Summer Foucault

CD II

• Looking Closer the Silhouette

  After everything that has happened to her life, she has completely changed into a different person. She’s brutally honest disregarding whatever other people would feel about what she says. Years before, she’s a jolly person, then became the contrast after being the Regis of Veritas Venators, and now, a very unpredictable individual. Many would say she’s completely insane because she does things people would think irrational. Nobody would easily understand her, even the closest people to her.
  
  ONE: Post Suicidal Attack
  
  In a second, nobody would notice her. Aubrey has completely become a phantom. After the suicidal attack she led against Aeros de Ayala that has almost got her killed, she’d been incompetent. For months, only the bed, the dark room, and the IV connected to her wrist were her companion while she’s still in coma. The group she was leading was as well compensated—Aubrey is the Regis, the leader, after all. What do we expect from a brain-dead commander?
  
  For some time, the Veritas Venator has temporarily weakened; they became unstable which brought about death to many Venators. This phenomenon has triggered her forced dethronement. Aubrey hadn’t realized it by then though; she’s still in coma anyway.
  
  It was a hard decision for The Watcher, Tempest van Rensslaer, but seeing Verita’s people die wiped away all the hesitations. Dethroning and enthroning someone capable for the job is their last resolution. Alexander Ray, the current Regent was promoted to be the Veritas Venator’s Regis.
  
  [AUBREY’S POINT OF VIEW: Awakening]
  
  It feels like it has been a while since I last drank water, I feel very thirsty. I tried to get up to get myself a glass of water but something’s forcing me back to bed. Ah! But my head started to hurt before I could even know what thing is keeping me from getting up. I pulled myself together but the pain just won’t go away. I tried to call for help but my voice failed me. That was the last thing I remembered before darkness swallowed me again.
  
  The next morning (or whatever time it was since I have no idea of the time), I woke up again. Someone’s beside my bed, dosing himself off. I assumed it is a boy by just observing his physique. The next few minutes were spent just watching him. I don’t know but there is this feeling that kept me wanting on looking at him, I just can’t specified. Even how much I try, I just can’t figure it out so I just gave up. That was the time I took a look at my surrounding which made me realized where I am. It looks like a hospital to me with just a bit of difference. It’s too quiet to be the city hospital so I assumed the place is in an isolated location. How I get in here, I have no idea.
  
  “Wait. That’s right. Why the hell don’t I any idea of where I am? Or...”
  
  I looked back at the boy that was earlier sleeping beside my hospital bed. And he’s now wide awake! Looking at me with those surprised or more like…bewildered eyes.
  
  “You’re finally awake!” I heard him say. “Welcome back to the world of the living, Aubrey.”
  
  But what is he talking about? I can’t really figure out what he meant by that. Is he implying that I was dead?
  
  No that can’t be. I remembered…
  
  Wait. No. I should remember. But.
  
  “Who are you?” Those words just came out of my lips.
  
  It made me realize something.
  
  I can’t remember. Not a thing from my past…and neither my name.
  
  TWO: Remembering Me
  
  The next few months, Aubrey stayed with people she personally think strange. They were all pale and emotionless. Even the boy that she had found in the room when she woke up was acting strange. He told her that his name is Xavier who initially claimed her son. That news was a shock to her but after sometime, the boy apologized and told her he was just kidding the other day when he told her he is her son. Aubrey thought she should be relieved, but she can’t understand why she feels the other way. She tried to get a grasp on the present situation and remember who she is but always fails.
  
  [Aubrey’s POV: Lost]
  
  I’ve never imagined before I would be working with these kinds of people—or if I could really call them people. They aren’t normal. They’re cold and not breathing which gave me an insane but probable idea that they are vampires. After a while, my suspicion was confirmed. They are vampires; real ones in real flesh. I don’t know but the news didn’t surprised me very much than what I thought I expect I should be. It just appeared normal to me, well perhaps because I’ve been working with them in the past few years of my life here on earth. Thing is, I still can’t understand why I would work for them! They are vampires, I am human and there is a distinct line between us. But still I did. There’s so many questions in my head that I want to get answered, and my memories were my last hope. But I don’t have it now. I am lost.
  
  There was one time I decided to just stop thinking and looking for answers but then I always had a second thought—I refuse to my own decision. I don’t know what it was… it is more like an unseen force telling me not to give up on remembering who and what I am. There was never a night that I never been restless thinking what it was again—the force that keeps me from giving it all up. But living like this is not helping! I am tired and confused and useless. Whatever or whoever I may be to this organization; I think I am of no importance anymore. I should stop bothering them. I should have rather died back then than be a burden like this to them.
  
  So I had constructed a plan…

• A Threatening Storm in Summer

  Since the last time she talked to Alexander Ray, the CEO of the ever famous Ray Incorporations and Regis of a secret organization called Veritas Venator , Aubrey was never again had a peace of mind. She learned she was once a Regis but since, her life has been no less miserable. She almost got herself killed so many times. And she lost her only daughter. She never knew she had one until he mentioned. It was just the boy Xavier she knew told her he was her kid then oddly took it back.
  
  There was pain manifested all over her face when she heard the story of her daughter even though Alex cannot give her the exact details of how Aeros de Ayala, the Nosferat King got her killed because of the spatial difficulties between him and the actual scene. The fact that she had done nothing to save her kin with regards to her capability is the thing that wounds not only her pride but also her heart. From the man’s stories, she act “a little” foolishly and attacked her daughter’s murderer but end up like this. That isn’t ‘a little foolish’ at all. That was an act of insanity! It was luck that saved her from an absolute death. But could really Aubrey consider herself lucky being saved after losing her daughter and two more loyal warriors in her mission impossible?
  
  Days had gone by and Aubrey remained in that isolated island to recover physically. She can walk now, thanks to her loyal followers back when she was still the Regis. She’s still a Venator though, that’s what Tempest Van Rensslaer, The Watcher, and Alexander assured her. Indeed she had a talk with Tempest and she’d learned a lot of things from her. Or it’s more proper to say ‘she’d learned a lot of things that she once already knew before she had fallen into this fateful situation’.
  
  Tempest mentioned the names Soleil de Ayala and told her to stay away from her as well to its lawful husband Aeros de Ayala. The names itself gave Aubrey Goosebumps. Not because of fear or any negative effects but because of something else—something interesting. Aubrey’s getting excited. Indeed, it is excitement and nothing more.
  
  Little by little, she’s getting herself back on the track. Aubrey could slowly get a good grasp of the present situation. And since she’s not yet ready to execute her plans, she had decided to fill the role of an expectator in the middle of a battle. Watching them fight over something is amusing. Alexander’s way of battle is quite different from hers as what she’d noticed based on the stories and the current happenings.
  
  
  “What are these creatures thinking?” A smirk hidden from the dark shadows of the isolated room glistened on the lips of the once Regis. “A corporate war, eh?That’s interesting.” Then there was a light chuckle that echoed the dim lighted room.
  ********************************************************************************
  
  The corporate war happening from the outside of the NosferatuandVeritasVenator’s walls highly favored Aubrey Foucault. It gave her plenty of time to get herself completely healed allowing her to polish the plans. People in the Venator camp were busy as well and it seemed none of them paid too much attention to her. The idea of being neglected is indeed sad, but Aubrey found it convenient. And when she finally got her chance, she sneaked out of the camp.
  
  *******************************************************************************
  
  Shandee jerked as the man who abducted her pulled the black sack on her head. Everything happened in a swift and she ended up being caught and dragged into this dusty place. Her abductor is a skilled hunter. It was quite unexpected that a mere human could put her down. How interesting that there still exist vampire hunters. But of course, living in this era, nothing could surprise someone less.
  
  “Summer. I’ve got the package you requested.” She heard her kidnapper spoke. And who the hell is Summer? She wasn’t yet done pondering about this Summer who seemed to be the man’s boss when she caught a sight of a woman facing back at her. She was wearing a fitted black Sandopaired with a camouflage pants… ‘And she looks very familiar.’ She whispered.
  
  And then she slowly turned towards her.
  
  “Aubrey…” Shandee’s faltering voice trailed off. It’s Aubrey. And she’s Summer now? What is happening here?
  
  She was smiling, Aubrey is. And she’s walking towards her. “That perfect girl is gone, Shandee. I am Summer.”
  
  Shandee froze on her feet unable to speak. Baffled with the fact that she had sneaked out of the camp then just show up like this. And kidnapping her? What kind of joke is this? And Aubrey or Summer has to give her answers.
  
  “Why’d you run away, Aubrey?” She asked, insisting the name Aubrey. Besides, that’s how she used to address her, it can’t be easily forgotten.
  
  Shandee saw Aubrey’s lips curled up to flash a smile. ‘What’s up with her?’ She silently asked. Then she saw her lightly looked at the man who kidnapped her. It seemed like he got what she was trying to say and left them alone.
  
  “I never run away.”Shandee heard her answer the question.
  
  And Aubrey did it again. When’s she ever going to stop giving her riddles? “What are you talking about? You sneaked off the camp leaving us terrified. I know you are frustrated and confused about your situation, but Aubrey…don’t make things even crazier. Alex is out there ALONE in a battlefield you left, do you wish to let him fail?!”
  
  That just burst out Shandee’s mouth without a pause. She was always composed and it must be something serious once she started freaking out. But tonight was the exception. Every bit of her body was even shaking.
  
  “You do not understand, Venator.” Now her tone became cold, just like the last months of her being Regis. There was a short pause before she talked again. “I get you to send a message to the Watcher.”
  
  Shandee’s forehead furrowed in puzzlement. She noticed that something’s back with Aubrey and it sends her signals that fears her yet excites her at the same time. ‘Could it be possible that she has regained her memories?’ Shandee pondered.
  
  “If you have something to tell Tempest, why don’t you just come back with me? I am sure everyone would be relieved to see you alive.” This time, Shandee’s voice is calmer.
  
  But Aubrey just smiled. “That is what I exactly want everyone to feel. And the exact message I want you to send Tempest. Tell her that I am still alive but I won’t be coming back to the camp yet.”
  
  “Why not? It is best for you to stay there especially in your situation. It is dangerous for you here.”
  
  “Shut it Shandee. I’ve said enough. Now, go and tell that to Tempest.”
  
  Shandee stiffened. She wasn’t able to do anything when Aubrey went off and left her in that place alone. Then the man whom had kidnapped her went in again.

• Arrival of a Weapon

  February 10, 2014 at 11:45am
  DOUBLE V RESEARCH LABORATORY
  Moscow, November 20, 10:45 PM
  
  There was a silent tick as some container was placed inside a metal case. And then another, safely securing the case.
  
  Four containers of red matter confined on its liquid state lies inside the case. Along with were the system controllers and with that, the case is ready to be transported into the Veritas Venator Main Base.
  
  A pair of hands covered with white gloves pulled the case and carried it, towards the Venator soldiers whom were attired with their black uniforms. The man in the gloves handed over the case to the African American who was the captain of the team.
  
  “Wouldn’t it blow us?” The captain jested.
  
  The gloved man lightly smiled then shook his head. “You need not to worry, Captain. These are not ‘weaponized’ yet.”
  
  
  Assured with the words from the laboratory man, the captain took the case having a good grasp of what ‘weaponized’ connotes. And right after, Venator soldiers quickly moved as how they were trained. Time is the most critical matter in this mission. They have to transport the package immediately.
  
  It only took the Venator soldiers five minutes before they’ve reached the rooftop where a chopper was waiting for them to depart. After securing the package, they flew to the Double V private airport where the real client of the package awaits.
  
  Just in time, the case has was already been secured inside the plane travelling back to the Veritas Venators Main Base. Within was a number of Venators, doubled the size of the ones who took the case from the research laboratory, to make sure of the safety of the package.
  
  Inside another plane travelling another direction was a lawyer of the scientist who traded his invention sitting on the executive seat of a private plane waiting for his client. Not long enough, the person he was waiting for finally appeared sitting in front of him. It’s a brunette female wearing that famous blank expression giving her a cold appearance.
  
  “Where’s the money?” That was his first question which was also his first sentence in their conversation. That made the female smirked.
  
  “I am the money.” She responded.
  
  For a few seconds, the lawyer was baffled, and that was exactly what the brunette was waiting for; she took advantage of it.
  
  “I’ve got what you want, I just need the key.” She told him leaning on the small table separating them.
  It was obvious how the lawyer raised his thick brows causing his forehead to furrow, an apparent gesture of confusion. “I was told that I was just going to receive your payment and we’re done. What are you talking about?”
  
  “We are doing the exact thing, attorney.” She gently pulled herself back and rested her tired body on the seat. “I have already deposited the exact amount of my payment directly to the bank account you’ve given. Just in time you send me the key, you’ll receive your money.”
  
  “And how do I assure that?” Still doubting about the credibility of the female.
  
  The female clicked something on her ring and then table turned to be an augmented computer screen projecting her bank account with the true amount of money to be released towards an account number which happened to be the lawyer’s. She touched the ‘transfer amount’ button and then a pop-up dialog box appeared with the ‘release’ and ‘cancel’ buttons.
  
  “Now, it’s yours to decide. I’ll just have to click something and tadah! You’ve got your money.” She told him.
  
  The lawyer seemed to be convinced so he pulled a device from his pocket. And as he does, the female as well picked the same device lying on the side of the table.
  
  “I wasn’t briefed that this arrangement will work this way.” He chuckled pressing something on his device. “Now here’s your key.” And in just a few seconds, the female’s device vibrated, signaling she’d received the key.
  
  “Perfect.” Finally pressing the ‘release’ button on the table. “It was nice dealing with you, attorney.” With those final words she went, disappearing from the lawyer’s sight. Her hologram projection shut down, leaving the once occupied seat empty.
  
  That brunette female was in fact sitting in the executive seat of the plane where the metal case was secured. Indeed, modern technology could send you the exact copy of a person from the other side of the world to your current side of the world. And that is with the ease of hologram technology.
  
  Painted on her lips was a rare smile the Regis wears. Finally, Summer Foucault has reaped the fruits of her hardships. She’s been gone for a long time for this package, that when sent to the wrong hands, could reshaped the whole planet into a desolated place.
  
  At exactly 10 o’clock Germany, a beam of light that had soon formed into a human figure, appeared—a hologram of a male had faced the brunette.
  
  “Been so long.” He murmured. “Forgive my sudden visit, but I just thought I have to call and make certain that you and the case are safe.” The image told him. He was wearing his famous business suit and he was unhesitatingly looking at the female who was sitting next to the metal case.
  
  “I wasn’t informed that I have to receive a call from yourself.” The brunette’s voice was soft yet, her eyes were warning. “Can’t you use other excuses just to cover-up the fact that you were just actually missing me? It is you who knows best that I can hand you the case perfect and intact.”
  
  “You can’t blame me. You’ve been invisible in forever!” He reasoned out chuckling.
  
  She rolled her eyes hearing his exaggerated nags. “Just shut up.” But instead, the male laughed furiously.
  
  “Always the same Aubrey…err, Summer Foucault I’ve known.”
  
  
  “You know I don’t easily change.” She smirked touching the surface of the metal case tilting her head as she looks at it with fascination. “I’ve been busy with this project. You know it.”
  
  “Yes I do. I just did a few days ago.” He took a small step towards her. “But we have laboratories here at the headquarters. The Veritas Venator is getting huge, we’ve got connections and influence all over the world, and you know that very well. Why go to the other side of the world to avail such weapon.”
  
  “Because I this is something different. Very different.” She murmured. The brunette looked at him and smiled. “I have my reasons. Soon, you’ll find out.”
  
  “Reasons…” He echoed, thinking of the last scenario the brunette had in the headquarters. “The last time I saw you got ‘reasons’, you almost got yourself killed. Attacked the Nosfrerat Father without a word and got beaten.” He glared.
  
  “Shut that.” For the first time in her trip, she laughed. The man was just so impossible.
  
  “That isn’t something funny, Summer!” But she cannot help but continuously laugh. The moment she gathered herself back, she spoke.
  
  “That’s why I never told anyone anything about this matter.” She said. A few moment of silence before she sighed. “I just have this bizarre feeling of not trusting something inside the Veritas.”
  
  “What do you mean?”
  
  But she just smiled. “I don’t know. But the thing is I’m coming back after ‘forever’.”
  “Cheers to that.” He smiled. “I’d wait for your arrival.” And then, he walked disappearing in the fading beam of lights that had brought his image in the plane.
  
  Another twenty minutes and she will be home, and together with her arrival, is the arrival of a weapon that could reshape the world.