The Shapeshifter

A sequence to Fair Game...

The Shape Shifter by Sami S. Khalil

I had a wild ride so far in the U.S., Russia and Jamaica. Although I lost my wife Tatiana (kidnapped and held hostage by the CIA), I shrugged off all fear and anxiety, gearing my mind towards reading Ian Fleming’s unpublished manuscript I sole from “Golden Eye” residence. It was seemingly an eye opener. Part romance, part espionage and part technological, it led me from dancing to glancing to tasting death on demand. A license to kill, sending out the last bill. I was actually sinking and swimming in its details.

As Winter was creeping in across Crimea, looking out, I saw bleak pictures of draped white shades. I was supposed to give the Russians the main highlights of the book; the redacted version. I could not fumble as I stumble (A directive from them). As I was reading or else devouring the contents, the name and story of Dr. Popov kept popping up and hooked me in. A top physicist of his time, he worked on and finished what is dubbed “A shapeshifting machine.”

It was a helmet that looked like an owl’s head, embedded with sensors, emitting changing signals that serve to distort the vision fields around the subject (collapsing them) thus onlookers are blind as bats, so to speak. It can make the wearer invisible to the naked eye. The helmet was somewhere hidden. Now we know what happened to Dr. Popov, but not his invention. The Brit’s hit men took him out not getting hold of it.

After contacting the Russians about the revelations, they arranged a flight to his lab in Siberia so I can try to find its whereabouts. They were ecstatic as me. Upon arrival and many attempts using my satiating queries and techniques, I found it using my priceless thermal camera. It was encased in one of the “Mammoth” heads on the walls. See my idea was that, if could find the helmet, I would travel to Virginia and fetch Tatiana. No one will be able detect me for I’ll be like a ghost. As I upheaved and donned the helmet, I pressed the one eye of the owl (I found out the other one is the off position), radiation came out filling the room as rats scurried away, running for their lives in fear. Obviously, the invention did not lapse for it is still working after all those years. That is an evolution in reversing. It banishes eyes in timekeeping moments even if they are strained.

 

Game is over folks. It is not a kissing game. You can all beguile your smiles, fake your laughs but this will make you believe. I’m the ghostly spy no eyes can pry. Time for recompense and deliverance. The Russians preened themselves on my discovery and achievement.   

On a good note, I wrote a love poem for my wife:

 

To the majestic trees the lofty towers reached

Even mighty, weathered fortresses are breached

Tis our steps kept winding higher and higher

To heavens and beyond we did feel love’s power.      

 

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A very entertaining chapter Sami. I wanted to read and know more. I liked how you made the words connect. Nice closing with the poetry. Thank you for sharing the excellent chapter.
Coyote

[Sami Khalil]

Hi Coyote. It pleases me to have liked my short story series. I'm thankful for all. See you soon sir.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend. I have enjoyed your work always.

[Sami Khalil]

Same here. When time permits, will visit more. Happy Holidays.

[Lydia Shutter]

Well, seems you have written a screenplay for the next James Bond movie, Sami! Romance and espionage....a perfect combo! This one has a bit of the sci-fi genre in it too. Sami, I think your imagination would be a wonderland to tour! Wonderful work. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Million thank yous dear Lydia for this wonderful review and words of encouragement. You are highly talented. Glad you liked it.

[Patricia Wedel]

Sami dear... the most amazing espionage story I have ever read... even the romance has me on the edge of the Universe. Seriously, the Owl is the Creme Vermouth ... spectacular imagery... better than 007 ... My heart murmur is racing across the pages. Your “Fan” forever... gently, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

Whoeee. I'm your fan too and admirer of writes and personality. I'm humbled by your reading and gracious visit. May you have wonderful Holidays. Stay safe and creative. Good for the mind and soul.

[barleygirl]

Your writing style is so imaginative, you can write a thriller about Russia, espionage, & shape-shifting that sounds like nothing else in the action-story genre! I admire you for using a poetic entrance into your piece, with strong wordplay, then again at the end of the piece. It's reminiscent of Coyote John & how he mixes poetry with prose in a similar way. The artwork is stunning & your idea to use this as a helmet that transports people to invisibility . . . I never think of anything that far outside the dots & I'm constantly plied with a ton of Big Sur bud! What kind of drugs are you on? *smile* Enjoy your bravery in mixing genres & moods & styles into an unexpected melee! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sami Khalil]

Hehehe. Just an imagination dear poet. I love your take on this story and I can't thank you enough. You are great in my book.