*Rumble*
*Thunder claps*
The plane was shaking in all directions. James's family was sitting in their private jet rushing back home. They had a mix of excitement and worry. The plane they are in suddenly hit a patch of turbulence that came out of nowhere. Storm clouds rolled in at an astonishing rate. They felt that the storm was getting larger and larger.
If you were to look from an outside view it would be clearly visible that the storm was following the plane. It was as if nature was angry at them.
"Dad I'm scared"
"We are almost home, just hold on a bit longer!"
"Honey, she is right! This storm just keeps getting worse and worse. It seems like we will never get out of its range."
"I know you are all worried but just think of James." Pausing for a few seconds he continued, "I know! Let's take our minds of the storm! Let's combine the four relic pieces."
He took out all four relic pieces and handed his wife and daughter one piece each and took the last two for himself.
"Are you sure this is the best time to do this?" His wife was still concerned about the storm.
"Yes love, I am sure the sense of accomplishment will distract us."
He waved his family on. He slowly raised his two pieces into the air in-front of the group. His wife and daughter followed suit.
The relic pieces got closer and closer to one another while the family was intently watching them. When they were close enough the relic pieces flew out of their hands! They collided with one another and let out a blinding light!
Light leaked out of the air plane windows and was visible for thousands of miles. The family felt an unbelievable power escape the completed relic. They felt as if they were ants in front of a supreme being!
The light disappeared and they all opened their eyes. What they saw in front of them was a circular relic floating in the air with a slight spin to it.
The relic continued to give off a green glow that made the three feel awe.
They also felt a wave wash over them. The wounds they received from the Lost City healed at a visible rate. They felt that their internal injuries were also healing but at a much slower rate.
"This is incredible!" The mother shouted.
"Mom, Dad, with this James really will be healed!"
"We must get home! I will call the lab now and tell them to prep the capsule!"
He quickly brought out his satellite phone to make his call.
"Operation Lost City was successful! Commence operation Lazarus Pit!"
"We will begin preparation now sir, about operation Revelation?"
"It still has the green light if it needs to be. Also start operation Black Death."
After hearing his last command both his wife and daughter flinched.
His wife looked worried about what her husband ordered. "John, are we sure we want to start Black Death? They are our friends and partners after all."
"It is a required evil. I will not let anything stop us nor get in the way of our plans. Those people, while on the surface are our friends and partners, are just waiting for the right time to betray us."
Still patiently waiting on the other side of the phone the man tries to confirm the directive he was given.
"Operation Black Death will commenc...."
*BANG*
An ear rupturing crack was heard on his phone.
The sound of an intercom was heard, "Mayday mayday mayday this is flight ... we were hit by lightning. We are going down our coordinates are ..., ..."
A final explosion was heard, it was the plane exploding.
The man in the laboratory had a pale face. He slowly hung up the phone.
The woman who was standing beside him looked curious.
"Their plane exploded after being hit by something. Commence operations Black Death, Revelation, and Wild Fire".
"What will happened to James, his family is gone..."
"We can only hope the shock and despair does not cause him to die from a broken heart. We have no time to waste prepare the Wild Fire and Black Death crews. There will be lots of bloodshed tonight."
... Not even 30 mins later...
"Squad one, in position."
"Squad two, in position."
...
"Squad thirty, in position."
"Rodger that, commence operation Black Death."
Thirty houses where broken into. Door where broken down. Glass windows shattered as trained assassins entered the house. No screams were heard. No calls for help where successful. Phone lines where cut. Power to homes where shut off. Radio and cell signals were jammed.
Each house was ransacked in search of any connection to James's family. After each house was searched from top to bottom they were burned. Not even the foundation was left. They left no evidence to be collected.
After the direct families where taken care of the Black Death crews moved on to their relatives, friends, and anyone else that those families would have come in-contact with. Summer homes and secretly bought warehouses were also searched and burned.
Only when there were absolutely no loose ends left the Black Death crew returned to their headquarters.
The leader of the Black Death made a call in a secret room containing ten other people who all sitting around a conference table with a phone in the middle, "Sir, the operation went without a hitch. Should I commence phase two?"
"Are you sure you want to go through with phase two. They have been your brothers since John created your team."
"Yes sir, John gave us everything. The eleven of us in this room where elevated from nothing to where we are today. We owe his family a debt that cannot be repaid."
"Very well, commence phase two. Cain, God Speed."
After hanging up Cain hit a button on his desk. Eleven switches appeared in-front of the group.
"Gentlemen, the time has come. Black Death has completed their task. It is time for their release. I know each and every one of you are in a leadership role and have trained your subordinates well. Some of you might be unwilling to continue with phase two and I understand. We need all eleven buttons pressed for phase two to work. If you do not wish to continue with phase two leave now."
"We are will you. John has given us too much to stop now." They were all in agreement.
Soon all eleven buttons were pressed and poison gas filled the whole building. The only safe room was where they currently in.
Still on the phone, "Sir, phase two is complete. We are returning to the lab now."
"Good, see you soon."
After phase two was complete the total death count reached 320. Every death was to insure the secrecy of James's family.
... At the crash site...
The two mystery people from the lab are watching the progress of the current operation.
"Sir, we have found the bodies of the family."
"Good job, take us to them."
After following the member of the recovery team the two saw a sad scene.
There were three bodies that were nearly destroyed. All their skin and most of their muscles and organs where gone. All that was left were charred remains. It was strange the only part of the bodies that were unharmed where their chests. It was a ghastly sight.
The three bodies were hugging each other knowing that their death was imminent. Wedged between their chests was the completed relic and a letter. It appeared that the power of the relic protected their chests and the letter from being damaged.
The letter read,
<Start of the letter>
"Sebastian, I hope this letter somehow survives as it is our final wishes. By now operation Black Death is most likely complete. I thank you and the Black Death for your service. With that operation complete we can die with piece of mind knowing that James will be safe from those who may want to harm in.
Operation Revelation must be started as soon as possible. James must finally know the truth. The safe in the rear of the plane contains the footage we recorded from the Lost City. Add it to the other videos we took of our expeditions. Please show James videos, research papers, the ancient writings, and everything else so that he can get to know our guilty secret.
After knowing the truth he may blame himself for our deaths. If he tries to kill himself please stop him. He must live on.
The relic is as powerful as it was described. Just as the ancient writing describes the has outstanding healing. We are positive it will cure our boy. Complete the machine and give James the ability to truly live. I hope you will continue working with our family even in our deaths.
In the safe there is also our updated Will. It leaves James will 70% of our savings, the dead to the lab, ownership of the company and more. The remaining funds go to you, the members of the lab, and our remaining workforce. The company will be ran by Sarah until he is completely cured and ready to run it. We hope you will continue with the legacy we left behind.
Sebastian, Sarah you two are the only people we can truly trust. Please take care of James as if he was your own kin.
Sincerely,
The Rhodes Family.
P.S.
James we love you with all our hearts and souls. Please live on."
<End of the letter>
Both Sebastian and Sarah had tears flowing down their cheeks. Their whole bodies were shaking from their sorrow. They looked at each other and nodded.
"If he is willing we will adopt James as our own son."
Sarah could only nod in response as her crying made her unable to talk. Sebastian took Sarah into his embrace.
"Cain, move the bodies and safely get them to the lab. Also command the cleanup crew to complete operation Wild Fire. Burn the place down and ensure there is no evidence of the crash."
"Rodger that, what about the boy?"
"We will handle that. We will head back now."
... Back at the Rhodes's manner...
Both Sebastian and Sarah entered the house and talked to the lead housekeeper and butler. They thanked them for their server to the family, gave them their final paycheck and severance pay, and then sent them home. They were both crying after hearing the news.
The couple arrived in front of James's bed room and Sarah knocked lightly.
James was surprised. No one from his family or anyone who works in the manner knocks lightly. "You may enter."
"Hello James, I am Sarah and this is Sebastian. We are friends of your father and mother. Here are a few pictures of us with your parents. We also worked in a laboratory owned by your father."
After looking at the pictures James determined that he can trust them. He usually has a good sense for people and felt no ill intentions.
"Well it is nice to meet you two. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Actually we came to get you. Your father asked us to take you to the lab. He made a new machine that he would like you to use. He feels like it will help cure you."
"It has been a while since dad had me at the lab. It must have been a hard project if it took this long between visits. Alright I am ready to go whenever you two are."
"We will head out now."
They transferred him to a vertical bed. It kind of looked like a dolly. It was typically used to transport him around when he went out of the house. It was just as comfortable as his bed and let him see his surrounding as they traveled.
James noticed that the manner was empty. Usually Kate and Steven the head housekeeper and butler would come to say good bye but there were nowhere to be found. He started to wonder what just was going on.
... At the lab...
James has a sour look on his face. He was looking at three corpses on a white lab table.
"Just what is this and where is my father? Does he know that you are showing me this?"
Sarah took a deep breath and sighed. Her voice was quivering and she could barely speak, "James, we have some bad news. Your parents and sister perished in a plane crash. These bodies are their remains."
Tears started to flow down her face. James could not believe what he heard.
"Liars! My family always comes back! There is no why they are dead! Where are they! I want to see them right now!"
Sarah started to cry even harder and now even Sebastian had some tears on his face.
"James we are not lying to you. Here are some pictures of the crash."
Sebastian placed a dozen pictures of what was left of the plane.
James had a few tears appearing at the corner of his eyes. "No! This is not real! I still refuse to believe you! Take me to my father!"
It was now truly difficult for Sebastian to speak. Sarah was already on the floor bawling her eyes out. "I.. I.. am sor...sorry James. I wis...wish I was lying but...but it is the truth. He...her...here is a letter they left you."
Seeing the condition of the couple in front of him he too started to silently cry. Still refusing the reality presented before him.
He slowly read the letter that was placed in front of him. The more he read the more cried. His world was unraveling. He felt cracks forming on his heart. He felt like he was dying inside.
He completely broke when he read the final line.. "James we love you with all our hearts and souls. Please live on."
The letter was absolutely real. He could tell that the hand writing was his fathers without a doubt. Reality sunk in. His family was dead.
James felt his soul leave his body. His eyes turned dim and almost lifeless. He made no sound when he cried. Tears could be seen pouring down his face.