Guardians of the Gates - Part 3, The Osiris Gate - Jeff Schanz (story reading TXT) 📗

important that Severinus was keeping close to the vest, and hadn’t given whatever it was away yet.

Sebastian remained still, his only acknowledgment to Severinus’ baiting was a raise of a brow. He was avoiding turning back to Harris to give away his cucumber coolness, but he was interested to see if he could deduce any thoughts from the Sergeant Major that would shed any light on Harris’ allegiances. Had Harris been playing the double agent the whole time? Or did someone get to him recently and maybe threaten him somehow? Sebastian could figure that out soon enough. For now, he would focus on whatever Severinus’ game was.

Sebastian gave the tall man next to Severinus a quick once over. Lucian, he had been called. Younger than Sebastian, maybe in his late twenties, with long, dyed black hair, deathly pale face, and an entirely black ensemble. The pants were snug, tucked into boots that were fastened by an array of buckle clasps. His shirt was a collarless button-up, with no button undone. His black jacket was similar to a dress topcoat, though much longer, reaching down to his knees. He tried to carry off the cool Goth warrior look, but it looked very put on. If he was in a room full of actual Goths, they would have sneered and called him a poser. Lucian had his right hand resting on his waist, opening the jacket enough to reveal a belt that had something attached on his right side. No doubt, a holstered pistol. Dracula meets Doc Holiday. He was extremely confident in his ability, which Sebastian gathered from both his brain waves and his posture. Sebastian shook his head. Even if the guy had legit gunfighting skills, he didn’t seem to have a clue that his proximity would only allow for a close-quarters fight rather than a gunfight. Right now, if Sebastian wanted to, he’d have Lucian unconscious in two quick moves before the guy could unholster his sidearm.

Lucian scrunched his brows and narrowed his eyes at Sebastian. He held up two fingers in a question, then shook his head. He gave a sinister smirk like he was amused by his cleverness. If he had a Dick Dastardly mustache, it would’ve been the time to twirl it.

The bastard can read me. Holy shit!

Severinus had found another empath like Turibius. It appeared that the “Sidekicks-With-Freaky-Powers” store wasn’t completely out of stock, and Severinus had a running tab going. Sebastian turned his own eyes up at Lucian and grinned like was the proverbial cat with the canary.

Two moves, Angel Eyes. Try me at your convenience.

Lucian slid his right foot back and slowly leaned his weight onto it. While doing so, he drew his coat edge back behind his holster as a gunslinger would. The holster was enclosed by a top flap that was still fastened. Lucian’s hand hovered above it for a small moment, then relaxed.

Severinus snapped the tension by speaking. “At ease, Lucian. There’s no reason to be hostile here. And our safety can be assured,” he said, making a general wave motion at the seated soldiers. The soldiers made no acknowledgment or disagreement at the mention. It seemed pretty obvious that they were Harris’ crew, and they would act when and if Harris told them to do so. And since Harris appeared to be a traitor, then that made them friends to Severinus by association. Or something like that. Whatever. They aren’t on my side.

Severinus continued. “As you can see, you’re sufficiently covered. So, I suppose you’re wondering what I’m doing here?”

Yup. Sebastian smiled and said nothing.

“I understand that you now know I have been an acquaintance of Mr. Morgan Ashe for a long time,” said Severinus. “He was the Saint that recruited me actually. After I got my field commission, he left the organization, but we never lost touch. Morgan trained me as his apprentice.”

Uh… No, didn’t know any of that. But, I do now, thank you. And it makes sense.

“He and I never saw eye to eye on politics, or the fate of the world, and the purpose of the dimensions and their incidental offspring, but we both saw the incredible opportunities that might come from harnessing the kind of power and energy that dimensional intersections could generate.” Severinus paused to let that momentous insight sink in. Sebastian said nothing. Severinus continued. “I knew he was up to some very undesirable things, some very dangerous things indeed. I’m not an idiot, Sebastian.”

I was thinking asshole, but no, not an idiot.

“We thought we had him in check, but we hadn’t counted on his usage of outside groups like those Tierra Perdida ranchers to further his research. So, you did us a favor there, yet still brought too much attention to both of us, and that was a bad thing.” Severinus paused, gathering his thoughts. “I’m not a bad guy, Sebastian, even though Morgan is. And yet despite that, Morgan still handed the world the amazing cancer treatment it celebrates, based on a formula that was made for his own damnable goals. So, likewise, I thought some aspects of the experiments he’s working on now could be a real benefit to the world in some way, even though the current result of what he’s working on is just terrible abominations. But there have never been significant advancements in science without breaking some rules, and a few people unfortunately getting hurt. It’s an ugly fact of history, yet unavoidable. And though I do not approve of Mr. Ashe’s methods, I do think there is some merit in parts of his research. Things we could gather and use to the benefit of all mankind. No longer would the world be a victim of the randomness and danger of dimensional intersections. We could safely use the kind of hybridizations and abilities that dimensional intersections create. Perhaps to cure diseases, or solve birth defects. Perhaps to engineer more exceptional human beings like yourself and ensure a better future for all humanity. And perhaps when we are done, there will no longer be a need for The Saints. We would no longer have anything to fight if everyone had both an immunity and a connection to the alter dimension.”

Ok, I changed my mind. You’re an idiot.

Lucian sighed and shook his head to represent his disappointment in Sebastian. Severinus picked up on the gesture and sighed.

He waved his hand dismissively. “I suppose Morgan already attempted to convince you to a similar agenda, which obviously failed. And he’s far better at persuasion than I am, so I won’t waste any more of your time trying to make you see it my way. Here’s where the situation stands. I recognize my mistake in letting Morgan go too far, and certainly, he is now a threat, but I simply can’t have you go mavericking around exposing everything like a bad sore, and destroying not only myself, but our whole organization because of the associations.”

You already did that yourself, dickhead. Sebastian was working harder to hold on to the spiteful smile, which now was probably on the verge of looking Joker-esque.

“Unfortunately, that means we need a scapegoat, which obviously is you. And since you’re the only Saint who has been seen in Ashe’s association recently, it will make as much sense as anything else.”

Sebastian laughed aloud. “Right, as long as you forget to count Turibius. He’s not exactly stealthy. Somebody probably saw him come and go from Ashe’s office. You going to kill him too? Gotta say, I wouldn’t really mind since he helped Ashe kick my ass.”

Severinus tried to ignore that comment, but apparently couldn’t. His voice caught before he could utter his next word, and he blinked several times before finally managing to say, “Excuse me?”

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “Turibius. You know, Pee-Wee Herman’s evil twin? He was one of Ashe’s helper elves. The little shit tried to read my mind to help Ashe get information from me. Then, when I busted free, he ran like a pussy.”

Severinus was stumped for a moment. His brain waves pumped frantically trying to decide if Sebastian was lying, or somehow misinterpreted what he saw.

Sebastian paused his self-righteous defense to evaluate Severinus’ surprised reaction and ponder what it meant. Severinus didn’t know Turibius was there? Hmm. So, Pee-Wee went off-script. But, Harris would’ve already told Severinus that, wouldn’t he? Or would he? Maybe Severinus is as confused as I am. Sebastian decided the confusion was to his advantage, so he pressed his point with Severinus, hoping Harris wouldn’t intervene. Harris’ continued calm vibe indicated that he wasn’t going to.

“I hate to tell you this,” said Sebastian. “No, I don’t hate to tell you this – but, you’re getting played too, mein Fuehrer. I may be the scapegoat, but you’re the chump. The stooge. The mark.”

“Stop!” burst out Severinus. His skin was visibly reddening. It wasn’t necessary for Sebastian to read Severinus’ thoughts. Severinus was doing a poor job at hiding his astonishment at being double-crossed by his little double agent, Turibius. And he was angry at the world for it, Sebastian was just the closest target.

Lucian unsnapped the clasp on his gun holster, not necessarily as an act of aggression, but as a gut reaction to conflict. The guy was not only a douche, he was also a dangerous one.

Severinus leaned closer to emphasize his seriousness. “I had no intention of killing you unless you tried to resist with force. But I will not let you take down everything I worked for with your stupid mind games.”

I only hear minds, I don’t put thoughts in them, jackass.

Sebastian was about to say, “That’s my brother’s territory,” then was reminded of his brother’s dire situation, assuming Harris hadn’t lied about it. You read it in his mind before he said it, so I don’t think so. He was also struck by the fact that Severinus did not comment or ask about Marcellus. He had always done so in the past. It was a bad joke that Severinus was genuinely freaked out by Mars’ presence in general, and would almost always ask if Mars was around. The son of a bitch knows Mars isn’t here. That means that either he got briefed about it before, or he was part of the plan. But Harris hadn’t briefed him on Turibius either, so… So, what the hell? I have no idea what it means. This game is really freakin’ complicated.

Lucian looked a little nervous now, no doubt sensing some of Sebastian’s thoughts. How much he could read was still an unknown. Sebastian tried to mask his own uncertainties and leaned back against his seat, attempting to look at ease.

“You’re not going to do anything to me, Severinus. You’re going to get found out and get your own ass in a sling. Then blaming me for anything will be a distant dream.”

Severinus tensed his neck tendons as he spoke. “And who do you believe will help you defend this ideal of yours? Hmmm? Those gentlemen behind you work for Sergeant Major Harris, and he…” Severinus paused for dramatic effect, “…works for me. Does that surprise you? Oh, don’t think Benedict can sway him. Unlike you, Benedict obeys orders. And so will this gentleman next to me who will put a bullet in your head if you make any kind of move against us.”

Sebastian smiled, genuinely amused, surprising himself that he didn’t have to fake his bravado. “Lucian will be the first and easiest to put down. Two moves, like I said before.”

Severinus tried to hide his bemusement, and perhaps was also hiding a touch of anxiety. “Your overconfidence is entertaining, but I’ve seen Lucian in action, and he’s never failed to best an opponent. But – to humor you, even if you got by Lucian, Mister Harris would be able to handle the situation, as would his men.”

Sebastian tried to keep his smirk, and he managed it to a degree. He needed it for the script he had just concocted in his head, which counted on a good acting