Archangel 2099UG #6

And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Psalms 107: 7

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I have learned that all things living and/or sentient, seek to fulfill that purpose, whether consciously or unconsciously, that purpose that makes them a significant part of the whole scheme. Predator, prey, it makes no difference, for one is doomed without the other. However, mankind seems to be the one creature somewhere lost in the middle.

We are each the sum of our experiences and right or wrong we flock to icons that justify the stance we have taken. One such icon stands before me, and the thought excites me. My voice quivers as I speak to my divine visitor.

"We are honored by your coming. It has been many centuries since a documented appearance of an angel has occurred," I begin.

"Where am I? Where is this place," it responds.

His voice is like music in a deep baritone. I nearly miss the fact that the being has asked me a question. I must stop with this hero worship. I am after all the most battle hardened veteran in this Abby. I have seen things that surely rival this in our battles against the ASKAR. I answer...

"You are in my study, within the walls of New Vatican... formerly called Jerusalem."

Suddenly, at the mention of our Holy City's former name, my angelic visitor deflates and holds his head with one of his mighty hands. After long seconds of silence he again speaks.

"This place is important then?"

I can't help but smile. "We think so." I then motion to a chair. "Please sit. We have much to discuss."

He stops to look at the chair and too late I realize it would not easily lend itself to comfort for a winged icon. Thankfully he gracefully declines. "I thank thee, but no. Wouldst thou be so kind as to tell me the condition of the fair damsel I retrieved from the battle scene."

It takes a moment for me to realize who he speaks of... then I remember that Avangel was at the battle. The Angel's reference to Sister Avangel as a fair damsel is comical to say the least so I suppress an involuntary guffaw. "Avangel? Heh... she is recovering nicely. Thanks to you."

He stands a little taller. "You flatter me."

Now his reaction to implied praise is interesting. Perhaps I should gauge this heaven sent. "After all, it is no small feat to battle KAVIS and his elite to route. I am impressed." (SEE LAST ISSUE)

"They do not know honor or righteousness. They cannot stand before the righteous."

I see the opportunity and take it. "I am glad to hear you say that. It is such a pleasant confirmation that one such as yourself places himself at our side."

As I suspected, that struck him. "Dear Lady..."

I do not let him build momentum. " Please, call me Mother Castle."

"Yes. Mother Castle. I must here be candid with thee. I have no idea of which cause ye represent. I have benefitted from thy kindness, but make no mistake... I do not stand with thee."

"I see," I begin. "I apologize. I had taken you for a warrior of Righteousness."

He seems to grow angry. I must be strong. He nearly growls his response. "In that respect, Mother Castle, thou hast made no mistake. I am as you say."

I nod and smile. "Then, you see! We are on the same side. Fighting the same cause. I too am a warrior bound to a code of conduct more ancient than any culture known today. We are kindred spirits, you and I."

He seems to size me up. "We shall see. Now might I discuss with thee the reason for my imposition?"

"Of course. Forgive my lack of manners. My servants did say you had a matter of great importance to discuss with me. How may I be of service?"

"I wish to discuss the matter of my identity Mother Castle."

Now this is an interesting turn of events.

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(Later... )

I lead the angel to my private library. He says nothing as we enter the room. Light shines through the forcefield protected stained glass and spills beautiful colors into the room. I lead him to the desired wall and stop at a decorative iron gate. I place my hand on the security mechanism and it opens. I enter and he follows. Inside we walk down a narrow passage.

"The library outside is extensive and I have read every book in it at least once," I say. "But this area is reserved only for myself."

We enter a small room with only two walls occupied by literature. There are only 2 shelves. One for books and one for scrolls. His head nearly touches the low ceiling as he quickly looks around. I hear his unspoken question.

"This chamber is used to hold the most treasured literature of our faith. I have the Dead Sea scrolls, the Apocrypha, and countless others." I walk to the book shelf and find an area that is missing a book. I subconsciously touch the empty spot and sigh.

"Is something amiss Mother Castle?" He asks me.

"Yes, dear creature, it is. Would you mind if I told you a story?"

He seems justifiably confused, but nods. So I smile and begin.

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The year was 2055, and I was a very young lady. Only 19 to be exact. The heroes had died and left only despair in their wake. When the Mutants of the Americas began to police themselves as the XSE, I was fighting a more primal force... my youthful curiosity.

The Sisterhood of the Howling Commandments had not yet came to be, but I was still a follower of the cloth. I had been assigned as one of the first non-Semitics to enter the Semitic States since the Age of Heroes had passed. I was very honored.

We had a small party that was invited in to help the former Israeli government to uncover treasures lost to them over the years. Our party included noted archeologist Dr. Jones, Israeli Liason Asmira Jafar, expedition leader Father Ahkmed, our Arab scout Sivak Kahn, expedition sponsor Orim Whittiker, myself, and two other girls from our Catholic college, young sisters named Jasmine and Mo Nicholas.

Our party had been assigned a small unit of Israeli shock troopers to protect us. The unit was made up of 20 men led by a Captain Oman. He was a brave man and a good leader. We set out from Jerusalem and were traveling by convoy until we reached an area called simply, The Wastes. Once there, we were dropped off and resumed the trek on foot.

It was at this time that the true value of our scout became apparent. He easily helped us all to avoid the various blood thirsty nomad tribes of the desert. It is also not till this time that I began to realize what a powerfully handsome man that Sivak really was.

The reason we had trekked into the Wastes, was a classified flyover done by an Israeli aircraft. It had taken aerial photographs of several areas, including a sector that showed ruins. Upon seeing a little research it was revealed as the site of a small village. That village was important as it held an inhabitant rumored to have been a collector of great literary works... especially those about religions. The Israeli government then asked for the help of Dr. Jones, who insisted that the Catholic church might be willing to brave the Wastes and share the findings. Our expedition was born.

It took us nearly two weeks due to an unexpected sand storm, and by the time we arrived we were dangerously slim on supplies and time. But arrive we did, and we set up our tent near one of the only structures visible above the ground.

Captain Oman was a battle wise man and set up a concealed foxhole in the sand, as well as establishing mobile guards. It was then that his men began to dig about 40 yards outside the camp. We were all amazed to see a recently buried bunker with enough supplies to keep us alive for months if needed. And it was.

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We had an interesting mix of personalities and I remember the first time I spoke with Dr. Jones. I was still young in my faith, and was a tad judgmental. You see Dr. Jones was a man barely belonging to the church and to top it off he carried a firearm! A slug thrower no less.

I had approached him one day as we dug to uncover what we believed was a church. I felt the time had come to set my brother straight. He had just found an area he believed to be the inner sanctum. He smiled as we uncovered several artifacts to support his theory. As he wiped his sweaty brow I took the opportunity to speak.

"You are in need of Repentance, Doctor."

He frowned slightly, but turns and sees me and his smile returns. "That is a very bold claim, Little Sister."

"It is true nonetheless."

His eyes follow my gaze to his hip where his gun rested, and his great mind makes the logical connection. "Oh! You mean the firearm?"

"Yes."

" I only use it for predators, Little Sister."

"So you have never killed a man with it?"

He pauses for a moment as if thinking his words over carefully. "Your name is Elizabeth, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Well, Elizabeth, not all predators have four legs."

"We live under grace now, Brother. If you take a life, then you have ended that soul's chance at redemption."

He nods. "That is true. But if none of us carry guns, who will protect us?"

"The Lord will send his angels to fight for us!"

The reaction I get is not one I expect. He laughs out loud! Then once he calms, he speaks. "I would rather trust to my guns."

"Why?"

"Think about it, Sister. What kind of being would God need to mesh out his wrath? He would need hardened killers that obey without conscience! How else could they kill so freely, save they had no guilt? No, Sister, I compare the angelic to the Heroic Age's Silver Surfer, who's blind obedience could have cost us our world. My one gun could never destroy the Earth. You could never claim the same of your Angelic Protectors."

I called him a blasphemer and ran from him in tears, but to this day his words have never left me.

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In the following weeks the work was hard. Under the rules set down by the Israeli government, no one without authorization could enter the area of the dig. Technically all of us had clearance save Mr. Whittiker, Sivak Kahn, and the enlisted men of the unit protecting us. However it was a night we all had a chance to get together and share our gripes of the day. We came to realize we all enjoyed each other's company. I got to the point where I REALLY looked forward to the portion of the evening where Sivak would share ancient tales of the Arab people. Every night would be a new, wondrous, and frankly unbelievable tale, and I loved them all.

I also found myself for the first time finding an interest in a member of the opposite sex. Sivak was an amazing man, who seemed to exude power, but never chafed under the leadership of others. His dark look, his rich accent, his piercing eyes, all set my young blood afire. I guess it was obvious to all the growing attraction between us, because Father Ahkmed finally approached me with permission for chaperoned walks after dinner.

Our first such walk was magic, even under the eye of Father Ahmed. We talked for over an hour, when Father Ahkmed drifted off to a nap.

"How old are you, Elisbeth?"

I smile. "Elizabeth. And I am 19."

"You are an amazing girl Eliz..abeth."

I find myself angered. "I may be young, sir, but I stopped being a girl long ago."

"Indeed, I had noticed. I just was not sure if you had."

I blushed. "Well you just see that you keep it straight in the future."

"I will." Then he paused. "So how goes the dig?"

"Unbelievable! I have never been so excited! Father Ahkmed believes we have found the building that holds the collection of literature that brought us here! "

"Indeed?" He asks, genuinely interested. "What is this collection supposed to hold?"

" We can't know for sure! But we suspect that it may include a lost copy of the Apocrypha, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, and even the Book of Angels!"

He looked confused. "Book of Angels? What is that?"

Again I blush. "In truth, I don't know. But Father Ahkmed believes that it may include a listing of all Angelic visitations through the 18th century!"

"That is marvelous. I would love to see that one."

"Well, you are not allowed to enter the dig, but perhaps if we find it I will arrange for you to see it."

"Oh, please promise me you will try."

I melt. "I promise."

We embrace briefly, and separate just as Father Ahkmed awakens.

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The next morning was the beginning of the end of my innocence. We were at the dig early when we heard laser fire! We all rush up, but Father Ahkmed pushes the rest of us behind him as he looks outside. Just then several soldiers rush in followed by several others entering backward firing their weapons at the unseen enemies. I heard the yelling of Captain Oman ordering his men to pull back to the dig site. Then, we hear the whine of a hundred primitive weapons rain down on our location and the area directly outside! Two of the soldiers die as they shield us long enough for Father Ahkmed to pull us farther underground. Finally Sgt. Ruben enters the corridor running.

"Set up a heavy cannon at the bottom of this ramp. I want that passageway to be a bloodbath for anyone who comes down! The rest of you! Get deeper underground, out of the line of fire!"

"Where is the Captain and Sivak?" asks Asmira Jafar.

The Sgt.'s answer is a shake of his head. "They were out in the open when we were ambushed. They held the enemy off so we could pull back here. We may have to hold out for a while as our radio transmissions are being jammed."

When I hear that Sivak did not make it I cried until I fell to sleep.

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The next morning, I awoke and found that Sgt. Ruben had secured the area. Being a reasonable man, Father Ahkmed asked Dr. Jones if it wouldn't be productive to continue the dig in a more specific manner to limit the amount of dirt, and to give us all something to do. Dr. Jones agreed. So, that morning, we dug. We continued to dig after lunch, and that evening, we uncovered a great door covered in runes and glyphs. We decided to wait until morning before attempting to open it.

That night we were tired and all went to sleep fairly easily, but were awakened when one of the guards kicked at us. We were instructed to be quiet as we moved farther into the tunnel. He whispers to us, "Someone is coming down the tunnel."

We all sit there and wait, as other guards join the first. Silently we wait for the intruder. Captain Ruben arrives with night goggles and pulls out his shock blaster. Then, the intruders arrive, two forms leaning on each other. I cover my eyes and ears. Then I hear it...

"HOLD YOUR FIRE! It's the Captain and Sivak!"

We all cheer, and rush out to meet them, but the meeting is far from happy. The Captain was in critical condition, obviously tortured. Sivak, too, bled from several wounds. Dr. Jones boots us all out of the way as he and Jasmine set up a triage area for the pair.

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Hours later when Sivak opens his eyes, it is me that he sees. It was lunch time and I had asked Dr. Jones to allow me to tend to him. He was on a blanket, bare chested with several bandages covering a multitude of battle wounds. He smiles.

"Hello, Elizabeth."

"Hello."

"Have we found the library yet?"

"I don't know. They were supposed to be opening the chamber this morning."

He suddenly seemed angry. "Why are you not with them?"

"I was concerned about you."

"You do not understand. That library may be the most important discovery for all our faiths."

"I do understand. I ..."

That is when he kissed me hard and passionately. His lips move from mine to my ear and he whispers with his hot breath. "Tell me you will bring me the Book of Angels. Please, I must behold it! Promise me that no matter what you must do that you will bring it to me."

My body was on fire, and that must be why my will melted. Without questioning why... I spoke. "I promise! Oh I promise."

Just then Dr. Jones bursts in. "Come on, Little Sister! We have found the library!"

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We entered the library and I could smell the must in the air. I see a room about 40 foot long and half that length wide. Three walls were lined with shelves and there was also a freestanding shelf in the center of the room. Those who entered were me, Asmira, Jasmine, Dr. Jones, and Father Ahkmed, as well as two armed soldiers. The light we carried illuminated the entire chamber and a glass covered table, perfectly preserved catches our eyes.

"Saints be praised," says Father Ahkmed.

That is when Jasmine screams, as the lights go out. There is a bit of confusion as breaking glass can be heard. Everyone is yelling but I soon can't hear it.

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I run without knowing why, the book in my arms proclaiming my guilt. I know it is the Book of Angels. Why? That is all I can ask myself as I enter the infirmary. I enter and see Sivak sitting up and nearly dressed. He saw me and smiled and I handed him the book. He opens it to an area called Archangels and I see entries on Michael, Gabriel, Lucifer, Aliya, Hanael the Disputed... but then he slams the book shut, kisses me and runs out. I stood there crying as I hear gunfire in the distance. The soldiers try to stop him but he escaped. When the others finally find me I am sobbing in a corner.

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With my story done, my shame revealed I look up at the Angel in my chambers. Where I expect judgement and condemnation I see only compassion. It was not until this very moment that I came to realize how wrong about angels Dr. Jones was so many years ago. His voice finally rings after being silent for my story.

"Didst thou ever seest him again?"

I sigh. "Yes, In fact I believe you met him. The very hour Sivak left us, the nomads attacked in force. Many soldiers died as the hordes came down the tunnel. Sgt. Ruben handed us all assault weapons and we held the corridor, sealing it with the bodies. It was the first time I had ever held a gun, but was not the last. Due to my broken heart, I became a nun, as did Jasmine Nicholas. Due to the experiences of that day we never really could see eye to eye with the church, so the Sisterhood of the Howling Commandments was formed to bring faith, hope, and charity to the dregs of the world. We armed ourselves becoming warriors of the faith.

However with the birth of the Sisterhood, also came the birth of the ASKAR, who led by the charismatic man now known as Kavis, aided by his mutant power to enforce any promise freely made. He used the Book of Angels to secure victory after victory, but how it is not known. They were so powerful that they eventually robbed Israel of lands, causing retaliation, and the creation of the Glass Wastes. Now the ASKAR are powerful mutants, and evil incarnate."

"Dost thou believe Kavis still holds this Tome?"

"Yes."

"Where is he?"

"The heart of the Glass Wastes."

"Where is this?"

I push ahead. "I have a proposal."

"Yes?"

"You should go after this book. Once you retrieve it you still would not know for a certainty who within the pages you are."

"Go On."

"I have a sister within my order who has spent years studying Angelic Arcana. I spoke of her earlier, Sister Jasmine Nicholas. She is the Matron of our shelter in Halo City."

"Where shall I find Halo City?"

"That is difficult to relay. I suggest that I send with you a guide, to show you where the world has changed. With your memory lacking you will need a guide."
Suspicious he speaks. "Who do you suggest?"

"Sister Avangel."

Just then the door to my study bursts open and in walks a fellow sister. My Second in Command and the thorn in my side. "Sister Avangel! I am so pleased to see you."

I love it when a plan comes together.



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