That morning when Tyler opened his eyes, he knew that it was going to be hard to get through this day. He walked into his office and shut the door, leaving instructions that no one was to disturb him. Although the staff didn't understand why he did this each year on this date, they knew better to disturb his solitude.

Sitting in his office, he looked around him and sighed. Ten years. It had been ten years now since he had last seen Dino. He remembered the moment like it was yesterday. He had opened his eyes, feeling happier than he ever had in his life. He was gone. There wasn't any note, no explanation, nothing. And there had continued to be nothing from that day on.

He had fallen into a well of sadness, certain that he would never be able to crawl out again. But the responsibilities he had to run Ruby Miracle wouldn't wait. He went through each day like a robot, becoming more and more like the man he said he'd never be, Jack Rose.

In the day, he went about mechanically doing the tasks that were required of him. He led a chaste joyless life designed for a man far older than he. But at night, the dreams came, fraught with memories of when he was a l.u.s.ty and pa.s.sionate vampire who couldn't wait to completely possess his lover, the young vampire Dino.

He lived for the night because in the day, he was as near to dead as any corpse could be.

After it became clear that Dino was not going to come back to him, he had done everything he could to find him. He had even sent soldiers on what he called exploratory expositions, telling them to search for "unusual life forms," never going as far as mentioning the word vampire. They came back reporting nothing.

He remembered that last night, the night he had fulfilled his deepest fantasy, the night he had told him he loved him. Then, after giving him everything, he had left him to suffer, left him longing for something he could never again have, left him unable to find s.e.xual satisfaction with any other lover. He had condemned him.

Now after all this time, he was bitter. He had carried the hope with him for years that he would return. He never did. He now believed that Dino had toyed with him that night. He had decided to punish him in the worst possible way because of what happened to him on that horrible planet.

This morning, after awaking from yet another erotic dream where he was allowed no release, he had made a decision. He was through protecting him. Let the chips fall where they may.

Dino was somewhere with Thor, that golden angel who could satisfy his vampire l.u.s.t in a way he never could. He would be d.a.m.ned if while they wallowed in s.e.xual ecstasy, he would suffer in a chaste h.e.l.l. He was Tyler Rose. He was master of the galaxy. He was through being his victim.

THE MISSION

Seth Murdock had left the Sky Patrol six years ago to join the military. He was now a high ranking officer, based in Ruby City. Since Tyler Rose had taken over; the military and Sky Patrol had merged, making it easier for people to transfer from one to the other.

This afternoon, he was surprised when his phone buzzed ordering him to go directly to the Ruby Mansion for a meeting with Tyler Rose.

He was a little nervous when he arrived. It didn't help that the staff seemed a bit on edge as well.

Ryan Fulton, now Tyler's personal a.s.sistant, eyed Murdock a little suspiciously before he was told that Tyler requested him. Tyler always acted weird on this date. He usually wouldn't see anyone.

Murdock followed him down the huge hallway with its thick red carpets, adjusting his hat as he went.

Ryan stopped in front of Tyler's office door. He knocked, running his gaze over Murdock. Too good looking for his own good, this one, and he knew it.

"Unless it's Murdock, forget it," a voice bellowed from behind the door.

"It's Murdock," Ryan said.

Suddenly the door flew open. Tyler stood there. He cast Ryan a look. "Alright, go away."

Ryan sighed and walked back down the hall.

Tyler ran his gaze over Murdock and told him to come in.

Sitting behind his desk, Tyler motioned to Murdock to sit down.

"Sir," he said, taking off his hat and taking a seat. He looked at Tyler Rose. Physically, he hadn't changed at all in ten years. Then again, with the Ruby Miracle, the aging process was much slower. But there was a definite change in personality. He was staunch and serious. In fact, he looked sad.

"This is a top secret meeting that I've invited you to. Is that clear?" Rose said stiffly.

"Yes, Sir."

Tyler looked at him again. He was good looking enough, although as hard as he tried he couldn't picture him with Dino. "Did you enjoy it when the Commander f.u.c.ked you?" he asked him.

Seth Murdock's blue eyes widened. "I beg your pardon."

"Oh give me a break, Murdock." Tyler rose from the seat and came around to where he was sitting. "You wanted him from the moment you saw him, just like I did. He's gone now. We can be honest."

He cleared his throat. "I...it was once in the back of the police vehicle and..."

"So you did lie to me that time?"

"No, it was after..." he stuttered, "after he came back."

That b.a.s.t.a.r.d! "Really? How interesting. And you still dream about it," Tyler sneered.

He bit his lip and fell silent.

Tyler regarded him for a moment, then said simply, "Take off your clothes."

"What?" he blinked.

"You heard me, take them off."

He stiffened, not moving.

"I'm your Commander in Chief, Murdock. If I want to see you with your clothes off, I will. Don't worry; I'm not going to ask you for any s.e.xual favours. I gave that up years ago."

"You gave up s.e.x?" The words tumbled out of his mouth.

"That's right," Tyler eyed him, motioning for him to stand up. He went to take his seat behind his desk again. "Take them off."

Seth stood up hesitantly. Slowly, he took off his shirt, then his boots and his pants.

Feeling very uncomfortable, he stood there naked.

"Drop the clothes and turn around," Tyler told him without emotion.

Seth Murdock slowly turned around. He was beginning to think the rumours were true. Over the last few years, Tyler Rose had lost his mind. Tyler eyed him almost clinically, deriving no s.e.xual pleasure from seeing him naked. He had a nice body over all, slender, some nice muscle tone, an average sized p.e.n.i.s, a nice a.s.s, firm, curvy.

"Alright," he said, turning his face away, "get dressed."

Seth Murdock quickly put his clothes back on.

Tyler leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. It didn't make any sense. Nothing made sense. Seeing Seth Murdock without his clothes didn't change anything. It didn't make it any easier to accept the fact that Murdock had been in Dino's arms perhaps only hours before he had.

Tyler suddenly realised that Murdock was standing there now, waiting for him to say something.

Tyler told him to sit down. "You know that I have sent the military on a few a.s.signments looking for unusual life forms," he began.

He nodded. It was one of reasons some people thought that he had lost his mind.

"Actually, I was expecting you to find a particular life form. I now know that the information I withheld was the reason you came back empty handed."

So that was it. Rose was sending them on another wild goose chase.

"A long time ago, I gave Commander Carter a file containing information about vampires. When she went back to serve as information officer on Sentra, she returned it to me. It is sensitive information." He reached over on his desk and handed Murdock the disk.

"Vampires," he repeated, taking the disk between his fingers.

"Yes. Perhaps you recall the rash of murders we had, ten years back or so."

Murdock nodded. "Of course. But they didn't last long."

"That's because the vampires left the city." He leaned forward. "Did you know that Bryce Donovan was one of them?"

"One of what, Sir?" Seth inquired, narrowing his eyes.

"Bryce Donovan is a vampire. Actually, he's the leader."

He wanted to laugh, but he didn't dare. He looked down at his boots. "I see."

Tyler didn't take note of his reaction. Instead he stood up and started to pace. "Ever wondered why he suddenly left the city and no one has seen him since?"

"I just a.s.sumed that..."

"Find him," Tyler barked. He didn't care if the whole d.a.m.n world thought he'd lost his mind.

"Bryce Donovan?" Seth repeated dumbly, fiddling with his hat.

Tyler sucked in some air. "That's right."

"Perhaps he left a forwarding address when..."

"I told you," Tyler snapped, "Bryce Donovan is a vampire. Vampires don't have addresses. He goes by the name of Dino now. It was his name a long time ago."

Seth was speechless.

"I know you don't believe me. It doesn't matter." He shook his head. "For years I've protected him. Now I want him captured and brought to me."

Seth tried to make sense of what he was saying. "You say he's the leader of the vampires?" Seth managed now.

"That's right. He was predestined to be their leader and now he rules alongside Thor, another vampire who..." He paused. "It doesn't matter. I want a platoon of three hundred readied for the search."

Seth's jaw dropped. "Three hundred..." Seth began. "Sir, if I take that many soldiers, it will leave the planet vulnerable to attack. In all fairness, Bryce Donovan is one man and..."

"He's not a man. He's a vampire. He has the strength and intelligence of ten men. He won't be so easy to capture. In fact, you will need to take a special drug with you, the only drug that can subdue a vampire long enough for him to be taken."

"Surely Bryce would come in on his own if you..."

"No," Tyler shook his head. "I've waited ten years for him to come back, ten years to this day." He looked off for a minute.

Seth wasn't quite sure what he was saying. It seemed as if he wasn't even talking to him anymore. "Sir? May I ask what Bryce Donovan is being accused of?"

Tyler brought himself back to the present situation. His patience was waning. "He drinks blood to survive.

Isn't that crime enough?" "I will have to speak to my superior officer and..." Seth held up a hand.

"No. You don't speak to anyone," Tyler warned him.

"You really expect me to take a platoon of three hundred men hunting for vampires without even...?"

Tyler stood up. "I will make sure your superior officer stays out of it. Study the information on vampires I gave you. When your soldiers are ready, I will make sure they are given the specialised weapons. Kill the others, but bring him to me. And remember, these are not mortal men you're dealing with. To kill them, you will need to behead them, then burn the bodies."

Seth made a face as he got to his feet. The disk Tyler Rose had given him felt awkward in his hand. "When would you like us to leave, Sir?"

"As soon as possible," Tyler told him. "And Murdock, you are to report only to me. I want to be informed of your every move."

"I understand, Sir."

"And," Tyler added, "don't fail."

Seth swallowed. He wasn't sure he liked the look in his eyes.

On the way out, he shook his head gravely. The rumours were true. Tyler Rose was mad. He had no choice now but to hunt down Bryce Donovan, who for some reason had done something to really p.i.s.s Rose off.

Worse, he was supposed to be some kind of a vampire. What in h.e.l.l was going on?