Classroom Confrontation (Dubois Chronicles 1.41)
DJ Dubois
Originally written October 1988; Revised July 2006
Rating: T (Teen--language, fighting)Crossover Notice: This
story crosses elements from Smallville, Xena and Forever Knight.
Notes Part 1: If the story you’re about to read
seems familiar, it’s because we have seen it before. This is the full account of
the first part of the flashback from “Enforcement Matters” from Series 2.
Notes Part 2: Smallville belongs to DC and the WB.
The characters from Xena Warrior Princess belong to MCA and Renaissance Studios.
The characters from Forever Knight belong to Sony Tri-Star. All other characters
are fictitious and of my own creation. Please send comments to
dante0220@yahoo.com
.
Introduction
Gabrielle, Bard-Queen of the Amazons, writes….
As with the other parts of this ‘early
accounting’, the Truth often shocks our sensibilities, tearing at one’s heart
and rending the soul in the process….
Such is the case with the next few scrolls in this
progression.
David and Karen prepared for their special day. As
he finished his training (for the time being at least), they wanted to set
things in marble. She and her family made preparations…one of which would have
drastic consequences as shall be shown in the next scroll.
However, as with all things surrounding David, the
darkness can never be kept at bay forever. Having been subdued for the previous
four years, it smoldered like a volcano building toward an eruption.
And with the return of four adversaries at once,
it would soon explode…..
Prologue [Space—somewhere between Mars and
Jupiter]
While people came and went, conducting their
business here on Earth, they remained blissfully unaware for the most part of
larger space in general. Beyond the protective atmospheric cloak, comets
streaked and asteroids hurled through the dark void. The larger powers—God and
goddess—put these processes in motion and Nature continues them.
However, every so often a special event
occurs—even in the vastness of space.
In this case, a flotilla of glowing emerald rocks
sped through the darkness, fleeing the very source which set them in motion two
years earlier—when an explosion had separated them from one another, throwing
them in all directions. Now cut off from the majority of their extra-solar
brethren, the stones’ combined gravity allowed them to stay together.
In their center, a small silver craft kept pace
with them. Propelled by a single rocket in its back, the Ship bore a unique
cargo.
Truly it was special to merit such an escort.
Truly special indeed.
Chapter 1 [Smallville—mid-April 1988]
[Kent Farm]
Jonathan walked in from the barn, feeling tired
yet satisfied after another long day of planting. As the warm weather had come
early to western Kansas, he hoped that it would be a good year for them all.
Lord knows we need it. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he headed for the
house.
Just before he reached the porch’s steps, a
friendly horn honked at him. He turned to see the Langs’ truck coming up the
driveway. He grinned and waved at the visitors.
After stopping the vehicle, Lewis and Laura
climbed out, smiling at him as well.
“Give us a minute, Jonathan,” she requested before
focusing inside of the truck’s cab again. “Ready, Lana?”
“Yes, Mommy,” a tiny voice replied just as its
three year old source carefully made its way to the ground. The three year old
hugged her mother’s leg. “Where?”
“We’re at the Kents. Remember Mr. Jonathan and Ms.
Martha?” Laura assured her daughter.
Lana’s face brightened. Despite being in town with
her mother and Aunt Nell at the flower shop frequently, she remained a very
reserved and quiet little girl.
“That’s better,” her father complimented. “Sorry,
we have to go through this every time, Jonathan.”
“It’s okay,” the farmer replied warmly while
stooping down to the girl’s level. “Martha’s got something special for you,
Lana. How does that sound?”
“Thank you,” Lana expressed. “Like.”
Jonathan’s eyes sparkled at his tiny visitor.
“Good. Glad to hear it. Come on inside with your parents.”
“Come along, Dear,” Laura advised, taking the tiny
hand in hers as they followed their friend inside. “Martha?”
“Hi, Everyone!” Martha greeted while taking a pie
out of the oven. “It seems like forever since we saw each other.”
“Sorry,” Lewis apologized. “We’ve been busy
between work and well…spending time with Sunshine here.”
“I can guess!” The hostess smiled at the little
girl. “Hug for me?”
Lana nodded, putting her arms around the other’s
neck. “How…you?”
“How…me?” She looked at the two parents
inquisitively before grasping the other’s meaning. “How am I doing?”
“That’s her new question,” Laura noted.
“Well! I’m doing great!” Martha replied
enthusiastically. “That is a very grown up question for you to ask—and
considerate too!” She returned the embrace. “Let’s get your hands washed and
then we’ll put you in your chair, okay?”
The pint sized visitor nodded again.
“Let me,” Lewis advised while hoisting his
daughter up to the sink.
His wife turned the faucet on as they took turns
washing their hands.
Then they all sat down at the table where a meal
of roast beef, mashed potatoes, salad and vegetables awaited them.
“I was in the shop last week. You and Nell are
doing wonders with the place,” Martha complimented.
“We try. I think she wants to go back to Metro.
I’m hoping she’ll hang in there for another couple of years. If we can get Lana
into school, I could run the place by myself,” Laura noted.
“I keep saying we could run it together,” Lewis
piped in. “With the trucking slowing down, I need something else.”
Jonathan and Martha observed their guests
silently. Three years before, the duo had split up temporarily before working
out their differences and having the daughter beside them. One of the causes of
the earlier break had been Lewis’ inability to get steady driving even though it
wasn’t his fault.
“I know, Lew,” Laura concurred. “And I’m beginning
to think you’re right. We’ll talk to Nell and see what she thinks.” She put a
bib on Lana. “This is going to get real messy. Let’s see if you can do mashed
taters like big people.”
“I’ll try, Mommy.”
“I know, Sweetie,” Laura declared as they started
serving each other. Turning back to the others, she asked, “Any word from
Tucson?”
“David called last week. We talked for about
twenty minutes. The wedding’s going to be in June at the cottage. I wish we
could be there,” Martha lamented.
“You know why,” Jonathan reminded her.
Laura shook her head. While she wanted to say
something, she couldn’t with Lana sitting there. It’s not fair! Why can’t we see
him or Karen? It’s not our fault that the ghost messed everything up! She took a
breath. “We’re doing the flowers. April McKenzie’s parents are going to work
with us onsite.”
“That ought to be something else,” Martha
declared. “Too bad Lillian’s gone. She’d fund the entire thing.”
“And buy out a royal garden in the process,” Laura
presumed knowingly. “It’s a shame. I finished watching the tape Mike brought
back from there. Angie and Dave did a great job on their pieces.” She sighed.
“Mommy, why’re you so sad?” Lana wondered.
“I’m sad because Daddy and I can’t play with our
friends,” Laura explained.
Lana sulked, not wanting to see her mother upset
like that.
That goes double for me, Kiddo! Laura took a sip
of milk and tried to deal with her feelings.
Chapter 2 [Tucson]
[Rinnaman’s Bridal Shop]
Karen stood in front of a three mirror panel,
trying to keep her stomach in and squirming from holding still. She looked at
the reflections of her sister and the tailor who worked on measurements. “I feel
like a pin cushion.”
“You never did like getting dolled up,” Caroline
noted. “Just think what Dave will say.”
“That’s why I’m doing this,” the younger sister
retorted.
The tailor clapped her hands and moved away.
“There! All set! You may take the dress off carefully, Karen. I should
have this ready by Monday if that’s all right?”
“Monday will be fine,” Karen agreed. “Thank you,
Cindy. I appreciate your patience.” She stepped into the dressing room where she
took off the dress and put her everyday clothes back on.
When she came back out, she hung the wedding dress
up.
“No sweat. Remind Dave about our study session
next week. The class needs the tips,” Cindy expressed with a smile.
Caroline shook her head. Whether it’s UMass or
here, he never changes. “Let’s get something to drink.”
****
[Dolcino’s—Campus]
Twenty minutes later, the two sisters had stopped
off at Karen’s favorite café right off campus. There they ordered cappuccinos
and discussed all sorts of matters—sisterly and otherwise.
“Getting excited?” Caroline asked.
“More like getting ready to get this over with,”
Karen groused while taking a sip of her drink. “In a month, it’ll be finally
official!”
“Weddings are intense but this is ridiculous,”
Caroline countered. “It’s going to be okay.”
“It’s not that bad—well other than the dress,”
Karen admitted. “The only disappointing thing is that the folks from Smallville
can’t be there. Leave it to Laura though to figure out a way to work with April
on the flowers.” She managed a smile. “Of course, first duty after the wedding
is to be the good auntie.”
“You mean Randy’s little girl? Karen, that’s your
wedding night!” her sister protested.
“We volunteered. Look, Caroline, Dave and I have
been together so long, what’s one more night? Besides, we get Miranda all to
ourselves. He’s really excited.”
“I’ll bet he is. I hope Randy behaves himself
though,” the older sister replied.
“Terri won’t give him a choice. Besides without
Stuart there, he won’t do anything. If he did, I wouldn’t want to be in his
shoes,” Karen pointed out.
Recalling the fight between the Mystery Man and
the Child from several years earlier, Caroline concurred, “That would get ugly.
Let’s…uh…focus on the good things, shall we? How’s Dave doing with the MA?”
Karen sighed while glancing at her watch. “The
exams are going right now as we speak. He and his classmate, Gary Miramoto, are
up today. If they pass, they get their degrees.”
“And of course, you’re planning something for
tonight?”
“As if you even need to ask?” Karen smirked.
“I should’ve known better than to ask that
question. Well, I’ll get him to bring me back to Scituate after dinner,”
Caroline commented dryly.
“If you’d like. It’s not that big of a deal
rally,” Karen assured her.
“As hard as you’ve both been working, Sis, you owe
him that. Don’t worry about me.”
Karen nodded, sensing his focus through their
link. Hang in there, Dave.
Chapter 3 [Samuelsohn’s Office]
Meanwhile Dave sat in his advisor’s office,
sweating through yet another methodological question from the quartet of
professors sitting with him.
In addition to Samuelsohn, Drs. Coltrane,
Donaldson and Rollinson grilled him on various historical and library-related
questions probing Dave on the depths of his knowledge on various topics.
For the better part of two hours, the candidate
returned each volley with equal parts skill and consideration. Some times, the
answers were apparent. Other times, they took a little while. In all cases, he
had the answers.
Finally, Samuelsohn instructed, “If you can step
outside, David, we need to deliberate.”
The student did so, wondering what was going on.
Deliberate? Now what?
“Such deliberations are customary, David,” Pauline
assured him.
“I hope you weren’t waiting out here all of this
time,” he fretted.
“And if I was? You do have many supporters. Your
sister, for one, watched with me through the view portal. Certainly, you’re
entitled to some happiness. Focus on your immediate future, friends, family,
Karen,” she reminded him.
“I get through today and everything else should be
downhill,” he presumed.
She kept a neutral expression on her face,
concealing her dread over Nai-Jin’s prophecy. If only that would be so. You do
not deserve what is to come!
Her husband looked out into the hallway. “Pauline,
is everything all right?”
She quirked an eyebrow at him impatiently. “Of
course it is. I was asking David how the exam went.”
“Right,” he replied, wondering what other
information they had exchanged. “David, we’re ready for you.”
“Sure,” Dave agreed while following his advisor
back into the room. After everyone had settled into place, he took a deep
breath.
Samuelsohn announced, “Congratulations, David! You
passed your exam. There were a couple of errors but they were minor.”
The other committee members stared at the leader,
not believing that he would bring up the minor points.
“Speaking for the library school, that was the
best oral exam I’ve been a part of,” Rollinson pointed out.
“Very interesting ideas indeed,” Donaldson added.
“You know how I feel about the East-West
connections,” Coltrane concurred.
“We all agree that you should go for your
doctorate some day, David. That’s all for now. David, can you stay after the
other professors leave? I need to speak to you about something,” Samuelsohn
agreed. After the others had left, he added, “That was a nice performance on
your part. Now that we’re ready to move to the next step, I have something to
show you.” He unlocked his desk drawer and produced a poster sized mailing tube
from it. “I found the documents.”
The insight made Dave feel both excited and
nervous at the same time. “And is there anything about the You Know Who and
What?”
Samuelsohn nodded. “The Countess’ contacts are in
there. We have some phrases to decipher but it’s all there.” He opened the tube
revealing the contents. Putting on gloves, he stretched out the manuscripts,
showing off their Hungarian miniscule. “They’re something, aren’t they?” Then
his face turned deadly serious. “If anything happens, I want you to keep these
safe.”
“Excuse me? You want me to keep these safe?
Professor, with all due respect, you know that I’m practically a walking target
for anything dark and magical in the world. I’m the first suspect to be holding
onto these things,” Dave declined. “Especially since I’m guessing that the
people you liberated them from wanted these documents kept away from prying
eyes.”
“Indeed. And there are others who will stop at
nothing to get them back. One group is the force that attacked you and Ms.
Potter in Quebec,” Samuelsohn clarified.
“Them again? Terrific,” he replied, trying
unsuccessfully to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “You know they’ll be here.”
He scanned the documents, being careful not to touch them. “Night creatures?
Sarajevo? Professor, does Dr. Coltrane know about this?”
“She can’t know and neither can Karen,” the elder
man insisted. “For their own safety.”
“The creeps are going to target them. I don’t know
if you’ve ever run into these guys but they’ll target anyone around a person to
put pressure on them. Trust me; Karen will figure it out on her own. I won’t say
anything unless I absolutely have to,” Dave countered.
“I’ll accept that,” Samuelsohn conceded. “Remember
this is important proof!”
You didn’t have to prove it to me. I can imagine
what the Vampire Community’s going to do over this! How I wish I could talk to
Nikki diCosta or Dr. LaMontaigne about them—that is if I were allowed to speak
with them about them. He frowned, recalling the Prohibition once again. He
glanced at his watch. “Speaking of Karen, sir, she’s waiting for me. Can we
continue this discussion at another time?”
“Of course,” Samuelsohn agreed. “Remember though,
this should be kept under wraps if at all possible!”
“Right. Thank you once again,” the student
concluded before heading out.
As he put the documents back in their hiding
place, Samuelsohn had to admit that Dave’s concerns were valid. He knows the
consequences as well as I do!
Chapter 4 [Boston—Captain’s Hearth]
Nikki di Costa glared around the empty tavern
angrily. Normally Friday was her busiest night. However, LaCroix’s summons two
days earlier forced her to close her doors. A meeting of the Elders here and
now? ¿Qué es?
“Urgent business, I assure you,” the General
responded while polishing off a goblet of blood wine. “Rodriguez and Tringaziawa
should be here soon.”
<“This had better be important!”> Nikki hissed.
“Patience, Nicola,” Clarise advised while
descending the staircase. <”I’m sure we have our reasons for being here.”>
<”And in your case?”>he supposed.
She frowned. <”A situation involving my mother and
Dubois? Prohibition or no, that means that I am involved.”>
The door opened again, admitting four other
vampires: a red haired Russian woman, a Muslim woman dressed in Serbian garb, a
muscular Hispanic man and a Japanese man in Samurai attire.
“Welcome, Everyone. Please take your seats,” Nikki
greeted, trying to keep civil.
“Thank you,” the Serbian expressed as they settled
into their seats around a central table.
The hostess nodded toward the corner, signaling
her wait staff to bring out four different vintages of blood wine for the
participants. “I trust this is satisfactory?”
“As always, Nikki,” the Russian complimented,
savoring the merlot. “I trust this is about our problem in the Eastern Bloc?”
“Indeed,” LaCroix replied. “A mortal professor has
uncovered a seventeenth century document containing references to us and the
Vendee witch!”
Rodriguez nodded. “Dr. Anthony Samuelsohn, I
presume? He returned two weeks ago from Hungary. Unfortunately, none of us can
interfere in this.”
“The Prohibition,” Clarise clarified for the
others.
“Pure folly and rubbish!” the General snarled at
them. “Such things pale before the need to preserve our own kind!”
“LaCroix speaks truthfully,” the samurai
concurred.
“If only my people could have contained this back
in Budapest!” the Serbian lamented.
Nikki exchanged looks with Clarise before
continuing, “To deal with Samuelsohn means facing his witch and Dubois’
darkness.”
“Dijon hungers for such a chance,” the Russian
reminded them all.
“The Butcher is a fool!” Clarise snapped. “There
are subtle ways to get what we want.”
“Perhaps,” LaCroix admitted, considering the
possibilities for a minute before continuing, “If so, I will find it.”
Rodriguez cleared his throat, knowing the trouble
such an expedition would cause in his area. “Very well but remember, LaCroix,
any disruption will fall on your head. Le Puer has been quiet for the past four
years. Stir him up at your peril!”
“Dubois is only a mortal,” LaCroix dismissed the
threat.
“And you dismiss him too readily,” Nikki chided
her master. “Unless there’s anything else, we can depart. One more thing, we
leave the Enforcers out of this. Am I clear?”
The group nodded in unison, seeing the logic of
her words….
…all that is except for LaCroix. I will do what is
necessary! That is a promise!
Chapter 5 [Faerie Lands]
Pauline rushed through the portal into the
Cathedral of Crystal with urgency. Why would the Empress summon me now? She saw Grimwilkin, Cybelle, Keira and Nai-Jin awaiting her. “What news?”
“Your companion’s discovery sets a great chain of
events in motion,” the Empress proclaimed.
“The tube? Tony won’t tell anyone what he found,”
Pauline noted.
“He tells David Dubois,” Grimwilkin disagreed.
“And the vampires know already,” Keira added.
“Begging your pardon, Milady, perhaps we might
combine efforts with the vampires as in the past?” Cybelle suggested.
“A noble suggestion, Cybelle, if they weren’t
already looking for blood. No, this time will be different unfortunately,” the
Elf-Queen replied. “Any report from Smallville?”
“Nothing,” he reported. “Deirdre blends in and
watches the activity.”
The Empress nodded before turning to Pauline.
“Advise your husband to change his course. He has already endangered himself and
will soon bring everything else down around him as well.”
“I shall,” Pauline agreed. “I trust that David
watches carefully as well. Perhaps we might let him speak to diCosta or
LaMontaigne?”
“NO!” the Empress snapped. “And that is final!”
The others remained still yet the shock was
clearly on their faces. Such a reaction wasn’t common for their hostess.
Having collected herself, the Empress clarified,
“We must not bring those elements together. You may all go.” When they had left,
she gazed into the viewing pool once more watching the events unfolding on Outer
Earth.
Chapter 6 [Two days later—Tucson]
Dave stared at the bedroom’s ceiling anxiously.
While most of the wedding and graduation plans were dealt with, he knew that his
advisor’s lecture that night would bring trouble. Why won’t he tell Dr. Coltrane
about that stuff related to Sarajevo? Worse, why does he have to say anything to
the class at all? I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
Karen rolled over to face him. “Dave, what is it?”
He frowned. “Nothing.”
“When you get like this, it’s more than ‘nothing’.
“ She rubbed his shoulder supportively. “What is it?”
“Dr. Samuelsohn asked me to keep something between
him and me. It’s deadly serious stuff. I hate doing it, Karen,” he explained.
“After tonight, it won’t make any difference.”
“After tonight? Dave, what’s this about? Why
doesn’t he think you can trust me? What’s going on?” she demanded.
“Karen, he made me promise not to!” he protested.
She rolled her eyes. “Dave, you know that the
info’s perfectly safe with me. Okay, just tell me this—does this involve the
vampires and/or Isobel?”
“Both,” he admitted.
“And he’s going to talk about this stuff tonight?
Dave, you’ve got to stop him!”
“Some of us have tried already, Karen,” Pauline
announced from the living room.
The couple threw on their bathrobes and hustled
out to find the priestess waiting for them.
“I couldn’t keep it from her,” he lamented.
“He never should have asked you to do so, David.”
Pauline waved her hands covering them in the mists. “You may speak freely and I
will tell him that I told her.”
He revealed, “Karen, Dr. S. found some old
documents in Europe. One of them is a seventeenth century chronicle detailing
both medieval vampires as well as ones dating from that period. In addition, it
has Isobel’s connections detailed.”
His fiancée gaped. “He can’t share that
information with the class! Is he nuts? Can’t you tell him about the other times
we did that?”
“He won’t listen,” Pauline disagreed. “Whatever
happens tonight, David, you must keep control.”
“Terrific. All of the goodwill I’ve tried to build
up with the vampires is shot,” he groused.
“I’m sure they know you’re trying to stop this as
we all are,” the priestess assured him. “Be aware though that the Community will
intercede if things go too far.”
“I’ll be ready as always,” he declared.
“Be so, David. Everything may come down to
tonight.” With that, Pauline disappeared into the mists once more.
“How do you do it, Dave?”
He quirked an eyebrow at her sarcastically. “Oh I
just cue up the b. s., Miss.” He ground the coffee beans and started them
perking.
She winced. “Sorry, Dave. It’s been so nice not
having any trouble for the past three years. I just don’t want anything
happening while my folks are here.”
“I know. No vampire’s going to make a public
scene, Karen. If that happens, they’ll bring in the hunter squad again,” he
clarified.
“Those Enforcers?” She blanched. “Great. Another
reason to worry given our track record with them.”
“The leader’s here,” he revealed while taking the
bow, arrows and smoke bombs from the closet. “The aura’s the same as the one in
Boston and I felt it in Quebec before Laura and I were attacked. I want you at
the UMC tonight. Those creeps won’t attack you in public.”
“And the university proper isn’t a public place?”
she countered.
“I’d still rather get you out of here,” he told
her.
“Uh uh. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll work the
double but I’m with you,” she insisted, shooting him a look that brooked no
further debate.”
He shrugged. “Fine. Just be careful.”
“Just take your own advice,” she countered.
“You’re a week from graduating. We’re three weeks shy of our wedding! Think
before you do something rash, all right?” She stared into his eyes. “Please?”
“Last thing I want on campus is a standoff,” he
declared.
“Just don’t go looking for trouble, Dave,” she
requested before heading for the shower.
He shook his head. I don’t have to go looking for
trouble. It finds me on its own. With that, he walked out, heading for campus.
Chapter 7 [That night]
[Social Sciences Building]
Dr. Samuelsohn scanned his notes for the lecture
once again. He tried to collect himself after the loud argument with Pauline
from that afternoon. How dare she tell me what to say and what not to say to the
class? There was a knock at the door. “Yes?”
“Have a minute?” Dave requested while sticking his
head in the door.
“Of course.” He set his notes aside. “Pauline
mentioned to me that she talked to you and your fiancée about the documents and
this lecture. I know you didn’t say anything. Thank you for that.”
“I wanted to say that yesterday,” the younger man
informed him. “There aren’t many secrets from her order.” He took a deep breath
and closed the door. “Permission to speak frankly, sir?”
That request grabbed Samuelsohn’s attention. He
only asks that when it’s serious. “Absolutely. What’s on your mind?”
Dave looked earnestly at his professor. “Dr. S.,
perhaps we should stick to a general discussion on the Crusades tonight. Your
research is vital and I’m excited about it. However, I’ve also seen what happens
when such lectures expose dark secrets in the classroom. More often than not, I
end up taking the brunt of it. We’re being watched tonight by the very people
you warned me about. The hunters from Quebec are here.”
“Pauline’s gotten to you, hasn’t she?” the teacher
scoffed.
“Excuse me, sir! She doesn’t have to get to me!”
He leaned over the desk and locked eyes with his mentor. “I’ve seen people hurt
and friends die because of these things! I can’t stop you but I have to advise
you to edit the information for the sake of the class. If they know, the
students are in danger. And that’s as much from me as from them.” His eyes
glowed.
Samuelsohn recoiled, “Control yourself!”
“I am in control. I would advise you to do the
same for all of our sakes, sir. See you in class.” Dave departed quickly,
heading for the bathroom where he could take his St. John’s Wart. “Better.” He
stepped back out into the hall.
“You tried,” Pauline advised, appearing there.
“Fat lot of good that did. The only thing now is
to keep a sharp eye out.” He held up his duffel bag. “I’m ready.”
“Discretion is key. Remember that,” she reminded
him before disappearing.
“Terrific,” he groused, heading for the classroom
in question.
****
[Two hours later]
Despite the arguments and disagreements, Dr.
Samuelsohn maintained a professional level during his lecture, discussing
various aspects of the crusading efforts. He covered Europe and the East with
equal knowledge, keeping the students enthralled.
Dave, on the other hand, kept an eye on his watch
and his senses on full alert. He had felt the empty spots drawing closer to
campus all afternoon. He anticipated that Rodriguez, the local Elder, would keep
track of things personally. He also knew the Enforcers would be close too.
Careful, Dr. S.! He heard a throat being cleared. “Yes?”
“Are we boring you?” his mentor asked testily.
“Of course not. Just focusing on the meat of the
lecture as always.” Not to mention any potential threats. Dave glared at the
other students in the room for their giggling at him. Let’s hope I’m wrong, you
ass wipes!
“Fine. There is one particular crusader I want to
talk about but before I give you his name, I’ll fill you in on the particulars.
He was born in 1193 or thereabouts in Brabant of its ducal house. After a
misadventure in Ireland, the bishop and his uncle arranged for him to go on
Crusade. The reluctant knight traveled the length of the Levant both as soldier
and envoy. Toward the end of his life, he was imprisoned for eight years by the
Muslims. Upon being released, he went to Paris…where he was last seen,” the
professor revealed.
Dave stared at him. That sounds like….
“Hey, now Dubois’ interested!” Mike Montoya
sniggered in the back of the class.
Dave shook his head at the idiot. Even as he did
so, he felt a familiar aura getting closer. Not the one from Quebec…but one he
had felt in Boston and Smallville. Him here?
“Dave, you know the story, don’t you?” Gary
supposed.
“I might.” And I know the man himself but you
don’t need to know that! “I’m not allowed to say and, with all due respect,
neither is Dr. Samuelsohn either.”
“HOW DARE YOU?” his advisor growled.
Before Dave could respond, a voice announced from
the back. “I agree with the boy, Samuelsohn.”
The group turned to see LaCroix standing there,
arching his eyebrow almost in dismissal of their presence. The visitor was
slim yet well-built with piercing icy eyes, a closely-shaved head, and an aura
which seemed to project a regal persona. This man's presence told the bystanders
that he usually got what he wanted without much argument.
Dave rolled his eyes. Oh great. It is him….. “And
what—pray tell—are you doing here?”
LaCroix smirked at the student. “I don’t recall
needing to explain where I go to you or anyone, Dubois.”
“Except you’re making a scene,” Dave insisted.
“Fine,” the General conceded, relinquishing the
moment of theatrics. While he did relish a good entrance, he knew that Dubois
was right. Turning to Samuelsohn, he commanded, "You will stop this discussion.”
Dr. Samuelsohn stared at the intruder
incredulously, "Excuse me?"
The other repeated himself, "You will stop
this discussion, now." His eyes seemed to bore into the professor's
consciousness.
Dave, for his part, felt a throbbing start in his
own head. The spasms had started again and whatever this jerk was doing was only
making them worse.
Gary grabbed onto him. “Dave, are you okay?”
The professor's eyes went blank and he nodded,
"I...will not...go any...further."
"Good," the intruder crooned with a soft yet
threatening undertone. "I would hate to have to use more force. Now, dismiss
this rabble and leave."
The instructor nodded and turned toward his class.
"You... are... dismissed."
This forced maneuver forced Dave over the
edge. Standing up from his front row seat, he tensed and began to snarl,
"Why...that sonuva..."
One of his classmates grabbed his arm. "Sit down!
You wanna be next?" he asked.
"The asshole can try, but nobody ...does... that,"
Dave smoldered.
LaCroix turned back toward Dave. While he wanted
nothing more than to be rid of the annoying young man and the inner developing
wild child, he knew that wasn’t the time or place. “As you said before, Dubois,
let’s not make a scene."
"Too late for that," Dave retorted. His eyes
burned into the intruder's. "You picked this fight, Buster."
"I see that I must...discipline you as well," the
other shook his head and directed his glare at the college student.
Dave gripped his head tightly as the pounding
escalated. The figure and the room seemed to be turrning crimson.
"You will forget," the man stated.
"Like Hell," Dave glowered as he felt himself
slipping..
The man frowned and redoubled his efforts. "You
will forget...." he repeated, his eyes turning a slight shade of yellow.
Dave smiled wickedly. "And I said. like Hell!"
He closed his eyes and shook off the stranger's spell. Then, he glared at his
attacker. "Surprise, I can't be hypnotized! So, I guess you can go jump in a
lake...of holy water." At this point, he teetered right on the edge of lapsing.
He heard the Scream in his head.
The Child sniggered at the Roman. “We didn’ ask ya,
Croisie! Jus’ gimme an exc’se!” Looking at the bag, he made a smoke bomb rise
out of it and float into his hand. “Know wha’ this is? This is fer Witchie Poo.
Should work on yer slimy ass!”
The intruder snarled. As always, this one was
trouble. He advised the impudent student, "Mark my words, you will rue this day.
I will come for you in a more...private setting."
The Dark One growled derisively, "Anytime!"
LaCroix shrugged and took off through the
open skylight and back into the night from which he had come leaving chaos in
his wake.
The Child glowered at the disbelieving group.
“QUIT IT! GIT MOVIN’!” He bellowed at them for emphasis.
Thinking that he had finally lost it, they all
took off—all except Gary Miramoto and Montoya.
“I knew he was a freak!” the latter accused.
“AH HATE THA’ SHIT!” the Child bellowed.
Lord help us! During his own undergraduate days,
Gary had done research on the Vendee himself reading through some of Dave’s own
stuff in the process. As such, he knew what was going on. He is really Le Puer!
“It’s okay. Let’s see to Dr. S.”
“Yeah, fine!” the Dark One bellowed as he and his
friend helped their teacher into a chair.
“What? What’s going on?” Samuelsohn asked,
snapping out of the spell. “David?”
“Not now,” Gary indicated. “He’s…well not
himself.”
“Amazing!” Samuelsohn studied the Child. This is
what Pauline feared!
“That’s enough,” Gary disagreed, electing to get
the Child out of there before he could really explode. “Let’s get something to
drink from the Pepsi machine. You do soda?”
“T…tea…cold tea,” the Child rasped, recalling what
Big Brother liked to drink.
He must mean iced tea. I hope he likes it the same
way that Dave does. “Okay. Let’s go to the Student Union…the big building with
the clock. We’ll get you something and then we can come back here. Okay?”
“Yeah,” the Child agreed before stomping out of
the room.
“He really is the….” Samuelsohn realized.
“That’s why he was reacting the way he was, sir.
Maybe you might check on your wife?” Gary suggested.
“Good idea. I don’t feel like talking anymore
about whatever the class was about.” With that, the professor collected his
notes and took off.
What a night this has turned into! Karen’s going
to have a cow! Speaking of which, time to guide Mr. Explosive into the China
shop.
****
[Twenty minutes later]
Dave sat in the corner, sipping on the large iced
tea and dealing with the pounding headache from what he knew to be another mood
swing. What was LaCroix doing? I know he’s an arrogant blowhard but this is
ridiculous! If the Enforcers weren’t pissed before, they will be now! He saw
Rodriguez enter the room. And now El Hombre del Pueblo is here. Great. The
Empress is really going to wring my neck now.
“Buenas noches, Dubois,” the Elder greeted.
Dave bowed his head. “Sorry about the mess.”
“Don’t apologize. I know where the blame lies. So
does the Community. You did your best to prevent it,” Rodriguez assured him.
“Too bad you all couldn’t keep LaCreep in check,”
the student groused. Seeing Montoya approaching, he queried sarcastically, “Back
for more, are we?”
“What kind of stupid thing were you doing,
Dubois?” Montoya snapped, shoving him.
“Maybe trying to save your worthless hide along
with everyone else’s!” Dave retorted, feeling his scalp going numb again. “Spare
me the lecture!”
Rodriguez grabbed Montoya and spun him around.
Before the other could protest, he locked eyes with the other man and
instructed, “You will leave here. You are very tired. Not a word to anyone,
comprendes?”
“Yes,” the obnoxious student agreed before walking
out.
Rodriguez looked around but didn’t find Dave with
him. “Ay caramba!” He rushed out to find his quarry leaving the building through
the side door. <Thankfully, he’s not disappearing tonight.”> “A donde vas?”
“Voy al UMC y Karen,” Dave answered tersely before
slumping onto the stairs under the weight of his gear.
“My people are with her and your other friends
around the country. Nobody will target them tonight. I promise you,” Rodriguez
vowed.
“And what about the Enforcers?”
The Elder shook his head. “As I said, Amigo,
you’ve done nothing to merit them getting involved. Samuelsohn is a target. You
and your friends, however, are well known for keeping Community secrets.”
“But just by doing this, we’re breaking the
Prohibition!”
Rodriguez ground his fangs, knowing that the young
man wasn’t trying to be a pain but rather was stuck between a rock and a hard
place. “LaCroix did that, Dubois. You contained the situation for now. If the
elf woman cannot understand that, then it’s her problem not ours. Now come. I’ll
give you a ride back to your apartment. My assistant, Elena, is doing the same
for Karen as we speak.”
“Thanks for that, Señor,” Dave expressed as they
headed toward the Elder’s limo.
****
[Apartment]
Karen looked around the inside of the limo, not
believing what was happening. Here we go again. She turned to the Hispanic woman
beside her. “Where are we going?”
“Your home, Miss Alvarez. I assure you that your
fiancé is all right.” As they pulled into the lot, Elena pointed out the
apartment to her. “This is the place, no?”
“Thank you. Want to come in for a minute? I don’t
want to be rude,” Karen offered despite wanting to talk to Dave one on one about
the emotional shockwaves she felt over their link. She felt something else as
well. “There are others.”
Elena nodded. “Si. My kind is close by. In fact,
here is my master with Dubois now.”
As soon as the second car stopped, Dave jumped out
and hugged his fiancée. “Am I glad to see you!”
“I’d say the same, Buster!” she retorted
gratefully. “What happened?”
“That guy we ran into at the Captain’s Hearth
during senior year, LaCroix, showed up in class tonight. He hypnotized Dr. S and
tried to do the same to me. That flipped my switch,” Dave explained.
She gaped. “He did WHAT?” She turned to the two
vampires. “I thought you didn’t show off in public like that.”
Rodriguez shook his head. “We don’t, Señorita.
Rest assured, there will be an accounting for his actions. As I told David,
these do not apply to you both or your friends.”
“Thank goodness for small favors,” she expressed
in relief.
Dave looked around, feeling the tell tale signs of
the Head Enforcer’s presence. “Let’s get inside.” He unlocked the door, inviting
the other three inside and shutting it behind them.
****
Dijon skulked in the shadows and brush, keeping
watch on Dave and Karen’s apartment. With Rodriguez watching the place, he knew
there would be no evening the score on that night. <But there will be another
time.> His senses suddenly alerted him to the coldness behind him. He turned to
find the Apparition floating there. “Tois!”
“GIT LOST!” the Dark One warned menacingly; it’s
‘hands’ glowing.
<Curse you, Isobel, for creating such a beast!>
“One day, Creature, I will be revenged on you!”
The Apparition laughed mockingly. “Ya don’ know
shit, Dum’ass! GIT!”
Guessing that the Image wanted a fight especially
after dealing with LaCroix, Dijon scowled. He knew power when he saw it.....
…And a fully pissed off Destroyer was not his idea
of a sparing partner.
He took off into the night, swearing revenge
again.
The Dark One glared around at the surroundings
before vanishing again into the night.
Onto Part 2