Among The Wolves

Bike

My diagnostics went by smoothly, I was deemed fully human and released from the cells. They took me to nicer quarters, gave me a fresh, muggy green shirt and some pants. It felt like I was back to training with these on. Nonetheless, I welcomed the simple cot that was my bed for the night.

I really did not know what the next day would look like. I just knew that somehow I was going to have to manage to get back to Wos’Theon. Alpha M’est’r was not kidding when he said that the military was more fortified around the border. The fact that I even found patrol immediately was shocking in itself. Long ago, when I was training, border patrol did not really exist.

Did all the changes contribute, in part, to what made Commander Tevit suspicious? It felt so strange to me that he did what he just did.

In addition, I had no doubt that whatever ‘Commander’ Yornatip was not on the side of peace. I had no doubt that he was there to oust Commander Tevit. That probably prompted the loyal man to do what he did to communicate discretion discreetly with me.

I thought about what he said: “I will help you with getting this to the right time.”

What did he mean? Did he have plans to overthrow Joinervetti?

I had great hopes in that. If he did it then I did not have to worry so much about it. He was certainly far more capable of any undercover task than I was. He could carry out anything with swiftness. Although, I did wonder if some of his abilities were being hindered by men like Commander Yornatip.

It was scary to think that Joinervetti had more control over the Vakusian Military. Would Yornatip inform Joinervetti of my presence here? What would the interrogation entail? Would I ever be able to leave the base?

I rolled to my side on the bed, staring blankly into the darkness.

What was tomorrow going to be like?
With that question still hovering, I fell asleep.

***

“Vae.”

A hand went over my mouth, I suddenly opened my eyes. Gripping tightly to the arm that was above my face.

I moved to grab the fingers of the unknown assailant, ready to twist and break bones.

“What is the western time?” The male in the dark asked, his voice hushed.

I froze and they removed their hand.

“What?”

“It's a question from Commander Tevit, what is the western standard time?”

I hesitated, “Uh, um… 4pm?”

The person shifted in the dark, his clothes barely rustled, “I've been sent by Commander Tevit to escort you off the premises.” His voice was still quiet. I looked at the time on my nightstand. It was 2:30am.

Pulling the blanket off of me I sat up. “What would he have me do?”

I could barely see the form of the male who had woken me up.

“Follow me.”

Trying to rub the remaining sleep out of my eyes I stood up and quietly tip-toed after him. I was led out of the guest barracks and to the warm night. We rounded several buildings and halted multiple times when a guard would walk the patrol line near us.

Eventually, we reached the fence. The military male, (I could not tell his rank) lifted the corner of the fence up and it pulled away easily. Obviously, it had been sabotaged.

I stepped through and he followed me from behind, putting the fence back where it was.

“This way.” He instructed quietly. I followed him into the night.

How he seemed to casually know where we were and where we were going partially baffled me.

For a little while we traveled, getting more relaxed the further we were from the base. I just hoped that this was not a trap and that I was not going to run into a firing squad. Yet, I trusted Commander Tevit and this male knew the ‘code’. So I choose to trust him to a certain extent.
We probably made it close to two miles away from the base when he finally altered his course.

Moving toward some jutted desert rocks.

“Commander.” He spoke clearly, going into a salute.

To my surprise Commander Tevit stepped out from the jutted rocks. I also saluted.

“At ease.”

We both relaxed.

Commander Tevit moved toward me. “Vae, take this.” He handed me a back pack and I took it. “There are various supplies you will need. But I want you to do one thing for me.”

I tried to see his face through the night's darkness but it was simply too dark.

“There is a burner phone. Give it to your boss, I will have a word with him as I have a small force that would like to offer their services for the betterment of Vakusi. I will warn you that the phone only allows five calls. Am I clear?”

I blinked, I had never thought of Alpha M’est’r as being my boss, nonetheless I saluted, “Yes sir!”

“There is food in the bag, and a bike here.”

I looked past him and squinted, barely seeing an outline of a dirt bike resting against the rocks although, at the moment, I was more excited about the thought of food.

“Any questions?”

“No, sir.”

“Good, road is ten meters to your six. Take care, Vae.”

I saluted one last time and Tevit as well as the other male both turned and walked away. I watched them as they disappeared in the darkness.

The way they went was the direction of Wos’Theon and the direction of ‘my boss’ but more importantly… it was the direction of my mate.

A sad longing in my heart settled again. I closed my eyes as I tried to feel the bond between us. It was there but the distance made it hard to feel. I looked through my heart into the bond and I could almost see anxiety, fear, and worry on the other side. I had no doubt that Ty’Bin was beside himself at the moment. I wished I could speak into the bond and let him know that I was okay. That I was unharmed, mostly.

I was also worried about the girls and Wey’Don. The girls were in a state of fright when I last saw them and Wey’Don… was he dead?

I turned my neck and looked in the opposite direction. The direction that led further into Vakusi and closer to Joinervetti. A little nugget of a thought told me that I needed to go this way. Beta Pad'Fal was undoubtedly going to meet with Joinervetti. I could catch wind of that discussion and maybe learn more about the ‘secret weapon’ or even when they planned to instigate the first battle to ‘conquer Wos’Theon’.

I looked toward Wos’Theon once more. Torn between two decisions. My heart was in the Black Axis Pack but it seemed like my duty was in InX-InVett 1.

With a conflicted, yet dejected sigh I slung the backpack over my shoulder and picked up the dirt bike.  I walked it over to the road and put my leg over. I just stood there as my mind wrestled with what to do. Internally, I knew what I had to do. I sat down and the bike started up easily.

With one last look behind me I turned the handle toward me and the bike rolled forward. I was officially on my way.

Joinervetti, here I come.

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