Archangel 2099UG #4

For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hateth me that did magnify himself against me... but it was thou... mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.

Psalms 55: 12-13

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I am a man torn.

I know I am a coward. I never chose to be a part of this war, but it was expected of me. My grandfather's grandfather was one of the first Jews to be welcomed home to Israel after World War II. My people have always had a strong oral tradition and tales of our mighty ancestors spurred the men of my family to always make a career in the military. All of us mighty, fighting men in the best trained military in the world... the mighty armies of Jehovah, the elite of Israel.

I was always a disappointment. When the Night of Glass came, my father died, but my mother told me that it was good that all the enemies of our homeland had been vanquished. I hated the war that took my father from me. I hated to fight and avoided it religiously, that was until we found the enemy had not been vanquished, but became much more sinister.

To become victorious on the Night of Glass, Israel let loose with it's nuclear arsenal and turned the sands around it into a sheet of glass. Many of our enemies died but those that survived became inhuman monsters due to the elevated radiation levels. Suddenly the nation of Mighty God found itself against an enemy that was mightier than we. Our young men... the best fighting men in the world died before the onslaught of the ASKAR.

Every day we lost ground. Every day our troops died and finally we boys, too young and frightened for war, were drafted and given weapons we had never used. We were put in the gap to save our home as a horde of inhuman monsters swarmed down upon us. We stood, died, and retreated, then did it again.

Finally, we had lost all our lands save the city of Jerusalem. All the Jews left alive had retreated there for one final stand. We would fight to the last and pray for a David to arrive again with his sling. We stood and the enemy came... thundering down to rob from us all that made us the Chosen of Jehovah. They hit us hard and many of us died again. We pulled within the walls of the city as the creatures overran them. Then in our final moments we began to sing.

At first, only one voice rang out above the battle, then another, then another. Soon we were all in one mind and one voice singing the sacred psalms of David. We knew if it was God's will we would live. We sang out in a mighty prayer for deliverance knowing God would deliver His people. We should have died instead... for that is when they arrived... the Christians.

From all over the globe they came to protect the Holy Sites of our shared God. Our Lord had heard our prayer and sent help from the most dangerous of arenas. They were led by a force calling themselves the Sisters of the Howling Commandments. They stood in the mud next to us and sang with us. They were also some of the most heartful warriors I had ever seen. They cried if the Holy Sites were defaced, they stood over our wounded and dared the enemy to do us harm, they put themselves in the gap we were too weak to hold.

That was eight years ago, in the year 2091, and the Sisters of the Howling Commandments had helped us hold the walls against the enemy. After they came we counted and only 5000 Jews survived. I fear that today there will be one less.

I am shoved from behind violently and bump off the offensive bodies of the ASKAR around me. I do not know what is in store for me, but I have been detained and taunted for two days, ever since I was caught gathering supplies outside the walls of New Vatican, which the Holy City is now called by the infidels. I have been given no information and had received no food or water in that time. I suppose I am now to be led to the slaughter.

At long last, the final few bodies part to reveal a great dias. Upon it sits a massive ASKAR, the largest I have ever seen. I am humbled in his presence for his countenance is of evil and power and I fall to my knees and pray to Jehovah so that he may take me now. But it is not His will to yet answer my prayers.

The great beast looks down at me in obvious contempt. Its skin is crimson and its eyes are as fire. Down its shoulders fall a cascade of ebony hair. His smile is cruel and shows canines of sickening yellow. Then with a voice like echoes and whispers it speaks.

"I AM KAVIS... AND I WILL RULE THE WORLD."

I quake in fear and do not doubt his words. It was he that, legends say, was the first to crawl out of the Arab Wastes eight years ago. He had powers never before wielded against the Children of Israel, and in time he had found others like him... and he became their avatar. In ancient times we parted the Red Sea by faith, but what faith could stand against enemies who could call the storm, or burn our homes with a glance, or control our very will? It is he, more that any other since Hitler, that has caused the sorrow of my people.

The crowd cheers him and chants his name with the voices of 1000 warriors. They raise their weapons in a fanatics' salute. They are all animals, every one of them. Still I cower for each is said to posses powers granted by the great enemy through radiation and hardship. Again Kavis's voice rings out like ice. "I HAVE TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY, LITTLE MAN. TODAY NEW VATICAN SENT SOMEONE TO RESCUE YOU."

I allow myself a little hope, I should have known he was toying with me. His cruel smile widens and he looks up to yell over the crowd. "BRING HER TO ME."

I turn to see of who he spoke and within a few moments she came into view, led through the same hate filled group I traversed. They elate themselves in unholy glee, spurring themselves into a frenzy. I recognize her as one of the Sisters of the Howling Commandments. I have seen her many days before this one, feeding the hungry children of New Vatican. Her name is Sister Neboim and I have always felt she was beautiful, even if misguided in her belief. She is a gem among garbage, and as she is led through a thousand enemies, her head is held high, her eyes defiant. Although obviously beaten and violated by the unholy masses her spirit has not been broken. She is brought forward and forced to kneel. Kavis looks down on his prisoner from his dias and sees her muscled form, barely covered by the tatters of what was once her nun's uniform. His smile widens at some vile memory.

"I AM KAVIS, AND I AM YOUR LORD AND MASTER." He laughs, "YOU ARE BEATEN, SISTER. BUT FATE HAS SMILED ON YOU THIS DAY. DENY YOUR FAITH AND PLEDGE YOURSELF TO ME AND YOU WILL LIVE."

Wheezing against broken ribs, she spits out a mixture of saliva and blood upon the dias, then she speaks through swollen, broken lips. "The Scriptures say ‘Behold, in this though art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.'"

I am amazed. In bravery she faces her superior enemy and she quotes the holy cannon of MY forefathers.

Kavis is no longer smiling. "MAKE NO MISTAKE, SISTER. I WILL RULE THE WORLD. MY THRONE WILL BE BUILT UPON YOUR BONES AND THE BONES OF ALL THE INFIDELS THAT HELPED THE CURSED JEWS HOLD OFF THEIR DEATHS. YOU CANNOT WIN AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SISTERS WILL BEGIN WITH YOU. YOUR GOD CANNOT SAVE YOU! I HAVE VIOLATED YOU, YET HE DID NOT COME. I BEAT YOU YET HE DID NOT HEAR YOUR PLEA. YOUR GOD IS DEAD!"

Now it is she that smiles. "Nay, in all these things we are made more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Kavis leaps off the dias and lands an arm's width from her. Then, he gave her a fluid backhand that sent her flying a few feet away. " YOU HAVE BEEN A PLEASANT DISTRACTION, BUT NOW I TIRE OF YOU. HAVE YOU ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY BEFORE I FEAST ON YOUR BEATING HEART?"

Her face now awash with blood, her body crumpled she looks up to catch me in her gaze, and for a moment I look down. But then I raise my eyes to again meet hers and she mouths her last request to me without sound... "...tell my sister I love her."

Then just as proud as a moment ago she struggles to her feet, although it takes her several agonizing moments. When she finally regains her feet she sways unevenly but makes a sign of a cross. "Shock you, you heartless Ba..."

She never finishes...

The masses grow silent in a moment of shock.

Then like thunder the cheer rises from the vile creatures. Whipping the sister's blood from his mouth, Kavis turns to me and I cower begging for mercy I know he does not have. And yet his next words surprise me.

"SHE WAS A WORTHY FOE. YOU ARE BENEATH MY NOTICE. ANSWER ME AS I DESIRE AND YOU MAY YET LIVE." I do not speak but I find hope. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT TOMORROW REPRESENTS?"

It is a direct question so I answer. "Yes mighty one... it is an infidel holiday."

He laughs. "DOES EVEN THE WORD CHRISTMAS PUT A VILE TASTE IN YOUR MOUTH?"

I only nod... still looking down.

"INDEED. IN FACT, THE FACTIONS OF NEW VATICAN WILL BE DIVIDED TOMORROW FEELING SAFE BEHIND THEIR WALLS AND TECHNOLOGY..." he pauses. "DO YOU KNOW WHY THE YOUNG SISTER WAS HERE?"

I shake my head.

"MY MEN FOUND HER TWO DAYS AGO... LOOKING FOR YOU."

My heart sinks. I see her headless form and a pang of regret fills me.

"I RESPECT HONOR AND BRAVERY. SHE HAS PAID THE BLOOD PRICE FOR YOUR LIFE. I WILL HONOR IT ONLY IF YOU OPEN THE WALLS OF THE CITY TOMORROW. I WARN YOU THAT I WILL ASK A PROMISE ON THAT FACT AND ONCE YOU VERBALIZE WILLINGLY THAT PACT YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO BREAK YOUR OATH... AS IS MY POWER. NOW TELL ME, WILL YOU BETRAY YOUR CITY AS I HAVE SPOKEN?"

I begin to cry... "Yes."

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I received a hero's welcome, and now I am in the already crowded triage room of the makeshift hospital in New Vatican. Kavis had allowed his minions to ‘bat me around alittle' to make my escape look genuine and it worked, and although I am most unworthy of the care they give I accept it, hating myself for it. All around me are the brave soldiers who's wounds were received in bravery where mine were in cowardice.

"How are you feeling," I am addressed by a nurse.

"Fine. Much better thanks." I try to force a smile to hide my guilt.

"Do you feel up to visitors," he asks.

I shake my head. "Not really. I think I need my rest."

The young male nurse furrows his brow. "Really? I guess I will just have to tell Sister Avangel that you won't see her."

I practically jump out of the bed. "Sister Avangel? Here to see me?"

He nods, "Exciting, isn't it? Shall I go get her?"

"Yes," is all I can think to say. Sister Avangel is the second most powerful person in the city, second only to the Mother Superior. If she has come to see me perhaps I have been found out! Perhaps they can stop me from what I cannot stop myself!

To my utter regret... she arrives smiling and alone. "Good Morning. I hope you are resting well."

"Very well. Thank You."

"I am Sister Avangel of the Order of the Howling Commandments. I am pleased that you came back alive. Honestly we had given up hope."

I furrow my brow. "If you don't mind me asking Sister, what does the Order care about the life of a single Jew... and an unimportant one at that?"

She fixes me with a stare that makes me feel like a delinquent schoolboy again. "Young man, in this day and age all Jews are important. All life is important."

"Why?"

This seems to catch her flat footed, but not for long. "I guess because as long as one Jew remains alive, God's entire legacy is preserved. The enemy has failed in its objective."

Strangely, her explanation satisfies me. I still resent her and her kind for being here, but she seems genuinely willing to help my people preserve our culture. Oddly now though, her intense strength seems to wane and she looks as if she wants to say more.

She clears her throat. "I hear you were also the last to see my sister, Zeboim, alive."

My heart melts at the memory. My eyes tear and my throat constricts for the angel who gave her life so I could keep my own miserable existence. All I can do is nod. She sees my reaction and her composure breaks and she sobs. "Did she die well?"

"She died looking death in the eye with dignity, and with the Scripture on her tongue. I owe my life to her. She told me to tell you that she loved you."

She sobs but quickly wipes the tears away and smiles. "Look at me... I am sobbing like a school girl. I must get going, it is Christmas Eve after all and...." she stops suddenly. "Oh, I'm sorry... please excuse me."

She turns to go and I let her, but at the door she stops, but does not turn. "Did she suffer before she died?"

I should have been kinder but... "Yes," I blurt. "By Kavis's own hand."

Without another word she walks into the darkness.

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(Later still. . .)

It was not difficult to leave the makeshift hospital. With the infidel holiday winding up for the morning, many of the watch posts were delegated to automated security. The city itself relies on a reinforced wall and a force shield for protection. So often guard duty is among the most lax posts anyway.

I cannot control my actions now... my will is second to the will of Kavis. If only I had not promised to do this great treason I could have died and be free. But here I am skulking about the mid-level security areas trying not to be caught, but hoping that I do.

After a few moments I find what I need... a computer console. I look around and once it is safe, I sit down.

"Computer! Prepare to receive data disk."

The appropriate drive opens and I stare at it. "Please, Jehovah, let me get caught."

"IMPROPER COMMAND, PLEASE REPEAT."

Oh, I forgot. I reach down and pull a section of artificial skin from my forearm and underneath is a disk designed to work all night to dissolve the perimeter defense. I decide if I am ever to be brave now is the time of decision. I set the disk down and raise my hand to destroy it...

...And suddenly my senses are on FIRE! Agony courses through my body. What has Kavis done to me? I promise myself if the pain stops then I will do as I was commanded, and suddenly the pain stops. I am weak but I put the disk where it should be. "Computer, load and execute."

"ACKNOWLEDGED."

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(Christmas Day 2099- New Vatican)

I awaken to the sounds of dying. For a long time I lay in my bed and pull the pillow over my head. This works for a time but as the battle draws closer I fear my home being overrun. I jump up and get dressed, running outside only to be met by a mob of fleeing citizens. What have I done?

The sky burns as the enemy continues to swarm over the walls now devoid of a force shield. All of them possess superhuman powers and before them Jew and Infidel alike fall. All because of my weakness.

I join the wave of panicked humanity... not that I had a choice. We run from vile abominations. Grotesque insectoid creatures are mounted by all manner of ASKAR, from those nearly human to those deformed or bestial. Some tear into our ranks with muscle or claw, others kill us from afar by spewing fire from their mouths or deadly light from their hands. How can we stand against such might? Why has our God forsaken us?

I look behind me and see our pursuers cruising along at a slow gait not wanting to rush the slaughter. I look to the left and right and see nothing but walls where the buildings rise as our prison... we are being herded. This is all happening because of me... and now I am going to die for it.

Finally, we turn a corner and arrive at the central square of the city. Many of us try to turn around but our pursuers prevent that... we have been led into a slaughter. From all over the city people are being herded here to die. Molten lava billows out of the ground, lightning strikes, and blood is spilled. The enemy marches into our ranks and swords are drawn. That is when he arrives...

Kavis strolls into the square and the sounds of battle suddenly die. He walks dominating everyone's attention and smiles. There is no question he is the conqueror this day.

"MY NEW SUBJECTS. I AM KAVIS... YOUR LORD AND MASTER. YOUR EXISTENCE IS FROM THIS DAY FORWARD FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE TO SERVE ME. PLEDGE THIS DAY WITH YOUR VOICE TO SERVE ME AND YOU WILL LIVE. DENY ME AND DIE. THE TIME FOR DECISION IS UPON YOU."

There is a long silence as everyone waits for someone else to say the words first. Kavis looks around and nods to one of his generals who stands forward. "Lord Kavis has not infinite patience... who will be first to pledge their lives to him to avoid death?"

"Kavis can go shock himself!!!!!"

He looks up. "WHO DARES?"

"We do!"

I look around then up and I see them. Twenty women in the uniforms of Catholic nuns and packing more offensive hardware than I could carry. The Sisters of the Howling Commandments have arrived, led by Sister Avangel herself. She lowers a VERY large energy weapon to aim at Kavis. "Sorry we are late. But the kids wanted to open their Christmas presents first."

Kavis grins that evil grin. "WE HAD INDEED MISSED YOU, SISTERS." He turns to his minions. "BRING THEM TO ME... ALIVE!"

And the battle is joined. One of the Sisters leap from the roof tops separating us victims from the majority of Kavis's minions with energy weapons blazing!!! Above it all I hear Sister Avangel. "I don't know how you bypassed our security, Demon, but you will rue the day you faced us in battle!!!!"

I and those around us cheer. There may be those who doubt her words, discounting them as simple bravado...BUT I WAS THERE! Eight years ago these women stood in the trenches with us. Even then they had fought against odds such as these, with foes who posses supernatural powers. As I watch the Women of the Faith dance a dance of death, I marvel at the utter perfection of their combat styles. They do not need supernatural powers, because of their faith in a supernatural Lord. I realize suddenly that even though I still believe they are mislead, they gain faith from MY GOD!

"Everyone!!!! Help them! It is our lives they fight for!!!!" I hear the voice and am shocked when I realize it is mine! I am even more shocked when I see the people around me pick up make-shift weapons and begin to yell. As a wave crashing against the cliffs we ebb out into the enemy ranks... many of us will die but we will die free, with our great faith intact... our grandchildren will sing of our bravery. The mounted enemy is the first to be brought low by sheer numbers. I will later realize that the only reason I could act is that I had already fulfilled my vow to Kavis and betrayed the city, freeing me from his power. But now, all I know is redemption as I pray for forgiveness before my death.

Soon, I find myself without an immediate enemy and then look around in all honesty for a place to hide and rest. It is then that I see Kavis... ignoring the battle at hand and walking deeper into the city, toward the Holy Sites. I am not a brave man, but strangely I follow keeping to the shadow. With the vile conqueror travels his two guards and among his strongest minions. He marches determinedly and soon we leave the sounds of battle behind. When he reaches the gate to separate the common man from the most ancient sites of New Vatican, he tears away the gate and finds Jerusalem! He has violated my ancestors, all of the sons of Abraham. I feel anger, but more importantly.. fear. Once he enters, I wait a moment and follow.

When I find them again, I find them not at our most Holy sites, but rather at one of the sites of the infidels. The site called Golgotha. His voice rings out in a whisper as cold as the grave. "WE MUST DESTROY THIS SITE BEFORE THE PROPHECY IS FULFILLED, SO TEAR IT DOWN."

His minions move to do his will but I hear that now familiar voice. "Over my dead body, Demon."

I turn to see what I already know. It was Sister Avangel. "Alright you three... out of the pool." She motions for the trio to move away with the muzzle of her gun.

Kavis holds his hands up. "YOU HAVE PROVEN YOURSELF BOTH RESOURCEFUL AND A WORTHY FOE... BUT SURELY YOU REALIZE YOU WILL DIE BEFORE YOU COULD POSSIBLY KILL US ALL. YOUR TIME IS OVER, JUST LIKE THE JEWS YOU PROTECT. THIS LAND IS OURS BY RIGHT OF BLOOD AND STRENGTH. THE JEWS STOLE IT FROM MY ANCESTORS, CLAIMING THEIR GOD GAVE IT TO THEM. IN THE NAME OF THAT GOD THEY CAUSED THE NIGHT OF GLASS AND TWISTED MY PEOPLE INTO WHAT WE ARE TODAY! NO! THE JEWS OWE A DEBT! AND TODAY I WILL, AFTER NEARLY 5000 YEARS, CALL THAT DEBT PAID!"

Sister Avangel shrugs. "But I will kill you here today, and your people will be free and divided. We may yet triumph this day, and I will have the revenge I need for the death of my sister."

"TSK, TSK, SISTER. REVENGE IS A SIN. HOW CAN FAITH GIVE YOU VICTORY WHEN YOU BETRAY THAT FAITH."

I can swear I hear her voice crack. "I will figure that out later, Monster." She raises her weapon up to take aim. "But today you die."

Kavis lets his eyes narrow and reminds me of a snake. "YOUR SISTER SCREAMED FOR TWO DAYS AS MY MEN AND I VIOLATED HER. HER FAITH DID NOT SAVE HER AND NEITHER WILL YOURS."

Her scream is primal in its agony and she unloads her weapon until its discharges run together into a whine. The room fills with light and dust as the light strikes out at Kavis. When finally she stops, the dust is thick and I can barely see. She stands there, a silhouette with a broken spirit. Her weapon's energy reserves spent she lets the gun drop, Golgotha apparently saved.

Then a blur of motion as something very fast strikes Avangel and sends her flying. She hits the ground hard and I hear bones break. Then the laughter begins. The unholy laughter of Kavis as he walks out of the dust with one of his two minions as the other, mostly a blur, pauses long enough for me to see him before he jetted off to give Avangel a high speed kick.

She groans and fights back the tears. "My sister was a kind woman, a true friend, and you took a piece of my soul when you took her from me. If I fall this day another will feel the call... and someday you will fall."

"Ha Ha. THANK YOU, BARSIS, FOR THE TIMELY FORCE FIELD. NOW, HERMISIS, LEAVE HER TO ME." He strolls to her and kneels to gaze at her. "I KNOW YOU BELIEVE THAT, AFTER ALL, YOUR SISTER DID. BUT IN THE END SHE DIED ALONE AND NO ONE HAS YET TAKEN VENGEANCE ON ME. FACE IT, SISTER, YOU ARE THE LAST REMNANTS OF AN ANTIQUATED FAITH, AND WHEN I AM DONE NO CREATURE ON THIS EARTH WILL DARE DEFY ME."

The sound of stone striking metal rings for several seconds before Kavis realizes it is he who has been struck. Then I say the absolute stupidest thing of my life. "I come against you in the name of the God of Israel."

Kavis turns to see me. I am dirty, and shivering due to fear but I stand there... the greatest fool of all time, a makeshift sling in my hand.

"HO HO!!!" He laughs. "LOOK, SISTER! DAVID HIMSELF HAS COME TO SAVE YOU FROM YOUR GOLIATH!" I realize my folly far too late but pray regardless. His two minions begin to move, but he holds up his hand. They stop. "OR SHOULD I CALL YOU JUDAS?"

Sister Avangel looks up at this last phrase. I loose my resolve. I am no hero for he has defeated me with words.

"OH YES, SISTER. MEET THE BETRAYER OF NEW VATICAN. IT IS HE THAT OPENED THE GATES WIDE FOR ME." Then, before I know it I feel him strike my face and feel the bones give under the sheer force on the blow. I fall in a heap and begin to cry. "WHEN WILL YOU ALL LEARN? THERE IS NO HOPE... NO REDEMPTION, AND NO STOPPING ME. YOU ARE FALLEN, LITTLE JUDAS." He raises his hand and points to Golgotha. "TODAY I TAKE THE SYMBOL OF YOUR MESSIAH, THEN I WILL BREAK YOUR SPIRITS, ONE HEART AT A TIME. IF YOUR GOD BE ALIVE LET HIM SEND HIS LEGION OF ANGELS NOW!!!!"

BABOOM!!!!!

The earth around us shudders with a great impact and again the dust in the great chamber rises to obscure our vision. I hear Kavis cursing and I quickly crawl my way to Sister Avangel. At first I thought the blast was the effects of Kavis's awesome power. But then the light floods the chamber near Golgotha. The dust parts and I see Kavis and his minions knocked to the ground and a figure of power kneeling on all fours. It is a beautiful sight and I know in an instant I behold an angel of the Lord! Its wings are purest white and its armor of silvers and golds reflect even the faintest of lights. Its ebony hair only highlights its radiance.

The angel rises as I fall prostrate before him. Slowly at first the being stands in glory, then movement comes more quickly. Uneasily it takes a step forward and I know if I can just hear one word from this being all my self doubts will be gone forever more... I await its wisdom and the word of my God... and then it speaks.

"Where hast I found myself?"

Huh?

"Who am I?"

Shock.

Next Issue: We see Omen in mortal combat with the powerful ASKAR elite!!! Plus more on Sister Avangel, who will become a pivotal character in the series!!!!



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