The Revelation Chronicles: Evolution
Eric Burney
The Revelation Chronicles:
Evolution
Eric C. Burney
Copyright © 2019 by Eric C. Burney
Cover art provided by ebooklaunch.com
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be resold or otherwise distributed without the author’s permission. Please purchase additional copies for other readers at the retailer where you purchased this copy.
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to real persons or events is entirely coincidental.
Contents
PROLOGUE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
EPILOGUE
PROLOGUE
To say I’d come a long way since that fateful night six months ago on the rooftop of the Grand Tower Hotel would be a gross understatement of the truth. Every single member of my team had changed in some way. Michael had become more distant than usual, and kept to himself mostly. Kara and I weren't talking, except when absolutely necessary. And Nick was—well…Nick was his usual self. It would probably take something equivalent to a brain aneurism to affect him.
Media outlets had been quick to pick up on the events at the hotel. But, the government did what they always do when they wish to bury the truth. Keep the public in the dark. Limitless resources and manpower were used to manipulate and reduce the story until it was nothing more than tabloid fodder, an elaborate hoax at most. Our story was eventually sandwiched somewhere between the Lizard Boy and an Elvis sighting in Saginaw, Michigan. I mean, who’d actually believe a guy could fly, right?
Still, their efforts weren’t enough to keep the hardcore conspiracy theorists at bay and from recognizing my face wherever we went. We’d disappeared underground since that night. But, there always seemed to be at least one person who noticed me. Always one that could pick me out of the crowd like an eager witness at a police line-up. This would inevitably require us to move on yet again, from one city to the next, ever watchful for the government agents certain to be just one step behind us.
Weeks had passed since we’d received any word from Arthur, Kara’s father. Or Robert for that matter, the guy responsible for pulling me from relative obscurity and into my current predicament. This concerned me. What if they’d been captured—or worse? What if we were all alone now, struggling to exist with no real hope of survival? These thoughts were cause for many a sleepless night.
To make matters even more complicated, I hadn’t spoken to or had any contact with Allison Archer, the girl of my dreams. This was the one thing that troubled me the most. I missed her and wanted so badly to see her, but knew doing so would almost surely put her in danger. I’d finally come to understand why comic book superheroes were often forced to leave the ones they love behind. It was in order to protect them.
I know, I know. I was getting ahead of myself for sure. I was the furthest thing possible from a superhero. Superheroes were beacons of hope—a ray of light in the darkness. They helped those in need. And, so far, I hadn’t helped one single, solitary person. I felt like a rat lost in a maze, searching frantically for a way out, but finding yet another obstacle at each turn. I must admit, life had definitely changed since my days as a washed-up college student with one foot out higher education’s door. But, it seemed I’d only traded one meaningless existence for another: the life of a fugitive on the run, wanted by every law enforcement agency known to man.
Maybe I was simply having action withdrawal, sort of like a drug addict yearning for his next fix. Each of us had agreed to keep the use of our abilities to a minimum so as not to attract any unwanted attention. I hadn’t even activated the pendant that hung from the chain around my neck to visit my mom. That was a super-tough pill to swallow. I had so many more things I wanted to ask her—so many questions unanswered. The powerful pendant itself was a big question mark I wanted to discuss with her. But, that would all have to wait.
In retrospect, I think we were all about to explode from being cramped up and hiding in one too many near-derelict or condemned buildings, constantly on the run and abstaining from the use of our powers, which served as a source of relief for us. Something was going to give—and soon. I prayed it was for the better, for everyone’s sake involved.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Chapter 1
Heavy rain poured outside, pelting the double-paned windows relentlessly. But the rain couldn’t be heard over the incomprehensible mixture of voices from within, each originating from a different nationality and speaking in their native tongue. The collective chorus filled the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations on this most important of days. The topic of discussion centered on weapons armament and the ever-hopeful draw-down of nuclear weapons in the Middle East. After months of negotiations, key world leaders had succeeded in bringing Iran and Pakistan to the table. Things had become quite heated as the President of Iran, Mohammed Amir-Khan, strongly voiced his disapproval.
“We cannot agree on a decrease of weapons in our country if the U.S. and Great Britain are unwilling to do the same,” he said vehemently through an interpreter.
Years ago, President Amir-Khan had risen to fame for his public stance against Israel amidst hostilities over Iran’s controversial nuclear program. He threatened that Israel would be wiped off the ma
p if even the slightest aggression was made towards his country. He was elected in a landslide vote a few months later. To have a leader of his stature at the negotiating table was a major step in the right direction.
“Each of you sanctimonious leaders here at the United Nations wish to be the world’s police, yet who polices you?”
“You know… that is an excellent question,” a voice echoed down from the balcony seating above the main assembly floor. All eyes in the room turned to find the speaker, a rather large black man, flanked on either side by vicious and crazed-looking thugs. He leaped from the balcony, followed closely by the others. The drop was more than twenty feet to the polished tile floor, but they each landed upright with little effort.
“I think we should really talk about a change in global policy. And, I can’t think of a better place to start than right here at the famed U.N.”
“Who are you people? Security, get them out of here, NOW!” shouted Atulu Mumbasa, president of the U.N. from South Africa.
“We are the new face of this nation… this generation… this planet,” the man said slowly and deliberately. Then he smiled.
“Just call us… Evolution. I think it’s rather fitting, don’t you?”
Armed guards quickly surrounded the men, guns drawn and ready. The uninvited guests looked at each other and laughed. The eyes of their leader narrowed and began to glow a bright shade of emerald green. Then, to a man, each of the guards dropped their weapons and clutched their heads. They screamed in agony as though some unseen force were trying frantically to rip through their skull. One by one, the guards dropped to the floor, motionless. Dark, red blood oozed from each orifice like they’d been exposed to some deadly biological weapon. The room grew deathly silent as everyone in attendance at the United Nations witnessed the horror, unsure whether to stay or flee. You could hear a pin drop.
“This is but a taste of the awesome and absolute power we possess. A change is coming to this world. Change the likes of which none of you have ever witnessed,” said the large black man. He approached the American delegation and gripped the microphone bar, bending it towards him.
“Mr. Vice President, so nice to make your acquaintance,” he said eloquently through the microphone, his deep voice amplified for all in attendance to hear.
He smiled and offered a hand in greeting. Vice President Richard Palmer ignored the gesture. He was a proud P.O.W. and war veteran of the Vietnam era who’d seen more than his share of tyranny. Vice President Palmer wasn’t about to bow to it now, even after witnessing such a display of terrifying power.
“What do you want?” he asked calmly. He stared the large man who towered over him squarely in the eye. “America doesn’t bow to terrorism, son.”
“Terrorism?” the man scoffed, as if the very notion offended him. “You think this is terrorism? Mr. Vice President, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
He lowered his head and met the Vice President’s steely gaze. It seemed a war of wills had been waged while the two stared at each other, neither flinching in the least. Then, gradually, Vice President Palmer began to breathe heavily and his eyelids fluttered. His body began to seize violently until he finally collapsed from his chair onto the floor, unconscious.
The large man smiled at his handiwork. He turned to address his stunned but captive audience. He had their undivided attention now. Finding a cameraman, he motioned for him to zoom in closer.
“My name… is Cain. The troubled yet dedicated youth you see before you are what I like to think of as the exciting next step in human evolution. We will reshape this world in our own image and make this planet a better place. And to accomplish this, the world’s leaders from each of the countries represented here today will bow to us. We will begin this historic and exciting process right here in the good ol’ U.S. of A! Mr. President, you have twenty-four hours to give me your response, or things will become very unpleasant for your constituents. The American people are not prepared for the devastation I will unleash if you do not comply with my demands. And to ensure I receive your full cooperation and undivided attention, the Vice President will be tagging along with us.”
He turned away from the camera.
“Lucian, kindly assist this poor gentleman from the floor and bring him along.”
One of the thugs, a hulking beast of a man with large, bulging biceps protruding from the sleeves of his shirt stomped up to Vice President Palmer, causing the floor to rumble with each step. He must have weighed four hundred pounds or more, but was as solid as an NFL linebacker. He reached down and slung Vice President Palmer’s limp body over his massive shoulder with ease.
“Thank you, and a good day to you all!" Cain proclaimed and bowed as though he were the finishing act in a Broadway musical.
As the mysterious group known as Evolution left the floor of the U.N. unopposed, every single electronic device in the room malfunctioned. T.V. monitors, cell phones, and radio equipment exploded or caught fire. People clamored in fear and panic, fighting over one another for the exits. It was the dawning of a day America and the rest of the world would not soon forget.
Chapter 2
The double-door security airlock opened and the two men in lab coats returned. Viktor took a deep breath and sighed, working hard to mask any signs of frustration. He was determined not to let them know they were getting to him; that the strange serum they were regularly injecting him with was having the desired effect.
Viktor had no way of knowing how long they’d been at it. Days? Weeks, maybe? The isolated room contained no windows or bars, only the thick glass airlock, so there was no real way of knowing for certain. He didn’t even know where he was. He was convinced this was all by design.
The men in lab coats checked his stats on the vitals machine and the array of monitors. The younger of the two drew up more of the opaque serum in a syringe to administer. He didn’t seem to have much of a personality and rarely spoke. The serum was kept in a metal container and secured with a digital keypad. Viktor watched calmly as the needle was inserted into his vein and didn’t struggle against the thick leather restraints that secured him to the chair. After several minutes of observing his vitals further, the lab coats departed.
Viktor stared at the chalk-white ceiling and tried to distract himself from the burning sensation that consumed his skull. It felt as though his brain was literally on fire and he struggled, trying to control his breathing. The effects of the serum had intensified of late and he found himself struggling to resist. He was convinced the serum was not man-made. How could it be if it were having such a profound effect on his advanced neurological system? Perhaps he was just being arrogant and blinded by his disrespect for the men of Earth and their remarkable ingenuity, however primitive. That’s what had gotten him in this predicament in the first place, after all.
The airlock opened once more and a white man in dark slacks and an FBI windbreaker entered. He was tall and solidly built. He was also completely bald. Like Walter White bald. There was a confident air about him that Viktor had gotten quite used to. The man was alone, and in his hand was a brown folder that he placed on the surgical instrument table in front of Viktor.
“Agent Simmons! So nice of you to come and visit me again,” Viktor said with fake enthusiasm. “I was starting to think you didn’t care.”
Agent Simmons appeared unfazed by the comment. He opened the folder and removed a photo.
“I’ve never liked you, make no mistake about that. You are only valuable to us if you continue to aid us as you have. Tell me what you know about this man.”
He placed the photo in front of Viktor.
“It would help if you maybe loosened one of my restraints,” Viktor said with a casual smile. “As a show of good faith? My eyes aren't as good as they used to be.”
“Not a chance. Tell me what you know.”
“I have never seen this man in my life.”
“I don’t believe you,” said Agent Simmons bluntly. He removed another ph
oto. “What about this man?”
“No, sorry. I have no knowledge of either man. What makes you think I would know anything about them? What have they done? Please be a pal and share some info. I haven’t exactly been able to keep up with current events lately.”
“Fifteen minutes ago, these men were part of a group identifying themselves as Evolution. They attacked the United Nations and kidnapped the Vice President.”
“I’m still waiting on the punch-line,” Viktor said.
He shifted in the chair, and with the stealth and skill of a ninja warrior, took quick, shallow breaths to lessen the rise and fall of his chest. The effects of the serum had grown more intense now and concealing the slightest twitch in his facial muscles was near impossible. But, the game of cat-and-mouse between he and Agent Simmons would have to continue for as long as he could manage. The information he’d given up so far was minuscule compared to what he really knew. His worth to the U.S. government had an expiration date. As soon as the flow of information ceased, he would be dissected and studied like a lab rat. He had to remain valuable to them.
“These individuals exhibited extraordinary abilities, similar to the abilities you and the being known as Charles Reese appear to possess. They have threatened this country and declared war on our soil. We need to know everything, and we need to know now.”
Chapter 3
Agent Simmons watched as the alien detainee identified only as Viktor struggled to mask the effects of the powerful serum Helix-3. His efforts were valiant, but the results of Helix-3 were evident, especially to a seasoned agent such as himself. The origins of the drug were classified, and Agent Simmons didn’t ask any questions. He was chosen for this particular assignment by the Secretary of Defense because of his ability to read suspects and get results, and that was exactly what he intended to do. He’d never explored the possibility of life outside Earth, but didn’t see it as a roadblock to the objective. He viewed the being seated before him just as he’d viewed the dozens of other detainees that preceded him: a job. And one that he was remarkably good at.
