Part 11 (1/2)

”Doctors say another week and he can leave the hospital.”

”Then, we'll see.”

”What do you mean? I thought you said that we're going to put them on trial.”

”Maybe not,” John said, waving to the crowd outside, ”There's been a change of plans.” John tapped his temple with his forefinger.

Nikolas, the Rebels, and a few guards ran along the corridor. The door to Alex's room was already opened. Daniel stood next to the Falsifier, where he lay on his bed. Nikolas said, ”It can't be.”

”It is,” said Daniel. ”So much for your Falsifier. He's dead, father. Dead!”

”But he is is the Falsifier,” cried Nikolas. ”Wait! Get some blood samples done. Now!” The guards scurried off to the elevator. Nikolas shook Alex's body furiously, ”Alex. Alex! Get up! Get up!” He took his body and grabbed him around the collar and slapped him. There was no response. the Falsifier,” cried Nikolas. ”Wait! Get some blood samples done. Now!” The guards scurried off to the elevator. Nikolas shook Alex's body furiously, ”Alex. Alex! Get up! Get up!” He took his body and grabbed him around the collar and slapped him. There was no response.

”How did this happen?” Daniel asked.

”Sir,” One of the guards said, ”He was...” the guard paused, wondering how he should say this.

”What? He was what? Tell us, d.a.m.n it! What the h.e.l.l was he doing?”

”It was about fifteen minutes ago that he was stirring from his sleep. We could hear screams, curses in the ancient dialect coming from inside and then a large burst of energy. The camera footage shows him transforming.”

”Transforming? Into what?”

”We couldn't see that. He began to convulse, calling out, 'Uncle John! Uncle John!' Then he collapsed.”

The scientists arrived and Daniel turned to speak to them. ”Find out what's wrong and what we can do.”

One scientist p.r.i.c.ked Alex's skin and took a blood sample. The wound should have healed immediately but it didn't, instead dripping ounce by ounce. He put a few drops of blood into a small tube which was inserted into a blood monitoring system. ”The cells in his blood are still moving,” he said. ”His vampirism is still evident but it's very faint.

We will need a transfusion from another vampire if there is to be any hope of reviving him.”

”I'm ready to give it,” Daniel said, folding up his sleeve. Nikolas was surprised.

”No, wait!” Nikolas stopped him. ”Don't infect him with your blood. There is only one blood that can save him.”

”Which?” Daniel asked.

”Who else's but his originator?” Nikolas said.

”You mean...” Daniel didn't say anything. No one yet knew that Aidan was the Falsifier's father.

Nick just gave an abrupt nod.

”We will have to meet the Council for this,” Daniel concluded.

”We can't tell the Council.” Nikolas said. ”They will be furious. You know that.”

”What's going on here?” They all turned to see Erik walk in. He was not to be informed, but had obviously found out. ”Is it true? The Falsifier, dead?” Erik laughed. ”You're dead as well, Daniel.”

To everyone's surprise, Daniel leaned back and punched Erik in the face. Blood flowed from his nostrils. ”You're laughing at this?” yelled Daniel. ”Are you insane? This is the Falsifier we're talking about.”

”How dare you!” Erik spat with vehemence. ”Now the Council will surely hear of this!” He stormed out and got back into the elevator.

”Somebody stop him!” Daniel said, ”He must not tell the Council what has transpired here.” He sent four guards after Erik and told one of them to send a message to Mikhail to stop the regent. ”This is...so frustrating. I hate that guy!” he cursed.

”Now the only thing we can do is get the blood,” Nikolas said.

”Guards, everyone, leave us,” Daniel said, and everyone left. ”Not the Rebels. You stay here.”

”Aidan's blood is essential,” Nikolas said. ”That is the only blood that can save him.”

”No it's not,” said Gavin. ”Listen, this isn't the only solution.”

”He's right,” said Varenkoff.

”There's the ritual, the technique,” Joqetu said.

”No!” Nikolas shook his head. ”That's a grave risk. You know that. Besides, not all of us have that sort of energy. It's not been used for the last twenty years or so. I'm sure everyone's forgotten it.”

”You mean,” Daniel said slowly, ”the Resurrection technique. The one given to Christ?”

”Yes,” Gavin said.

”But it's illegal,” said Daniel, ”Anaxagoras has forbidden it.”

”How does it matter?” Nikolas said. ”We're not working for Anaxagoras anymore. Remember?”

”Right,” Daniel said, ”but like you said, it will take time and energy.”

”Do you remember the technique?” Nikolas asked.

Daniel shook his head and squatted down to get a closer look at Alex.

Nikolas said, ”Neither do I.”

”It's not you memory that's failed, it's Anaxagoras,” Daniel corrected. ”He has taken away all knowledge from our minds so that no one else would learn it, and it wouldn't fall into the wrong hands. You know that.”

”How can I forget? We were not allowed that information after the Rebellion. But, that does not mean we can't try.”

”Try? How the h.e.l.l can we try when don't know one word of the incantation?” Daniel said, getting up and looking at his father.

”There's still a way.” Nikolas smiled. ”The Vatican.”

”But that has restricted access. Only Council members and government officials can go there.”

”Exactly,” Nikolas's smile widened.

Central Headquarters was off-limits for press and those who were not in the Senate or Supreme Court. A large crowd gathered at the main building and at Central Square, where the ceremony was to take place. Never before had people been so ecstatic about a man coming to power. Even though John knew the position was temporary, he was happy. But at the same time, his mouth was dry and his heart rate quickened with anxiety. The sound of celebration and press rang in his ears as they followed him. He shook hands, kissed cheeks, waved, and smiled.

John and Richard strode inside the building. To their surprise, they were greeted with mirth and laughter by the Senate, the Supreme Justices, and the Munic.i.p.al officials. ”Well done, you both!” said Justice Herbert K. Marks, an African American man in his late sixties. Herbert was a jolly figure with his white walrus mustache and wide grinning mouth. He effortlessly projected a happy vibe onto all around him. He had always been supportive of John Howe and was one of the first people who nominated him as the then de facto and eventual elected Leader of the Council. While shaking John's hand, he whispered into his ear. ”You definitely are the right choice. That idiot, Jarad, is nothing but a two-faced liar.”