"Yeah, but when we release them, we'll be the closest food."
"I've got that covered. We'll sedate them when we open the cages."
Somewhat relieved, Zo's pulse slowed. "But what if the monsters start reproducing?"
"I've modified the DNA so they can't."
Angrokt tapped his temple with her finger. "Remember what I taught you about chromosomes? Well, I've created mismatches in each of the denamods. They can't propagate."
"Occasionally, I'll make two or three of the biggest and deadliest to make sure we have a viable killer, but before we set them free, we'll destroy all but one of the healthiest. It will be impossible for them to reproduce."
Still not entirely convinced, he pointed to three huge eggs in a rack suspended over heated rocks. "Tell me more. How do you modify the DNA and keep them in check?"
"There will be time for that, but not now. We've got plans for the rest of the day."
One of the ginormous sting-suckers whacked itself against the transparent wall and startled Zo. I hate these things!
He turned his back to the would-be attackers. "What about these smaller denamods?"
"Usually, I make more of them, especially those that fly, but I shorten their lifespan to just a couple of weeks." She pointed to the glass enclosure behind him.
"I've also included a self-destructive gene in these sting-suckers so their larvae could never morph into an adult stage." His ma chuckled.
"These beauties are mutant combinations of giant hornets and female mosquitoes from the prehistoric era. When they first attack, the hornet's abdomen stings the victim, and fast-acting venom temporarily paralyzes them. This is where it gets interesting." Bringing her weathered face closer to his, she peered at him with a ghoulish expression.
"The mosquito's head uses its long, sturdy proboscis to prick the immobilized victim's pupil and lens all the way through to the backside of the eyeball's retina and into the brain. Then the denamod deposits its eggs — kept fresh in a separate blood chamber of the modified abdomen. Of course, the eye swells and is blinded." Her diabolical smile spread wide.
The more she delved into the gory details, the greater his stomach churned. Pretending to show interest in the conversation, he kept nodding but didn't dare open his mouth from fear of upchucking his breakfast. Proudly and without skipping a beat, Angrokt continued her vivid descriptions.
"Once the larvae hatch, they begin feasting on the host's brain matter. The larger the larvae grow, the hungrier they become. The damage drives the victim crazy and kills them within a few days. The parasite dies as well when blood ceases to flow to the brain, ending the fresh supply of food."
Finally, she paused and took a deep breath looking every bit satisfied with her creation. Zo, on the other hand, struggled with a disgusting taste as a wave of puke swelled in his throat.
She pointed to the sting-suckers. "These fine killers will be ready to deposit their eggs soon. We'll release them later in the week."
With his hand to his mouth, he held back the imminent eruption while mumbling. "How do you come up with such strange denamods?"
"Your grandpa, Zolokt, drilled into me the benefits of being imaginative. He always told me, 'think of the most dangerous beasts and mutate combinations that will scare even the more daring of our enemies.' Now, my brain's always churning and dreaming up even more deadly beings to kill the Ukes."
She flashed an evil grin. "I didn't want to frighten you earlier, but we've already released a few trial versions of prehistoric mutants. More deadly specimens will be ready soon."
The fact that his ma and grandpa were cynical was never in doubt, but Zo didn't realize the depth of their perversions until that moment. His eyes danced around the lab as his chest tightened.
Do I want to turn out like them?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Stirrings within the Dark Cave
Monday ~ August 3, 2093 ~ 9:00 am
Early the next morning, following a late-night celebration of the rescue, Thoruk stood before the huge round table in the school's library. Storm and Mercy joined Wolfuk and the village's champion archers, Tradulka and Bartuk, at the meeting of Ukkiville's leaders.
Queasy sat to the side reading an encyclopedia. Not far from the closest row of bookshelves, Tropokt chatted with some of the people he hadn't already met.
Strolling over to one of the large windows, Mercy drew back the blue curtains and draped them over the hooks on each side. The early sun's rays brightened the otherwise dingy room.
When she returned to her chair, Thoruk peered into her blue eyes. "Thanks for not complaining about sending Drew to Texas."
Mercy squinted through her long lashes and huffed. "He was kind of excited and left on Saturday."
She feigned a frown. "We'll certainly need the help, but you owe me one."
He smiled and banged the butt of his heavy sword on the table. Everybody but Queasy, who was so entrenched in his studies he must not have heard, turned their focus toward Thoruk.
With his hand to his forehead, Storm rolled his eyes. "Not so loud, Your Highness. It's very early — too much moonshine."
"Well, snap out of it. This is important!"
Turning his attention to Ukkiville's self-made scientist, physicist, and engineer, Thoruk cleared his throat. "Queasy? You ready?"
With his disheveled hair sticking straight up, the distracted man left his finger in position and closed the book. "Yes, sir. I've heard every word you've said."
"Great, let's begin. We're here to discuss a search and destroy mission. I need your help finding every muclone within and anywhere near Ukkiville. Our people won't be safe until we do."
Thoruk scanned the group. "I need volunteers to lead different scout teams."
He looked at his sister. "I've already talked with Mercy. She and I will take a team and search Porcupine Forest. I need a volunteer to lead a group to check out Wolverine Forest."
Wolfuk instantly spoke up. "I'll handle that, sir."
"Good. Who wants the rivers, creeks, and lakes?"
Storm's mumbled voice drifted from his right. "Give 'em to me. I could use something cold, refreshing, and wet."
He tilted his head toward Ukkiville's latest additions. "Tropy and Hound Dog can tag along. They seem amiable enough."
Smiling, Tropokt nodded at his new-found friend.
Thoruk glanced at Storm. "Thank you."
Laying his head on the table, his hungover buddy waved a hand. "Oh, don't mention it, Your Majesty. I've always got your back."
Mercy elbowed him. "Come on Stormy; I've never seen you like this."
Thoruk panned the audience. "Alright, moving on. Can I get someone to search inside Ukkiville's walls and nearby fields and meadows?"
Queasy raised the thick book in his hand. "Let me handle those. I need to get away from my cabin. I've been staring at too many muclones lately."
Thoruk laughed. "Well, you're about to see plenty more, I'm sure."
He looked at his master of arms. "Can you assign Queasy four of your better trackers? He'll need assistance covering all those areas."
"Yes, sir. I've got some ready to go."
"Fantastic. Also, I need a couple of you to cover the mountain trails and passes."
The inseparable archers raised their arms and responded in unison. "We'll do that." Bartuk and Tradulka looked at each other and smiled.
"Excellent." Thoruk slowly looked around the table.
"There's something else I've been thinking about. I'd like us to consider taking some of our more experienced children on our searches. We weren't any older when Protuk and our parents took us on such risky assignments. The more dangers they deal with face-to-face, the better prepared they'll be. Any objections?"
With a half-scowl, Mercy nodded. "Alright, that makes sense — sort of. They've got to learn."
Thoruk pointed at the pair of archers. "Go ahead and get started today. Tomorrow at 1:00 pm, I'll join you at Erik's Bluff. I'll bring the kids to sh
ow us the location of that monster bird they found. We'll also take the pets for extra protection. No telling what we'll find. There could be more than one bird — maybe other muclones."
Pondering his next thought, Thoruk rubbed his chin. "Wolfuk and I have been discussing the use of firearms. Most of you already know my position."
He looked at Mercy before she had a chance to object. "But, given what I've already seen of some of these muclones and the possibility of running into Skalags out there, I've decided this is one of those emergency situations."
Mercy sighed but relented with a nod.
Gesturing his understanding, Thoruk squeezed his sister's hand. "I want each team to take two sharpshooters with rifles in hand — just in case."
Storm's head shot off the table. "Blazes, it's about time we obliterate those monsters! It'll be fun!"
A Day Later ~ 12:40 pm
Not relishing the return to the cliff where she almost splat the ground with her precious blood, Caru's throat tightened. She trailed Thoruk, Teli, and her two rock-climbing buddies on horseback. If not for her father's request to help find the winged monster, this would be the last place she'd visit.
Why is Teli with us? She shook her head while staring at her twin brother's back.
Father must want to give him more hunting experience, but he's more brains than brawn. I just hope he doesn't get himself killed.
In no particular hurry, she and the pets fell behind the others by several yards. She kept a wary eye to the sky hoping to spot the nightmarish bird she faced at the top of the summit during her last trip.
Come on, where are you, you stupid muclone? Let's get this over with so we can head home!
Her father's voice broke her musings. "Caru, tell me again: what did that thing look like?"
She mumbled. "A giant bird."
"What? I can't hear you. You're too far away." He tugged Inferno's reins.
Recalling her father's heart-to-heart earlier in the week, she perked up and nudged Cocoa's ribs. The steed sped to a trot and pulled up beside Thoruk.
He smiled. "That's better. Now, tell us what we're looking for."
She'd already told him three times, but knew better than to get sassy. "Well, I only saw it for a few seconds."
Trying to think of distinguishing marks she hadn't mentioned before, she pressed her lips tight. "It was a giant bird with dark gray feathers. A bright white stripe stretched end-to-end across the largest wings ever." She spread her arms out as wide as she could.
"The neck and head were nothing I've seen or heard of before — like a big snake — not from these parts. Its head was gross, like a turkey. Even worse, when the creepy thing opened its beak, it had fangs and a forked tongue. It spat at me just as I ducked."
Thoruk scrunched one side of his face. She'd seen that look before.
"I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. I swear. You'll see."
Fox's voice interrupted from behind. "Sir, I saw it from a distance a couple of times. Like Caru said, it was huge and had a weird neck."
Still not sure if her father believed her when he sighed, she pulled her reins to the right. "Come on, let's find that thing. I'll show you."
"Hold on a sec. We need to wait here. Tradulka and Bartuk are bringing a couple of sharpshooters to join us. I told them to meet us here at Erik's Bluff."
Minutes Later
Clicks of hooves against the rocky trail caught Thoruk's attention. "They're here."
From around the bend, Bartuk, Tradulka, and two warriors appeared with rifles strapped to their steeds.
Thoruk nodded as they rode alongside. "Glad to see you guys. We haven't found the muclone yet."
Tradulka glanced at the long-barreled weapons of his scouts. "I'm not so sure about using these things up here. The sound might start an avalanche."
He pointed to the bow attached to his saddle. "We'll try something quieter first and be ready with the rifles as a backup."
Thoruk nodded. "Good thinking. I hadn't thought of the noise."
An unusual squawk pierced the air from high above.
Proto pointed. "Over there."
A massive bird flew behind a crop of pines lining the trail ahead.
Thoruk flipped the reins and Inferno bolted forward. "Let's get it!"
After clearing a curve in the trail, his stallion stopped in its tracks and backed up.
A revolting stench carried by the strong breeze struck Thoruk's nostrils. Brutish!
He lifted his arm. "Slow it up. Something smells like rotting flesh."
While Tradulka's horse pulled alongside Inferno, the marksman turned in his saddle with his arm across his nose. "Whoa, that stinks. Must be big."
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Stay with the others till I find the source. Here, hold my horse." He handed him the reins.
"Alright, but be careful."
As Thoruk slowly crept forward, he whispered. "I'll call for you when it's clear."
A couple of minutes later, the sight around a massive boulder chilled him to his core. Not far from a cavern stood a scattered pile of mutilated bones and decaying carcasses. From the number of antlers, it appeared to be mostly the remains of deer, maybe some smaller animals.
Whatever it is, it's strong enough to take down a buck. Got to warn the others. He tiptoed back.
Approaching Tradulka, Thoruk brought a finger to his lips. "We've got to be quiet. The trail splits near a cave. Take your sharpshooters down the lower path out of sight of the entrance and go after the bird. It's huge and dark gray with a long neck like a snake."
The champion archer crinkled his nose as if puzzled. "What are you and the kids going to do?"
Thinking the teenagers could gain a valuable experience, Thoruk motioned toward the young warriors. "I'll stay with them and the pets to check out the cave."
Tradulka tilted his head. "You sure? Do you want one of the rifles?"
"We won't need them. We've got plenty of weapons and the pets for help. Tie up your horses to those shrubs and go by foot."
As the four warriors proceeded on their hunt, Thoruk gathered the children who were chatting on the side.
Caru looked at him. "What's up, Father?"
His facial muscles tightened as he placed a finger across his lips. "I need you all to be quiet and listen carefully."
They nodded in unison.
He pointed up the trail. "Tradulka and his scouts are going after the bird. We're going to check out a cave ahead. Not sure what we're going to find, but it's likely to be dangerous. The creature already killed lots of animals, including some deer."
The teen's eyes grew large.
"Tie up your horses and grab your weapons. There may be more than one."
After they secured their mounts, they joined Thoruk. He waved his arm forward. "Follow me and pay attention to my every word. Do you understand?"
Four muffled voices responded together. "Yes, sir."
Minutes later, within throwing distance to the cave, he picked up a pebble and tossed it into the entrance.
Sounds of movement stirred from the dark hole. Thoruk's grip tightened around the battle-ax strapped to his waist. Something's in there!
His mind churned. What could it be: bear, wildcat — or another muclone?
CHAPTER TWENTY
Two Heads are Better than One
Moments Later
Tuesday ~ August 4, 2093 ~ 2:10 pm
With the young warriors behind him, Thoruk cautiously closed to within 10 feet of the cave's entrance. His foot accidentally kicked a stone, ricocheting it off the cliff's wall. As the rock tumbled over the ridge, echoes marked its fall to the ledge below.
A growl rumbled from within the black hole. Thoruk froze. Wolf! He inched closer.
Seconds later, a deeper growl joined a chorus of throaty noises emanating from the cavern. Wolves! His heart raced as he slowly unsheathed his battle-ax.
Gingerly, a huge, light-tawny paw with long claws emerged from the shadows, followed by a
sizable, gray, furry head.
Pausing, Thoruk's sucked a quick breath. Blazes, that's the biggest wolf I've ever seen! The coloring and claws of the body didn't match any creature he had known.
High-pitched yips preceded another head with weird, brown, canine-like snout and neck, covered with a random mix of black stripes and spots — stranger than the first set of jaws.
As the beast revealed more of itself, Teli's voice rang out. "It's a lion with heads of a hyena and a wolf. I've seen pictures in Queasy's books. Careful, they're very dangerous!"
Barking and snarling, Ghost charged past Thoruk. The muclone spun toward the commotion.
Caru rushed to her father's side with her sword held high. Snatching her by the vest, Thoruk lifted and set her down behind him. "Stay put!"
Lips curled and fangs bared, both of the deadly carnivore's heads stared at the valiant girl. In a fit of rage, Ghost howled louder than before.
Thoruk grabbed the collar and restrained the large white dog as it lunged at the threat before it.
With eyes trained on the monster, he yelled. "Caru, go with Proto, Fox, and the bears down that ledge and contain the creature's backside! Don't get too close! Wait for my signal."
The brave teenagers sprinted while Thoruk waved his arm. "Teli, come here and keep to my rear!"
Waiting till the kids were in position, he peered into Ghost's eyes, then at the beast. "Kill!"
Like a flash, a rabid ball of fur streaked toward the muclone. Constantly barking, the persistent dog closed the gap. The grisly predator swiped its claws, and Ghost jumped back barely avoiding the lethal blow.
Caru pointed her blade toward the ruckus and screamed. "Kill!"
The polar twins charged, and Chili chomped the monster's hindquarter. Whirling, the freakish being slashed the bear's shoulder.
Chili roared. Blood streamed down her white coat as she limped to the side.
Thoruk motioned toward the beast. "Fox! Aim for its heart and shoot on my word!" The young man lifted his crossbow and positioned the bolt.
The New World: Blue Moon Generatoin Page 11
