~ The Summit-Conclusion ~

~ The Summit - Conclusion ~

The Summit after party in the dining hall was winding down. Debbie, Jimmy, and the dwarfish Majordomo of the Underground Summit Sanctuary had finished off 2 bottles of Woodford Reserve, while Sasquatch Chieftain Custos and Malachi, Steward for the Alien race of Errans, were still working on a greasy hindquarter of roasted venison. As the attendees filtered out, many stopped by to offer Debbie, the Erran Comista of Earth, their fidelity or disdain, depending on the species, race or creed of their affiliates.

Jimmy was asking Debbie a question about Shewuma’s new status but her attention was fixed on a group sitting together, conversing across the room. It consisted of: Lilith, Director of the USSF. Lucuis, Summit Steward for the Clan of Giants. Lilith’s son Gerard and a battle scarred Ebone that Lilith called Cisor.

Lilith was doing most of the talking. “…And Shewuma has always slept her way to the top. With Enoch she sought power. She let this Mantid Freak bang her for his Stewardship and his wealth.”

“And what of her dalliance with the Comista, Mum?”

“Yes, Gerard.” Lilith replied deadpan. “The fabled Comista of Earth. That shrew is nothing but trouble. Shewuma is fucking her and the Callan Breed strictly for fame. Or Notoriety, depending on your bent.” Lilith noticed Debbie watching her intently from a distance and they locked eyes. “Are you reading my lips as I describe your Indian whore?”

That did it. Debbie was up and striding with determination across the room before anyone knew what was happening. Lilith reacted and they were face to face in seconds. Gerard stepped between them. “Comista, Mum no. It is forbidden at a Summit.”

Lilith barked, “Shut up Gerard!” And pushed him aside.

Recognition dawned in Debbie’s face. “Gerard? I know you. I’ve seen your face in Charlie Sue’s subconscious.”

His eyebrows went up in approval. “I miss Charlie Sue,” He mouthed.

Debbie understood and shook her finger at Lilith. “You! You’re the one who sent her into my home. Sent her to seduce my son, Dermott. To spy on us!”

“That redheaded aberration is not your son.”

“Fuck you. And what you put Charlie Sue through was disgusting…hideous! Well you’ve lost her. She’s with us now.”

“Are you sure about that? She might yet surprise you.” Lilith clenched her fist and extended it, preparing a psychic attack. Perhaps an excruciating pain to the heart was in order.

Debbie squared off into her MMA Muay Thai fighting stance. “This has been a long time coming.” She glanced at Lilith’s turning fist and smirked. “That bullshit doesn’t work on me.”

Lilith circled her arms and leaned back into a traditional Kung Fu attack pose. “Even better, Bitch.”

Lucuis stepped forward. “NO!” Both women hesitated. It was true. They would basically be breaking every rule in the Treaty to fight at a Summit. They held back, albeit reluctantly.

“Fine Lucuis. I have a better idea. The Comista's body is chock full of computer chips and AI. Touch her and show her your little secret.”

“I like you’re thinking Lilith.” As he reached out, a flying dining hall chair struck him harshly in the face driving him back 2 steps and into their Ebone accomplice.

Then Jimmy was there blocking him. “I don’t give a shit about your Summit rules big boy. Touch my wife and you die.”

Lucuis stood tall, his 9 feet towering over Jimmy’s 5 foot 11 inch frame and hissed, “Oh. You’re a tough guy are you?”

“Yeah, Asshole. Ask your brother how tough I am.”

Lucuis desperately wanted to teach this Hybrid peon a lesson about respect but he hesitated. If this warrior was one of the two Hybrids that killed Bemoth? Also there was the 8 foot snarling, ominous Custos who had appeared at Jimmy’s flank to consider. Sasquatch were savage and unpredictable. He was a Steward after all and rules were rules.

Lilith openly taunted Lucuis. “You’re afraid of the big monkey and a breed? Are you a Si-Te-Cah or a coward?”

Lucuis was stunned that she would mock him openly in public. He would take care of her audacity later. But he had to respond. A curious crowd including many influential Stewards had formed, watching the show play out. Rules or no, his reputation was at risk. A strategy formed in his mind. With hand signals in their battle language he subtly told Cisor to distract the Hybrid while he took out the Sasquatch, when unexpectedly…!

Shewuma, the newly ordained Lord of this subterranean realm materialized between them in all of her Native American glory, brandishing a Hopi Tomahawk in one hand and a Viking Sword in the other.

“CEASE THIS!”

“I will not allow this irreverence of our Treaty. Anyone wishing to fight will fight me.”

Still primed for bloodshed, Lilith answered, “Debbie and I have business Shewuma.”

With breathtaking speed, Shewuma sheathed both weapons simultaneously, causing everyone to flinch. “Yes Lilith. As do we. But not here and not now.”

Gerard touched her arm. “Let’s go Mum. This is not the time.”

Lilith batted his hand and growled her frustration. Then turned and harrumphed away, belittling the males in the process. As the motley foursome exited the dining hall, Jimmy in all seriousness observed, “I think that’s what they mean by a Karen. What a bitch, they might as well be married.”

The three broke into tension releasing laughter. Debbie and Wu kissed and then hugged. Wu took Custos hand and thanked him.

“Always at your service, White Bird.”

Shewuma looked at Jimmy hesitantly. Debbie seemed fine but Jimmy had to be upset. Had to have questions, misgivings about her recent behavior. Jimmy half-smiled and pulled her into a hug. She clung to him with relief. “I love you,” she whispered.

“Me to,” He murmured in her ear. But she didn’t have to hear it. Her empathic sensitivity could feel it surging from him. Not knowing the what or why of the last 24 hours, Jimmy could only have perceived her actions as bizarre and an audacious abuse of his trust. Yet he accepted it. If their relationship could withstand this, they could survive anything.

Debbie put a hand on each shoulder. “Let’s get a drink, kids. I’m buying. Majordomo, we need liquor and I’ll wager that Custos is still hungry.”

Custos was back at work, devouring his hindquarter of venison. Joined by Jimmy, Shewuma and the Majordomo, Debbie raised her shot of Pinnacle Vodka. “Here’s to those who love us well and those who don’t can go to hell.” Chewing a mouthful of meat, Custos grunted his approval along with shouts of, “Here-Here, A la tienne, and Right On.”

While pouring refills, Debbie looked around. “Where is Malachi?”

To an approving yap from Custos and an exasperated sigh from Debbie, Jimmy replied, “He’s trying to hit on that Australian girl.”

Wu downed her shot. “Rikki Mabarn. We need to talk about her Debs. She is a Consecrate.”

“A what?” Asked Jimmy.

To his annoyance Debbie gave him the hand of silence. “Wu, is this concerning your new obsession that Custos told me about?”

Jimmy ignored her and directed to Wu, “I thought consecrate was a verb.”

Wu smiled. “It is, Jims. But it’s also what Mam calls a person that he reads as what you would call a player.” Then to Debbie, “It’s not an obsession Spunky. Think of it more as my new vocation.”

Jimmy interrupted. “What is Mam?”

“Mamtodia? The Mantid Alien?”

“He’s dead Wu.”

Debbie reached for her hand. “He’s still with you, Baby?”

Wu put her finger to her forehead. “His memories are here.” Then patted her womb. “His essence is here.”

Jimmy grunted concern. “That’s a little creepy Wu.”

Debbie defended her. “Jim, easy. Show some sensitivity. Carrying someone else’s memories is hard enough as it is. She doesn’t need you ragging on her. Explain, Wu.”

“Sorry Wu. I didn’t mean anything.”

“It’s okay Jimsi. You’re still with me. That is what matters. Are you sure you want to do this now, Debbie?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Mam and Enoch did not know the why or how, but both agreed that you would lose your Sight. Without it you are inordinately vulnerable to deception, traitors, corruption. Portis, Wisty, Charlie Sue, are all good examples. All the while missing the potential benefits, opportunities and future champions you will need to fight the war. You need someone with the ability to watch your back. There is a power growing in the Middle East and it’s coming, Deb. A final battle. An Apocalypse Mam calls it. Armageddon according to Enoch. The Drachs and the Greys are aligning against us. The other Alien factions will sit this one out. We need allies faithful to our cause, righteous soldiers, holy warriors, devout leaders like Custos, beloved of their fighters. The chosen ones. The Consecrates.”

“If we hope to win.” Debbie murmured.

“If we and Humanity even hope to survive.”

Debbie spoke low. “Like Rikki Mabarn?”

“Yes. Exactly like her. Mam and Enoch created me to find them. Much as they created you to lead them.”

“How will you do it. How can you identify the Consecrates?”

“Similar to how you and the Greys read DNA. You study and dissect it. It tells you gender, origins, inherited traits and biological insights. With Mam inside me, my empathic senses and ability to see auras have merged and have taken reading people to its highest level. The aura is a fingerprint of the spirit, a map of a person’s existence. Now I am able to feel it as well as see it. It tells me their faults and weaknesses. It opens the soul. I know their strength, I feel their power. I know if they are trustworthy or traitorous. Good or Evil. I can identify threats while we build your army.”

“What’s your read on Lilith and her group? Like I don’t know.”

“Lilith and Lucuis are your mortal enemies. The Ebone is an assassin. You will see him again and soon I’d wager. Surprisingly, Gerard is a good man. But he’s been twisted, he’s confused, on the fence. Lilith is his Mother after all. And it’s only because of me that she hates you.”

“Yes. Enoch’s memories have explained all about the history between the three of you. It broke his heart to see what she has become. He felt responsible.”

“Wait,” Jimmy interrupted. “How could Lilith be that old guy’s mother?”

Wu smiled. “Jim. Lilith is an Immortal.”

“Ohhh...”

Debbie looked soulfully at Custos, Wu and Jimmy, each in turn. “Looks like we have a long way to go and a short time to get there.”

Wu smiled. “Isn’t that a song?”

Jimmy chuckled. “Even better. It’s a country song.”

Wu saw the concern in Debbie’s face. “What’s wrong Dibs?”

“What Lilith said about Charlie Sue is sticking in my craw. Is there a way to get an outside line in here? I want to check on the kids.”

“Sure.” Wu bumped the Majordomo’s shoulder. “Shorty. Go turn off the Wave Particle Oscillator.”

“On pain of death, my Master Mamtodia proclaimed that his lair must never be compromised by the outer world. I am sorry. Mistress. I cannot.”

“Fine, Shorty. Looks like no more Kirsh for you.”

He stood flustered. “Perhaps I misinterpreted his intent. It shall be done post haste, Mistress.” Then dashed off, his luggage cart in tow.

“Kirsh, White Bird?” Garbled Custos, his mouth full.

“It’s mitochondrial DNA from Human skin cells. Rinders ingest it. It gets them high.”

Jimmy was confused. “In the Bloworld, Kirsh meant the person who sold his skin to the Rinders.”

Debbie explained. “Kirsh means all of that. It’s the dealer, the skin itself, the act of getting high when ingesting it. Like the word Xerox.”

“Xerox? You mean the computer company?” Jimmy was oblivious to her reference.

Wu chided him. “Your such a youngster, Jimbo. In the 60’s and 70’s, Xerox meant the Company. But it also meant the machine doing the copying, the copy itself, the act of copying...”

“Okay Wu. I get it.”

Wu turned back to Custos. “Anyway Custos, that’s how we pay him. With Kirsh.”

Debbie felt the communication shield receding. As the suppressing fog in her brain cleared, Debbie’s mind was completely overrun with a collage of telepathic alarms, warnings and pleas for help. Knocking the chair back to the floor, she stood all at once, projecting the explosion of atrocities that had been desperately trying to get through to her. Jimmy and Wu were instantly by her side. Wu was right. She saw none of it coming. The Sight was gone. Her face a mask of devastation and so overcome with anguish she could barely speak, Debbie whispered, “So much loss.”

Wu took her hand. “Debbie what?”

Debbie’s face hardened. Telepathically and verbally, the Comista of Earth took charge. “Malachi! Here! Now! Jimmy, get our things and meet me top side at the air strip.” She gave Wu her keys. “Wu, drive Miss Interceptor back as soon as you can leave here. The Fortalice has been attacked, the security cameras are down, the Blue Crystal Skull Computers are in emergency shutdown and no one on the grounds is responding. LETS MOVE PEOPLE!”

**********

Jimmy and Debbie stood on the Helicopter pad holding two suitcases in the blaringly hot Arizona sunshine. If the Summit had a worst case scenario, this was it. They surveyed the stunning surrounding panorama of mountains and plateaus watching for the private helicopter that Debbie had summoned online with the Cric (Alien Computer Chip) in her brain. It would transport them to Phoenix airport where she had a chartered jet waiting to take them back home.

Jimmy spotted a speck in the distance. “There Debs, a chopper.” She was in full boss mode but he could sense how troubled she was. “Don’t worry, Babe. We’ll get home and sort this out…” his voice faded into the background as her Cric flashed a red alert and she pulled in her time sense, slowing the world to a snail’s pace.

“Comista! Sniper, southeast, .308 shell from a Remington 700 rifle incoming at 3,012 feet per second. Target, your nose.” Debbie tilted her head left and leaned her body into it. The bullet whizzed by her ear and raised a poof a dust as it buried in the ground behind her. “Second bullet incoming, Comista. Target, Jimmy’s chest.” In her eyes he was moving in slow motion and just reacting to the sound of the first bullet. Debbie grabbed his Spiderman t-shirt and snatched him to the side allowing the second bullet to bury in the dirt as well. The Cric backtracked the trajectory. She magnified the range of her sight to maximum. There he was, almost a mile away on the Plateau. The Ebone named Cisor. Lilith’s associate. Wu pegged him all right. She snapped herself back to real time.

Jimmy was right back on his feet, Katana and .45 Glock drawn, scanning the vista. “A sniper, Debs? Where is he, I’ll go get him.”

“No need Jim. Look “ She touched his arm so he could see through her eyes.

On the far ridge. Custos lifted the would-be assassin over his head and threw him, smashing his body on the rocks below. Custos picked up the sniper rifle and turned it over in his hands, examining it. Then snapped it in half and tossed it. Jimmy could feel Custos looking at them. Custos waved his arm high and slow. Then turned and loped over the rocks and out of sight.

“I love that guy.” Jimmy didn’t think Debbie could surprise him anymore since her transformation. Boy was he wrong. “Debs. That would have hit me wouldn’t it? You saved me.” He pulled her into a hug of both gratitude and relief. “How?”

“Wu offered to coach you last year. You brushed her off and called it hocus pocus.”

“I remember. Grandaddy always said a hard head makes a soft ass. Right?” Over the din of the landing chopper he declared, “Teach me the hocus pocus, Obi-Wan.”

She couldn’t help but smile.

The ride to the airport was short and a chartered Cessna Citation was waiting for them. Within minutes the Jet was leaving Phoenix. An efficiently attractive flight attendant appeared. With a saucy wink she told Debbie, “You may unbuckle your seat belts. If you need anything, Ma’am. Anything at all, I am available. For you and your friend.”

Debbie brushed off the flirting posture and blatant proposition. She was in no mood. “No thank you. We’re good for now.”

Jimmy watched the stewardess walk away wantonly shaking her ass, then spun his luxurious box seat to face Debbie. “She has the raging hots for you, Babe. Probably never seen an Erran Comista before. So what’s the plan when we get home?”

“Camp Perry has already dispatched a CIA recovery team to the Fortalice.”

“How in the hell did you manage that?”

“I have a deal with the base Commander. Dermott takes the odd remote viewing contract with them and I give him 30 Pico seconds of calculations a month on my Crystal Computers. In return, they stopped spying on us and keep an eye on the house. I’ve rented two SUV’s at the Newport News Airport.” Debbie paused while she wiped her eyes. Was she crying?

“Debs…”

“No, Babe. Listen. The compound is still completely silent. But the team has arrived on scene. Bodies are being collected and sent to the Base morgue. Survivors are being air lifted to the Riverside trauma center. When we get there, you go to the hospital. I’m going straight to the vault and check on the Blue Crystal Skulls.”

Jimmy leaned towards her. Bodies, survivors, the Skulls out of commission? At a loss for words of comfort, he merely took her hand and kissed it. They would get through this. They always did.

**********