Among The Wolves

Favor

I rode for a long time, the cool, summer, night air kept me alert despite the internal feeling of fatigue and hunger pangs. The first glimpses of daybreak were visible before I surrendered to my stomach and stopped for a bite to eat. It was nothing fancy as it was basic military food. Considering my hunger, it tasted pretty good.

I also took the time to investigate the contents of the backpack. I checked every crevice for possible trackers. There was nothing. The only thing that I considered dangerous was the burner phone, considering what just happened at the base, I chose to trust Commander Tevit. It felt so strange that this was all happening. Commander Tevit understood the larger picture of what was going on and here I was, on another Nu directive.

With a forced sigh I looked back into the bag. There were helpful things. A small wad of monetary slips -there were only about fifty of them-, some more food and water, a large bottle labeled ‘GAS’, and a hand gun. That was it.

Frankly, I was very surprised about the gun. I knew of the strict inventory the base had on all the weapons. This gun would be discovered missing very soon, unless it was a smuggled gun. Either way, I could not be caught with it.

With my meal finished I hopped on the dirt bike, started it back up and went my way.

I passed by the run down motel. It felt good to just scuttle past it and not stop. If I could I would go back and thank the Commander especially for the dirt bike. My trip was going to be so much easier and faster with this thing.

The bottle of ‘GAS’ managed to get me to the first refill station. I filled the bike and the bottle back up. I continued down the road. It was nightfall before I could see glimpses of the lights of the city.

I took that as a good sign to stop for the night. Going off the main road for a couple miles I found a good framework of trees to hide and rest. I had no blanket this time, so I slipped my arms into my shirt and fell asleep that way. I tried not to mentally complain. It was summer after all and I would take a scooter over a blanket anytime.

First thing in the morning, I woke up with a jerk. Sweat blanketed my skin and shivers were assailing me. A dull ache in my chest was evidently present. Thoughts of Ty'Bin came into my mind. I sat up and leaned my head into my hands. I missed him. With my eyes closed I tried to search for the mate bond but it was gone completely. I was just too far for a connection to be detected.

What was Ty'Bin thinking? No doubt he was wrought with anxiety and turmoil. No doubt Vae'En was scared and confused, and no doubt the pack was in uproar about the unexplained rogue attack.

A rush of urgency spiked in my blood. I had to hurry, I needed to get back again soon. Not just for the sake of them but also for the sake of me. I got a quick bite to eat and then I was off again.

It only took me over an hour to reach the city and then another forty-five minutes to reach InX-InVett 1. I hid the dirt bike in an alleyway and hiked to the tall glass building. I was not going to have enough money to buy a change of clothes and for gas to get back home. So shopping was out of the equation.

Something else was going to have to happen.

I sat on the street bench, slowly and meticulously thinking of ideas while watching the revolving front doors. Many types of people came and went, security, secretaries, office personnel, laymen and media outlet communicators.

My best bet was the security. There was really no other person that I could be that could give me a wide range of access. But security was also the most dangerous person to try and undertake. I knew full well my lack of intimidation.

After a sigh that expressed my lack of contentment, I decided I was going to have to settle for office personnel.