, “Well, isn’t Amasis a pedophile?”

I rolled my eyes at his comment and looked at Kuyvashev, “Yes, no disease or poison will kill us. Drugs do not work on us. The venom won’t let us be killed that way, but we can be killed. Eventually, in an accident or if someone stabs us in the heart or the head, we will die. Consider this though, you’re in an accident and you’ve lost limbs…you can’t hunt to get needed blood, but you can’t die. The venom won’t let you. You can’t move but are alive. You can’t get around to feed the demanding hunger which can be excruciating…” I saw Kuyvashev’s face react adversely at what I said. “It’s no fountain of youth. Not something I would wish on anyone.”

“But you chose to be a vampire,” Kuyvashev said quietly.

I nodded, “To keep Colin from suffering. He was being forced to make a choice about feeding his hunger and potentially killing me. One bite from Colin would make me a vampire, but he needed to be in control to keep from killing me. We had just married and shortly after that was when he bit me. He had to.” I sighed, “Willie had fallen in love with Mom. He was already a century old. After a century alone, lost in a fog caused by shrapnel from a bomb and post-traumatic stress disorder…he finally got treatment and he is recovering. He married my mother, and my mother knew he would be alone and got him to bite her to allow her more time with Willie. Willie wouldn’t be alone. That was love. That doesn’t guarantee a long life.”

Colin nodded, “Yes, being what we are sounds like a dream come true but believe me. It is also a nightmare.”

Mark’s eyes lowered as he hesitantly said, “I never asked you, Stan…whether you wanted to be a vampire. I just knew that toxin would kill you. Getting the venom was to save your life. I couldn’t lose you.”

Stan put his fork down and put his arm over Mark’s shoulder, “I never thought otherwise. I heard what you said when you had Sergey bite me and then had him bite you.” He brought Mark close and hugged him. “I would have done the same thing.”

Mark nodded, “I knew that toxin would rob you of that great mind of yours. I couldn’t live with that.”

Stan hugged Mark tighter, “Aw, Mark.”

I pointed at them, “Again, THAT’S love. It wasn’t because of hunger.”

Mark looked up, “What do we tell our family? Do we tell Doris?”

“Not yet,” Stan shook his head. “We might after some more time. Cindy we’ll have to be told eventually, especially after a few more years. What about your family?”

Mark grudged a nod, “Dad’s smart and observant. Mom, too. Marvin will probably know something’s up.” He shrugged, “But no rush.”

Colin nodded and smiled at them, “When the years pass, you may have to. They saw you just a few weeks ago. There will be no discernible difference,” he raised a finger, “yet. You will be the same.”

“We’ll be more than likely telling more people in the future,” I said sadly. “We’ll probably be telling Charles Slaughter, Chuck’s father.”

“Chuck’s Dad? Why?” Mark asked. “I’ve met Mr. Charles. A nice guy. Why does he need to be told? Chuck wasn’t a victim of a vampire.”

George nodded and told them, “But his future grandchild night be parented by a vampire.”

Kuyvashev shrugged, “As you talked about it in front of me…George is talking about taking an egg or two from a woman and fertilizing it and placing in a Human mother.”

Stan suddenly nodded understanding, “Amanda.” He saw George’s surprised look and Stan smirk, “Oh, come on, George. We all saw they were falling in love.”

Mark’s eyes suddenly widened, and he stood up quickly, “You guys were right. It does sort of sneak up on you.” He hurried toward the bathrooms as Akim headed back to the table. Mark patted him on the shoulder as he passed him now knowing a stall was available for him now.

Akim sat smiling, “That was surprising after all these years.”

George chuckled, “Your body is returning to its normal functioning.”

Kuyvashev looked at Colin, “Could I return with you when you go back? I’d love to see this operation there.”

Colin looked at Kuyvashev puzzled, then to me, George, and Stan. He looked at Kuyvashev, “We aren’t exactly reentering the United States legally. If you come, will you have your passport and identification so if needed you have it?” Then his eyes narrowed, “I sense this isn’t for spying, so I’m not objecting, but aren’t you checking in with someone here? You’re wife?”

Kuyvashev rolled his eyes, “She’s been without word from me longer than this.” He chuckled, “Personally, I think she likes being the wife of a man in Russian Intelligence and likes the alone time. It makes our time together a little more intense.”

“We didn’t exactly enter Russia legally, Colin,” I pointed out grinning. “It’s just fair if we let Geny enter the United States the same way.”

“We won’t be there long,” Colin shrugged. “I don’t mind. I say a day or so longer than a week.”

Stan rose and grinned, “My turn.” He headed to the bathroom.

 

The promise of another meal and a chance to see their first sunrise in quite a while was exciting for these vampires. Mark told us the regulations about transporting dogs on airlines. The Holmes plane wasn’t an airline, but there were restrictions. Dogs had regulations and laws about transporting them. We told Anton what we were planning and even offered to take him, too.

He looked at the other dogs in their kennels, “I would love to, but…” he shook his head waving at them, “I can’t leave them.”

I smiled nodding, “Of course, not.” I understood. “We’ll take good care of Pusik and her brood.” I grinned, “We have Mark! He’s practically another you!”

“It will still be a few days yet,” Colin said.

“I’ll give you paperwork about Pusik’s vaccinations and updates,” Anton said. “In case there are any questions.”

“They need their mother,” Colin said. “Will you give us the supplement for Dan-D?”

Anton chuckled, “Dan-D has caught up…almost. His weight is correct for puppies his age. He should be fine a week or so. Can’t you tell?” He pointed to Dan-D who was in Colin’s arms at the moment.

Colin lifted Dan-D up toward his face, “Yes, I did.” He said in that babytalk everyone does with puppies. Doesn’t everyone? Dan-D proceeded to lick Colin’s face rapidly. “Such a good boy. Such a big dog!”

I kissed Hiccup and Pechenye, “You’re good boys, too.” For which I got the licks.

Anton laughed lightly, “I can see this has been a good arrangement for the puppies. They love you!” He looked at me, “Pusik has only ridden in a vehicle a few kilometers around here. She has never flown in a plane. Normally, stress like that might be a problem with a nursing dog, but I know you can cut her stress levels down for her, so I’m not worried about that.”

“We’ll bring her back safe and sound,” I assured Anton.

“I’ll get a crate for Pusik and her puppies ready,” Anton nodded.

 

The next day, a few hours before sunrise, we got our new friends together and took them outside to stand on a bluff where the rising sun could be seen best. As the horizon began to brighten, the venom was warning them to take cover. We told them they would feel the tingle but assured them they would not burn. Yuri, and Zoya nodded assurances we were telling the truth. As the sun broke the horizon, Colin and I saw the familiar reactions as the tingling was felt but saw the amazement as they realized they were feeling no pain. None.

“That is so wild!” Mark was smiling as he rubbed his arms. “It’s like hitting your…”

Colin and I finished with them, “your funny bone.”

“It won’t last more than a day or so,” Colin said.

“Enjoy it!” I instructed.

Mark nudged Stan, “You feel it!” He nodded as Stan rubbed his arms.

Stan laughed nodding, “Yes, Mark. I feel it.”

We took them back to the café after picking up Hiccup, Pechenye, and Dan-D. All the puppies knew who we were now and were more mobile. They wanted to go with us, too.

“The others with us are coming down here, aren’t they?” Colin asked.

“Oh, yes,” Anton nodded. He pointed at me, “Your Mom and Dad are here a few hours each day. Scout knows them well. Lucian comes down here sometimes three times a day spending several hours with Mali.”

“Molly?” I repeated.

Anton’s head came forward a little, “You Americans say some things I’m not sure you’re saying it right. Not m. o. l. l. y. It’s Mali, m. a. l. i. It’s Hungarian for Industrious pup, he said.” He chuckled as he waved at us. “He’s as bad as you are!”

Colin smirked, “But not you.”

Anton grinned, “I won’t deny it.”

 

We got to the café where Dima was serving the bowls of what I knew was Borscht.

“Hiccup!” Stan said happily holding his hands out and Hiccup was moving more excitedly in Colin’s arm.

“Okay, okay,” Colin chuckled to Hiccup.” You guys are going to soon need a stroller,” Colin said kissing Hiccup on the head and handed the puppy to Stan.

“Nah,” I said. “They will be racing after us….on their feet.”

“Yoth eto da!” Kopeysk marveled, “I remember Borscht, but I know it didn’t taste THIS good.”

George smiled and nodded, “Senses? Enhanced? I’m sure we said that would happen.”

Stan looked at me, “You haven’t checked Buddy while I was…out of commission.” It wasn’t a question.

“Checking on Buddy?” Colin asked puzzled. “Why do we need to do that?”

“Because Buddy and Priyatel are linked and working together,” Stan said in a tone that said we weren’t understanding the logic about this. “Priyatel is being fed information constantly. Priyatel is the Russian Computer used by the entire Russian government? That includes the FSB and the GRU? The domestic and military intelligence.” Kuyvashev had not gotten here yet. Stan was NOT stupid and knew it was safe. “Buddy has a message for you, Devon.” He looked at me in a way that told me he was keeping it quiet.

Colin also picked up on that. His eyebrows rose as he looked at me, “A private message from Buddy?”

I sighed sadly and nodded, “Yes, Colin. Stan isn’t the only person having an affair with Buddy.”

Colin rolled his eyes and frowned at me, “I hope you’re very happy with Buddy in the future.” He said sarcastically. “He’s sending you a message?”

“We were kind of preoccupied recently,” I said simply and shrugged. “We have time now. Do you want to see what it is about?”

Colin shrugged, “If it’s not too personal.”

I grudged a nod and took Colin’s hand, “Come on.” I looked at Mark and Stan, “We’ll be right back.”

Colin and I walked through the underground to where Stan had put Buddy’s CPU. It, as always was in a place that was well ventilated, but dark. I sat in the chair by Buddy and tapped the keys.

“Verifying user,” Buddy’s computerized voice of Mark said. I knew Buddy was doing the retinal scan to be sure who was using him. When Colin’s voice came, I still wasn’t used to the idea. “Hi, Devon! I have a message for you. It’s an answer you asked me a few weeks ago. It took a while to verify the information to give you the right answer. The information has been checked and verified.”

I frowned a moment, then remembered. “Hold on, please.” I looked at Colin, “I asked him to do something and…” I hesitated a little, “You may or may not want to see it.”

Now, Colin was not smiling, but very curious, “What is it?”

I waved at Buddy, “I haven’t seen it, but I asked him to research someone.”

Colin’s eyes widened, “Who?”

“Josiah,” I answered quietly.

Colin’s eyes now widened more and he had a look of slight pain. Was it pain of the heart? Josiah was in the past, but I knew Colin loved him. “Jo…you mean my Josiah?” His voice was so quiet.

“Yes,” I nodded. “Your Josiah. Haven’t you wondered what happened to him?”

“Well, I…” Colin began. “He was free. After my father died, I inherited the plantation and I freed all of them, including Josiah and his mother. That was in 1832. His mother stayed at the plantation after she was freed by me until she died a few years later. I had married and he and I didn’t…”

I nodded, “I know.” I waved at Buddy, “Like I said, I haven’t seen it, but Buddy would only message me if he found something. I don’t know what.” I touched Colin’s face. “You downplayed the relationship to me, but I know you cared for him. You loved him!”

A tear formed in his eye and threatened to spill on his face, “I did. I always will.” He looked at me, “but I love you!”

I smiled at him kindly, “I know that, Colin. I’m not jealous.” Then I shrugged, “I can’t be jealous of Josiah. I don’t think he’s alive now, so no competition.” I grinned, “I know competing with a ghost is tough, but…”

Colin grinned a bit sadly, “Well, I just need you to know. I love you. We’ll be together a long time!”

“Yes, we will.” I waved at Buddy’s screen. “Do we see what Buddy has found out?” Colin did cry now as he nodded. I turned to Buddy, “Okay, show us what you found, please.”

“Just a preface,” Colin’s voice by Buddy said. “I believe I found what you asked for. I had to search through the historical records of both the United States and Canada.”

“Canada?” Colin repeated. “I never knew where he went.”

The first thing to come up was a picture, a dated one as the quality of photography was still in it’s infancy. We saw a nice looking man sitting next to a pretty woman surrounded by three younger men and four young women. All were dressed in fine clothing, the men in suits and the women in nice dresses. The young men were arranged like stair steps starting with the tallest about twenty years old and his three brothers fanned out from there. The same for the women n\behind their mother, the tallest girl about eighteen and the sisters fanned out behind their mother. A beautiful family. However, the older man was clearly in his fifties or sixties, and I could see he looked white! Except around the mouth and his nose was a little more African, which I probably wouldn’t have noticed if Colin hadn’t told me about it before. The woman next to him was in her fifties who was indigenous or First Nation as they said in Canada. I heard Colin’s sudden inhale from surprise. He recognized the older man.

“I take it this is Josiah?” I pointed at the older man. Now Colin was crying more as he nodded. I read what history had about Josiah. “Josiah Freeman Wentworth!” I looked at Colin.

Colin nodded again, “He had no middle or last name.” He said overcome with emotion. “I gave him the papers to prove he was free if stopped. I put on the paperwork Josiah Wentworth.”

That was a common practice with freed slaves. Freeman was also the common name chosen. They were free men.

“He married Riitta Lonecloud. A member of the Mi’kmaq Tribe of Nova Scotia.” I smiled at what I saw, “They had eight children, one son died in childhood. Josiah graduated from the University of King’s College in Halifax. He was a teacher in the city he lived in! Halifax, the capitol of Nova Scotia.” I grinned at Colin. “You said you and Debra taught your…employees to read. He did a lot with the knowledge. He was also a member of the Underground Railroad helping over sixteen slaves escape from Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. He also had twenty-one grandchildren.”

If Colin heard me, I couldn’t tell. He was staring at Josiah’s picture. “I never knew.”

I pulled Colin toward me and kissed him gently, “I’ll let you read the rest yourself.” I lifted Dan-D from him which Colin didn’t fight. “We’ll leave you alone. I’ll be either in the café or lab area.” Again, if Colin heard me, I couldn’t tell. Memories from seeing the face of a man he loved was occupying Colin’s mind now. Dan-D whined a little so, I kissed Dan-D on the head, then kissed Colin on HIS head. “I think Josiah did just fine, Colin. Take whatever time you need.”

I went back to the café and sat with Stan, Mark, Kuyvashev, and the others sitting there, too. I put Dan-D and Pechenye on the floor to do puppy things. They were a little less than a month old and getting around was still new. They were able to walk more and were curious about everything in the big world. They wanted to know. We’d have to watch them. Stan put Hiccup down with his brothers. They knew each other and were more secure. We were the alphas with the puppies. They felt secure with us.

George looked up and frowned, “Where’s Colin?”

I didn’t know what I should tell them, “He’s reading something. He’ll be here to tell you all about it, I’m sure.” I smiled at an additional person, “John! Good to see you! You fought so hard to get George back and then you sort of just faded away!”

John looked a little embarrassed, “Yeah, well, I get him back,” he waved his arms to one side, “and he’s off to the lab again.”

“We had a situation that needed addressing immediately!” George said in mock irritation.

John nodded, “I know. Of course, you were needed.” Then he raised his finger to George, “but I demand we finish our honeymoon!”

“Deal,” George said quickly and kissed him quickly.

Colin entered the café as he wiped his face of the tears, but his face held a smile as he sat by me again. He pulled me in kissing me gently and sat up right. He looked at the others at the table, “Devon did what I thought was impossible.” He bumped his forehead to mine gently and played quickly with Dan-D’s little head. “He located someone I last saw in…” he thought a few seconds, “in 1836 or 1837. He had been born a slave. My father bought him and his mother when a neighboring plantation owner died in the early nineteenth century. I never owned anyone!” He said firmly as he did before. “Josiah was a boy I grew up with! We were the same ages and I never saw him or his mother as slaves. They were just another part of our family,” he shrugged. “We all knew Josiah was the previous plantation owner’s son.” He pointed at everyone, “Not my father’s son! Josiah got me to see him as a person, not a slave. When I inherited the plantation after my father died, I freed every single person on my plantation. Where would they go? I offered them jobs. They could stay and work on the plantation for a wage.” He was getting upset again. I touched his hand to calm him down. He sighed and nodded. “I improved their living conditions. They made more if the plantation did well…”

“And it did!” I added proudly. I patted Colin’s arm. “He worked the fields, too. Just as hard as any of his employees raising rice and indigo. His employees could take breaks when needed and even take a day off if they were ill!”

Colin smiled at me and added, “Josiah was my best friend. He was a brother to me. When his mother died, he was free to go if he wanted. He felt he had no choice. He wanted a life.” Colin looked at me, “Looking for him had to be looking for a needle in a haystack! There were thousands of slaves, freed and runaway. How?”

I grinned and waved at Stan, “Well, he found out about Illya. Remember when Stan used Buddy, even in a much less way because of restrictions due to our lack of satellite connection when in Amasis’ City? He found those independent militia and backgrounds on them?” I asked and watched Colin nod. “I got the idea in Romania, but I asked Buddy to search a few months ago for a man, born into slavery approximately in 1815. The name Josiah and from Charleston, South Carolina.” I shrugged, “Who better to sift through that haystack than Buddy? He could sort through all records, which most have been added to computer databases now, and find any mention of Josiah, from Charleston, South Carolina, born in what I knew was about 1815. Also, looking for the name Wentworth, Wentworth Manor, your name as a connection, and he was to sift through all historical records everywhere.” I grinned again, “I’m not surprised about Josiah’s choice of Canada. He looks white! Hardly anyone would stop him.” I waved in the direction of the computer, “And Buddy found him! You confirmed that was Josiah!”

“It was!” Colin said happily. He looked at Kuyvashev, “This is why what we are is not a fountain of youth. My dear friend is gone.” A tear formed again which he wiped away. “I will never forget him and I don’t regret knowing him, but he is gone. I have my daughter. Devon has his mother, but we’ve all lost so many people. Amasis has had hundreds of wives and husbands. He has lost them all in the two plus thousand years and many friends.” He pointed at me and George, John, Stan, and Mark. “We will all lose someone. Even us. We can die on the way back to the United States or a gunman.” He shrugged, “Or worse, severely injured and not ALLOWED to die!” He hugged me with one arm as he explained further. “I NEVER wanted Devon to suffer the hunger or irresistible desire. The agony of watching people around you die, and you WON’T! He did it because he loved me and didn’t want ME to suffer. He found Josiah for me.” He hugged me tighter. “Thank you. That part of my life has been concluded and closes that part.” He brightened, “And what a great man Josiah became! I am so grateful. I knew him! I loved him and he loved me! Thank you.”

Kuyvashev nodded, “It’s just so hard to believe there’s anything to fear except dying.” He shrugged lightly and smiled, “I can’t imagine life without those people around me. It’s difficult to understand what I see as miraculous, but I’m beginning to understand.”

I saw Dan-D’s lift his little nose and sniff. I saw him begin to go toward the kitchen door where the smells were coming from. “Whoops!” I said happily and got up to fetch Dan-D. I got to him and scooped him up, “Oh, your Daddy Colin and I will have to watch you, I see you’ll be a great tracker.” I said to the puppy. Dan-D rewarded me with licks to my face. “You’re still too young for that sort of foods. Not that you will have much of it when you’re older. You’ll be fed food just for a healthy dog to grow up to be strong and healthy.” Dan-D again gave me licks. I sat by Colin and handed Dan-D to him and picked up Pechenye. I kissed them both on the head. “Maybe we shouldn’t feed you, Dan-D. You’re getting heavy.”

Colin smiled more now, “We need to go back to Manhattan.” He looked at Kuyvashev. “We probably will have your passport stamped at the airport where we land. If there is any problem.”

Kuyvashev chuckled, “Is yours stamped to be in Russia?”

Colin’s expression said he knew he’d been caught, “It was. Having the translators helped with the reason we are here. I think everyone here has their passports stamped.” He looked smiling at Kuyvashev. “We pick up people along the way to work with us.” He smiled, “I’d love to have someone with us from Russia. You could, but I don’t know about your connection with Russian Intelligence. You have the paperwork to travel abroad…” he looked at Yuri and Zoya. “You’d be a wonderful addition, but could you get the passports?”

Yuri looked at Zoya and then looked at Kuyvashev, “I don’t know. Could we?”

Kuyvashev thought a moment, “I could look into it.” He nodded, “but you don’t exist, as far as Russia is concerned.” He looked at Sergey, “You don’t either. You DO have the Intelligence background but are dead.” He shrugged. “We could…” he grinned, “…bring you back to life as a Russian SVR agent and highly classified. Fake passports are frequent.” He grinned.

I looked at Colin, “Yuri would be valuable because of his eyesight. He can read lips at a far distance.” I held a finger up for an objection, “If he speaks the language.” I looked at Yuri, “Do you speak Chinese?”

Yuri chuckled, “Which Chinese language?”

Colin smirked and nodded, “But you can see what they’re saying and repeat it to Buddy and Buddy can translate it.”

I held my hand up and looked at Larva, Kirovgrad, Akim, Kasil, Edik, Serov, Garold, Kopeysk, Kirill, and Inza, “Are you understanding us? Can you all speak English?”

Kopeysk chuckled, “Not as well as some.”

I activated my translator. “I think we all need to use our translators, so they understand.” I shrugged, “Mine’s fully charged as I haven’t needed to use it.”

George looked down surprised, “I forgot about it.” He turned his on.

I stopped Colin, “Don’t we need to ASK Yuri if he will come?” I grudged a shrug, “Zoya would be great with her sign language shorthand.” I looked at Yuri and Zoya, “Edwin and Matt are leaders in England. They will not be coming. We have Kevin and Ellis from England that will. Vlad and Gaius Are from Romania.” I looked at Sergey, “Would you come? Vlad, Gaius, and Amasis have passports from the United States.” I looked at Kuyvashev. “Can they get passports from here?”

Kuyvashev grudged a nod and hesitantly said, “Well, it might be more difficult, but I think so. I’m not as high in the Intelligence Agency.” He looked at Sergey, “Isn’t your granddaughter able to do that?”

Sergey shrugged, “We’ll know when we ask.” He looked with a longing at Colin and George, “I didn’t think I had a purpose when I got…” he waved at his face, “this. To have a reason is so wonderful. I’ll be happy to go with you.”

Yuri nodded, “There are others right here that can lead. Greta Masaitis is a good leader as mayor. There are many down here that would be a good leader.” He smiled a bit worried, “I have ridden in a truck a few times, but when I was young,” he waved at himself, “I was not allowed to go very far because I was deaf.” He looked at us uncertain. “We are flying to Manhattan and then China?”

Colin nodded grinning, “Well, myth, stories, and legends say we can fly. Can you?”

I elbowed Colin, “Don’t tease Yuri.” I nodded at Yuri. “You’ll be fine. Amasis was terrified the first time. So was Vlad and Gaius. Gabriella… You’ll be fine.”

“Um,” John began hesitantly. “What about Efim?” He asked.

Colin looked at George and me and nodded, “I don’t know what they’ll do about him.” He shook his head. “I don’t believe his intention was to kill, but Chuck died as a result of his actions.”

“It was reckless,” George added softly, “but I didn’t get the impression it was done in malice.”

I looked at Colin, “Was Efim being honest with his confession, Colin? He testified to us he just wanted the truth.”

Colin looked at Kuyvashev, “What would you do here in Russia?”

Kuyvashev thought looking a little sad, “His actions were partly due to me…”

“Not really,” I said quickly. “Geny, you are a good man.” My head wavered in a confession, “You were stuck on yourself…”

“I’m sorry,” Lavra said.

Garold repeated what I said exactly in Russian, “Zastryal na sebe. Chto eto znachit?”

I grinned and nodded, “Sorry, Colloquialisms and idioms don’t always translate well. I meant his opinion of himself was stuck. He knew who he was. Very important.” I touched Kuyvashev, “And you aren’t unimportant! I don’t mean that.” I saw Kuyvashev grin and nod. “Efim chose to do what he did. He wanted to impress you, yes. He could have done something else. He chose to use that toxin, but didn’t know the side effects.”

“So, what will be done with him?” Colin asked quietly.

Kuyvashev shrugged and nodded, “The law in Russia is pretty much the same as in the United States. You could kill him.” We all looked surprised at that. “What? You’ve killed before, haven’t you?”

“Never!” George said quickly appalled.

“I’ve helped men fatally injured to die quicker and with no pain,” Colin explained. “I never killed anyone,” his head wavered a little. “I did with Ashley, but he challenged me to a duel to kill me, I had no choice…and Brett…”

I touched Colin’s side gently, “We know.” Turning to Kuyvashev I added, “We sometimes have to kill. Most vampires find a way to get their needed blood without killing anything…”

“Except Willie’s rats,” Colin chuckled. The others ‘ lips curled hearing that.

“Well,” I grinned, “there is that, but most found other ways of getting blood without killing even animals. The death penalty has been stopped in many countries, including most states in America. It wasn’t that good a deterrent to crime.”

“How would killing Efim help?” George asked. “Even if Efim DID kill Chuck on purpose. Killing Efim wouldn’t bring Chuck back!”

I nodded, “I admit, the desire for revenge is there. I wanted to kill Efim, but it would be a short satisfaction. Chuck would still be dead and Efim no longer is being punished.” I shook my head, “No, he needs to be punished, but not killed.”

Kuyvashev nodded, “Do you want a trial?”

“Why?” Colin asked with a shrug, “He confessed, and we know what he did and how he did it.”

Yuri raised a hand and said, “Greta and Alexie can ensure Efim is punished. How long will the punishment continue?” He shrugged, “Manslaughter, even accidental can be two years or more in prison.”

Colin looked around at the roof of the café, but he was thinking about what was above the roof, “This is Siberia. Famous for being the gulag during the winter.”

“But he gets a properly heated room when not working,” I said firmly. “Punish, yes. Torture needlessly, no.”

Kuyvashev smiled, “I think that could be arranged. His actions were foolish.”

George smiled, “He’s young. I’m sure all of us have done foolish things when young.”

I looked at Colin and John, smiling, “Can you remember that long ago?”

Zoya raised a question, “I have a question about flying. I know it’s irrelevant, but…” she asked, “I’ve seen planes in movies and on television. There are a lot of people here to go with us. Is the plane you have big enough?”

I looked at Colin, “Not everyone will be going. Those from Romania can go back commercially. Those from England can, too.”

Colin nodded, “Yes, Edwin, Matt, Russ, and Sarah might fly commercially. The jet we used can carry up to thirty if needed. That’s pushing it. We’re taking Pusik and her puppies. We’re not taking much equipment. It should be fine. I think those we aren’t taking should stay here,” he shrugged, “Just to keep things under a watchful eye. Those not going didn’t really know Chuck, so…”

I looked at Zoya, “It’s a very nice plane. You‘ll be very comfortable. Believe me.”

Colin chuckled, “I don’t know what truck you rode in, but you should be very comfortable.”

 

We told those who were not in the café. I noticed Colin never mentioned anything about flying commercially. We still had Dan-D and Pechenye.

“Our little group is growing!” Colin marveled happily. “I first thought there was just me. And Brett, of course. I go to Manhattan and meet Willie and George. The others that had lost their Humanity. Now, we’ve got all these new people…”

I chuckled, “You might consider a larger plane.”

Colin laughed lightly, “I already have.” He grinned a bit slyly.

I stopped and forced Colin to look at me, “What did you do?”

“What?” Colin shrugged. “I could see we were growing. Now, we have two planes.” He said simply.

He had rushed the construction of Wentworth Manor. I knew that Holmes Laboratories was making money hand over fist! I shoved him lightly, “How long have you been planning this?” I held my hand up to pause his response, “I know there’s money in the bank. Or do I say banks? I don’t care how much, but I know you wouldn’t do anything knowing we don’t have the money. How long have you planned this?”

Colin didn’t look in my eyes and said, “A year maybe. A few months I have been planning. I made a purchase for Holmes Laboratories about three months ago. We were in Romania. Our numbers were increasing and I knew.” He shrugged, “It’s a bigger plane. Yekaterinburg’s airport is large enough.”

“Is it?” I said tapping my foot impatiently. Then looked directly at Colin. “Colin, I love your surprises, but…” I waved away from both of us, “a new plane!? Too big to land in Asbest, but Yekaterinburg is big enough.”

Colin grinned, “I’ll tell you if you want.”

“And spoil the surprise?” I asked and shook my head. “No thanks. I prefer to be surprised with everyone else.” I pointed at the floor but meant Russia. “Is it here now?”

“We have a few more days to get the new ones of the serum and disks,” Colin was a little boy with that great toy or something he was too happy to have. “There are two levels of living space, the top level has television and enough seats for everyone. A dining area and full kitchen. On the levels below that there are four bedrooms with enough room to sleep everyone. Two have room for four to sleep in each. The other two have queen sized beds. The rooms are small, but… Stan will be happy with his computer station where he can hook up Buddy to the plane and it will be another permanent Buddy station. George and Kev have a lab…and there’s a room that can be an operating room for George with that lab next door. You know how he complains about not having his lab there and now he’ll have that and his operating room right there! Those rooms can be a hospital, if needed.”

My eyes widened, “Okay, now I’m asking. What did you buy?”

Colin smiled, “A Boeing Dreamliner.”

Now my eyes really widened, “What!?” I didn’t know a lot about planes, but I knew that wasn’t cheap!

“We can afford it!” Colin said helplessly.

I rolled my eyes, “It isn’t cheap.”

Colin gave a little shrug, “And?”

“It is so nice not to worry about bills,” I muttered.

“No,” Colin acknowledged. “This isn’t our plane.” He waved at himself and me. “It’s not George’s plane. If it was, we could still afford it, but this is the Holmes Laboratory’s plane. We are Holmes Laboratory. It is part medical, the Vampire United Nations is the hidden reason. We are also updating Buddy’s language translation abilities. That we need for the medical part. We’re seeing returns on the computers, Language Buddy, and software. Not to mention George’s treatments. We have the money!”

I pulled Colin to me putting my arms around him, “I said, I knew we did. You are NOT a stupid man.” I smiled, “You are a genius in business and Holmes Laboratories began…what…” I asked, “fifty years ago?”

Colin nodded. “There about.”

“I hope George has some knowledge about dentistry and orthodontics,” I grinned.

Colin’s face looked confused and asked, “What? Why?”

I kissed him, “Because with all those mouths dropping open and teeth falling on the floor. We’ll need it.” Colin laughed at that and shook his head. I went on, “Some of those teeth will be George’s. How will he treat himself? Maybe Kev can do it.”

“Okay,” Colin said smiling again and put a finger on my lips. “I’ve told you, but not a word to anyone. Especially, not George.”

I shook my head, grinning, “And miss the reaction we know is gonna happen!?” I emphasized the next three words, “Not a chance.”

 

It was a few days before all the newly converted VUN members were stable and had the disks inserted. Except for Stan and Mark, every single one was just amazed at how they felt now. The name or title of vampire didn’t really fit anymore. No more drinking blood because of that irresistible hunger. The word “hunger” doesn’t adequately convey what happens. I really only experienced it once. I know, I had been bitten by Colin in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. But I never got the need to feed there. In Amasis’ City just outside of Cairo, Egypt, I did. The need for blood really was a feeling of arousal, without the erection. There was a sexual component to the desire for consuming blood. The need for the blood was…you HAD to get blood or you would DIE! You would do things normally you wouldn’t do or DIE! First was blood, was the target physically fit. Because the more fit the target, the better the blood. The gender was not important. Spoiler here, I am gay. I am not bisexual at all. My desire now was Colin alone. Yet, in Amasis’ City there was that young woman I was so drawn to! How would you get the blood? You could attack the target, but I’m told it taints the blood. Seduction was a way to get the target to lower their inhibitions and let you close to them and give you access to their personal space. The venom made us the perfect predator. If fed early, there would be no bodies and if the vampire is killed, again, no body. No evidence. The new members had learned to control the desire. They were so surprised they weren’t having to control ANYTHING. Food now was so unexpected and so good. The sun! They often ate outside, at noon! That novelty was new to all of them, some a few years, decades, and even centuries! A vampire’s life was just something you get used to. Now that it was gone, it was shocking.

It was the weekend and the new members were enjoying the outdoors on a terrace overlooking Asbest! It was Summer, so the weather was pleasant. Who knew Siberia could get HOT! I blame television and movies for continuing the stereotype about the constant snow and ice. Freezing temperatures and the gulags. Yes, that was true much of autumn, winter, and even early spring! If you wanted to punish someone, then Siberia was the place you sent people to punish them. H0wever, these resourceful people had made life up here tolerable and even pleasant!

Asbest was becoming more urbanized. There was even construction that was beginning for an indoor mall and recreation center like Mall of America in Minnesota, Edmonton Mall in Albert, Canada, and the indoor mall and recreation facility in Iceland. Colin and George were more than happy to contribute for this project. The people of Asbest and the surrounding communities had helped so much. This mall and recreation center was to have the hotel rooms, restaurants, huge pool with waves, rides like rollercoasters, those spinning rides…it would be for relaxation and FUN! And warm! The transportation part was another trick. There were the underground tunnels for Yuri and his people. Asbest used the upper levels to get around, but the lower levels were off limits. An underground train system was proposed to connect Berezovsky, Yekaterinburg…yes, I know those Russian names. Towns and cities to the West, South, and North, okay? East of Asbest were these mountains and one day they would drill West to Kamshlov! Yes, if you don’t find these names odd, great! English speaking people and those people who speak languages based on Latin and Greco-Roman languages, Germanic, and those others…Cyrillic alphabet and Russian, Ukrainian is a bit difficult. For me! Vikings, oy! I also know any Jewish or Hebrew heritage is probably there, but I’m not Jewish. I can kvetch! Anyway, Colin and George were contributing to that, too.

Anton was getting any paperwork for Pusik, if stopped. She had her needed shots and the puppies had gotten their age appropriate shots and all were transportable. Technically, the puppies were too young to transport. Being on the Holmes Laboratories plane there was the “exception” paperwork that could be presented. The crate that Pusik and her brood were riding in was brought and her bed was put in it to get her used to it. It was plenty big and I knew Mark would be there very often during the flight.

The undocumented members such as Yuri and Zoya, paperwork was coming with Sergey’s granddaughter, Alexandria.

When she arrived, again it was that time thing I wasn’t accustomed to. Sergey looked like a man in his mid-thirties. Alexandria looked to be in her late forties. Her hair was cut professionally short, yet arranged to be attractive. She handed the paperwork to Kuyvashev.

“Why are you needing this?” Alexandria asked. She hadn’t been told much about what we were doing, so didn’t know.

Kuyvashev smiled as Sergey entered the room, “Because he will need it when traveling to the States.” He smiled and stepped aside and waved at Sergey.

Alexandria’s eyes widened and there was the usual inhalation and she gasped and said softly in awe, “Dedushka?”

I knew that was Russian for Grandpa.

Sergey nodded and smiled at her, “Da, Malysh. Eto ya.”

I did need the translator to tell me he said, “Yes, little one. It’s me.” I smiled. No matter what country or culture, familial love is universal. She had known Sergey all her life and he never changed, but now he had! He looked Human! He was a handsome man. (Yeah, I noticed) She rushed to him wrapping her arms around him as they hugged a few minutes. At last she pushed him away and then the usual questions, Was he not a vampire now? How did this happen? Then she was surprised as he was crying! From happiness and joy, but his dry eyes were gone and he was Human! Sergey, George, Colin, Kev, and I answered her questions while using the translators. That also fascinated her.

“Now, that you’re being treated,” Alexandria began holding Sergey’s hand. “You’re leaving!? Will you come back?”

Sergey nodded and chuckled, “This is my home.” He shrugged. “Of course, I’ll be back.” He looked into her eyes, “There are many others like me hiding in the dark. Someone needs to let them out. I will go with these wonderful people to Manhattan. Then we will come back here to finish some things and then we’re off to China.” He smiled again. “They’ve done great things in America, England, and Romania. There’s a lot of the world to cover. I was asked to go with them.” He shrugged lightly and smiled, “How can I say no?” He nodded in George’s direction. “This brilliant man is looking for a way to reverse what we are.” He waved at himself, “I am pretty certain he can do it.”

Alexandria looked at George, “He won’t die?”

George shook his head, “No. None of us can.” He waved at Colin and me. “We are what Sergey is.”

Sergey nodded, “I lost your grandmother. I lost your father. One day I will lose you and your children and grandchildren. No one should have to go through that.” He smiled again, “Is there an afterlife?” He shrugged, “Well, they know and I am denied that. I want to find out.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back frequently. I promise.”

“This trip to New York is to bury a friend of ours,” Colin explained. “We’ll be gone less than two weeks.”

Alexandria nodded, “It’s just I’ve never known him to go anywhere. I’m fine.” She smiled.

 

Colin and I called and spoke to Rubin and told him we were landing at another private airport. This was going to be in New Jersey near Trenton. We asked that he be there to make sure people and dogs were allowed with no problem. He didn’t have the authority, but had a direct line to the president. Together, with a senator and a congress woman: it would be done. Yes, yes, were we above the law!? Hell, no. There were NO laws to cover what we were doing, but we couldn’t waste time meeting with legislators and those who just KNEW what needed to be done, and they DIDN’T know!

We told everyone to pack for a couple of weeks. Yuri and Zoya hadn’t ever done that, so Mom, Gabriella, and Shelly helped Zoya while Colin and I helped Yuri. Yuri was a bit nervous. This was a huge trip for him! He hadn’t traveled that much and never over an ocean. I’d be nervous, too.

Anton was a worried dog parent. He went over all the concerns with them traveling, what we needed to watch for, what to feed them, gave us Dan-D’s supplement to mix with Pusik’s milk, how to get the milk for Pusik (no one with us had ever milked a dog), what to give her if she got anxious on the way…

“Anton,” Mark smiled, shook Anton, and waved in my direction, “We have the best person to calm her down right here. I’ll be with her and he will be, too. Pusik and the puppies will be fine. They’ll be back.” He reassured.

Anton rubbed Pusik gently and lovingly and waved for her to get in the crate. Then he took each puppy, kissed it on the head and placed them with their mother. It was sweet. He really loved those dogs. The crate was loaded into a truck to take them to the airport. Mark was riding with them.

We got Sergey, Zoya, Yuri, and Kuyvashev in a van.

“This isn’t a truck,” Colin smiled at Yuri. “But you’ll get there safely.”

We were leaving those from Romania and England, except Edwin and Matt. They knew Chuck if however briefly they had met him. Ellis and Kev were part of our main group and were going. Vlad and Gaius were going. There was a caravan of five vans taking us to the airport. One van held just luggage!

Mom leaned forward, “Colin, this is a lot of people. Maybe William and I should fly commercially.”

I glanced at Colin who merely said, “There’s enough room.” He looked at me and smiled.

I looked at Yuri who was enjoying the ride and seeing the passing scenery for the first time. The sun was shining and he saw the countryside well. I leaned in toward Colin, “You know Yuri can see very well. Is the plane out and can be seen?”

Colin’s head shook, “No, it’s in a hangar.” He shrugged, “Then again, in prepping for takeoff, they may have brought it out.” He shrugged, “We’ll see.”

There were several airports near Yekaterinburg. It was only about twenty to thirty miles west of Asbest. They needed that many, not just for passengers, but freight and imports for this entire area of Russia.

The Koltsovo Airport did both. I saw a plane, but it was at the wrong angle for me to see it. I saw it from the rear. I had a strange feeling in my heart THAT was our plane. It was in front of a hangar and standing alone. Other planes were taking off or landing as we came around entering the enclosed hangar fenced off area. It had the two huge engines, one on each wing. As our perspective changed as we came around. It was black! Yes! That hit you first. The rear vertical stabilizer was blood red. The whole stabilizer. The words Holmes Laboratories was written in wide font in blood red on the black. There were the typical row of windows, but two rows. Telling you there were two passenger areas. The plane was a little thicker than most passenger planes.

My mother was the one we heard make any sound. Again, there was the gasp as she inhaled. “Is that…but how…where did that come from?” She asked in that near whisper.

“At the new plane lot, of course,” he leaned into me, “in Charleston, South Carolina!”

I nodded, “Yep, they moved it to Charleston. I remember.”

“It’s kind of big, son,” Willie chuckled to Colin.

Colin grinned at Willie, “No matter what they say. Size matters.” He waved at the vans behind us. “You see how big a group we are now. We have to go bigger. Holmes Laboratories is a multi-billion-dollar company. We’re good for it. And this is important!” He looked at the van behind us that George was in. “Get ready for it. George will be picking those teeth of his off the floor.” He chuckled. “That is, after the initial freak out.” He looked at me, “Do they still use the words freak out?”

I smiled back, “They do. And how do you know he’ll freak out?”

“I’ve known him about eighty years,” Colin shrugged. “He’s one of the people I’ve known the longest.” He thought, “Eighty years? So, yes. He will freak out.”

I waved at the plane as we pulled to a stop beside it. The plane was much bigger than all our vans combined, “But really, Colin?” I asked amused. “There is a dress code, I know. The plane is black!? Holmes Laboratories is in red! Blood red! Why not have it written in that dripping blood font often used in horror movies and like they did in Romania for the Halloween thing?”

Colin smiled and grudged a shrug, “That would have been pushing it. I didn’t enjoy the whole thing about what we are. Our whole business with Holmes Laboratories is based on blood. George’s treatments and medications started out on blood.” He said softly to Mom and Willie, “The venom, of course.”

We got out as the other vans were being unloaded of their passengers. Sure enough George came over quickly waving at the plane as he walked, “Colin! What the Hell!?”

Colin smiled at me, “See?” He looked at George, “We talked about this at the Thanksgiving Dinner in Devon’s and my apartment at Holmes Laboratories. Remember we talked about getting a bigger plane? We were so overcrowded! I said we would need a bigger plane.” He smiled pointing at George, “And you agreed! I said I’d shop around and see what I could find. You told me to make the purchase,” he waved at the plane, “Well, there it is!”

Kuyvashev walked over with Sergey and stood with Yuri and Zoya, “How rich ARE you?” Apparently, he knew what this plane cost.

“Holmes Laboratories is a company that has been around for fifty years,” Colin answered.

We saw Kuyvashev’s eyes widen.

Colin smiled and added, “Devon and I are very comfortable.” He waved at George, “So, is he and John. Holmes Laboratories had groundbreaking treatments for many blood disorders, treatments for Sickle cell Anemia to Leukemia and more. Treatments of other forms of cancer because of his brilliance dealing with the Leukemia. There is now our sales in the computer world with faster processors, and programs such as the Language Buddy we’re beginning to sell. Upgrades for those programs. George is the brains at Holmes Laboratories. I am the business…”

I bounced and put my arm around him. “And I can’t even imagine anyone better! He’s a genius in business!”

Colin actually blushed and nodded in humility. It wasn’t false! “Thank you.”

“You say there’s no magic involved with what you are,” Kuyvashev said. “I think there is.”

Gabriella and Alex had walked over. She smiled, “He always knew who to trust and who to buy and sell from. He just got better at it.”

“Okay,” Kuyvashev nodded. “There’s business intuition, but Yuri can see so much more. You, Gabriella and Alex can sniff out…others like you.” He pointed at me, “Devon, you can sense emotions, even transmit emotions, as you do with other people…” he threw his hands out, “Even dogs! They obey you and you haven’t said a word!” He pointed at me again, “That’s magic!”

We saw that stair thing drive up as the door of the plane opened to allow us to get onboard.

Colin grinned, “We can debate that, we’ll be in the air a while. Don’t you want to see it inside?”

George wasn’t done. “Yes, we talked about a bigger plane, but…”

Colin grinned, “It’s not subtle, I know. You never wanted to be OUT there. You will be THANKING me so much in a few minutes. First, you need to get onboard.” He ushered using both his hands.

We watched as luggage was being loaded in the side of the plane below the wings and windows. The truck with Pusik’s crate and puppies were being loaded in another opened area near the front. As the luggage and Pusik with her puppies were being loaded, and loading was a science. Handlers went to school to learn how to do it properly. Balance and no shifting loads. Mark was there speaking to Pusik. He even rode the lift to help load the crate. Stan was there with Mark to see that Mark was loaded correctly.

Going up and entering the plane, you knew immediately this WASN’T a regular plane! We entered a lounge! There was headroom! Unlike the plane’s exterior, this lounge was done in various shades of white! Beige and many shades of white and darker white, it was bright! There was a bar at a back wall that stretched the nearly the width of the plane with spacious passageways that allowed access to the rest of the plane, above it on the wall was a large screen monitor for watching a movie, television, or a sports game. There were plush chairs around tables for a dozen people or more! There were two men standing near a door that led to the cockpit. They were the pilots, but not in the typical white shirts with black slacks…no, their shirts were black! The wings were on their shirts on the left side and a name tag on the right. The man who was in his mid-forties with dark brown hair, his tag read, Andrews. The other pilot was in her late thirties with dark blonde hair. Her name tag read, Cummings.

Colin smiled and shook the man’s hand, “Everyone, meet our Captain, David Andrews.” David Andrews bowed quickly and waved. “This is Lynn Cummings, our co-pilot.”

Mom nodded, “Sure, I remember her! She flew our other plane!”

“Yes,” Linda nodded. “Nice to see you again, Mrs. Kalin.”

“I told you to call me Betty,” Mom smiled to the co-pilot. She looked at the lounge, “This is beautiful!”

“You ain’t seen nothing yet!” Colin bounced a little. “David has over three hundred hours on a jumbo aircraft. We were happy to get him. Linda has over two hundred and fifty hours. They are excellent pilots.”

“I flew this plane to Russia,” David rolled his eyes. “Though, there isn’t much need for me.” He thumbed over his shoulder at the cockpit. “Anybody without even any flying experience could fly this! Buttons for EVERYTHING! Course, speed, even taking off, and landing! Even THAT is controlled by the computer. I’ll read a book while in the air.”

Linda chuckled and tapped him on the arm, “Don’t tease them, Dave. We have new people on the plane who won’t get your humor.” She looked at us, “He’s kidding. It IS an easy plane to pilot.” She touched David, “He’s an excellent pilot.”

Colin nodded, “I need to show you more.” He grabbed my arm and George’s and pulled us with him. Right behind the wall was an opening with a spiral staircase to a level below. Another wall beyond it was a gathering of four rows of plush seats, two shared a wide armrest. No more fighting to see who got it. On the dividing wall was ANOTHER large monitor for everyone to watch. There was plenty of legroom and room to go up and down the aisles. No overhead cabinets so you didn’t bump your head standing up. Beyond them were enclosed seats a person could have some privacy that had computers and monitors so the person could work or watch something else. Beyond that was a long table with chairs that could be used as a dining table or conference table. Beyond that was a full kitchen. There was an elevator to go down to the lower level and cargo level. There were four laboratories (bathrooms) up here. Nice sized, too.

Colin turned and waved them back, “I’ll show you what’s below this level!!” He looked at George, “Get ready to thank me.” He grinned and pulled me after him. What pleased me was it never felt cramped. There were space considerations, yes. I saw Yuri looking with wonder and Zoya was in awe. Sergey was nodding and Kuyvashev was impressed.

The next level down, below the cockpit and lounge, that’s when we heard Stan, who was without Mark right now, gasp. “Oh, my GOD!” Here was a spacious office, but there was a keyboard and large 3-D monitor like we had in Manhattan. “Is this…?”

“Buddy?” Colin asked smiling and shrugged. “If not exactly right, I know who can MAKE it right. I had his newest CPU installed. It works and the plane can send and receive satellite signals. It IS Buddy. The Airborne version of Buddy.”

Stan lowered himself in the chair and again, seemed hesitant to touch.

“We’ll bring the extra CPUs,” Colin explained. “Even with your laptop, the plane will be that satellite connection.” He did the “come on” gesture, “We’re not done.”

Further, the walkway was to the right side of the plane. There were two bedrooms behind doors. Allowing the rooms with the queen-sized beds plenty of room with their own bathroom and showers. The beds were elegantly made, and you felt comfortable. Two more bedrooms with a bathroom and shower between. These two bedrooms had bunk-like beds, berths as on a naval vessel, that were able to be closed off to shut off noise. Wide berths with comfortable mattresses, and equipped with monitors to watch television, movies, or read any book available from the endless choices we had.

Colin led us further to a large area as wide as the plane with counters and hook ups, computer monitors, and more. Colin looked at George, “And now, no more bitching about you having no access to your lab.” He waved at the room. “THIS is your new lab. You, Kev, and Devon can work comfortably without worrying about running into each other.” He touched George, who was gaping at the lab. “If there’s anything needed to be added, we’ll do it. This will be your lab.” He pushed George on to a last room. It was again large, taking up the width of the plane with a single bed in the center. “And this is your Operating Room. It can be an Exam Room. It’s equipped with every scanner I’ve heard of,” he held a finger up, “except a Magnetic Resonance Imager. There is one, but you can’t use it while in flight because of the magnetic energy throwing us off, but it is an Operating and Exam Room. Equipping it is your job.” He grinned pointing to the passageway, “Those two bedrooms, the ones with multiple beds, they can be used as hospital beds. They had oxygen hookups, suction: they even can be used with getting a new vampire on the serum…completely dark and isolated.” He smiled at George. “We became so used to hiding. Stop it. We’re going to help people. We need to make an impression. We ARE going to help them.”

“Cor blimey! Ye blokes is minted!” Ellis said reverently. His Cockney was coming out. Kev grinned and took his husband’s hand. Everyone was smiling at Ellis’ unashamed statement.

Colin shook his head, “I AM rich, yes. George is rich. WE,” he circled a finger at all on the plane, “are family. WE are minted.” He grinned and pointed at Ellis. “That includes you.”

Kuyvashev looked at Colin and George, “And you aren’t charging anything for what you’re doing now?”

“What happened to us,” Colin began solemnly, “wasn’t most of our faults. Other than Devon and Mom, we had it forced on us…we’ve made a lot of money. For what? Houses? Cars? I say for THIS reason.”

“Because it was forced on you and William,” Mom said taking Willie’s hand. “We had to choose it. Because we loved you.”

Colin nodded, “And that says a lot about you two.” He clapped his hands once, “You can look around after we take off. We’ve got some time in flight to go. Let’s get to it, shall we?”

Yuri wasn’t looking very certain. I asked him and Zoya, “Is there a problem?” I knew what it might be, but he needed to say what it was.

“This big thing,” Yuri pointed at the floor of the plane, “is going to fly?”

I smiled and nodded, “It is. Millions of people do it. Haven’t you seen it on television?”

“Seeing it on television is one thing,” Yuri said. “Doing it is another.”

 

We headed back up to the upper level when Stan stopped me, “Oh, Mark asked that you come down and help Pusik relax. She’s fine now, but he was concerned that with takeoff she won’t be.” He grinned at me. “They even had seats down there! You will be secure in a seatbelt. He is insisting on staying down there.” He looked around, “These planes don’t sell for less than a quarter of a billion dollars.” He smiled at me, “With all the extras, Colin spent a whole lot more. Maybe half a billion?”

I was wondering about that. Holmes Laboratories had the money. Hell, Colin had the money. George had the money. Holmes laboratories was a great company and made a lot of money. That and Colin’s ability to invest in stocks made even more money. I had no doubts. “What we’re doing is important. Now, we can do it better.” I grinned, “I’ll go see Mark.”

Stan frowned, “I know our senses have gotten more sensitive, but now…with the recirculated air. Won’t it get smelly? Dogs poop!”

I chuckled, “We’ll see.”

Going back up and rejoining Colin who was speaking with Yuri and Zoya. “We will be going quite fast. You need to be seat belted in on takeoff and landing…”

“And the occasional turbulence,” I grinned at Colin. I shrugged, “If you’re going to be the stewardess, you need to explain everything.”

Colin looked at Yuri and Zoya, “Ignore him.” He grudged a shrug, “Well, if there is a sudden loss in cabin pressure, there are masks you will need that spring up from the arm rest.” He waved that off, “That almost never happens on well-maintained planes. This one is brand new and checked over meticulously, so it won’t happen.” He looked at me, “It’s like those lifeboat drills before every cruise for that problem that almost never happens.”

I chuckled, “Well, I’m going down to the cargo hold with Mark. He wants Pusik calm.”

“He does!?” Colin’s head went back a little.

“To keep the puppies calm,” I nodded. “There are some seats down there. He and I will be secured.”

“I want to take off with you,” Colin objected.

“And we will,” I chuckled, “just in separate seating areas.” I threw my hands out helplessly. “Or you could take off with us down there.” I looked at him, “As Dan-D and the others grow, they don’t fly down there.” I pointed at the floor. “Now, I need to get ready.” I reached out and touched Zoya’s hand and looked at her and Yuri. “It really will be just fine. Colin will be here.,” I waved as Gaius and Vlad spoke with each other as they chose where to sit. “Vlad and Gaius are fine with flying now.” I waved to Amasis and Wayne who were choosing two of the partially enclosed seats. The barrier was to prevent noise and distractions as you chose to be separate and read, work, or even NAP! Two could be swiveled to face one another. “Gabriella, too has gotten so use to it she’s flown without any of us. George will be here and can give you something to calm you down…”

Yuri nodded and waved me down, “We’ll be fine. It’s just something we’ve never even IMAGINED doing.”

“I have an observation,” Zoya started. “With modern technology, Yuri and I have seen the sun shine and brightly lit days thanks to television and movies…” she waved at the plane’s interior, “I know this isn’t a typical airplane. This is very…” her mind went over words she should use, “wealthy?” She said it as a question about the word choice.

I grinned at Colin and touched him proudly, “That’s what he does. He got our home built quickly just so we could marry, not just to live in.” I leaned in toward Colin and muttered, not in anger or frustration. It was to tease him. “Which we’ve spent little time in, I will add.” I smiled at Colin. “I’m not a psychologist yet, but I know why he does this with our home, car and especially this plane,” I waved at the interior. “After nearly two centuries of living in the dark, in caves, tunnels, and even burying himself in the ground to escape the sun…he overcompensates. This plane is beautiful. It is luxurious. All this white and bright lights, the windows to allow the sunlight in is to makeup for that. He has all the accessories and added comfort.” I nodded at Yuri and Zoya, “You did it, too. That underground community was comfortable and spacious. Colin’s doing this for the same reason.” The plane softly started to make more noise and the rumble was felt through the floor. It was a lot less than on a commercial airliner. “The engines are warming up. I need to get in place so we can take off.” I smiled at them. “It will be fine. I know it. You have plenty of sympathetic ears here. A lot of support. Now, I have to go to keep Mark from worrying and keep Pusik calm.”

Yuri grinned, “I was right to give you those puppies. All of you truly are kind, compassionate people. Those puppies and their mother love and trust you.”

“All the dogs love you,” Zoya smiled.

I nodded, “That’s easy. Dogs can sense when people approve or not with what they do. They know when they’re loved. We do.” I grinned at Colin. “Come down and ride with us.” I saw Stan head to the spiral stairs, “Stan’s going down to be with Mark. You can come down to be with me on my maiden flight.”

Colin rose and looked at Zoya and Yuri, “I’m going down with my husband. If needed, I’m just a call away…” he looked suddenly at me. “I never told anyone about the call system!” He turned and said loud, “Everyone!” He pointed at a series of buttons, “All of you should have a call button on the armrest or somewhere near you. Simply touch it and ask for me, I will get the call. There are no stewards yet. No one will bring you a pillow,” He chuckled.

“With these seats!?” Willie asked, “Who needs one!?” He sunk deeper into the plush seat.

“That’s what I went for.” Colin chuckled. “We’ll be in the air for about ten hours, we’ll figure things out. The kitchen has drinks, snacks, and even meals. The meals can be heated in the special oven. It’s not a microwave, but instructions are on the sealed meals. Follow those instructions and you’ll be happy. They are gourmet, seven-star meals!”

“Is there borscht?” I asked with a smile.

“On a plane coming to and leaving from Russia!?” Colin asked in mocking shock, “Of course, there is!”

I nodded, “Of course.”

“Devon and I are going to keep our furry passengers calm,” he waved at everyone. “Have a great flight.”

“I think that will be inevitable,” Kuyvashev said rubbing the soft, cushiony chair he sat in. He and Sergey were sitting in seats in the viewing area behind Zoya and Yuri.

“You all know the drill.” Colin said. “Buckle in and stay seated until we reach cruising altitude. David will signal when it’s safe to move around.”

I noticed Yuri and Zoya were wearing their seatbelts.

Colin took my hand, and we went down the stairs to the cargo level. It was more utilitarian, and the engine noise was louder. The cargo level went to length of the plane, but a partition and a door shut this part off from the rest of the cargo area. It was metal grey, but well lit. The only cargo here was Pusik’s crate. The seats down here ran along the walls of the airplane. They were also utilitarian. Fold down seats with the seatbelts.

Colin went to the wall and picked up a hand microphone, “Okay, David. All are seat belted and we’re ready.”

“Roger that,” David’s friendly voice said back. “We’ll be taxiing to the runway, and we’ll be in the air in a few minutes.”

Colin came and pulled the seat down beside me and buckled his seatbelt. Looking at Mark, “You missed the tour, Mark.”

Mark grinned as he was close enough to the crate to pet Pusik without getting out of his seat, “I’ve heard all about it.” He smiled at Stan, “I heard about Buddy’s system on the plane. He’s dying to get hold of it. I’ll be a computer widow still.”

Stan wasn’t bothered, “Well, I’m a DOG widow. I say we’re even.”

Mark chuckled, but looked at me, “Pusik’s fine now. When we start to move…” and as if that was the signal to start, we did begin to move forward as the plane moved slowly to get into place, “she may need to be calmed. You may want to do that now.”

I leaned forward but couldn’t reach Pusik. I spoke softly to her while feeling calmness at her, “Its fine. You’re safe.”

Stan grinned, “Even I feel safer now! Can you read emotions from her?”

I gave a shrug, “I can sense her calming down. I’m not sure if I’m reading any physical evidence.”

“I do that,” Mark said. “But Colin reads people, knowing when a person is lying or telling the truth. He uses the added venom changes to make him better at doing that. Could you do that with people?”

“Vlad says we do what he does in different areas,” Colin said looking at me. “You know what I’m feeling all the time. That’s more than knowing me as your husband. You might learn to do that with strangers.”

Mark nodded, “And you could also use it with others allowing them to trust and calm them down.” He nodded, “You could also make adversaries fear us more and want to run away.” He stroked Pusik and the heads of a few puppies. “Can we all do that?”

“We were told we could,” I shrugged. “We’ll find out.”

The engine sounds grew and the forward motion increased. I pushed more feelings or calm toward Pusik and her puppies. It seemed to be working. I saw and felt no distress. Maybe there was a magic to us. I could even accept there was a psychic ability we had. Humans were said to have some psychic abilities. I wasn’t talking about telekinesis or anything like that, but being able to sense emotions, pass emotions, or even reading minds…did Colin do that on a limited scale? Now, as that predator, the venom made it stronger? George’s abilities to recognize illness and know exactly what to do…that was pretty psychic. We’d have to look in on that.

The plane’s engine noise increased, and I felt our speed increase. It just grew. Stan, Mark, Colin, and I were taking off sideways in our seats. We were secured and therefore fine. Runways, despite how smooth they make it, were often bumpy and a passenger on the plane felt those bumps. This plane had almost NONE! Airplane shock absorbers? Whatever it was, I felt the nose of the plane lift and with the increased speed, soon we felt the rear wheels leave the runway as we were now flying. With Gabriella, Amasis, Vlad, and Gaius I got a slight, somewhat perverse pleasure watching their reactions at their first flights. I was missing Yuri’s and Zoya’s, but I knew there would be other newbies to have one.

I felt my ears’ reaction to the change in pressure. Mark, Stan, and Colin were doing what they needed to get their ears to pop.

“Damn it,” Colin said frustrated. “I didn’t warn Yuri and Zoya about the pressure change.”

I laughed lightly, “Nature will take care of that. Did you tell them about the time zone change, or about jetlag?”

“No,” Colin confessed.

“Then you’re fired as stewardess,” I bumped him lightly. “You will have time when we go above again to tell them about the time zones and jetlag.”

We did reach our cruising altitude and speed.

“Okay,” Linda’s voice came softly over the speakers. “We have gotten to our cruising speed and altitude. We’ll be in New Jersey in about ten hours. Feel free to walk around the plane, folks.”

“Chuck would have loved this,” Mark said sadly.

I nodded, “He’s still with us.” I said simply. “I’m sure he is.”

“Yep,” Stan nodded. “We’re going home.”