“Now what?”

“Sir, you must come quickly. There is something wrong with the captive!”

“What happened?”

“He’s dead!”

The next day’s conflicting headlines announced victory, tragedy, and shock, all at the same time. People in the Regnum felt somewhat betrayed by John Howe. They respected him but the news of his nephew shocked them, just as it had shocked the Senate. John was to hold a press conference at 9:00 and that gave him two hours to decide what he would say to the public. Though people were shocked by Gars’s statement, they had no problem with the Rebels or Alex coming back to the Regnum. All John had to do was wait for the ultimatum, which would give him a reason to hasten the attack. He contacted the Space Force Commander Kurt J. Lord and told him to meet him at his office at 0830 hrs.

John freshened up and had breakfast with his mother. “So,” she asked him, “are you ready?”

He raised his eyebrows, gave a quick smile and sighed. “I guess so. I just hope all goes according to plan.”

“It has so far.”

“Yeah,” he said chewing on his toast. “I hope Alex is fine.”

“Don’t worry, Nikolas is there with him.”

“Yeah, but I just get the feeling...I don’t know,” he shook his head.

“What? What is it?”

“I just don’t want him to get hurt, that’s all.”

“He won’t. They know that he’s the Falsifier and they aren’t to harm him.”

“Yes, I know.” John sipped his coffee and looked at the clock. It was

7:45. His mother noticed this and said, “You’ve never been late for anything in your life. Relax.”

“Yeah,” he said, “Thanks to dad.” He laughed. “I remember the time I was late for school. Just that one day. I’ll never forget the way he nearly brought the house down.”

John’s mother smiled, “And Miriam was so scared of him,” she said.

John laughed.

“She would have been so happy to see this day,” said John’s mother.

“Don’t forget, she is,” he said. His eyes glazed over and he paused his chewing. “I miss her.”

“Me too.” Helen took her son’s hand and squeezed it. “She’s so proud of you and her son, just the way I’m proud of mine.”

John looked deep into his mother’s eyes. He saw sadness and hurt there. But there was also hope. Hope in Alex. He thought of the pain she must have felt losing both her daughter and her husband. It must have been like the pain he felt when Caryn and his unborn child died. No one knew about the child, not even John’s mother. It was a pain that he held inside and used against his enemies on the battlefield.

The doorbell rang and a butler answered it.

Richard walked in. “Have you seen the crowd outside?”

“No, but I’ve heard it.”

“Coffee, Richard?” Helen got up to get the mug and pour some for him.

“Sure, Mrs. Howe.” He sat down.

“Now, what have you decided to do?” John asked surveying his clothes, “You look good, Richard. Looks like you’re ready to take on the world.”

Richard laughed, “I guess I am.” He was wearing a suit, finely made by the best tailors of Regnum. “You don’t look too bad yourself, mate.”

John fixed his tie in playfulness, “I look better than people would expect from a General, I know that much.”

They finished their cups and went off to meet the crowd. John and Richard gave Mrs. Howe a kiss on the cheek and she gave them both her blessings.

The moment they left the house, they were met with a cheering crowd. “This is amazing,” John said in the limo, “Just yesterday, they were threatening to kill me, and now, now they love me.”

“Yeah,” Richard said, “These people will love you as long as you show them that you have their best interests at heart.”

“And we are very different to Jarad. How is he, by the way?”

“Doctors say another week and he can leave the hospital.”

“Then, we’ll see.”

“What do you mean? I thought you said that we’re going to put them on trial.”

“Maybe not,” John said, waving to the crowd outside, “There’s been a change of plans.” John tapped his temple with his forefinger.

Nikolas, the Rebels, and a few guards ran along the corridor. The door to Alex’s room was already opened. Daniel stood next to the Falsifier, where he lay on his bed. Nikolas said, “It can’t be.”

“It is,” said Daniel. “So much for your Falsifier. He’s dead, father. Dead!”

“But he isthe Falsifier,” cried Nikolas. “Wait! Get some blood samples done. Now!” The guards scurried off to the elevator. Nikolas shook Alex’s body furiously, “Alex. Alex! Get up! Get up!” He took his body and grabbed him around the collar and slapped him. There was no response.

“How did this happen?” Daniel asked.

“Sir,” One of the guards said, “He was...” the guard paused, wondering how he should say this.

“What? He was what? Tell us, damn it! What the hell was he doing?”

“It was about fifteen minutes ago that he was stirring from his sleep. We could hear screams, curses in the ancient dialect coming from inside and then a large burst of energy. The camera footage shows him transforming.”

“Transforming? Into what?”

“We couldn’t see that. He began to convulse, calling out, ‘Uncle John! Uncle John!’ Then he collapsed.”

The scientists arrived and Daniel turned to speak to them. “Find out what’s wrong and what we can do.”

One scientist pricked Alex’s skin and took a blood sample. The wound should have healed immediately but it didn’t, instead dripping ounce by ounce. He put a few drops of blood into a small tube which was inserted into a blood monitoring system. “The cells in his blood are still moving,” he said. “His vampirism is still evident but it’s very faint.

We will need a transfusion from another vampire if there is to be any hope of reviving him.”

“I’m ready to give it,” Daniel said, folding up his sleeve. Nikolas was surprised.

“No, wait!” Nikolas stopped him. “Don’t infect him with your blood. There is only one blood that can save him.”

“Which?” Daniel asked.

“Who else’s but his originator?” Nikolas said.

“You mean...” Daniel didn’t say anything. No one yet knew that Aidan was the Falsifier’s father.

Nick just gave an abrupt nod.

“We will have to meet the Council for this,” Daniel concluded.

“We can’t tell the Council.” Nikolas said. “They will be furious. You know that.”

“What’s going on here?” They all turned to see Erik walk in. He was not to be informed, but had obviously found out. “Is it true? The Falsifier, dead?” Erik laughed. “You’re dead as well, Daniel.”

To everyone’s surprise, Daniel leaned back and punched Erik in the face. Blood flowed from his nostrils. “You’re laughing at this?” yelled Daniel. “Are you insane? This is the Falsifier we’re talking about.”

“How dare you!” Erik spat with vehemence. “Now the Council will surely hear of this!” He stormed out and got back into the elevator.

“Somebody stop him!” Daniel said, “He must not tell the Council what has transpired here.” He sent four guards after Erik and told one of them to send a message to Mikhail to stop the regent. “This is...so frustrating. I hate that guy!” he cursed.

“Now the only thing we can do is get the blood,” Nikolas said.

“Guards, everyone, leave us,” Daniel said, and everyone left. “Not the Rebels. You stay here.”

“Aidan’s blood is essential,” Nikolas said. “That is the only blood that can save him.”

“No it’s not,” said Gavin. “Listen, this isn’t the only solution.”

“He’s right,” said Varenkoff.

“There’s the ritual, the technique,” Joqetu said.

“No!” Nikolas shook his head. “That’s a grave risk. You know that. Besides, not all of us have that sort of energy. It’s not been used for the last twenty years or so. I’m sure everyone’s forgotten it.”

“You mean,” Daniel said slowly, “the Resurrection technique. The one given to Christ?”

“Yes,” Gavin said.

“But it’s illegal,” said Daniel, “Anaxagoras has forbidden it.”