《Fang And A Claw》


 Blood In the Alley: Prolog

    Rand hated this part of the night, just a few hours before dawn, nothing ever happened at this time...well, as far as they were concerned. Criminal was always there, but as far as he was concerned if it wasn''t in his territory and concerned their kin, not his problem. Humans always had 911, not like they would risk themselves for his hide. Sure, it was funny on occasion to tank nine mil bullet and half transform sending dumbass packing. But Corpses haven''t made a move since the Truce signing before he was a cub, and especially now there was nothing to do but waste gas while patrolling, most of them were in their little bunkers already. Why risk the sun finding you a bit far away from your hidey hole? In slight frustration, he made a claw from out of his forefinger and made a short incision in the aluminum of the truck on the outside. Bowen will be pissed, but he was always pissed anyway. He felt a soft hand on his shoulder, Dona his scout tapped twice. "Stop the car." Ian the youngest and most inexperienced member of their pack looked at him confused. "Why?" Instead of answering he just pressed the brake himself and with expert precision poked a hole in Ian''s Airbag with his already extended claw so the teen''s forehead slammed against the wheel. They were cruising rather slowly so it would be maybe mild concussion even for Humans, for Ian it was just a slightly harder bump. He got way harder in the boot camp, what was truly scary was a near-inhuman growl next to his ear. "I say stop, you stop. This is a last warning, next time I''ll consider it a challenge, Understood?" The boy was on the verge of panic, Rand heard his heartbeat thumping as the broken stopwatch, then moved away "Keep the motor running and stay inside." He slid out together with four others, he smelled reproach in Anders even before he saw him. They stared at each other, 99% of even other Alphas would wilt under Rand''s stare but Anders and he grew up together, they had kid''s fights, teen fights, and adult fights. Anders always lost but never without giving at least two-thirds he got. He was Rand''s best friend and possibly the only person from their generation who had no fear of him.


    Rather than fighting a losing fight he looked at Dona she made a few signs and pointed at one of two dark alleys. The fact she couldn''t speak Rand was carrying a personal failure for a few years now. She took a full shotgun blast loaded with silver pellets from Hunters. They barely saved her life but until then silver had done its job, too many pellets to retrieve in time and save her life. Her vocal cords will never grow back. That was his first action as an Alpha, and while it was deemed a success by a council, it was not by him. He was offered a replacement, instead, he forced all of his squad to take sign classes with her. Part of it was guilt sure, but Dona was also one of the best Scouts of their generation, talking or not.


    He nodded at her. "Usual pattern." That meant he and Anders taking the point, on the left and right side of the alley, Gar, now technically third in command hugging the wall behind Rand and Dona behind, If both leaders fall without the possibility of assistance, retreat with Dona to the car and inform emergency. It did not sit well with Gar. But facing pissed off Rand if he survive sat even less well. And it happened so many times both sides had a name for him. Not that any of the Wolfs would dare to say it to his face, and even Corpses were hesitant. Except their elite Fenris take them all, Packs called him ''Immortal" and Corpses called him "Covenkiller". Both names needed little in the way of explanation. One, he wouldn''t die. Two, he slaughtered a number of rogue Covens. The truce was not overly popular on either side. It took a good 50 feet until Rand decoupled the smell of trash, urine, and animal blood from what Dona did. He did not turn but placed a hand behind his back and signed commendations. Voiceless Scout took it in stride. Tang of human blood and flesh was now overwhelming to all of them. Soon they reached the corpse. It was... messy. he was ripped by claws like one of them did it, but it was also bereft of blood.


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    "What the fu.." Rand started. "One of your dogies went bad it appears." sounded a voice from above. Rand looked up and saw a group of people in black tactical gear. Hanging or standing in Humanly impossible positions. Their counterparts "Reapers" Corpse rapid response...Well, in their presence diplomatically would be Vampire Rapid Response Unit. Rand ignored half a dozen red dots on his face, in part because he felt no real threat and in part because he smelled transformation behind Anders. Both Gar and Dona were now in their War Formes, they hung back but if one gun clacks wrongly there will be a bloodbath. Rand bet on his side, even with heavy casualties. Still, he remained calm despite the beast inside howling for relief. Instead, he called up "Anasthasia get the fuck down before this gets out of control." Lights flickered for a while more before five figures clad in black detached and like some odd acrobats landed around him, all wearing the masks, finally the sixth figure descended landing right in front of him but baiting no reaction. She wore no mask and dark red hair curled around her chiseled aristocratic face. She was no doubt beautiful but not in the way mortals were beautiful. More like a statue chiseled from marble with all imperfections sanded off, leaving milk-white perfection with obsidian eyes.  "Anasthasia." Rand just repeated, his tone interested like he is greeting a gnat. "Covenkiller." She responded with a vaguely Eastern European accent. That baited smile from him "Just rogue covens, if it would be different Ecclesiarchy would end the truce before I pissed on the first skull, and I don''t want to be bad for The Truce, same as you. Wasn''t I commended twice by your own order for maintaining the peace?" She did not respond to that rather changing the subject to "Old news is old, what are you doing on our crime scene?" Rand showed his prolonged canines as he grinned "Your crime scene? You should recalibrate your equipment." She snarled back shoving her fangs "Our equipment is leagues better than what you mutts can wire together." He chuckled "Let''s check then, Gar." Gar approached back in his Human form and drew out of his backpack a slightly modified GPS. Anasthasia almost growled "Dimitry" One of the masked men pulled out another gadget, seemingly more high tech drawing a slight smile of triumph on his leader''s lips.


    Not to last since after a few minutes two techies looked at each other and closed to confirm results without requesting their boss''s approval drawing double dirty looks. But once when they separated, they kinda stood in silence for a few minutes in front of their respective bosses in silence. Before Rand exploded "Just fucking speak, we have like an hour before these fucks melt!!!" Two tech guys look at each other "Due to differences in equipment it is hard to be 100% precise. But after consultation..." Dimitry takes over "Differences are strictly academic, due awkward angle body is placed well above 90% on delineation line." Gar continues "Which is to say it is irrelevant whose equipment is better since it will decide whether will we cut his left foot above or below the ankle." Dimitry again interrupts "While for us means will we cut below or above the temple." Two techs look at each other and shrug "In any case most of the body does not belong to either of us. We need to call the Elders." Neither Rand nor Anasthasia was too happy and both techs run tests a few more times, uselessly. Before both sides retreated to inform their bosses.

 1. Sleeping With The Enemy

    Rand was...unhappy. The only balm was that Corpses were even more so. After calls were made. Orders were to bunk in the same safe place and since Corpses basically went catatonic as soon sun came up, they got 6 more Human reinforcements to keep them safe. Those persons were what Wolves called "Ticks" Parasites that had already fallen under the influence of Corpses. Just waiting for approval to "bloom" into a much larger threat. But effing Elders had them hunker down with Vamps and Ticks with the body stored in the large ice box. So it can be looked at again in the first joint meeting of two sides in around 30 years since The Truce. Simple enough yeah? Just wait until next sundown. Unfortunately, Ticks were way more hated than Vamps themself. He glanced at each of them, armed for close quarters with the best of the best. Three were carrying unbelievably compact pump shotguns, shorter than most sawed-off with the exception of double-barrel guns but while guns most commonly used birdshot to ease the kick only one hand has to withstand, standard #4 being the most common and rather effective However, these compact pumps were meant to be used with both hands hence they used a variety of buckshot that even larger sawed-off could handle with the benefit of 4-5 bullets, he even saw more musclebound Ticks and Vamps even use even #000 Buck, which was serious firepower even for someone in War Form to get shredded with. As soon as they hit the market they basically overnight replaced sawed-off as the weapon of choice for room clearing, room clearing denial, and alley fights. Wolfs did not use them since in close quarters even the Hybrid form was seen as equal...it wasn''t, Rand knew it on an intellectual level but no Son of the Mother regardless of the tribe would risk the pride of their pack, or hell, even just their own. Not that they went unarmed, but they fell back to throwing implements. There were several throwing axes that were specialized to such a level that when flung even in human form packed serious punches while sometimes even outranging effective distance. They were scary in the hands of a pro. Once they were called in with one more pack to provide help to pinned down half pack, caught in an ambush by Hunters. Vaticaners by the garb. He saw Russ, the beta of the second pack throw a three-sided axe that when thrown properly was effectively flying a circular blade. He threw it in War Form. The distance was between 40 and 50 feet he struck the reinforced door of a half-truck that bisected both Hunters inside at the waist level and still had enough power to punch into the second door with enough force for one blade to get through, it was lodged so deeply that I the end they just took the entire half truck to chopshop. The memory brought a wistful smile to Rand''s face, Anders looked at him with a raised eyebrow and returned to reality he just apologetically shrugged at his friend. Continuing to take stock of the Ticks.


    Further two were armed with SMGs one of MP5 variants, he wasn''t a first-rate expert but he believed to be an MP510A3 10mm, a decent choice if you expected for the fight to last a bit longer since it was able to conserve ammo a bit better than some contemporaries, but speaking of ammo, there was the obvious leader of the group. And as any Tick leader, this one liked to flaunt it through different kits. I was not an expert on SMGs or most rifles but I always had a soft spot for shotguns and this S.O.B. came packing. Magazine-fed Armscore VR80 definitely not the most expensive mag-fed shotgun but compared to all others in the room, one could bag a basic without any gadgets for about 600 bucks. But compared to others this one was Semi-Auto and eyewatering 19 rounds magasine. A sane person would likely Take the 9-round version, but like I said...Tick leaders. But ridiculous or not with it being semi-automatic, the ridiculous amount of shells, by virtue of the longest barrel being the hardest puncher in the room by a good mile. He wasn''t such an idiot that he did not realize the length of it was a liability, keeping on the far side of the room to neutralize it as much as possible. I also had to consider that he did not become the leader for no reason, he was likely good enough that his masters thought allowing him this eccentricity was no liability. It goes without saying that all of them were packing silver in their shells and bullets, the entire room reeked of it. All had Glock as their sidearm although not the same, be it by preference, length of service, or whatever else there were three of them. Most (three) carried Standard G47MOS with already mounted sights, 5th gen all. While it was seen as the golden 9 mil standard by many, it was restricted to only law enforcement use, although many people worked for that to be changed for a while, Vamps never had an issue with that, regularly getting new generation batches as they came out for ages now. This was no surprise, it wouldn''t be if all three Ticks were Cops in regular life. Two were peculiar for carrying 5th gen of Glock G19, G19 was a staple as is G47 but was mostly considered for concealed carry. The leader, naturally, had to stand out with only 10 mils in the group G20. As protection, they show at the same time how Corpses wanted the best, but to keep the sense of prestige for themselves while all Ticks wore the best law enforcement armor by NIJ scale Type 4, Corpses themself wore military-grade armor. All but Anasthasia wore ESAPI - REV. J, she had tricked out XSAPI - REV. C, I guess mostly as the status symbol. All of the Ticks lacked melee weapons, mostly because they likely saw it as superfluous at this assignment. The idea that any of them would stand the chance in melee against just one of us was too silly to think about.


    Only several sects of Hunters still clung to melee weapons against us or Corpses, religious zealots like Vaticaners, or Melle practitioners like Three Claw Dragons, or even a mix of the two as good old Order of St George. But even then, after they spent all the ranged options. I looked at corpses, all of them were in torpor already meaning morning was well and truly upon us. I stretched allowing my bones to crack drawing the mouth of at least two shotguns and one SMG toward me. All of us ignored it, I saw despite balaclavas and lowered visors on their helms how irritated they were by it. With our complete disregard for the supposed threat they presented, they drank Corpse Cool Aid for too long hoping for the "ascension". In their view while their masters were always sharp as razors, we had to change first to be anything more than baseline Humans like them. I allowed them their little fantasies and nervous ticks, this would be a long nerve-wracking day for them while it would be just long and boring for us. I approached others Gar and Ian played bones, and Dona was on her phone and playing chess. Anders made a claw on his pinkie and cleaned imaginary dirt under other fingers, meaning mostly killing time. He looked at me "And?" I shrugged and leaned next to him "Same as always. The best money can buy, but slightly less prestigious than the thing Corpses are packing." "Threat level?" I grunted, my eyes swiftly going over Dona and Ian "I''d love to say "Zero", but you know how it is." He shifted pinkie back, "Yeah, Shit can always happen, let''s settle on "Threat Level: One", it''s giving them too much credit but I doubt on debriefing they would appreciate giving them fractions. You noticed Big Mans guns?" "Yeah, there is one bright spot though." Anders raises an eyebrow "If he starts any shit he''ll regret the choice of the mag when they have to pull it out his ass." We both chuckled getting the attention of everyone in the room. Anders waved our guys "carry on" and also completely ghosted Ticks.


    We kept our voices down but not by too much considering we used War Cant, It takes several years in Boot Camp to become proficient in it even for one of us. Ian still had issues grasping all. Ian. I was rough on the boy outside, too get used to Bodkin. Good, reliable, silent Bodkin. It''s been nearly a year since we lost him and it still was like an open wound. Losing a packmate is not something it''s easy to explain to outsiders, it''s not just grief, although there is that too. But there is more, like you lost a body part or a sensory organ Bodkin was a piece of my brain I''ll always lack. Wisdom, patience, inexplainable sense of self, and your place in the world. And when we lost him it was like all of that vanished in an instant. Not only to me, it felt like a collective thing. We chased his murderers with tenacity and disregard for secrecy that borderline crossed most of our secrecy tenants and when giving the account to the Council later, I couldn''t 100% honestly say that we did not slip up at least once. After all, we hunted them from 26 Avenue in Astoria, somewhere close to Core Mechanical to Astoria Ferry, where they made the mistake of thinking they lost us there and did not bother to at least cross to Upper East End, it would make the things so much more complicated. But they were on the river and lost sight of us and assumed they just had to put enough distance. And if Bodkin was alive they would likely be right, physically was one of the easier stretches but we cut so close to being exposed there since we shifted between Human and Wolf form at least 10 times since they jumped on the ferry in Astoria and 11th Street basin where they had a van stashed. There was the closest we came to losing them, we lost the bloody scent and by the time we got it again damn van was already hitting 495 and they gunned the damn thing down and by miracle or, more likely, bribes to clog some other part they had nearly free reign all the way to St. Teresa in which they slipped, basically confirming they were Vaticaners. But following them was hell in more ways than one. The van looked like Socer''s mom''s vehicle but they souped the damn thing up and blasted between 80-100 mph, pack managed to get to roofs and jump across buildings in Wolf form. Hard damn run, combined with jumps. It was a nightmare. Gar slipped once and managed to claw his way back only because Rand was big enough to grab him with teeth for skin behind his neck like he would pup and draw up, Rand himself DID fall but the winding fire escape caught him two floors lower. Someone probably wondered about large indentation tomorrow. He wouldn''t be surprised about seeing in 911 reports someone mentioned roof-jumping wolves. He hoped no one would end up in the loonie bin because of them. They had to shift when they entered Sunnyside. Rand already thought to tell Gar to hotwire the car. They were good but their stamina was not inexhaustible. When they noticed the van getting off the 495. Just in time, they stayed in the shadow of the roofs until they saw 6 shooters enter the church.


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    Attacking church directly, until then was something unthinkable, unfortunately for them, the person who cared about thinking was dead likely picked up by the cleaning crew. He hoped Bodkins''s body was in the Tribe den and taken care of by now it seemed hours by now, but his phone insisted it was around half an hour ago, and the map insisted it was around 5 miles away. 5 miles of running trying to stay hidden while throwing caution to the wind at every opportunity. Now They stood on the roof overlooking the church. Bodkin would say to wait until the enemy exits, they don''t live there, and even if they did some would need to go to get supplies, also they should watch for the back exits too, if the church is just a misdirection. But without him, all remaining 4 were off the roof within seconds. From Rand''s direct jump and shifting into Hybrid mid-air just to use increased agility and coordination to fall into roll stopping scant several feet before rolling out of the alley. To slowest Anders who found a fire escape and parkour down the building in human form. All of their collective shock to their system charged the air, They moved out of the alley as one being, like insects led by a hive mind. Doubtful as a legal defense, they stopped to let the car pass, there was very little traffic. It was past 1 A.M. but the lack of people that basically killed their stamina on the 495 was helping them now.


    Gar looked at the building across "It looks impressive." I remember at the time being irrationally angry at the moment, like not wanting to give props even to the building that would inevitably sustain the damage in their attack, but now a year removed it was impressive. Architecture exuded power with a lot of statues that were intimate peeking from the bushes. The dichotomy of the institution itself. Dona was catholic and since her...accident. we rotated taking her to the church close to our den to be her mouth. The priest there was this old, tiny man with a perpetual look of worry on his face, Before long, we all called him "Uncle" and I believed from time to time each one of us went there to vent to him about the world and he got the honorary title of "the Kin of the People" Six shamans from six remaining tribes performed the ceremony. Took a pretty penny to get some from the other side of the pond. runes were etched. His small church became a real haven for those running from evil. In his mid-60s he was noticed by his superiors and was to become Bishop, but he refused. He is still called Uncle and loved by all the people his word reaches I was about to think some more about it after I pulp the doors catch the hunters and paint the pulpit and old seats in gore, what kind of people serve in places that are regularly visited by basically serial killers and not only don''t condemn them but bless and absolve them for the work well done.


    They were about to cross the street toward the stairs when Dona hissed, about the only vocalization she could produce, and pointed to the right into the parking of the church. The area was large and had two doors coming from the church but all lights were off, and due to relatively weak illumination, coming only from inside the buildings many would miss several figures coming from the further door, obviously wanting to go down the approach coming from 45th street. Four were out three men and a girl and waiting for two more. They seemed in high spirits, the same as we did after every successful action. They changed their Hunter garb for casual apparel and chatted, the last pair finally joined them. After a few friendly jibes about "slowpoke", spirits were high. If I did not have their scent etched in my mind I would refuse to believe they just gunned someone down would maybe lose the chance and they would definitely notice us which would lead to another chase. Or worse, they retreat into the church again.


    Like this, it was over within 6-7 seconds. When Dona noticed them instead of beelining for them we ran to the church and parkour to the top from the main entrance to the roof, It would be seen as an achievement since it took us like five seconds, most people couldn''t sprint that distance in five seconds so we would;l be discovered like a fake parkour enthusiast. Which we were, all of us used both foot and hand claws. Wall gave way under them as butter, on the roof shift to wolf and sprint to the part above four large AC fans, if they did not work plan would be screwed, but they worked with some claw scraping we used two corners to lower ourselves directly above them above them. And with sign language, I conveyed the most rudimentary plan quickly. Mostly because I heard the last two coming a good minute before their friends, once they were out I looked at others and got three synchronized nods. We shifted to War Forms, If there were cameras and this was Hunter HQ they would hide them, if they weren''t HQ but just provided them spiritual service they would hide them until further notice. I counted down on my fingers, full-length claws eating light as they went down like small scythes. Three...two...we descended on them at the same time. Dona, the thinnest of us, just basically rolled off the roof falling in the space between them, and cut off escape back into the church. At the same time, she grabbed the closest one of them, which happened to be a female "slopoke" dragging her closer and snapping her neck in one efficient move. Anders and I did a move we damn nearly perfected. We flew through the air even showing off a bit before we fell into the center of four, one swipe each, and four heads dropped on the ground. The real problem was not getting blood on the fur. I went high he went low, I jumped as far up as I was able retreating my legs back to kick again and propel myself to the side against the wind and rolled away as I hit the ground. Soon joined by Anders who banked on the speed jumped between two corpses and began rolling away as fast and far as he was able. We watched in silence as fist droplets of blood rain fell to the ground. Four bodies just now figuring something is wrong and beginning to twitch as their knees buckled under them. Male "slowpoke" just turned back and fro in disbelief looking at towering figures around him and then at what we assumed once was his girlfriend or wife. Before beginning the sprint toward 45th he turned toward us from time to time to check did we were chasing him. Just as he vanished I heard flesh strike on flesh and then the body struggling to breathe as being dragged away. We all felt the loss of Bodkin, we all felt it as part of us had been lost, But only two persons felt that loss exactly the same as any person on the earth.


    Dona, Bodkin''s fiance, and Gar, Bodkin''s younger brother.


    When we returned to the den and I gave my full report I expected to lose my head then and there. Not only Elders did not come on me for anything, but they apologized to me for not having anyone experienced, or even half-pack to fill our loss currently but suggested that we take a few days off and maybe check new graduation classes and see where there is someone that catches our eye. I followed Elder Ulla and asked what just happened. She was half blind from age but that sharpened their other senses that she was sometimes called Spider Queen. Instead of losing 2 eyes, it seemed she grew 6. She expertly fixed two cups of Irish coffee, extra strong, and pushed the cup toward me "What happened is that you finally became full Alpha. One might be voted, or fight his or her way to position, but one will never be truly recognized as one by us until they lose a man." She took a deep sip "How a leader deals with that finally decides will we accept them as one of the Alphas. Each situation is different as is the solution and we came to the conclusion you did the best you could with what you had. Sure, you took unnecessary risks, and depending on the fallout from that, there may be consequences. But not now. None would dare. We all lost a packmate, many packmates actually. This is a time for grieving. You will find the body of your man in the Hall of the Roots. You are to lead the Rite of Sendoff tonight." I choked on the drink "Me?" Her laughter was rusty and old. "Didn''t I say you are REAL Alpha now? Due to the process of grieving, we will take it easy on you but there is much to get used to, That being said you are expected to attend Little Council every night and Whitness Great Council meeting once a week." The weight started to settle on my shoulders. Now a year later I was still haunted by it all I glanced at Ian and Gar. Gar returned a few hours before the morning with the body of the last hunter being found next to others splayed on the fence in Blood Eagle position. Gar was mostly a goof, but he did have a darker side I did not want to think about. Ian, I picked up with Anders a week later. On paper, he was everything Bodkin was not, mostly because I didn''t want others to think I was trying just to find Bodkin No.2 but he had a personality that was hard to hate. And already everyone warmed up to the kid even usually reserved Dona. If asked, others would most likely say I was the only holdout. Something to think about and act on...soon.


    I sighed and crouched looking past Ticks toward the figures lying in torpor. Now all of them removed their masks, marble-white faces with high patrician cheeks. They looked like tombs to some knights I saw in Europe, hell for all I knew some were. They were their best, recruiting from already renowned warriors would be a simple choice. Second only to their age. I doubted either of them was younger than 300. They had no smell unless they used perfumes, they made no sounds unless they chose to, and they were worthy opponents by all counts. Still, they were abominations that broke the cycle willingly, and for that I hated them. My view got obstructed, Leader of Ticks noticed my "undue" attention and blocked my view. I stood up and turned my back to him.

 2. The Puzzle

    I was laying on one of the bunk beds and showing off against Anders who lay in the bunk next to me. We somewhere found that child''s toy ball that needed just a little force to bounce like crazy. Children likely had a blast with them, and some black eyes, two highest ranking members of our striking team would put them to shame as unprofessionalism goes. The goal was to throw a ball and catch it before it hit the ground while it bounced off as many surfaces before that. And as added difficulty one had to catch the ball before it landed. Damn Anders found the weird angle of his bunk that was damaged some time prior and got him 4 bounces there alone, 12 in total. While I languished at 10. I turned the small ball in my hand, nearly resigned I''d lose when Ian moved and stood in front of the Tick that moved toward my bunk. I checked the time, sundown was in some 15 minutes, and their masters would wake up soon. And this wannabe thought he could just walk up to me or Anders and inform us about this. Not even their leader, One of the short pump action shotgun ones. I glanced at Anders. He gave me a small shake of the head. And I tended to agree, that killing Ticks would be counterproductive, but allowing them to think they are our equals was the same. I placed the ball next to me and observed. Tick aggressively armed his shotgun and then in shock took a step back. Ian did nothing, but almost out of the shadows, Gar and Dona appeared behind him on the left and right. I did not have to look closely, their special ops clothes barely contained them. Both were taller than Ian, and when I glanced at their hands I saw claws. They were in a Hybrid state. Ian had to do nothing, two of them were all the muscle he needed.


    Finally, Tick''s boss moved forward, and the air of arrogance was almost visible. I eyed Anders and he sighed leaving his bunk mothing to me "I won" I crumpled 50$ and threw it his way, expertly he caught it winking at my middle finger salute. Anders placed the hand on Ian''s shoulder and the youth retreated. Tick Leader said something, but I couldn''t exactly hear it over the sound of broken bone and teeth, Anders decided to dispel the myth that unless we shifted, we were just human and gave him a nice backslap special. Not too diplomatic as all others pointed weapons at us. Leader mumbled something through his ruined mouth. And then his head vanished, Anasthasia holding it in her hand while, I sighed again, NOW I had to get involved.


    Anders moved back making the space, and I faced my opposite. Surprisingly she bowed "My apologies for the offence this prospect caused you." I shrugged "His broken jaw and lack of teeth made me unable to understand him" Anders chimed in helpfully "He called your mother whore that mates with animals." "Then he died too quickly." Anders simply said, "If he called my mother that, yeah, he did." I turned and looked, Anders over my shoulder. He was both my number two and my best friend because he knew my limits, and now he has realized he was just on the line. He lowered his head and took two steps back. "Sorry, boss." I turned my head back toward Anasthasia "I assume you will call your specialist." She wiped the last of the blood from her face and nodded "And I assume you will call yours." "Nope." One of her eyebrows raised slightly I gave a half shrug "I don''t think this was done by a Vampire." "How magnanimous of you...care to share your thought process?" "Guy is torn like a chicken by particularly hungry Teen. Your claws are not strong enough to do that to a grown adult male." "But your''s are?" I looked at her leaving unsaid part of her sentence and grinned "And then some." I turned to return to my bunk. Before I managed to lie down there was another question "So you admit this is a Warewolf attack"


    Now there is a difference in time for how long it takes to take a War Form, the record was a second, I say "was" because now is 0.25 seconds, held by me. In short by the time I held her neck her some 10 feet off the ground giving her enhanced vision really good look into razor sharp points of my teeth, especially 2.5 inches of my canines. I spoke old tongue under the really annoying lights of firearms. Anders cleared his throat "He asked what was your derogatory term for him?" There was a pause before what I assume was the second in command answered "Covenkiller" I growled again Anders smoothly translated "Are you a coven, or slightly short of members?" "We are elite..." This time Anders didn''t even wait for my response "So, not a Coven. We''ll kill all of you, Ticks included before he takes a first volley because as "Elite" dumbasses you forgot there are four more of us and pointed all guns at him. You would be dead before the first volley went off." I transferred back, and, for what it mattered placed her gently on the ground. "I don''t often extend Olive branches to Corpses, no I don''t think it''s one of you, and I suggest you keep your guesses to your specialist. Or he''ll work overtime. We clear?" Her eyes were daggers "Crystal." "Perfect" I finally rested on my bunk and heard Anders lay on his. "You are butt naked." "It happens when baby grows 4'' under a second." "So you are O.K. with it?" "Why? You happen to have clothes of my size stashed somewhere?" "No" "Well then I guess this is something we''ll have to learn to live with."


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    Their Specialist happened to look the part, a man in his 50s with a large black bag and another smaller one, he had a short talk with a few of the Ticks and they vanished for a few minutes just to return with a foldable surgical table and some lights. He looks at both sides "So...the body?" Under the circumstances, I couldn''t but admire how calm he was. He had to know he was in the middle of a brewing shitstorm and his pulse wasn''t elected for a beat. In 15 minutes he had his setup and remains on the table large bag had various instruments, some I knew, some I did not, and was oddly comforted by it. I had an odd suspicion that this "Specialist" did not work only on corpses. The small bag contained his pristine white cloak, mask, and all other stuff one would expect Doctor to have. Anyway, his examination lasted unusually long and was usually gruesome. Just I and Anastasia watched from beginning to end, by the confused crease on his forehead specialist got about 20 minutes in I assumed that was the reason for a further 40 minutes. Finally, crease still visible he removed his gloves, then mask, and waved both of us closer, I was slightly surprised I was included, not only because I was still butt naked, but because he had to know I was from the...shall we say: enemy camp. "This is unusual." He started without a preamble, voice pleasant tenor with an upper-class accent. "At first I thought it would be an open and shut case, due to this he pointed at two marks", he did not have to say what they were, I had one too. "Claw marks, too big and brutal to belong to a Vampire, the mark of the Human subculture of Canis Canis." This was the first time I heard us described so officially and almost smirked "But then I found this" he pointed deeper and adjusted lights so we could see deeper into the body cavity. "Missing liver? What is so unusual? Rogue Wolves are rogue because they turn to cannibalism." Asked Anasthasia glancing at me with two pieces of ice she had instead of eyes "My... colleague can concur that." I slowly nodded "But that is not what he is showing, He''s found teeth marks that don''t fit" She frowned and looked better "Naked mister have good eyes." I had to give it to him, his manners were impeccable "If I did not wear a magnifier I''d miss them myself" he pointed with a laser pointer, "My assumption would be that the creature fed directly from the cavity and this was the last bite" "And they are too small to belong to Wolves." Ended Anasthasia. "Not just that, Doctor added, they have no appreciable canines at all. All teeth are perfectly the same size, all perfectly serrated If I did not know better I''d compare it to a small shark" "Any other clues." "Not the one I can find here." I added "Any hypothesis?" He looked me for the first time in the eyes, they were brown but lacked any feeling. This guy was a psychopath, through and through "No. Analysis so far discards any Human Subspecies I encountered. Most certainly any active in the New York area." "Because we hunted most of them to extinction," I added in my mind. "We will need to examine this more thoroughly in a real lab." I noticed Anasthasia furrowed her nose, but this time even I had to rub my brow in frustration, before calling back "Anders, go out and call the tribe, tell them to arrange a specialist, clothes for me, and prepare a meeting of the High Table." "What?" his tone was almost incredulous as my demands. Last High Table convened when the Truce was established "I''m afraid we''ll have to stay with our..."I glanced at Anesthesia "...colleagues for a little more."

 3. High Table

    High Table. So long it has been just a name, that for many active Wolves was something like a World War. The great thing that happens once in every blue moon and you should be honored it happened in your time, so once you are pulled back from active duty you''ll be able to tell pups in your class in a nonchalant tone like it was nothing special. But it was as special as it can be. For Rand at the moment was special pain in the ass. It was one of those times when your own success bites you in the ass. There were 847 Warpacks in The Big Apple and in theory, their Alphas were equals. In practice though your number designated your pecking order. And while, as the beasts that slept within them, they did not bend out of shape when some particularly dumb rituals weren''t followed. For example: Everyone has to wait standing until the highest ranking member attending arrives, and takes their seat. That "rule" was never followed. At times when someone particularly important was coming the group would stand up as a sign of respect but their buts were in their seats before whoever came finished telling them to take a seat. But there were always examples, the Alpha of the First Pack was always one to lead joint operations. Usually, it was not a big deal, three to four packs. Thirty people tops and three other Alphas to coordinate and they usually knew their crews. Easy way for some cooperation practice, Rand never minded it since he took the reins of the First Pack. But as they say, there is a first time for everything. High...Fucking...Table. Triumvrat, Eclesiarhy, and Primodials in one room. Or to be less formal leadership of Werewolves, Vampires, and the Pures will be in the same room at once for the first time since The Truce 30 and something years ago. Sure there were personal visits, but the one that particularly rankled Rand was the...friendship, between his Thane Zolt¨¢n Varga and High Count Tibot Szabo, his equivalent in Corpses. It likely stemmed from the fact they were both from the same Country...Hungary, but not only that they shared the taste in books, music, chess, and even movies. A few times he was an attendant to their meetings since his tutor was part of their security detail. He felt they would rather be alone but, even this was a huge accommodation for their leaders. Just one bodyguard and attendant each.


    He knew it rankled him mostly because of differences in their nature. While neither of the three groups was really Human, Wolves by the laws of nature were closest. Born normal way, grew up until 16 as any normal kid, then The First Change after that all that was considered abnormal came, they were immune to disease, barely affected by normal weaponry, decapitation could do them in if you were sort able to do it. At what they called Long Peak from 25 to 45 in War Form they were nearly unstoppable. Limbs would regenerate, the same as organs, few things in the world came close to them in speed, strength, endurance, or any other physical feat. Also while they had no Noble Prize winners, they had near-supernatural animal cunning. They were simply engines of destruction, even that fable about silver being a superweapon was just that, a Fable. Silver was poisonous to them as thousands of other compounds were to others. As medicine progressed it was nowhere near the death sentence. Ironically silver bullet in the heart had a kernel of truth but for the wrong reason. Blood, blood, and nerves were targeted by silver, and the heart basically being the largest blood pump was an awesome delivery system, in War Form especially, roughly the size of 4 hearts of the same person resting, so once hit in it in several seconds it could pump the enormous amount of that poison through the body. But on the other way, that''s how Anders saved Rands''s life. During one particularly nasty fight with a rogue Coven. Rand was shot through the wall with a silver .387 round. Wall slowed it down just enough so it couldn''t go through the body but got stuck in the lower left chamber of the heart he opened his mouth to give his likely last commands when something punched through his chest with such power that shot from one of the most powerful revolvers seemed like comparison between being playfully punched by your 10-year-old cousin and being struck by a jackhammer. His last sight as he slumped was Dona''s terrified face and his heart in Anderse''s hand. When he came too they were in their car, Bodkin, still among the living at the time was gunning the car so hard that the sound of the engine almost sounded like a screaming animal. But the main attraction was happening in the back seat as always. Dona was a bit gentler than Anders, but by the look of him not by much. His chest was sawed open and kept like that By several regular screws from Bodkin''s toolkit, screwed directly into several of his ribs. He was keeping in the War Form by what power of will Rand had no idea because Anders was losing consciousness every 5-10 seconds and then waking up and growling incoherently. Dona conected me to his heart and now he was beating for both of us, the heart was strong enough to do it physically but there was only so much blood to go around since I was in Human form I was getting the better part of the deal. His blood pressure was dangerously low. I nudged Dona and signed, she thought for a while. Then signed back something dangerously close "Fuck if I know, but if you think you could do it, it would raise both your chances" She wiped the sweat from her brow leaving a long blood streak on the visible part of her face. I saw her bag was almost empty but she pulled what she had and knelt near to me. See at times like this immunity to disease comes in handy. I took a deep breath and prepped myself mentally. Everyone counts how fast you can shift into the War Form, since it''s both cool and useful, changing just to Wolf was just useful so I had no one to time it and no record to break but I still practiced it religiously, and after this, if anything I doubled reps. I closed my eyes and began as quickly as I could keeping my breath because I knew smell will be what would distract me most and feeling Dona poking and prodding inside me. in the end, I exhaled, and the breath I took almost made me weep at how rancid it was. Unwillingly whine came out, and a hand came to my shoulder and grabbed a handful of hair actually petting me I opened my eyes and closed them quickly unaccustomed to sudden new light wavelengths. A few seconds later I tried again and looked around barely moving my head. Dona sat with her head on my shoulder and the other on Anderse''s. He already looked better, doing his best to stay in a state of mind of staying in War Form randomly cursing this and that. Bodkin glanced at the mirror "Hold on you two, Gar already called in." Gar turned toward us "Yeah the room is ready, you''ll still live to see the Heath death of the Universe. Good, I''m not ready to be number two." I buzzed in something that for Wolves passing for laughter. Inside the car was so torn and splashed with blood that we''ll have to incinerate it, I already gotten used to senses and smelled that even three others didn''t remain unscathed, and as a cherry on shit Sunday there was an 8-and-a-half tall Werewolf with sawed-through chest bones and wound kept open with several industrial screws tightened to his ribs, medical tubes mixed with ducktape and god know what else pushed blood from his heart to the opposite side where it pumped blood into a Wolf maybe for an inch smaller than extinct Dire Wolves and tubes went back returning blood and there was still wise ass cracking jokes.


    Those were the Wolves on the Long Peek we were mostly in our 30s, I was the oldest at 35, Anders right behind me, also 35 but a few months younger, Gar and Dona were at 34, and at the tail end young Kai with 19. I knew I was raiding him hard from time to time and occasional dumb questions aside he never let me down. But we might have 10 more peak years that inevitably follow the Short Decline. In those 5 years is like all years catch up with us. It says the first time Wolf knows it''s time to think about deactivation is the first time he gets a common cold. All those immunities fail one by one. There are several routes, most common for a member of a Warpack at 50 is to take a Golden Quest. Basically suicidal mission against the enemy where they perish 95% of the time but 5% are so mean bastards that even death doesn''t take them. They are deactivated and actually retire. We might not be movers and shakers like the Corpses or the Pure but we DO have some influence. Actual legal papers are made and the member is out. Free to look at his children and grandchildren in relative comfort. Those who just can''t let go remain active until 55 when they are deemed liability and removed from field work but remain active. Administrative work is one side and is taken usually by Spookpacks and Digitalwolves. Remains, roughly 50% Warpacks, 30% Spookpacks, and 20% Digiwolves become teachers of the new generation. By that time a little except lifetime experience and practical wisdom is left of their Wolf side. Most at that time start losing the ability to shift. The oldest one able to go into Hybid and Wolf form is Thane himself, Zolt¨¢n Varga. It''s theorized he might have one more shot but he just never took it. Now in his 80s, he was the longest serving member both as a Thane and member of Triumvrat, while still able to slowly walk at the insistence of his attendants he agreed to an electric wheelchair. Now you can see him zooming across the grounds while his attendants silently jog after him, likely inwardly cursing for not suggesting pushing a chair. But he was Human in all but name at this point and we were to leave him with possibly the most powerful Leach in North America, possibly further. While Varga was becoming weaker and more Human, Szabo, his counterpart basically took over Chicago, we never had some presence there so we just took our people out before real trouble. But The Pure had a sizable presence, not as much as Vamps, but then they are often seen as the individually strongest of us, he pushed them out in a month. We had two wars, Detroit and New England as a whole. Both Draws, but lopsided, I heard from my equivalents from both parts. Detroit, while we hold half most of its poor neighborhoods, according to Gavin Richt''s Their First Pack Alpha, we managed to hold any bargaining power because we maintained to hold on industry and infrastructure. But losses were considerable on both sides. Targreen Two-Feathers from New England presents a bit more optimistic picture, Vamps sued for a ceasefire twice but were denied. They found out the hard way that going for an area of such size at once tends to blow up in your face. With Help from Canada, They were beaten back from Maine and Vermont, and then in the Pincer attack, most of their forces were destroyed in New Hampshire. Fighting is currently in Massachusetts but the Pure, likely eager to get payback for Chicago struck their supply lines and reserves in Connecticut from their, basically, ancestral base in Rhode Island and got in touch with our cell in Connecticut. If the talks work out They will finish off Vamps in Connecticut together and then hit them from the rear in Massachusetts ending the war. As a "thank you" letter we cede the entire Connecticut to the Pure. But that would leave them to break out from Rhode Island, add a nice chunk to their territory to the North, and, most importantly, get a significant border with their cell here in New York that was pretty isolated. Also if peace with them holds it opens supply lines to us and back toward the North.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    To shorten the point, that was what Rand''s job was supposed to entail. Fighting? Yeah, a lot of it. But also coordinating with the rest of the Nation, thinking about strategy, and logistics, and making better ways to eliminate threats. However, he was in a foyer of the incredibly ritzy building having an argument about a political meeting. All the wonderful perks of being an Alpha of the States Fist Pack, maybe he should ask Gavin next time to trade places. "Are you even listening to me?" Anastasia''s voice brought him back "Have you agreed that Ticks are leaving?" He guessed that raising an eyebrow was something from a Human life. Vamps rarely developed new habits after death. "Then I guess I wasn''t, because there is no way I''m bringing the Triumvat into a building full of jumpy armed Humans, and when I say full..." I sniffed the air "I meant over 100 heavily armed on this floor alone. And correct me if I''m wrong, I know you like that, the meeting is on the 27 floor so how much more I could expect? Did you get every filthy traitor to Humankind for this shindig because, that would be a hell of a lot of useful gas wasted when they drive home because the meeting is postponed, or canceled, I really don''t care which. You should really think about your carbon footprint..oh wait you don''t have to breathe if the air quality is at Aushvitz showers level of quality it wouldn''t affect you much, would it?" She growled, "Watch your mouth you small ball cunt, I''m Jewish." Now it was my turn to raise an eyebrow. "You are what! I admit I''m behind on my theology, just a second, Gar!!" "Boss?" "How kosher is blood?" What?" "Just answer please." "A big no, no! One of the larger ones actually." "This might sound stupid, but does eating Human blood constitute an exemption?" "Don''t worry boss, the first one was equally stupid, the answer is no." "Sorry, sorry I''ll make it up to you" I looked at Anasthasia, "His real name is  by the way, we don''t have Nation members change a thing about their identity, so, now when we found out how Jewish you are what was your real name Anasthasia? Before you realized you won''t advance beyond bootlicker unless you changed per their desires" Her jaw was working and for a second I was sure an attack is coming, and I kinda forgot to mention, while we win 99% of pure fisticuffs, the second thing that is not so much poison to us but more pretty potent allergen would be Vamps natural weapons. So their claws and fangs are about the nastiest thing you can get clipped with, for starters, it hurts like someone placed that body part under the oxy-acetylene torch and just left it there for about a week, and that''s if you are lucky and they use claws, fangs though. You can look toward all the lovely stuff, necrosis, sepsis, and severe nerve damage. Good thing it''s not permanent and unless you get jumped on by a dozen of like 6 are power users you should bounce back pretty fast. Pain though? You will remember that forever. So the N01 rule with going toe to toe with a Vamp is: don''t gloat. Yeah, you will win but do it fast and fucking decisive. They are fast and give them enough time you will have a slashed carotid artery and while you trying to stop the bleeding and screaming from pain they will shimmy up the chimney and vanish. A month into the "Pound" with you. And they are God knows where because the only person with their credible scent is running a fever and suddenly gets hemophilia.


    We stared at each other  "This is going nowhere and risking The Truce. We''ll check the body, and send you our results, and Leaders if you are so scared of an 80-year-old man in a wheelchair, a 74-year-old blind woman, and a 12-year-old girl, they can talk over the internet." She sneered showing her fangs this time they were fully extended, Two ivory stiletto daggers in her otherwise perfect mouth. "If you think we would allow you to drive off with the body you are insane." I nodded "I''ve been told that by your kind many times, "If you think we would allow you "???" you are insane." Funny thing, it always ends how I said, and the one who said those words ends up in anatomically impossible positions even for your kind." She actually steps forward to look me in the eyes, which she could do easily. I did have a hundred pounds of muscle on her but she was exactly my height. "Yeah, but they were not said by me in our HQ were they." I nodded again "True, but as a counterpoint, I offer that I was also only with my pack at the time. The second you attack us directly from your HQ, there will be no more "Rogue Coven''s excuse" hence making The Truce null and void. In preparation for any eventuality, I mobilized all the Warpacks from the city and brought 53 more from Jersey for nice and round 900 Warpacks and the first Wave of 200 is already in place. The fresh batch of 200 will keep being delivered until this nice skyscraper is the pile of burning ruins, all 120 floors of it. And I absolutely don''t care who catches and records us for all the world to see. I do believe, even if they knew about us for decades, once voters get a confirmation governments might start using Big Guns. Say night-night to a shitty little ragtag of Hunters with different agendas, and prepare to introduce your Ticks to the Seal Team 6. I do believe they will want some of you alive so they can give you nice and cozy Mengele treatment. By the way, you wouldn''t be one of the lucky ones, I had the...pleasure, of meeting High Count Szabo. He strikes me as a patient man but for such a public display I think he''d make you kiss your ass goodbye, literally." Admirably she was still holding her ground "You wouldn''t survive either." I raised my finger like we finally got to the point "Excellent deduction my dear Watson. However I''m not only a mortal but Alpha of the Warpack, First Warpack of the state of New York, My actual job is to die while I still can serve, tonight or in 10 years on Golden Quest, makes no difference to me as long as I cause maximum damage to the enemy. Dying does not matter to either of us." In the foyer with my packs were Packs 3,8 and 7. Together with their respective Alphas, Tina, Yuraq, and Stine, I glance at them. Stine was pretty close to the Gold Quest years, some rules were universal no matter the species, and "don''t as the woman her age" is pretty close to the top of the list. But she never died her hair and I knew her all my life. Her short haircut was filled with greys and some wounds already took a bit longer to close, her left eye never recovered and now was milk white together with a long scar that went all the way from her hairline to her chin, she likely felt what I said better than the most although all understood. She released a low growl. "Warchief asked the question maggots!!! Is he wrong!" 25 voices answered as one "Fuck no!!" "What was that!!" "Fuck no Mam!!!" She grinned her canines started elongating.


    Group mania can be both powerful and dangerous, even I felt the strings of the Rage tugging at me, I knew feeling in it with full 4 packs would be intoxicating since I''ve been there before. But with just one press of a button, I could feel how it was with 200 Packs almost 1000 Brothers and Sisters. But it was important that I remain in control, and let the others have their bonding moment, they earned it. Even Anders looked at the world with predatory amber eyes. Anasthasia paused and looked at packs in various parts of partial transformation, she had enhanced senses, maybe not to the point of the wolf but the scent of adrenalin was so strong I doubted she missed it. Especially since a lot was coming from her own employees as they slowly moved to more defensible positions. Her earpiece was buzzing with constant traffic if she was trying to check if am I bluffing she got her answer and then some, she stepped back "By the Blood Goddess you are really insane." I shrugged "So Jewish huh? I''ll have to ask Gar where the passage about Blood Goddess is. But whatever makes your fall into torpor more comfortable. How fast we can expect you will act on this Thick issue?"

 4.Meeting

    The room where the actual meeting was taking place was like a part of another building. It looked like they tore down the entire building and built a new one in the same place but this room was untouched since the original skyscraper. By the looks sometime in the 50''s. The walls were covered in thick mahogany and not just cheap boards entire wall was made of 4 pieces of at least an inch thick wood. ALL the walls were. The table was giant and made of now rare type of oak, but it was likely plentiful then. All Chairs were like mini ottomans and by the smell of them antique, this entire room reeked of money, old, old wealth. One might use the term generational wealth, but Rand had a pretty good idea whose cash it was. His Pack and the Third pack swept the room for the third time all seemed fine. He just had to accept some things were beyond his control. Both Corpses and the Pure teams already finished their sweeps minutes ago and he knew he was just holding things up. His jaw tightened as he gave the sign. Everyone moved out but him, there was no way he was leaving the room empty for a second. 8 hidden cameras ensured him that others were watching just as closely. As per some signal, Three doors opened and members of his pack brought in Trumvrat, while Anasthasia and her gaggle brought in members of Eclysiarhy. Finally, the Pure Rand knew only like Elysah Brough in members of the Prime with his group. Anders Stood on the right side of Septa Mhyrr, Gar right of Spiritwalker Elysa, and Rand right of the wheelchair with Thane Varga. They all seemed physically so outmatched by their counterparts, Ecclesiarchy had five members, and the oldest one was a woman who looked at the end of her 30s which meant she was at least millennia old, well oldest looking than the High Count himself, of course, whose grays, at the perfectly done thick hair just accentuated his black hair. Perfect look of a still vital 50-year-old. No one knew for sure his age, although speculation ran rampant. Their intelligence managed to narrow it down to no less than 3,000 years. Rand was in his company more times than he cared to remember and he was pretty sure High Count Szabo was around before Christ was even a tear in his heavenly father''s eye and saw both the rise and the fall of Rome, maybe helped out a bit. If things go south he was the priority target, Dona and Kai were to assist in taking Triumvrat out with Gar. Anders and I, well we were there to protect retreat until cavalry arrived. Five packs were already shifted in the hallway and if Corpses thought that hidden two inches of steel would buy them time they thought wrong. As soon as Triumvrat was safely out even the fly was to leave the building without my approval and a full-scale attack was to commence. The first five packs were all on High Count, some thought it overkill, and I on the other hand was pretty sure we wouldn''t make it through alive. But that is not what a good leader says to his troops, I BS''d my way out of that one and just hoped we would be enough to keep him on the premises until the rest of Fangs were taken care of. Then was just a numbers game. Even High Count couldn''t survive the constant pummelling of hundreds of Packs. He would fall.


    His eyes briefly scanned the Pure. There were six of them. Or more precisely three pairs since each of we a husband and wife pairing. On the Right was a couple that if it weren''t of their size could walk straight off Tolkiens Elf mythology. Incredibly fair skin, Both of them had hair slightly under a shoulder with a pair of braids making something like a crown around their forehead, hair was nearly golden more than just blond and their eyes were the clearest blue he had ever seen. He was certain they would give certain deceased Austrian painters an erection. Pair next to them and by that virtue in the middle had a skin color of the mahogany walls around them, only thing dividing them from their Subsaharan roots was their hair and eyes that were of the same color of gold and blue as their neighbors from either side, and to that point all the Pure. The pair on the far left were from Asia, small differences could hide it from most but the husband was Japanese and the wife Chinese. As the mentioned bodies go all Males were around 7 feet, encased in muscle, females were equally tall but their muscles were built for agility. The Pure as the myth goes were forefathers of all hybrids, they were first and they were truly immortal. They would stop aging at 35 and seemingly have it best of all of them. No downsides, no weaknesses, superstrength, superspeed. The only way of killing one is decapitation, which is significantly complicated when the only transformation they have is turning their outer layers into some sort of living stone. Rand saw Zwehander being broken on the neck of one without leaving a mark. other one tanking full 400 magazines of 50 cal minigun with only 400 pockmarks and a lot of stone dust to show for it, for third of the second before he had entire still red hot barrels of minigun shoved up the operator''s ass all the way to the firing mechanism, gruesome way to die especially that wasn''t what killed him. Minigunner being Corpse just hurt him very, very much. The Pure waited patiently until his own wounds healed and barrels cooled, stopping the smoldering stench coming from Vamp''s mouth. Then ripped his head off. I wasn''t sure about all that "our ancestors" part but for sure I never relished the prospect of fighting them. Fortunately, we stood in their good books, and aiding each other was not uncommon, but like all of us they had their rogues and sometimes they would wander into our backyard. Four times those rogues nearly killed me in one one-on-one, being saved last time by the arrival of the rest of my pack and half 7th pack. I managed to kill one...once. By in full War Form Standing on his shoulders and pulling and wrenching this way and that until finally, his head ripped off. It took me 15 minutes and quite a few broken bones later since he didn''t go quietly into the night. After that. Spookpacks were sent after them since the best strategy is to behead them before they harden their skin. And "Hit them and leave before they know we''re ever been there." is basically the motto of the Spookpacks.


    High Count Szabo opened "I give the motion to start the meeting, all in favor?" nods go around the table "For the record High Table convened by who''s request?" Previously coached by Thane I answered trying to keep all emotions out of my voice. "Rand Steffanson, Alpha of the First pack and overall Warchief of the Nations New York State Chapter." Anesthesia added, "The Motion was seconded by Anesthesia Sokolov Capitan of First Reaper squad, based on findings of our own Specialist." I was pleased I wasn''t thrown under the bus after our spat in the hall. But the Captain was apparently far too professional for that. High Count nodded "Recorded. The meeting can start."


    The opening was a pretty dry retelling of the previous events, also the main reason why after active duty I wasn''t going the political route. This was mind-numbing. I noticed I wasn''t the only one bored out of my mind, Anesthesia stood slightly behind the Ecclesiarchy with her hand at waist level one above the other, and tapped her small finger against the palm of her other hand as they were placed one above the other. Another tic, I might revise my theory that Corpses couldn''t make new ones after death. It suddenly stopped. I raised my eyes just to find hers watching me. caught red-handed I gave a small shrug and covered my mouth from cameras and others pretending to scratch my stubble I didn''t have time to shave and mouthed to her "Boring", surprisingly, she gave me a half smile and also almost imperceptibly nodded. Well, she was bred to be a warrior like I was, I doubted she enjoyed this much. Finally, we got to the new stuff. One of the Pure Primes whose name I forgot, a white male on the right asked. "Did the joint science team finish their findings?" Thane nodded and pressed the button on the table "Please let the scientist in." A small door to the side opened and three Humans walked in, I recognized the one who was with us in the shelter, our guy Lubov, and the third one was unknown to me, meaning he was most likely from the Pure. They stood in front of the large table dwarfed by its size they looked like three boys who misbehaved and now were facing consequences in the principal office. The dark-skinned male of the Pure asked, "So gentlemen have you reached a consensus?" All three nodded. Lubov took a step forward, he was a man in his 40s, predisposed to rotundness and baldness, he already had a badly disguised combover to hide a bald patch, I assumed he''d soon start to shave his head. His appearance aside as his a very frequent patient or visitor to one of my guys I knew him not only to have an extreme amount of patience with his sometimes rowdy patients but generally to be a kind man.  "My colleague Dr. Perkins" he nods to the Vamp doctor, has done an incredibly thorough job on the field and all of his analyses were independently collaborated with Dr. Tariq and me. Together we got to work in the main laboratory and found a few important things, first what we believed to be a piece of the claw from the perpetrator, and second was one hair that could belong to him, actually, that is near certainty. "Could you explain that further Doctor?" Thane interrupted "Especially the part where Perkins missed so important evidence." added High Count looking at his specialist like he already thinking of the best ways to flay him. Even someone diagnosed to be a psychopath by me, someone with 0% of medical training got slightly paler and I heard his heartbeat elevate under his boss''s gaze. "Dr. Tariq discovered them so I think it''s best this part to be left to him." The man who stepped forward was of slight caramel complexion and youngest of three, maybe in his early 30s. Certainly quite a genius to be recruited by the Pure at his age. "Thank, you Dr. Lubov. Would you help me with the slides please?" Soon projector comes to life. "The claw was easiest to miss and hardest to spot. Slide one, please." A picture of the opened ribcage showed up "As you can see it is invisible like this. Slide two This is how Dr. Perkins would see it, does anyone notice it now?" The picture is zoomed in on the ribcage substantially, likely imitating that magnifying glass on his head I squinted...and came up with zero. "We saw nothing either, so we placed the body under the high-end microscope in this facility this is the highest resolution we could get that is still useful. You''ll notice it is grided, those are each separate pictures later composited into the whole. Does anyone see it now?" I tilted my head slightly and shifted my eyes allowing different spectrums to take me, I wasn''t sure but...I raised my hand. Dr. Tariq slightly blushed. "Eh, you three messed grand reveal." I looked around, High Count and Anesthasia also raised their hand. "We will, naturally go by seniority. High Count which picture is suspicious to you" "I suspect nothing boy. It''s T-247." Slightly chastized Dr.Tariq quickly bowed "Of course, my apologies. Do the other two concur?" both of us nodded. High Count waived his hand magnanimously "Let the children show what they learned from their elders so far." I looked at Anesthasia she looked at me, and after a second nodded to the screen for me to go first. I cleared my throat "That blood smear on the rim was not a blood smear at all, not all of it at least." I looked at her and nodded, and she continued smoothly "My belief is that piece of that is claw in question, it broke off after entering the rib, and due to blood smear blood that stayed under it when it went through the meat and organs masked it. Visually is invisible because it''s likely hazy white, easily hidden by cartilage."


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Dr. Tariq nodded "Next to the last slide, please. The picture was under the bluish light and the part three of us pointed to was now obviously a different color." "We placed it under an instrument that measures the density of the material, and it popped right out. We removed it." The last slide showed a small piece of hazy white tip of the claw. "It is pretty small about 2 millimeters. Together with color, it was impossible to notice with the Human eye, under the circumstances Dr. Perkins was in at the time. Also, it should be noted that everything was pointing at the rogue Canis Canis subtype, their claws range from black to light gray, never white. So he was per the evidence presented looking for Black to Gray spot." Asian female from the Pure asked "And the hair? Also are we certain it was not contaminant but the same creature?" Dr. Tariq nodded to Perkins who managed to recompose himself "At the time I''ve done a preliminary autopsy, the body was held on ice, which is sufficient for a short duration but due to circumstances longer exposure can freeze some bodily fluids or lead to things to stuck together. In this circumstance hair, from the head, we believe, to the lower part of the ribcage while it fed. Once the body was transferred to the proper facilities, it was found almost immediately, as is it from the same suspect that''s why it lasted this long, we were doing DNA test twice per sample to avoid false positives/negatives. Both times the positive, piece of claw and the hair come from the same creature with 98% certainty. "So if you have done DNA tests you should know what is it." Septa says for the first time "Right?" All three doctors shuffle nervously "Usually yes." "Usually? A nicer way of saying, not now." Septa was never known for her tolerance for BS. Lubov steps forward as he knows her better than others "This case is special." High Count now interferes "How?" Lubov and Perkins look at each other and then at Tariq "We would like to get an expert opinion before giving anything certain." Thane asks quietly and that quiet makes his voice all the louder "And if you were to be uncertain?" Three men look at each other and one after the other give a nod to Lubov "If I were to speculate I''d say we jumped from our usual horror to science fantasy because Sir in my professional opinion, and the opinion of my colleagues. This creature was made from the bottom up in the laboratory, which is just a part of the bad news. Preliminary measurements place him at roughly 8 ft, however, other measurements indicate it''s at the most teenager, but I''d put that at the lower end 11 or 12 human years, prepuberty that is. There is no saying how large it will be once fully grown nor a timeframe for how long will it take to happen."


    There is a half-amused, half-frustrated chuckle from the High Count "You want to say for all the money and care we spent to convince Humans we are beings from scary movies and fairytales can be blown wide open by a tantrum of a literal child?" Perkins looked at his shoes but found the balls to answer "Yes sir."