The young man admits that he is Armando Forezzi and has ties to organized crime and that he was instructed to keep the two men (whose names he doesn't know) under surveillance. Under pressure, he describes the man who gives him his orders. Since Our Heroes have no contacts in the police or in organized crime, that's as far as they get: For some reason, organized crime is interested in them.
And now, on with our show!
About six weeks after returning to New York, Elliot, Chakos and Father Antonio receive a telegram from Caduceus. "Please come at once, Joshua Meadham." A invitation from the mysterious founder of Caduceus himself!
Once at Caduceus headquarters, they are met by a man in a white Panama suit. "Hello. I am so pleased to meet you. I am Doctor Victor Gonçalves, Caduceus's Chief Researcher. After the alarming events of North Borneo, I have been tasked to replace the unfortunate Quentin Shapiro as your liaison. Come. Mister Meadham is eager to speak with you, but first I would like to introduce you to two new members of your team."
Proceeding down the hallway, Doctor Gonçalves leads you to an elevator that leads up to the Sixth Floor. There, he takes you to a conference room.
In the conference room sit two men. One is very young, perhaps twenty or so. The other is much older, perhaps fifty and wears spectacles. "May I present Mister Edward Sanders and Mister Jack Forrester. Edward is an talented pilot and Jack is an expert mechanic. Like yourselves, both are possessed of unusual talents which make them ideal for this sort of work."
"Yes, well, how do we know for sure that they aren't lizards in a human suit? Or how do we know you aren't for that matter?"
The younger man speaks up saying "Well, they'd have to be pretty darn great human suits and at that point what's the difference anyway" he then stands and walks over to Chakos "I'm Eddie, its nice to meet you even if this human suit makes it harder to see."
Antonio waves his hands for Chakos to stop. "There's no reason to be so paranoid. Despite the things we have seen, I believe the Almighty still graces us with those of pure heart." He greets the newcomers. "I am Father Antonio Peña. It is good to meet you."
He looks to Doctor Gonçalves. "They know about the demons?"
Elliot grins at Chakos' question, wondering if the doctor was being tongue-in-cheek or serious. Could go either way, he thinks with a mental shrug as he greets Gonçalves and shakes his hand if it's offered.
As he exits the elevator, his eyes narrow for a moment as he catches sight of something and he elbows Chakos, pointing to one of the doors they pass that just closed shut. When it doesn't seem as though his friend noticed anything, Elliot just shakes his head slightly and takes a seat at the conference table. He nods in friendly fashion at the two strangers seated there, but his expression is pensive as Gonçalves makes the introductions.
After a few moments of thoughtful reflection, Elliot turns to the two strangers and gives them a wry smile. "I'm Elliot Sorenson. An archaeologist - though I admit to being more of a treasure hunter than a trained scientist. As to the good padre's question, it's a good one, Dr. Gonçalves, and notwithstanding Antonio's earlier remark, I'm not so certain that there is no reason to be paranoid. Have you told these two brave souls about the serpent people that can wear people's skin like a child might don a Halloween costume? Oh, and how about 'The Sleeper' you've got locked up in the room back there down the hallway? Is it dead? Alive? Were you planning to tell us anything at all about what you've learned about the "mummy" your organization sent us to find?"
Though a normally laid-back type of personality, dealing with the lies and half-truths they've been given during the last mission, Elliot is obviously not willing to take the words of anyone at Caduceus headquarters at face value again.
Chakos starts at Elliot's pronouncement. "What are you saying Elliot, they have that thing here?"
Doctor Gonçalves waves everyone to a seat and takes one himself. "First things first. Yes, Mister Sanders and Mister Forrester have been fully briefed on the serpent-man threat and on the particulars of your previous outings on behalf of Caduceus."
"And yes, we have the creature you know as 'The Sleeper' here. That is, after all, why Caduceus sent you to Bolivia: to recover this ancient specimen. We are not hiding anything from you. But we do keep our information compartmentalized. That way, if any asset is compromised they can reveal only so much. I will only say that this is a very ancient serpent-man and we have much to learn in our fight to retain control of our own planet. It is a fight we intend to win and we appreciate the very important role you gentlemen have played in it thus far."
"Yeah, so about those who played important roles. Have you taken care of Abraham, Enoli, and Minerva's families? I'm pretty sure Abraham had kids out there that will need support."
"Can we expect a similar amount of 'not hiding anything from us' on this next mission to what we have had in the past?"
"A generous life insurance policy was paid out to the families Mister Pierce and Mister Black Fox. No one has yet claimed the proceeds of Miss Ashford's policy."
"This is an organization with secrets, Mister Hyluan. You know how dangerous are the secrets we keep and the war we fight. You may continue to expect that we will be vigilant in keeping a tight lid on security. It is true that you are told only what you need to know. You are valued operatives, but compartmentalized information is how we survive. I assure you that nothing regarding the safety of your missions is being withheld from you."
"Now, unless there is anything more, I would not like to keep Mister Meadham waiting. Shall we go up?"
Antonio drums his scarred and meaty fingers on the table. He sighs. "I suppose not all that different than the Church in a way. Though I still believe it would be a great ally in this cause. Perhaps I can convince Meadham."
The Latino stands and motions to the newcomers. "Let's go see the man in charge."
Elliot thinks this man talks too easily about keeping secrets, but then he's a treasure hunter, not a spy. Logically he can understand the reasoning. But on an emotional level, he knows that knowledge won't make him feel any better if he's killed fighting some terrifying monster from another world because his superiors felt if better to keep that little tidbit of information 'compartmentalized'.
With a shrug, he rises to his feet. "Lead the way, doctor." He grunts unhappily.
"Demons, sperpent-men, and paying out life insurance... what have you all been through? I mean, what have I gotten myself into? I know what they told me, but you all seem deep in the weird... and I am the best you could find to help?"
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Chakos shakes his head, "No sir, not the best they could find, you're the best Caduceus can convince to join."
Doctor Gonçalves leads the way to Meadham's private elevator and, inserting a special key, takes it to the 18th floor, Joshua Meadham's personal level. The appointments are luxurious, with marble floors, thick carpets and works of fine art on the walls. Gonçalves leads you to a meeting room where a beautiful mahogany table stands surrounded by chairs. "Be seated. I'll let Mister Meadham know you are here."
A few moments later, a middle-aged woman enters the room with a tray of refreshments. "Hello. I'm Dolores Parville, Mister Meadham's secretary. He'll be out in a few moments."
After Dolores leaves, you are alone in the meeting room for several minutes. Then, the door opens and a huge unsmiling bald man in a tuxedo enters. He is at least 6-foot-6 and his muscles strain against his suit.
He sits in a chair near the far end of the table and stares at you in silence.
Elliot's frown deepens as he takes a long look around at the finery on exhibit. "Looks like Mister Meadham isn't wanting for money. I wonder how he'd fare if he accompanied us on one of these missions he's so fond of throwing at us." He grumbles to Chakos as they head into the meeting room. The archaeologist helps himself to some of the refreshments, considering some choice words to throw at this mysterious Mister Meadham when he arrives.
But when the enormous man dressed in a tuxedo enters the room, Elliot swallows both his unspoken words and the cookie he'd been munching, then coughs softly as both stick in his throat. Reaching for a glass of water, he takes a drink, and his eyes shift toward the table as he reconsiders his course of action. Mister Meadham doesn't look the type to take criticism without some kind of reprisal, and Elliot can easily imagine those massive hands curled into fists and dislocating his jaw and perhaps breaking a rib or two with laughable ease.
Eddie follows the group into the elevator, despite being quite slight he shrinks further down into a corner of the lift. he silently listens to Elliot's comment worrying slightly that he may have gotten in over his depth. Eddie remains standing and lightly pacing near the door as they wait until the giant man enters at which he stops in his tracks and again shrinks back slightly with a slight nod towards the man.
Antonio takes in the majestic room as they sit at the table waiting for Meadham. "Quite impressive. If what we have been told is correct, Mister Meadham is the one who first discovered the existence of the serpent-men. I would be interested to see what that experience and his quest has done to him."
When their benefactor enters, Antonio senses the change in the room. Instinctively, he studies the man's demeanor and sees how he is trying to impose his presence on the group. Not a man to be trifled with, but I wonder if he would be as confident in the ring. I've fought bigger.
The priest decides to speak first. He speaks in oddly accented English, both a mix of a Latino accent as well pronouncing words in a particularly Irish manner. "Mister Meadham. It is good to finally meet you. I suspect you know all of us already, but I am Father Antonio Peña. I would like to thank you for your group's help and hospitality, though we have risked much for you as well."
Jack sits quickly and quietly, intent on not missing anything in this conversation.
A new voice sounds at the door. "Oh no, Father Peña. -I- am Joshua Meadham. But I see you have met my manservant, Canning." The new speaker is a gaunt white-haired man with an impressive beard and piercing blue eyes.
Meadham seats himself next to Canning. "I am very pleased to meet you and quite impressed with the results of your first two assignments, though I mourn the loss of your companions. I have fought this fight for many years and I have attended more funerals than I care to remember. All we can do is to ensure they did not die in vain."
He sighs, then taps a folder in front of him. "I have a new assignment for you. Right here at home in the U.S.A. But Doctor Gonçalves tells me you have some concerns. I thought it best we air them now. I do not think it right to ask you to sacrifice your time and safety if you are not confident in our commitment to the cause."
"The floor is yours, gentlemen."
Elliot gives the hulking bodyguard a sideways look, then speaks directly to Meadham. "Thank you sir. And I... uh... understanding what you're saying. But it seems to me that during our last assignment in Bolivia we were blindsided from the beginning with that bomb that nearly killed us all when our plane crashed. And the serpent people able to masquerade as humans? Shouldn't we have been warned about that when we took the mission? And you've got 'The Sleeper' now, apparently being tested in that room downstairs. What is it, exactly? Alive or dead? Do you know if it's here to help or to kill us all?"
Meadham's patrician face remains impassive as he listens. "I was not part of the planning for your first assignment to Bolivia. At least not on the level of operational details. That was Mister Shapiro's planning and as I understand his reasoning, he wanted your intended handler to brief you once you were in-country. Sadly, the handler was killed before he could do that."
"As for the haftorang device in Borneo, I admit that I did approve its use. The Yellow Death is responsible for the death of many thousands, perhaps hundred of thousands over the centuries and I felt it best to ensure that your team had a fail-safe if all went poorly. I accept responsibility for failing to do more to ensure its safety. We had to move quickly when we learned of the outbreak and of course we couldn't have known that the creatures you described...they're called nightgaunts, by the way, would be present. I apologize for not having foreseen the opposition you might encounter."
"As for the Sleeper, that is a matter of some delicacy and directly implicates our policy of compartmentalization. But since you were the ones to return her to us, I will tell you this. We believe she is alive and very ancient. We hope to learn some of the secrets of the ancient serpent-folk in order to further our war against them. Beyond that I must ask you to trust me."
So. Alive? How could that possibly be true? But then, it appears he has stumbled full on into more than one situation where belief stretches the boundaries of his own sanity. Thinking about it too much might just drive him completely mad.
There is not much more to say on the matter, for Elliot doesn't entirely trust Meadham in any case, though it seems they are on the same side in this... war? It certainly has the feel of a world-wide conflict, if half of what the man says is to be believed. Though he wonders to himself how the man could be trusted when dealing with an immortal mummy when the events in Borneo surprised him. Surely the Sleeper was far more dangerous than these nightgaunts? Still though, the archaeologist sees no sense in arguing, as their host has obviously made up his mind. And there is also the hulking bodyguard to consider.
Elliot gives a tired wave of one hand. "Understood. So our new assignment is here in America? I hope we'll have decent rooms and good restaurants nearby." He adds with a grin.
"So you'll be telling us everything there is to know about this next mission, with no chances of surprises that you could have warned us about?"
"You seem to think I have secret knowledge I'm holding back, Mister Hyluan. As I had little to do with your previous assignments, I can only guess that what Mister Shapiro withheld he did so at first because you were unknown quantities and later because the haftorang device is a well-kept secret."
"But not only am I telling you everything I know about the current situation in Oklahoma, I am sending you with a very special piece of equipment that will permit you to remain in daily contact with me personally. As I am about to reveal, there is reason to suspect that telephone communications will be compromised, so I am sending you with a portable wireless transmitter station similar to the one you used in Bolivia. You will have to leave town to set it up surreptitiously, but you can remain in contact with me as you need. Now, to business.”
“A cult worshiping Yig, the Father of Snakes, has come to our attention. They are situated in the small town of Bingham, Oklahoma and are using the guise of a Christian church. I do not want to take a heavy-handed approach here, at least, not to begin with. We need to find out the root cause of all this. I want you to find out how this backwater town has turned to worshiping this particular god. Be on the lookout for serpent people. Remember the Inner Night is dangerous and can appear just like you or I! Doctor Gonçalves here will escort you to the lab where you can listen to recordings that are being broadcast by this deviant church. Good day and good luck.”
"Oklahoma, huh? And a religious cult? I'm betting the priest in charge is one of those serpent people. Out of curiosity, is there any way to expose them - short of killing them, I mean?"
"I've heard of these snake worshipers... strange lot. Are we thinking to be 'recruited'? To give us an inside track?"
"Why so quiet Doctor Gonçalves? Did you have something to add?"
Father Peña stares at Mr. Meacham in horror. "A cult of the demon-worshippers is using a Christian church as a front? Even for our Protestant brethren, that is blasphemy! Are they all serpent-demons or have they enthralled normal people in this cult? Has it taken over the whole town? Surely there must be some stalwart souls who are not taken in by this. Please, can you show us where this town is located?"
Antonio glances at Dr. Gonçalves during the briefing, noting that perhaps he as uncomfortable as they were with all of this. When Chakos mentions it, Antonio lays a reassuring hand on the Doctor's shoulder. "This is still a lot for me. Have you heard something in these recordings that can help us?"
Chakos nods at Father Peña's comments. "One expects snake cults in Haiti, and probably Louisiana, but not in Oklahoma."
Eddie Chuckles lightly at the Fathers comment requesting they show us where the town is before saying "I bet they'll be plenty happy doing a bit more than "Showing us where its located"
"Oklahoma, huh? And a religious cult? I'm betting the priest in charge is one of those serpent people. Out of curiosity, is there any way to expose them - short of killing them, I mean?"
”That is what we hope you will discover, Mister Sorenson,” says Meadham. ”Whether all of the church is corrupt or only some, we do not know. Or even if they fully understand the message of Yig that their pastor is preaching. For the moment your only task is to understand what is happening there. Circumstances in Bolivia and Borneo forced you to take precipitous action. It is my hope that things can proceed at a more deliberate pace here. It is better to wield a scalpel than a sledge hammer, if possible.”
"I've heard of these snake worshipers... strange lot. Are we thinking to be 'recruited'? To give us an inside track?"
”That could be an interesting tactic. I will leave it to the team on the ground...you... to decide.”
"Why so quiet Doctor Gonçalves? Did you have something to add?"
The doctor looks startled. ”N...no, Doctor Hyluan. I’m just thinking. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the opposition, is all. Where does it end?”
Father Peña stares at Mr. Meacham in horror. "A cult of the demon-worshippers is using a Christian church as a front? Even for our Protestant brethren, that is blasphemy! Are they all serpent-demons or have they enthralled normal people in this cult? Has it taken over the whole town? Surely there must be some stalwart souls who are not taken in by this."
”We do not know the particulars, Father Peña,” Meadham says. ”That is why we are sending you. All we are certain of is the radio broadcasts we have intercepted. Our experts are certain that the gospel of Yig is being woven into Christian themes in this small town and we’d like you to investigate.”
”Please, can you show us where this town is located?"[/b]
Eddie Chuckles lightly at the Fathers comment requesting they show us where the town is before saying "I bet they'll be plenty happy doing a bit more than "Showing us where its located"
”Of course. Maps will be provided along with your train tickets.”
Antonio glances at Dr. Gonçalves during the briefing, noting that perhaps he as uncomfortable as they were with all of this. When Chakos mentions it, Antonio lays a reassuring hand on the Doctor's shoulder. "This is still a lot for me. Have you heard something in these recordings that can help us?"
Gonçalves shakes his head. ”It’s best you listen for yourselves, but amidst the Christian sermon there is a second voice, barely audible. It tells of Yig and promises great blessings. Some of the words are in English, but some are in Naacal, the language of the serpent-folk.”
Chakos nods at Father Peña's comments. "One expects snake cults in Haiti, and probably Louisiana, but not in Oklahoma."
”That is the truth about the serpent-folk,” says Meadham, a determined expression on his face. ”They pop up where you least expect them. Do not underestimate our opponents, gentlemen. This is a war. A war that may well determine which species survives to see the future.”
”Good luck, gentlemen.” Joshua Meadham then stands and leaves heading for his private elevator followed by his silent manservant Canning.
When they are gone, Doctor Gonçalves says ”I have the recordings ready to hear in my office. Follow me.”
As you rise and move into the hallway, you hear a crash and a scream. Explosions erupt from down the hall and a strange voice shouts in an unknown language. The sound of smashing, explosions, screaming and strange, rending sounds follow. The door to the room where the Sleeper is being held blows off its hinges and into the hallway, smoke billowing into the hallway.
”Of course. Maps will be provided along with your train tickets.”
"They got an airfield near there? I think there might have been one opened in Joplin a few years back." Edward quickly interrupts. "Figure having my plane somewhat nearby might be nice and we can get started earlier." he clarifies.
"Shit!" Eddie yelps as the door blows into the hall. Instinctively he grabs for the Enfield that he used in the war but it is missing as it has been for the last year since he was discharged. He then looks around and calls out in a timbre about a third higher than he had spoken in before "That's where the Sleeper was right. We might be in a bit more trouble than we came expecting"
"What is that?" Jack Forrester looks for the closest weapons, something that can be used as a cudgel. Then he takes cover behind the desk until there is some more obvious action.
Elliot is quiet and thoughtful as the meeting starts to break up. War. Here on American soil. It is difficult to conceive, especially when the enemy seems to be so strange and powerful - not at all like the normal flesh and blood enemy soldiers in the Great War.
Then, war comes to them as there are screams and explosions down the hall and the door that he saw open into the room with the Sleeper is blown off its hinges!
"Tell me you keep weapons here." He growls at Gonçalves as he grabs the man and pulls him back into the room, then slams the door shut, looking for anything to barricade it. If that thing is loose...
Chakos follows the others, walking backwards, as he draws his pistols and readies to fire against the creature should it approach from the rear.
Antonio rushes out, not bothering with any weapons. His faith and his own hands were all he needed to fight the darkness. He rushes to where he can hear the screaming.
Antonio rushes out of the room as Elliot casts about for a table to barricade the door. "Dammit padre..." He growls under his breath, then he grabs the heaviest-looking statue or other decoration he can find nearby and rushes out into the hallway after the Father...
"Anyone have a spare gun?" Eddie calls as he follows Elliot out of the room.
"I... well, I have one, but I didn't figure I needed to bring it to an introduction meeting!"
Jack moves quickly to help Elliot barricade the door.
As Elliot rushes out with a statue, Jack shrugs, grabs a thick book, and follows.
The team streams into the hallway in Father Antonio's wake and makes their way to the examination room, where they find utter devastation. The windows have exploded, showering glass everywhere, furniture is on fire, the air is filled with smoke, and the burned and mangled body parts of the Caduceus scientists are scattered about like confetti. Through the haze, a glowing, swirling portal is closing on one of the walls. The Sleeper has left the building.
The Caduceus staff panic, running hither and thither, while armed security guards brandish their weapons.
"If ever I was to arrive at a party late, this was the one to miss!"
He looks around for any indication of what happened.