Repost: The Night Gods III- The Triumph of Evil: Chap X- The Doctor's Warning and Prz's Fortune

Artwork by @marty-art on Steemit... With many thanks!

They arrived in Virginia early the next morning having driven through the night. The Doctor's country home was a palatial old antebellum plantation house with a long drive winding through willow trees on both sides... The name of the plantation was, in fact, Willowbrook. A liveried butler served coffee from a silver service, after which they followed him, ascending the winding double staircase to the Doctor's room. He looked small and frail in his large canopied bed.

"Ah, Prz, I see Yuri and Vanessa convinced you to come," he said feebly.

"Yes," Przybysz replied trying his best to smile, "they can be most persuasive."

"Especially the lovely Vanessa eh," the Doctor smiled and then coughed leaving a red stain on his handkerchief.

"What's wrong Doctor," Przybysz asked, voice filled with concern. He genuinely liked and respected the Doctor- of all the members Prz had met the Doctor was a rarity, a man of integrity.

"Cancer," the Doctor said, his voice weak.

"Is there something I can do?" Przybysz asked.

The Doctor waved his hand dismissively: "There's nothing anyone can do. I'm afraid I don't have much time left and there's some things you need to know."

"Of course," Przybysz said grimly, "I just hate to see you like this though."

"I'm old," the Doctor smiled again. "It's my time... it happens to everybody... your time will come too- someday."

"What's all this about?" Przybysz asked, something with the Council?"

"Vanessa's cousin," the Doctor told him, "Lord Penrose."

"3rd cousin," Vanessa added, "and that's not far enough removed."

There's been a split in the Councils," the Doctor began, "that you know... What you don't know is that since the war, the faction run by Beck and Penrose have pretty much taken over. The moderates, shall we say, still have a voice, but it's all but ignored."

"What can I do to help?" Przybysz asked.

"Nothing right now," The Doctor coughed again, wiping away the bloody spittle. "We're reaching out- that is the moderates in the Councils- we need assistance and we're reaching out to the resistance movements around the world... they'll be the only antidote for what will come. That's why I sent for you."

"I appreciate your confidence," Przybysz told his aging friend.

"I'm not done yet," the Doctor went on, "Lockhart and his friends were fools, they never saw your potential. They treated you like a hired thug- nothing but muscle... But I saw something much deeper. You're a good man Prz- and I realized when I began to hear Mr. Shoemaker's broadcasts that you were behind them.

"I'm not alone..." Przybysz began.

"I know," the Doctor waved his hand feebly, "let me go on. Your friends and you need to reach out more- to the other groups- organize them. Yuri has a list of people both here and abroad... people you can trust. He will represent the governmental faction of the moderate Council members- some of them you already know- some you don't."

"What are you saying?" Przybysz asked, confused. "What are you asking me to do?"

"I... We need you to take over the resistance- at least as far as the Councils are concerned. Both you and Yuri will be liaisons- catalysts between the resistance and the moderates on the Councils. The Council members obviously can't be involved directly, but will provode support in other ways," the Doctor stopped to sip some water.

Vanessa leaned over and wiped the Doctor's brow. "You need to rest Dear," she said tenderly.

"I don't have time to rest- none of us do," the Doctor replied with a weak smile. "This is too important... the survival of the world- at least what's left of it- may hinge on what happens next."

"What do you mean?" Przybysz asked.

"Penrose and his people are plotting something... something big. There's someone they've been grooming to take over for Oliveira- his term is almost up and they never planned to keep him in power for long anyway. He was just a stop-gap... the right man for the job at the time.

"Do you have any idea who the new guy is?"" Przybysz didn't like where this was going.

"No idea- I'm hoping that maybe Vanessa can find that out," he said looking at Vanessa. "This may involve you getting closer to your cousin, my dear."

"I'll do whatever's necessary," Vanessa put in. "This is too important to fail."

"It could get dangerous,"the Doctor looked at her, concern in his eyes.

"I don't care," she said firmly, "I'll do whatever it takes."

"Yuri's list has a number of people you can trust- like I said- some here, some abroad. There's a woman in Italy- very dedicated... The UN killed her husband. She and her brother have been a thorn in the side of the UN there. They have a man with them- a former priest, father Tony, he's called. Used to be an Airborne Ranger here- he may prove very useful."

"The people on the list- are they Council, or resistance?" Przybysz asked.

"Both," the Doctor replied. "Some of the Councils are still loyal to the old moderate wing. A few members have relocated to Geneva after the war to be safe... some stayed here in the States."

The Doctor looked up at Przybysz before going on: "You know some of them Prz, from when you worked for Lockhart and me- their names are on Yuri's list... He'll give you a copy. Others are with the resistance- like Alessandra in Italy. There's a big push for liberty in China as well."

The Doctor began to cough and a nurse entered placing an oxygen mask on him... He lifted it briefly" I need a few minutes. Get the list from Yuri, study it and come back in about 30 minutes."

Przybysz put his hand gently on his old friend's cheek: "I'll be back- you rest."

In the hallway outside the Doctor's room Yuri handed Przybysz a copy of the list- it proved more lengthy than he had expected... just as the Doctor had told him, some of the names were familiar... many more were not.

"What do you suppose Penrose has up his sleeve?" Przybysz asked Yuri after reading the list.

"I wish I knew," Yuri replied. "Whatever it is, it isn't good. I don't know about you, but I think I could do with a drink before we go back in."

"Now that, darling," Vanessa smiled, "is the best suggestion you've had all day."

"Yuri," Przybysz said sipping his drink, "how much do you know about what the Doc is talking about? I don't want to wear him out anymore than necessary."

"At this point," Yuri replied, "not a whole lot more than you. He just asked me to act as a go between- for you, as the rep of the resistance, and the Council members in government. I can travel more freely with my diplomatic credentials and get around in circles where you can't."

"I'm to keep the channels with Lord Penrose open," Vanessa said, a disgusted look on her beautiful face, "and funnel information to you through Yuri."

"Whatever they have planned," Yuri said, "we have to try and stop it. Like the Doctor said, there's something big afoot... On both sides- I hear through back channels that the Chinese resistance is planning something... some kind of coup maybe- and they have the tongs involved."

"If the tongs are willing to go that far out on a limb- it must be big," Przybysz mused aloud.

"Well," Vanessa said, "let's go check in on the Doctor."

The Doctor motioned the protesting nurse away when they entered, removing his oxygen mask. She tried to replace it, but the Doctor would have none of it.

"What are you trying to do," he smiled, "buy me one more day?" The nurse shrugged and left saying:

"Maybe you'll have better luck than me... he needs his oxygen. Please try to keep his mask on."

"She's right Dear," Vanessa said tenderly, "you need to conserve your strength."

"For what," the Doctor smiled, "the marathon?" He coughed. "I'm finished- I know it. I'm ready to meet those whom I serve."

"What can I do Doctor?" Przybysz asked.

"Penrose and his ilk want total destruction... like it says on those Georgia Guidestones- 95% population reduction, it's insane- it's Armageddon. Those stones are the work of man, not the Ancient Ones. It was never the intention of the Night Gods to see mass deaths- certainly not like that. They only want sacrifice- a few sacrifices in exchange for blessing our endeavours." He coughed again, bloody spittle staining his handkerchief and unshaven chin.

"Stop for a while, Doctor," Przybysz pleaded reaching down to wipe the blood away.

"No, let me go on," he said a firm edge to his weak voice. Penrose, Beck and the rest are sick... like Denning. He was a sick, sadistic, power mad bastard. So is Penrose, so is Beck- they're maniacs. They hold themselves above the Ancient Ones while pretending to serve them... like they're make believe or something supernatural. They're stupid- if they can't see something, it must not be real. Anyway, I'm not sure what they're trying to do, but whatever it is will involve massive death and destruction- something of Biblical proportions. I may be wrong here, but I see an antichrist on the horizon... One that they'll sell to the people as a peacemaker- just before he wipes them out. It will be the downfall of mankind- the end of the world as we know it, just like the Bible says. I pray I'm wrong... but my many years of experience tell me I'm not."

"Oh my God," Vanessa gasped.

"Not hardly," the Doctor smiled, "quite the opposite in fact. There's still time for you to reconsider."

"No," she said shaking her head, "that's not what I meant. I think I may know..."

"What?" Yuri cut in. "You know who it is?"

"I'm not sure," she said uncertainly, "but there was a man... I met him once- at one of Penrose's gatherings..."

"And you think it could be him, Dear?" The Doctor asked.

"I don't know," she said, "not for sure... but there was something about him- something in the way he acted... in the way everyone acted toward him."

"Do you know his name?" Przybysz asked.

"No. But I'm going to find out," she said deliberately. "It shouldn't be that difficult."

"Vanessa," the Doctor reached out his frail hand to grasp her forearm, "be careful... You may be a realtive, but those people will sacrifice you without thinking twice about it. The god that Penrose worships isn't the Night Gods that I know and serve... they're a creation of his own sick mind. He serves no one but himself."

"What are you getting at?" Przybysz was afraid the Doctor was wandering.

"Honor, my son," the Doctor smiled. "I'm fine Prz... When the Councils began it was just a continuation of a natural progression that's been going on since the dawn of civilization. Using evil- man's natural state- for the benefit of the elites. I don't know when or where it began- the Aztecs did it... almost every culture has used sacrifice in one form or another. It was done 'to please the Gods' they were just unaware which gods they were honoring." The Doctor took a breath and another sip of water before continuing...

"We worship the Ancient Ones- the gods of this world. The Christian God is the god of the next world and despite claims to the contrary, they're not in conflict with each other... 'render unto Ceasar...' Somewhere along the way, the evil turned inward and men like Beck, Penrose and the others came about. The Night Gods only wanted sacrifice... not genocide- and an occasional war perhaps."

"What can we do, Darling?" Vanessa asked wiping the Doctor's brow with a cool cloth.

Stay vigilant," the Doctor sighed, "I don't have much time left, it's all up to you now... There's a man on the list Prz, named Collins, William Collins. He's an attorney and a Council member- he'll help. If you need money, go to him. I have no family, Prz and I left everything to you- you're the closest thing to a son. I made provisions for the people that work here of course... but the house is yours too."

"You didn't have to do that..." Przybysz began. The thought of owning a house like this was a bit overwhelming. Wait until Dick and the others heard.

The Doctor waved his hand dismissively: "You earned it- this and more. If I had left it directly to you, it would have brought you unwanted attention. I put it in a trust with Collins as executor. He can be trusted Prz."

"Thank you Sir," Przybysz said softly looking into the old man's eyes.

"I know you'll use it all wisely," the Doctor sighed. "Please be careful, vigilant- watch Penrose and Beck closely. Keep Vanessa safe, and Vanessa dear- be careful yourself when you try to find out who the mystery man is."

"I will honey," Vanessa bent and kissed his forehead.

The Doctor pulled a cord by the bed and the elderly butler entered carrying a portfolio: "I've done something else for you Prz. These papers will allow you to travel unimpeded under Council protection... It's the least I could do after all of your years of faithful service. As long as Penrose and Beck don't completely take over, you'll be safe."

"I don't know what to say..." Przybysz said meekly.

"Then don't say anything," the Doctor replied. "I wish I could appoint you to take my place on the Council, but that would place you in more danger. You'll be better served this way- you have access to my fortune. If the worst happens, gather up your closest people- that includes Yuri and Vanessa- and head for Australia. I have a place just outside of Melbourne and there's almost no UN presence there. Now it's time for me to sleep. It's my time and I'm ready... this isn't life. I have no regrets. So, go- go and save the world. Prz, you know what you have to do. I'm not going to wake up, so there's no need for any of you to stick around... Be safe- you're the future."

Vanessa kissed the Doctor's forehead once more and Przybysz placed his hand gemtly on the Doctor's chest... "Good bye my old friend," he said- there was a tear in his eye.

The funeral was small and against the Doctor's wishes, Przybysz, Yuri and Vanessa stayed for the services. he was buried on his plantation in Virginia... the plantation where his family had once been slaves. The only attendees were Przybysz, Yuri, Vanessa, Collins and a couple of loyal Council members, all of whom offered the three whatever assistance they needed in their endeavour. After the others had gone, Collins took Przybysz aside and gave him his contact information.

The ride back to Arkansas was somber- they spoke little. The usually loquacious Vanessa was particularly quiet, sobbing softly from time to time. The enormity of the task before them was beginning to sink in. Przybysz was wondering how he would divide his time between the resistance in Arkansas and his other duties. He called Dick to update him on recent events and to inform him that Yuri and Vanessa would accompany him back to the compound.

Father Tony had just finished saying Mass when Alessandra entered holding a phone. Although it was illegal now, there were still devout resistance members and the dangers involved in their activities made Father Tony's dual role even more critical. Every Wedensday, if he wasn't on a mission, the priest heard confession and granted absolution to his parishoners- just as he had before the war. During each and every Mass, he gave communion.

"Father Tony," Alessandra excleimed excitedly, "I just heard from our friend in Geneva. We're to receive a very important call from America."

"What did they say?" Father Tony asked as he put away his things.

"Only to expect a call from a contact in America," she said, "and for you to take the call because of your English."

Yuri and Vanessa spent several days with Przybysz and the others in the Arkansas compound. Vanessa found the mountainside setting "quaint and rustic" as she put it. While Yuri and Przybysz explained the new developments to Dick, Vanessa regaled Ann with lurid tales of the hoi poloi. They immediately became fast friends... It was the happiest and most animated Dick had seen her since the untimely murder of her husband Jim. The new visitor was doing Ann a world of good.

The main topic of discussion between Przybysz, Yuri and Dick was the best way to utilize the property in Virginia.

"We could set it up as an East Coast headquarters," Przybysz suggested. "Sooner or later, the locus of power will shift away from Nevada back east."

"One thing we need to do," Yuri said, "is to put diplomatic plates on at least one vehicle. A limo would work best... not only is it virtually untouchable, but many people can travel in it at once."

"Good idea," Dick said. From what I'm getting out of what the Doctor expects from you, Prz, you're going to be doing a good bit of travelling."

"I hope not," Przybysz said looking up from the papers he was studying. "I'm getting kind of attached to this place... One thing for sure- we won't have to worry about money."

"What have you got there?" Dick asked.

"The financials Collins gave me," Przybysz said with an amazed look.

"Don't keep us in suspense," Dick said with a smile, "what have we got?"

"Well, I don't know about you, Kemo Sabe," Przybysz smiled back, "but it shows me just on the northside of $3 Billion, all totaled."

"Damn," Yuri exclaimed, "you're damned near respectable Prz. Don't let Vanessa hear that or she'll drop me in a second!"

It took a while to sink in... Przybysz knew the Doctor had been well off- but he had no idea it was anywhere near this. Nor did he have any idea that it would wing up with him. He always respected the Doctor, even admired him, but this was beyond anything he could have imagined. On the list Yuri had given him, Przybysz noticed a name, "Fawkes," beside which was written a phone number and a notation... 'call at once.'

Yuri," Przybysz turned to the Russian, "what do you know about this name? I didn't really notice it before."

"Fawkes, I can't tell you for certain who it is," Yuri said. "only that I've heard it before and it's someone very well connected to the government. I can also tell you she's on our side and coordinates things... and that you can trust her."

"Her?" Przybysz was surprised- he had expected it to be a man for some reason.

Yuri laughed at his friend's shocked look. "What," he said still laughing, "only men can do the job... You better not let Vanessa hear you talking like that- or Alessandra. I've met her... she's as beautiful as a super-model and as deadly as a cobra. The world's changed guys. We take help wherever we can find it."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Przybysz sighed. "It's not a man's world anymore."

"Better give her a call," Dick suggested, "it says to call at once."

Przybysz called the number and a woman answered. "Yes?" the voice on the other end of the line said.

"Fawkes?" Przybysz asked.

"Are you on an encrypted phone?" The voice asked.

"Yes," Przybysz responded, "Of course."

"Then this is Fawkes," the voice said. "With whom am I speaking?"

"Przybysz," he said.

"Ah, Mr. Przybysz, I've been expecting your call," Fawkes replied, "the Doctor spoke often of you." Her voice was refined, cultured with a slight accent Przybysz couldn't quite place.

"The note from the Doctor told me to contact you right away," Przybysz said. "Do you know what this is about?"

"Yes," Fawkes began, "it's time to coordinate our efforts worldwide. If we can't offer support directly, we can help one another in other ways- technogically and financially to name a couple."

"Ok," Przybysz said. "What do you need of me?"

"it's important that you contact our people in Italy... There's a woman there named Alessandra..."

"I've heard of her," Przybysz interjected. "What can I do for her?"

"They need money," Fawkes replied. "I've sent a considerable amount already, but can't keep doing so... I'm afraid they'll trace the transfers to my location- they need to come from elsewhere."

"So you need me to channel some funds," Przybysz replied. "That's no problem... Perhaps I can help you as well."

"How so?" She asked.

"We have technology you could probably use," Przybysz told her, "software that switches IP addresses every few seconds to avoid detection."

"How can you get it here?" She asked. "You can't very well send it in the mail."

"I'll send copies of the software with Yuri and Vanessa when they leave," Przybysz said. "I assume you're where they can find you."

"I can be," she replied, "and thank you, it will be very well received. I've heard you've got splendid technical people there... the interception of Oliveira's addresses was a stroke of genius."

"We have the best Europe had to offer," Przybysz said wryly.

"There's a man in Italy," Fawkes said getting back to the business at hand. "He's with Alessandra and her brother- he's a former priest known as Father Tony. He lived most of his life in the States and served in the military there. His English is very good needless to say. It would be best to contact him- so there's no misunderstandings because of the language barrier... I've already sent word to expect your call."

"I'll call as soon as we hang up," Przybysz informed her.

"One other thing," she said, "use my name when you call- it's sort of a code word and will tell them who you are."

"What if the other side finds out your name?" Przybysz asked.

"I'll change it," she said.

"Ok then, Przybysz replied. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes," she said. "Collins gave you an envelope in with the Doctor's things- there's a key inside. It goes to a safe deposit box in a bank in Virginia that contains several sets of identification... One of them diplomatic- use it to travel outside the US. I assume you'll relocate to the home there."

"I haven't had much time to think about that yet," Przybysz said. "I'm needed here."

"You're needed in many places, Mr. Przybysz," she said, a serious edge to her voice. "You're a very important man now... The Doctor had great faith in you- I'm certain it wasn't misplaced."

There was something in the way she said it that made Przybysz realize it wasn't as much a request as an order. It was going to be a hard sell, Dick and the others were fond of their Arkansas retreat- but Przybysz was determined not to make the move alone.

"Very well," Przybysz said resignedly. "Is there any more good news?"

"Only that I look forward to meeting you when you come to Geneva," Fawkes replied.

"Geneva?" He exclaimed.

"I'm sure your duties will bring you here before long," she laughed. "Like I said, you're an important man now."

Przybysz began to wonder if his new found fortune would prove a blessing or a curse as he dialed the number he had been given in Italy.

"Hello?" The voice that answered said. There was no trace of an accent.

"Fawkes asked that I call," Przybysz said uncertainly.

"Mr. Przybysz," the voice said, "the line is secure so you don't have to worry. My name is Antonio- people call me Father Tony."

"Fawkes told me about you," Przybysz replied. "Said something about you needing funds."

"Badly," came the reply, "we've been putting everything we have into arms and supplies, but we also try to help the people out. Sicily has always been a poor place Mr. Przybysz... the presence of the cursed UN troops have made the people destitute. They steal everything from them."

"How much do you need?" Przybysz asked. "Whatever you can spare," the preist replied. "I'll give you a secure web address... there's a bank in Catania run by patriots. They've always operated in the interest of the people rather than the government. We have several accounts there under phony business names."

"Do they work with cryptocurriencies?" Przybysz asked.

"Yes, of course," Father Tony replied.

"I'll have my computer guys transfer Bitcoin to your accounts," Przybysz told him, "it may take a day or two to arrange."

"That's fine," Father Tony said gratefully. "We're deeply indebted to you, Mr. Przybysz. Thank you so much- from all of us."

"We're all in this together Father," Przybysz replied, "and it's just Przybysz, or Prz- no Mr. needed. When we take the world back, it will all be worth it."

"Good by Przybysz."

"Good bye Father," Przybysz said.

Przybysz had David begin a transfer of $1 million split up between the business accounts in Sicily... "Easy come, easy go," he said with a laugh. Then he set off to find Uwe about the software... they were giving away technology probably worth millions by itself.