Blueblood 5.1: Red Alert!! - 26. Jie of Xia

Life was too important. Religions and just being a part of life told us suicide was not the answer. What did anyone else know of another’s pain? Would Iustina, Repetate or Ralph be able to process this? I knew that those three were not inherently evil. They were created to kill and to weaken potential people someone wanted to invade. It was Human greed that motivated these men that started this. The truth, even though it was ignorance that caused those three to do what they did. The urge to consume blood was overwhelming. I knew that urge only briefly, but knew the strong desire. Colin knew if for over a century! Amasis knew it for over two millennia! Yes, Amasis had all those serving him in his underground city who brought his blood to him. Yet, every one of these people found an alternative way of getting that needed blood. That said a lot about these people. Colin had fed on the dying to ease their suffering. Willie had taught Colin to feed on those millions of rats in the subways of Manhattan. John Burke had raised sheep to provide good blood. Those in Romania had fed on cattle! Didn’t those that began this vampire curse know what they were doing? Or at least know the results? Gizmo had proven to be gentle and kind. Once the blood need was met, he was even generous! He was sharing the blood he had gotten. I shivered at the numbers of Human Beings he had killed. He had to feed every day! However, Gizmo knew I was a vampire, and he offered to share the blood. That act of kindness was startling. Iustina, Repetate and Ralph were children! Mentally. Again, that was what they are. Exposure was needed and they were very smart. They had to know what they had done. They had to meet those that survived and knew what they’d done. They took a Humam Being that thought and had connections and reduced them to nonverbal creatures. How would they react to the knowledge about what they’d done? If they killed every day, that was over three and a half million people! Millions! Each! Yes, over ten thousand years, but millions of people. Good and bad people, but millions! Holmes Laboratories was attempting to undo the damage.

I went to the area where we held the Old Ones. I was not prepared for what I saw. I had the needed blood in the container but once the door opened...I saw the three moving around, but they had on shorts and t-shirts! I was surprised by this. I also saw they had furnishings. They were on three thick mattresses. No sheets or blankets, but they even had pillows. There were three desks! It wasn’t dirty or messy, but closets and dressers were new for them. I got the feeling of a typical “boys’” room. Scattered books, crayons, and other reading and art supplies, but they were contained. Grouped together to be located much easier. I wondered if Amanda had anything to do with this.

It was clockwork, set by the sun, but reliable. I sensed the sun’s rays sink on the western horizon and saw the three stir, sit up and...gone was the hissing or aggressive lunge for the blood. Smiles came on the faces when seeing me. The need to feed was there, but they knew I had the blood. They scrambled for their units to speak with. These devices were charged and ready for the new day.

“Devon!” Iustina greeted happily as did the other two. The expected behaviors were there. The need to be close was Human. The Old Ones were Human.

“You are back?” Ralph asked.

I nodded, “For a few days and then...” I motioned with my hand flying away.

They were signing and the translators they wore were saying what was needed. The signs had evolved and there were signs a person wouldn’t follow.

“You are missed,” Repetate stated sadly. His translation unit gave his voice the sad sound and sad. I looked at what they had on, Iustina had a blue t-shirt that said “Pepsi.” Repetate had one that was red and said “Coke.” Ralph’s was brown and said, “I’m a Pepper!” “You’re all various sodas?”

Iustina looked down at his shirt and shrugged, “It is liked.” He looked at me. “I would like to sample them.”

My head went back slightly, “I have no problem with that. I’m not sure you can.” I offered the bags of blood. “Your anatomy may not tolerate them.”

“I am confident Red will know,” Ralph said quietly taking the blood I offered. The name Red was a nickname for George. “You are trying to make us more Human.”

I was a bit surprised, but I should have known.

“We will never be Human,” Repetate said with resolve.

I grudged a nod, “You are Human,” I said firmly. “We’ve tested your makeup, and you are Human.” I waved at the room surrounding them. “Why this?” I waved at their clothes. “Why the clothes?”

“It is what Humans expect,” Ralph said. He waved at me, “You never come without coverings. Why should we be without?” He waved at the room, “The mattresses and the desks are needed. I have never known a mattress. They are comfortable. The desks are necessary. To work on what we learn, mto write or even draw they make it easier.”

“But we can never be Human,” Iustina insisted.

I sighed, “You can never be fully Human like we are.” I looked around and saw a stool that Amanda and anyone else dealing with the Old Ones. Sitting, I decided to breech the subject. “How many yesterdays do you remember?”

“All,” Iustina confessed. “I remember every day after I left my home.”

“Do you remember your mother and father?” I asked.

“I remember the woman that gave birth to me,” Iustina said. “She was glad to see me leave. She didn’t stop me.”

“Did you feed on any of your fellow villagers?” I asked quietly.

“I did twice,” Iustina confessed.

“He is older by a hundred and thirteen years for me,” Ralph said.

“One hundred and fifty-seven years for me,” Repetate confessed.

“I remember my first,” Iustina said with sadness. “He was a traveler...just passing through.”

“Do you remember all of them?” I asked.

“I remember the first two.” Iustina nodded. “I can only say, after that they blend. I remember the powerful desire for what he had inside.”

”He was the first,” I nodded. “Did you know what happened to him?”

“There was nothing to see,” Iustina shrugged. “He was gone. He was reduced to ash. I did that.”

What could I say? He did. “Did you have a choice?”

“Í just knew I had to have it,” Iustina shrugged. “I was the third birth of what I am in the village in one hundred years. My mother hid me for two and a half years.” He said sadly. “She couldn’t kill me as they did with the others after birth.”

We were getting somewhere! “How did you...consume?”

“My mother,” Iustina answered. “I fed on her breast.”

“Do you know what happens to those that survive a feeding?” I asked carefully.

Ralph shook his head, “My story is the same. My mother provided the needed blood.”

“You know what you created?” I asked.

“Not at first,” Repetate confessed. “And it was almost never the first one of the night. It was the second. Our defense was to bite them.”

“Your mother became one of us?” I asked.

“No,” Iustina admitted. “By my fifth year I was the size I am now.” He sighed. “We didn’t know we were making vampires. I just knew I had a need to feed and how to get it. All I knew was I had to get it.”

“Their venom may not have matured enough,” George’s voice said over the speakers. “I’ll be in there in a second or two.”

I looked around at their room, “Explain this.” I waved at the furniture.

“People expect certain things,” Iustina said with a shrugging nod. “Before you, we were outside society. Being without clothes is one. Sitting in chairs and sleeping on something soft is another.”

The door to the room opened and George entered, “It makes sense. They are Human, though a mutation. There are things a Human does. Wearing furs and skins. We learned to weave cotton to make clothes. We evolved from sleeping in nests to bedrooms...”

“Amanda was not forthcoming, but we figured out what you were doing.” Iustina said sadly.

“I know why Wayne is angry with me,” Ralph said. “I made him a vampire.”

“You are a vampire,” Repetate said. “Made by other vampires.”

I realized I was made by Marissa, the one that thought she was queen of the vampires in the New World. That First Vampire was made in England, who made Adrian her nephew, who made Ashley, who made Colin, who made me! I will admit, she was very smart. Now I had these Old Ones who were understanding the gravity of what they’d done.

“You have provided a comfortable...” Ralph waved at the room, “prison.”

“It is a prison,” Iustina said firmly. “We deserve to be in prison for what we have done.”

“We can help you,” Ralph offered.

“Help us?” I asked. “How?”

“Nous ne sommes pas sans langage.“ Iustina said in French they weren’t without language. “My ponimaem mnogiye yazyki.” I had just left Russia and knew what Russian sounded like.

“Yemkenena musaedtak.’ Repetate said in what I knew was Aribic.

My head went back a little, “Would you?”

Iustina held the box that translated his gestures into words, “Stan has given us a gift we don’t deserve. Any thing we wish to say is done in any language, but we can read many languages.”

“Very old languages?” I asked.

“We are very old,” Ralph confessed. “if you could, ask Wayne to come here.” He shook his head, “I can’t say I’m sorry well enough, but I must apologize.” His head wavered, “or at least try.”

I was stunned and so was George. These three had advanced so much. They had lived so long they had wisdom I could not guess about,. Any innocence I had awarded them was going away. They weren’t the innocent children I thought they were. It was my perception. They had grown up in my eyes.

Iustina smiled, “I see you understand, Devon. We know what we did.” He sighed, “Amanda told us about the scrolls.”

“She did!” George asked alarmed.

“The scrolls are about them, George.” I said simply. “They should know.”

George’s head wavered as he absorbed what had happened, “Okay, fine.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. He began to pace in the circle as the door opened and Amanda came in.

“I knew you’d be here,” Amanda smiled as she greeted our three Old Ones.

George spun on Amanda, “When did you tell them about the scrolls?” He demanded. “While we were in California?” It sounded like an accusation.

“George!” I chastised.

Amanda looked shocked, “I understood we needed to find out where this came from.” She waved at the Old Ones. “Who would know better than them? The scrolls I told them about are about them!”

“We could have been informed about this,” George said heatedly. “You went in a direction we had not planned on.”

“Dr. Cannaday knew and so did Dr. Baxter,” Amanda said. “You were gone.”

“George!” I said ripping his attention from his anger. “Stop it! She did nothing wrong. Don’t make her think she did.”

“It was not her that told us about ourselves,” Iustina said calmly. “Now that we can speak and interact, we’ve discussed what we are with each other.”

“This is what we wanted,” I said to George. “They can tell us more about the past. We can show them the scans of the scrolls. Using what Buddy has translated they could translate further. These Old Ones are a living Rosetta Stone!”

George nodded, “I’m sorry,” and he sighed reluctantly, “I know.” He brought Amanda in for an embrace, “I’m sorry, Amanda. You’ve done great work. It’s just sudden.” He looked at our three Old Ones. “When did they...” he waved at them, “do all of this?”

Amanda hugged George, “I forgive you, Dr. Holms.” She smiled at the three Old Ones. “Yesterday they asked for the clothes and desks. I got then the mattresses and pillows.”

“My understanding is clothes were added for protection in cold weather, protection from insects and plants that sting.” He grudged a nod, “I understand they became a statement about who you are.” He waved down at himself, “We don’t feel cold.” He looked up at us, “Not like you do.”

“I’ve seen the people wearing clothes,” Ralph began, “but never knew why...not really.”

Repetate motioned up as he sipped his blood...no longer in a desperate consuming way, but slowly. “On the magical window, we saw all Humans wear clothes. Even on Tom and Jerry. It just seemed we should, too.”

“It’s just so...sudden,” George explained.

“They learn very quickly,” I said. “We shouldn’t be surprised about how fast.”

Iustina nodded, “We’ve observed Humans a long time.”

“Right,” George said. “Who taught you speech? You are speaking very well.”

“The one known as Vlad started it with Repetate and me,” Iustina said.

“It took a while to realize the sound he made was my name,” Repetate chuckled and really chuckled.

Iustina nodded, “He would speak to us in simple phrases and commands. Like Humans do to dogs. We were pets.” He looked at me. “Devon was the first person to speak to us and waited for an answer.” He looked at Amanda, “We learned a lot watching the shows, but Amanda’s teaching us to read helped the most.”

“They are at the college level,” Amanda said proudly.

“Are they?” I marveled.

George nodded, “That’s wonderful.” His mind was working with what he heard as he now continued to pace in the circle as he thought, “Can you remember where you were from?”

“Yes,” they all answered.

“I am from a little village on the great river,” Iustina said. “I studied your maps...my village is gone now, which doesn’t surprise me. The town of Aja is closest.”

“I’m from a village also on the Nile,” Repetate looked at Iustina, “or great river. The closest villages are El Sawahel and El Adleyah.” He smiled, “We occupied both sides of the river.”

“You were how old!?” George asked in disbelief.

“I remember clearly from the age of two seasons...or two years,” Repetate answered.

I shook my finger at George, “Don’t apply to them what you would with us.” I warned.

“My village was near Port Said,” Ralph said.

“You remember all your...feedings?” George asked.

“No,” Iustina admitted. “I remember the first. Just before my fifth season...I was getting restless. I nursed my last blood from my mother...I was unsure why. I became aware of the draw of others. I knew I was different.”

George was listening and thought out loud, “You fed off your mother.” He said not as a question.

Iustina nodded.

“She never became a vampire,” George furthered and saw the three heads shake. “It maybe because of your age. The venom hadn’t formed yet.” He gave an exasperated laugh. “Which I wouldn’t know if I wasn’t there. It could be because he was made from her DNA.”

I nodded quickly, “You never saw anyone put anything in the water? Perhaps in the food...”

“The village I was raised in was on the river and that river was a major passageway,” Iustina shrugged. “There were many men that used our well.”

“Same with me,” Ralph said. “We were a fishing village and a port. There were many men to travel through.”

“It was my fifth season when I left my village...without protest from my mother...” Iustina said. “I remember this and the first one very well. I was the size I am now.” He grudged a wavering shrug. “Until the urge to feed hit me and that became irresistible. I just had to do it. I couldn’t not do it!”

I put my hand on Iustina’s shoulder, “I knew the blood lust briefly. I do know the powerful drawing power.” My head wavered, “Anyway, we’ll bring a computer...” I looked at the three Old Ones... “or three to you and you can access the digital scans of the scrolls.” I saw George’s eyes widen and raised my finger quickly, “And don’t start! We are making huge progress now. We’ve gotten more members of our group and now these...” I waved at the three Old Ones... “wonderful people are now speaking and remembering the past. They need to have access.”

George smiled, “It’s just the venom talking.” He shrugged.

I smiled at him, “I don’t know, George. The venom heightens things...freezes things.” I shrugged, “Were you paranoid before you were bitten? It may have increased it, but...Colin has a tremendous appetite because he had that big meal just before he was bitten by Ashley. His stomach was stretched.” I cocked my head as I thought, “Vampires only drink blood and piss ammonia,” I said seeing George nod. “I assume other things were working. We caution every vampire when they start eating again because they will have to...” I waved through the awkward moment, “use the bathroom.” I waved my hands again. Why was taking a dump so awkward to talk about? “They will have a bowel movement. I assume Colin’s big meal was being processed. Did he have a bowel movement to rid his body of the unneeded food? We both know...you better than anyone...there is intake and there will be output.”

George’s head went back a little at my questions, “Well, first I can tell you I was cautious of anyone taking advantage of me or taking me in the wrong direction.” He nodded, “Second, I don’t know what happens with the solid waste.” He grinned and shrugged because of the nature of the conversation. “I guess the body just absorbs it.” He did what everyone here was doing...he held a finger up, “I can tell you, Colin had nothing in his colon. Neither the stomach, the small intestine or large intestine.” He shrugged. “I’ve never gotten a vampire with poop in their pants.” He grinned.

“Where does the food and poop go?” I asked helplessly. “It has to go somewhere.” It was all in fun, but we needed to get back on track. I looked at Iustina. He seemed to be taking the leadership role with the Old Ones. “I’ll get you the computers and you will have access to the scrolls...at least by computer.” I rubbed Iustina’s arm, “You can see more by computer. If you need to see the scrolls...Stan can arrange that.” I touched Repetate. “You will learn to use the computer.” I touched Ralph, “I will ask Wayne to come and talk to you.” I smiled sadly...

“I ruined his life, “ Ralph said sadly. “I know. Even learning words to speak...there are no words to tell him how sorry I am.” He shrugged, “If my death will help...I won’t object and try to stop him.”

I felt a lead weight in my stomach and a coldness in my heart. As much as I loved all of them, from Gizmo to Repetate...they were killers! Almost four million each! Each! And these were the survivors! They killed millions of people! Yes, over thousands of years, but they killed! “I will tell Wayne.”

The fact was it was like having affection for Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy or, God forbid Jeffery Dahmer! These men killed quite a few, but these three Old Ones killed millions! Worse than the Nazis had done during World War II! These three had killed! I was having a problem putting those deaths on them. I had not seen them kill. However, I could not let myself let my guard down about them. The serial killers were charming. These three were charming. I did love them.

“You saw someone come into your village and put something in your well?” George asked.

“No,” Iustina answered. “I heard others speak of men...superior to other men who visited occasionally. One group just before I was...” he made a gestured, but Buddy had to work on the word, “conceived.” Even with Buddy’s brilliance, it had to work to give Iustina a voice.

“Superior?” Geroge repeated. “How?”

“What I knew,” Ralph began. “They were educated and had manners we didn’t. They knew they were smarter than we were.”

Repetate nodded, “We were nothing.”

“That’s not new,” I said to Iustina. “Nor is it surprising. We did it for hundreds if not thousands of years enslaving people we dismissed due to the fact they weren’t like us.” I started the circle pace as I thought out loud. “We did it two hundred years ago with people from Africa. Colin dealt with it in the South. Disposable people we justified by telling ourselves they had no souls.” I sighed. “Not our proud moment. Yet, Colin loved one who had a soul.” I turned to George, “I can even imagine the scenario for these superior men.”

“That’s all conjecture!” George argued.

“Based on what evidence we see!” I shot back. “George, it’s all theory! However, it fits. Accept a more advanced civilization had something they could use on the poor people in Northern Africa! It could be Atlantis!” I watched George’s eyes roll. “Yes, George! It could be. They may have had satellite cities in Northern Africa.. Those satellite cities may have later furthered the agenda by putting this elixir in the wells where people would settle...along the Nile! This area was the beginnings of civilization! It was! Greece played big time in the ancient world, but North Africa was where it started...” I held my finger up, “as far as we know! We came from the jungles of Africa! We migrated North and East of there.” I waved my hand, “Or the Lemuria in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. One could say that there was Devine punishment as they sank!” I waved my hands in frustration, “I’m just trying to see, why did it stop? They may be responsible for starting a kind of disabling force that would continue to happen by those that survived their bite!” I waved at the three Old Ones. “We have eyewitnesses to the past.”

“Ten-thousand-year-old memories,” George said.

“That’s better than no memories,” I argued. “It’s something, better than nothing.”

“We didn’t realize at first what we were doing,” Ralph said.

“If we can do anything to help,” Iustina said. “We will. What we did can’t be apologized for, but if we can help...” he looked at George. “Amanda told us you want to take what you became away.”

George nodded.

“You can make us like you?” Iustina asked.

George looked surprised as he thought and said slowly, “I don’t know.”

“Until you do,” Repetate said equally slowly. “We will always be outside of your world.”

I waved at the three, “And there you go.”

I was overwhelmed at the speed the Old Ones had advanced. They had thousands of years of life experience. They had been alive and may have seen the pyramids being built! Iustina and Repetate had been caught by those in Romania. Ralph was caught in England by us! We have worked to get them to be able to talk to us. I don’t believe anyone has tried to do that in the thousands of years they lived.

“Where’s Colin?” George asked out of the blue.

I know my eyebrow rose, “Using his talent dealing with the business part of Holms Laboratories.” I watched George nod remembering what his partner in this did. He had forgotten for a moment. “And I know he’s dealing with the Chinese and will for a few hours. Clearances and permits...” I waved my hand at the knowledge of what he was doing. I didn’t care how. Politics. I knew paranoia would play a big part in this. On our part. We were expecting them to lie and sneak around. Would they? Was it because I was conditioned to think that way? I believe that would be a huge part in this. “He’s clearing our arrival.”

George frowned, “They could refuse us.”

I grinned, “They could. We can be accused of spying. Colin can be very persuasive.” I assured. “I think he has a talent like Vlad’s where he hypnotizes people into agreeing.” I shrugged. “We’ll see if it works.”

“And you can make them feel more comfortable about it,” George grudged a nod.

I grudged a shrug, “I will probably need to.” I pointed the finger at him, “Think about it. The people we’re bringing into China are questionable. We have several FBI Agents we’re bringing in, a Russian Intelligence Agent, Several people from Great Britian, some like Vlad and Gaius are coming in with American passports but are Romanian, and Amasis...” I shook my head, “John is an American, Colin is as well...”

George sighed sadly, “I wouldn’t want them in with those credentials.”

“However,” I pointed out, “You have a proven track record of medical breakthroughs dealing with cancer and blood disorders and have support from the Matilda Medical Services in Hong Kong.” I grinned, “And Colin has a proven record with the translation program with Buddy from Romania, Egypt and Russia. He has a program that works easily. I don’t think they will deny us.”

“It could look bad for them,” George agreed.

“Colin is going forward telling everything that he can,” I confessed. “With billions of people there...there has to be people in the government, there has to be someone that has a vampire in the family that knows about us there.”

“Are we getting emails from China?” George asked.

I shrugged, “I’ll go look for Colin and we’ll have to talk to Stan.” I looked at the room the Old Ones were living in. The three small desks, the three mattresses and the shelf for books...it was looking lived in but crowded. “We almost need to think of creating a bigger space for them.” I held my hand up. “I know. They need to be secured and visually available through the observation window...”

George nodded, “I never thought they’d achieve this level of life! We’ll have to look into it.”

I went to Colin in our apartment where he was looking at his array of computer monitors. I rarely came in his office as we had another computer for general use. This computer looked like it could launch something. Lines ran over the two screens showing the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the New York Stock Exchange...it was another language that I had nothing really to do with. Yet, Colin read it very well. He had told me that there were a few rows of numbers he watched. It was complicated.

Now Colin was speaking with someone from China using the translation program used by Buddy.

Colin was nodding at the female on his screen, “...and that’s why were doing it. Our program learns your languages and allows anyone to speak with everyone!” I heard the program speaking back in the language the woman spoke. “It’s for two reasons. My company will profit, yes, but George Holms is a brilliant doctor and scientist who has amazing medical discoveries. Which has been proven!”

“The people you are bringing have nothing to do with medicine or science,” the woman said.

“No,” Colin agreed. “They have our medical branches in their countries. We are international having offices now in Manhattan, London, Romania and now in Russia. There are doctors and scientists in each that verify this.”

The woman bowed slightly in the image, “Your people can come, but we are protective of the people in China. Your people are welcome to mix with them and gather as much as you need. We are also aware of your presence in Transylvania where there were questionable deaths and disturbances there.”

“Which my people had nothing to do with,” Colin sighed. “The bottom line is we invited some gifted minds from your Matilda Hospital in Hong Kong. The encouraged us to come and we are honoring the invitation. What happened in Romania was a terrorist attack while we were there. I have been open with our intentions in China. Being forthcoming avoids confusion and misunderstandings.” I watched as Colin put on his best smile he used when negotiating with potential clients with the business. He was great at it.

“We appreciate that,” the woman put on her most charming smile. “I can assure you your safety if paramount for us. There are less than...” she thought, “savory people out there and you will be protected.”

“I will keep you informed about our schedule,” Colin said. “We are returning to Russia before we come to Hong Kong. You and your office will be informed.” He touched a button and ended the conversation, sat back and sighed as if he had worked.

I came over touching Colin and kissed him gently, “You always amaze me.”

Colin grinned, “I do? Why is that?”

“You could sell air conditioners to Eskimos,” I said confidently.

“If I can get them to understand the need,” Colin shrugged. “How are your friends here?”

I explained about what I’d found new with the Old Ones. Colin’s eyebrows rose as I told him about their advance.

“Really?” Colin asked. “Practically overnight?”

I grudged a nod, “Physically perhaps. I believe it has happened over centuries of observation and since we’re taught them language, they put it into action.”

“We need to talk to Stan,” Colin said simply and rose. “Let’s go.”

We found Stan working with Buddy with Amos’ observation.

“Stan!” Colin greeted Stan loudly. “Good to see you!”

Stan grinned as his head wavered, “We just saw each other, but it’s good to see you, too.”

“Amos!” Colin greeted.

“Colin,” Amos said. “This is a very congenial group.”

“Tell us,” Colin came over. “After dealing the government in China tonight. I know security will be tight. It will need to be as tight with us. We’ll have to be very careful. No one should ever be alone.” He looked at Stan. “How many emails are we getting from China?”

Stan waved helplessly at his big screen, “Tons. China didn’t approve of Google’s unlimited internet access, that doesn’t keep them off the worldwide web.”

Amos nodded, “Chinese hackers have wreaked havoc with America’s...everything from individuals to banks and even the world’s stock exchange. Americans have been hit with the worst.” Amos frowned. “Its normal for us to stream movies and tv shows and download music as a matter of normalcy. That sort of thing is not done with the common people of China.”

“They do though,” I said to confirm.

“Oh, sure,” Amos nodded.

“I’ve been beefing up our firewalls and encryption,” Stan informed. “My watchdogs have gone from Chihuahuas to Dobermans.” He smiled evilly. “No one will easily hack in.” He chuckled, “These watchdogs will not only let me know, but will bite!” He smiled bigger, “They will chase them back to where they came from or into hiding, but also attach a nasty virus which will take time to get rid of.”

Colin’s eyebrows rose, “Really?” He looked around the Control Room. “I have no doubt about your computer talents. If you need help...”

Stan’s eyes widened, “Do I seem like I need help!?” He asked offended.

Colin held his hands up to stop any further objections, “No, I just don’t want you overwhelmed. We’d be sunk if you had to quit.”

Stan cocked his head, “I won’t be working myself to death, now, will I? I won’t get sick, and I’ll be around a while.” He waggled his eyebrows.

Colin nodded, “See that you are.” He waved at the monitor. “Is there no one or two names we should pay attention to?”

“Here’s where it gets sticky,” Amos said. “There are several.” He held his point finger up. “Locating which should be paid attention to is tricky. The one we pay attention to may be a spy...a government operative.” He shrugged. “They could be a person in the know. They could be both. They aren’t stupid.” He pointed at Colin, “Your talent will come in handy. Who to trust...” he pointed at me, “and your ability cause trust. There is one that calls himself the Ji Observer who has been very prolific.”

“They bounce their messages off the servers in Beijing and surrounding cities such as Langfang and Baoding.” Stan pointed to the map of China. “Also, about three hundred and seventeen miles from Beijing to Anyang. There are many messages.” Stan gave a cautious nod. “We don’t want to trace those messages to closely as that traces could lead the Chinese agents to these people. My watchdogs have already sent some sniffing around, they limped back yelping back.”

“Good,” I nodded smiling at the thought of these programs yelping in pain. I was cautious, “We need to find a person as good as you with computers as you. We have you.” I said logically. “They have departments full of people.”

“Could someone get past your watchdogs?” Colin asked.

Stan reluctantly conceded a grudging acknowledgement. “Sure,” he said. “Could I be fooled? Sure. My watchdogs have watchdogs.” He smiled. “Anyone looking in will be sensed and repelled.”

“Where is the Vampire Capitol?” Colin asked.

Stan waved at the screen, “Beijing, Hong Kong, or Anyang according t0 Buddy.”

“Ji Observer? As in the Empress Xia Jei?” I asked.

“Could be,” Amos nodded.

Colin looked at me cautiously, “Why?”

I began pacing, “We thought Dracula was bad. Empress Jei was known for oppression.”

We saw Amos nodding in ready agreement. “She was known for that!”

“With Vlad, that wasn’t necessarily true.” Colin observed. “Is it for her? Is it her?” He looked between me and Amos. “How long ago did she live?”

I shrugged, “1680 BC?” I asked Amos

“Approximately.” Amos admitted.

“Four thousand years ago!?” Colin gaped.

“Yes,” I grinned at Colin, “But, let’s just get there first.”