The Horsemen Death from Within

By Bijan Sebastian Williams

Continuing the Adventures of the Spy team known as The Horsemen, a multi racial set of operatives chasing the clock as one of their own seeks to sell a potential world ending antigen. Follow as Sebastiaen and M'kai lead a team hell bent on revenge against the man they once called their brother including Katarasina's sister, Shaun's adopted son, Sebastiaen's ex-fiance and the man responsible for N'kia's mother's death. Follow the team as they decipher personal feelings and come to grips that the one they knew as brother was long gone, replaced by the Sadistic head of the D'kin organization. This time it was personal and they were playing for keeps!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329444744

Book preview

The Horsemen Death from Within

The sale of this book without its cover is prohibited. If you should purchase this book without its cover you should know that it was reported to the publisher unsold and destroyed neither the author nor the publisher has received payment for this stripped book.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, Characters, places and incidents either are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons is strictly coincidental.

Copyright 2011 by Bijan Williams

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or any portions thereof in any form whatsoever for information contact LULU press.

First LULU edition May 2012

All designs are used by express permission by parties. Manufactured in USA

ISBN number 978-1-329-40356-7

The Horsemen II:

Death From Within

Bijan Sebastian Williams

Poetry from The Nursery Rhymes Of The Damned

By Aaron Banner Sturch

To my father, my mother, my Brothers and to my family, who have put my anger frustration on the back burner and just took it. Dad I do this for you and my kids! Knowing you are looking down and smiling is all I need. To the original Horsemen: David Williams, Shaun Martinez, and Alonzo Lamb you guys will always be my best friends without you these stories would have no basis, I love you guys! To my publicist Michelle thank you for your tireless work in getting these works published and distributed. To Hence and Keri Ann, and to Kristofer and Theresa your support has been invaluable. Pain and pleasure love beats all.

Destiny wherever you are and whoever you are with, I love you munchkin. Keep reading love.

Amani I told you your papa is worth listening too, one of the most beautiful things is looking into your smiling face.

Lastly for the late night talks the feelings you helped put to rest and the hope you awakened for the future, we lost you too soon baby gurl. You were an amazing friend when I wanted to give up; you said ‘No Baby, you keep fighting!’  Ines you helped to make these books following possible I will always love you!

~Bijan~

How do I Write something that will stand the test of time?

How do I make it so memorable

You will recall it

Line upon line?

How do I prevent it from being an ounce of cliché?

How do I go about it all, where at the end you say

Touché?

~from The Nursery Rhymes Of The Damned~

Chapter 1

Sonja awoke to the most horrendous pain in her breast and head. She really didn’t remember much she knew instinctively she was not in Cheka headquarters, not that she really wanted to be. Her father was gone and his murderer had proved to be more than she could handle. She thought to herself, why not kill her and have done with it? She wasn’t even sure how long she had been out. It could not have been more than a few hours. She was alive, but could not make assuages with her injuries because her hands were tied down, but not her feet.

That, in itself, told Sonja to be wary, there was no one stupid enough in the game to leave a Chekan member tied up, but not fully tied. She knew then that someone had messed up badly, or this D’kin had a woefully overblown view of himself. Either one worked to her advantage, however this D’kin was no fool Sonja knew this. So why was she not tied properly? She had only briefly seen his face during the fight and she had not gotten a good look. She began to plot out her strategy while she waited for whomever to show up. She knew she would have to kill D’kin and make her escape, she just didn’t know how she would do any of this.

Sonja had no idea of this D’kin’s race or his height. His speed made figuring his weight hard too! So, Sonja had to assume that she was obviously an important hostage. As she was that, she came to realize only D’kin would deal with her.  Oh, if she could just get the fire in her breast to die down so she could think. Just as she was about to moan, a door opened and a man in a white coat came in. He made no eye contact and she knew it had to be D’kin! She knew that he would only want to attend to her himself. Sadly for him someone had forgotten to fully incompacitate her.

Merciful mother Russia! The pain in her breast slowly pushed her into disorientation. In her delirium her leg snapped out as D’kin bent to inject something into her arm. It had to be a truth serum of some kind. Fool, he should have known that Cheka never allowed their agents anymore knowledge than was necessary to complete the mission. Sadly she had nothing since this was not a legitimate assignment. As he doubled over from the blow she used her legs to entwine his neck and soon and audible crack could be heard. He slumped silently to the ground. She had avenged her father and was quite sure that she could get out of the restraints and get to the one man U-boat she had stashed on the outskirts of Goose bay. It was a design Mother Russian had stolen from Nazi Germany. She was also sure that D’kin would have nothing to do but, remain there lifeless at her feet a few moments more.

The pain was unimaginably distracting, and she struggled to the point of exhaustion. After taking a few moments to do an internal check to see if she would even survive a mad dash to the boat, she noticed the presence of something that she did not recognize. After years of becoming intimately in tuned with her body she quickly recognized that there was something amiss. She had no clue what it was, but she had a deep seeded feeling that there was something sinister afoot.

It was at this moment that she realized that she was doomed; as soon as the guards realized that D’kin was not coming out they would come in. That would be the end of her. Even her comrade’s back home would not know to mourn her. She knew she was in no condition to take on trained armed men. She had to get out quickly, tho she had accomplished this part of her stratagem she still had more to do. Not to mention this Katarasina character, her greatest rival would never know how close she came to death. Not that she gave a fuck, the bitch had left her loyalty and pride when she ran off and became a Jamaican. That was one Sonja had also been looking forward to killing. The last thing her father said was that she was working as an assistant to some Negro doctor in Jamaica.

That and that he had not always known that she was a Varona lover. This had kept them from her, after finding out what he had done and why she and he had a very tumultuous relationship, she had looked with more disdain upon her compatriot. There was just no way that her father had loved Sonja more than her brothers and sisters. It just didn’t make sense! Her father had shown his special attention to all of his children, even the males! Yet he had never touched her, she had been told that it was because to Grigori she was special. Sonja had always wondered though. She had never liked the fact that her siblings had shared something with their father that she hadn’t. It was just wrong! She was ripped from her thoughts as the door to the room was opened up and in strode a semi tallish man with features that were confusing.

He was dressed in a simple black turtleneck, and his walk was one of quiet power. Sonja realized that this was actually D’kin and she had killed an innocent, not that that bothered her. However, the fact that she had wasted precious energy on a minor player irked her. Not to mention now gave up an advantage that she no longer held, the body alone would alert D’kin that she was awake and meant him harm. She would be able to get nowhere with this one. Sonja was befuddled by the fact that D’kin’s eyes alone spoke volumes, and yet none of what was said was going to help. Dammit! She thought she had painted herself into a corner. D’kin strode over to the body on the floor and glowered at her.

So, I see even in the face of these odds, that you are stupid enough to try and continue to kill me.

He strode over to where she was laying and looked down on her. His face was handsome, but there was steel in his eyes. She knew just then that this man had killed before, and there was little that she could do to stop him this time. The fact of this did not scare Sonja, but it definitely put her on edge. In fact it gave her reason to begrudgingly respect him. It was something that Sonja reserved only for other assassins. She had to look to this mark with a new viewpoint; he was definitely not someone to be trifled with. Sonja knew just then that she was in the company of a kindred spirit.

So, you came here under dead of night to gain access to my home!  I would almost admire that, if it weren’t completely wasted! How in the world can you even believe you can kill me, if you don’t know who I am? So who sent you?

He asked as he sat straddling a chair. He was obviously pretty relaxed with his people; he wore deep blue jeans and some strikingly gorgeous ebony alligator boots. He gently clicked his heel on the chair’s leg rhythmically. Setting her almost at ease, she snapped herself back to focus. Sonja had to wonder how he did that! She had only a short period before she realized that she would not get to this pig. He was a complete contradiction to Grigori. Where he was tallish and lithe, Grigori was short and squat. Although, he was fat Grigori had been powerful, D’kin had already shown her that he was more so. The differences didn’t stop there, their command was run differently, and D’Kin’s was based on respect and mutual admiration, while her fathers’ was based on fear.

Having time to talk with D’kin was having a sobering effect on her senses. The consuming pain in her breast had faded to a dull ache during the past moments. She had begun to take inventory of the situation. Sonja had no idea what was wrong with her internal workings but she definitely knew something was not on the up and up. She began to ascertain the room and her adversary. There was little to pick up from his movements other than he was supremely confident in his abilities. Every movement of his body was a testament to his obvious belief that he controlled every aspect of what was going on. Truthfully, she couldn’t even begin to argue with that.

There was no way she could kill him without setting off a transmitter, one that she had no idea what it would do to her. Her mind quickly worked out what her options were. She really didn’t have any; she knew that he was more than likely going to kill her here. After he attempted to get the information he sought. Unfortunately for him he would find himself up against a wall. Sonja had to wonder why he chose to speak to her himself rather than utilize a staff torturer. She decided that he must have felt that he could do the questioning better than any other. Sonja prepared for his questions.

You have nothing to say huh? You must understand by now that I am not interested in owning any part of this world! The two estates I own are sufficient. I had no reason to worry about Cheka, they served a purpose. Now with your Premier’s’ death I have to replace him with another New World leader.

Shaun continued his tirade at an even tone serving to make it all the more menacing.

I won’t act as if I know what you are feeling at the loss of your commander, but I can assure you that although not a personal loss to me, I don’t put up with anyone trying to kill me. Especially, not in my own home!

D’kin moved emitting pure menace to her side, looked into her eyes.

I don’t give a shit who has died, nor do I give a fuck who you are! Really! To send a woman at that! Fuck, your superiors must be slipping! You and all should learn to fear the very mention of my name! I have no patience, so you can either tell me a plausible story, or you will see what your Premier was so dying to get, first hand!

Sonja merely looked at him. She spoke English fluently and even when he switched to Russian and repeated what he said she played dumb. He wasn’t happy about that. His eyes flashed and his hands trembled. He stepped back and collected himself with a shake of his head. As if saying something to himself, he straightened his stance and checked his clothes. Then he walked over to the vid-screen and said something and the screen came alive. He took on a maniacal look and then looked to her. This would either push her towards him or turn her towards madness.  Shaun had no need for someone who could not stomach what was to come, this would show him definitively. He turned to her and said.

I would prefer not to have to do this, but since you are being so stubborn. I decided to show you this video first, and then if you can’t be persuaded to speak candidly after viewing this. Then I guess we will have a demonstration, first hand. Also the transmitter that we injected in you will kill you. That little inconvenience is hooked directly into your cerebral cortex; it will make you think that you’re drowning even if you are nowhere near water.

He wasn’t even sure what he wanted from her but he did need to get this taken care of. He liked her bravery and her fighting skills were far from sub-par, but this was also business. He couldn’t have someone out to do him harm, not until he had finished. Truth is even Chamberland had not gotten close to cutting him in years. He wanted to make this woman one of his flock, but first he had to break her of the infernal need for loyalty to a country that had yet to even try to rescue her!

Granted he knew that she was covert ops and even knew more so that she was either on this as a personal vendetta or as an unsanctioned mission. So he turned her chair to focus her mind and eyes on the screen and the surveillance tape of the progression of testing of EG2. The displays of the earlier experiments were more graphic and disgusting than the actual footage D’kin had sent out to the world leaders.  It actually made him more than a little queasy. So as she watched stoically he focused on her reaction he wanted to disgust and scare her, not to drive her mad.

Surprisingly an hour into it she had not made a sound until the small animal testing began to show. The sight of the small dogs and spider monkeys with deformed limbs and half-melted visages proved to be too much. First came the whimper, and then the sigh at that time he knew he had her! He stood and crossed the room, switched off the vid screen, he turned slowly to her and said.

I wasn’t happy with the animal testing as you can see why. I have no problem with testing on humans; they can be told what is going to happen to them, or in your case shown. I am sure you are eager to get it over with. So I will leave you now.

She looked almost frantic then she slid her mask over her features. There was steel in her, Shaun liked that. He knew that it could either work for him or against him. It lent power to the façade of her masking the fear she now held. Shaun admired this and was hoping not to have to waste this talent. He was crossing the point of no return, however and would soon have to either give up the charade or follow through with it. He was fully prepared to do so actually, he had no feelings for this woman that was here to kill him but, she could prove to be more useful alive than dead. Although he could have handled it different he knew Grigori thrived on intimidation and he knew she would only respond to a like kind. He was sure his ploy would work and if it didn’t, it would be one less female assassin to worry about later.

Alright Sonja we have the interrogation team on its way…

Sonja’s eyes now took on a hooded look

Wait! Is what you said true of Cheka?

Shaun almost laughed at how she was playing into his scheme

What does it matter? If I were you I would worry for my own skin!

Shaun worried that maybe his false showing of temper would push her too far back into her turtle shell.

My trade does not afford me such comforts, I must know of Cheka!

Sonja saw what D’kin was trying to do, but she still had questions that he needed to answer. She saw that he wasn’t going to be forthcoming with the information so she continued to try and steer him in the direction she needed.

I have given you all the information I can, but if you will just tell me what I want to know, we can help each other, by the way how are your injuries?

Shaun saw what she was trying to do but he needed to see how far her training went in the fact that he needed to see how much she was willing to rely on the loyalty she held to the Cheka.

I am fine; I see now that I have no choice, I will cooperate. What is it you will have of me?

Shaun saw his opening now there it was she could be handled. Sonja was obviously loyal to her father first and then Cheka.

First, I must know how much your Premier told you of our agreement. Secondly if you so choose you may find I have room for you here, but as to the fact you have seen my face and the interior to my compound, you would do well to think that one over very carefully.

Sonja looked at him for a while and must have come to a decision. She soon began to talk and continued to talk for several hours. There was very enlightening information as far as D’kin saw, he had learned of a plot to overthrow him as well as several attempts on his life that had been thwarted by the children, he liked that. It served to endear the C.O.A. more to him along with Chamberland. The C.O.A.¹ were not interested in personal glory. Truthfully it was just the love of fighting that kept them going. There was a ringing on the wall as a communicator was being used to contact him in the recesses of the compound.  As he walked to the wall he felt the need to ask.

So, if you were here on a Chekan sanctioned vendetta, I must ask this now. What does Cheka think you are doing right now?

Sonja held her ground refusing to answer, knowing that any answer would betray Cheka. Truth be told, they had no idea what she was doing. She was to have been instituting herself in the Japanese government as a translator. She had decided to make this trip when she had accidentally overheard a conversation between the new prime minister and the new head of Cheka. They had been speaking of Grigori’s attempt to procure a weapon that would solidify Russia’s place as a superpower. A little snooping on Sonja’s part was all it took to get D’kin’s place of residence. From the island stronghold she found it even easier to trace his move too Goosebay. A fact she was sure would upset his sense of control greatly.

In truth the death of Grigori had done little to slow down the running of mother Russia. In actuality business had gone on as usual. In fact Sonja had been the only one to show up at his memorial. It would seem that although he thought he was important, Grigori Petrovisavich was not even a blip on the radar. Sonja came to the realization that she was the only one who was even worried about what happened, and why.

During her investigation she came upon the information that Grigori had been working with a foreign agent in hopes to attain the rights to an extraordinarily powerful weapon that would put Russia in the forefront of the world’s power struggle.

Sonja was not even worried about that however, she wanted to know why her father had been so callously dispatched. She wanted revenge and she wanted it now. Sonja focused on the figure that sat in front of her. He was actually very good looking and he spoke with the confidence that came with it. Sonja looked at him and tried to get a bead on him. Unfortunately, he was impossible to read and he even made steady eye contact. Sonja was beyond frustrated! She had always prided herself on the fact that she could nail down a mark with the minimum of contact. This character however evaded almost instantly any attempt she made to corral him.

He wasn’t taken with her Nordic good looks. Sonja had always prided herself on her blonde hair and her cerulean eyes. These attributes proved to work to no avail however. Perhaps he was a Pidor² or perhaps he was one of those who subscribed to racial purity? She had come into contact with many of those types. While it worked in her favor in other times she had come into contact with those of the black race and of the mixed race begotten Nargila³ Sonja could not pin point his race, he had attributes of so many. It was both frustrating as well as alluring. This was a point that he was acutely aware of.

Shaun watched as the girl tried to get a bead on him. He almost would have been amused except she had come to his stronghold to kill him. This alone was a reason to kill her, if he wasn’t more interested in acquiring her talents. He always planned out his strategies with suspicious care, but he was curious.

Why did you come here to kill me?

Sonja looked up as if startled and said.

What does it matter? As you were so nice to say… I failed.

Shaun smiled and laughed.

It goes along the way of knowing who I have to watch out for. Besides dear you were doomed from the start I am prepared as you have seen.

Sonja still felt he was a little too comfortable with his safety

If I was acting with a partner do you really think I would give them up or even betray my bosses?

Shaun laughed again and said.

No, I suppose not but I can tell from your accent that you are Russian. Could this be Cheka’s halfhearted attempt at exacting vengeance for the Premier’s death?

Sonja obviously was taken by surprise but she quickly recovered, but not fast enough for Shaun not to notice.

I see I hit the nail. Not that you need to know this, but again I had nothing to do with Grigori’s death. We were compatriots of sorts; in fact we were working on a side project together. He was hoping to become the front runner in my auction. It is an auction for my newest weapon, a weapon that would have solidified Russia’s claim on the world power struggle.

Sonja took most of it all in and since his demeanor did not belay any signs of falsehood she decided to believe him to a point. She then asked.

You had nothing to do with Pa… Grigori’s death?

Shaun saw then that it was confirmed. Grigori and this woman had a relationship that wasn’t on the books. Interesting he wondered if she was aware of Grigori’s little genetics test and in specific of her sister that was in the Horsemen’s team now? Shaun filed that away for later he knew that he would need this later. A plan was already forming in his head.

No, I did not order his death. He still served a purpose for me. Now I am beginning to wonder if his daughter couldn’t serve a greater purpose.

He had suspicions, but he needed her to confirm it. It was fully possible that Grigori had actually slept with a woman not his progeny, but Shaun highly doubted it. The issue would have been if she was mad or not, being the offspring of incest tended to break the mind. If she was she was immensely talented, albeit not trained to his tastes. However, there was enough of a base there with some tweaking she could be a perfect match for Chamberland. Shaun had decided that this was his last endeavor in this world. He was ready to disappear for real this time.

Sonja choked a bit and then said.

"There is no way you could have known that! Even Cheka was not privy to that information. How could you have known that!  Dolbyo Yeb!"[Dumb Fuck]

Shaun chuckled and said

Careful young lady, I do speak Russian fluently so that won’t work for you either. I also know that Cheka gives you one other language that they will allow you to learn. I am sure that as far as your secondary language I speak that also.

Sonja was frustrated with his one-upmanship! This bastard was so smug; he truly felt that he was on top. However, there was something about the man that put her at ease. A problem should she get the chance to kill him again. Sonja decided just then to cooperate and hear out what this man had to say.

"So what do you propose tovarisch [Friend]? If I choose to believe you in the fact that you did not kill my oteu [Father], and I am not saying I believe you. Then how do we handle this?"

Shaun looked at her; he was sure now that he would use her. Even more so he was sure that she had already started trusting him. He flashed his most winning smile and drew in a breath.

"Well first, I won’t kill you just yet, but you will be restrained in my presence and you will be watched until I feel that I can trust you. I don’t feel like bringing you up to