Creatures of God

Destiny At My Side

The dusky sun was setting when Gevaudan and his army began their longer-than-expected march on Anderson Science Center. Wolves were used to long distances when hunting, but in this situation, they were bringing more than their usual amount of armory and artillery. Stomp over step, the unorthodox group of canines -- including foxes, dingoes and jackals -- traversed a secret set of passageways, deep through the forest substructure. Upon reaching the other side, the battalion made its way alongside the forest's edge, next to fields of wild grass and flower.

Coerced into the war effort was a rag-tag collection of non-mongrels; dim-witted oxen pulling heavy carts of munitions, shifty weasels serving as field scouts, and a legion of horses carrying the military leaders themselves. The Wolf King himself rode upon a sleek ivory horse, commandeering from atop his high seating. The odd lineup and extra equipment made the transit slow, their travel taking well past the midnight hour. Despite this, the troops remained in good spirits; howling in the moment and crooning beneath a spotlight moon. They worried not about being heard, their trashing and trampling heard from several kilometers away.

At some point, a harrowing display of lights was seen in the distance.

"What is it, Master?" some of the smaller and younger mongrels asked in panic. "What is happening?"

Gevaudan calmly studied the scene. "It is a way to scare us."

Lights set up on poles were placed high up in the trees, illuminating the hospital and its surrounding campus, as if a grand event were being put on exhibition.

The lower mongrels squinted and blinked, stopping in their procession to look away and adjust to the change in shadows.

Gevaudan grabbed the nearest mongrel soldier. "Take the weasels, and put out those perimeter lights!"

Further away, at the Science Center, a couple of Human Protection factions gathered at the hilltop and awaited the incoming mongrel army. All of the scientists and students had already evacuated, but a fair amount of equipment was still left behind.

Among the HP officers was a man in tan and brown fatigues named Captain Samuel. The young but promising HPU leader sighed. He stood with the heel of his boot atop a large, dusty boulder. At the same time, he scanned the surrounding area in full flexion, his Captain's armband on full display. He rolled a thumb and adjusted the settings on his multiplex. Behind the device he frowned, watching the canine movements in the distance. Instinctively, he felt for the gun at his hip.

"They're almost to the perimeter, Sir," the lower ranking officer next to him said. "Less than 15 minutes away."

"Is everyone in position?" the Captain asked.

"Yes, Sir," the junior officer replied. "What're the plans with the boy, with Alessandro?"

Samuel stopped his survey and dropped the multiplex from his eyes. A wave of his dark ash hair fluttered as he exposed his boyish face to the wind. "He says that he wants to meet with the mongrel leader alone."

Silence, as the two Human Protection officers contemplated their thoughts on the matter.

"You question our involvement in this?" the Captain asked. He flipped an eyebrow as he eyed the other officer.

"Reasoning with animals is insane," the subordinate said. "I know we're obligated to help, but this mission endangers all of us. It's reckless."

"Nobody knows what will happen for sure," Samuel replied. He returned to his scouting. "We have to be ready for anything. It's possible the monster emerges and tries to take over at any time. Then we'll all be in danger."

"What's the Unit's directive in all of this?"

"For now, it's to support the boy's mission. We'll start with negotiation, try to avoid any unnecessary loss of life, but I am not holding my breath on anything."