Blueblood 5.1: Red Alert!! - 4. Yuri

Yuri

I went to see Iustina, Repetate and Ralph as it was about sunset. Entering, I carried their needed blood and looked at them as they slept. As with many people, even the scary ones, they were much less threatening as they slept. I had gotten used to their appearance a while ago. They had a look of innocence when asleep. Sleep. If that was what it was. I didn't dream when I was a full vampire. Then again, I didn't always remember dreams when I was fully human before the venom and serum. I didn't always remember my dreams now, but I knew it was normal and I did dream. I just never remembered what they were about. Lucian said Iilya did have nightmares. With some of those horrors in his past, it wouldn't be surprising. I was always telling myself what they were and what they were capable of.

I heard the door open and expected Colin, but when the man entered, I knew it was Vlad.

“I keep having to tell myself what they are.” I said to him waving at the boys. “Now, I just can't see it.”

“Why?”

“They sleep the sleep of innocence.” I said as Vlad sat beside me. “Like a child that has had no trauma. Absolute peace on their faces.”

Vlad nodded. “I saw that, too. With Iustina and Repetate when I first acquired them.”

“That is why I don't believe they are evil.” I said softy. “Nothing could sleep like this knowing what they did.”

“Perhaps they don't dream.” Vlad suggested.

I shook my head. “Almost every creature dreams. Dogs, cats, great apes...” I pointed at Ralph who moved slightly in his sleep. “See? He's having a reaction to what he's seeing now.”

“So? They are normal.” Vlad said shrugging.

I nodded. “And understanding more and more...” I looked at Vlad. “What will happen to this innocent sleep when they know what they've done?” I went on. “They play! They laugh and tease each other and me.”

“You think they'll loose that when they know and understand what they've done.” Vlad smiled. “They might.” He shrugged. “They did do it. When they understand they might have trouble.” Then Vlad smiled. “I know of someone they know and trust to help them when they do. You help me deal with my bloody past. I know if anyone can, it will be you.”

As always, even the sun wasn't visible, we knew when it was sinking below the horizon. We watched as the three started to stir and move. They knew what was there for them, so they weren't anxious.

Iustina looked at me and smiled grandly. “Devon! Dragon! Here!” The other two were equally happy to see us.

“Yes, we're here.” Vlad chuckled receiving the rubs from them as I did, too.

I grinned at their ready affection. “We need to tell you something.”

Ralph frowned. “Bad?”

“Well,” I began, “we won't be here a while.”

They looked unhappy, but curious. Repetate asked, “How many sunsets?”

“We don't know.” Vlad said. “George was taken somewhere and we need to get him back.”

“Why he take?” Iustina asked.

Grammar and tenses would be forthcoming, but now I didn't care. I knew what he said. “George is very, very smart.” I thought how to explain. “He knows things that others don't. They took him so he would tell them.”

“No ask?” Ralph asked.

“No.” I shook my head. “They didn't ask.”

Ralph frowned more. “Bad.” He confirmed what he knew.

Vlad nodded. “Yes, very bad.”

“Far?” Repetate asked.

I nodded as I tapped on my laptop. “Remember where you are?”

“New York City.” They said. “Manhattan.” Ralph added.

I smiled and nodded. “That's right.” I pulled up my maps. “We are here.” I indicated where we were on the maps and did a quick type of the town of Asbest. A yellow line went from Manhattan, across the Atlantic, across Europe to the destination.

Three sets of eyes grew seeing that. “That's far.” Iustina said and as his translator was better at reading his expressions, gave him an astonished tone.

“Yes, it is.” I nodded. “We have to get George.”

“Bring Red back.” Repetate said firmly.

“Red?” I grinned.

“He the one.” Ralph said smiling. “You, Colin, Dragon black.” He touched my hair. “Just George have red.”

I heard Vlad laugh at that and I chuckled. “Yes, he does.” They had given George a nickname! They were human!

“Red nice.” Ralph said. “Bring back.”

As much as I wanted to, we were flying out in the morning. I had to sleep. I went to the control room where Colin was speaking to Mr. Mattingly of MI5. I saw his face on the giant monitor. He was neat and pressed as always.

“...are British citizens.” Colin said. “The passports you gave them should work. I just felt it necessary to keep you informed. There are some at the VUNGB going, as well.”

Mr. Mattingly nodded. “I thank you for the update.”

I grinned at the “stuffy” man. “Isn't it late where you are?”

Mr. Mattingly gave a ghost of a smile. “Terrorists don't care what time it is.” He shrugged slightly. “As a member of the Royal Services, we do what's necessary at whatever time.” He actually sighed. “I wish I could send someone from our militia.”

“That would have to be brought up to speed and know what they can do even if it's not policy.” Colin added. “The two agents...Dave Burrows and Deborah Saxon. They brought you in on this. They could be caught up quickly. They already know about us.”

“I'll send them to Thornwood.” Director Mattingly nodded. “They will, as your own agents be out of their jurisdiction.”

“We understand.” Colin nodded. “More feet on the ground will be what we need. I'll let you know when we land.” He cut the connection and turned seeing me and instantly smiled. “Hey, Babe.” He rose coming over to me. “How'd the boys take it?”

I grinned. “Very well.” I chuckled. “They want George back, too. They nicknamed George.” Putting my arms around Colin.

“They did?” Collin smiled. “What is it?”

“Red.”

Colin laughed, “That makes sense.” He looked puzzled. “They know the colors?”

I chuckled patting him on the chest. “I taught them once.” I said proudly. “They remembered all of them.” Then I remembered what I said to Vlad.

“What?” Colin asked seeing my face.

“I'm glad they're comprehending more.” I said. “I hate when they know what they've done.”

“Okay.” Colin nodded, “But they did a crime.” He looked deeper into my eyes. “We can't deny they are killers.” He started nodding and hurried on. “I know. They were made to be. It wasn't their fault, but they are responsible for millions of deaths.”

“Yeah.” I said without joy.

It wasn't long before we were told Lucian was being secured in a holding room. It wasn't one like the one that held vampires. It had windows, but secure. Vlad joined Colin and me going to talk to Lucian. Opening the door, there was a different Lucian than before. It was him, but the Old World wardrobe fashion was gone. His hair was even styled like many younger men in the world. It was still white, but cut short and had bangs that flipped up a little in the front. He was still looking as he did, in his mid-thirties and slim. The hair cut made him look even younger. He was dressed in jeans and a blue shirt that also cut some years from the man. He was just a young man in the twenty-first century. He was in a room that was furnished with a bed, a bedside table with a lamp, some chairs around a small table. There were blinds on the windows which were open. A blue curtain would cover the blinds. I briefly wondered if Gabriella had a hand in decorating. Even the bedspread and lamp shade were blue. Lucian looked up from a book he was reading on the bed. He smiled and rose as we got nearer.

“Should I be concerned about this?” Lucian asked seeing the three of us. “I was brought here with no real explanation.”

No matter what he'd done. He should be treated correctly. We did for the Old Ones. I smiled going to him extending a hand. “I apologize, but the men that brought you may not have known why.” He took and shook my hand. “We would like your help.”

Lucian looked surprised. “My help?” His eyes narrowed. “This is sounding serious.”

“It is.” Vlad said. “It effects all of us.”

“George was kidnapped.” Colin stated. “He's really the only man that understands the serum. We're trying to add others in this, but he's the one showing them.”

Lucian's eyes widened. “Kidnapped? How can I help?” He hurried on. “I will, to show I can be trusted again. What do you need from me?”

“Have you been to the vampire group in Russia?” I asked. “In Asbest?”

Lucian's eyes widened again. “In Asbest? Sure. Iilya took me there three times.” He frowned. “Are they the ones that kidnapped George?”

“He's being held in some old mines in the Ural Mountains.” Colin said.

“I see.” Lucian nodded and sat down. “The have a headquarters there.” The news seemed to add weight he couldn't take standing. “That's very bad.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Their leader is Yuri Vasilievich. He claims to be the true Tzar of Russia.” Lucian reported.

“Okay,” Vlad said. “I know of this Yuri. He was born about the time as I was.” He looked at Colin and me. “His brother was Ivan IV Vasilyevich. Otherwise known as Ivan the Terrible.”

“He's a vampire?” I asked Lucian.

Lucian was nodding before he spoke. “Yuri? Oh, yes.”

“But Ivan was Tsar.” I said.

Lucian chuckled. “So?” He got up again. “Yuri thinks he was passed over to rule because he's deaf.”

“Deaf?” Colin repeated.

“Yes,” Lucian said. “He was given Uglich to rule. It's one of Russia's oldest cities.”

“Okay,” I said holding my hand up. “We'll research this Yuri, but how does this group operate?”

Lucian shrugged. “They can be rather ruthless.” He began as he spoke with his arms folded and gesturing occasionally. “They have been around a long time. There are twelve...” he looked at us, “Старейшин?” He smiled. “Elders.”

“They are vampires.” Colin confirmed.

“There are plenty of vampires there. Most are victims of other vampires in Russia.” He looked seriously. “These vampires were men that Yuri thought would further his agenda.” He sighed. “Yuri made them vampires to do that.”

I nodded exasperated. “Just like Marisa did.”

“What about their abilities?” Colin asked. “How much can they see? They saw our broadcasts. How advanced is their technology?”

Lucian gave a grudging nod. “Well, that's just it. They are capable of some things, but not that savvy. They have some technology, but I don't know how well they use it.” He grinned. “You sort of...made it simpler so almost everyone could see them, didn't you?” He chuckled. “What George was using and what I saw in Romania was beyond their capabilities.” He gave another nod. “There are men, not vampires, that watch things with the government. There aren't that many.”

I nodded. “Fine.” I said quickly. “Do you know where they hold prisoners there?”

Lucian thought a moment. “Well, they would want George near the labs. They will want him to make the serum. There are a couple of cages near that lab to hold specimens. Vampire specimens.”

“Can you tell us where that is?” Vlad asked.

“I can tell you.” Lucian said in a way that said it would be difficult. “I could even draw a map.” He raised his eyes to us. “Or I could take you there.” He said hopefully.

“What!?” Colin balked.

“What can I do?” Lucian asked quickly.

“Seek help from these very vampires!” Colin stated loud.

“I'm trying to make amends for what I've done!” Lucian said just as loud. “How do I do that in that prison?” He nodded with a chuckle. “It's a nice prison, but I can't do anything to say I'm sorry. This will! You can hold a gun to my head the whole time! I loved Iilya, but none of those vampires! I don't want anything to do with them. They are responsible for what happened to Iilya! They made him a killer. There is one of the elders that served with the USSR and it was his idea to use those innocent children like they did!”

The fact was, I did believe him. His passion about getting justice for Iilya was real. I didn't need Vlad or Colin to confirm that. I looked at Vlad and Colin. “Well?”

“He's being truthful.” Vlad nodded. “What do you say, Colin?”

Colin was not responding verbally, but there were issues going through his mind I could. “I sense the sincerity.” He said at last.

“Let me show you.” Lucian begged. “I won't let you down.”

We got up and were loaded on the helicopter and in the early morning and flew to England. The flight wasn't long but we lost six hours. We were taken to Thornwood. I frequently checked on John observing his behavior. If asked a question, he answered. He was completely withdrawn and sullen. This was one time I insisted Colin talk him.

“Why me?” Colin asked in the car to Thornwood. “You can talk better. You're the counselor.”

“Because empathy goes farther than sympathy.” I said in almost a growl. “I can sympathize for what he's going through, but you can empathize having actually been where he is. You know what he's going through and know the emotions having had them yourself.”

“What do I say to him?” Collin asked in a near whine.

I smiled at him. “What you say is less important. Listening is. When he tells you he's frustrated, you had that, right?”

“Oh, yes.” Colin nodded. “Impatient, too.”

“That's why you need to talk to him. You know.” I said.

“This is a tough situation,” Colin said. “I won't lie to him.”

“Lie? How?”

“Telling him things will be okay.”

I chuckled. “Who said you have to?” I shook my head. “You know I hate clichés. Don't give any platitude remarks, just listen and assure him we're doing everything humanly possible. Legal or not we are getting George back.”

What should have been early afternoon was evening here. Entering Thornwood we were greeted by Edwin, Matt and another man I didn't know. He was a vampire that had been treated and was like we were. He was big. He had been in his mid-thirties when he was bitten. What I saw about him was he had been military. He stood at parade rest. (That's hands clasped loosely behind hid back and feet in a perfect V. Brown hair cut in a military fashion. (Hair grew for us, so this was a choice by him.) He'd done it so for so long, it was natural for him. We were hugged by Edwin and Matt.

“Colin, Devon,” Edwin waved at the new man. “This is Russell Chadwick. Formally Sargent Russell Chadwick of the SAS.” His eyebrows waggled.

“SAS?” Colin asked.

The man nodding sticking his hand out. “Special Air Service.” He gave a shrug. “Like your Rangers or Seals.” He shook my hand. “Please call me Russ.”

“It's great to have you with us.” I looked at him carefully. “You're going with us?”

“If you think I can help.” Russ nodded.

“When were you bitten?” Colin asked.

“In the late nineties.” Russ admitted. “I wandered around for about twenty years. First it was the Tubes when I was in London.” He scratched the back of his head. “I ventured out shortly after that. Seeing all those people was too tempting. I made it to the farm lands and found blood I could get without killing anyone.” He chuckled, but little humor was in it. “I was found by Sarah Bennett. She got me here.”

“Sure,” I nodded smiling. “I know her pretty well. She's very helpful.”

All were being greeted. We gathered in the library and Collin went to talk with John. Edward came in with two people, Dave Burrows and Deborah Saxon who both were carrying small bags of things.

“We're really going into Russia?” Deborah asked incredulously.

I nodded. “To get George back, we'd go to the moon if necessary.”

Shelly rose from her chair and walked over to her. “We often operate outside the law.” She began. “They,” she waved at me, Edwin and Matt, “are outside the law. I was the same way at first. Trust me. They know what their doing.” She smiled. “It's good you came.”

We allowed Lucian some freedom, but assigned two guards Lucian didn't know about. He probably figured it out as every time he went to look about this wonderful mansion he was followed. Chuck and Alex did it. Then Willie and Mark. Me and Colin. Lucian had his own room, but didn't want to get away.

It was about two hours before Collin came down again. He was smiling, but it was a tense smile. He sat on the sofa with me. “That was hard.”

I nodded, “But he talked and you listened.”

“Yes. He did and I did.” Collin leaned back and stretched his arm around me. “I knew about all he said.” He sighed and turned to me with a sad smile. “About the ache he's feeling.” He touched his own chest. “Then the lack of emotions other times. Nothing is funny. Nothing is sad. He was no ability to focus on any book or television show...”

I turned so I could kiss him more comfortably. “He's in mourning. George's disappearance is a loss for John.”

Colin shrugged again. “I didn't know what to say.”

“There is little to say.” I said. “Nothing will make things better. You were there. He was there when I was kidnapped, so he knows you understood.”

Colin chuckled. “He's better behaved.” He turned a little red and his eyes darted to me without moving his head.

“Why do you say that?” I asked. “What did you do?”

“I sort of,” he said softly, “destroyed a bedroom.”

“What!?” I said, but couldn't help smiling at that.

“Not everything!” He said quickly. “The mirror in the bathroom, the windows when I threw a chair at them. A couple of the chairs, a drawer and those glass and ceramic knickknacks...” He shrugged and grinned at me. “I went a little crazy.”

I chuckled. “Yes, you did.” I shortened the distance kissing him. “I would, too.”

As much as I respected Commander Canaday's opinion, I was having an issue with our approach. The men that took George were human, but they were being told what to do by vampires. They were also Russians. The temperament of Russians were believed to be about power. Hell, all oppressors were one way. What they knew was they were superior. No, that wasn't just Russian. Marisa had it. They were above common laws because they weren't common.

I went to Stan. “Before we took Marisa, you did a scan of the area that told you of power usage. Can you do that now with the old mines in the Ural Mountains?”

“I did.” Stan said. “There is a great bit of power coming from Asbest. More than a city that size should be using.” He frowned. “There is a WiFi signal being used. I'm working to break into it without alerting them that's what I'm doing.”

I didn't like that. “And the people of Asbest don't mind that much power being used?”

“They have a great power plant.” Stan said. “I can access public records, the average power bill here is lower than any of the cities or towns surrounding for thousands of miles.” He did some quick keyboard taps. “An article was written about a new electric heating and power for the people of Asbest.” I saw the picture of a man in his forties with dark hair speaking to some gathering of people. “He promised they'd never lose power and never be cold if they switched to this power plant.” Stan shrugged. “That was about 1994. They haven't been cold or without power since.”

“That's convenient.” I muttered.

Stan nodded. “Isn't it?” He agreed. “We maybe suspect from the people of Asbest.”

“They are supporting the vampires?”

“They may not know what they are, but someone there is supporting them. They need blood.” He shrugged. “Where are they getting it?”