Now that
the heroes had claimed two of the lost artifacts, they took advantage of rest
time. The indicator could go off at any moment, so time was precious. Sandstorm
decided to ask questions of Dr. Vampire that he’d always been curious about.
“So you really
are a vampire?”
“Yes I am,”
Dr. Vampire answered.
“So you
drink people’s blood and turn into a bat or wolf?”
Dr. Vampire
chuckled, “I drink the blood of an alien creature from a distant planet. It
sustains me more than anything on Earth could. I’ve never changed into any
animal. I can become intangible and use some limited hypnosis. But I am a
vampire and I do have a scale of evil within me that I must control. If I
don’t, I reduce myself to a feral state. It’s quite dangerous.”
“How do you
control it?”
“I have
help. Dreamseer can help me if needs be. My team knows what to do.”
“That’s
very interesting. Sorry if I’m out of line.”
“Not at
all. I don’t mind curiosity, Sandstorm. Curiosity is part of what led me to
become a doctor.”
“What are
you a doctor of?” Sandstorm couldn’t contain his own curiosity at this point.
“Exobiology,
paranormal sciences, parahuman abilities, and I’m a surgeon.”
“I don’t
think I understand all that, but it sounds impressive.”
“It helps
me get the job done,” Dr. Vampire shrugged.
“So, do
vampires really pass on their traits by biting people?”
“They can.
I can. But I won’t. There are two kinds of vampires that require blood. There
are inherited types, born as vampires and those who are turned into them. I was
turned by Dracula himself.”
“No way.”
“Yes. He’s
real and commands a fleet of starships.”
“Dracula is
an alien?”
“Naturally.
They came to our world long, long ago and found humans to be superstitious and
quite tasty. They didn’t want to attract more otherworldly attention so several
established themselves here and fed off of the people. They developed rules in
order to keep their cover. Rules like having to go somewhere else after getting
a stake in the heart or being tricked into sunlight.”
“Those
things don’t kill a vampire?”
“No they
don’t. But they needed man to stay superstitious and fearful as much as
possible. So there was some give and take. Most were too afraid to look close
enough to see that the vampire just changed location and maybe even their looks
a little. A stake through the heart is about worthless with their level of
regeneration.”
“What a
unique history lesson, Doctor.”
“Indeed.”
*****
Anubis and Nightfall went to the rooftop.
“I thought
you were dead, twice now. I don’t know what I’d do if someone else died near me
like that. Especially if I couldn’t bring them back the way I did.”
“You know,
all the danger is part of the job.”
“Well,
maybe you could help Commander Larratus?”
“Oh and
just be his secretary?”
Anubis
thought fast, “No. No, I don’t mean that. I just worry is all. I like you.”
“I like you
too, Jackal Boy, but I am going to do my job. I’m sure with you there to
protect me, I’ll be just fine.”
“Yeah, you
got that right.”
*****
In the break room, Atomizer sat
down across from Dreamseer with his salami sandwich. The Elven woman opened up
a parcel that contained green looking brownie-like items.
“What are
those?” he asked.
“You
probably couldn’t pronounce their Elven names but they are what you might call
brownies or cakes made with plant proteins. I’m vegetarian.”
“Oh,”
Atomizer looked down at his meat sandwich, “Oh, um, okay, I hope you don’t
mind…”
She leaned
forward a little, “Why no, I don’t mind if you eat my friends.”
Atomizer
stammered and suddenly couldn’t form any words.
Dreamseer
laughed, “Oh relax! I’m just messing with you. It’s just so funny how people
get so sensitive because of my diet.”
“Oh yeah,
well you had me going there.” Atomizer took a healthy bite and Dreamseer stared
at him blankly for a moment before she burst out laughing again.
“Ah, you
got me again,” he shook his head. “So is there a mister?”
“No, I
don’t have a husband or boyfriend,” she smiled, “But, I’m sorry, I don’t date
humans.”
Atomizer
nodded still feeling very awkward and she laughed again.
“You just
got me again didn’t you?”
“Yes, I’m
sorry, I’m picking on you but I don’t mean ill of you. You’re funny.”
“So you do
date humans?” he smiled.
“I have in
the past,” she smiled back.
“Far out, well, maybe when this is
over you’d like to get a drink somewhere? I mean, it’s the least you could do
for ribbing me here isn’t it?”
“You think
I owe you a date? Is this how you pick up human women?”
“Is it
working?”
“Maybe,”
she smiled mischievously and finished her cakes.
*****
In another
area of the building Traveler spoke with Lonestar.
“I could
really be of more use if I were on a mission or two directly,” she held out her
staff and it ignited into mystical flames. She watched them dance across its
surface.
“You know
if something happens to you we’re stuck. I’m sure you’ll get to hit someone or
something with that stick of yours before this is all done.”
“It’s the
fire staff of the Lord High Druid.”
“Well, it’s
just a burning stick to me, but it is a powerful burning stick. I’ll give it
that.”
She
commanded the flame go out. “Well, it’s really boring sitting around here
listening to that Commander Larratus guy go on and on. He never stops
complaining and he’s really abrasive.”
“You’ve put
up with worse. Come on, you trust the Doc right?”
“Of course
I do.”
“Okay then,
let’s just do our jobs and make right in the universe. Let’s get these
artifacts back to the museum and call it a day.”
“I know.
You’re right.”
Back in the
conference room the indicator beeped to life. Two more artifacts were active.
It was time to split up again.
Feel like you're missing something? GZ Legends 1-10
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