The Enemy

[Peregrine Daniels]

A lantern was drawn closer to the cave wall revealing beautiful aboriginal paintings, while slightly crude, their was something beautiful and natural about the paintings. They depicted thin dark stick figures crowding around each other protecting their babies. While it looked like some white people were advancing on them, long curved teeth protruding from their open mouths, their hands held high in the air like claws. The next painting displayed the white figures biting into the necks of the black. Blood was dripping all over the place. Handprints in red paint boarded all the paintings. Peregrine sighed deeply as the lantern was brought closer to the paintings, he scratched his head

"This is an amazing find…"

Said Lea his friend and second in command, he nodded and smiled weakly

"Yes it is, but it's not enough, it can passed off as Dreamtime fables, nothing more nothing less, it's not proof…"

She nodded and pulled out a small digital camera and began snapping away at the Paintings, Perry patted her back as he started to make his way through the tunnels all made up on ancient round stones, It didn't take long before the sunlight lit up his face and a cool breeze blew over him, he gazed down at the beauty that was the Blue Mountains. His team had discovered something truly amazing, proof that Vampires had come along with the first fleet to Australia, but it wasn't enough, it was never enough.
Peregrine was a young man, but he looked much older than his actual age. He had straight black hair that fell just past his ears that he brushed back. He hadn't shaved in a week so he had thick stubble. He wore heavy green cargo pants and a basic black t-shirt. Over that he wore a long zipped and hooded black jumper that stopped at his knees.

"We have news Mr. Daniels"

Someone said from behind, he turned around and smiled at Adrian, he was new, his parents were killed by Vampires because his father was a reporter that got to close to Australia's Pharmaceutical business, Adrian was rescued by the Enemy.

"It's just Perry, Adrian"

He nodded

"Yes Sir. We just got news, some of the First Blood is moving out"

Peregrine's brow furrowed, something wasn't right with that, why at such a critical time would they get up and leave, Isabella knew that Enemy was growing stronger, slowly but never the less stronger

"Something's up… Can you put me through to New York… Can we get reception?"

Adrian nodded

"Barley but I think we can manage"

He said as he pulled out a mobile phone.

[Vanessa Marlowe]

“But Doctor, you have no proof. You have fairy tales and legends. You evidence is art and books, how are we supposed to believe in the existence of these creatures if we have nothing to see, nothing concrete?”

Vanessa had been waiting for this question, and that she was speaking at a Catholic university conference made her response all the more delightful. She adjusted the glasses on her face slightly, brushing back a strand of loose hair from her face. Her tone was laced with the English accent she never was able to dispose of since her move to the states.

“A fine question, Father, and one you and your colleagues should be able to answer yourselves. We have no more proof of the existence of God than we do of these creatures, and yet millions of people, the world over, have gone to war, devote their lives and bestow faith in Him. You have art, testimonies and written texts just as I do. Why then is the existence of evil so hard to accept? Closing your eyes to the devil does not make him vanish.” She gathered her lecture notes and smiled. She caught the flashing light of her cell phone for an incoming call. “Thank you ladies and gentlemen. I’ll be glad to answer any remaining questions via email or an arranged meeting. I have another engagement, please forgive me.”

They applauded in the polite collegiate way as she gathered her things, the rest of the audience standing up to file out. She smiled and shook hands agreeing to lunches and other meetings, the whole time keeping in her mind the flashing phone. Finally she made it out the door into the parking lot, her eyes flicking to the darker corners of the lot. She was dressed in a business suit dress, heels cracking on the concrete as she unlocked the car with the remote. She loved her car, a silver BMW Z3 Roadster, and loved nothing more than to take it on a drive through the open country. But not tonight. She closed the door and started the engine, managing to dial her voicemail at the same time.

The lectures were part of the job, part of her love of education, and part of the goal of Illuminix—to educate the world and bring to light the corruption and infiltration of the Clans into the everyday world. The message was from one of the house members, and she shifted as she hit a curve heading back to the House. Some of the rogue vampires had gone missing, in particular, the ones who unwillingly gave them information. She detested dealing with them, but knew that there was no better insight than from insiders. She hung up the phone as she rolled down the streets of New York. And her phone rang again, this time long distance.

“Hello? Dr. Marlowe speaking…”

[Peregrine Daniels]

"Nessa? It's Perry…"

He said loudly as the phone crackled, he moved position to get better reception; it was an odd sensation gazing over the beauty that was the Blue Mountains while talking to his friend in New York.

"We may have a problem…"

He said in his deep accented voice, there would always be a strong English accent mixed in some words and an Australian for others. Men and woman were walking all over the place, securing harnesses, rummaging through backpacks, Perry's gaze moved towards the sky as he talked to his childhood friend, it was getting dark, he grabbed someone and whispered between the conversation

"Get everyone ready to leave, there's nothing more here…"

He spun back around now divulging his full attention to the phone call.

"My informative tells me there's been a huge move, as far as I know the heads are moving towards somewhere, haven’t gotten any new information yet, but as far as I know, Isabella Rasterfari is not in Australia, the same goes for a lot of her people… this could mean trouble for us"

He said grimly. He looked back up at the rosy sky, his day job was ending and soon like all nights, his night job would start and so would the death.

[Krisztinya Valkai]

"Perry, dear! How kind of you to call..." There was a teasing nature to her response, as always. Without some levity, this job could really wear down your mental state. She closed the door behind her, bumping the car door with her hip as she carried a briefcase and her suit jacket in one hand, the paperwork she had gathered in the other. Luckily she was on a headset.

"Just one? Sorry, do go on..." She moved through the security system with little hastle and ease, most of the guards knew better than to distract her while on a phone call. She moved through the House, proper, into the library that served as one of her main offices. There were messages on the table, some urgent, some not. As Perry explained that Isabella had left Austrailia, she held in her hand an urgent note about the movement of clans in other major cities. It all seemed to be happening at once.

"Perry, I have notice that some of the Clan leaders have departed New Orleans, LA, Chicago.... And the insiders I have feeding me intel on Lilith have gone missing. Not even a body, Perry." She laid the messages on the table and sat in her chair, reclining back for a moment, displacing her glasses onto the desk before pressing the bridge of her nose.

"We need to think of this logically. The heads are missing. Isabella has left Austrailia. No wordon Lilith yet, but what have you heard from the other Houses? If the heads are all gone, all leaving.... they have to be going somewhere. And who would pull the heads of clans together.... for what?"

She knew the answer as soon as she spoke the words, but she was hoping Perry would have a better, more pleasant, and perhaps more likable explanation. "Dear God, Perry... "

[Peregrine Daniels]

Peregrine made his way down a long path leading to one of there camps, he would need to head back into the city.

"I don’t want to jump to any conclusions, but we've been getting stronger lately Nessa… I don’t doubt they've noticed too… this could mean trouble, we've always played on fact that the clans have always been more or less separate bodies, we use it to our advantage…. But if they've decided to all of a sudden unite… well…"

He trailed off as he reached in red jeep, he pulled the door open and got in, he sighed deeply and rested his head against the headrest and closed his eyes listening to Vanessa, he started the engine and the phone crackled once again.

"It's gotta be Benito… who else would have the balls to pull this off, All the leaders of the Clans sure, but there's so much animosity, they wouldn't be able to count of EVERYONE going"

He shifted the car in drive and speed down the dirt road, it was an off-road jeep luckily, he bounced all over the place.

"Maybe we can use there absence to our advantage?"

He said smiling into the phone.

((Aim wont let me back in!?))

[Krisztinya Valkai]

"Of course it's Benito, there can't possibly be another answer. Not unless someone else has cropped up to kill off our old friend?" The hopeful glint in her tone made her, at least, feel a little better about the situation.

She heard the Jeep start up and had to smile. She could just see him bouncing around in that Jeep, trying to concentrate, ready to take on the world. Take on the world...

"... Perry... how can we possibly use this to out advantage? Yes we've grown stronger, but we can't possibly think about storming into Benito's! I for one, am just as excited as you at the thought of fine Italian shoes, but I'd like to stay alive long enough to wear them! And if the heads of the clans aren't present, then what can we do to hurt them?" She laughed, a little uneasily. "Burn down their Covens?"

It was an interesting thought, sure. Though she had to admit, she wasn't sure how it would happen, or how successful they would be. Surely they weren't taking every single Vampire in their clan.... "What do you have in mind, Perrigrine? I know it's dangerous and I know it's trouble. I can hear that smile through this phone...." She couldn't help smiling herself. The threat of danger always made her somewhat amused.

[Peregrine Daniels]

"God I wouldn't want to deal with anything that could kill Benito…"

Vanessa was making him feel a little better about the situation, things weren't always as grim as Perry imagined, not when he was talking to Vanessa at least. He was certain as soon as he hung up everything would become do or die again.

"No, No, I'm not talking about attacking them at there strongest even at full force we'd loose if we took all clans on at once…"

Perry laughed with Vanessa at her Italian shoes crack, he had to admit the girl had an usual sense of humour anyone fighting vampires and cracking jokes at the same time was a little… peculiar. She was always like that though, even as a child.

"That’s not a bad idea… what if we attacked there bases? Guerrilla warfare, run into torch the place and leave as fast as we arrive…"

He nodded as he turned his high beams on; the main road weaving down the mountains was approaching

"Take our best men, the point is not to kill all the leftovers but do as much damage as possible in the smallest amount of time possible with no casualties, if were lucky…"

He said hopefully, he was now smiling broadly,

"What do you think? The Sydney and New York bases, you could get away with torching the New York base, I might have to be a bit more careful though, if I torch there buildings I'll have the cops on me in hours…"

[Krisztinya Valkai]

"Oh sure... Why No mister New York Police Officer, I had to burn down that building becaues there were monsters living there! That'll go over ~really~ well, dear. I'm sure I can pull that off..." She laughed, and even though she was using sarcasm as a crutch, she realized that the Coven of the Annex Clan was an abandoned warehouse turned Playhouse. It would be understandable if it burned down.

"Let's make it happen. I'm sure you'll figure out some elaborate excuse for the fires. And if you do your job correctly, Perrigrine, you won't be the ones they point the finger at." She kicked off her heels and flipped open her lap top, waiting for it to blink to life while tucking her feet under her. "Covert ops, my dear, covert ops! Black ski mask and all, you know..."

She managed to shuffle papers before her and try to organize things as she thought outloud. "Perry, before I give the go ahead for that, I need to be sure that Lilith is going... both her and that monstrosity that trained her. And now that my sources have been cut off..." She paused. It wasn't that she was afraid to go after Lilith or Luciferi individually, but together... She felt a twinge of excited nausea. "... I may have to go find out for myself..."

She stopped before he could protest or insist she not go alone. Her email came to life and a particular message caught her eye from the London House. "London House says their Head is on the move too... and that they have a source their tracking down about the reason for the mass exodous.... Looks like the fates have a little sense of humor, no?"

[Peregrine Daniels]

Peregrine once again laughed into the phone

"It should be easier for you to get away with torching a warehouse rather than blowing up some buildings that's terrorismin the eyes of the law, we really need a plan about getting some of the cops on our side… Just a few would do the world of the good…"

He said muttered the last point to himself and making a mental note.

"Covert ops, my dear, covert ops! Black ski mask and all, you know..."

Peregrine laughed but he was struck with a sudden idea…

"We may have to rework this a little bit… I've decided how I'm going to deal with my half and you'll protest, but I'm going in alone, if I can sneak in, somehow contaminate there water system with some of the old holy water, set of the fire alarms… I don’t know if it's possible yet, I'll speak to my men…"

Perry sighed as Vanessa went from one subject to the other

"You're not going alone, we wait till there's more information before we make our move, it has to happen all at the same time, that way it allows you to set fire to there warehouse with the cover of night while I walk right through the door in full daylight"

He said with another smirk.

"It has to happen all at the same time; it won't take long for word to travel to the leaders once that happens they'll send the word out to be on guard, we don’t need extra witnesses and Vamps to step in our way"

It would be a long drive home, Perry looked at his cars clock and sighed again, it was going to be a long night, his car bumped loudly.

"Nessa the fates have been screwing us over from day one, it's about time they give us a break… Before you send word about the attack, make sure you also send word to our Cells in Italy, tell them to lay low… way low for the next couple of weeks…"

Peregrine ran a hand through his dark thick hair

"If we can pull this off Nessa…"

[Vanessa Marlowe]

She had to admit, it was a good idea. Or at least it would be, as long as there were still vampires in the various covens to burn or douse with holy water. It was actually brilliant.

"Cops, yes... and a priest. But seeing the response of the fathers at my lecture tonight, I don't see that happening soon. See, Perry, dear, if you were willing to take one for the team and become a priest, you could bless the water yourself..." She couldn't help the jest. She knew as well as he would that Perry would never becoem a priest. It would be a tragedy for them all.

She was about to argue the fact that he would be going in there alone and she, apparently, wouldn't be, she was just as capable as he was and he was just being overprotective. Certianly not the time for it. But before she could argue, something else struck her.

"I don't think you should go in there in broad daylight. Send someone else, Perry... if the police ID you, and then link you to it... we could be in a world of trouble, and you do know how much I hate the back woods of Australia... Don't make me come down there.... I'd have to change the decor, and learn to drive on the wrong side of the road all over again... " She laughed a little. "Honestly, though... if you're arrested, that hinders our whole opperation."

She could hear the loud banging of the jeep through the crackle of the phone, and she often wondered just how horrible it wouldd be to live in such a place. Much as she liked to pretend it wasn't her cup of tea, she secretly longed for the countryside of her home. Her fingers tapped on the keyboard as He gave her directions on what to send out. "Doing it as we speak. They have been dealing with Benito for a long time, but this is different. There, done. Orders are, do not make a peep, watch and record. Annndd..." Tap tap tap...." the House Chairs have the info about the attacks, and will be expecting a final word from you on time."

She sat back, hearing the hopeful frustration in his voice. They had been dealing with these issues for, well, their entire lives, in one way or another. But Peregrine always took things so seriously, and she knew it was more than for a good cause that they both were fighting.

"Not if we ~can~, Love... When we do." She smiled reassuringly. Even though he couldn't see it, she knew it carried in her tone. "We have to be ready... When we pull this off... They're going to be hunting us down, Perry. We have to be ready for thier rebuttal." Her eyes glazed as she turned to a picture she had hanging on the pot board near her desk. It was a photo of one of the corpses found after Lilith and her Deranged tutor had had their way with it. It had been an invitation and a reminder of what they could and would do. She felt her stomach knot. She had sent the image to Peregrine, and he knew the psychotic nature of the leader of the Annex Clan. She just hoped she was ready for another round.

[Peregrine Daniels]

"That would be handy…"

He said with a chuckle feigning interest in becoming a priest, but the thought was all the much, there was to much death, violence and sin in his life to ever even consider it, that and his issues with the man in the clouds but that was another story… Perry sighed

"Like most people it'll take someone's neck being torn apart in front of a priest to get him to join us and how likely is that? The priest surviving that is…"

He said running his eyes grimly. Perry snickered into the phone, she had such am amazing sense of humour but his old friend knew when the time was to be serious and she always managed to point out things that he missed, he felt tightness in his chest, he really did miss her, it was never the same over the phone.

"I’ll take care of things, won't do anything without some more information first… The Last thing we needs is the cops shutting down everything we’ve worked for all our lives"

Nessa sent the word out to all the cells across the world, the car jumped and he realised they had been talking for a while now; He was heading out onto the freeway. Nessa always managed to be optimistic even in the face of pure evil, he smiled into the phone

"We'll pull it off for sure"

He said feeling a little better about the whole situation, but the feeling was suddenly quashed when Peregrine realised exactly what he was doing, they had never tried anything of this size, there would be hell to pay, was it worth it? When else were they likely to get the chance to attack again. He realised what Nessa would be facing the demented pure evil that those Lilith and Luciferi, the though of Nessa ever having to deal with either of them sent a shiver down her spy

"Maybe it is time you came back for a 'visit'"

He said his voice full of worry again

"Or maybe I should make a trip to New York for a couple of months, at least we can deal with Lilith and Luciferi together, it's time Luciferi came to an end I think…"

He said with fake confidence, yet his hate for the pair was growing with each account of what they were exactly capable off. His own problem Isabella was bad enough, but she was different, she was dignified and honourable in her own perverse way… The leaders of the New York were sick, wild and unpredictable. Perry's own stomach seemed to knot at the thought of the bar being raised in their hidden war.

"Am I doing the right thing Vanessa?"

He said quietly.

[Vanessa Marlowe]

"I’ll take care of things, won't do anything without some more information first… The Last thing we needs is the cops shutting down everything we’ve worked for all our lives"

"Well, I never ~did~ like you in stripes, you know... or that horrible orange color... It does nothing for your complexion..." She laughed with him, but immediately felt the change in tone through the phone. Amazing, what cell phones could do now.

A visit... She hadn't been to actually see Perry for so long, and it would certainly do them both good to actually spend some time together. But She felt the pit of her stomach sour. She would be running away from this, and all that it was threatening to bring. She smiled at the thought, but knew she couldn't leave Lilith's little band here alone. When he suggested coming to New York she laughed.

"Well, you ~do~ owe me a dinner, Dear... A shame a couple of Masochists would be the driving force to get it out of you..." She chuckled, still smiling into the phone as she held her pen out in front of her by the tip, wiggling it so it looked like it bent. She stopped, letting her hand and the pen fall to her lap as she swiveled in the chair, her eyes finding the large window overlooking the city lights.

"Maybe it's not a bad idea, Perry. You aren't going to initiate that attack yourself in broad daylight, and I can always use a pair of hands I trust." She smied again, slipping the pen into her already pulled up hair. "It would be like old times... only this time we won't be fighting the ghosts under our beds."

She would never say it outloud, never let the words pass her lips, but Luciferi scared the life out of her. He wasn't the dignified sort she knew most of the others in positions of power were--and being Lilith's paramour certainly gave him her ear. He was sick. So was Lilith. And while she would do what Perry asked her, without complaint or flinching, she knew that uneasiness would torment her sleep. "If you can be spared there for a bit, I would appreciate the help..." She didn't want to sound needy, or incapable of handling the situation, or even too overly anxious to see him, and thankfully he changed the subject...

"Of course you are, dear. Because I only ever ~do~ the right thing, and if you're doing the wrong thing, well then... so am I. And that doesn't happen." She knew this was a major decision, and knew that the ramifications were enormous. Her tone was more serious, softer and without a hint of sarcasm. "We're ready Perry. It's time we stopped watching and started acting. If we don't... no one will."

[Peregrine Daniels]

While they chatted on the phone Perry made the decision then and there, that he would be going to New York, the thought of Vanessa being in that city with those two was more than enough to guarantee a plane ticket, He could do the job in Sydney right before heading the airport.

"Your right of course... as usual, maybe they'll start seeing us as the threat we are..."

He said commenting on her asnwer of if they were doing the right thing, he smiled.
He knew Vanessa wanted him to send someone else to do it, but he had his mind set, the job would need some tweaking that was for sure, But at least it would allow him to do the job then head straight for New York and help Vanessa with her own, he knew she was fully capable but he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling, at least that way he could face the repercussions with Vanessa. And hopefully he home in time to face Isabella, Vanessa knew where he stood with Isabella the loathing he felt for her, they both felt for her. She had killed Peregrines Father, Vanessa adopted Father. Perry sighed, his arm was getting tired

"This is costing us both a fortune, could you do me a favour and book me a flight to New York sometime tomorrow please, during the day if it's at all possible?"

He said with a grin, he wasn't sure if Nessa was expecting the visit or not.

[Vanessa Marlowe]

Vanessa didn't speak for a moment. The cost of the call was of little concern to her, and to him, for that matter. Illuminix picked up the bills, what good was a front institution if they didn't? Besides, The only folks with an illusion that Illuminix was just some academic institution devoted to research of the paranormal and cataloging the occurances of various "supernatural" phenomenon, were the mass public. The Clans knew. The staff knew. The board knew. Iluminix has amassed its own wealth over the ages, hoarding treasures found, swallowing the estates of those that fell under their "Pen," and some very nice endowments from individuals who had their own crazy ideas. But the money issues didn't hold her comments. He was coming to New York.....

"You're serious."

She could see the grin, and she knew why he was coming. She flushed with a combination of frustration and excitment. "Perry... I know you're needed there. I'm a big girl, love. Well... not "big," thank god... But you get my point." She spun back to the lap top as she protested mainly out of principle. "I can handle it, Perry. I've dealt with Lilith this long... " She was clicking and typing as she was offering her obligatory refusal of his help. She couldn't help if she retained that nostalgic politeness. "And I know you don't like to fly....besides, it's terribly humid here, and ..... and..." She smiled and sat back. Knowing he was going to protest and interupt her. But before he could launch on a tirade, she cut his sentence short, her tone releasing any of the business like manner she used daily. Perry was coming to New York...

"... and your flight leaves at 9 AM. I've sent the ticket confirmation and flight information to your email." She sat back, her thumb idly moving the rings on her hand. She smiled again, recalling the last time she had seen Peregrine Daniels. "I'll have a car meet you at the airport." She pulled her feet from beneath her, setting them back on the floor, instinctivly crossing her legs. "And Perry, dear.... Dont forget to pack your Black ski mask." She laughed and closed her lap top for the night. ".... I'll see you tomorrow, then, love... Night."

She ended the phone call and pulled the little bud from her ear. She swiveled again, this time leaning her fingers on her lips as she gazed out over the city. So many things were happening, and after this attack things would never be the same. She had considered taking a position at a regular university, perhaps even returning home to her beloved London. But she knew that she never could. For one, she would miss the excitement. And then there was Perry. She would never leave all of this to him alone. it was too much for any one person to deal with, and she knew how much it meant to him. To the both of them. A day didn't go by that she didn't think of the death of Perry's father... He had taken care of her after her own parents died mysteriously. Not once, but twice she had a loved one torn from her. Three in total. She felt the pit of her stomach drop. She couldn't bear it if Perry was taken from her too. She pulled out her cell phone again, flipping it open to punch in a text message and send it off as she thought.

She had a lecture in the morning, this time on the presence of the supernatural in literature. She had given this lecture just a few days ago, and her lecture notes were already in the car. She had little else to do, but curl up in bed and try to sleep. But she knew that wasn't as easy as it seemed. She laid the phone on her lap as she pulled the blanket from the stool under the window in case the air conditioner froze her. Libraries were always so damned cold. She worked and reworked the plan in her head. How they would get in, get out... how she would get a hold of the city sewer maps, the blueprints for the warehouse. It circled her mind over and again untilshe dozed off, the following message still lit up on her phone screen:

_____________________________

"Message Successfully Sent!

To: Perry

"Be careful"

Time: 11:30 PM

_____________________________

[Peregrine Daniels]

"I know you can handle it… I'll just feel better"

He responded at her earlier comment

"Excellent, thanks Nessa, I guess I will actually see you soon for once…"

He smiled into the phone as she hung up, Perry sighed as he dropped his phone onto his lap and gave his wrist a crack, he was sailing down the freeway and it would be another hour before he was in the city again, a lot had to be done by then too. His phone beeped loudly, Peregrine jumped in surprise and opened the message

"Be careful"

He smiled again and sighed storing the message safely away he scrolled through his phonebook until he found Leas name and called her, he explained everything to her and told her to be prepared for his return they would leave for the harbour immediately.

It wasn't long before Peregrine parked his red jeep in what looked like a huge empty cathedral parking lot. The Cathedral was huge and gothic, its walls were made from sandstone and the steeple had black tiles covering it with a huge black crucifix on the top of the steeple, the front door was made of oak and it looked like any other church door that ended in a point, above the doorway sat a statue of the arch angel Michael carrying a spear and wearing armour. The Cathedral was known as Michaels Cathedral, it had been empty for about 30 years as far as the government or anyone else was concerned it was being restored and it always would be. A small piece of wood slid away from the door revealing two pairs of eyes

"Mister Daniels?"

The voice called out timidly

"Yes Adrian, and what do I tell you?"

The Door unlocked and was pushed open

"Sorry… Perry"

Adrian said uncomfortably. Once inside it was clear how beautiful the Cathedral actually was, paintings of arch angels and Jesus Christ covered the walls as well as diagrams of Vampires and books scattered everywhere. The Steeple was actually a skyline and the moon could be seen shinning through the church, computers and printers buzzed everywhere; awkward desks were set up in the oddest places. There were no chairs or alters or anything that looked like it was a church except for the paintings on the wall.

"Everything's ready…"

((Hope that made sense?...))