Righteous Reaction

By Stephen Bambrough

Following on from the events of Remnant Resistance, Griff finds himself entangled in a newly formed experimental group whose mission is to solve any mysteries with the possibility of the Remnant’s or Angious’s involvement. His first assignment leads him to a small Icelandic town where sightings of Norse creatures are ever present. The secrets uncovered in this location may be the beginning of humanities fight back against the time-traveling creatures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Nov 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781728381527

Stephen Bambrough

Born in 1992 in Germany and moved to England at the 10 age of two with his parents, Stephen attended education 11 through a Catholic school where he liked to question 12 what was being taught. Through the years he found 13 himself in a career in maintenance with a lot of spare 14 time on his hands to fill his curiosity and creativity in 15 life with travelling and writing.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

THE COMPOUND

D ays, weeks, months and I’ve been stuck in the same god damned room for so long it’s enough to turn a man insane. Luckily for me though you can’t turn an already crazy person insane, not unless there is some higher level of mental instability available, although being in my current predicament, I can imagine I’m on the verge of finding out. My name is Griffin Holster and well… You see the thing is, my world is filled with monsters from another time, ok not just my world but everyone’s world, I’m not the only person seeing these creatures. At first, I thought I was but it turns out that through a catalytic chain of actions these monsters have invaded our world, or better yet our time. These monsters, the Remnant, and the Angious, that’s what they are named, are humanoid beings from a time before our earth as we know it was fully formed, they travel from their time to our time through time portals to avoid the extinction level event which leads to the formation of our earth. See how you could mistake me for already being crazy?

When I first encountered these monsters, it was purely a fight for survival. I lost a good friend and made some new ones, but the second time was different, my new friends and I were greeted by this man named Dalton Meier who is part of the Illuminati. Yes, they are real and no they are not an evil corporation trying to rule the world from behind the scenes like so many conspiracy theorists would have you believe, but they are in fact an organisation devout to keeping our time safe from these monsters without anyone finding out. Well, guess what; they probably shouldn’t have gotten me involved because the whole incognito thing has gone right out the window since we basically blew Bran castle into kingdom come along with the whole Bran area of Romania. People tend to notice a giant village sized crater in the ground, and when everyone found out about the Remnant and the Angious, well then the monsters decided there wasn’t much point acting in the shadows anymore and invaded our time in their droves.

This brings us to my current situation, by the end of the whole Romania thing; my friends and I were captured by the military and brought to this place, although I still don’t have a clue where here is yet. I mean I could easily break out, I have this device strapped to my arm, it kind of looks like a chrome turtle shell except that this little shell can fire a beam of intensified gravity. Again, I get the whole sounding crazy thing but if it makes things any better I did get it from an Angious called Zarathus who was a little more helpful than the rest of his kind, you see the Remnant look like some kind of demonic scaly monster whereas the Angious look more Angelic with ghostly pale skin, don’t get me wrong though, they are still a bunch of arse holes, don’t judge a book by its cover and all that.

Anyway, my mind wandered, I could break out of this place but then what would be the point, I can only shoot one gravity beam every so often and I have a feeling this place might be filled with more than just a couple of men. Also, I don’t think the people keeping me here are particularly bad in any way, the main guy in charge General Thorburn seems to just be interested in stopping the monsters in the same way as the Illuminati. Needless to say, when he discovered what the Illuminati were up to, he was more than intrigued.

Today was different as compared to the other days, it began the same in the way that I woke up in my plain metal box of a windowless room and that two armed military personnel escorted me down a plain grey hallway to another room lacking design containing just a steel table where I would be interrogated further.

He was already sitting down, waiting for me, his strong square jawline sitting above the perfectly pressed military attire covered in an array of medallion.

Mr. Holster, how are you this morning? He asked politely as he always did.

Look, Thorburn, you’ve squeezed my brain dry, I honestly can’t give you anything else so I don’t know why you’ve still got me here, Dalton’s the one you want to talk to, he’s the man with all the answers, I suggested ignoring his greeting.

Thorburn gave a stern unimpressed look.

Please take a seat Griff, this won’t take long, he gestured to sit with his hand.

I guess I’m not going anywhere, I let out whilst dumping myself down.

I understand your wish to go home, but you see Mr Holster you leave me with quite a dilemma, on one hand, I can and will allow you to return back home, but on the other hand your knowledge and your possession of that device on your wrist make you incomprehensibly valuable to us, He spoke clearly and precisely.

Right…. So I can go? I asked confused.

This will be easier to explain in a brief moment, he said before waiting patiently and quietly, quite awkwardly really as we sat in silence.

A moment passed and the door behind me opened again, I turned to see the small figured outline of Jess, her blonde hair passing down her pretty slender face. Jess had been on the Island where I first encountered the Remnant and had become a good friend alongside her co-worker Bill although his fate is of yet undetermined.

Griff! She let out with her soft voice whilst placing her arms around me rather suddenly.

I’ve almost gone mad being stuck in this place, She said taking a seat next to me.

The door should have shut behind her but instead came another set of footsteps.

Quite a little fest we have here, and here I forgot to bring my formal wear, came the distinct voice of Dalton with that tiny hint of a German accent.

What’s going on? I asked confused with the change of routine.

Perhaps your friend could explain it for you, Thorburn gestured to Dalton.

The Illuminati man wandered to the side of the table standing firm with his perfect posture and greying black hair.

Thank you General, Dalton affirmed himself by clasping his hands together in a sharp snap.

You know how sometimes you have a large company who are doing quite well for themselves but then seem to escape a certain section of the market, a tailor, for example, excellent for selling suits, not so excellent at shoes, so what does that tailor do? Well, he makes a proposition to a cobbler, individually they survive but join together and they thrive, said Dalton banging his hands on the table in a joyous movement.

Sitting down I stared at the man with concern for his own mental health.

Mate… What are you on about? I asked frowning.

You see Mr. Holster, the good General here is the tailor, good in the market of war and espionage, and we, the Illuminati, are the cobbler, specific in the elimination of the Remnant. Out there in the world right now the human race is fighting for survival, and in all honesty, I would estimate we are winning, but there are certain threats which the military cannot handle alone, but together, we thrive, Dalton explained.

Thorburn rose from his own chair matching Dalton’s perfect upright pose.

Indeed, it is simple to hunt and kill these creatures when we know their position, but the ones who stay hidden, in the shadows, those are the most dangerous, and we need your help, or rather, we need one another’s help to win this war, he suggested.

How exactly are we supposed to help? Jess asked wearily.

It would be strictly a field test, you three team up with four of my best special forces men and investigate a possible silent Remnant threat, Thorburn said in his commanding tone.

Taking in what was being suggested it seemed like a pretty big decision to make on the spot, go home and survive or spend the rest of my time in constant danger fighting monsters making a difference. Well seeing as though I’d already spent the last twenty plus years surviving in my average plain shitty life, I guess the balance swayed to the latter choice.

What about Bill? Jess asked. I had completely forgotten about him, but only when Jess mentioned his name did I realise he was not mentioned in the field test.

Yeah, what about Bill? I reaffirmed her question.

General Thorburn showed his first sign of wavering as he looked to the side for one second then back again sighing.

Your abnormal friend is still going through certain test procedures to evaluate his condition, he explained.

Ohhhh no, I know what that means, you want to find out how to kill those things, you lay a fucking hand on Bill and I will make sure your head is imploded right down the centre like a stamped crisp packet! I shouted aiming the wrist device at the Generals forehead, the orange crosshairs lining up in the centre of a wrinkle.

Mr. Holster could you please refrain from overreacting, we are here to create an alliance, not a nemesis, if you would indulge the General you would know that he has no such intentions, I have personally overseen these tests, Dalton reassured.

Lowering my device I let out a sigh, either going home or working with the General I just had to leave this place I was beginning to come down with claustrophobia.

Without even a flinch during my threat, the General had stared me down. During my light imprisonment in this place I had learnt that the man must have seen more things in his lifetime than a man should, any time I threatened or attempted to disrupt a conversation he remained perfectly focused, I should have known better by now than to even attempt to aim my weapon at his head as I knew deep down it would be a fruitless effort.

I shuffled uncomfortably knowing I had to obey him but only to some extent.

I will help, but if this field test of yours works out then you let Bill join us, if we fail I’m guessing we will probably be dead anyway so I won’t care as much, I bargained.

Thorburn pushed his chair in so that it was precisely flushed with the table; he gave a smile almost as precise as his last movement.

It is my intention all along for this to be the case Mr. Holster, if the tests come back in a positive fashion then Mr. Greaves if it really is him will join you in the future, I cannot imagine we could allow him into the public in his current condition anyhow, the General explained.

Bill or not, he is here now and he is good, he saved me, and the Remnant… the Remnant don’t save people, I promise you that General, I enlightened with utmost seriousness.

The General nodded taking in what I had warned as a fact he was already aware of. Jess then took her turn to stand with the group.

If this is going to happen, we want to see Bill before we go, make sure he is alright, no offence Dalton, I know you probably wouldn’t lie to us but he’s been my friend for a while now and I need to know if he’s alright, Jess said calmly.

No offence taken miss Hart, I would indeed enquire the same had it been one of my closest and dearest companions, Dalton accepted with a grin.

It is not usual for me to bargain with anyone but in this most unusual of circumstances, I will allow you to see your friend. I will meet you one last time upon your exit, I’ll see to it that you are all escorted to Mr. Greaves as requested, Thorburn instructed as he signalled the two guards outside to lead us away.

We were led down a couple of bland hallways which seemed to go on and on; for all I knew, we were walking in circles to the enjoyment of the guards. Just as I thought about enquiring the remaining distance, we stopped outside of a room inside were a couple of scientists or doctors in lab coats watching video monitors of a darkened room with another guard standing by a thick bulkhead door.

The General has requested you allow them a session, announced one of the guards.

A few uneasy looks were glanced between the scientists.

Well… if it has been authorised, I suppose so, said one of the women standing from her seat indicated for me to sit by a microphone.

I took one look at the seat then back to the woman.

I don’t think you get it, I’m going in there to see my friend, I said pointing at the door.

This time the woman looked shocked and the man next to her piped up.

We cannot allow such a visitation; we still do not have the relevant procedure’s set in place to…

We didn’t come here for a Skype session, we ARE going through there, Jess cut off the man mid-sentence.

I don’t think the General would allow this to happen, the woman said to the guards.

I was getting sick of the argument so I took it upon myself to pull the huge lever on the bulkhead door.

Fuck the General, I said opening the door into a blackness.

As soon as the scientists saw what I was doing, they dashed for the exit in a blind panic; the guards readied their weapons at the opening.

What have you done! One of the guards yelled.

You’re all a bunch of pansies, we’ll be back in a few minutes just lock the door after us, I’m not arsed, I instructed knowing full well that Bill wouldn’t harm me or the others.

Dalton, Jess and I entered the room closing the door behind when I heard the clunk of the lever being locked up. Darkness was obstructing my view of the cell but I could hear a louder than normal huffed breathing sound from the other end of the room.

Mr. Greaves? Dalton asked into the black of the room.

Bill, its Jess… and Griff and Dalton, we’re here to see you, Jess said hoping for a reply.

JESSSS… came the heavy growling voice from the opposite end of the room.

The floor gave the slightest of vibrations under Bills heavy feet as I felt him walk nearer for a better look at us, his silhouette appearing through the darkness as a hulking Remnant shadow, the elongated arms reaching down to the floor from shoulders.

I’… HURRRT… NO OOONNNE… THEYYY… TRAP ME HEEEERE… he struggled to speak out in his low toned voice.

His head appeared more clearly as he stood directly over us, the scaly skin now visible all over his body with his blue and red pearly eyes glinting what little light there was back to us, his mouth was in a sort of semi-permanent malevolent grin with two rows of shark like teeth extruding through.

We are in the process of freeing you from this place Mr. Greaves, I apologise for this deathly place they have contained you within but please understand they must be absolutely sure it is safe for you to leave, I’m afraid they are not as understanding as the rest of us, Dalton explained.

Bill shuffled about, his eyes wandering to the door perhaps in anticipation of his chance to bolt for the exit.

THEYYY THINNNNK… I’MM… SLOW… IT’SSSS, HARRRRD TO… SPEEEEAK… LIKE… THHHHISSSS… he tried to explain.

I knew you were slow the minute I met you, I don’t know what tests these people are doing but I think they’re wasting their time, I joked inducing a horrifically angered look in Bills already malicious face.

Oh, would you shut your mouth, Griff! Jess snapped at me.

They haven’t been hurting you, have they? Jess asked Bill.

NO… NNNNOT YET… He growled.

Seems the General was not lying but I did not expect him to be the deceitful type.

I have been ensured they will not harm you Mr. Greaves, and if they do so, they will have a lot more than just these time traveling beasts to worry about, errm no offence intended Mr. Greaves, Dalton apologised.

IT’SSSS… OK… THHHANKS… Bill expressed his gratitude.

We’ll be back for you mate, I reassured and pat his long scaly arm which was rough to the touch.

He seemed to show the slightest of positive emotions as I touched him, possibly a reassurance that we trusted him and it was something that he had not felt in a while.

Don’t do anything stupid while we are gone, unless they do hurt you, then do whatever you want, we won’t judge, Jess said nodding to the camera in the corner of the room to ensure the warning was directed correctly.

JUSST… HURRRRRY… PLEAAAAAASE… Bill grunted as Dalton knocked on the bulkhead door for us to be released.

We’ll be back before you know it, time flies when you’re having fun in your special little box here, I smiled on the way out.

FUCKKKK… YYYOO… Bill was cut off as the door closed behind the group but then his voice continued through the speaker on the other side.

UUUU… GRRRRIFF… He finished through the static intercom.

Obviously, I felt ridiculously bad for my friend being locked up in such a manner but I did understand everyone’s nervous disposition around him, we knew him as a human, as a friend, it was clear to us he was who he says he was, but to these people, it is possibly their first encounter with a Remnant, and although he has behaved himself it does not stop him from being the aesthetically giant monster he is.

Have you finished breaking protocol yet? The male scientist mocked conjuring up the courage to re-enter the room.

Oohh stop being a little bitch, Jess waved him off with a flick of her hand as we were guided out of the room back into the maze of hallways.

Our escorts took us all the way to a large set of double doors exiting the top of a flight of stairs into the fresh cold air outside; a layer of frost was covering a large runway opposing military barracks.

Where are we anyway? I asked the guard who was guiding us about.

Linton on ouse RAF base pal, he said.

And whereabout is that on the map? Jess asked.

Just outside of York, he explained again seemingly becoming aggravated by the questions.

Just outside of York! Jess repeated.

You mean we’ve been pretty much home this entire time anyway? For God’s sake, I let out.

The soldier shrugged his shoulders expressing his lack of interest. He then pointed to a building next to the runway.

You lot can make your way in there, you’ll be briefed properly, he ushered us off to the square brick building before escaping his duties.

Entering straight into a briefing room, there again stood the General, only on this occasion he was accompanied by a group of four well-built fully kitted out men wearing military issue white winter gear from neck to toe.

I take it you are satisfied with Mr. Greaves treatment? Thorburn asked.

Ohh yeah, apart from maybe a dog bed, what more could he want in his cosy dark metal box, I commented sarcastically.

My comment was dismissed by the General who had clearly had enough of this topic already.

"Perhaps, you would care to introduce yourselves seeing as you will