silence yet another member of the Vatican. While it is unfortunate that he had such a short time to live his dream, he should thank me for getting him there in the first place. I groomed him for the position after all. I influenced the right people and bought others. As repayment for my generosity, I asked only for some time alone with the shroud. He granted my request, arranged for my visit, and granted me as much time as I desired. The switch was easy, the objects being almost identical. Now I am in possession of the most important historical relic and the Church is holding an item that is worthless by comparison.
Nobody suspects what I did. The only person who is aware of my identity is going to be dead in less than six hours. I have arranged to make any links back to me, or inquiries into his cause of death, unavailable.
I have conquered the Church again. They are imbeciles. I know now that I can accomplish anything. There is nobody—nobody—who can oppose me and succeed. I will have all that my heart desires and more. This curse will come to an end one way or the other. I have been trapped in this life for far too long.
March 26,
Outside Castle Rock, CO
Dr. Leyden had completed his portion of the work and was taking a well-deserved break, spending a few days relaxing and touring the rest of the facility. Tuesday, feeling unusually friendly, he approached the security guard he had encountered previously while out running. The guard was eating lunch in the main cafeteria.
“Good morning,” Dr Leyden said as he approached the table. “May I join you?”
The guard looked up from his meal and shrugged his response. Dr. Leyden took it as a yes and sat down. “My name is Dr. Shannon Leyden, and you are?” he asked, extending his right hand.
“Thomas,” the younger man replied and shook his hand firmly. Dr. Leyden thought it odd that Thomas did not offer his last name, but he accepted the reply without further questioning. They sat for a while exchanging small talk and having a pleasant conversation. As they ate, Dr. Leyden accidentally knocked the ketchup off of the table. Before it could hit the ground, the guard’s hand shot out and grabbed it out of midair. The movement was eerily snake-like.
“Nice catch,” Dr. Leyden commented. Thomas merely shrugged again as he set the bottle back on the table. Dr. Leyden noticed the muscular forearms that extended up into a well-built, well-toned upper body. With a build like that, and the reflexes of a cobra, this was not a man to be tangled with. He also now had a look in his eyes that made Dr. Leyden extraordinarily uncomfortable. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was. It was almost as if the younger man was amused by the world while at the same time extremely hostile toward it…as though if you ceased to entertain him he would kill you just to find out what your reaction would be to his attack.
Dr. Leyden tried to continue the conversation and not focus on the creepy feeling he was experiencing. He discovered that Thomas was from nearby Manitou Springs. He had previously worked for Mr. Scario but would not discuss what that work entailed.
Dr. Leyden continued poking and prodding with his questions. Over the next half hour or so he was able to determine that Thomas was not originally from Manitou. He was ex-Special Forces, but Dr. Leyden didn’t know with which branch. Thomas implied that the other guards were as well. This disturbed Dr. Leyden. While he could appreciate the need for security, he was uncomfortable with the fact that a bunch of Seals, Rangers, Recon, whatever, were guarding the premises. It seemed to be a bit excessive even if they were cloning the first human being. They were in the middle of nowhere in a building that appeared from the outside to be a nondescript cabin or bed and breakfast. Nobody would give it a second look.
“Well, I’d better get back going. It was a pleasure meeting you,” Dr. Leyden said, pushing back
Nobody suspects what I did. The only person who is aware of my identity is going to be dead in less than six hours. I have arranged to make any links back to me, or inquiries into his cause of death, unavailable.
I have conquered the Church again. They are imbeciles. I know now that I can accomplish anything. There is nobody—nobody—who can oppose me and succeed. I will have all that my heart desires and more. This curse will come to an end one way or the other. I have been trapped in this life for far too long.
March 26,
Outside Castle Rock, CO
Dr. Leyden had completed his portion of the work and was taking a well-deserved break, spending a few days relaxing and touring the rest of the facility. Tuesday, feeling unusually friendly, he approached the security guard he had encountered previously while out running. The guard was eating lunch in the main cafeteria.
“Good morning,” Dr Leyden said as he approached the table. “May I join you?”
The guard looked up from his meal and shrugged his response. Dr. Leyden took it as a yes and sat down. “My name is Dr. Shannon Leyden, and you are?” he asked, extending his right hand.
“Thomas,” the younger man replied and shook his hand firmly. Dr. Leyden thought it odd that Thomas did not offer his last name, but he accepted the reply without further questioning. They sat for a while exchanging small talk and having a pleasant conversation. As they ate, Dr. Leyden accidentally knocked the ketchup off of the table. Before it could hit the ground, the guard’s hand shot out and grabbed it out of midair. The movement was eerily snake-like.
“Nice catch,” Dr. Leyden commented. Thomas merely shrugged again as he set the bottle back on the table. Dr. Leyden noticed the muscular forearms that extended up into a well-built, well-toned upper body. With a build like that, and the reflexes of a cobra, this was not a man to be tangled with. He also now had a look in his eyes that made Dr. Leyden extraordinarily uncomfortable. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was. It was almost as if the younger man was amused by the world while at the same time extremely hostile toward it…as though if you ceased to entertain him he would kill you just to find out what your reaction would be to his attack.
Dr. Leyden tried to continue the conversation and not focus on the creepy feeling he was experiencing. He discovered that Thomas was from nearby Manitou Springs. He had previously worked for Mr. Scario but would not discuss what that work entailed.
Dr. Leyden continued poking and prodding with his questions. Over the next half hour or so he was able to determine that Thomas was not originally from Manitou. He was ex-Special Forces, but Dr. Leyden didn’t know with which branch. Thomas implied that the other guards were as well. This disturbed Dr. Leyden. While he could appreciate the need for security, he was uncomfortable with the fact that a bunch of Seals, Rangers, Recon, whatever, were guarding the premises. It seemed to be a bit excessive even if they were cloning the first human being. They were in the middle of nowhere in a building that appeared from the outside to be a nondescript cabin or bed and breakfast. Nobody would give it a second look.
“Well, I’d better get back going. It was a pleasure meeting you,” Dr. Leyden said, pushing back
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