Aberrant: 2011 - Diamonds in the Dark [Complete]

[Ravenshire]

Daniel’s speech was clear and perfunctory.

“Cote d’Ivoire, or Ivory Coast as its more commonly known, is coming out of a prolonged civil war and now is the opportunity for new foreign investments to step in and help rebuild. Our interests on this trip will be in the fledgling diamond industry. We need to get someone in on the ground to make sure this is a good place to place our bets.”

He licked his lips. It was more out of concern than any physical discomfort. Ravenshire was still unsure about sending Robert on this run across the Atlantic. What swayed his opinion was his partner’s constant desire to ‘pull his own weight’, no matter how much work he was already putting in. Daniel now knew that Robert’s special talents didn’t lie in finance, but he was a hard worker. Better than that, Robert was constantly trying to improve and prove himself. That was enough to impress Daniel Ravenshire. Too many novas were willing to coast on their genetic birthright and leave the real work for ‘flunkies’.

“Our problem and advantage is that our area of interest is a district in the Northwestern part of the country – right in the middle of former rebel territory. That means armed gangs are still prowling the area, the local infrastructure is a decade out of date, and any localized skilled workforce could be sketchy. Add to that, it’s the middle of summer in the tropical highlands, so pack plenty of clothes that breathe.”

“On the plus side, the UN brokered peace plan is holding and the area has a history of middle class development and a skilled populace. Before the initial coup in ’99, the country was the top non-oil performer in West Africa. There is a lot of potential there.”

“Now, if you are sure you want to take this vacation trip,” Daniel joked, “there isn’t much I can say except stay safe and remember, we are just eye-balling a series of companies for our investment partners, not saving the country. That can come later. You’ve got all the data I was able to beg, borrow, or steal. This is your chance to show everyone what a nova consulting company is all about … and above all, stay safe.”

Sure, he kept telling Robert to stay safe, but he meant it. There was huge potential for profits on this mission, but that went hand and hand with a jumbo jet sized load of risk. Daniel really wished he knew just what it was that Robert did. Maybe it would have made him feel safer … and then maybe it wouldn’t have.

[Robert J. Lambert]

Twelve hour flight from Newark airport to Charles de Gaulle airport, followed by a six hours stop over and then a 'short' five hours flight into Ivory Coast in what AirFrance must have dubbed 'The uncomfortable seat'.

Robert had just had a trip from Hell, last time he went against orders and bought Coach instead of First class. stretching his arms and neck as he came off from the plane, Robert adjusted his tie and once he left the airport, the heat wave hit him, it mas almost the first days of September, and the heat wave was still at it's peak, Robert couldn't believe the huge difference between this climates, forgoing professionalism he once again loosed his tie, Robert followed the directions he had been given until he met his contact.

A tall, 30 odd something native of the lands, he saw Robert downwards from his impressive height, gray hairs already appearing on his head and a full thick beard on his face was who waited for him with a printout that read 'Lambert'.

"You must be Bernard, Ravenshire told me you would help me around here." Robert extended his hand, the man took it and shook it, Robert could feel a lot of strength from this man, more than baselines usually showed.

"Yes, and you must be Robert, Ravenshire excused himself and told me you would be coming, let us drop off your things before we head North to the office and then the mines." the man had a full baritone voice, he spoke english with a very light french accent, Robert was very glad there wouldn't be any comunication problems.

Heading into his car, Robert put his suitcase in the trunk and sat with Bernard in the front, air conditioning was good, but while Bernard looked like he was completely used to it, Robert was starting to sweat even on the air conditioned car. "So...how is the situation looking on the mines Bernard?"

"Depends on the day, and on the rebel activity. Most of the time they are in top condition, the workers are eager to work and know their trade well, but Rebels sometimes show up, the money we would get from investors would be using in security, protection and infrastructure. But let's get you installed before we start working, shall we?"

[Robert J. Lambert]

Days later

The heat wave was blasting through the tropical climates of the sub-saharan country. Robert was only wearing a white t-shirt, or as people loved to call it, a wife beater. His shirt and tie tossed in a chair as he was in the metal box with a door that they called an office.

The papers had all the information in them, but the filing 'system' was an utter mess. Finding everything in here was the big problem, and Robert has been having a headache for the last 8 hours trying to do it. He was not Ravenshire or any other super-smart person, this was taking some time.

The afternoon went through very fast, Robert realized he would have to spend all night in the camp, with several of the current security guards and the night shift miners. Most of them were right now eating their lunches with the guards around the fire, the generator humming cheerfully while the hanging lamps light the entrance to the mine shaft and the small camp.

Robert went out, it had been three days and so far only a couple of the workers had warmed up to him, even less spoke english and Robert spoke very little french himself, but somehow they managed to understand each other.

Eating some local cousine was how Robert was caught by surprise, as the sound of yelling and vehicles came from the road distant but growing nearer, Robert was the only one to not recognize it.

The miners and the guards, all of them started to run for cover, runing towards the mountian or the darkness of the night, hoping it's enough to cover them. Robert got up and ran too, but he didn't knew why until a hevily muscled man literally appeared infront of him and the crash threw Robert to the man, but made the mountain of muscle not even quiver.

"You are the boss around here, aren't you?" the man speaked English without an accent, indicating he was not from around here. Robert looked up at the man, brown hair and a dark chocolate skin signaling that he is not a native to Ivory Coast, or at least not that Robert could recognize. "N..No, I'm just an accountant."

The man picked up Robert by his shirt taking him to eye level, his hands felt like metal claws more than flesh and bone. "You lie, no accountant is an american in this place. Bosses are going to pay good green for you."

And so, was that Robert became a prisoner.

[Robert J. Lambert]

??? Days later

The cell, if you could call the metal box that Robert was encased in a cell, was six walls of metal sealed together with 'air holes' on the top of it. There was nothing but metal between him and the inclement sun.

Sweating like a pig, Robert sat in the middle of the box breathing hard, each lungful of stale and hot air feeling like a fire was burning in his chest. "This can't go on for much longer." Robert looked up, the sun invading his box by the air holes on the top, striking his face. "Somebody will rescue me."

Trying to get up for a change, he winced and favored his left leg. He also kept his right arm to his side; it was obviously bruised or maybe even broken. Robert didn't have enough training to know. The rebels had a nova backup, who called himself Pacifier, and Robert had realized two things about him very fast. He was not very imaginative, and he hated to be mocked or 'disrespected'; Robert had learned this after a witty retort had resulted in a beating.

This heat is out of this world! There is no way this can be happening! Robert could subconciously feel it, insanity started to creep it's way through his mind, scouring the darkest corners of it to torture him but it had roused something completely different and in those far reaches, Robert could feel it; something was stirring, something that could be both his saving grace, and his worst curse.

[Ravenshire]

Michael Laurent cursed the steamy weather, the mosquitoes the size of kittens, the terrible jungle rounds, and the lousy companionship. He did not however curse the mission he was one. He was too afraid to curse it … plus he was intrigued.

Michael was an arms dealer here in West Africa. Not a big one, but a man who operated in the middle of such things that he tended to know people all along this conflict-laden coast. That is why this American nova had hired him … because he knew people and could travel to places few others would even want to go to. Michael could go to the rebels in these highlands with an offer of arms while at the same time seeking out this American’s compatriot. No doubt, the rebels were looking for a way to sell their captive back. It was all about the money really.

Michael thought back to his meeting with the Yankee back in Liberia just two days ago. He had been sitting in his room waiting for this meeting when these to men had appeared on his balcony. The one with the air of authority walked in wordlessly while waving his bodyguard to stay. The tall man introduced himself as ‘Daniel Ravenshire’ and took a seat. He had laid out what he wanted Michael to do, what he expected him to be capable (and not capable) of doing, and how much he would be paid for these efforts.

The man’s eyes spoke volumes. While this nova made no overt sign of what he could do, there was something scary about how the man looked at him. There had been no overt threats about what would happen to him, or to the rebels, if things didn’t work out. There was still a very strong sense though that this was something personal. That something bad would happen to Michael if he betrayed this man and something much worse would befall the rebels if something had happened to his friend. It wasn’t a threat. It was a promise. There had been something else for Michael besides the money.

“You are doing me a favor,” the nova told him. “I won’t forget this.”

Having a nova in your debt was something Michael Laurent could savor. Novas had been tearing up this part of the world for nearly a decade and they showed no signs of letting up. This favor was something he believed he might very well use soon enough; any edge to stay alive in this business.

Back on the road in Ivory Coast, Michael was relieved to clear the first of the rebel checkpoints. He hated traveling in the free-fire no man’s zones were anything could happen. Better to have the murdering thieves right out were you could see them. A few local tough guys greeted Michael with thread-bear slogans and smiles.

‘Yes’, he had guns, business was bad, but he had some shoulder mounted rocket launchers to show the Big Man up the road. Then Michael asked about how business was going. While he got out and stretched his legs, he looked for any sign of a white captive, but found none.

The latest inspection ended and Michael was allowed down the road to the main camp for this faction of rebels. If there was a captive, he should be here. Michael noted he was sweating and from more than just the heat. He was free to not broach the subject of the captive if he felt his life was endanger, but the American nova wanted ‘Proof of Life’ – a photo or message of some kind. The nova would then handle the rest. Still, there was more money in it for Michael if you could somehow pull the release off himself, or even start negotiations. Fear warred with greed right up until he come over the ridge and looked down into the main village the rebels called home base. The whole place was stirred up, as if someone had stuck a burning stick into an anthill. Men with guns were running around everywhere and all the locals were hiding indoors. Something bad had gone on here. Fear was quickly winning out over greed.

[Robert J. Lambert]

Somewhere

Robert woke up, wincing as he opened his eyes to the blinding light of the sun.

He was swept over by a cold breeze and he could feel it on his skin, he woke up to realize he was no longer in the Metal cage in Ivory Coast....but he had no idea where he was, this could be tremendously problematic.

"Where am I?"

[Robert J. Lambert]

Robert walked through the forest he woke up in, the sky was blue with not a single cloud on it, the day was clear, the air was fresh, but something was amiss.

There was not a single sound in the forest.

Robert walked through what seems like a natural pathway, the grass was flat and to the sides, but the more he walked, the more eerie this forets felt, from the beggining, he could feel predatory eyes on his neck. You have been hiking all your life Robert, you know ho this works and that you are the one on charge here.

Robert wandered the vast forest he had found himself in, coming to a crystal like river, with cold, untouched water. He bent over, to drink from the water, cupping it on his hands, the water was icy cold but it satied his parched tounge. Sitting by the river, Robert felt much more relaxed, but something was amiss.

Getting up, he inspected them, each and every one of the plants, Robert knew them by heart from his constant hiking, but this ones were different, their shape, their smell, everything was very alient to Robert, thinking back, this whole forest was incredibly alien to him. It gave him a feeling of Deja Vu, like having been here before, but not remembering it.

After some rest, he decided to press on, something on the path told him to move on, to press on the road, almost like a wanderlust he didn't knew he had.

-----------

Hours later, Robert had made it to the entrance of a cave, a dark cave going into the ground, like a sore on the face of the earth. Robert knew that there was something in that cave, waiting for him, he was not wrong as a howl came out of it, a bloodcurling sound that made every last hair in his body stand on end, after it out of the darkness came a voice, low like a growl and just as friendly.

"Weak, Puny, Cowardly. Why show yourself?" The words were each spit out, punctuated with vile. Yellow eyes were the only thing that showed from behind the darkness.

Robert backpedaled falling on his ass "Wha...what are you?!" Robert tighthened his grip on something on the ground, anything a rock, a stick, something that he could defend himself with.

The great wolf like creature that emerged from the cavern succeded in scaring Robert further, it's claws large enough to rend trees and the muscles under the fur seemed chinseled out of marble, terrible fangs peered from it's snout as it growled at Robert. "I'm the worthy part of you, human."

Robert could only draw a blank when the great wolf descended on top of him, and then the world faded to black.

[Robert J. Lambert]

Past midnight

The guards looked at the prisoners cage, their lantern illuminating as best as it could on the overcast night, they had left it alone for a bit to go drink in the near by vegetation, and now it was torn to pieces. Who the hell can tear apart Steel?

The first guard felt it on his bones, terror as dagger like claws went through his chest, blood staining his shirt and the crunching of bones as the claws closed into a fist. The second guard opened fire on the lumbering beast behind his comarade, the bullets bouncing of the creature and a couple piercing it's hide blood spattering from it.

The yellow eyes of the creature looking right into the guard and then only his screaming could be heard over the sickening crunch of bone and the tearing of flesh.

--------------

Everyone was in motion, six people were already dead, torn apart by what looked like claw and fang. The most supersticious among them claimed demons from the ancient times had ressurected, that they came tonight for punishing them for their wrongs.

The most rational ones had already called for backup, Pacifier was on his way already, and wathever was killing them would be put swiftly to death...or so they hoped.

A fire had been started for illumination, lantersn had been passed around and patrols had been cancelled, the overcast sky offering no illumination on this night, only the fire and the lanterns could be trusted.

-------

The steps kept sounding across the trees, and the shouting of panic was music to Alpha's ears, the smell of fear and blood combined, driving him into a bloodrage, and from his ventage point on top of one of the trees, he bellowed it out a howl, as terrifying as the sound of a gun loading or a grande pin clicking, assuring you that death was inmminent.

The moon shone for a moment, the thick clouds in the sky dispersing for a minuscule moment, bathing the clearing with it's rays, and everyone on it felt relief before hearing the howl.

Alpha observed their reaction, and listened for other predators who could have heard his call. He licked his lips satisfiedly as the smell of fear permated the air around him, his yellow eyes falling on them.

------------

The squad was in shock, the sound just now, it was like death coming for them, and they KNEW that no animal in this lands could produce that kind of sound.

The skies smothered the light of the moon once again, throwing everything not illuminated by the fire into complete darkness, and the sounds of the animals were not making it any better.

A Shot rang around the camp, as one of the gunners emptied it's ammo into the shadows. "I SAW IT! IT WAS THERE!" several more people stopped him, before he hurt somebody.

--------

The roars started coming from afar, and getting nearer every time. Alpha's call had attracted an audience, one he was both retched by and one that he aimed to please tonight, HE was the king of predators, he will be the one to come out on top tonight.

But then he heard it, a whisthling on the air as a brown haired man came from the heavens, and landed by the fire, talking to the other prey.

He was different, and a twinge of pain on his right arm remembered Alpha who that was, the one who beated his puny human side, he had something special in store for him.

Howling again Alpha jumped from his advantadge position, and all his followers suit invading the fire and the camp, Lions and Leopards jumping into the fray and preying on the weak and fearful humans, only one of them looked him in the eye and dared to raise his fist.

-------

A werewolf? What the hell is wrong with this thing? Probably a Nova, I will show him why they pay me to be an Elite!

Extending his hand, a long spike of a clear energy came out, of the back of his hand, taking a sharp form and whistling with every swing, the Werewolf threw itself at him, and he lost no time stabbing it right in the gut, putting his forearm on it's snout to prevent it from biting somewhere worse, he retracted the blade and then stabbed again, this time twisting it.

The pain was almost crippling, but right now it was the werewolf or him, none of the cats could do anything to him but with the second stab he could hear his forearm crunch and splinter as the wolf bit through the flesh.

"AAAAAAAAARGH!" Pacifier stabbed against and again, the Werewolf vehemently crunching his bones and almost ripping his arm off before he could shake him off. "YOU GODDAMNED FUCKER! I WILL SHOW YOU WHO IS THE BOSS!" Getting up from where the wolf was thrown, he charged agaist him leapign at the end of his charge, and that's where he took his chance, Pacifier used his special force blade and with one swift move decapitated the Werewolf, the wet sound of a piece of flesh falling on the floor satisfied him, but he turned to see not a decapitated body but an armless wolf who was not terribly close to him.

The Wolf snarled, and it's muscles expanded growing bigger and tougher, the bleeding stopped and the sound of sinew breaking and muscle ripping, the creature standed over 15ft tall now, looking down into Pacifiers eyes and growling.

"No! NO!" Pacifier tried to run away, to escape, to live but the creature was on top of him in no time, pushing him down to the ground with it's tremendous bulk and ripping apart it's body with it's good arm and it's ferocious bite.

-----------

The Next Afternoon

"In other news, the kidnapped american Robert J. Lambert was found this morning with signs of torture and struggle, he was left to die, unconcious, in the jungle when a pride of Lions attacked the rebel base, at least a dozen dead and many unidentified bodies have been found, Mr.Lambert seemed to have been forgiven by the Big cats, who dragged many others into their dens in the dead of the night, already game hunters have been contracted to find and kill the pride of lions that did this."

[Robert J. Lambert]

October 1st, 2009

Once again it was hot, Robert was uncomfortable on the hospital bed that he had gotten once he was 'rescued', looking down to his right side, it was almost surreal to see the sleeve of his gown just...hanging.

He was still waiting to wake up from this fucked up dream, just wanting to be back home...complete.

[Ravenshire]

Ravenshire paced back and forth angrily. He wasn't sure what he was angry at, only that Robert had been badly hurt and he had to do ... something. He could be angry with the rebels, but they were pretty much beyond his ability to effect right now. He could be angry with the people that had told him this was a good idea, but this was a cop-out. Ravenshire knew that final responsibility was his for choosing Ivory Coast as a place to invest. The US State Department had done what they could, which hadn't been much. His new contact in the region had helped find Robert ...

No, this wasn't getting him anywhere.

Right now, Daniel had to wait for them, the hospital staff, to let him see Robert, to know with his eyes his partner was okay. Only then could he contact Liberteen and let her know he was okay. Only then would he let himself know that Robert was really coming back. Ravenshire swore he would never let Robert do something this dangerous again ... No, that wasn't right either. Robert wasn't some kind brother. He was a grown man and Daniel couldn't protect him by hiding him away. Ravenshire had to let him come to grips with his injuries and decided, on his own, what he wanted to do.

Being powerless sucked. Being powerless and stuck on a hospital bed, mangled and mauled was worse.

[Robert J. Lambert]

Robert stared blankly at the french speaking nurse as she seemed to be asking something, he just nodded, it was probably just asking for more permission for more tests.

He was still waiting for being released and delivered to Madrid, to be taken care of. He could hear voices in english outside of the room, somebody was talking. "Ravenshire?" Robert simply looked at the door, waiting for someone, anyone to come through.

[Ravenshire]

Hearing Robert's voice was enough to get Daniel moving. The doctors had just finished telling him to wait until they had finished another round of test were completed, but the young nova chaffed at the inactivity. As he came into the room, Ravenshire exuded a concerned confidence. Nothing showed of the worry he felt for the grievous wounds Robert had suffered. The best thing he could do was let Robert know his ordeal was over was over and that he would soon be heading home.

"Robert, good to see you finally awake. I never gave up hope that you would be found. I wish we had found you sooner."

Daniel moved to Robert's left side and reached for his hand.

"I would like to get you out of here now. I can have you back in the States within the hour. We could have some of the best nova physicians look at you and figure out how to reverse this," he added with intensity.

"Whatever happens, your still my business partner and we will work through this together. You've got to let me know what you want me to do for you and I'll do my best to get it done, I promise."

[Robert J. Lambert]

"I....Hi Daniel, didn't knew you were here." Robert smiled to Ravenshire, listening to the mans words. "I don't think I'm ready to go stateside...not until I wake up."

Robert stared at his hand and Ravenshire's hand. "You know...just, wait to get off the roller coster of life and know what to expect."

[Ravenshire]

"Madrid it is then. Let me make some calls."

For the next few minutes Ravenshire stayed glued to his HandComp, making calls and processing information. If he couldn't think of someone who could help the situation, he knew who to call for sound advice. Still, for a man who wanted results yesterday, it was a slow, agonizing process. Finally, Daniel seemed satisfied and called someone named Brenner.

Brenner turned out to be nova elite that Lambert&Ravenshire were keeping under contract. An hour after making the call to him, a tall, dark-skinned nova walked into the room.

"Sorry for the delay," Brenner began. "The closest camera I could find for a landing sight was a few blocks away. I had to walk it from there."

"That's okay. We've had to prep Mr. Lambert's person and records for transit to Madrid."

Brenner nodded in reply. When Ravenshire introduced the elite to Robert, Brenner nodded again. Apparently the man was conservative with his words.

It turned out that Brenner was a Warper/Teleporter who worked for DeVries and specialized in VIP transport. Once the hospital staff was ready and he had a clear visual of their next destination, he opened a hole in space and the staff moved Robert to Madrid. They handed him off to the waiting staffers in this less humid climate. The Africans quickly departed back through the warp portal, leaving the two of the three novas to deal with a whole new battery of questions, paperwork, and a new, private room.

Once they had settled Robert in and the lead physican had moved everyone else out of the room, Daniel came back and stood by Robert's bed.

"I'm sorry," was all he could think to say then he left as well.