“Oh my…” Jameson trailed off as he double checked the report. “And you’re positive that these are accurate?”
“Of course.” Ingram leaned back in the chair and hooked his thumbs together behind his head. “The Titans are stronger, faster and have quicker reaction times than the fangers they hunt.”
Jameson slowly closed the report and inhaled deeply. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
“I know that the intel is true. Older fangers are stronger and faster, but for the most part, unless the Titans are dealing with some seriously old bastard, they’ll have the advantage. Add in their tactical knowledge and weaponry? They’ll have the advantage even then, too.”
Jameson shook his head. “That’s not what I meant.” He slid the report to the side of this desk and smiled broadly. “They’re more deadly than the Monster Squads.”
“Oh, that.” Ingram waved him off. “Yeah, I already had that figured out.” He chuckled as he sat up. “But do you realize? Once we clean out the squads and then start eliminating the other monsters…the vampire council won’t be an issue at all.”
Jameson nodded. “We just make sure we get paid first.” He winked at Ingram.
“Oh, of course.” Ingram laughed as he stood up and turned for the door. “Once the payment hits our Swiss accounts, they’re toast.”
“Who’d have thought.” Jameson rocked back and forth as he stared off. “The very group that hired us to remove the Monster Squad would get taken out by the same super soldiers.” He laughed as he came to his feet.
“I love the irony.” Ingram reached for the door and paused. “By the way, they’ll be ready to head north this evening.”
“Are you planning on going with them?” Jameson sat on the corner of his desk as he watched the smaller man.
“Oh, no, no, no…I’ll watch the live feed through the drones. They have some excellent video equipment and the lag time is near nil.”
“Where are we staging at?”
Ingram turned back and shot him a knowing smile. “The command center is finished. We’ll be observing from there.”
Jameson cocked a brow at him. “Finished? That’s nearly three months ahead of schedule.”
“Funny how monetary incentives can do that to a contractor, isn’t it?” Ingram reached for the door. “I’ll send a car for you.”
“See you tonight.” Jameson watched the smaller man leave and then slipped back in behind his desk. He entered his password and pulled up the schematics for the command center.
Located within Langley Air Force Base, the newly constructed command center wasn’t huge, but it would house the Titans and their support staff. Jameson scanned the blue prints for the center and tried to get a visual in his mind. He placed himself within the structure and imagined walking the halls, going from location to location. Once he was sure that he was familiar with the layout of the new facility, he quickly shut down his computer and reached for his coat.
He had a long night ahead of him and until then, he had preparations to make. The first would be to ensure that the Council kept their word. Half of the payment would be made once they showed proof that the Titans were battle ready.
Jameson patted his coat and smiled inwardly when he felt the video disc still in his inside pocket. He’d email the video to the Council and once the initial payment was made, he could start planning the demise of the Monster Squads and prepare for his early retirement.
Who said that protecting the citizens of this country couldn’t be profitable?
11
Mitchell exited his office to find Major Tufo quickly approaching. “I have something.” He waved a report in his hand and Mitchell quickly scanned it.
“Secondaries?” He didn’t look up as he read the initial write up.
“There won’t be any.” Mark stared at the top of the man’s head with a grimace etched on his face. “I had no idea what a wendigo was so I looked it up. They’ve been trying to reach our spotter, and he isn’t responding.”
Mitchell handed the paper back and shrugged. “Give him time. His cell battery may have died or he may be some place without signal.”
“He’s a victim.” Mark slipped the report back into his folder and watched his CO for his reaction. “After reading what a wendigo was…I just knew. I could feel it.”
Mitchell stiffened and cocked his head questioningly. “You want to send a team into an unsubstantiated situation?”
“If it’s nothing then no harm, no foul. But if I’m right, the faster we act, the better.”
Mitchell considered his logic. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.” He scratched at his chin as he thought. “Where is this located?”
“Ontario area. Not too far from Windigo Lake.” He raised a brow as he waited for Mitchell to make the connection.
“So the monster is named for the region? Interesting.” He inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “Okay, get a squad geared up and in the air. Better to be safe than sorry. Just be sure they’re brought up to speed on this thing before they hit the muck.”
“Roger that, sir.” Mark spun and marched toward the OPCOM. Mitchell watched him, his own thoughts reverting back to his XO’s health and mental readiness.
He slipped down the stairs and entered the large open area that Evan’s lab was contained in. He waved to the doctor as he approached and entered the lab unannounced.
“Colonel, I was just finishing my analysis of the technical drawings you sent me.”
“Excellent. Thanks, Doc.” He quickly glanced through the acrylic wall to ensure they were alone. “I actually came here to talk to you about Major Tufo.”
Evan paused and slowly set down his pen. “What can I help you with, sir?”
“How is he, really?”
Evan stood and turned slowly, his brows furrowed. “I wish I could tell you conclusively, Colonel, but I honestly can only go by what he’s told me.”
Mitchell tried not to register his shock but failed. “How so?”
“Physically, he’s the picture of health. Other than not feeling pain like you or I would, he’s great. He has a healthy pulse, his muscle mass has increased, his body fat decreased, his strength is…unreal. His mental awareness is as sharp as ever.” Evan sighed and sat back down. “I just have nothing to compare him to. There’s never been a…a…hybrid before. So really I can only go by what he tells me. He claims that he feels fine so I assume he has no reason to lie.”
“Do you have any idea why he can’t feel pain like we do?” Mitchell crossed his arms and leaned against the counter.
“I can only assume that it goes back to why we feel pain in the first place. It’s to warn us of something that is life threatening. Since Major Tufo heals so quickly and so completely, I can only assume that his brain doesn’t register the damage as painful. He doesn’t need to avoid the damage because it really isn’t damage.”
Mitchell nodded as if he understood. “What about his appetites? Have you noticed anything different?”
“You mean is he craving blood? No, not so far as I can tell. He hasn’t said anything to me about it.” Evan pushed his chair over to his workbench and pulled a notebook. “I’ve taken the initiative to monitor his caloric intake.”
“You watch him eat?”
Evan shrugged. “Not overtly. I went over the security footage from the cafeteria. The only thing of note is that he does ingest very large quantities of food, but rarely. His appetite is voracious, but he only seems to feed every other day. Calorie wise, he eats about the same as the squad members, just that he stores it for longer.”
“Like a snake.”
Evan shook his head. “No, not really. He isn’t cold blooded and he doesn’t take weeks to digest large meals.” He shook his head as he thumbed through his notes. “He just fills up for longer periods, that’s all.”
“Remind me not to invite him out for BBQ and beer.” Mitchell pushed off the counter and sighed. “I just worry. I have this distinct feeling that somet
hing bad is going on with him that we have no idea about.”
Evan nodded. “If it is, it isn’t manifesting in any measurable way.”
“Very well.” Mitchell turned to leave. “Keep me updated. Anything that seems out of the ordinary…” he trailed off. He turned and gave Evan a quirky grin. “Well, you know what I mean. If it seems off to you, I want to know about it.”
“Understood, sir.” Evan reached for his report and handed it to him. “The analysis.”
Mitchell grabbed it and thumbed through it. “Is it as bad as that fella made it out to be?”
“Worse.”
*****
“I’m telling you, he pointed the damned thing straight at me. He knew exactly what he was doing,” Popo kept his voice low as he spoke to Jack. “Just the idea that the son of a bitch is here is enough to make me want to shove a silver spike up his ass.”
“I understand. Believe me, I do. And I’ve got no answers for you, Pedro. Just know that as soon as I can get him out of here, he’s gone.” Jack placed a reassuring hand on his friend’s shoulder. “If I could send him packing now, I would. But it’s not up to me.”
“Just tell me you’re not going back to work for him.” Popo’s eyes pleaded with him.
“There is no way in hell I’d go back to work for him. Besides, he’s already replaced me as his Second. I don’t have to worry about his problems anymore. If the Vampire Council wants to come after him, that’s his problem, not mine.”
“It just pisses me off that we went there to help him deal with those guys and then he turns on us.” Popo blew his breath out and looked back to him. “Where will you go when this is over? Are you coming back here full time?”
Jack shook his head. “I have a wife and child on the way. I figure I’ll go and live with the pack.”
“What the hell will you do there? I’m sorry, but I can’t imagine just sitting around in the woods chasing rabbits and deer as the life for you.”
Jack laughed and shook his head. “No, buddy, it’s not like that at all. They have jobs and homes and…their own community. I’ll probably go to work as security. It’s what I know best.”
“Well, if you want backup on this op, you know I’d be proud to cover your six again. I’d feel bad if you didn’t make it back to Nadia.”
“If I don’t make it back, there is no Nadia.” Jack shook his hand earnestly. “Trust me, I appreciate the offer. But according to the Wyldwood, it’s just supposed to be the mod squad.”
“If you change your mind, I’m sure the whole squad would be there in a heartbeat.”
“I appreciate it. You fellas hold down the fort here.” Jack glanced around then turned serious. “And keep an eye on things. I still don’t trust Thorn any further than I can throw him.”
“Copy that.”
*****
“There’s just too much ground to cover.” Laura paced the living room, her cell phone pressed to her ear. “Jimmy, Derek already went out and searched. He checked everywhere that Dad has taught him. It’s got to be someplace that he kept to himself.”
Derek rolled his eyes and groaned as he lay back on the couch, the cold beer pressed to his forehead. “Tell him I didn’t even pick up a trail. Maybe that will convince him.”
“D said he didn’t even pick up dad’s trail.” Laura stared at the trophies along the wall as she spoke to her oldest brother. “Wherever this ancient burial ground is, only dad knows.”
Crystal cleared her throat and Laura spun to stare at her. She noticed that her lower jaw quivered as she spoke. “Maybe somebody with the tribal government knows where it is?” She shrugged, her eyes hopeful that Laura would see merit in at least trying.
Laura nodded. “Jimmy, check with whomever you still have contact with at the tribe. See if anybody there knows of any ancient burial grounds out there.” She heard the hope in her brother’s voice as he agreed, then hung up. Laura turned slowly to her father’s lover and met her gaze. “He’s got friends there that…maybe.”
Crystal made her way to the recliner and sat down gingerly in it. “I can’t believe he’d do this.”
“I’m sorry you had to hear it like this. I wanted to tell you in a gentler way.” Laura stood beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Crystal patted her hand and nodded. “I appreciate your trying, Laura. To find him, I mean.” She looked up at the younger woman and Laura noted the tears forming in her eyes. “I’m glad you got to see him before he…before…” She broke down and began sobbing, her grip on Laura’s hand weakening.
“If he can be found, we’ll find him.” She patted the woman’s shoulder and looked to her brother. He clenched his jaw and forced himself to sit up straighter.
“Knowing Dad, he had this planned the whole time.” Derek avoided Laura’s stare. “He used to be so ‘into’ the ancient tribal lore, he was probably just waiting for a small bit of his strength to return so he could begin his spirit walk.”
Laura fought not to groan as Derek gave a feeble attempt at explaining away their father’s actions. She dragged her finger across her throat, hoping he would stop, but Derek continued. “You know, he used to really be into the whole spiritual side of our past, right? He probably marched out there so he could transition to the other side and not have to suffer in a white man’s hospital any longer. He probably thought he was taking the burden off us somehow.”
Laura rolled her eyes as Crystal sniffed away her tears. “Where would he come up with such a stupid idea?”
Derek swallowed hard. “It was a very old story that he used to tell us when we were kids. A great Native chief knew he was about to die so he went to the woods and prayed for his spirit animal to carry him to the other side. His spirit animal was the eagle and when it came to get him, he showed no fear. When the eagle touched him, he was transformed into an eagle and the two of them flew away together. The eagle allowed him to live another lifetime in the physical plane as a spirit animal for another great warrior.”
Crystal sniffled again and wiped at her eyes. “Surely he knew it was just a story.”
Derek shrugged. “Probably. But if he was too far gone…you know, in the head? He might have come to believe it.”
Crystal stood slowly and wiped at her face again. “I think I’m going to lie down for a bit.” She reached for Derek’s hand as she passed by. “Let me know if the tribe has any information, okay?”
“Will do.” The pair watched her work her way back to their father’s room and listened for the door to shut.
“Why would you say those things?” Laura whispered angrily.
Derek waved a dismissive hand at her. “She needed to hear something. Better an old tribal story than the truth. Besides, in a lot of ways, I told her the truth, just with a twist.”
“The truth doesn’t always set you free, ya know.”
Derek gave her a steely glare. “Remember that when you go back to your monster hunting buddies.”
*****
Mark waited while First Squad geared up then held a briefing. He explained his fears about their primary spotter and how he was probably already a victim.
“The guy would have tried to keep track of the wendigo so that he could easily point it out to the secondary. If the creature got wind of him, it would have attacked.” Mark clicked the button bringing up the etching of the monster. “You’ll note that it appears a lot like a normal human. The creature may be slightly larger than a normal man, but it will have the strength of many men. Only a direct hit to the brain or heart will drop it, and even then, you’ll need to quarter it and burn the remains. These things are tough as nails.”
“Where do they originate?” Donnie asked.
“They’re indigenous to the area, but their creation is unknown. There are rumors that they were men forced to revert to cannibalism at some point, and the taste for human flesh remained. We really can’t be certain. Other origination stories claim that they are men inhabited by demons or spirits. Local Native Americans
believe that they are evil spirits that have taken over the bodies of great warriors, destined to live forever but forced to feed off other men. Just know that they are hard as hell to kill and we can’t be certain that there’s only one. Cover your six out there. These things are silent, mean, and strong.”
The team downloaded what little information was available for the creature and studied the sketched drawings. Gus scratched at his chin as he read through the report. “How can we tell what’s a wendigo and what’s human?”
Lamb ribbed him. “The wendigo will be chewing on your face. Humans will squeal like a little girl and run away.”
“Point taken.” Gus closed the file on his PDA and turned to Tufo again. “These things are nocturnal?”
Mark shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. You may end up facing this thing day or night. Just keep your eyes peeled for any kind of natural cave system.” He dismissed the squad and sent them to their waiting chopper. He worked his way toward the OPCOM when Dom and Marshall intercepted him. “Major, we need you to green light an op for us.”
Mark stared at the large Italian standing before him. “What op might that be?”
“We want to back up Phoenix when he hits the Devil and Miss Jones. I really think he should have an extra set of operators on the ground if she’s supposed to have hundreds of demons with her.” Dom elbowed Marshall who stood taller.
“If nothing else, we can provide support.”
Mark lowered his eyes and shook his head slowly. “According to Jack, it’s supposed to be the Junior Rangers, only.”
“We know that, sir. But maybe you could tell him that you insist?” Dom was reaching and he knew it. “Just…I dunno, tell him that if he’s going to be basing his group out of here, we need assets on the ground, too.”
Mark stared down the hall toward Mitchell’s door. “Clear it with the old man and you have my blessing.”
Dom broke into a toothy grin. “Thank you, sir.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Jack’s liable to kick your can all the way back here even if the CO says yes.”
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