Angels and Demons part 42

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Angels and Demons part 42
By
Morpheus

The three helicopters that we’d brought as part of the rescue were still here, without a single one of them having taken off in order to evacuate the noncombatants which had been loaded into them. Considering the demon outbreak and the fact that not a single demon had made it this far yet, that would normally have been quite a surprise. However, the reason that none of the helicopters had left was clearly obvious.

Senator Dolenz and General Lawrence had arrived with Colonel Hastings and a squad of eight soldiers, all of whom were armed and aiming their weapons at Colonel Roberts and our own people. Of course, the first DSU soldiers who’d gone after the colonel were present as well, aiming their weapons back at the general, senator and other soldiers. It was a standoff.

I watched this with a growing sense of anger, realizing that because of this standoff, not a single one of those soldiers had been able to help fight the demon outbreak. The senator and general had turned their soldiers on my friends rather than the real threat.

“I’m giving you a direct order,” General Lawrence commanded Colonel Roberts and the first DSU soldiers. “Put your weapons down and surrender right this moment.”

“Ignore the former general,” Colonel Roberts told his soldiers. “He no longer has the authority to give that order.”

“You’re all going to spend the rest of your lives in Leavenworth,” General Lawrence snarled angrily. “If you’re lucky. I’m taking this helicopter…”

“I’ll be damned if I let you hijack military property,” Colonel Roberts snapped back. “Especially not when you’re just planning to abandon my men to the mess that YOU created.”

Senator Dolenz had been watching this exchange with an angry scowl, then he finally exclaimed, “Enough. I am a United States senator and we are taking this helicopter…”

“Actually,” Hannah said from beside Colonel Roberts. “I believe you’re a wanted criminal, nor would you have the authority to take this helicopter even if you weren’t.”

“Enough of this insubordination,” General Lawrence snarled. “Colonel,” he said, this time looking back to Colonel Hastings who was standing back with his men avoiding the argument. He didn’t look at all happy with the situation. “Have your men fire on Colonel Roberts at the count of three…”

“If you start counting,” Pete said grimly, “We open fire before you reach the count of two…”

My sisters and I had approached but held back. I wanted to get the medical gear from the helicopter so I could patch up Nicole and Lisa, but we didn’t want to get in the middle of that. As it was, both sides were extremely twitchy and I suspected that if we got closer, Lawrence would have his people open fire on general principal. If that happened, nearly everyone present would end up being killed by the exchange.

“Your careers are over,” Colonel Roberts said, looking to the general and senator. “What you’ve done has come to light. And when the public finds out what happened here…”

“When the public finds out that your people launched an armed attack against a US military base and a US senator,” Senator Dolenz responded with an arrogant smirk. “And that you released the demons in the process which cost numerous lives…”

“Actually,” Dr. Merrit stated from where he sat inside the helicopter. “I’ve already arranged for recordings of your orders to store the demons for experimentation to be provided to the media.”

Dolenz glared at Dr. Merrit, as though the man had personally betrayed him. Of course, from the senator’s perspective, that probably was what had happened. After all, he’d thought Merrit was his own personal agent, assigned to watch over the angels for him. The discovery that he was actually working with Lisa in order to spy on Dolenz instead must have been quite frustrating.

“If I might offer a better suggestion than everyone killing each other,” Rebecca started.

“Shut up you freak,” General Lawrence snapped. “You need to learn your place.”

“What place?” Rebecca asked in a dangerously calm tone. “Barefoot in the kitchen because I’m a woman? Or sitting silent in a dark room until you give me orders because I’m a weapon?”

Hannah was glaring at General Lawrence and asked, “How did someone like you ever make general?”

Without warning, General Lawrence backhanded Hannah, knocking her back. Suddenly, every gun from the first DSU was aimed at the general and Rebecca looked as though she was going to shoot him as well.

Colonel Roberts was angry and was about to say something when Hannah said, “No…” Then she punched General Lawrence in the face as hard as she could.

“Hitting a superior officer is a court martial offense,” Colonel Roberts told Hannah with a smirk. “But this time, I think it’s well justified.”

“You’re going down for that lieutenant,” General Lawrence exclaimed, wiping the blood from his lip. Then in a rapid movement, he pulled out a 9mm pistol and shot Hannah.

“Hannah,” Rebecca and Monica screamed at once while I was already rushing forward to help her. Damned with the stalemate.

“Stand down,” Colonel Hastings yelled at his own soldiers. He glared at General Lawrence and said, “General, you’ve gone too far. I’m taking you into custody for attempted murder on an unarmed woman.”

Up until now, Colonel Hastings may have suspected that what Colonel Roberts had said about the general was true, but he hadn’t seen enough evidence to act on it. But now that he’d seen the general shoot Hannah, that gave him enough cause to act. I was certain that those very actions had just prevented a gunfight.

I dropped own beside Hannah, seeing that she’d been injured in the shoulder. As long as I could keep her from bleeding out, this wouldn’t kill her. Of course, it would probably still hurt like hell.

“Are you okay?” I asked Hannah.

“It hurts,” she responded with a wince.

“Monica,” Dr. Merrit exclaimed, hurrying towards Hannah and me with my bag of medical supplies.

“Stop this nonsense at once,” Dolenz yelled, pulling a gun of his own out from his jacket and pointing it at Colonel Roberts. “Order your men to stand down at once. The general and I are taking this helicopter”

“That isn’t happening,” Colonel Roberts responded firmly. “If you don’t put your weapon down, you will be shot.” The tone in his voice made it very clear that he wasn’t bluffing. After Hannah had just been shot, he obviously wasn’t going to play around.

Dr. Merrit and I were checking Hannah’s wound and Rebecca kneeled down with us and gave Hannah’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Monica will have you patched up in no time,” she promised Hannah. Then almost as an afterthought, she added, “And the doctor too of course.”

Hannah just smiled at that, then gasped, “Rebecca… If we all get out of here, I was wondering if…”

“Yes?” Rebecca asked curiously.

“I was wondering if you might make me an angel,” Hannah blurted out, getting a look of surprise from Dr. Merrit.

Rebecca just smiled and leaned down, whispering, “I was wondering how I was going to ask you…”

Suddenly, Mason blurted out, “Holy shit…”

I looked to Mason and saw that he was pointing towards the demon queen’s remains. As I looked I was shocked to see that her body was moving again.

“Holy shit,” I echoed.

Everyone turned to stare at the demon queen’s body as it twitched, and then her skin began to split open all over. As I watched, I realized that the demon queen was shedding her skin, and as she climbed out of the old skin, she was actually healing and mutating further.

I was so stunned by what was happening with the demon queen that I didn’t even think of getting up and shooting at her. From the way everyone else was standing there with their mouths open, it was obvious that they were all having the same reactions I was.

A moment later, the demon queen emerged from her dried out and shredded old skin. She looked different, though most of it was subtle. The scales that covered her body were a brighter shade of green, she’d grown a third set of arms, and her head had completely regrown. However, her face now looked less human and was pushed out to increase her resemblance to a snake.

The demon queen raised her human part up and looked in our direction as and then began moving towards us. That was enough to get everyone to open fire on her.

“Why won’t this bitch stay dead?” Dani exclaimed.

“I’ll take care of the lieutenant,” Dr. Merrit told me.

“Be careful,” Hannah gasped, looking worried.

“Dolenzzz,” the demon queen exclaimed.

Senator Dolenz dropped his gun and I suddenly caught the scent of urine. He stood there frozen with a look of absolute terror on his face. If the circumstances had been different, I probably would have enjoyed that.

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Comments

Hmm, I think...

Breanna Ramsey's picture

...it's time for the good senator to finally become useful. Throw him at the queen, and while she's busy ripping him to pieces, kill her ... again. And this time, let's smother her corpse with thermite, and a healthy dose of white phosphorous.

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Die Dolenzzzzz

Maybe the demon queen will take care of things. :) I will speculate no further because, oh just because.

Gwendolyn

Could it be...

Something still holds a grudge?

Yikes

The demon queen regenerating like that is not a good thing. Not at all. Plus, now she wants Dolenze. Is that a good thing as in killing the jerk, or a bad thing as in thanking and protecting him? Obviously he thinks the first is most likely. As to what happens next? We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?

Maggie

Once again...

Fantastic stuff Morpheus. Thanks again. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I think ...

Sammi's picture

... that the 'GOOD' Senator may just be realising just how wrong he was!!, with a little luck.

I'm wondering if the 'Queen' has a little coyote DNA aswell. :D

Morpheus you've done it again, another great chapter keep them coming, Thank you.


"REMEMBER, No matter where you go, There you are."

Sammi xxx

Well good

I've got to admit I had been a bit disappointed with the demon queen - she had too much build up and didn't get enough air time, as it were. But then, that's when I thought she was actually dead.

Of course, that means there's more coming. Even with some changes she's in the middle of a military base, surrounded by soldiers with guns, and without support. So that means that what she has to do something that isn't just rage-and-attack. I'm looking forward to what that is, but I'm expecting her to talk, and give some more revelations.

I suppose the other alternative is an attack, if she's developed mental powers and can dominate some or many of the soldiers. Looking forward to what's next.

titania.jpg

Titania

Lord, what fools these mortals be!

Makes sense she survived I guess

... considering the Demon Queen is unique in having Angel viruses so she would very well have their regenerative abilities also. Like Scott says, a little Thermite, phosporous or if everyone remembers their chemistry classes, elemental sodium would do the trick in no time.

Kim

A bit more than Angel regeneration

While I admit we haven't seen proof, I don't think an Angel would regenerate from being shot in the head. This seems like something more than just Angel DNA. Maybe a redundant brain or something. Certainly something awfully disturbing.

I dont know though...

Sammi's picture

... Lisa did regrow an arm, I know its hardly a head and most importantly the contents of that head but it does surgest more than just simple regeneration. thats more regrowth, but the speed of the Queens regeration/regrowth is the scary part, If memory serves Lisa took a month or more to regrow her arm.

And to Scotts surgestion about Dolenz, He forgot throwing Lawrence at her as I'd like to know his feelings on being redesinated as a weapon, otherwise I totaly agree.

On the subject of ordenance/chemistry, I remember reading somewhere that the North Koreans developed Phosphorous rounds during the 50's. Or was it White Phosphorous. what I remember fully though is that they were particularly nasty as when mixed with moisture and air the fragments burst into flame.


"REMEMBER, No matter where you go, There you are."

Sammi xxx

US Army had Willie Peter

elrodw's picture

or White Phosphorous. I was in artillery (we got to call our weapons GUNS because no-one wants to argue when staring down the barrel of a 155!), and we went through all the training for 'special' rounds. Willie Peter, APERS Flechette, Chem, etc. Willie Peter rounds are nasty because you have to keep the wound covered in something like baby oil to to deprive it of oxygen to quit burning. WP also causes massive ingestion of phosphorous into the body, which can result in major organ failure.

A little Willie Peter on the queen would do a number on her. So would a flamenwerfer (flame-thrower - but it sounds nastier in German). If I wanted to be sure, I'd kill and then incinerate the queen, and soak any residue in acid to completely and totally destroy any residual DNA.

Imagination is more important than knowledge
A. Einstein

This is my gun....

D. Eden's picture

Those of us in the US Navy know that we didn't have guns - we had Naval Rifles, and as the commander of an ANGLICO team I had the biggest rifle on the block. Nothing beats a 16" shell fired from over the horizon. Listening to 2000 pounds of steel and explosive tearing theough the air as it passes overhead is truly a frightening experience to the uninitiated. OK, yes, it's more commonly five inch off a destroyer nowadays - their really aren't too many true gun ships anymore.

Either way, why not just a little snake and nape. Close air support was designed for this type of action. WP was originally designed as a smoke round as it gives off a tremendous amount of smoke when it comes in contact with oxygen and burns, but to your point it is also commonly used as an antipersonnel round nowadays.

Dallas

D. Eden

Dum Vivimus, Vivamus

Pateint Zero

Not to state the obvious, but there is something else going on with the Queen besides the standard demon virus. First she incorporated some Angel DNA and now she has come back from the dead. A bullet in the head is a fairly good way of making sure, but not this time.

Studying her could be a way of changing the demons back to human, but she is definitely too dangerous. Incineration is the only way to make certain and I wouldn't trust the samples too far either.

Perhaps this morphing thing might be used against her, but Scott's suggestion is the best solution short of nuking her from orbit. :)

Hugs
Grover

At his point

Breanna Ramsey's picture

I don't think it would hurt to bury the ashes on holy ground and salt the earth either. Let's just play it safe and cover all the bases!

Bree

The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.
-- Tom Clancy

http://genomorph.tglibrary.com/ (Currently broken)
http://bree-ramsey314.livejournal.com/
Twitter: @genomorph

Possibility

Due to the nature of her taking in many forms of DNA the possibility is that the body was acting on one of the other strains. What most likely needs to happen is that an agent needs to be introduced into the body that will stabilize the DNA from further action thus allowing the host to stop mutating.

Ibi

Which Angel is going to die?

elrodw's picture

Given the standard Morpheus plot line, where one of the significant but not major characters bites the big one, I'm suspecting one or two Angels are going out in this battle. What then? Once it's all over, and the vaccine is released, does Monica end up with Gene? With the closeness of the sisterhood, and the depth of development of the characters, it'd be a tough one to off one of the gals. Maybe the colonel, or maybe Hannah before she can become an Angel. Offing Gene would be cruel to Monica, but might be done. One question is how the Senator dies. Clearly, it has to be the queen's doing. Does she have enough of Yavich's memories to still resent the hell out of what he caused to happen to her - essentially blaming him? And how to they 'toast' the queen? Again, with Morph's standard setup, it's got to be a significant and traumatic (from a character loss standpoint) and yet unpredictable ending to the battle. Time will tell.

And I still have problems with the 'suspension of disbelief' factor with the power of the virus vs. its abilities. Humanity would have been long-since screwed. Beyond that, however, it's an entertaining tale.

Future effects - suppose Monica does (or one of the other Angels) get a mate. When they have children, the fetus in utero would be exposed to mommy's Angel strain, but wouldn't have had a chance to be exposed to the vaccine strain. That would mean all babies the Angels have would themselves be Angels - and so on and so on. And if they had a tubal ligation, it would regenerate, so they can't do anything to 'fix' themselves. Angels in perpetuity - a self-sustaining sub-race of humanity.

Imagination is more important than knowledge
A. Einstein

Toss the Senator

I say throw the Senator at the Queen. Maybe she's just looking for a mate and will run off with him. The General on the other hand needs to stand trial. There's no way he should get away with shooting anyone like that!

Really great chapter Morpheus!

Oh, and napalm is out of the US military inventory as is Fuel Air Explosive (FAE). Still, a dozen small diameter bombs dropped from a Mud Hen (F-15E) would probably do the trick for the queen. After that I'd come in with gas and torches and burn every bit of organic matter just to be safe.

Cheers
Zapper

Lack of critical knowledge

"A moment later, the demon queen emerged from her dried out and shredded old skin. She looked different, though most of it was subtle. The scales that covered her body were a brighter shade of green, she’d grown a third set of arms, and her head had completely regrown. However, her face now looked less human and was pushed out to increase her resemblance to a snake."

Obviously Yavich, when human, never read The Evil Overlord List

34. I will not turn into a snake. It never helps.