War and MG Chap 19

“It’s very, well, fulfilling?” Emrald placed a finger to her chin as she thought. “It’s difficult to explain, you see.”

 

During the trek from facility to facility, Major Dyseth had become rather curious about Emrald’s relationship with Casey. The questions started out small and innocent, but in no time at all she’d been asking the kitsune all sorts of things – including all the juicy details.

 

Initially Emrald hadn’t much cared for the major, but began to warm up to the were-cat once she realized that Dyseth was genuinally curious and empathetic about everything that had happened. She’s also learned the major had been one of the first to enter the human realm, before war had broken out. Unfortunately that meant she was also amongst those that were ambushed and hunted.

 

She’d managed to escape, but not without losing her left eye and suffering some severe burns on her left arm that left large patches of it and her paw without fur. The missing eye meant she’d been relegated to non-combat duty, hence her current role as Emrald’s caretaker.

 

Still, despite the injuries she’d sustained, Dyseth still had a soft spot for humanity. A trait that’d won the kitsune over and got her to spill all her details. Not only that, having someone to talk with had done wonders to ease Emrald’s anxiety.

 

Dyseth’s ears wiggled up and down as she pondered Emrald’s answer. “Fulfilling? Like a nice meal? Or is it more like finishing a good book or completing a project you’ve been working on?”

 

“All three, maybe? It’s very warm and comforting. Especially when he holds me close after a night of love…” Emrald began to giggle and blush, wrapping her arms and tails around herself.

 

Dyseth smirked, and let out a wistful sigh. “Sounds nice…”

 

The driver rolled her eyes at the saccharine display behind her.

 

Dusk was falling, and they had just arrived at the third-to-last facility. Only two left after their inspection of the current place. If it was anything like the others, they’d be done within fifteen minutes.

 

A small gated checkpoint barred the way into the compound. Not too surprising considering it was the principle UF branch for the area. Emrald continued to smile and laugh as they rolled to a stop. At least, until Dyseth’s smile vanished and was replaced by tension and suspicion as she listened to the driver and guard converse.

 

“What’s going on?” Emrald asked in a hushed whisper.

 

The were-cat glanced at her briefly, but was interrupted by the guard before she could respond. “Can I see your IDs, please?”

 

Emrald and Dyseth handed their identification over.

 

“Ah, give me one moment, please” The guard said as she walked back to the small shack.

 

Dyseth frowned. “They’re far too nervous.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“See there?” She said, indicating towards the booth. “Both of them keep looking at us. They’re tense, and when she was talking to the driver she was asking questions she ought not be concerned with.”

 

Looking from the vehicle to the each other, the guards seemed unsure of what to do. Then one of them picked up a phone, and after a short delay began speaking to someone. Dyseth reached for the rifle that was racked on the seat in front of her. She didn’t speak, but simply held her paw on it and leveled a stare at the guards.

 

Emrald simply sat still and did her best to suppress her rising anxiety.

 

The guard nodded several times on the phone, her eyes locked onto the trio in the vehicle. Finally she hung up, spoke a few words to her partner, and then returned. When she saw Dyseth’s paw on the rifle, the guard shifted uncomfortably and looked back towards her companion in the small shack before handing back the IDs. “Very well. You may proceed.”

 

Then, with a clank the gate swung open and the small procession of vehicles passed through.

 

Letting out a breath she’d been holding, Dyseth took her paw off the rifle. “I was afraid things were going to get a bit hostile there.”

 

Emrald gave a weak smile and a laugh, but the anxiety and fear only grew.

 

--

 

“Stay alert,” Dyseth said as she addressed the small contingent of soldiers that’d been assigned to the mission. “Something isn’t right here.”

 

Emrald stuck close to the were-cat’s side as they walked into the building.

 

A young harpy was seated at a desk within the lobby. At first Emrald assumed she was the receptionist, but something about her clothing seemed off. It looked more like a military uniform than the sort of formal dress she’d expect.

 

The harpy smiled as the group approached her. “Good evening. How may I help you?”

 

“We’re here for an inspection of sorts. Can’t tell you what we’re looking for – classified information and all.”

 

The harpy’s pasted-on smile never faded, but her eyes betrayed her displeasure at Dyseth’s words. “I see. On who’s authority?”

 

“General Jurai. If you wish, I can produce documents stating as such.”

 

“That won’t be necessary. We will verify personally that she authorized this inspection.”

 

Emrald’s attention began to wander after the initial exchange. Something in here felt strange and made it difficult for her to focus. She’d felt like this before, but couldn’t place it.

 

Emrald, coming?”

 

“Huh?” The kitsune’s head snapped around. Dyseth was looking at her.

 

“What’re you spacing out for? Let’s get going. The harpy here is going to be our tour guide.”

 

“Er, right,” Emrald mumbled as she took several quick steps to fall in besides the major. She look took one last look around. Far as she could tell, no one else seemed to be feeling anything was off. Maybe it was just nerves.

 

The harpy took them around the building in sort of a snaking fashion. Starting at one end of the building, they explored a multitude of rooms and went up and down a multitude of stairs. Emrald was still on edge, but for the most part everything seemed to be proceeding as normal.

 

Until Dyseth rested a paw on her shoulder and took her aside as the harpy lead the group towards another area.

 

“She’s delaying us,” the were-cat said, her voice a quiet whisper.

 

Emrald’s brow knit together. “Huh? What do you mean?”

 

“Haven’t you noticed that despite us going through all these floors, we’ve been entirely on the south side of the building?”

 

Emrald thought about it. That was true, but was that supposed to mean something? While she considered the implications, Dyseth continued.

 

“Nor have we touched the basement. I want you to go check it out. I’ll send a few others with you. Got it?

 

“What? Why me?”

 

“It’s the most logical place to keep prisoners. You’re a doctor, right? If they need help you’ll be there to give it to them.”

 

Emrald shot the major a confused look. “If you say so. But what are you basing this on? Everything seems normal to me.”

 

Either Dyseth didn’t hear her question, or simply chose not to answer it. Dyseth turned and began speed walking towards the harpy. Reaching into her uniform, she produced a pistol and flicked the safety off, stopping only to whisper things to a few soldiers as she passed them. Those she spoke with turned to look at the kitsune, then nodded.

 

“I think we’ll be showing ourselves around.” Dyseth said coldly, raising her pistol toward the harpy.

 

The harpy turned around, confused at first, until she saw the gun. Rather than fear, she simply narrowed her eyes. “I hope you’re aware of what you’re getting yourselves into.”

 

Dyseth smiled, flashing her sharp teeth. “I wasn’t. Until your answer, anyways.”

 

“Alright. You guys follow Dr. Kitsune there to the basement,” she said as she turned back towards Emrald and the others. “And, be very careful.”

 

--

 

“Captain Dirz? You’ll want to see this…” One of the privates called out after she’d shot the lock off the door and peered inside the room.

 

Emrald had been squatting down beside a small pool of mostly-dried blood. It was streaked and smeared as if someone had been dragged through it. Across from the blood was a large, solid door. Standing and brushing herself off, Emrald swallowed and took a few ginger steps forward and looked in the room.

 

Her heart soared, then crashed. First she spotted Reia and Yvonne. They had been bound and gagged, left immobile on the floor. Relief spread on their faces as their eyes met Emrald’s. Her sweeping gaze then discovered Viole, laying limp on the floor. Unlike Reia and Yvonne, there had been no reaction from her whatsoever.

 

Rushing to the wolf-woman, Emrald dropped to her knees and felt for a pulse. The knot in her stomach unwound a little as she felt a weak beat on her neck. She then laid eyes on the wet, torn uniform tied around her mid-section.

 

“Viole was stabbed.”

 

Reia came up from behind Emrald. She rubbed at her wrists, glancing back as the private that had freed her was working on Yvonne’s ropes.

 

“There was a tussle and some other things, and yeah. Got a knife to the gut.”

 

 

 

Emrald frowned, then loosened the wrap to get a better look at the wound. She probed lightly at the wound with her fingers, doing what she could to ascertain the damage. Her intestines had most likely been slashed open along with her skin and muscle. Surgery was going to be required. Without a real examination, Emrald had no way of knowing how many hours or minutes Viole had left.

 

“We need to get her to a hospital,” Emrald said as she cinched the bloody rag tight. She wiped the blood from her hands off onto her pants and turned towards Reia.

 

It was then that she realized Serlov and the men were not present. She wanted to ask about them, but fought down that thought in order to focus on Viole.

 

“Did you lot have to fight your way down here?”

 

Emrald shook her head. “No, it was all clear. We have some trucks outside, you see. C’mon, let’s get her out of here.”

 

“Heeeerreee~”

 

The pair turned to see Yvonne approaching, holding a bloody board in her claws. The same one they’d used to drag Viole into the room to begin with. It’d have to do.

 

Emrald and Reia shifted Viole onto the board, and then the hulking wurm picked it up with ease. The kitsune smirked; maybe a wurm or three in the medical unit would be a good idea.

 

Heading back up and outside, Reia and Emrald talked a little about what had happened up until this point. The more the minotaur spoke the more heated her tone became, but she avoided telling Emrald what had happened to Tomas, Casey, and the others. She’d hoped Alex and Marc were still okay, but afternoon had lapsed to dusk since they’d been thrown back down in their basement cell.

 

Once outside, they proceeded to load Viole into a truck. One of the privates volunteered to take her to a nearby hospital. Emrald stroked the wolf’s ears before shutting the door.

 

“So what do we do about the guards?” The driver asked.

 

Emrald froze. She’d been so wrapped up in ensuring Viole got out she forgot about the gate guards. The minotaur, however, simply asked for a rifle.

 

“Head up towards the gate like normal. When they ask you what’s going on, just tell them to look our way.”

 

“Don’t worry,” Reia said with a smirk, responding to the confused stares.

 

The 4x4 approached the gate. Reia and the others with rifles stepped from around the corner and took aim at the guards as they went to talk to the driver. A few words were spoken, along with a sudden alarm from the guards. Then they turned around as instructed.

 

Reia waved at them while keeping them fixed on her sights. They both froze stiff as they stared at the minotaur and those around her. One of the guards made to bring up her weapon, but her partner stopped her and shook her head. Then she raised her hands.

 

Reia let out a snort. “Hmph. Almost wish they woulda done something stupid.”

 

-- “So tell me. What happened? I know you’ve been leaving out some details,” Emrald demanded once they’d dealt with the guards. The pilfered rifles, plus the one left behind by the driver, meant that everyone in their make-shift squad was now armed.

 

Reia glanced at the kitsune as they made their way back inside the building and looked down for a moment. “It’s complicated…”

 

“It’s a succubus!” Yvonne blurted out. Her voice whirled Emrald around. Reia grimaced, then glared at the wurm.

 

“What? Succubus?” Emrald asked. The other soldiers glanced worryingly at each other.

 

Her mind raced as she drew up all her knowledge regarding the exiled demons. Horror began to slowly wash over her. Green eyes blazed as they locked onto Reia’s face.

 

“I think he’s fine,” the minotaur said quietly, meeting the kitsune’s harsh glare. “At least, he was when we found him the first time…”

 

Emrald’s ears began to drop and lay back against her head. “First time? What do you mean, first time?”

 

Fighting down her own anger, Reia began to detail what’d happened as the group followed the minotaur upstairs. Yvonne added in comments whenever Reia had to pause to prevent herself from getting overly emotional. Through the entire explanation of events Emrald was silent. If it wasn’t for her ears pressed flat against her head and bristled fur, one might’ve mistaken her for being calm.

 

“…And so Thayla shoved us in the basement again. She took Serlov with her, as well as the men that were still alive. They were over there,” Reia said, motioning towards a bullet-pocked hallway. “But now I think they’re all being kept with Thayla a few floors up. Or, at least, that’s where the colonel said Thayla was.”

 

“Damn it. Damn it! Fucking damn it all!” Emrald suddenly burst out and kicked a wall. Hot tears streamed down her face as she could no longer dam her emotions. Just as quickly as she lashed out, she wiped away her tears. “…Sorry.”

 

Yvonne laid a claw on her shoulder. “Compared to us, you’ve been with him longer,” she said, keeping her voice low. A slight quiver shook her words. “You’ve actually been more calm than we were. We just had more time to deal with things...”

 

Gritting her teeth, Emrald made a silent vow to herself.

 

A staccato of gunfire tore through the silence. It was distant, but not far. Sounded like it had come from above them.

 

Emrald’s ears picked up and swiveled to face the noise, but they never focused themselves in any one particular direction. “Did Dyseth encounter resistance?” she muttered, drying the last of her tears.

 

“Time to get a move on, ladies!” Reia shouted, readying her weapon and sprinting for the next set of stairs.

 

Tilting her head side to side, Emrald made to open her mouth to say something. Then, shaking her head, she decided against it. “I’m just emotional right now…” she whispered to herself. Taking in a deep breath, she then gave chase to Reia and the others.

 

Every few steps another round of gunfire erupted, growing louder and louder. Owing to her size and ability to take several steps at once in great, vaulting leaps, Reia was the first to reach the floor from where the stuttering bursts of automatic fire were originating.

 

Cracking the door open, she peeked through into the hallway. All was clear, save for the continued sounds of gunfire that seemed to come from around a corner to the right. She yearned to dash out immediately to join the fray, but managed to calm herself enough to wait for the rest of the troops with her.

 

Pretty sure it’s coming from down there,” Reia said once everyone had caught up. She motioned down towards the right. “Let’s move quick – Emrald, watch our rear.”

 

“Got it,” Emrald replied, fidgeting with her weapon.

 

Licking her lips and shifting her grip on the rifle, Reia burst out into the hallway and performed a quick sweep before sprinting down the hallway towards where it turned at a right angle. Skittering to a halt against the wall once she reached the corner, she took a glance around the bend.

 

The corridor she was facing went straight, ending at a large, open doorway. Another hallway intersected it, just before the doorway. And there, lined up on either side of the door in the intersection were the friendly soldiers Emrald and told her about. They were all hunkered down, occasionally firing into the room.

 

“Are you Dyseth’s group?” Reia yelled, still concealing herself around the corner. One of the women – a were-cat – turned in response to the voice and stared at the minotaur for a moment.

 

“Yeah! You guys our back up? Come over here, we’ve got them pinned down in there,” she shouted back, nodding towards the doorway.

 

Reia looked back towards the small throng behind her. “Looks like we’ve got them cornered already. Let’s move to support.”

 

Everyone gave a quick affirmation, save for Emrald at the rear. Her ears continued to swivel about, and she wore a somewhat confused expression as she looked around.

 

“Wait up a se-“ she began to say.

 

But Reia and the others had already broken from cover and made for Dyseth’s group, eyes focused on the door in case someone or a something should appear. Emrald cursed and stayed behind. She poked out from around the corner just as Reia had done, and let her eyes wander from soldier to soldier. Dyseth was there alright, but something was off.

 

Only when Reia and the others reached them did she realize what it was. The eye patch covered her right eye instead of the left.

 

Emrald opened her mouth to scream a warning, but it was too late.

 

A combat knife from one of the soldiers next to Reia seemingly drew itself, then sliced through the air in an instant and pressed against the minotaur’s throat. She gasped and froze herself, and then in that same instant, the supposed friendly forces faded from view, leaving nothing behind.

 

A lilting laugh filled the hallway as a paw materialized, clutching the knife. Followed by an arm, and a head capped with purple, fluffy ears and adorned with a psychotic, malevolent smile. Everyone but Reia brought their weapons up, taking aim at the violet-colored cat-woman.

 

Realizing she had not yet been caught in the trap, Emrald forced herself to hide around the corner and wait for a chance to act.

 

The cat simply rolled her head to the side, her smile never fading. “Nyat so fast! If you don’t want her to lose her head – that happens so often in combat, you know! – You should drop those nyasty-looking guns. Someone might get huuurt!” Her sing-song voice ground into a low, guttural rumble on the last word.

 

Reia attempted to struggle, but the blade bit into her throat and drew blood, bringing a halt to her movements. The cat’s smile widened even further. “See? Drop ‘em, right nyaow!”

 

Yvonne and the others begrudgingly obeyed the cat. As their guns clattered to the ground, several mercenaries from inside the doorway appeared and surrounded the troop.

 

Then the cat began to laugh madly. “Nya ha ha! That makes what, twice you’ve been captured? Nya ha ha! What a bunch of idiots! You guys are so lucky Thayla doesn’t want you all dead, dead, dead!”

 

Even the other mercenaries looked uncomfortable with the cat’s antics.

 

Emrald’s ears twitched, and she had to force herself back away from the corner. It’d been several years since she last saw Thayla, but she never recalled her illusionary magic being quite that strong. Emrald could create sounds and visuals in the minds of one or two people herself if she really concentrated, but to affect six was almost unimaginable.

 

The other question lingering in here mind had to do with where exactly Dyseth’s group had gone. Had they already been captured using the same trick?

 

Glancing around the corner again, she saw the mercenaries leading her allies through the doorway. Their backs were all turned. “Good, they didn’t see me,” she whispered to herself.

 

She considered simply opening fire right then and there, but something compelled her to remain hidden. There was simply too much she didn’t know. When they had all marched into the room, Emrald braced herself and crept forward. Her ears and eyes searched frantically in order to prevent her from stumbling into an ambush.

 

As she came to the connecting hallway, she looked down both ways; a handful of rooms were down either direction. Then, something caught her eye down the path to her right. One of the doors was partially open. She chewed on her lower lip, glancing between the large doorway in front of her and the slightly open door.

 

She took a deep breath and again listened to the little voice in the back of her mind.

 

Emrald made her way across the hall and stood in front of the door. She carefully rested one of her ears against it, and listened for a few moments. She could hear the sound of water – or more like a shower. Carefully pushing the door open with the barrel of her gun, she glanced through the crack. With no reaction from inside, she opened the door further and slipped inside.

 

It was a smallish locker room of some sort, and there was a side room at the far end where someone was showering. Tip-toeing towards the showers, Emrald noticed another door at the far end of the room as she passed a row of lockers. She made a mental image of the floorplan as she knew it, leading her think it lead into the large room that Reia, Yvonne, and the others had been brought inside.

 

She closed her eyes and focused on the echoing noise of the shower, mindful of the illusion that’d just ensnared her compatriots. This time everything matched up precisely how she’d expected. Either it was the real thing, or maintaining the facade on six people at once had tested Thayla’s limits.

 

As she crept closer, the shower suddenly turned off. Startled, Emrald nearly dropped her gun in surprise, then scurried around the corner of the one of the lockers bays. She could hear someone’s footsteps on the tile. Closer they came, until she was certain they were almost atop her.

 

Emrald readied her weapon and pivoted on her foot, appearing around the corner in an instant. The first things she noticed were the horns. Second were the blackened eyes, then the wings and tail.

 

“You!” Emrald growled.

 

Amelia simply sighed.