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Description
Maria walked toward the morgue, her steps neat and even.  She carried the tox report for their newest arrival, one of the FBI's Most Wanted, and the Feds were pushing for things to be wrapped up neat and tidy.  Everyone was feeling the heat, yet Doctor Hussein, the Chief Coroner for the Las Vegas Crime Lab, didn't seem to be fazed.  The man always seemed to be unfazed by anything.  Most people found it a little creepy, but Maria thought he was cool.  Even if he did talk to the corpses.

She could hear him even now as she approached, his voice muffled by the double doors.  Something seemed off though.  His tone was usually cheery and even sympathetic.  But even down the hall and through the doors, she could tell he was... displeased.  There had been only a few times he'd been displeased with someone since he'd joined the morgue a few years ago, appearing out of nowhere it seemed, and few people ever displeased him again.  He always looked at you with that cold, dispassionate look of disdain, as if he were trying to decide whether or not he would let you live.  Maria herself had never displeased him, but she had witnessed one of the intern coroners getting that look.  It had sent chills down her spine.  She almost believed he could have killed the poor guy right there on the spot.  And she almost believed he could have done it without touching him.

As she approached the doors, Doctor Hussein went quiet.  That was the other eerie part about him.  He always seemed to know when someone was coming.  Most just chalked it up to precognition or some other unexplained sixth sense.  Maria wasn't sure what to believe herself, but she always suspected it was much more than anyone realized.

Stepping inside, she walked over to his desk, looking up and smiling at him.  He waved a hand to acknowledge her, staring down intently at... the corpse.  He was displeased with the corpse?  That made no sense, and it caused Maria to slow her steps.  There was no one else around, yet he had been talking to someone.  And she would have noticed someone leaving, or at least heard them.  She put the report on his desk and walked over to him, feeling a bit cautious.

"Is there something you want, Ms. Thompson?"  The dispassionate tone was still in his voice, but he wasn't directing it at her.  It still didn't comfort her much.

"Sorry, Doctor.  Just... a little curious."  He looked up at her and she dropped her eyes, physically shrinking back.  "I mean... you sound like you're upset... with that corpse."

"...it's nothing, Ms. Thompson.  Just having a bit of a difficult day.  I was hoping to head off early, perhaps have some time to myself."  He sighed and shook his head, looking down at the corpse again.  "Thanks to this fellow, and the Feds who want him gift-wrapped, my day is ruined.  So, yes, you could say that I am displeased."

"Oh.  Right."  She gave a nervous chuckle.  A moment passed and he looked up at her again.  "Oh!  Sorry, I just... well, the tox report's on your desk.  If you need anything..."

"That will be all, Ms. Thompson.  If you'll excuse me, I have a great deal of work to do.  And the sooner I finish, the sooner I can get the Feds to leave me alone."

"Okay.  Well, hope your day goes better.  Take care of yourself, Doc."

"Always do."  He gave her an apologetic smile and she left, her shoes making little noise on the tiled floor.  He waited until she was out of earshot, unable to even hear his muffled voice, before turning back to the young man on the slab.  "You know, it's very hard to have a conversation with someone screaming in your head.  Even for me, Lucius.  So why don't you be quiet for a moment and listen up?"  He paced around the floor again, his tone going cold again.

"Where was I?  Oh yes.  So, not only did you manage to not gain access to Knossus, but you almost revealed yourself to what was likely one of Minos' minions.  All because you couldn't keep it in your pants.  And because you thought she wouldn't notice your subtle manipulations of her psyche.  Worked brilliantly, didn't it!  So now, not only do I have no idea what the 'good doctor' is up to, but I've lost the use of one of my Hounds for the foreseeable future.  Unless something catastrophic happens, and the chances of that aren't very high, I can't risk bringing you back right away.  And for this failure, I very much doubt I will.  I am displeased with you, Lucius.  Very displeased."

"Then you won't like the news I have," said a voice.  The doctor turned around to see a cat sitting on his desk.  It looked back at him, with the same nonchalant look all cats are known for.  "Though if you'd like me to come back later..."

"I could use a break."  With an effort of will, he shut Lucius' mind off from his own.  "Report."

"You were right about the disappearances.  There were trace amounts of magical energy at each location, all indicative of teleportation spells.  We had to get some of the other pantheons to help us, but we managed to track down the general destination."

"Knossus."

"Below it, actually.  Or so we believe.  Odin analyzed the data we brought back and determined they were likely all brought below ground."

"That would fit with some of the rumors flying around.  Knossus lies in ruins yet Minos continues to produce technology that has nations trampling each other for the bidding rights."  He sighed and rubbed a temple.  "Only the rumors of a plague keep them from invading, while we hide in secret lest Minos captures us as well.  I feel like I'm back in Egypt, helpless to stop the plagues brought down upon my people."  He crossed over to his desk and sat in his chair, the cat turning to face him.  "Speaking of which... any reports on...?"

"He has been silent as usual, my Lord."  The cat groomed itself a little, perhaps out of boredom or just to delay giving the next bit of news.  "Although... some of the Rabbis and preachers have been getting... visions."

"Really?"  The doctor leaned forward, thoroughly interested now.  "He's usually a lot more subtle, if He moves at all.  What kind of visions?"

"Dreams, actually.  The reports vary, but all agree something very evil will come out of Crete, and possibly soon."  The cat looked him in the eyes.  "Odin thinks it might be Ragnarok."

"Odin thinks everything is Ragnarok!  Although..."  He paused, tenting his fingers.  "...if the plague were to escape, even if Minos somehow stabilized it, it would result in something very much like the end of the world."  He tapped his fingers and looked to the cat again.  "Lady Bast is still avoiding contact with her agents in Knossus?"

"You know very well, my Lord, that she will not even try.  The trauma of having so many infected and dying in pain caused her great distress."  The cat gave him a sorrowful look.  "Though she still worries over our brethren, she dares not attempt open communication.  She was hoping that your Hound might be able to gather some information pertaining to their health."  It glanced over at the slab, the corpse as still as the grave.  "I see how well that worked out."

"Yes, I know.  Please send her my apologies.  Next time I'll send someone more capable."  He raised his voice a little.  "And not quite so... libidinous!"

"I will give her your respects, my Lord."  The cat stood up and shook itself, stretching and clawing at his papers.  "If there is nothing else..."

"Just one more thing."  It looked up at him, attentive and curious.  "Tell the others Project Sunset will have to be ready to go within a few weeks.  Whatever is going on over there, we need to be prepared."

"You really expect it to be that bad?"

"You have your orders.  Dismissed."  He turned to his computer, typing up his report on the body.  The cat knew better than to press the issue, nodding once before jumping down and disappearing into the shadows.

Anubis was concerned.  If Minos had stabilized the plague, he might try to make it into a weapon.  In fact, he did recall a rumor that Poseidon had been going to Knossus to discuss that very matter with Minos himself.  And they all knew how well that turned out.  Weapon or not, it was dangerous.  Much as he disliked Minos, and wanted very much to see him flayed alive, he could not justify unleashing a plague upon the world to get to him.  He was suddenly very glad Lucius had failed, lest the plague mix with the deadly substance flowing through his veins.  It would definitely have destabilized it.  And it would have destabilized Lucius as well, something he did not wish upon his greatest enemies.  He wasn't quite sure the gods could handle a threat like that, not without some serious collateral damage.  Though sinking the whole of Crete did appeal to him.

Most troubling though were the visions.  This wasn't the first time such things had cropped up among the Christians and Jews.  Usually, it was more subtle or less wide-spread, but those were for smaller events.  Events which, once he and Odin learned of them, never happened.  The visions seemed only to portray what might occur, and a little trial and error soon revealed how to interpret them.  They still needed to consult a Priest or Rabbi now and then, yet they had found a reliable source of information.  One that the other gods refused to acknowledge.  Anubis blamed that for the problem with Crete and Minos.  There had been dreams foretelling of something evil being made in secret on the island, but the Greeks were so incensed by the implications that they had refused to listen.  Anubis and Odin had been forced to quiet themselves, lest diplomatic relations fall apart.  His only comfort had been that he was right.  It wasn't much of one.

Having finished with his report, he walked over to the slab, Lucius still dead yet quite aware of everything around him.  He saw nothing with his eyes closed, but could hear just fine.  Anubis stood at the head and leaned on the slab, looking down at his servant.

"I would revoke your position if I thought I could find a replacement in time.  As it is, you're on probation.  So, I suggest you think about what you've done until the time comes for me to call upon you."  He smiled.  It was full of cruel amusement.  "You're going to be stuck like this so long as I will it, Lucius.  Not dead.  Not alive.  Just... existing, hovering between this world and the next.  Such is your punishment.  And when I do recall you, I'm sure you will give me ample reason to destroy your pathetic soul and find a replacement."  He pushed the slab into the wall, ignoring the mental pleas for mercy, for release or restoration.  "You brought this upon yourself, Lucius.  Be glad I will at least allow you the privilege of sleep.  Not that you'll be able to tell anyway."  Anubis shut the door and walked away.  If anyone else had been there, they would have sworn it sounded a lot like a tomb being sealed.

His work done, "Doctor Hussein" headed out for supper.  He had a date with a lovely lady, and he couldn't afford to be late.  He only hoped the news he'd given her servant did not distress her too much.  It had been a long time since they'd enjoyed each other's company, and he did not wish for anything to ruin it.

Back in the morgue, a corpse named Lucius began the slow journey into madness...

Description
Maria walked toward the morgue, her steps neat and even.  She carried the tox report for their newest arrival, one of the FBI's Most Wanted, and the Feds were pushing for things to be wrapped up neat and tidy.  Everyone was feeling the heat, yet Doctor Hussein, the Chief Coroner for the Las Vegas Crime Lab, didn't seem to be fazed.  The man always seemed to be unfazed by anything.  Most people found it a little creepy, but Maria thought he was cool.  Even if he did talk to the corpses.

She could hear him even now as she approached, his voice muffled by the double doors.  Something seemed off though.  His tone was usually cheery and even sympathetic.  But even down the hall and through the doors, she could tell he was... displeased.  There had been only a few times he'd been displeased with someone since he'd joined the morgue a few years ago, appearing out of nowhere it seemed, and few people ever displeased him again.  He always looked at you with that cold, dispassionate look of disdain, as if he were trying to decide whether or not he would let you live.  Maria herself had never displeased him, but she had witnessed one of the intern coroners getting that look.  It had sent chills down her spine.  She almost believed he could have killed the poor guy right there on the spot.  And she almost believed he could have done it without touching him.

As she approached the doors, Doctor Hussein went quiet.  That was the other eerie part about him.  He always seemed to know when someone was coming.  Most just chalked it up to precognition or some other unexplained sixth sense.  Maria wasn't sure what to believe herself, but she always suspected it was much more than anyone realized.

Stepping inside, she walked over to his desk, looking up and smiling at him.  He waved a hand to acknowledge her, staring down intently at... the corpse.  He was displeased with the corpse?  That made no sense, and it caused Maria to slow her steps.  There was no one else around, yet he had been talking to someone.  And she would have noticed someone leaving, or at least heard them.  She put the report on his desk and walked over to him, feeling a bit cautious.

"Is there something you want, Ms. Thompson?"  The dispassionate tone was still in his voice, but he wasn't directing it at her.  It still didn't comfort her much.

"Sorry, Doctor.  Just... a little curious."  He looked up at her and she dropped her eyes, physically shrinking back.  "I mean... you sound like you're upset... with that corpse."

"...it's nothing, Ms. Thompson.  Just having a bit of a difficult day.  I was hoping to head off early, perhaps have some time to myself."  He sighed and shook his head, looking down at the corpse again.  "Thanks to this fellow, and the Feds who want him gift-wrapped, my day is ruined.  So, yes, you could say that I am displeased."

"Oh.  Right."  She gave a nervous chuckle.  A moment passed and he looked up at her again.  "Oh!  Sorry, I just... well, the tox report's on your desk.  If you need anything..."

"That will be all, Ms. Thompson.  If you'll excuse me, I have a great deal of work to do.  And the sooner I finish, the sooner I can get the Feds to leave me alone."

"Okay.  Well, hope your day goes better.  Take care of yourself, Doc."

"Always do."  He gave her an apologetic smile and she left, her shoes making little noise on the tiled floor.  He waited until she was out of earshot, unable to even hear his muffled voice, before turning back to the young man on the slab.  "You know, it's very hard to have a conversation with someone screaming in your head.  Even for me, Lucius.  So why don't you be quiet for a moment and listen up?"  He paced around the floor again, his tone going cold again.

"Where was I?  Oh yes.  So, not only did you manage to not gain access to Knossus, but you almost revealed yourself to what was likely one of Minos' minions.  All because you couldn't keep it in your pants.  And because you thought she wouldn't notice your subtle manipulations of her psyche.  Worked brilliantly, didn't it!  So now, not only do I have no idea what the 'good doctor' is up to, but I've lost the use of one of my Hounds for the foreseeable future.  Unless something catastrophic happens, and the chances of that aren't very high, I can't risk bringing you back right away.  And for this failure, I very much doubt I will.  I am displeased with you, Lucius.  Very displeased."

"Then you won't like the news I have," said a voice.  The doctor turned around to see a cat sitting on his desk.  It looked back at him, with the same nonchalant look all cats are known for.  "Though if you'd like me to come back later..."

"I could use a break."  With an effort of will, he shut Lucius' mind off from his own.  "Report."

"You were right about the disappearances.  There were trace amounts of magical energy at each location, all indicative of teleportation spells.  We had to get some of the other pantheons to help us, but we managed to track down the general destination."

"Knossus."

"Below it, actually.  Or so we believe.  Odin analyzed the data we brought back and determined they were likely all brought below ground."

"That would fit with some of the rumors flying around.  Knossus lies in ruins yet Minos continues to produce technology that has nations trampling each other for the bidding rights."  He sighed and rubbed a temple.  "Only the rumors of a plague keep them from invading, while we hide in secret lest Minos captures us as well.  I feel like I'm back in Egypt, helpless to stop the plagues brought down upon my people."  He crossed over to his desk and sat in his chair, the cat turning to face him.  "Speaking of which... any reports on...?"

"He has been silent as usual, my Lord."  The cat groomed itself a little, perhaps out of boredom or just to delay giving the next bit of news.  "Although... some of the Rabbis and preachers have been getting... visions."

"Really?"  The doctor leaned forward, thoroughly interested now.  "He's usually a lot more subtle, if He moves at all.  What kind of visions?"

"Dreams, actually.  The reports vary, but all agree something very evil will come out of Crete, and possibly soon."  The cat looked him in the eyes.  "Odin thinks it might be Ragnarok."

"Odin thinks everything is Ragnarok!  Although..."  He paused, tenting his fingers.  "...if the plague were to escape, even if Minos somehow stabilized it, it would result in something very much like the end of the world."  He tapped his fingers and looked to the cat again.  "Lady Bast is still avoiding contact with her agents in Knossus?"

"You know very well, my Lord, that she will not even try.  The trauma of having so many infected and dying in pain caused her great distress."  The cat gave him a sorrowful look.  "Though she still worries over our brethren, she dares not attempt open communication.  She was hoping that your Hound might be able to gather some information pertaining to their health."  It glanced over at the slab, the corpse as still as the grave.  "I see how well that worked out."

"Yes, I know.  Please send her my apologies.  Next time I'll send someone more capable."  He raised his voice a little.  "And not quite so... libidinous!"

"I will give her your respects, my Lord."  The cat stood up and shook itself, stretching and clawing at his papers.  "If there is nothing else..."

"Just one more thing."  It looked up at him, attentive and curious.  "Tell the others Project Sunset will have to be ready to go within a few weeks.  Whatever is going on over there, we need to be prepared."

"You really expect it to be that bad?"

"You have your orders.  Dismissed."  He turned to his computer, typing up his report on the body.  The cat knew better than to press the issue, nodding once before jumping down and disappearing into the shadows.

Anubis was concerned.  If Minos had stabilized the plague, he might try to make it into a weapon.  In fact, he did recall a rumor that Poseidon had been going to Knossus to discuss that very matter with Minos himself.  And they all knew how well that turned out.  Weapon or not, it was dangerous.  Much as he disliked Minos, and wanted very much to see him flayed alive, he could not justify unleashing a plague upon the world to get to him.  He was suddenly very glad Lucius had failed, lest the plague mix with the deadly substance flowing through his veins.  It would definitely have destabilized it.  And it would have destabilized Lucius as well, something he did not wish upon his greatest enemies.  He wasn't quite sure the gods could handle a threat like that, not without some serious collateral damage.  Though sinking the whole of Crete did appeal to him.

Most troubling though were the visions.  This wasn't the first time such things had cropped up among the Christians and Jews.  Usually, it was more subtle or less wide-spread, but those were for smaller events.  Events which, once he and Odin learned of them, never happened.  The visions seemed only to portray what might occur, and a little trial and error soon revealed how to interpret them.  They still needed to consult a Priest or Rabbi now and then, yet they had found a reliable source of information.  One that the other gods refused to acknowledge.  Anubis blamed that for the problem with Crete and Minos.  There had been dreams foretelling of something evil being made in secret on the island, but the Greeks were so incensed by the implications that they had refused to listen.  Anubis and Odin had been forced to quiet themselves, lest diplomatic relations fall apart.  His only comfort had been that he was right.  It wasn't much of one.

Having finished with his report, he walked over to the slab, Lucius still dead yet quite aware of everything around him.  He saw nothing with his eyes closed, but could hear just fine.  Anubis stood at the head and leaned on the slab, looking down at his servant.

"I would revoke your position if I thought I could find a replacement in time.  As it is, you're on probation.  So, I suggest you think about what you've done until the time comes for me to call upon you."  He smiled.  It was full of cruel amusement.  "You're going to be stuck like this so long as I will it, Lucius.  Not dead.  Not alive.  Just... existing, hovering between this world and the next.  Such is your punishment.  And when I do recall you, I'm sure you will give me ample reason to destroy your pathetic soul and find a replacement."  He pushed the slab into the wall, ignoring the mental pleas for mercy, for release or restoration.  "You brought this upon yourself, Lucius.  Be glad I will at least allow you the privilege of sleep.  Not that you'll be able to tell anyway."  Anubis shut the door and walked away.  If anyone else had been there, they would have sworn it sounded a lot like a tomb being sealed.

His work done, "Doctor Hussein" headed out for supper.  He had a date with a lovely lady, and he couldn't afford to be late.  He only hoped the news he'd given her servant did not distress her too much.  It had been a long time since they'd enjoyed each other's company, and he did not wish for anything to ruin it.

Back in the morgue, a corpse named Lucius began the slow journey into madness...