The New World Order

Chapter 5

Shivering, I looked left and right. Not seeing anyone, I darted across the street and into an old warehouse. It was warmer in here than it was outside, but I couldn't seem to relax like I did in the woods.

Silently and quickly, I crossed the large space and into a large empty crate. I covered the hole by sliding an empty box over it and sat silently, listening for any sound coming from inside the building. After a few agonizing minutes I turned on the old flashlight I had found in one of the houses I had broken into and emptied my small pack.

I had found some food in a box near a trashcan. I had thought it a little odd, but I was too hungry to care. As I was looking through it a small black pebble fell out of a box of crackers. I looked at it for a minute and thought it was a little odd, before throwing it into a corner.

Besides the box of crackers, there was a couple of apples, an orange, some cheese, and a tin of meat. I smiled, glad that there was this much food. Ever since I got run off from the Valley, it had been one bad thing after another. This winter was the worst I had ever experienced and all my normal tricks to survive just hadn't been working. It had forced me to come to one of the Their cities to seek shelter and food. I had been here for a couple of weeks, the longest I had ever stayed in one place since the Invasion.

It made me feel uncomfortable, but the more I moved around here in this invader infested city the more chance I had of being discovered. I did not want to end up as some pet. I had seen a person being walked on a leash of all things by one of Them.  It made me so angry when I saw that I almost made a noise but caught myself at the last moment.

I had been seen a couple of times at a distance by the Them, but I had run before They could even try to catch me. At least with my haul from my latest excursion I wouldn't need to leave my hiding place for a couple of days. I would have to be very careful though, on how much I ate, or I would have to go out sooner then I wanted to.

I ate one apple and three crackers with cheese before lying down on the bed I had made from some old rags and blankets I had found. It didn't smell nice, but at least it was warm and comfortable. I soon fell into a light and fitful sleep.

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Ben, she took the bait. The tracking device I put in the box of crackers just pinged for the second time. She is in warehouse D7," said Red through the com.

"We are sending over the video we got from one of the food traps now," Rex added.

Before Ben could respond the video popped up.

"Just got it now guys, good work."

"Do you want us to move in now on her?" asked Red.

"No, not just yet. I would rather have us take her in the open where she is less likely to hurt. I also do not want to draw attention to her little hiding place. The Commander let me know this morning that the Hunters are also in the area. Gunner, their leader, is apparently really interested in her. I do not want that scum anywhere near her."

"All right Boss. Bruno and Togo just got in too. Talk to you later."

"Over and out," replied Ben as he hit the play button and watched the girl. From the looks of it she was about 5'3 and 60 pounds underweight. She looked exhausted with large dark circles under her eyes. She kept looking around her and left the food box once. He wondered why, until a moment later a Canid walked by with their human on a leash.

He sped the video ahead a little until she appeared back on camera. She had dark brown hair, long and tangled. Her eyes where hazel and shifty as she grabbed the box and ran of screen. She had been dressed in a hodge podge of rags and clothes stolen from the houses she had robbed.

After a moment of thought, Ben decided to call the team. They all answered, eager for instruction. They had seen the video too and wanted to get her off of the streets just as much as he wanted too.

After they discussed a little what to do, it was agreed that they would stake out the warehouse while trying not to draw attention from Gunner and his Hunters. Gunner's reputation preceded him. He was ruthless and not necessarily gentle with his charges. His team was made up of a mix of disgraced Canids and other species from the Federation. It would not be good if this female was caught by them.

Before the day was out they where in position around the warehouse, waiting in tactical equipment. Doc had been sure to provide them with tranqs with the caveat they may not work because of the layers of clothes. Bruno and Togo had nets ready, and each team member had a type of lasso that could be used to immobilize her. The tranqs then could be administered by hand rather than dart gun. They each had a set of restraints too, that included handcuffs and a body harness.

Ben sighed, settling in. She didn't know it yet, but she was there's already.