Ragnarok

SIXTY

Gleipnir Facility, Fenris Kystby, Norway

4 November, 0200 Hrs

Asya Machtcenko couldn’t breathe. Something was crushing her windpipe. She fumbled a hand into one of the oversize pockets of her coat and her fingers grazed the plastic barrel of the flashlight. She had been going for the gun but couldn’t reach it. The light would have to do. She swung it up, trying to pummel her assailant. She struck something solid, but all she managed to do was switch on the light, which flashed over the walls as she continued to fight.

She struggled to get even a small breath in, but the arm clamped onto her tighter with the crushing power of a bulldozer. Then she heard a gruff whisper near her ear. “Turn that friggin’ thing off or I break your neck.”

Rook! She recognized his voice. She complied with his request, plunging the tunnel back into darkness. She still fought and struggled to break free from his powerful grasp. Her lungs were screaming at her now. She thrust her cranium back, smashing him in the bridge of his nose, and his grasp loosened, but he didn’t let go.

“Let go,” she hissed. “I am okay. I am not being controlled!”

Rook’s vice grip loosened, but didn’t let go.

“I nearly died in that pit,” he grumbled.

Asya could feel the back of her clothing soaking through. Rook was completely wet. He was also vibrating with anger.

“I was being controlled,” she whispered at him in the dark, “but I was still trying to help you.”

“You mean that little flashlight? Lotta good it did me down there.” His voice was petulant, but he let her go.

“Why did you not climb out? I did.”

“Up that brick wall? You must be Spider-Woman.” Now the man only sounded tired.

She paused a moment, in the dark. All she could hear was Rook breathing. “Then how did you get out of the pit, if not up the walls?”

“You wouldn’t friggin’ believe me if I told you. You’re sure you’re free and clear from the pheromones, now?”

“I came back to get you out. I have a rope and two guns.” She held out the pack. “Here, take one.”

The small LED flashlight she had given him lit up. Rook was covering the end of it with his hand, so it would only cast a dim red glow, but it was enough for her to see. He was soaked and covered in mud. She reached out to him, handing him one of the Walther pistols. He took it then doused the light.

“I had to fight the influence of these ‘pheromones.’ It comes from the energy ball-not from the creatures,” she told him as he expertly chambered a round in the Walther.

“The dire wolves,” Rook corrected.

“They are in the main room. Six of them. I had to pretend to be under the influence still. Walking like a hypnotized woman. Glassy eyes. They let me pass, but they still paid attention. We have to be careful. Do not get too close to the light ball. But if it gets you, you get very happy. You feel everything will be fine. The antidote is to get very angry. Frustrated.”

“Getting angry is rarely a problem for me. Where’s Queen?” There was a note of deep concern in Rook’s voice.

“I do not know. I have not seen her.”

“And Fossen?” Rook’s voice took on the glistening edge of a razor.

“I saw only four guards, in a security room. They are all dead now. I haven’t seen any of the people in lab coats for hours, but I saw them in the security feeds, sleeping in beds. Also, one of the doors to the outside was open. Perhaps we should just get out of here.”

“That open door was me coming back inside,” Rook said. “Listen, you already figured out that Stanislav was not my real name. Queen and I are a part of an American military team. We deal with this kind of stuff. Evil nutjobs like Fossen. Weird crap like the dire wolves. It’s all part of the job. I don’t know exactly what’s coming through that portal out there, but Fossen believes it will destroy the entire planet. We’ve got to stay and try to stop him.”

“I understand, but what can you do?”

“There’s a big machine around that glowing monster testicle. I’m gonna smash the crap out of it and hope that turns it off.”

“Eloquent plan,” Asya said, sounding unsure.

“What can I say,” Rook added. “I’m the brains of the outfit.”

He moved back to the light and Asya followed him, pulling the second gun from her other pocket and chambering it. When Rook reached the lit end of the tunnel, he moved against the left wall, shielding him from the view of any dire wolves that might still be in the massive portal chamber.

Rook held the gun up near his face and looked back at Asya. “On three, we jump out and if there’s any of the dire wolves, we shoot them in the heads. Besides holding me hostage, you ever fire a gun before?”

She nodded. “I was in the army a long time ago.”

“Okay. In the heads, remember. You said there were six, right?” She nodded again, holding her own pistol at the ready. “Right. One, two…

“…three.”

Rook leapt out from behind cover and Asya followed, but neither of them fired a shot. “Aww. Son-of-a-”

Thirty dire wolves turned toward him. Eirek Fossen stood at the center of the pack. He stood calmly and the beasts around him held a relaxed posture.

“Stanislav,” Fossen said with a nod of greeting. “I’m afraid this is where we part ways. For good.” He backed away toward the portal. “The time for my ascension has come.” He raised his hands out to either side, making him look like Jesus on the cross. Even tilted his head to the side a little. Then he stepped back into the light. As the glow wrapped around his face, he grinned and said, “Kill them.”

Then he was gone, transported to another world.

The demeanor of every creature in the room shifted from docile to hostile in a second. Moving as one, they rushed toward Rook and Asya, some running on two legs. Others loping on all four. Each and every one of them out for blood.