I though I could end my little fantasy with this part and in a way I did. I took care of the antagonists but I left a lot of unanswered questions. So there is going to be an epilogue to tie up the lose ends including what happens with Abby. I hope you enjoy it. Remember it's not Shakespeare.
Partners Now and Forever
Part 4
Kermit stopped at what appeared to be a small grotto and waited a moment for Karen to catch up to him and then entered. At the back wall he stopped again and gripped a small ledge of rock just over his head. Then the wall in front of him moved to reveal a tunnel into the cliff. She wondered why they were heading underground to meet a helicopter but after a short walk down the tunnel
she had her answer. The helicopter was dropping down through a double door in the roof of a large man made cavern that they just entered. When the helicopter landed on its pad the huge doors began to come down to close the hole in the roof. Both of them were having a hard time standing as the wind from the propellers whipped though the cavern. Kermit pulled her back into the tunnel. All she could do was look at him with questioning eyes because nothing she said would have been heard over the noise. Soon the noise and wind died down and four people jumped out of the machine to the landing pad and headed towards them.
"What's wrong?" Was the first thing out of Kermit's mouth when they got close enough to hear him. "And why did you bring Todd?"
"What makes you think there is anything wrong?" asked Angel. "Maybe we were just in the neighborhood?"
"Don't get cute, Sis." warned Jim. "Remember that your time tables aren't always perfect. Jakarta! If Dad hadn't been there we'd be in jail right now. Striker!"
"Coming here? How did he find out about this place? Angelique Griffin!" said Kermit barely able to control his anger at his daughter.
With that out burst Angel pulled Peter in front of her to place a barrier between herself and her very angry father. "One minute Dad I can explain.
If I live long enough," she said peeking out from behind Peter, smiling at him.
Kermit just stood there shaking his head and putting his hands in his pockets. She had better have one hell of an explanation about what was going
on. Angel had been running around the world doing jobs for the Brethren for over ten years now. Thankfully he only had to rescue her a few times in that period. Usually she had been working with someone older and more experienced that was there to teach her how to survive and get the job done at the same time. Jim had reminded Kermit about the first assignment that she was in charge of. A local member of the Brethren had contacted him saying that the job was going wrong and that Angel needed her father. He had been on the next plane out with Karen covering for him at the precinct with a story about being on vacation looking at ruins. He had gotten there just in time to save Angel and Jim from an ambush set up by a local crooked captain of police. With his help they were able to finish their assignment of rescuing two Brethren from the captain's jail and proving to honest local cops that the captain was crooked.
While Angel filled in Kermit on what had happen at home, Todd walked over to see his mother. "How's the honeymoon going?" He asked more than a little nervous for he knew that the time had come for him to tell his mother what he knew.
"Why are you here Todd?" she asked not truly wanting to know the answer but also knowing that she had too.
"I'm part of this family and whatever kind of trouble it's in I'm part of too."
He stated. "Mother, I know just how much a part of this family I am."
She could say nothing. It came as to much of a shock. All she could do was pull back against the wall and sink to the floor.
"Mom! It's all right! I'm OK with it. To tell you the truth I kind of like it this way. For the first time in a long time I feel like I'm part of a family. I wouldn't trade my brother and sister for anything. My biological father isn't half bad either from what I've seen of him." comforted Todd as he knelt down beside her.
She just looked at him. There was still to many mixed emotions going through her mind to answer him. All she could do was put her arms around him while tears filled her eyes.
"Dad. Peter, Jim, and I can take care of welcoming our guests. I think Karen and Todd need you right now." Said Angel as she pointed to the scene behind him. "Dad, he knows!"
"No!" was all he could say as he walked over to his wife and their son.
By the time Kermit reached them Todd had pulled his mother to her feet still holding her as she softly cried. At first he had no idea what to do but Karen obvious need drew him to her. He reached out his hand and gently stroked her hair to tell her he was there. She looked up and reached out her hand for him to take. It was her way of telling him that she needed his comfort and support. The three of them just stood like that for some time letting the truth sink in.
"How did you find out?' Kermit asked the first to break the silence.
"From Gregory Simms. We don't have time for the whole story. Striker and the Black Widows are going to be here soon." said Todd.
With that statement Karen stopped crying and forced herself to become the police captain. "Striker and the Black Widows coming here? Why? How? Kermit you said that no one could find this place?"
"For revenge against Caine, Peter, and myself." stated Kermit. "Angel led them here to trap them."
"What is Angelique doing running this? She's just a private detective. It should be in the hands of the FBI or Intpol."
"Mom, she's a lot more than just a private detective. She's something called a Brethren Warrior and she runs an anti-terrorist agency for the President." Todd informed her.
"Kermit what the hell is he talking about and no more it can wait for later!?" demanded Karen looking at Kermit with a look of you been keeping too much to yourself.
"It just as Todd said. Angel is in the process of starting a company that will specialize in handling terrorist. The President is all for the idea. Why, will have to wait, we don't have enough time. Angel and us have two hours to neutralize Striker and his friends once they get to the island. If by then the FBI hasn't received a signal from us they come in with the coast guard and stop them from leaving the island. This is a test case for her company."
"She uses her family in a test case?"
"Mom she had no choice if she let the FBI or Intpol handle it he would have found out. I think you know what would have happened then?" Said Todd defending his sister's judgment.
"Yes. He would have gone after Striker alone and she thinks he wouldn't have come back. I think she is right we do have a better chance together than him alone." Agreed Karen.
"Well I guess we all in this together. What do you want me to call you?" Todd asked Kermit with a need in his voice and eyes that took a moment for Kermit to recognize.
"It's your choice not mine, but if your asking what I would like? It's Dad." sensing Todd's need for him to accept him as his son but not knowing quite how he knew.
"Then I guess its Dad," said the young man while reaching his hand out to the father he desperately wanted to know. Kermit took his hand but it wasn't enough he needed to hold him. He reached out and for the first time held his youngest son.
Karen watched this and her tears started again but this time they were for joy not for shame. She watched, as the two must important people in her life began the journey to becoming father and son. Kermit released Todd and looked at Karen with a smile and handed her his handkerchief. He was feeling the same joy that he saw in her eyes. Then he remembered that he had to tell her about Abby.
"Karen there is one more thing you should know. Striker tried to kidnap Abby. He didn't succeed and she's safe at my sister's with The Ancient and the police protecting them all." said Kermit as he once again took her hand.
She didn't say anything at first just stood there trying to take it all in as she held his hand. When she did speak it was one statement. "Lets get that bastard!"
"Welcome to the control room." Said Angel to Peter as they entered a door off the helicopter pad. Peter wondered if he had entered a filming of the new James Bond movie. The room looks like a scaled down version of NASA's mission control room right down to an electronic map of the world on the wall. One thing made it clear that NASA or the British Secret Service had nothing to do with this place. In one corner of the room was a life size statue of the Archangel Michael with a real sword and shied in his hands and before him was an altar. His Pop at the temple had taught him about the Brethren and their Warriors and how they would look for guidance from Saint Michael. The angel what had driven Lucifer out of heaven.
Angel and Jim sat down and began to boot up all the electronic gear. He watched as they ran thought systems check of the equipment and then began checking what all the surveillance cameras showed. He was sure that every square inch of the island and the cabin on it was covered. This island was a fortress and it protected more than Angel's meetings with her family.
"Angel this is quite a place. What are you hiding here?" asked Peter not sure if he would get an answer.
"Something your Grandfather would like to see." was the answer she gave him.
"Would you care to explain that statement?" was the reply.
"Matthew Caine used to search for lost religious treasures didn't he?" she answered him while she continued to check out the surveillance cameras.
"Yes." he said as he returned his attention to the statue and it's altar.
"Press the rose on the top of the altar and you will see what this place hides." she instructed.
He looked back at her then headed for the altar to find out the secret of the island. The Altar was made of carved white marble, as was the statue. On the top of it was a carved rose painted blood red with what looked like tear drops falling from it also painted the same blood red. He reached out and pressed down on the flower and the altar's top began to divide and move aside. It revealed a hollow space beneath with a folded red woolen cloth inside. Without thinking Peter reached for the cloth and a force hit his body that threw him across the room. He fell into a heap on the floor next to Angel.
"Didn't your Pop ever tell you to look, don't touch?" teased Angel as she helped him off the floor. She already knew that he wasn't hurt. What was in the altar would protect itself but it did it without harming.
"What is that thing?" asked Peter recovering from the shock.
"The Robe of Christ." said Jim returning to his monitors.
"You say that like it's the family china." stated Peter in amazement.
"The novelty wears off if it's been in your family for almost two thousand years. We are direct descendants of the Roman soldier who won it at the crucifixion. In realty he was a mercenary as all his first born male direct descendants have been." Said Jim still watching for Striker and his boats.
"Why do you look so amazed? Aren't you the man who started Kung Fu by going back in time four thousand years? To me that's more amazing than
a two thousand year old heirloom and a family business that gets passed down from father to son." Said Angel. As she watched the altar's top close.
"I told Todd not to look in any closets. I guess I should have taken my own advice." Said Peter as he dusted himself off. "Who closed that?"
"The same forces that watch over the Chalice." Said Angel.
"What hasn't The Ancient told you or was it Kermit?" asked Peter but he never received an answer for things started to happen.
"Jim, here they come!" said Angel with obvious excitement in her voice.
"I've got them too." agreed Jim. "Three lobster boats, they are separating and heading for the only three landing spots on the island. He's done his homework."
"Dad! Company is just about to arrive," said Angel in a microphone at her monitor. "We need the three of you in here now!"
"ETA of the first boat will be twenty minutes and then second five minutes after that and the last ten minutes later." read Jim from his computer monitor.
As Jim finished his statement Kermit, Todd and Karen hurried into the room. Both Karen and Todd were taken back with disbelieve, but knew there was no time for questions. That would have to wait for their guests to be taken care of. Kermit walked up behind his kids to check out the monitors for himself.
"The clock is running. We now have two hours to stop them or Griffin and Co. goes out the window and probably our lives with it. How much did you tell the FBI about this place?" Questioned Kermit. Looking at Angel.
"They think this is something you put together so you could see your kids without your enemies knowing that you had any and now it's for the company's use." Was her answer. "If they see the control room, my friend over there has already been explained. They think I'm Catholic and he's my favorite Saint."
"That's a good cover. As close as possible to the truth without telling too much." analyzed Kermit. "Good job. I like your plan for our visitors, too."
Angel heard the pride in her father voice as he agreed to her plan with a
squeeze of her shoulder. She got up from her seat and motioned for Todd to take her place at the controls. Once he was seated Jim began to show him how things worked.
"OK, gang it's time for the fun to begin." Though she tried to make it sound like a joke there was deadly seriousness in her tone. She opened a drawer in a cabinet next to the door and pulled out three headphone sets. She handed them to Peter and Jim and kept one for herself. There was no need to explain things to these people; they knew their jobs. Todd would monitor Jim, Peter, and Angel as they neutralized Striker's sentries and he would also keep them informed of what was going on in the cabin. Kermit and Karen were to be the bait to keep Striker's attention long enough to get him vulnerable. When the only enemy left was in the cabin they would attack.
"I have one question. How do we make sure that the sentries stay out of the way after we knock them out? We can't carry that much rope." Asked Peter "There's no way short of killing them."
"There's one way." Stated Angel while reaching into the drawer and throwing one of the items she had pulled out to Peter and another to Jim. "The handyman's secret weapon or in our case the mercenary's secret weapon."
"Duct tape!" was all Peter could say as Kermit laughed.
"It works, Peter. Trust me." assured Angel. "Todd if anything goes wrong you use this phone, pointing to the closest of two phones on Jim's monitor, and call the FBI. It's a direct line. Then you are to stay in this room until they get here. Just you alone can't help us. There are to many of them and we need to know that your safe."
Todd's expression showed he didn't like what his sister had said but his military school training had taught him to obey orders. Karen walked over to her son and hugged him and then waited for her husband to have a moment with his children. He squeezed Todd's shoulder and punched Jim in the arm but Angel would settle for nothing less than a hug.
"Captain we'll get out of this mess." said Peter to his ex-captain to reassure her. "We always do."
"I know." she said trying to act confident. "But why did it have to happen on my honeymoon?"
"If you didn't want things like this to happen you should have picked an accountant not an ex-mercenary to marry." teased Peter.
"And live my life in a rut. No way!" she rebutted him as she gave him a hug for luck.
"Get your hands off my wife, Peter Caine!" said Kermit pretending to be jealous. "Well it's time to be the bait, my love."
Kermit and Karen headed for a door next to the statue. It led to a set of stairs, which came out in the back of the closet in Angel's bedroom. Peter, Jim, and Angel headed back through the helicopter pad to the outside to start their campaign to neutralize the enemy. Todd sat alone in the control room and gave a
silent pray to the angel in the corner that he would look after his friend and family.
*
"Well I guess it's a good time to do the dishes." Said Karen once Kermit and her were back in the living room of the cabin. They had never gotten around to taking care of the aftermath of breakfast. Other things had taken precedent. Karen didn't like the position she was in and she need something to keep her mind off what was going to be happening soon. "Kermit, tell me the truth can we really handle this with just the six of us?"
"I think so." He said as he came up behind her and pulled her into his arms to reassure her. "Jim and Angel know this island, our opponents don't. Jim is an ex-air force officer and Angel as the same kind of training as Peter. I think you already know how good Peter is. So a little thing like an ambush is a piece of cake to the three of them. You and I have the hard job. We have to keep Striker and whoever is with him occupied long enough for the trio to get their job done."
"I know. They have to think we've alone on this island and helpless. Well I have one suggestion. Let's have them break in on us doing the dishes not in a compromising position."
"That sounds like a great idea to me. Just one thing." he said then turned her around in his arms and kissed her as if it might be their last kiss. Then he buttoned her blouse the way she usually wore it. "The kiss was for luck and I don't want Striker to get any ideas. Who washing?"
Peter, Jim, and Angel had divided up at the grotto entrance and each headed for one of the three beaches that the boats were landing at. Jim got the beach with the first landing. There was a dingy fill of men already there when he arrived. He laid in the dune grass like a cat waiting for it's prey and watched as the men deployed. There were six of them that headed out into the island's interior while a seventh headed the small dingy back to the lobster boat. They fanned out to cover as much ground as possible and the one at the far right was headed right for Jim. As the man walked past him, not suspecting his presence, Jim reached out and hit him in the knees with the stick he had in his hand. The prey fell on his face in agony but it was short lived for his captor brought the club down of the back of his head sending him to peaceful unconscious. Jim made sure that the others had seen nothing and then he tied his prey up with the duct tape using the grass as cover. Once this was done he headed for his next victim using the dune grass again for cover. Number two and number three were taken out with much the same method and just as easily. Jim hoped that Peter and Angel were doing as well.
Peter had the second landing spot. He waited crouched behind some boulders near the beach. His wait was not long for two of the six men that had gotten off the boat walked past him. Peter jumped up which got the men's attention. Before either of the men could react Peter had knocked them out with kicks to their heads. It took only moments to tie them up and hide them in a place between some boulders. Then he covered them up with a fallen pine tree. Now he had only four to take care off. He found his next victim leaning against a tree smoking a cigarette. A kick to the stomach and a chop to the neck took him out. Now only three to go.
Angel as always had to do things her own way. The beach that was the third landing place was in a cove that was hidden form the ocean. Which gave Angel the perfect location for her idea. When the boat landed she was waiting laying on a towel that she had grabbed from the copter. Her cane was buried just under the sand next to her. She could hear the men talking. One was saying that maybe this job was going to be fun after all. Then she felt a gun muzzle pushed into her left temple and someone told her to get up. Instant of getting up she grabbed the gun and through it and it's owner over her and into his companions. Then like a cobra she stuck with the cane that she had under buried. Three off the seven men where down from her first move. Two more soon joined them when she hit them on the side of their heads with the cane. Another got a kick between the legs and when he fell on his knees she hit the back of his head with her weapon. The fourth got a kick to the knee and then the head. By the time she had those four down the other three were up and one was still holding his gun but not for long. Angel knocked it out of his hands when she through one of his companions into him. With a few more well placed kicks with her feet and hits with her cane all the men were sleeping peacefully. Ten minutes later her victims were tied and put back in the boat. She then covered them with a tarp that she had found in it.
"Guys I'm heading back to the cabin." said Angel into the microphone she had just put back on.
"Wait a minute, are you trying to tell us that you took care of your boat load already?" Asked Peter torn between disbelief and embarrassment that she beat him.
"She should did!" Broke in Todd. "I watched the whole thing. They never knew that hit them. I got one question through. Why didn't you let one of them go back to the lobster boat? Their going to suspect something wrong when he doesn't show up."
"None of them were going back. Their job was to watch the back of the island for visitors or escapes. The bosses are on the other two boats. This cove is to far of a walk to the cabin."
"Angelique is your night job working for Physic Friends network? Asked Todd.
"Pure logic, Dr. Watson. Striker is a very good mercenary but he likes to act the part of a dictator. He won't walk any farther than he has too. I'll give odds that who ever is in charge of the Black Widows thinks just like him. Did any of the men you've dealt with have some form of communication device? None of mine did."
"Haven't seen anything yet and I've got only two to go." said Jim. "Angel one of these days someone is going to break that cane of yours."
"Then he or she is going wish they were never born. Todd from now on call me Angel. Angelique is the name I use for my private detective business, it sound more sophisticated. I guess that goes for you to Peter." Said Angel.
"I'm honored and no I haven't seen any. If anyone is interested?" Stated Peter feeling left out. "Angel, you controlled their minds didn't you?"
"OK Pretty Boy." teased Angel using Jim's nickname for Peter. "It's not mind control. I can keep people from thinking clearly. It's a lot of help when you're a woman alone fighting with seven men. And no I don't know how I do it, I just do. Peter, wouldn't the fact that their not it touch with their bosses lead you to believe that they're so confident that their using just a time table instead of communication to run this kidnapping."
"Oh Yeah!" replied Peter trying to sound like Kermit. "And I'd say that they are on their way to the island right now."
"Your right Peter." confirmed Todd checking the cameras covering the boats. "Angel is right, too. There is a boat leaving from both number one and two but nothing is happening on number three.
"Time for you two to finish up and join me outside the cabin. " ordered Angel. "Todd time to keep any eye on your parents. Keep your cool kid things might get rough. Your mother's a police captain and can handle herself. She doesn't need you getting yourself killed trying to protect her."
"I know my job!" was Todd angry reply.
"Say that when this is over with, kid," said Jim.
Karen had volunteered to wash the dishes and as she began to fill the sink she watched her man prepare for their company. He pulled open the drawer of the end table nearest the door and pulled out two matching Dessert Eagle handguns. He then made sure that they were in working order and then returned them to the drawer. Then he moved his green shades from the mantle to the same end table. Her mind wandered back to the party and her gift from Angelique and Jim. Most of the presents were elaborate jokes and this one wasn't an exception. It was a Desert Eagle handgun to match Kermit's. His present from them had been a pile of books on love, romance, and understanding women. Someone had asked him he was going to bring them along on the honeymoon for reference. Kermit jokingly replied yes and that she was going to bring her new gun along so he could show her how to use it. Then some how both presents had mysteriously showed up in their luggage. Now it looked like she was going to get her first lesson the hard way.
Kermit and Karen were just putting away the last of the dishes when the front door was kicked in. Two men walked in leveling semi-automatics at them and then they began to examine the cabin to make sure that their hostages were the only ones there. Once they were sure that all was safe one of the men headed back to the open door to tell who ever was waiting outside that all was well. Kermit held his tongue waiting to see what Striker first move would be. He had to keep in mind that they were not supposed to know of Striker's coming. Then Striker walked into the room with a woman Kermit knew he knew but just couldn't place.
"Kermit, I'm hurt that you didn't send me a invitation to the wedding." was Striker's opening line delivered with the sly grin he enjoyed wearing.
"Sorry, it was a small wedding." was his reply. Karen watched Kermit switch into mercenary mode as he walked toward the end table with his shades on them. One of the gunmen started to threaten him but his boss waved him off. Kermit grabbed the shades from the table and put them on. Now he was Kermit Griffin the mercenary! "If you had to break in on my honeymoon you could have at least brought a present."
"The same old Kermit. A smart comment for any occasion" sneaker Striker "I hear it was another of your quick weddings? Still going for blondes I see. You know your number four?" said Striker now turning his attention to Karen.
"Yes, Jack Lasher informed me. I'll tell you what I told him. I'm the last," said Karen with her arms crossed and a defiant look in her eye.
"Beautiful, brave, and I'll bet your intelligent too. Kermit what does a woman
like this see in a dispassionate computer geek like you?" inquired Striker.
"I have a thing for men who wear green glasses and treat their women like they do their guns." Karen said before Kermit had a chance to answer.
"And what is that last part supposed to mean?" asked Striker a little puzzled.
"With respect, well cared for, and kept close at all times." stated Karen with her sexiest voice.
With her last statement Kermit had all he could do to keep his jaw from hitting the floor. Then it he dawned on him maybe Karen could charm Striker a little too much and he might want her for himself. The picture of Striker forcing himself on her reopened an old wound. He had to get Striker's attention on him and off her now before their enemy became infatuated with her. But what happened next made him remember one of the reasons he was in love with her. Her ability to take care of herself.
"Really! I'm known for taking good care of my weapons and I can always buy a pair of green sunglasses." Said Striker trying to act seductive.
"Yes, but are you man enough to fulfill the rest of my needs?" said Karen doing her best to imply that his manhood was in question.
With that the mercenary slapped her face out of anger. Karen touched her cheek making sure she didn't telegraph her next move. Then to everyone's surprise she hit him with a right cross that sent him to the floor. That made Kermit move. He took a place between his wife and the mercenary now on the floor trying to shake the stars he was seeing.
"Striker get up off the floor! You should consider yourself lucky. The last
man she hit like that she broke his jaw." stated the mysterious woman that had
come in with the him. "Anyway I'm tired of your fun and games. Let's get down to business."
"How do you know that?" asked a very puzzled Karen.
"I find it's good practice to know the people I'm going to be doing business with." she began. "It makes it less likely that they can out maneuver me."
"And just what is your business and just who are you?" inquired Kermit a little
calmer now that for the moment Karen was safe from Striker.
"You don't recognize me, Kermit?" the woman said sounding hurt. "But we were so close, one could even use the word intimate. We also share two very important things and those things are part of the reason we're having this little meeting."
"No! Your dead!" Kermit exclaimed.
"You really think a couple of bumbling CIA agents could kill a Black Widow. Though I am forced to admit that they did get my little princess away and she had such potential. Then before I could get her back from them you with the help of your friends got to her first. Once again it took years to find her and then it was by accident. Some of my agents tried to kill a Brethren and was stopped by one of their warriors using a cane. They said she matched the computer-generated picture that they had been shown of my daughter. So I sent Latrodect to your fair city to bring her out into the open to save her father and her Shoalin teacher. Unfortunately Latrodect under estimated Kwai Chang Caine and you." was the tale spun by the leader of the Black Widows.
"Now things make more sense. I could never quite believe that I was an emotional conduit to Caine. You want to make Angel into what you are. With The Ancient and I out of the way she would have been both unprotected and emotionally vulnerable to you." Theorized Kermit.
"Close." said his ex-lover. "But you're wrong about one thing. I don't want her anymore. She has joined the enemy. I'm here to destroy her, the Griffin family and what this island has hidden for centuries."
"Destroy it!" Striker said in shock. "It's worth a fortune even if we can't prove what it is."
"My associates and I want it destroyed so that it can no longer be used to protect our enemies, the Brethren. As long as it and The Griffin exists we can never defeat them. Today the Black Widows with destroy that thing and all the direct descendants of the first Griffin. At this very moment, Kermit, my people are attacking the Gables and their orders are to leave no one alive."
"No!" screamed Karen as she tried to attack the woman but Kermit held her back. He knew that would only get Karen killed. They had to out think this enemy not attack and hope that who they left protecting Abby and his sister's family could stop the enemy at the Gables. His only option was to protect Todd and the Robe. He pulled Karen away from Belladonna and toward the mantle.
"Todd call the Gables!" Kermit yelled and then hit the rose caved on the mantle with the palm of his hand. The rose pushed in and things began to happen. The sounds of heavy metal doors sliding into place and then the clang of metal hitting metal as they sealed, came from beneath their feet.
"What have you done Kermit?' asked Belladonna in a very controlled manner.
"Stopping you the best way I can. Todd and the robe are sealed in a room and beyond your reach. Let me made it easy for you. When I hit that button the room their in was turned into a vault that is cut off from this island. It also warned the Brethren that the robe was endangered. Only they can open that vault and they'll be here soon. " Stated Kermit.
"You'll pay for that Kermit. I was going to kill you quickly and leave you here but not now. You are all going with Kermit and us your going to watch them all die very slowly and very painfully. Kermit your fate will be to live in a cell the rest of your life remembering how they died." She foretold. "I'll give you a small taste of what is going to happen once I get them to my home. Well my dear it seems no one is going to introduce us. My name is Belladonna Zenon. He was only a teenager when I knew him. I hope that he has gotten better with time, for your sake." She said as she pulled Karen free of her husband's arms. "Striker keep your gun on Kermit make use he doesn't move."
"Don't hurt her too much. I've got some ideas when it comes to her," he said with a leer while holding his gun to Kermit's head.
"Oh, I'm not going to hurt her. I just want some information from her." she informed him. Then she grabbed Karen's head with her hands and forced Karen to look right into her jet black eyes. Karen could feel her mind, her will being taken over my this evil woman. Karen knew what she wanted and she had no idea how to stop her. Her mind cried for help but it only got the maniacal laughter of her tormentor. Then Belladonna raped her mind of her memories of Kermit. She made her remember every moment of lovemaking that they had ever had. So the witch could satisfy her curiosity on what he was like as a lover now that he was a man. Then Belladonna let her go. Karen fell to the floor exhausted form the mental battle, wanting to cry because of pain and shame but refusing to give in. That would give to much satisfaction to her rapist.
Striker watched what happened between the two woman and forget to watch Kermit. This was what Kermit had been waiting for since the prison camp. His chance at Striker! He grabbed the gun but Striker fought him. They wrestled for control of the gun a moment then Kermit pulled the trigger. Striker fall to the floor shot in the stomach. Then Belladonna's two companions were on him before he had time to shoot her.
"Let him go!" she ordered. They released him and returned to their positions on either side of the door keeping the gun with them. No one cared that Striker was unconscious and bleeding on the floor.
Kermit knelt down beside Karen to make sure that she was physically unharmed but he could tell from her face that she didn't want his comfort. He knew instinctively that she had to fight this battle by herself to keep her dignity. All he could do was help her to her feet and make sure that he was there to back her up if she needed it.
"Belladonna what did you do to her!" asked Kermit with fury in his voice.
"I was curious about what kind of lover you've become, since you were so bad at sixteen." Was the answer she toyed with him with. "I must say Kermit you've improved with time, some of her memory are very erotic. This morning for example, ripping off her underwear. Kermit I didn't think you commanded that much passion. You never ripped anything off me."
"You never made me feel the way she does. She's more of a woman than you'll ever be." He said using the truth to take a stab at her. "The next time you want information like that rip it out of my mind and leave her along."
"Sir Kermit, knight in shining armor protecting his lady love from the wicked queen. How cute!" she taunted. "You get this straight I take what I want from who I want and you my tarnished knight can do nothing to stop me. I promise you this Sir Kermit she will be the last you watch die and she'll died hating you."
"That's the one thing you can't do, bitch! No matter what you do to me you'll never make me stop loving him. What ever happens to me will be your fault not his and nothing will make me forget that." said Karen with all the pride and determination she could muster.
"Kermit I must say you have taste. She's a spitfire. I never had someone who I mind raped before come back with such strength and courage. My dear I may not kill you after all. You could be fun to keep around for other pleasure," she thought out loud while smiling at Karen and inspecting her. "And making him watch would definitely add to the enjoyment."
Kermit at the moment could do nothing. It took all his training at dispassion to keep him from letting himself imagine what Belladonna had in mind for Karen and the others. One thing he had made up his mind about was that Belladonna or he would die on this island before he would let her harm anyone he cared about.
In the control room Todd had been watching what was going on in the cabin. At first he was unafraid and sometime amused by how his parents were handling their uninvited guests. That changed! Belladonna never said it openly but it was obvious that she knew they were there. They had been tricked here so she could get at the robe and kill them. But before Todd had time to relay the information to the others he heard Kermit's last order. Then watched as metal doors drop down to seal him in and then his monitors went blank. He tried to reach the others but communication was dead as well.
"Dad said call the Gables," said Todd to himself just to hear something other than the silence of the room. "That has to mean that the phones still work. Saint Michael with you standing over there and this damn silence it won't take long for me to think of this place as my tomb."
"Operator can I have information." said Todd into the phone overjoyed at hearing a dial tone and then a voice. He had remembered the number for information he just wanted to hear a voice that had nothing to do with what was going on in his life at this moment.
"Todd! Todd!" called Peter trying to contact his young friend but all he heard was silence. "Angel what has happen to Todd?"
"For some reason Dad has hit the panic button." stated Angel to lost in her own thoughts to answer coherently.
"What she means is that Dad sealed the control room. It's now a vault and Todd can't communicate with us and we can't communicate with him. They must know about us! That must be why it been so easy!"
"Well boss what do we do now?" asked Peter to Angel. "My suggestion is for you and me to hit them at the cabin now and leave Jim to back us up."
"Great minds think a like." joked Angel. "Jim find yourself a gun and keep any eye on the cabin."
Peter and Angel headed for the cabin from their location and Jim when to get the gun from his last victim. They were moving with patience and stealth in case there was more of the enemy around. Then a shot rang out and patience and stealth were forgotten.
Peter rounded a boulder and stopped in shock. On the path in front of him was his Pop. His form was ghostly transparent like smoke. Things were going from bad to worse or his Pop wouldn't be here.
"Pop tell me what to do." said Peter knowing he had no time for unimportant questions.
"Peter, you must stop Angel from killing her own mother." The ghostly form said with a voice that sounded like it was a long way off. "If she does that she will lose everything she as worked for and set herself on a path to become her mother. Her mother is a monster almost beyond help. Angel must try to help her even if she fails. Angel fears her dark side because in her heart she has always known what her mother was and that she somehow could become like her. You must show her that only her insecurity can make her stray into the darkness."
"How do I do that?' asked Peter.
"You will know when the time comes but you must first put aside your bickering with her." was the cryptic answer. "You fear having a friend that understands the Shoalin side of you. You lost everyone that was near your age and understood that part of you when the temple was destroyed. Now that you have found someone again you fear it will happen again. It is both your destinies to learn from each other." And with the statement the apparition vanished into the sunlight.
As his Pop vanished Peter had to consciously put aside his father's last words as he headed to the cabin to save his friend from her own mother.
Angel arrived at the cabin only moments after the shot rang out just in time to hear their female antagonist's plans for Karen. What kind of monster was this woman? Then Angel recognized her. That woman was her mother. Then the memories that she had buried for so long came to the surface. The strangers, the noises, people touching her, candles, smells, and mostly memories of being alone in a room for hours hungry and scared. She held her head as if to force the memories back inside again. Then the hate surfaced! At that moment she wished she carried a gun like her father so she could kill the monster and the memories with it. She didn't need a gun she would kill it with her own hands. Then she felt arms around her and her mind reached out to touch the mind of a friend.
Peter had came up behind her and sensed the pain she was in. His Pop was right as usual; he did know what to do. He walked up to her and held her. Then Angel took over. She didn't want to hate or kill but she needed someone's help to get past her pain. So when Peter touched her she reached for his mind and drew it into herself. Once their minds had joined Peter began to help her find the peace and joy inside herself that was being driven away by the hate. Then he reminded her of her own beliefs. She could face anything as long as she kept her faith in The Powers That Be. She was a Brethren Warrior taught to protect with out becoming the enemy. If she killed her mother because of hate and the need for revenge she would become her mother.
"Peter, I'm going to be OK," she softly said as she released his mind. "Thank you."
"I know." he replied. Then he kissed her temple softly and released his hold on her body. "Let's get those losers before they spot us. I've got the right."
"I guess I got the left. Ladies first." said Angel. Then headed for the doorjamb and knocked. When the guard on the left turned towards the open door she drove the head of her cane into his chin. He fell backwards into the room hitting his head hard on the end table.
The guard on the right turned and pointed his gun to shoot but Peter meditated and the gun grew hot in his hands. When the guard yelled and dropped the gun. Peter grabbed him and pulled him outside. Once outside the man tried to hit Peter but Peter blocked it with no trouble. Then with one hit to the jaw the guard hit the ground unconscious.
"Well it's been a long time, Mother, " said Angel as she walked into the cabin over the body of the man she had just knocked out. "I wish I could say I missed you but I didn't. I always knew you were a self centered bitch, but I made myself forget what kind of monster you are."
Belladonna had turned from Karen to her daughter as she entered the room. She had ignored the fight but Angel's presence was another matter. With the guard down and the witch's attention on Angel, Karen now could act. She grabbed for the end table drawer and her gun. Once it was in her hand she threw her arm around Belladonna's neck and pressed the gun muzzle against her temple.
"If anyone at the Gables are hurt because of you I'm going to rip your heart out and you can watch me feed it to the seagulls." said Karen with conviction.
"Spoken like a true Griffin." said Angel. Then she checked that her guard was still breathing and threw her roll of duct tape to her Dad. "Tie him up please while I take a look at Striker."
"Before you do that release Todd." Kermit ordered as he first headed for the bathroom and the first aid kit. Then he would get around to tying up the guard. He wasn't going anywhere soon. Angel obeyed her father by hitting the same rose on the mantle he had and once again their heard the scrapping of metal beneath their feet.
"Todd can you hear me?" asked Karen loudly.
"Yes! And it is good to hear and see you again!" said a relieved voice over a hidden speaker. "Everything is OK at the Gables. They were just taking Striker's people to jail when I called. It seem that the Ancient knew they were coming and the police were waiting for them."
"Thank God." Karen sighed in relief. "How are you doing?"
"Bored! But I've figured out what I want for a tomb stone." Joked Todd.
"I'll get it for on your next birthday, Son and you can use it for a statue for now." Joined in Kermit while he handed Angel the first aid kit and turned his attention to his other job.
"How did she open the vault, Kermit?" asked Belladonna still being held by Karen.
"I said that it would take a Brethren to open it. Angel is a Brethren." answered Kermit. "I wouldn't move Belladonna I think she would love a reason to shot and she can handle a gun very well."
"You didn't kill him Dad. Came close but no cigar." commented Angel as she started to bandage the still unconscious man. "The bullet is still in there but it just missed the vital organs. The FBI is bringing paramedics with th