Read Online Modern Rituals by J.S. Leonard - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: J.S. Leonard
Tags: thriller, Science-Fiction
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worse—dammit.
As Theo hung up, he caught Susan watching him. She quickly rummaged in her desk drawer, found a towelette and wiped her monitor. Susan would remain by him, regardless—he cherished a few true allies within Magnus and Susan was their poster child.
A good part of a successful ritual meant playing the waiting game. Magnus couldn’t interfere too much, lest they reveal their presence to the God, for which the ceremonial ordinance (a.k.a. ritual) had been declared. This would be bad. Very bad. And would result in the horrific, world-altering consequences they sought to avoid. So far, their record had been stellar: five thousand years and still batting a thousand. Yet, all they could do was set up the pieces in their favor—and hope the ritual succeeded according to the God’s wishes.
Theo had made a name for himself as an exceptional strategist by devising ironclad tactics. He knew his exact percentage for success: it evolved in his mind as an ever-present calculation, which now declined—and for every downward dip, his systolic rose a point. An inversion of control, if you will.
“Sir! Super−814N just appeared in the northern grounds of the school, approximately 20 yards from Parts Five and Six!” Susan said.
Fucking finally.
Theo’s eyes swiveled to HULK. The two blue dots had moved from the southern perimeter to the center of the school. An ominous green dot materialized north of them at the end of a corridor.
Do they notice?
The blue dot moved between the green dot and the third.
Aw, how heroic.
In her signature Super-814N fashion, the green dot shot toward them, zigging and zagging as only a zombie girl could.
Here we go. C’mon baby—don’t let us down…
The two blue dots dodged left and dashed for the primary classroom building. The green dot continued into the Zen garden—then faded away.
“What the holy fuck just happened?” Theo said, pounding his fists, “And why are we in ambiguous zoom? Give me some faces Goddammit!”
Susan nodded, tapped and swiped. Theo remained transfixed on HULK. Participants Five and Six found safety in an alcove, though they were no longer blue dots—instead a high resolution camera feed displayed them in fantastic clarity. They huddled, feverishly talking amongst themselves. Part Six stole a look around the corner of the building, then Part Five ushered them inside the building’s doors.
Theo fought the urge to throw over his desk. If a kill didn’t take place within the next 13 minutes, 28.53 seconds, his dwindling 97.942% success prediction would plummet three points.
In the station’s rear corner, three suits stood whispering to each other. Theo ignored them and focused on HULK.
Purgatory 8’s high-security door bleeped. Three guards positioned at the entrance converged into a fortified formation—just in case. Theo sighed.
Clicks and clacks and slides and twists announced the door’s coming to life. It slowly marched open. A slit of light outlined a silhouette that became a person—Trevor Banks joined the party.
“Trevor, my boy! Aren’t we glad to see you…” Theo said.
Trevor strode into the room, sporting a pair of jet-black fatigues. His presence was overwhelming—if not for his illustrious tan and young, ripped figure, then for his square jaw and charisma that could end an ice age.
“Don’t be too glad yet,” Trevor said when he reached Theo’s station.
An intimidating man entered behind Trevor. Decorated in medals, his face chiseled and weathered from battle, he too made his way to Theo.
Ugh. Ethan.
“Theo, I must admit, I don’t like these numbers. Will the spectral interference pose a problem?” General Holmes said.
“No, sir, just a minor inconvenience. I’m sure Trevor here will be more than capable of handling cleanup.”
Holmes, eyes fixed on Theo, refused to blink and instead squinted at him.
“Theo, you seem distressed. Are you positive this is moving as
As Theo hung up, he caught Susan watching him. She quickly rummaged in her desk drawer, found a towelette and wiped her monitor. Susan would remain by him, regardless—he cherished a few true allies within Magnus and Susan was their poster child.
A good part of a successful ritual meant playing the waiting game. Magnus couldn’t interfere too much, lest they reveal their presence to the God, for which the ceremonial ordinance (a.k.a. ritual) had been declared. This would be bad. Very bad. And would result in the horrific, world-altering consequences they sought to avoid. So far, their record had been stellar: five thousand years and still batting a thousand. Yet, all they could do was set up the pieces in their favor—and hope the ritual succeeded according to the God’s wishes.
Theo had made a name for himself as an exceptional strategist by devising ironclad tactics. He knew his exact percentage for success: it evolved in his mind as an ever-present calculation, which now declined—and for every downward dip, his systolic rose a point. An inversion of control, if you will.
“Sir! Super−814N just appeared in the northern grounds of the school, approximately 20 yards from Parts Five and Six!” Susan said.
Fucking finally.
Theo’s eyes swiveled to HULK. The two blue dots had moved from the southern perimeter to the center of the school. An ominous green dot materialized north of them at the end of a corridor.
Do they notice?
The blue dot moved between the green dot and the third.
Aw, how heroic.
In her signature Super-814N fashion, the green dot shot toward them, zigging and zagging as only a zombie girl could.
Here we go. C’mon baby—don’t let us down…
The two blue dots dodged left and dashed for the primary classroom building. The green dot continued into the Zen garden—then faded away.
“What the holy fuck just happened?” Theo said, pounding his fists, “And why are we in ambiguous zoom? Give me some faces Goddammit!”
Susan nodded, tapped and swiped. Theo remained transfixed on HULK. Participants Five and Six found safety in an alcove, though they were no longer blue dots—instead a high resolution camera feed displayed them in fantastic clarity. They huddled, feverishly talking amongst themselves. Part Six stole a look around the corner of the building, then Part Five ushered them inside the building’s doors.
Theo fought the urge to throw over his desk. If a kill didn’t take place within the next 13 minutes, 28.53 seconds, his dwindling 97.942% success prediction would plummet three points.
In the station’s rear corner, three suits stood whispering to each other. Theo ignored them and focused on HULK.
Purgatory 8’s high-security door bleeped. Three guards positioned at the entrance converged into a fortified formation—just in case. Theo sighed.
Clicks and clacks and slides and twists announced the door’s coming to life. It slowly marched open. A slit of light outlined a silhouette that became a person—Trevor Banks joined the party.
“Trevor, my boy! Aren’t we glad to see you…” Theo said.
Trevor strode into the room, sporting a pair of jet-black fatigues. His presence was overwhelming—if not for his illustrious tan and young, ripped figure, then for his square jaw and charisma that could end an ice age.
“Don’t be too glad yet,” Trevor said when he reached Theo’s station.
An intimidating man entered behind Trevor. Decorated in medals, his face chiseled and weathered from battle, he too made his way to Theo.
Ugh. Ethan.
“Theo, I must admit, I don’t like these numbers. Will the spectral interference pose a problem?” General Holmes said.
“No, sir, just a minor inconvenience. I’m sure Trevor here will be more than capable of handling cleanup.”
Holmes, eyes fixed on Theo, refused to blink and instead squinted at him.
“Theo, you seem distressed. Are you positive this is moving as
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