Evil Thirst (The Last Vampire #5)(17) Author: Christopher Pike

Dr. Seter: "But just last night you were worried she was working for the Dark Mother."

James: "She is not behaving like someone who is trying to harm us. Right now she gave us a ton of information she didn'thave to. Information that could be used against the Dark Mother."

Dr. Seter: "Only if it's true."

James: "It is true! Look, she only asks us to trust her so far. We will know within seconds of meeting this person if she is the Dark Mother. But she is right,we must be prepared for a major attack. It is the only way to protect our people."

Dr. Seter: "But what if she's lying to us? If she's working for the government and is trying to trap our group white it is engaged in illegal activities? Think about it,Jim,we're going to be storming a residence of some kind. If it is a government trap, we'll look like just another evil and confused cult in the eyes of the public."

James:"We'll have her with us when we make our attack.If she's lied to us, she'll pay the price."

Dr. Seter:" That's just talk.You wouldn't hurt her."

James:"I don't think I'll have to hurt her. I think our enemy will be so evil our hatred will be turned totally on her." A pause. "Let's do it. If we don't,Father, we will regret it for the rest of our lives.That's what my inner feelings tell me."

Dr. Seter is a long time answering. But finally he gives his OK.

9

The attack has yet to begin but already I realize something is very strange. I had initially gone to Dr. Seterand James because I knew I was physi­cally and emotionally ill-equipped to killK alika. She is too strong for me, and I can't imagine hurting her. All I wanted to do was send in twenty people with guns,close my eyes,and be told it was all over. Your daughter is dead,the world is safe for democracy again.Yet the Suzama Society seems to be much more than twenty people with guns. It should reassure me that they are better prepared than I imagined,yet it does not,and I puzzle over this. I stand in Suite 3670, in the commercial building across the street from Kalika'sco ndo tower. Olym­pic Boulevard lies between us and my daughter, but at this time of night—three in the morning—it is rare that a car drives by. Beside me are Dr. Seter, Seymour, James,and two sharpshooters with laser-assisted rifles. They have cut away a circular panel in the glass and now are focusing their weapons on Kalika's windows, which are visible,barely—for we are eighteen stories above her. All of Kalika's windows are covered with vertical blinds,however. We have better views of her two balconies and the large pool far below. Of course, we have a dear view of the roof of the tower. It is at this spot that I stare as my doubts continue to grow.

Dr. Seter and his son have not assembled a group of spiritual fanatics and trained them how to aim and fire automatic weapons. Instead they have managed to construct the equivalent of a highly trained commando unit. I am staggered by the way they go about surrounding Kalika,who, by the way, is definitely at home. Their attack is much more coordinated than the attack theL APD and the FBI sprang to capture me and Joel.

There are two units: Alpha Top and Alpha Bot­tom. The former has somehow managed to make it onto the roof of the building with ropes and pulleys. Alpha Bottom is already on Kalika's floor. The security guards are apparently unconscious, if we are to believe the radio reports that are con­stantly streaming in. We're all tied together with short wave. Both Alpha Top and Alpha Bottom have ten members each,male and female, all dressed in black.They have night goggles,gas grenades,even grenade launchers. Where they bought all this stuff, I have no idea.

I watch as the last of the Alpha Top team assembles on the roof.

"How do they plan on getting down toK alika's balcony?"I ask James,pointing at the people on the roof. James is also dressed in black,a radio in his hand.His face shines with excitement. Appar­ently he likes playing soldier. The whole situation strikes me as odd,and yet I am the one who instigated it—Ithink.

"The same way they got on the roof," he says." We will lower six of them onto the balconies before we attack,three onto each balcony. We won't attack until everyone is in position. Why?"

"She will hear them on the balcony," I say.

James peers through a pair of binoculars hung around his neck."We have pretty much deter­mined that she is asleep."

"I wouldn't count on that," Seymour mutters.

"We must give her a chance to cooperate," Dr. Setersays for perhaps the tenth time. Although the doctor is supposed to be the boss,it is clear to me the attack units are taking orders only from James.

"She'll be given every chance she deserves," James says. He clicks on his radio. "Alpha Bottom, this is Control. Are you still holding by the eigh­teenth floor elevators? Over."

"Control,this is Alpha Bottom. We are near the elevators.Over."

"Alpha Bottom, this is ControlAlpha Top will be swinging onto the balconies momentarily. Do not move toward Suite Eighteen Twenty-one until you are ordered.Over."

"Control,this is Alpha Bottom.Understood. Out."

James studies the top group through his binocu­lars. Then he clicks his radio back on."Alpha Top, this is Control. Any signs thatK alika is in the living room or kitchen area? Over."

"Control,this is Alpha Top. We have detected no activity in the living room or kitchen area.Over."

"Alpha Top, are your ropes in place? Over."

"Control,we are ready to swing down.Over."

"Alpha Top, this is Control.Y ou may start down.But hold on the balconies until youhear from me. Over."

"Control,understood. Alpha Top out."

"You guys seem to know what you're doing," I say.

James smiles. "You sound disappointed."

I give a wan smile. "I always have a thing for the underdog." More than a thing.Watching them all converge on Kalika,I feel sick to my stomach.I have to keep telling myself that Kalika is totally unpredictable, that they have to be careful Dr. Seter puts a hand on my arm.

"Wehave trained forthisday foralong time," hesays." But we will not shoot first,I promise you that. She will be given every chance to surrender."

I shake my head."She will never surrender."

In teams of three,dropping off from two points on the roof, the Alpha Top people begin to slide down toward the balconies.They land in seconds;I watch as theyun clip the ropes from their belts. Each carries a weapon, has a radio in an ear, and night goggles. The guy in charge of Alpha Top comes back on the line, speaking in hushed whis­pers.