BloodStar

Chapter 31: Cargo Inspection

“When will our preparations be complete?” An anxious President Monroe spoke into the telephone.

On the other end of the phone was 5-star general Marshall Douglas, “Our preparations are complete already Mr. President.”

President Monroe expressed his shock, “What? How? You mean to tell me the anti-nuclear shield is already in place?”

General Douglas assured him, “Constance Khan and her men had it set up in less than an hour. Their proficiency with the technology was incredible. Furthermore, they haven’t just let us borrow the anti-nuclear shield, but they have gifted it to us. Ms. Khan made it very clear that the BloodStar Empire has no need for such relics.”

Monroe was still processing the information as he said, “Of… of course. And what of its effectiveness against powerful ki blasts?”

Douglas sternly informed the President, “She has made it very clear that it can absorb powerful ki blasts, but… it will crumble under the weight of a single powerful attack. She used the example of Pope Gregory or his sons attacking. She said they would each be able to break the shield encompassing the city.”

President Monroe thought in silence before saying, “Well. Let us hope that the Holy Light Empire’s first incursion into our country isn’t accompanied by Pope Gregory himself.”

General Douglas couldn’t help himself but to ask, “Mr. President sir, do you really believe the Holy Light Empire will attack? Sure, their missionaries have killed a few of our citizens, and that is condemnable. However, that is also a far cry from war.”

“Look.” Monroe paused and exhaled, “This intel comes from Ms. Khan and Princess BloodStar themselves. I suspect via unscrupulous means on a Holy Light Empire soldier. We have a duty to be prepared in the face of such information whether it come true or not.”

General Douglas nodded in silence before saying, “We have troops on the ground, tanks in the streets, fighter jets on standby, and we are ready to evacuate the city if you give the order.”

Monroe sighed, “Don’t evacuate just yet. Although the intel comes from a reputable source, we cannot displace 12 million people for no good reason. The people of the Houston metro area won’t follow evacuation orders right now anyways. There is no imminent threat.”

Douglas responded, “Yes sir Mr. President. We will be ready if and when it comes to that.”

Monroe abruptly then asked, “Where is Ms. Khan by the way? I would rather like to have a word with her.”

Douglas cleared his throat, “She is on the docks offloading hundreds of gallons of synthetic blood for our hospital systems in Texas in anticipation of mass injuries.”

“The resources of the BloodStar Empire knows no bounds. We are lucky to have them by our side in this time in history.” Monroe leaned back in his chair, “Is there anything else General Douglas?”

“No sir. That is all.” Douglas responded.

“Then I will be in touch with updates as they become available.” Monroe signed off and looked out of the Oval Office window. He softly said to himself, “Picking a fight with the United States is a proxy for picking a fight with the BloodStar Empire. I hope you’re ready Pope Gregory.”

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“Come on! Unload all of it! I need all of these shipping containers off the ship to make room for our return shipment.” Constance directed the offloading of her cargo ship at the Houston ports.

The port master stood at her side, “Ms. Khan, our manifest shows you unloading synthetic blood. However, it does not show you loading any cargo. Is there something you wish to disclose for your return trip?”

She turned to the port master and said, “What comes off my ship and into your country is your business, certainly. However, what goes on to my ship and to my country, is my business.”

The port master stood his ground, “Ma’am in the United States, we track all shipments to and from this country. I will need to see inside those shipping containers.”

She smiled and said, “Fine. I will show you what I intend to bring back to my Empire.”

She grabbed his hand and walked him into the cargo storage area of the huge ship as she said, “Pick a container. Your choice. I promise to show you its contents.”

The port master walked about inspecting container after container until finally he called out, “This one! Open this one here up for me to inspect.”

Constance complimented him, “Good choice.” She took a key and unlocked the container infusing ki into the container as she did.

She swung open the large doors to reveal an area illuminated by a large light with numerous sacks of flour and bundles of wheat. She laughed saying, “Now tell me, is it illegal to ship flour and wheat?”

She grabbed his shirt and looked at him playfully. He said, “Umm, no Ms. Khan. This container passes the test, but I would like to inspect several more.”

She pulled his shirt even tighter as she walked him back up against the wall of the shipping container and said, “If we’re going to be together for a while then we should really get to know each other. My name is Constance, and I can make your dreams come true.”

She began to kiss him as she pushed him up against the wall. He couldn’t believe his luck. He thought to himself, “She must find assertive men attractive.”

She made out with him for several minutes until she finally broke off their kisses to say, “Did you know that I am Princess BloodStar’s best friend?”

He said, “You must be very powerful to have garnered such a friendship.”

She laughed and ran her finger down his chest, “I am very gifted with ki abilities, yes. I am powerful. But my true talents lay in manipulating darkness, creating illusions, and altering reality. Do you wanna see?”

The man hurriedly said, “Yes, it would be an honor to see such a gifted ki user.”

Constance put her hand on the man’s head and said, “Do you feel that? Do you feel my body? That’s us making love together.”

The man cried out, “Your body feels perfect. I can feel your soft skin, toned abs, and gentle kisses all over my body.” As if the man had been transported to an alternate reality, his mind had been manipulated by Constance’s ki into experiencing the full experience of the two having passionate sex as if it were real.

She smiled, “Mmhmm. And now are you ready for me to show you something truly to die for?”

The man smiled as he gazed off into nothingness and replied, “Yes, show me more! Give me more of this fantasy.”

She then changed the scene in his mind to a nightmare. He began to hyperventilate as zombies grabbed at his ankles and gnawed at his legs from every direction. He could feel the pain and the terror; however, he had nowhere to go. He couldn’t escape. He could feel streaks of pain all over his body as he was attacked and eviscerated. It all felt too real, and he cried and screamed out.

Then suddenly his nightmare dissipated. He opened his eyes to find himself within a pitch-black shipping container with the doors sealed shut. The well-lit room full of flour and wheat had completely disappeared. He had been pulled from his nightmare back into reality with no illusions before his eyes. However, his mind did not return to its usual state. He experienced extreme paranoia looking around for zombies and other terrifying creatures out to get him.

The port master was completely oblivious to his surroundings within the container. He unknowingly sat amongst numerous others sitting and stewing in their fright and paranoia. The entire ship was packed to the brim with abducted humans mostly the homeless but also any others who were unlucky enough to fall into Constance’s web.

She walked back to the cargo bay entrance of the ship and announced to her crew, “This ship is ready to set sail! I will be staying behind to maintain order until General BloodStar arrives. How are the other shipments coming along?”

Her ship captain replied, “The other captains are reporting successful operations in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, San Francisco, and New Orleans.”

Constance grinned, “Good. We cannot afford to fail. The Empress herself has requested these shipments for a very important but as of yet undisclosed purpose.”

The captain confidently said, “These shipments will be on time and ready to deliver. Failure is not an option.”

Constance folded her arms under her chest and said, “No, it isn’t. Keep me updated if any problems should arise. I am headed back to the city. I have a few establishments to remodel before our General arrives.”