WEBVTT

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This podcast may not be suitable for
young listeners. Co named Wild Hut,

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Operation Blood Eagle, written by Da
Roberts and read to you by Cameron Buckner.

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Chapter six INLCO fifteen hundred hours,
fourteen May Lake Novelope, Argentina.

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When Clark had mentioned to Ernesto that
they needed formal clothing because they were invited

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to dinner at Lalco, the poor
concierge nearly fainted. He sprang into action

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and started making phone calls in rapid
Spanish. Soon an army of tailors and

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dressmakers arrived and came to their rooms. While they cleaned up, Clark quietly

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sent a text to everyone to find
and destroy the bugs hidden in their rooms.

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Agreed that if their host was the
one listening, then they already knew

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they were coming. If it wasn't
their host, then they would likely find

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out exactly who was listening to them. Clark had a bad feeling that there

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were more players on the field than
they were aware of. They were measured

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and fitted. Clark saw that they
had brought a wide array of different pre

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cut material. Once they selected the
styles that they wanted, the tailors and

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the seamstresses set up shop in one
of the hotel's meeting rooms. Within hours,

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they had been fitted with custom made
tuxedos in formal dresses for the ladies.

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Valkyrie had selected a style that was
elegant and sleek. It was royal

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blue with matching stockings and shoes,
and with her hair done, she looked

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like she belonged on the pages of
a magazine, not slogging through the mud

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with tim Odin. And when she
emerged from the bathroom with her makeup done,

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Clark nearly had to pick his jaw
up. You look amazing, he

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said, smiling. Thank you,
she said, blushing. You're not hard

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on the eyes either. I've never
seen you in a tux before. This

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is the first time I've worn one
since the wedding, he said, adjusting

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his tie. His tie and cuff
links matched her dress. If everyone else

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is ready, said Clark, we
should be getting ready to go. I'd

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like to stop by the bar and
grab a drink before we go. I'll

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be honest, I'm nervous as hell, why, asked Valkyrie. You've seen

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combat all over the world, You've
been wounded god knows how many times,

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and you've been decorated for valor Why
would you be afraid of a dinner party.

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This is a battlefield, too,
said Clark. This battle is fought

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with etiquette and subterfuge. This isn't
what I'm trained for. And then there's

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our host. If he's who we
think he is, well then that changes

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everything. She walked over to him, nearly tripping on her heels. God,

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she said, chuckling. I can't
remember the last time I wore heel.

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I feel so awkward. Well,
you do look amazing, he said.

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Almost didn't recognize you. She gave
him a quizzical look, frowning slightly.

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So I looked terrible the rest of
the time, she asked, pouting

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lightly. That's not what I meant, he said. You're very pretty,

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but I'm very married. I try
not to notice. It's tough not to

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notice when you walk out of the
bathroom looking like that. Well, thank

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you, she said, smiling and
seemingly mollified. So if you weren't married,

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then you would still be under my
command, said Clark. It would

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not only be against regulations, but
it's generally a bad idea. No matter

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how much I wanted to, it's
just inappropriate. I'm sorry, No,

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don't be sorry. She said,
that was the answer you should give.

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Not only are you married to someone
I consider a friend, but you are

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also my boss. But it's nice
to feel appreciated. Well, let's just

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say that you are. Let's leave
it at that, he said. Now

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let's go to dinner with Hitler and
try not to get killed. She laughed

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and shook her head. What if
it's not him, she asked, Well,

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then we still know the guy with
the tattoo works for him, he

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replied, Even if he turns out
not to be the big h then he's

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still in charge of a very dangerous
group of people. Clark sent a group

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text that they were ready to go, and they headed out the door.

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Gregil joined them in the hallway with
his tuxedo on and his hair braided down

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his back. He did not look
comfortable in it. She Old Maiden stepped

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out from behind him, and Clark
did a double tape. She was wearing

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a dress nearly identical to Valkyries,
only in silver. The other door opened

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and Ronestone emerged with Raven on his
arm. She was wearing a slinky red

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dress that revealed a long length of
leg and was strapless. She clung to

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Ronestone's arm the way an old world
mobster's mole would have. Stone had his

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hair slicked back, he looked more
like a hit man than anything else.

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The dark sunglasses he wore completed the
look. How's it look if? He

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asked, nodding at Clark, like
you're hired to shoot people from me,

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replied Clark, Well, technically I
am, he replied. True enough,

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said Clark. Let's get going.
I want to stop by the bar and

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grab a drink before we leave.
They headed down the hall and took the

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elevator down. Clark didn't want to
risk one of the girls twisting an ankle

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on the stairs. Once they hit
the lobby, they stepped out, with

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the girls holding onto the arms of
the guys. Clark and Valkyrie were in

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the center, with Gregel and Shield
Mudding on his right. Ruonstone and Raven

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were on his left, and before
Clark could turn and head for the bar,

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they were flagged down by Ernesto.
He smiled broadly as he came over

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to them. Ah Senor, Clark
said, Ernesto, your host has sent

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a cart to pick you up.
They're waiting out side at the door.

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Gracia, Sir Nesto, said Clark, nodding. They headed for the door,

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and Clark whispered to Valkyrie. There
early he muttered, so much for

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that drink. She just smiled as
Ernsto opened the door for them, and

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stepping outside, his jaw nearly dropped
when he saw the pristine nineteen thirty eight

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Mercedes Ben seven seventy limousine waiting for
them. A man in a chauffeur's uniform

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and hat was standing near the front
of the car. He bowed slightly when

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he saw them, and he clicked
his heels together. Ernesto moved ahead of

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them and opened the back and held
it for them to climb inside. Clark

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glanced in but saw no one waiting
for them, so he held on to

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Valkyrie's hand as he helped her into
the car. He entered next, and

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the process was repeated. Clark and
Valkyrie sat in the forward facing seat and

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slid over so that they could be
joined by Gray Eagle and Shield Maiden.

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Runestone and Raven took the rearward facings, sat the driver, closed the door

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and walked around the vehicle toward the
front, pausing once to wipe a speck

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from the gleaming hood before climbing in
behind the wheel and pressing a button.

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A panel opened next to Runestone,
revealing a crystal decanter filled with a dark

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amber liquid in four glasses with compliments, said the driver in a thick German

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accent. What is it, asked
Clark, Steinheiserbergantia A single malt, said

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the driver, aged twenty one years
I think I might kiss this guy,

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whispered Runestone, his eyes going wide
open. Thank you. I'll be certain

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to thank our host, said Clark. Very good, sir, said the

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driver, starting the engine. Clark
noted the engine ran like a Swiss watch,

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idling smoothly. The sound proofing of
the vehicle was perfect and you could

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only barely hear it running. This
car's amazing, said Valkyrie. What is

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this nineteen forty nineteen thirty eight,
corrected the driver. It's purchased from a

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private collector who added in a museum
in Belgium. This car was meant to

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be driven, not watched from behind
a rope. I agree, said Clark.

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It's beautiful. The driver smiled,
clearly proud of the vehicle. Thank

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you, sir, he said,
putting the car and gear and pulling away

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from the entrance of the hotel.
Runestone handed out the glasses and picked up

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the decanter, putting a generous measure
in each of their glasses. Easy on

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that, said Clark. We might
want some for the return trip. Drink

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as much as you like, said
the driver. I shall make certain it

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is replenished for you. Well,
thank you, said Clark. What may

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I call you, sir? The
driver seemed genuinely surprised by the question.

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You may call me youa kim,
sir, he said, with a nod

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of appreciation. Thank you, youoa
kim, said Clark. They all held

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up their glasses to momentous occasions and
absent friends, said Clark, absent friends.

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They all echoed and clinked their glasses. Clark took a sip and his

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eyes almost rolled back in his head. The twenty one year old whiskey.

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It went from sweet to smokey to
spicy, and then it ended with a

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gentle spice. My god, he
whispered, this is amazing. Gregel nodded

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appreciatively, and Runstone just grinned.
The girls all seemed to enjoy the flavor,

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but said nothing. Clark took another
sip and settled back against the seat.

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Valkyrie leaned beneath his arm and slid
up against him. As they rode,

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Clark could see Yoa Kim was being
cautious as he drove slowly, but

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was paying attention to everything they did. Valkyrie was right to keep up the

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pretense. When she settled against him, he could smell the fragrance of her

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hair and perfume she had pulled out
all the stops. He made a mental

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note to pick up a couple of
bottles of the perfume to take home to

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Amanda. Maybe the shampoo as well. You smell them. Amazing, he

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whispered. Thank you, she replied, grinning up at him. Nice of

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you to notice. As they turned
onto the highway leading to Enalko, they

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were driving along with the lake to
the west. The sun was beginning to

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go down behind the andes, turning
the mountains to golden flames, with the

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lake resembling molten gold. The view
was breathtaking. Oh my god, said

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Valkyrie. Look at that sunset.
I'm telling you, said Runestowe, this

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place is almost paradise. You are
passing what is locally called mirrordor Innalko,

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said Jokim, the Inaliko viewpoint.
It is one of the most stunning places

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on the entire lake to watch the
sunset well before we leave, said valkyrie.

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I want to come here and take
pictures. Clark grinned and nodded in

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agreement. Leaning up and kissing Clark
on the neck just below the ear,

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Valkyrie whispered quietly enough that no one
else could hear her. I'd like to

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come back here, she whispered,
once this problem is solved. I've never

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seen a place like this. Clark
nodded and tried to ignore the cold chill

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he felt when her lips brushed his
neck and her breath hid his skin.

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You're a married man, he kept
repeating inside his head. Moments later,

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the sun and lake vanished. As
they entered the thick trees. The road

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was cast in darkness since the tall
pines blocked out almost all the remaining sunlight.

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Yo Kim flipped the lights on to
bright and it illuminated the road for

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a good distance ahead, and Clark
caught a glimpse of eyes shine in the

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trees to their right, the opposite
side of the road from analco The eyes

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were easily ten feet off the ground, and he watched it blink and stepped

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back into the trees, far enough
that the light wouldn't catch it. Gregel's

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head snapped up and he began looking
in that direction, and Clark watched him

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wrinkling his nose as he tried to
get a scent. There was a look

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of frustration on his face. Clark
knew there had to be too many conflicting

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sens to catch anything from the outside. Clark looked at him and cocked his

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head to the side. Gregel locked
eyes with him and nodded fractionally. Clark's

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stomach nodded as he realized what that
meant. Gregel had just sensed the presence

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of a creature much like himself.
A large predator was in the deep dark

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woods, and Gregel continued to watch
the side of the road, and from

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where he was gazing, Clark could
surmise that whatever was out there, it

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was keeping pace with the car.
If Gregel senses it, then it was

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likely the creature that had sensed him
as well. Fuck, he whispered mentally.

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He chastised himself for not bringing a
firearm. He'd expressly forbidden everyone from

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carrying weapons. Their host security detail
would just take them, un likely not

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return them. Is something wrong,
asked Joakim. No, said Clark,

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I just thought I saw something in
the woods. Ah, you likely did,

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said Yoakum. There are dangerous predators
in these woods. It is best

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not to be wandering into the woods
unless you are prepared to defend yourself.

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While we are on the property.
Please stay close to the manhouse. We

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wish to ensure your safety. Thank
you, said Clark. I'll keep that

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in mind. Slowing down, Yoakum
turned left into the private driveway. To

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his surprise, they were waved through
without being stopped. Clark got a good

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look at the defenses and they were
extensive. Under a tarp was what had

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to be a crew served a machine
gun. The guard shack had a rack

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of weapons in one corner, some
of them with grenade launchers. Now it

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was getting dark and the security team
was wearing plate carriers and helmets with envgs.

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Clark noticed that their weapons were not
the same as they had been during

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the day, and they were carrying
much heavier weapons. He recognized a manufacturer

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as Heckler and Coke, and the
lowers looked to be HK four seventeens,

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but the uppers had a barrel far
too thick to be a seven point sixty

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two millimeter round. They looked comparable
to the rifles carried by tiam Odin,

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and that meant they had to at
least be a four point fifty eight so

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calm or bigger. Glancing at the
others, he was met with slight knots.

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They had all noticed the weapons and
gear. Once they passed the gate,

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they could see the guard tower that
was well camouflaged. They had missed

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it from the road. There were
two guards in it with night vision gear

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and heavy machine guns. Clark didn't
know what they were preparing for, but

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it had to be something big.
And while the big boar rifles would be

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excellent for disabling vehicles, they would
be overkilled on a normal soldier or police

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officer. You could easily penetrate body
armor with a much smaller caliber and have

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a larger magazine capacity. That didn't
seemed to be concerned with body armor.

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They were loaded to inflict heavy damage. The question was on what, And

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then he thought of the eye shine
in the woods, and whatever that was,

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they were aware of it and were
prepared to defend themselves. The road

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to the manor house was overgrown with
trees and completely invisible from the air.

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Clark remembered when they flew over in
the plane, he hadn't seen this road.

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They passed roving teams that were patrolling
in full battle kit with dogs that

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had to be either Borable or some
other breed of mastiff. They were massive

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animals with completely black, short furred
coats. Their ears had been bobbed and

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the tails removed. They had to
weigh close to two hundred and fifty pounds

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or more. They were big enough
that the handlers were all close to six

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feet eight inches or bigger with heavy
muscle, and the dogs were tethered with

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what looked to be a logging chain. Look at those goddamn dolls, folks,

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said Runestone. Those are unique to
this location, said Yo Kim.

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They were bred originally from African Brobil
and English massive bloodlines, but they were

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bred for their strength and loyalty to
their handlers. They are magnificent animals,

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said Gregel. I have a pair
of Borbles back home, said Clark.

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They're amazing dogs, smart and loyal. Why do you need so much security

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here, asked Valkyrie. I'm afraid
that our lead has many enemies, answered

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Jokim. Also, there are dangerous
animals in these woods. I can't imagine

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anything dangerous enough to need this much
security, said Braven. It's like a

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military base. Jokim didn't comment.
They all saw the lights ahead as they

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rounded the bend in the road,
revealing the estate in all its glory.

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Several buildings were all built in the
Bavarian style that seemed to flank the large

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manor house that was in alco.
The entire estate had a Bavarian log cabin

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feel that seemed to make the place
feel like a hunting retreat in the Alps,

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not something you would normally find in
the andes of South America. There

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were several stylish cars parked beneath a
large car port, and more parked inside

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the long garage. Many of them
were museum pieces, like the one they

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were riding in. Several vehicles that
were parked nearby looked like humvies. Would

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you look at all these old cars, said Runestone. Check out the armored

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vehicles, said Clark. If I'm
not mistaken, those are German ampvs.

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Ja Kim said nothing. He pulled
beneath the covered porch and stopped directly in

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front of the set of double doors. A man dressed in a coat and

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tails, opened their door and stood
by while they exited. The men all

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exited, first holding the hand of
their ladies, helping them out, and

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then taking them on their arms.
If you would follow me, said the

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dorman, closing the car door and
turning toward the house. Jokim drove off

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without looking back. Wow, whispered
Valkyrie. This is a lot to take

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in at once. Clark and Gregel
were glancing in every direction, taking in

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the details and identifying security features.
Some cameras were capable of infrared and low

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light. They saw motion detectors as
well as thermal sensors. The security here

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was very tight. The dormen opened
the door for them and they headed inside,

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and Alco lived up to its name. The house was elaborately furnished while

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keeping the hunting retreat feel. Inside. There were wood panels on the walls

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with an enormous fireplace that was the
centerpiece. There were paintings on the walls

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that appeared to be from many of
the great masters. A large dining area

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was already set with enough seating for
at least twenty people. They were ushered

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into the living area, where large
comfortable chairs were placed around the fire.

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There were enough empty seats for all
of them, but many were occupied with

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older men and women wearing formal attire. Their host stood as they approached,

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and Clark instantly recognized him as the
man from the balcony that he'd seen from

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the plane. He also recognized him
from photos taken during World War II.

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There was no doubt in his mind
this was Adolf Hitler. The man extended

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his hand with a smile. Wilcomen, he said, shaking each of the

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men's hands in turn. Thank you, said Clark. We appreciate your kind

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offer of hospitality. It is I
who should thank you, said the man.

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It is not often that our little
village gets visited by someone flying such

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an amazing aircraft. I was astounded
when I saw it fly over. Thank

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you for joining us. Ah,
where are my manners? Permit me to

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introduce myself. I am Augustus Hindemann. Welcome to my home. Clark did

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his best not to react when he
realized that his initials were a. H.

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You have a beautiful home, sir, said Clark. Allow me to

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introduce myself and my party. I'm
Daniel Clark, and this is my lovely

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new bride, Miranda. The gentleman
is William gray Eagle and his wife Samantha.

255
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And this is Santana Alvarez and his
wife Amanda. They were in our

256
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wedding party, so we invited them
along. It's a honeymoon for Miranda and

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me and the second honeymoon for them. I got a great deal on the

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package. Clark was pleased with himself
for managing to use their names instead of

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their code names. Henderman shook their
hands and in turn smiled broadly. Please,

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he said, gesturing expansively, join
us by the fire and tell us

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about yourselves. They were guided to
large, overstuffed leather chairs that were gathered

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in the seating area beside the fire. Henderman began introducing the men and women

263
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that were seated. Didn't catch their
names. He was already running through his

264
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mental records. He was a student
of history, and he knew he'd seen

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the face of every man in this
room. It was now confirmed Henryman was

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Hitler without the mustache. The others
were Erwin Rommel, Wilhelm Kanaris, Martin

267
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Borman, and Carl Dornetz. He
assumed the women were either their original wives

268
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or ones they had married after the
war. Although all of them had been

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reported dead long ago, they were
very much alive. It occurred to Clark

270
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that if the Nazis had known they
were losing the war, it would have

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been easy to concoct a believable cover
story for the alleged execution of key officers.

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It would be much easier to smuggle
them out of the country if the

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Allies already thought they were dead.
Clark glanced over at Gregel, who nodded

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imperceptibly. Clark knew that Gregel was
a student of history, especially military history.

275
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If he agreed with him, then
there had to be more than enough

276
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to contact all Father and tell them
what they had discovered. Clark fought internally

277
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to keep his composure, knowing what
they had just walked into. They were

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in the South American equivalent of the
Burghoff. If they knew the real purpose

279
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of their presence in Argentina, then
it was highly likely they wouldn't leave this

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place alive. They had just walked
into the lions Den unarmed. They made

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00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:34.799
small talk with the group, but
Clark's mind wasn't really on it. He

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was running angles, trying to find
an escape route that might allow them to

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survive. They couldn't run for the
lake. The water temperature would kill all

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of them other than Gray Eagle in
minutes. The woods were full of patrols

285
00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:53.440
with monster dogs, and then there
was whatever the hell had been watching them

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00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:59.680
arrive. Clark had find no way
that wouldn't end in their deaths, either

287
00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:03.839
at the hands of the Elements or
by the highly trained security teams. What

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00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:08.319
do you say, hey, Clark, said Henderman Hitler. Excuse me,

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00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:12.799
said Clark. I'm afraid I didn't
hear you. I asked if you would

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step out onto the deck with me
with a drink and discuss that airplane of

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yours. Oh, of course,
said Clark, playing for time. Henderman

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slash Hitler nodded at one of the
attending servants and they were both brought a

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crystal glass containing a dark amber liquid. Accepting the drink, Clark nodded at

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the others and followed Henderman out onto
the deck. The night air was chilly,

295
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but Clark felt himself sweating beneath his
tuxedo. All he could think about

296
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was who was standing beside him and
if he could kill him before being taken

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out by security. Taking a sip
of the drink. Clark was taken aback

298
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by how good it was. He
smiled despite himself and took another sip.

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It is quite good, joh,
said Hendryman. Very good, said Clark.

300
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It is my favorite, brandy,
said Henderman. Now, shall we

301
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get down to the business at hand? Sure, said Clark, fully expecting

302
00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:15.759
to be seized by the guards and
restrained it any moment. Now, did

303
00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:22.599
you find that amazing aircraft? Asked
Henderman excitedly. Clark was astounded. They

304
00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:27.240
had no idea who he was.
Their cover was intact. Then, who

305
00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:32.759
the hell had planted bugs in their
rooms? His thoughts turned to the group

306
00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:37.599
of Argentine intelligence that had intercepted them
at the airport. There were many factors

307
00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:41.680
at work, and he was having
trouble keeping up with everyone. I want

308
00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:45.519
it in a poker game in Borneo, said Clark, sticking to the story.

309
00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:49.000
It was in pretty rough shape then, but I had at shipt home

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and restored it. You did that
beautiful job, said Henderman. I would

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consider offering five hundred thousand US dollars
just from my brief observation, that is,

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00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:04.799
assuming the interior is in as good
as shape as the exterior. It's

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in great shape, said Clark,
But I don't want to sell her.

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She's a one of a kind fine. I doubt I'd ever find another off

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00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:18.079
that, I am certain, said
Henderman. I will double my offer to

316
00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:22.480
one million. Do not say yes
or no. Consider it for a while.

317
00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:26.000
Let us return to the others and
prepare for dinner. This chief and

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kitchen staff should be ready soon.
All right, said Clark. They headed

319
00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:36.839
back inside and closed the French doors
behind them, and when they entered the

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room, Clark noticed the piano in
the corner that he hadn't paid attention to

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before. Is that a Bossendorf for
grand piano? Asked Clark. You have

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an excellent eye, said Henderman.
Do you play? I haven't in a

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00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:56.519
long time, said Clark, But
those are amazing pieces of craftsmanship. I've

324
00:25:56.519 --> 00:26:00.519
never actually seen one before. The
only ones I've seen were in books.

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00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:06.119
Motioning for the others to come over, Henderman guided Clark toward the piano.

326
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Please, everyone, said Henderman,
join us head. Clark is going to

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play for us. Everyone gathered around
and Clark reluctantly took his seat behind the

328
00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:22.119
keys. He opened the cover reverently
and slowly and taking in the beauty of

329
00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:27.000
the piano. Valkyrie locked eyes with
him and looked surprised. If Clark couldn't

330
00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:32.880
play, Henderman would know something was
up with them. Clark played with the

331
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pedals for a moment before placing his
hands at the keyboard. They all held

332
00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:41.160
their breath in anticipation, unsure of
what was about to happen. As he

333
00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:45.519
slowly began to play. After the
first few beautiful notes, Henderman clasped his

334
00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:51.519
hands together with a look of pure
joy on his face. He'd recognized the

335
00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:59.279
piece With growing confidence and volume,
Clark launched into Richard Wagner's Prelude and Leavistad

336
00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:04.000
from than Unda Essolde. He was
playing with his eyes closed for memory,

337
00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:10.279
and Valkyrie looked shocked as he continued
to play. The other guest of Henderman

338
00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:14.440
stared open mouthed as he played,
and they stood there, transfixed, as

339
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if the music had transported them all
to a distant place. And when he

340
00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:22.359
finished, there was an applause from
the crowd, and even Valkyrie applauded.

341
00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:29.000
Clark smiled at the crowd. Wagner
was my grandfather's favorite, he said,

342
00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:33.799
I learned to play the piano from
him. You play it like a German,

343
00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:38.240
said Henderman, smiling. Excellent.
Clark smiled and started to get up.

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Play something else, said Henderman.
Please, it has been far too

345
00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:47.880
long since we've had a wonderful pianist
play for us. Play something, so

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we met dance. Well, what
would you like to hear, asked Clark.

347
00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:56.000
Anything you like, said Henderman.
It is just good to hear the

348
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borsind off of played by someone who
knows how. Clark began playing softly in

349
00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:04.960
a minor key, and the Germans
began pairing up to dance to the music.

350
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Hendrman held out his hand to Valkyrie, and since she had no one

351
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else to dance with and neither did
he, she accepted. Clark played the

352
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tune hauntingly slow, and she was
sure that she knew it. It was

353
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tantalizingly close, but she just couldn't
place it. When he finished playing,

354
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they all stopped and applauded again,
and Clark stood up smiling. Dina Is

355
00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:36.359
served announced the butler. Oh your
timingness perfect, said Henderman, and led

356
00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:41.359
them all into the dining room.
They were shown to their seating by the

357
00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:45.440
staff and Clark and Valkyrie were placed
immediately to Henderman's left at the head of

358
00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:51.799
the table, but directly across from
him was Irwin Rommel. Clark met his

359
00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:56.559
gaze and nodded respectfully, and Rommel
studied him for a moment before giving him

360
00:28:56.599 --> 00:29:00.240
a slight nod in the stiff Prussian
style. Lark wanted to blurt out that

361
00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:04.039
he knew who they all were,
just so he could ask questions he was

362
00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:08.079
dying to know how they were all
here and how they were all even alive.

363
00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:12.400
However, he knew doing so would
likely be the death sentence for them

364
00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:18.039
all. What was that song you
were playing, whispered Valkyrie, the second

365
00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:22.119
one striving me crazy. I know, I know that song, Clark smiled

366
00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:26.319
as he leaned closer to her ear. It's Zombie by the Cranberries, he

367
00:29:26.359 --> 00:29:32.519
whispered. Oh my god, she
replied, grinning the irony of dancing to

368
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that song. Hush, he whispered, let's not upset our hosts. As

369
00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:42.680
the servants were bringing out the first
course, a fragrant soup was served,

370
00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:48.319
and Henderman stood and clinked his glass
in Almah of our guest marriage. He

371
00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:53.119
said, I have asked the staff
to prepare a traditional soup for our first

372
00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:57.960
course. That drew around a polite
applause, and people raised their glasses to

373
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Clark and Valkyrie. When everyone had
calmed down, the servants continued to place

374
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the bowls in front of everyone.
So I am given to understand that you

375
00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:11.920
are a pilot, said Rommel,
nodding at Clark. And you flew here

376
00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:18.400
in a vintage World War Two German
airplane. Yes, said Clark. It's

377
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a fully restored Catalina PB y.
Well, everything's restored except for the guns.

378
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That is a remarkable plane, said
Rommel. I once saw one.

379
00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:33.559
I believe it was in Tunisia.
Clark caught himself. He almost asked if

380
00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:37.720
that was in nineteen forty two,
but he thought better of it. Valkyrie

381
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must have sensed it because she squeezed
his leg. I love old planes,

382
00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:45.839
said Clark. I've always wanted to
fly a P fifty one Mustang, but

383
00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:52.079
I doubt I'll ever get the chance
here. Hinderman has a collection of vintage

384
00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:56.960
aircraft from that era, said Rommel. I believe he has a P fifty

385
00:30:56.000 --> 00:31:00.759
one, but his collection consists of
mostly German air aircraft. I do believe

386
00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:06.160
he also has a few meshah Schmidt
be if one O nines. He's quite

387
00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:11.519
the pilot himself, Donka, said
Henderman. I have logged hundreds of hours

388
00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:15.839
in the one O nine. I
have also won eighty monk dogfights against other

389
00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:21.839
pilots. That's an impressive accomplishment,
said Clark. Uk Jaw said Rammel.

390
00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:26.920
But I was never an aircraft man
myself. I prefer ground vehicles specifically.

391
00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:33.400
I've always had a love for tanks, really, said Clark. My grandfather

392
00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:37.480
was a tanker. He was with
Patent in the US Second Corps. Valkyrie

393
00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:41.839
squeezed his leg hard enough that he
glanced at her, and Clark watched a

394
00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:48.279
slight tick at the corner of Rommel's
mouth before he spoke. So was he

395
00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:52.079
on the sherman of the Stuart tank, asked Rammel. He started as a

396
00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:57.440
gunner on a sherman, said Clark, studying Rammel's eyes. After North Africa

397
00:31:57.640 --> 00:32:01.839
he was made a tank command.
When they headed into Sicily, there was

398
00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:07.599
a gleam there, but Clark didn't
sense animosity. If anything, it looked

399
00:32:07.640 --> 00:32:12.359
more like nostalgia. It occurred to
him that Rommel either missed it or looked

400
00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:16.559
forward to doing it again. The
soup is delicious, said Valkyrie, changing

401
00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:22.519
the subject Donka, said Henderman.
It is my mother's recipe from Austria.

402
00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:28.960
There were five more courses served,
each more elaborate than the last. The

403
00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:35.599
dinner's main course was icepin and ended
with a dessert of Dunawild cake. Cake

404
00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:39.079
is amazing, said Valkyrie, tasting
the first bite. It is one of

405
00:32:39.119 --> 00:32:45.680
my favorites, said Henderman. I
enjoyed very much. Once the dishes were

406
00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:49.480
cleared, Clark looked at Henderman and
nodded, thank you. He said,

407
00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:53.519
you went all out on this dinner
to celebrate our wedding deed. Nothing of

408
00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:58.640
it, said Henderman. Any excuse
to dine well is fine with me,

409
00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:01.680
but it was not. I not
completely in your honor. I had other

410
00:33:01.759 --> 00:33:07.200
intentions as well. My guests are
here on other business. I couldnot resist

411
00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:13.279
inviting you for your wedding and in
honor of such an amazing aircraft. Well

412
00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:16.359
regardless, said Clark, Thank you, it was certainly a night I will

413
00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:22.119
never forget. The side door opened
and Clark saw Haints walk in with three

414
00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:28.680
other men, all dressed identically.
They were wearing black military style fatigue pants

415
00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:32.640
and black t shirts under plate carriers. They were carrying a pistol on their

416
00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:37.400
hip, with additional magazines and pouches, and Clark tensed, expecting them to

417
00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:42.839
bring their weapons up and take them
all into custody. Well, he thought,

418
00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:52.799
at least they fed us. First
Chapter seven, Welcoming Party, twenty

419
00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:59.680
one to thirty hours fourteen May and
alco Hine scanned the room for threats before

420
00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:05.240
coming to attention to Henderman's right.
Around the guard's necks hung those large bore

421
00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:10.039
HK rifles that Clark had seen the
gate guards carrying. Clark noticed deep gougers

422
00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:15.239
in Heinz's chest plate. There were
four marks exactly parallel to each other,

423
00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:21.360
and it was easy to recognize them
as claw marks. Heinz noticed. Clark

424
00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:27.960
nodded. My apologies for the interruption, said Heinz. Henderman looked annoyed,

425
00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:31.199
and Clark saw anger in his eyes, but he controlled it enough that could

426
00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:36.559
only barely be heard in his tone. What is it, Commander, Heinz

427
00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:42.400
snapped Henderman. The room seemed to
freeze. Henderman went slightly, but made

428
00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:47.119
no other outward sign. It had
just been confirmed by them Henderman had used

429
00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:52.519
a military rank instead of a civilian
title. Clark pretended not to notice,

430
00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:58.920
but Heinz knew he had. He
locked eyes with Clark and smiled almost imperceptibly.

431
00:35:00.360 --> 00:35:04.559
We had an issue at the main
gate, said Hines. What happened?

432
00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:09.280
Some of the locals charged the gate, said Hines. They were successful.

433
00:35:09.639 --> 00:35:14.679
At least four of them are inside
the perimeter. We sustain casualties.

434
00:35:15.159 --> 00:35:17.559
Becker and Faulkner will be in the
hospital for a few days with some new

435
00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:23.239
scars, but their injuries are not
life threatening. Are there any fatalities?

436
00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:29.920
Nine mind here, said Heinz.
However, they have managed to knock out

437
00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:34.199
the power to the fences, and
the resulting power surge has knocked our entire

438
00:35:34.239 --> 00:35:37.440
camera system offline. We are working
on the systems and hope to have them

439
00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:43.000
back to full capacity within the hour. Are you hurt, said Henderman.

440
00:35:43.559 --> 00:35:46.079
Nine mind hen, said Hines.
We need to get you to a safe

441
00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:51.320
location. The main house is not
safe until we have put down the assault.

442
00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:54.119
All of you are in danger.
We should get to the bunker,

443
00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:59.960
said Henderman, turning back to his
guests. I apologize for the inconvenience,

444
00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:04.480
but the situation requires that we adjourn
to the secure area of the house.

445
00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:08.679
How can I help? Clark hurt
himself, ask He wasn't sure why it

446
00:36:08.760 --> 00:36:14.159
came out. It popped out as
if on its own. He expected to

447
00:36:14.159 --> 00:36:16.480
get dirty looks from the others,
but they all seemed to agree with him.

448
00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:21.639
It was in their nature to help, even if it meant saving the

449
00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:25.719
assembled group. Clark was content keeping
them alive so they could face justice.

450
00:36:27.159 --> 00:36:30.480
The world needed to know the truth. Do any of you have combat tanning,

451
00:36:30.800 --> 00:36:35.519
asked heins We all do, said
Clark. We all met in the

452
00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:40.199
military with your permission, mind,
hen Heines said to Henderman, if you

453
00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:45.119
help with this situation, said Henderman, I shall see to it that you

454
00:36:45.199 --> 00:36:50.440
were rewarded handsomely. We'll need to
change clothes, said Clark. I can

455
00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:52.960
take care of that, said Hines. Let's get them to the bunker and

456
00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:58.920
I'll get you some gear. Guiding
the group to the massive stone fireplace,

457
00:36:59.000 --> 00:37:04.480
Henderman pressed the specific rock and opened
a hidden passage with a staircase leading down.

458
00:37:05.239 --> 00:37:07.400
Once they were all ushered in,
the door was sealed behind them,

459
00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:12.679
and Heinz turned to Clark. You
don't have to do this, he said.

460
00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:16.360
I certainly won't refuse your help,
but this isn't your fight. We're

461
00:37:16.360 --> 00:37:21.880
wasting time, said Clark with a
nod. Hines studied him for a moment

462
00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:25.320
and then nodded respectfully. Follow me, he said, leading them off toward

463
00:37:25.400 --> 00:37:30.400
the west end of the house.
Once there, they all climbed into one

464
00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:34.280
of the armored vehicles, and Hinz
drove them to a large building deeper in

465
00:37:34.360 --> 00:37:37.679
the complex. They hadn't seen it
on their drive in. It looked like

466
00:37:37.719 --> 00:37:44.239
a combination of barracks and armory.
Stopping the vehicle right beside the entrance,

467
00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:49.000
they all ran inside. Hines led
them to a large room that looked like

468
00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:53.079
a supply closet. Tend me your
sizes, he said. As they called

469
00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:57.440
them out. He began throwing boots
and cloths at them, and when he

470
00:37:57.519 --> 00:38:00.559
had them all supplied, he pointed
across the hall. There are locker rooms

471
00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:05.199
over dere, he said, Fraeulein's
on the left. As soon as you

472
00:38:05.239 --> 00:38:09.159
address come to the armory. I'll
have weapons and armor for you. They

473
00:38:09.239 --> 00:38:15.039
hurried across the hall and began changing
quickly. Clark emerged first and ducked into

474
00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:19.719
the armory. Hines was there,
already pulling guns from the racks. Clark

475
00:38:19.760 --> 00:38:22.400
began buckling on the belt and plate
carrier that were placed on the counter.

476
00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:28.599
What weapon do you prefer, asked
Hines. I'll take one of those h

477
00:38:28.679 --> 00:38:32.239
K rifles your men are carrying,
said Clark. Hines pulled one from the

478
00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:36.519
rack and tossed it to him,
and then he grabbed the satchel and tossed

479
00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:40.239
it over as well. That contains
AMMO and magazines for the rifle and a

480
00:38:40.280 --> 00:38:45.639
pistol, said Hines. The pistol
is a heavily modified h K Mark twenty

481
00:38:45.679 --> 00:38:51.400
three, so com it's been rechambered
to take the fifty AE round. The

482
00:38:51.480 --> 00:38:55.880
rifle is chambered in the fifty Beowulf. Holy mother of crap, said Clark,

483
00:38:55.960 --> 00:39:01.039
looking at the pistol. How's it
kick like you Americans say, said

484
00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:07.000
Heinz, like a fucking mule.
Clark was loading his weapons when Valkyrie arrived.

485
00:39:07.519 --> 00:39:14.800
Weapon preference, asked heins sniper,
she replied. Heinz looked quizzically at

486
00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:19.800
Clark, who nodded solemnly. Heines
nodded respectfully at Valkyrie and handed her a

487
00:39:19.880 --> 00:39:25.599
modified HKPSG one. It's rechambered in
four or five eight Winchester magnum. He

488
00:39:25.719 --> 00:39:31.000
said, it's a bit heavier than
the standed PSG one. I'll manage,

489
00:39:31.199 --> 00:39:36.559
said Valkyrie, swinging the rifle up
to her shoulder and checking the optic.

490
00:39:37.079 --> 00:39:38.880
I might need a shot or two
to get the feel of the scope.

491
00:39:39.440 --> 00:39:45.480
Hines looked to Clark. I can
certainly see why you married her. Oh

492
00:39:45.519 --> 00:39:49.400
you have no idea, said Clark. You know I'm standing right here,

493
00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:54.039
she said, winking at Clark.
The others arrived and began quickly getting outfitted.

494
00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:59.360
Weapons were chosen and loaded, and
once they were dying, Heinz gave

495
00:39:59.400 --> 00:40:04.519
them all a radio in an earpiece. These are encrypted, said Hines.

496
00:40:04.719 --> 00:40:07.119
Stick to channel seven. The others
will not hear you if you change.

497
00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:13.039
That would be most unpleasant if you
needed help. What exactly are we facing,

498
00:40:13.320 --> 00:40:17.559
asked Clark. You might find this
unbelievable, or try us, said

499
00:40:17.599 --> 00:40:23.679
Valkyrie. We refer to them as
locals, said Hines. We originally thought

500
00:40:23.719 --> 00:40:29.920
there were werewolves when our security teams
started getting attacked, and at first we

501
00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:34.199
were less heavily armed, and there
were many casualties. We lost a lot

502
00:40:34.239 --> 00:40:37.440
of good men and women before we
got the heavier weapons. Now we can

503
00:40:37.480 --> 00:40:43.800
mostly keep them at bay. So
what are they, asked Clark. Some

504
00:40:43.880 --> 00:40:49.199
sort of weird cat creature, said
Hines. There is a type which resemble

505
00:40:49.519 --> 00:40:54.719
humanoid jaguars, both spotted and black. They are usually around two meters tall.

506
00:40:55.360 --> 00:41:00.760
Others seem to be more of a
saber tooth tiger type the three meter

507
00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:06.599
range. Damn, said Clark.
That's big forget chest shots, said Hines.

508
00:41:06.800 --> 00:41:10.400
They have thick bones, hard to
penetrate without a direct hit. Try

509
00:41:10.440 --> 00:41:15.199
for the head, neck, in
the upper arms and thighs anywhere they are

510
00:41:15.239 --> 00:41:19.840
big arteries. Well, that makes
sense, said Clark, glancing at Valkyrie.

511
00:41:20.480 --> 00:41:24.039
They had all heard the same advice
before, only from Clark. Hines

512
00:41:24.119 --> 00:41:28.960
turned to the group. I'll get
your shooter to a tower and she can

513
00:41:29.079 --> 00:41:30.800
use a s niper perch, and
the rest of us will work as a

514
00:41:30.800 --> 00:41:35.519
patrol team. I'm sorry, but
you will have to take your orders from

515
00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:38.480
me. None of you know this
place as I do. Of course,

516
00:41:38.519 --> 00:41:43.320
said Clark. You're a full commander. You outrank all of us anyway.

517
00:41:44.159 --> 00:41:47.199
Heines nodded at him, but made
a strange face, and Clark realized that

518
00:41:47.320 --> 00:41:52.199
might have been too much. Fortunately, he didn't press the issue. Let's

519
00:41:52.280 --> 00:41:57.639
move, he said, heading for
the door. Hustling out the door,

520
00:41:57.719 --> 00:42:00.400
they could hear gunfire in the distance. It seemed to be coming from the

521
00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:06.239
direction of the main gate. They
could hear rapid German on the radio,

522
00:42:06.400 --> 00:42:08.280
and Clark understood a lot of it, but part of it had to be

523
00:42:08.360 --> 00:42:14.039
in code. He could only guess. Sounds like the gate is under attack,

524
00:42:14.199 --> 00:42:19.159
said Clark. Joh said Hines,
however, that is not our problem.

525
00:42:19.559 --> 00:42:22.119
We are signed to defend the manor
house. Other teams are moving to

526
00:42:22.159 --> 00:42:28.599
reinforce the gate. Diving into the
armored transport, Hines fired up the engine

527
00:42:28.639 --> 00:42:31.920
and raced off back toward the main
part of the compound. As they rounded

528
00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:36.639
a corner, they saw a large
tower with stairs leading up to the top.

529
00:42:37.559 --> 00:42:40.239
This is your stop, said Hines. There shouldn't be anyone up there

530
00:42:40.679 --> 00:42:45.519
cover in the direction of the main
building at the center of the compound.

531
00:42:45.400 --> 00:42:51.000
Valcary nodded and started to get out
of the vehicle. Clark nodded at Raven.

532
00:42:51.360 --> 00:42:53.679
Go with her. He said,
you can be her spotter and help

533
00:42:53.760 --> 00:42:58.119
defend the tower if the creatures come
for you. And if they do,

534
00:42:58.480 --> 00:43:01.000
get on the radio and We'll get
to you as quickly as we can and

535
00:43:01.119 --> 00:43:05.920
hold that tower until we get to
you. Yes, sir, said Raven,

536
00:43:06.039 --> 00:43:09.800
grabbing her gear and baling out with
Valkyrie. Clark watched them climb the

537
00:43:09.800 --> 00:43:15.760
stairs and disappear into the tower before
Hines could drive away. Clark saw them

538
00:43:15.840 --> 00:43:20.239
drop the door into place and secure
it. The tower appeared to be made

539
00:43:20.280 --> 00:43:23.599
of strong enough material that the creatures
shouldn't be able to get inside easily.

540
00:43:24.480 --> 00:43:29.840
Once the tower was here, heinz
hit the gas and they sped off toward

541
00:43:29.880 --> 00:43:34.440
the main compound, sliding to a
stop near the car port. They all

542
00:43:34.480 --> 00:43:37.920
bailed out and brought all their weapons
up. Clark started to bark orders,

543
00:43:37.960 --> 00:43:44.760
but caught himself. Hines nodded fractionally
and then glanced at the others. All

544
00:43:44.920 --> 00:43:47.960
interest is to demain house should be
secure, said Hines. I will take

545
00:43:49.000 --> 00:43:53.360
these tool with me. He gestured
at Runestone and shield Maiden. You two

546
00:43:53.480 --> 00:43:58.639
go around the house and meet us
on the other side, Hines instructed,

547
00:43:58.800 --> 00:44:02.760
gesturing at Clark. Gregel. If
you find an entrance that is not secure,

548
00:44:02.880 --> 00:44:07.840
alert us. We will have to
sweep the entire house, and do

549
00:44:07.960 --> 00:44:12.519
not forget to check the upstairs windows. And the balconies. Gregel nodded,

550
00:44:12.840 --> 00:44:16.800
watch your backs, cautioned Hines,
these creatures are dangerous and highly intelligent.

551
00:44:17.039 --> 00:44:22.920
Now let's move. Clark and Gregel
headed off around the west side of the

552
00:44:22.960 --> 00:44:27.360
house, checking windows and doors.
As they moved, one would check the

553
00:44:27.400 --> 00:44:30.840
window while the other watched their backs, and then they would leap frog to

554
00:44:30.880 --> 00:44:36.360
the next window, always moving and
always scanning their surroundings. As they rounded

555
00:44:36.400 --> 00:44:39.719
the corner, they saw movement ahead. It was a flitting specter among the

556
00:44:39.760 --> 00:44:45.119
shadows. Whatever it was, it
moved fast, and it was moving toward

557
00:44:45.159 --> 00:44:49.480
the back of the house. What
was that, whispered Clark. Smells like

558
00:44:49.519 --> 00:44:52.559
a large cat, replied Gregel.
Be careful. Well, that's the plan,

559
00:44:52.840 --> 00:44:57.159
Clark said, crouching lower as he
approached the edge of the building.

560
00:44:58.159 --> 00:45:00.920
Do you want me to shift forms
and take them on directly, asked Gregel.

561
00:45:01.559 --> 00:45:06.599
No, that's only as an absolute
lash resort, said Clark. That's

562
00:45:06.639 --> 00:45:08.199
an ace in the hole. I
don't want them to know about yet.

563
00:45:09.079 --> 00:45:14.639
If Heinz can turn into another form, whispered Gregel, I should have been

564
00:45:14.679 --> 00:45:17.800
able to smell her, since it
I could not, then maybe there's more

565
00:45:17.880 --> 00:45:22.119
going on here than we were led
to believe, replied Clark, lowering himself

566
00:45:22.159 --> 00:45:27.400
down almost to the ground to peer
around the corner of the house. Just

567
00:45:27.440 --> 00:45:30.960
as he was about to lean out
around the corner, Gregel grabbed his collar

568
00:45:30.000 --> 00:45:35.760
and pulled him back. Using hand
signals, he indicated to Clark that it

569
00:45:35.800 --> 00:45:38.840
was just around the corner, waiting
for him to present a target. Thank

570
00:45:38.880 --> 00:45:45.519
you, said Clark. Gregel prepared
himself, summoning some of the Great Wolf's

571
00:45:45.519 --> 00:45:50.760
great strength and speed. In a
move that was nearly too fast to track,

572
00:45:51.280 --> 00:45:55.199
Gregel swung out into the open with
his weapon already up. Taken aback

573
00:45:55.199 --> 00:46:00.199
by the unexpected speed, he caught
the creatures unprepared before it could move,

574
00:46:00.320 --> 00:46:05.000
He shot it twice, once in
each knee, and it dropped to the

575
00:46:05.000 --> 00:46:08.960
ground, yewling in pain. Clark
stepped out with his weapon up, leveling

576
00:46:09.000 --> 00:46:13.840
it at the creature's head, and
the beast locked his gaze on him,

577
00:46:13.880 --> 00:46:20.599
revealing dark green eyes with strange catlike
pupils. It was massive, with enormous

578
00:46:20.800 --> 00:46:23.840
ten inch teeth that protruded from the
top of its mouth, just like a

579
00:46:23.880 --> 00:46:29.559
smiloton. If it had been standing, it would have been nearly as tall

580
00:46:29.599 --> 00:46:32.840
as graygel In Wolf form. It
had to be close to ten feet tall.

581
00:46:35.079 --> 00:46:38.119
Clark kept his weapon train right on
the beast's forehead, not wavering or

582
00:46:38.159 --> 00:46:44.079
not backing away. The creature looked
at him with intelligence in its eyes,

583
00:46:44.480 --> 00:46:46.639
and in a deep, rumbling growl. The beast let out the sound that

584
00:46:46.760 --> 00:46:52.960
seemed out of place for the structure
of its mouth. Because of the massive

585
00:46:52.039 --> 00:46:57.119
teeth, it couldn't manipulate its mouth
like a human. However, Clark was

586
00:46:57.239 --> 00:47:05.079
certain that he heard a wordy grdia
it rumbled. Gregel looked at Clark quizzically.

587
00:47:05.840 --> 00:47:09.239
Misster at Cordia, repeated Clark.
He's asking for mercy in Spanish.

588
00:47:10.119 --> 00:47:15.239
Why are you here, asked Gregel. The creature looked confused but said nothing.

589
00:47:15.840 --> 00:47:20.719
I don't think he speaks English,
said Clark. They could see the

590
00:47:20.760 --> 00:47:23.960
wounds were nearly healed already, and
the creature would be able to stand soon.

591
00:47:24.639 --> 00:47:29.320
Despite that, he refused to move
with the weapon trained squarely between his

592
00:47:29.400 --> 00:47:32.880
eyes. The creature understood that as
fast as it might be, the bullet

593
00:47:32.880 --> 00:47:37.800
would likely be faster. What should
we do, asked Gregel. I'm not

594
00:47:37.880 --> 00:47:42.559
sure, said Clark, but I'm
not in favor of executing him. I

595
00:47:42.639 --> 00:47:45.840
want to know why he's here.
If Heinz sees him, said Gregel,

596
00:47:45.960 --> 00:47:51.800
he will kill him. Trust me
on this, said Clark. Gregel nodded.

597
00:47:52.840 --> 00:47:55.679
Repeat them, an't they, said
Clark. The beast looked back and

598
00:47:55.719 --> 00:48:00.679
forth between them, unsure of what
to do. Lower your weap, said

599
00:48:00.719 --> 00:48:06.960
Clark reluctantly. Gregel lowered his rifle
while Clark lowered his What did you just

600
00:48:07.000 --> 00:48:10.159
say to him, asked Gregel.
I told him to run away, quickly

601
00:48:10.280 --> 00:48:15.039
replied Clark, still watching the creature
for any sign of an attack. There

602
00:48:15.079 --> 00:48:20.320
was a moment of indecision as the
creature's eyes started back and forth, and

603
00:48:20.360 --> 00:48:23.639
then in an instant it raced for
the trees, and seconds later it was

604
00:48:23.719 --> 00:48:28.880
gone. I hope that doesn't bite
me in the ass, said Clark.

605
00:48:29.320 --> 00:48:34.159
Let's get moving, said Gregel.
They continued along the back of the house

606
00:48:34.159 --> 00:48:37.880
and met up with the others near
the patio where Clark had the drink with

607
00:48:37.960 --> 00:48:42.079
Henderman. And even though it had
only been an hour ago, it felt

608
00:48:42.119 --> 00:48:45.960
like much longer. I heard your
shots, said Hinz, checking the patio

609
00:48:46.119 --> 00:48:51.679
doors and finding them secure. We
saw one of the creatures, said Clark.

610
00:48:52.119 --> 00:48:54.119
Gregel got off a couple of shots
and I think we hit it.

611
00:48:54.760 --> 00:48:58.519
We saw it drop and then get
up and race off into the night.

612
00:48:58.960 --> 00:49:02.440
We found a little blood near the
west wall. Are damn hard to kill,

613
00:49:02.599 --> 00:49:07.239
said Heines. It seems like our
weapons will slow them down, but

614
00:49:07.360 --> 00:49:12.679
killing them is much more difficult it
usually it takes severe blood loss and more

615
00:49:12.719 --> 00:49:16.159
than one headshot. If they're only
wounded, they seem to recover rapidly.

616
00:49:16.840 --> 00:49:21.079
All right, I'll keep that in
mind, said Clark. So the house

617
00:49:21.159 --> 00:49:24.559
is secure, what's next? Heines
held up his hand and began speaking into

618
00:49:24.599 --> 00:49:30.159
his radio. The conversation was not
difficult to follow, even though he was

619
00:49:30.199 --> 00:49:34.199
speaking German. When he was finished, he turned back to the others.

620
00:49:34.679 --> 00:49:38.800
Secure systems are back online, said
Heinz. Throm a camera show the creatures

621
00:49:38.840 --> 00:49:44.440
retreating through a section of the perimeter
fence that they damaged after the power went

622
00:49:44.519 --> 00:49:47.920
out. I believe we are safe
for the moment. Once we're certain they're

623
00:49:47.960 --> 00:49:52.960
all gone, we will send out
repair crews with security detail to fix the

624
00:49:52.039 --> 00:49:57.760
fencing. Well, what's the plan
now, asked Clark. We sweep the

625
00:49:57.880 --> 00:50:01.079
area, said Heines. Just to
be sure. Only a fool would trust

626
00:50:01.119 --> 00:50:07.039
technology when lives are underline. Clark
nodded in agreement. I'll take my group

627
00:50:07.239 --> 00:50:13.280
and search the outlying buildings, said
Heinz to Clark. You take Gray Eagle

628
00:50:13.360 --> 00:50:16.199
and follows the edge of the water
until you hit the trail. Then't follow

629
00:50:16.239 --> 00:50:21.960
it back to the main building.
Listen very carefully, do not go within

630
00:50:22.119 --> 00:50:27.199
six feet at the water's edge.
This is very important. Stay away from

631
00:50:27.239 --> 00:50:30.480
the water. And under no circumstances
are you to go into the water.

632
00:50:31.239 --> 00:50:35.719
If one of the creatures goes in, do not follow it. Do you

633
00:50:35.920 --> 00:50:40.000
understand, Stay clear of the water, said Clark. Got it. Why

634
00:50:42.239 --> 00:50:45.159
it's a long story, said Hines. For your safety, listen to my

635
00:50:45.239 --> 00:50:50.480
warnings. Perhaps when this is over, I can explain in more detail.

636
00:50:51.239 --> 00:50:54.599
Okay, it sounds good. Okay, said Hines. We were rendezvous by

637
00:50:54.599 --> 00:51:00.800
the AMPV copy that said Clark,
turning and heading toward the light. Gregel

638
00:51:00.840 --> 00:51:05.960
fell into step beside him, and
they had their weapons at low ready as

639
00:51:06.000 --> 00:51:08.880
they moved down the open yard toward
the dark water. Why would he warn

640
00:51:08.960 --> 00:51:14.239
us about the lake, asked Gregel. If they control the shark creatures,

641
00:51:14.360 --> 00:51:16.760
said Clark, then you would think
there would be no reason to worry.

642
00:51:17.320 --> 00:51:21.960
Well, maybe they don't control them, said Gregel, keeping his voice slow.

643
00:51:22.880 --> 00:51:24.880
I was sure Heines was one of
them, said Clark. He has

644
00:51:24.880 --> 00:51:30.119
the same tattoo. Something isn't right, said Gregel. There's more going on

645
00:51:30.199 --> 00:51:35.440
here than we know, that's for
certain, said Clark. We're just beginning

646
00:51:35.480 --> 00:51:39.320
to scratch the surface of this whole
thing. Gregel nodded in agreement, but

647
00:51:39.360 --> 00:51:44.000
said nothing. They were getting close
to the edge of the water by now,

648
00:51:44.159 --> 00:51:46.679
and they were on height and alert. Clark could see that the water

649
00:51:46.800 --> 00:51:51.400
was shallow for only a few feet
from the edge, and the bottom dropped

650
00:51:51.440 --> 00:51:55.000
off quickly, making the water seem
as black as a moonless night. As

651
00:51:55.039 --> 00:52:00.119
beautiful as this lake is, said
Clark, I have to keep her minding

652
00:52:00.159 --> 00:52:02.960
myself. It's not much warmer than
the water that killed most of the passengers

653
00:52:04.000 --> 00:52:08.159
in the Titanic. As dangerous as
it is beautiful, replied Gregel. I'm

654
00:52:08.159 --> 00:52:13.239
finding that this place is less and
less inviting. The views are amazing,

655
00:52:13.320 --> 00:52:15.599
though, said Clark, but it
seems like there's a lot to worry about.

656
00:52:16.039 --> 00:52:22.320
I'm definitely taking it off my vacation
list. Something ripped the surface of

657
00:52:22.360 --> 00:52:25.840
the water just a few yards off
shore. Clark didn't get a good look

658
00:52:25.880 --> 00:52:30.559
at it. But it was too
big to be a fish. Clark watched

659
00:52:30.559 --> 00:52:35.360
the ripples moving outward from the spot
in the near perfect circle. Whatever it

660
00:52:35.519 --> 00:52:39.199
was it had crested the surface and
then sank back down in the same spot.

661
00:52:39.519 --> 00:52:44.880
Not typical fish behavior. Stay clear
of the water, said Clark,

662
00:52:44.920 --> 00:52:49.719
nodding. That's a good idea,
agreed Gregel. Do you sense anything,

663
00:52:50.039 --> 00:52:54.360
asked Clark. Another predator, said
Gregel, his face going dark. But

664
00:52:54.440 --> 00:53:00.679
it's like nothing I've ever encountered.
This thing is unnatural. It fits the

665
00:53:00.679 --> 00:53:06.079
theory that they were genetically engineered,
said Clark. They began moving along the

666
00:53:06.159 --> 00:53:09.400
shore of the lake, careful to
stay far away from the water. Fortunately,

667
00:53:09.480 --> 00:53:13.679
there was a rocky beach that ran
along the shore, allowing them to

668
00:53:13.679 --> 00:53:17.440
stay ten feet away from the water
without being in the trees. Clark was

669
00:53:17.480 --> 00:53:22.039
scanning the water while Gregel watched the
trees. As they approached a ben in

670
00:53:22.119 --> 00:53:27.719
the shore, Gregel froze and put
his hand on Clark's shoulder. What Clark

671
00:53:27.800 --> 00:53:32.000
started to say, but was silenced
by a way from Gregel. Clark froze

672
00:53:32.000 --> 00:53:37.639
in mid word and began slowly breathing. Everything around them had gone dead silent,

673
00:53:38.119 --> 00:53:40.920
and Clark felt the hairs on the
back of his neck stand up.

674
00:53:42.599 --> 00:53:47.960
Something was very wrong. Goosebumps began
prickling along his arms and shouldering his rifle,

675
00:53:49.039 --> 00:53:53.559
he brought it into position and quietly
clicked off the safety. Gregel leaned

676
00:53:53.559 --> 00:53:58.039
his head back and began sniffing the
air, and Clark could see he was

677
00:53:58.039 --> 00:54:02.320
fighting to maintain the balance between using
the senses of the great Wolf and unleashing

678
00:54:02.360 --> 00:54:08.079
it entirely. It was taking all
of his concentration to hold the transformation at

679
00:54:08.159 --> 00:54:14.280
bay, and Gregel was so focused
on his sense of smell he almost missed

680
00:54:14.320 --> 00:54:19.920
the rustling in the trees. Clark
noticed it first and brought a rifle around

681
00:54:20.079 --> 00:54:24.920
as six creatures that looked like bipedal
black panthers leaped from the trees. All

682
00:54:25.000 --> 00:54:29.880
of them appeared to be in the
eight to nine foot tall range. One

683
00:54:29.960 --> 00:54:35.199
was leaping directly at Gregel and the
others were surrounding them. Clark opened fire,

684
00:54:35.280 --> 00:54:38.719
putting a three round burst of the
massive fifty beowolf rounds into the chest

685
00:54:38.760 --> 00:54:44.519
of the beast that was heading for
Gregel. It screamed in pain as the

686
00:54:44.559 --> 00:54:50.480
massive rounds punched holes the size of
quarters into its flesh. The force of

687
00:54:50.519 --> 00:54:54.880
the rounds knocked off its trajectory,
causing it to miss Gregel completely. It

688
00:54:54.960 --> 00:54:59.079
hit the ground and tried to roll
onto its feet, but it came to

689
00:54:59.159 --> 00:55:01.840
a stop in the world water up
to its knees, and before it could

690
00:55:01.920 --> 00:55:08.119
react further, a shape erupted from
the water behind it, part shark and

691
00:55:08.280 --> 00:55:14.719
part man, easily standing nine feet
tall. Clark saw the dorsal fin and

692
00:55:14.800 --> 00:55:19.920
gill slits, but the face looked
almost human. The skin was a model

693
00:55:20.119 --> 00:55:24.360
dark gray on top and almost dark
white on the bottom, and hands were

694
00:55:24.400 --> 00:55:30.039
webved and ended with black talons that
sunk into the cat creature's shoulders. And

695
00:55:30.079 --> 00:55:37.079
then the mouth opened impossibly wide,
revealing row upon row of razure sharp teeth

696
00:55:37.719 --> 00:55:42.760
biting deeply into the back of the
creature's neck. The sharp thing launched itself

697
00:55:42.880 --> 00:55:47.800
backward. Clark saw the look of
pure panic in the cat creature's eyes as

698
00:55:47.840 --> 00:55:52.679
it reached helplessly toward the others,
and in an instant there was a massive

699
00:55:52.719 --> 00:56:00.159
splash as the creature was dragged into
the dark depths of Igo Nauelapi, then

700
00:56:00.199 --> 00:56:02.639
to white for several moments, and
Clark could see the shapes of more than

701
00:56:02.679 --> 00:56:07.880
one of the shark men attacking the
cat creature, and then the water stopped

702
00:56:07.960 --> 00:56:12.199
rolling in the surface was left with
only ripples where the creature had stood.

703
00:56:13.360 --> 00:56:16.119
They all stood there and stunned,
silent, staring at the water with a

704
00:56:16.159 --> 00:56:21.920
mixture of shock and fear. Even
the cat creature stared at the spot with

705
00:56:22.119 --> 00:56:27.599
mouths gape and ears laid back.
After the span of several heartbeats, the

706
00:56:27.639 --> 00:56:31.159
shock wore off, and they turned
back to Gregel and Clark. Growling low

707
00:56:31.199 --> 00:56:35.239
in their throats. They made certain
to stay away from the edge of the

708
00:56:35.280 --> 00:56:39.760
water. As they began to crouch
for an attack. Gregel snapped fired and

709
00:56:39.840 --> 00:56:44.760
shot the nearest creature in the forehead
with a single shot from a shrifle.

710
00:56:45.440 --> 00:56:49.679
What would ordinarily have been a fatal
shot only sent blood and fur flying.

711
00:56:50.039 --> 00:56:53.559
As the creature flipped over backward.
They could see the one already beginning to

712
00:56:53.639 --> 00:56:59.360
heal as it hit the ground.
Clark reacted fast enough to put a three

713
00:56:59.440 --> 00:57:04.079
round bird into the throat and upper
chest of another creature. This one went

714
00:57:04.159 --> 00:57:07.039
down, gurgling in its own blood, but they could see the wounds were

715
00:57:07.079 --> 00:57:12.360
going to heal. The rounds they
were using could put the creatures down,

716
00:57:12.719 --> 00:57:16.199
but just couldn't make them stay there. We've got to move, shouted Clark.

717
00:57:16.480 --> 00:57:22.480
We can't put them down. One
of the creatures surged forward and took

718
00:57:22.519 --> 00:57:27.039
Clark to the ground. It was
immediately slashing at his sides and biting at

719
00:57:27.119 --> 00:57:30.119
his face. He was able to
force it back with the forecrip of the

720
00:57:30.199 --> 00:57:36.360
rifle, barely avoiding getting those four
inch long things buried in his throat.

721
00:57:37.079 --> 00:57:39.440
The armor took the worst of the
slashes, but he knew it wasn't going

722
00:57:39.519 --> 00:57:45.360
to protect him much longer. He
yanked the pistol from his holster and he

723
00:57:45.440 --> 00:57:50.519
shoved it into the beast's left armpit
and began pulling the trigger. The powerful

724
00:57:50.599 --> 00:57:54.760
fifty ae hollow points buried deep inside
the bee's chest, ripping and tearing their

725
00:57:54.800 --> 00:58:00.639
way through the soft tissue. After
the fourth round, the bee let out

726
00:58:00.639 --> 00:58:06.239
a gurgling wine and fell off to
Clark's right. Using the beast's momentum,

727
00:58:06.360 --> 00:58:09.199
he kicked it hard enough that it
rolled into the water's edge, and before

728
00:58:09.239 --> 00:58:15.400
the beast could recover enough to stand, two of the shark men exploded from

729
00:58:15.400 --> 00:58:21.159
the water and dragged it, yelling
into the deep dark depths. One of

730
00:58:21.199 --> 00:58:24.400
the creatures leapt at Gregel. Calling
on the power of the Great Wolf.

731
00:58:24.480 --> 00:58:30.400
Gregel shifted his weight and caught the
creature, and while he hadn't shifted form,

732
00:58:30.679 --> 00:58:34.480
he had changed enough to use some
of the incredible strength of the dire

733
00:58:34.679 --> 00:58:38.760
wolf. Twisting. He used the
martial arts grip and throw to send the

734
00:58:38.760 --> 00:58:45.360
creature headfirst into the water well over
its head. Instantly, the water churned

735
00:58:45.400 --> 00:58:49.840
as if it were boiling, turning
into a white froth of violence and death.

736
00:58:50.880 --> 00:58:54.679
The creature emerged briefly, scrambling desperately
to get to the shore. It

737
00:58:54.760 --> 00:59:00.280
was bleeding from numerous cuts and deep
wounds where chunks of flesh had been and

738
00:59:00.280 --> 00:59:05.360
away, and the respite was as
futile as it was brief. The contest

739
00:59:05.480 --> 00:59:07.639
was never in doubt, as two
of the sharp men emerged from the water,

740
00:59:08.039 --> 00:59:13.880
grabbing the beast by both shoulders and
yanking it back into the dark abyss.

741
00:59:15.519 --> 00:59:20.360
The remaining three creatures fanned out,
each wary of getting too close to

742
00:59:20.400 --> 00:59:24.480
the two warriors. Clark used the
opportunity to empty the rest of the pistol

743
00:59:24.519 --> 00:59:29.440
into the chest and neck of the
nearest creature. Run. He shouted,

744
00:59:29.639 --> 00:59:35.760
dropping the magazine from the pistol and
reloading as he ran. Gregil began moving

745
00:59:35.840 --> 00:59:39.360
toward the trail that was only fifty
yards away, and Clark kept pace with

746
00:59:39.480 --> 00:59:45.400
him, each taking turns to fire
at the creatures behind them. In seconds,

747
00:59:45.400 --> 00:59:47.639
the creatures vanished into the darkness of
the trees, but they could hear

748
00:59:47.679 --> 00:59:52.719
them scrambling into the tree tops.
Thunder God to Valkyrie, shouted Clark,

749
00:59:53.079 --> 00:59:58.599
we are inbound to your position from
the west. Three tangos are pursuing from

750
00:59:58.639 --> 01:00:04.239
the treetops, were coming in high. Can you provide cover over Valkyrie copies,

751
01:00:04.280 --> 01:00:08.320
thunder God, said Valkyrie, switching
to thermal. Clark and Gregel ran

752
01:00:08.360 --> 01:00:13.119
as hard as they could, listening
to the sound of the three creatures getting

753
01:00:13.159 --> 01:00:17.519
closer. As the creatures were within
striking distance, the massive report of a

754
01:00:17.559 --> 01:00:22.599
single rifle split the night. They
could hear the zip of the round as

755
01:00:22.599 --> 01:00:25.320
it punched through the canopy of trees, and then there was a slap of

756
01:00:25.400 --> 01:00:30.519
flesh as the big boar round found
its mark. One of the beasts snarled

757
01:00:30.519 --> 01:00:34.519
and fell from the trees, landing
in a heap in front of them.

758
01:00:35.159 --> 01:00:37.679
It had been hit in the side
of the head, and while the wound

759
01:00:37.840 --> 01:00:42.239
was healing, it was going to
take time, and before it could so

760
01:00:42.400 --> 01:00:45.320
much as blink, Clark emptied the
pistol into the beast's face. As he

761
01:00:45.440 --> 01:00:52.159
ran past it. Another boom echoed
across the lake. As Valkyrie fired again,

762
01:00:52.880 --> 01:00:57.280
Another squall emerged from the trees,
but this one didn't fall. They

763
01:00:57.280 --> 01:01:00.519
did, however, stop chasing them
and Clark he loaded as he was running,

764
01:01:00.719 --> 01:01:06.480
and then holstered the pistol As they
burst from the trees. He quickly

765
01:01:06.559 --> 01:01:09.679
reloaded the rifle and pulled the charging
handle, and spinning around, he brought

766
01:01:09.719 --> 01:01:15.280
the rifle up, searching for any
threats. Heins and Runestone and shield Maiden

767
01:01:15.360 --> 01:01:21.239
ran up and brought their weapons to
their shoulders. Viah Ady demanded Heins.

768
01:01:21.559 --> 01:01:23.800
They're in the trees, said Clark. One is down on the trail.

769
01:01:24.039 --> 01:01:28.360
It's not dead, but we fucked
it up pretty bad. It's down for

770
01:01:28.440 --> 01:01:31.559
now. There is more than one
kind of the cat creatures, said Grego,

771
01:01:31.639 --> 01:01:36.960
scanning the trees. Yeah, said
Haines, at least three that we

772
01:01:37.079 --> 01:01:40.159
know of. What the fuck were
those things in the water, shouted Clark.

773
01:01:40.840 --> 01:01:45.800
Well you attacked, asked Heins,
No, replied Clark. They dragged

774
01:01:45.800 --> 01:01:50.800
down three of the cats, though, really, said Haines with an odd

775
01:01:50.800 --> 01:01:54.159
expression on his face. What the
fuck are those things? Demanded Clark.

776
01:01:55.039 --> 01:02:00.559
That is a very long story,
said Haines. One. I am uncertain

777
01:02:00.639 --> 01:02:04.719
if I could even tell you,
at least not here. I have a

778
01:02:04.800 --> 01:02:08.559
lot of questions for you, said
Clark angrily, as do I. Thunder

779
01:02:08.639 --> 01:02:15.440
God, said Hins. Fuck,
whispered Clark, perhaps, said Hines.

780
01:02:15.880 --> 01:02:20.119
We can discuss it once you leave
here tonight. That can meet you at

781
01:02:20.119 --> 01:02:23.760
your hotel later. I think we
both need a strong drink for this conversation.

782
01:02:24.639 --> 01:02:29.639
Until then we will pretend none of
this has happened. They're are far

783
01:02:29.760 --> 01:02:34.239
too many years here for us to
have a private conversation. I look forward

784
01:02:34.280 --> 01:02:38.320
to that drink, said Clark,
perhaps, said Hins, However, you

785
01:02:38.440 --> 01:02:47.400
might not like everything you hear.
Chapter eight, A Bit of Colored Ribbon

786
01:02:49.239 --> 01:02:54.440
twenty three thirty hours, fourteen May. In Alco, Clark and the others

787
01:02:54.440 --> 01:02:59.440
stood in the dining room waiting for
the arrival of Henderman and the others.

788
01:03:00.199 --> 01:03:04.920
They were still wearing the military fatigues
they had been given. They were all

789
01:03:05.000 --> 01:03:09.920
unarmed, having surrendered their weapons to
Heinz when they returned to the main house.

790
01:03:10.360 --> 01:03:15.599
Hines had instructed them to wait there
while he briefed Henderman and brought them

791
01:03:15.599 --> 01:03:19.199
out of the safe room. What
do you think is going to happen next,

792
01:03:19.519 --> 01:03:22.519
asked Valkyrie, looking around the room. Well, will either be shot

793
01:03:22.599 --> 01:03:27.639
or fed again, said Runestone,
grinning. I'm hoping for the food.

794
01:03:28.239 --> 01:03:31.960
EH beats getting shot, agreed Raven. I could eat, said Gregel,

795
01:03:32.000 --> 01:03:37.239
smiling softly. OK. Dare you
are, said Henderman, emerging from the

796
01:03:37.280 --> 01:03:43.679
fireplace and stepping into the dining area. I have been told good things about

797
01:03:43.719 --> 01:03:49.639
you, especially here and Frau Clark
and Hair great Eagle. You are responsible

798
01:03:49.679 --> 01:03:53.199
for the deaths of three of the
creatures and the capture of one. Most

799
01:03:53.239 --> 01:03:59.960
Impressive Clark exchanged glances with Gregel.
Well, we were just doing our park,

800
01:04:00.280 --> 01:04:04.159
said Clark. Nonsense, said Henderman. I would gladly hire all of

801
01:04:04.199 --> 01:04:09.320
you from my security team if you
were interested. Most Impressive. Indeed,

802
01:04:10.480 --> 01:04:14.599
I appreciate the offer, said Clark. But we're on our honeymoon, of

803
01:04:14.760 --> 01:04:19.079
course, said Henderman. You should
enjoy yourselves for the remainder of the honeymoon.

804
01:04:19.679 --> 01:04:24.719
I would only ask that you think
about it during your stay. We

805
01:04:24.840 --> 01:04:30.320
will Clark said, I have a
gift for you, said Henderman. I

806
01:04:30.440 --> 01:04:33.079
was going to give it to you
as a wedding gift before our dinner was

807
01:04:33.079 --> 01:04:39.480
so rudely interrupted. Turning, he
motioned for the servant to bring something over,

808
01:04:39.920 --> 01:04:44.760
and the young man brought a square
object wrapped in white cloth, handing

809
01:04:44.760 --> 01:04:48.320
it to Henderman. He turned and
scurried back to the corner. Henderman took

810
01:04:48.360 --> 01:04:55.320
the package and turned around, smiling
broadly. This is Fazeneu household, said

811
01:04:55.360 --> 01:05:00.320
Henderman, presenting the object to Clark
and Valkyrie. They accept it. It

812
01:05:00.440 --> 01:05:05.960
confused, open it, insisted Henderman. They gently removed the cloth and found

813
01:05:06.000 --> 01:05:10.480
it to be a painting. It
was a landscape portrait of the lake,

814
01:05:10.679 --> 01:05:15.280
painted from the front of Enalco,
most likely from the private balcony. It

815
01:05:15.360 --> 01:05:20.559
was quite good. I have been
painting landscapes for many years, said Henderman.

816
01:05:21.280 --> 01:05:26.639
I have improved much since I first
started. It must be the Argentine

817
01:05:26.719 --> 01:05:31.119
air. Please accept this as my
guilt to your union and to hang in

818
01:05:31.199 --> 01:05:36.480
a place of honor in your home. Clark noted the signature was a broad

819
01:05:36.679 --> 01:05:42.840
sweeping a with a smaller print for
the rest of the Augustus. The age

820
01:05:42.920 --> 01:05:46.239
was in the same broad style with
the remainder of Henderman in small letters.

821
01:05:47.119 --> 01:05:54.119
Clark remembered seeing paintings in a museum
that were allegedly done by Hitler. Other

822
01:05:54.199 --> 01:05:59.320
than the names being different, the
signatures were virtually identical. I'm not sure

823
01:05:59.360 --> 01:06:02.719
what to say, said Clark.
Thank you, said Valkyrie. This will

824
01:06:02.760 --> 01:06:09.360
be put with our other treasured pieces. Clark instantly thought of the wall at

825
01:06:09.400 --> 01:06:13.360
Steve's pub and grub, and he
wondered if he'd let them hang it if

826
01:06:13.440 --> 01:06:17.000
he knew where it came from.
Wundebah, said Henderman, smiling broadly.

827
01:06:18.039 --> 01:06:23.800
Valkyrie carefully re wrapped the painting so
it wouldn't be scratched. Now I have

828
01:06:23.960 --> 01:06:27.880
something else to present, said Henderman. I know that you are not in

829
01:06:27.920 --> 01:06:32.079
the military, nor am I yourlita, but I have something of historical significance

830
01:06:32.119 --> 01:06:39.360
to present you all for your bravery
tonight, Actonge, shouted Heinz. Despite

831
01:06:39.400 --> 01:06:44.440
themselves, they all found themselves snapping
to attention. Henderman held out his hand,

832
01:06:44.719 --> 01:06:49.039
and Heinz handed him a wooden box. These metals are pieces of history,

833
01:06:49.280 --> 01:06:56.039
said Henderman. Awarded for gallantry and
deface of great danger. Tonight,

834
01:06:56.280 --> 01:07:00.480
you and your friends stood in line
with my men against the fold like nothing

835
01:07:00.519 --> 01:07:05.840
you have ever seen. I was
told in detail how you all handled yourselves

836
01:07:05.840 --> 01:07:12.559
and engaged the creatures without hesitation.
You have shown great courage in the protection

837
01:07:12.679 --> 01:07:17.519
of myself and my honored guests.
Clark glanced at Valkyrie and she shrugged,

838
01:07:17.559 --> 01:07:24.719
almost imperceptibly. So in the spirit
of valor, said Henderman, I present

839
01:07:24.880 --> 01:07:30.360
four of you the Iron Cross of
Valor. He hung the iron cross around

840
01:07:30.400 --> 01:07:34.559
the necks of Runestone, Raven,
Shield, Maiden, and Valkyrie. For

841
01:07:34.719 --> 01:07:41.159
bravery above and beyond the call of
duty, said Henderman. I award two

842
01:07:41.199 --> 01:07:45.239
of you the Knight's Cross. He
hung one around Gregel's neck and then around

843
01:07:45.360 --> 01:07:53.480
Clark's. Well done, Henderman said, nodding appreciatively. Clark wasn't sure what

844
01:07:53.599 --> 01:07:57.000
to do. He took it off, and they would likely be shot for

845
01:07:57.079 --> 01:08:01.000
insulting him. If he did anything
except grateful, they would all likely be

846
01:08:01.159 --> 01:08:06.039
seized and killed. He never expected
this to happen and wasn't sure how to

847
01:08:06.119 --> 01:08:11.239
react or feel about it. Now, said Henderman, I have kept you

848
01:08:11.360 --> 01:08:15.639
from your bedchambers on your first night
in this beautiful land far too long.

849
01:08:15.479 --> 01:08:21.239
My driver will return you all to
your hotel. Instructions are already being delivered

850
01:08:21.279 --> 01:08:28.000
to the hotel management that you are
to receive their highest level of accommodation at

851
01:08:28.000 --> 01:08:33.439
my expense. Please enjoy your time
here. Also consider my offer both for

852
01:08:33.560 --> 01:08:40.760
employment and the wonderful aircraft we will, sir, said Clark. Excellent,

853
01:08:41.039 --> 01:08:45.680
said Henderman. I bid you all
good night. Perhaps before your stay is

854
01:08:45.720 --> 01:08:48.720
over, you can return for another
formal dinner. I would welcome the chance

855
01:08:48.800 --> 01:08:53.119
to have you play for us again. Well, I would be delighted,

856
01:08:53.279 --> 01:08:58.600
said Clark, stalling for time.
Ed heins said Henderman. See to it

857
01:08:58.680 --> 01:09:01.840
that I guessed, make it better
to their hotel without issue. Of course,

858
01:09:01.920 --> 01:09:06.279
mine hitter, said Heinz. They
were shown to a changing room,

859
01:09:06.439 --> 01:09:11.439
where they changed back into their formal
wear, and then escorted back to the

860
01:09:11.479 --> 01:09:15.800
Mercedes. Joakim was there waiting to
hold the door for them. Thank you,

861
01:09:15.920 --> 01:09:21.399
Joakim, said Clark, stepping inside. Joachim smiled broadly at the use

862
01:09:21.439 --> 01:09:26.359
of his name, and Clark had
the feeling that most people just ignored him

863
01:09:26.600 --> 01:09:30.199
or treated him like nothing more than
furniture. You are most welcome, mine,

864
01:09:30.279 --> 01:09:35.319
he said Jokim. Once they were
all situated in the car. Jokim

865
01:09:35.520 --> 01:09:42.319
returned to the driver's side and climbed
inside. Heinz climbed into the passenger side.

866
01:09:42.560 --> 01:09:45.439
He changed into black slacks in a
black turtleneck sweater. He had a

867
01:09:45.479 --> 01:09:51.319
pistol in one of the HK rifles
with him. The sleep Mercedes rumbled to

868
01:09:51.399 --> 01:09:57.319
life and the engine idled smoothly.
And putting it gently into gear, Jokim

869
01:09:57.439 --> 01:10:01.279
headed down the road toward the gate. They could see where considerable damage had

870
01:10:01.319 --> 01:10:05.960
been done to some of the facilities
inside the compound. The gate was damaged

871
01:10:05.960 --> 01:10:12.239
but was being repaired as they drove
through without being stopped or questioned. Moments

872
01:10:12.319 --> 01:10:16.439
later, they turned onto the highway
and headed back into town. They rode

873
01:10:16.439 --> 01:10:21.560
in silence as they drove along the
dark road. Hinz watched the edges of

874
01:10:21.640 --> 01:10:26.640
the trees with his hand on the
rifle, but they saw no indication of

875
01:10:26.720 --> 01:10:31.279
movement or danger. The area was
still quiet, but nothing moved or seemed

876
01:10:31.319 --> 01:10:38.159
out of place. It was just
eerily calm. Once they cleared the trees,

877
01:10:38.199 --> 01:10:43.039
they passed Meridor in Nalko and saw
that the lake seemed far more sinister

878
01:10:43.319 --> 01:10:46.319
than it had on the way out
to Analco. Now They knew the secret

879
01:10:46.399 --> 01:10:49.479
of what was hiding in the dark
waters, and it worried them all.

880
01:10:50.279 --> 01:10:55.600
They had no idea how to fight, much less kill these creatures. The

881
01:10:55.640 --> 01:10:59.159
water was their domain. They were
going to have to figure out how to

882
01:10:59.159 --> 01:11:03.840
take the fight to the end without
being completely outmatched. They drove past the

883
01:11:03.920 --> 01:11:09.119
silent village and soon pulled beneath the
carport of the front of the hotel.

884
01:11:10.000 --> 01:11:15.560
Haines placed the weapon on the floorboard
and stepped out. Jokim came around and

885
01:11:15.680 --> 01:11:18.079
opened the door to help them all
out, and once they were all out,

886
01:11:18.279 --> 01:11:23.279
he bowed and clicked his heels together. I hope that your knight was

887
01:11:23.319 --> 01:11:28.680
not completely ruined by the unfortunate incident, said Yokim. Thank you, said

888
01:11:28.680 --> 01:11:31.760
Clark. It was certainly a knight. We will never forget. I will

889
01:11:31.760 --> 01:11:36.880
be accompanying them inside, said Hines
to Jokim, I can find my way

890
01:11:36.960 --> 01:11:42.119
back to Annanko. Owe these people
many drinks to thank them for their help.

891
01:11:42.840 --> 01:11:47.439
Of course, manheur said Yokim.
Heading inside. Clark nodded at Haines.

892
01:11:48.039 --> 01:11:50.680
Meet us in the bar, he
said, I want to go change

893
01:11:50.680 --> 01:11:56.920
into something less formal. Of course, said Haines. They all climbed into

894
01:11:56.960 --> 01:12:00.359
the elevator and returned to their rooms. None of you have to come down

895
01:12:00.399 --> 01:12:04.079
with me, said Clark. I
intend to find out everything I can from

896
01:12:04.119 --> 01:12:09.000
heights. It might look strange if
you're the only one who shows up,

897
01:12:09.039 --> 01:12:13.079
said Valkyrie. I'll go with you. We all will, said Gregel.

898
01:12:13.359 --> 01:12:16.920
I think we all have questions,
okay, said Clark. Get changed and

899
01:12:17.000 --> 01:12:20.720
meet me in the bar as soon
as you can. They all returned to

900
01:12:20.760 --> 01:12:26.039
their rooms, and Valkyrie hided into
the bathroom to change while Clark changed in

901
01:12:26.119 --> 01:12:29.960
the main part of the room.
He put on jeans and a black T

902
01:12:30.159 --> 01:12:34.319
shirt that had said until Valhalla on
the front, with an American flag on

903
01:12:34.359 --> 01:12:39.800
the right sleeve and a logo on
the back of an M four style rifle

904
01:12:40.039 --> 01:12:43.319
set in a pair of boots with
a helmet on top, and a set

905
01:12:43.319 --> 01:12:47.960
of dog tags hanging from the rifle. Valkyrie emerged from the bathroom wearing tight

906
01:12:48.079 --> 01:12:54.039
jeans and tennis shoes and an olive
drabbed T shirt with a distressed American flag

907
01:12:54.119 --> 01:12:58.479
on it. We seriously need to
think about the shirts we wear on undercovered

908
01:12:58.520 --> 01:13:02.600
missions, said Clark. We both
scream American. Well that's what we are,

909
01:13:02.800 --> 01:13:06.760
said Valkyrie grinning. And we've already
established that we were all in the

910
01:13:06.800 --> 01:13:12.359
military. Why not just relax and
wear what we want. That's a good

911
01:13:12.399 --> 01:13:15.760
point, said Clark. Let's go
have a drink with Heins and find out

912
01:13:15.000 --> 01:13:20.359
just what the hell is going on. Slipping his glock conversion into an inside

913
01:13:20.359 --> 01:13:25.359
the waistband holster at the small of
his back, Clark pulled the shirt down

914
01:13:25.359 --> 01:13:29.880
to conceal it. He tucked a
couple of extra magazines in his back pocket,

915
01:13:30.319 --> 01:13:34.079
and Valkyrie slipped her pistol and extra
ammo into her purse. As they

916
01:13:34.119 --> 01:13:39.399
headed down the hallway, Gregel and
Shielman and joined them. They could hear

917
01:13:39.439 --> 01:13:44.159
bedsprings as they passed Runestone in Raven's
room. Well, I guess they'll be

918
01:13:44.239 --> 01:13:47.880
down for a bit, said Clark, shaking his head. They entered the

919
01:13:47.920 --> 01:13:53.000
bar and they found Heins sitting at
one end with a glass in his hands.

920
01:13:53.279 --> 01:13:57.079
I didn't wait, said Heinz,
smiling. Za bontender is off of

921
01:13:57.119 --> 01:14:00.439
the night. The manager told me
to help ourselves. My employer is picking

922
01:14:00.479 --> 01:14:04.680
up the tab. Anyway, Clark
walked behind the bar and searched until he

923
01:14:04.680 --> 01:14:09.640
found a bottle of Irish whiskey.
It wasn't bush Mills, but he wasn't

924
01:14:09.640 --> 01:14:14.000
going to get picky so far from
home. It was Twola more Due,

925
01:14:14.079 --> 01:14:16.920
so he wasn't going to complain too
loudly. It wasn't bush Mills, but

926
01:14:17.119 --> 01:14:20.920
it was good. At least it
wasn't Jamison. If it had been,

927
01:14:21.000 --> 01:14:26.159
he would have probably drank something else. Once they were all seated at the

928
01:14:26.159 --> 01:14:30.720
bar, Clark acted as a bartender, pouring them all generous glasses of whatever

929
01:14:30.760 --> 01:14:35.239
they wanted. Well are the others, asked Heinz. They're indisposed at the

930
01:14:35.279 --> 01:14:41.039
moment, said Clark. Heinz looked
confused for a moment before it dawned on

931
01:14:41.119 --> 01:14:45.439
him. Ah, I see,
he said, I have heard it referred

932
01:14:45.439 --> 01:14:48.279
to as the mattress mambo. Well
that's as delicate a way to put it

933
01:14:48.319 --> 01:14:54.039
as any, I suppose, said
Clark, lifting his glass. Heinz lifted

934
01:14:54.079 --> 01:14:58.720
his glass back. Now do you
want to tell us just what the hell

935
01:14:58.800 --> 01:15:03.279
is going on? Clark, setting
down his now empty glass. I suppose

936
01:15:03.359 --> 01:15:10.680
I could ask the same thing here
thunder God, replied heins I recognize code

937
01:15:10.720 --> 01:15:15.680
names when I hear them. Would
you believe old habits? Asked Clark,

938
01:15:15.800 --> 01:15:19.560
refilling his glass, Heins just looked
at him blankly as he reached for the

939
01:15:19.600 --> 01:15:25.359
bottle of schnapps. I suppose not, said Clark. All right, but

940
01:15:25.439 --> 01:15:30.279
you go first. Heinz took out
an object that looked like a cell phone

941
01:15:30.359 --> 01:15:33.359
until he activated it and set it
on the bar. This will prevent any

942
01:15:33.439 --> 01:15:38.319
listening devices from hearing what we are
about to discuss, he said, nodding.

943
01:15:39.079 --> 01:15:43.960
Clark sipped at his whiskey and waited
for Heinz to begin. The first

944
01:15:44.000 --> 01:15:47.560
thing that concerns me is what exactly
are the Americans doing here in the first

945
01:15:47.600 --> 01:15:53.479
place, said Heins. Your superiors
did a very good job of concealing your

946
01:15:53.560 --> 01:15:58.680
names on the Internet, but they
forgot one very important thing. What's that?

947
01:15:58.920 --> 01:16:02.600
Asked Clark. Well, I find
it interesting that a recipient of the

948
01:16:02.640 --> 01:16:09.479
Congressional Medal of Honor would just vanish
from the internet, said Hines. This

949
01:16:09.640 --> 01:16:15.880
The last entry showed you working for
some small sheeff department in Missouri. That's

950
01:16:15.920 --> 01:16:21.159
obviously a cover. Who do you
work for? Clark frowned and shrugged you

951
01:16:21.279 --> 01:16:26.960
first, he said, sipping his
whisky. Very well, said Hins.

952
01:16:27.399 --> 01:16:32.319
My real name is Oscarbauer. I'm
with the Commando's spitzeilograph to marine. I

953
01:16:32.399 --> 01:16:38.239
was sent here to infiltrate this organization
to help to bring the surviving members of

954
01:16:38.279 --> 01:16:42.279
the Third Right to justice. I
did not expect to find what I did.

955
01:16:42.840 --> 01:16:45.119
It has taken me more than two
years to get this far inside,

956
01:16:45.600 --> 01:16:49.359
and then you show up and just
blindly stumble into what it took me years

957
01:16:49.399 --> 01:16:54.800
to learn. I never would have
thought that simply showing up in a vintage

958
01:16:54.840 --> 01:17:00.920
aircraft would get you so much attention. So they are who we think they

959
01:17:00.960 --> 01:17:04.880
are, said Clark. Yes,
said Hines. You were just awarded the

960
01:17:04.960 --> 01:17:11.520
Knight's Cross by Aintolf Hitler. The
others are his inner circle. Fuck,

961
01:17:11.720 --> 01:17:15.479
said Clark. That just makes my
skin crawl, as it should, said

962
01:17:15.560 --> 01:17:21.039
Hines. Although it's not like you
could tell anyone who would believe you.

963
01:17:21.039 --> 01:17:25.600
You make a good point, said
Clark. So what's the German government going

964
01:17:25.680 --> 01:17:29.840
to do with them? Since they're
protected by a foreign government? Honestly,

965
01:17:30.079 --> 01:17:34.560
said Hines. We were considering simply
letting the Israelis know. Well, that

966
01:17:34.600 --> 01:17:40.359
could get nasty, said Clark.
Or quite nasty, said Hines. How

967
01:17:40.439 --> 01:17:44.359
is it they can be so open
with their activities, asked Valkyrie. I

968
01:17:44.439 --> 01:17:48.680
mean they don't do much to hide. Does it feel untouchable here, said

969
01:17:48.760 --> 01:17:54.279
Hines. They have a big part
of the Argentine government in their pocket,

970
01:17:55.039 --> 01:17:59.880
enough so that the Argentinas will not
move against them openly. They have been

971
01:18:00.000 --> 01:18:03.520
I'm so protected here that they feel
invulnerable. I mean, no one has

972
01:18:03.640 --> 01:18:08.960
been able to get close to them
in almost eighty years. Well, I

973
01:18:09.079 --> 01:18:13.800
plan to change that, said Clark, With just six of you, asked

974
01:18:13.840 --> 01:18:17.520
Heines. Not hardly, said Clark. We didn't come looking for them.

975
01:18:18.039 --> 01:18:21.920
We were sent here because of a
group from a television show that went missing

976
01:18:23.039 --> 01:18:29.479
on the lake. Are you specialized
divers, asked Hines. Well, Alvarez

977
01:18:29.600 --> 01:18:32.239
is, said Clark. He's a
seal. But we're not here to dive.

978
01:18:32.600 --> 01:18:38.039
We're here to confirm the presence of
non human monsters. We've done that

979
01:18:38.159 --> 01:18:42.399
and now the rest of the team
can come in. So you're here for

980
01:18:42.520 --> 01:18:45.359
the attack on the lake, said
Hins, refilling his glass of schnops.

981
01:18:46.119 --> 01:18:50.560
You saw them in more than you
bargained for, y'all, yes, said

982
01:18:50.600 --> 01:18:55.800
Clark, taking a sip of whiskey. We also know there's more than one

983
01:18:55.880 --> 01:19:00.119
kind of cat creature, yes,
said Hines. Well that we know of

984
01:19:00.880 --> 01:19:04.720
one that is very much like a
sab or two tiger, one that resembles

985
01:19:04.720 --> 01:19:10.199
a black panther, and one that
seems like a large, dark tone tiger.

986
01:19:10.680 --> 01:19:13.960
The fourth is smaller than the others. Perhaps stay up, park,

987
01:19:14.039 --> 01:19:17.840
Jaguar. We aren't sure. We've
never been able to take any of them

988
01:19:17.880 --> 01:19:24.720
to study. They seemed to get
up after taking incredible damage. We did

989
01:19:24.800 --> 01:19:28.279
capture one of the panthers once,
but I have no idea what happened to

990
01:19:28.319 --> 01:19:32.800
it. The one you brought down
tonight did not survive. Shit, whispered

991
01:19:32.880 --> 01:19:38.640
Valkyrie. Four. That's not good. We've got our hands full this time.

992
01:19:39.720 --> 01:19:43.279
Why do they want one alive?
Asked Clark, setting his empty glass

993
01:19:43.279 --> 01:19:47.359
on the bar. Valkyrie reached over
and refilled his glass for him while Heine

994
01:19:47.479 --> 01:19:51.760
swirled its snops around in the glass
before drinking it. With a sigh.

995
01:19:51.880 --> 01:19:57.479
He slammed the empty down onto the
bar. One of it for the week

996
01:19:57.560 --> 01:20:01.239
my high project, said Hines,
not looking up. I knew those men.

997
01:20:01.920 --> 01:20:05.159
One was my partner. We were
sitting here at the same time.

998
01:20:05.800 --> 01:20:10.159
Why would they need a cat creature
for the project, asked g Regel.

999
01:20:11.079 --> 01:20:15.960
They took genetic samples and isolated what
allowed the creatures to shift forms, said

1000
01:20:15.000 --> 01:20:20.119
Hines, staring at an empty glass. Zenzy used it to force the change

1001
01:20:20.199 --> 01:20:25.159
onto the wife and how only it
did not work as they had planned.

1002
01:20:25.760 --> 01:20:29.800
They changed, but there was no
controlling them. They all had the cunning

1003
01:20:29.880 --> 01:20:33.520
of men, but all savagery of
a great white shark. So it broke

1004
01:20:33.600 --> 01:20:39.079
free from the containment and the skipped
into the leg three weeks ago. But

1005
01:20:39.199 --> 01:20:43.039
we have to find them and stop
them, said Clark. Can they be

1006
01:20:43.239 --> 01:20:47.479
changed back, asked Heines, his
voice soft. Can they be saved?

1007
01:20:48.399 --> 01:20:53.359
I don't know, said Clark.
That's way above my pay grade. All

1008
01:20:53.399 --> 01:20:57.039
I know is we have to stop
them. If we can subdue one for

1009
01:20:57.159 --> 01:21:00.680
our team scientists to study, maybe
they're might be away. I don't know,

1010
01:21:00.760 --> 01:21:05.479
and I can't promise anything. I
understand, said Hines. Lucas is

1011
01:21:05.520 --> 01:21:10.880
a good friend. We went through
training together, trust me, said Clark.

1012
01:21:10.960 --> 01:21:15.159
I completely understand, not wanting to
give up on your friend. If

1013
01:21:15.199 --> 01:21:17.359
there is a way we will save
him, I don't know if there is

1014
01:21:17.399 --> 01:21:21.920
anything we can do, but we
will try, Donka, said Hines sadly.

1015
01:21:23.359 --> 01:21:26.560
However, whatever you plan to do, I hope that you do it

1016
01:21:26.640 --> 01:21:31.119
soon. Why is that, asked
Valkyrie, because They are planning to attempt

1017
01:21:31.119 --> 01:21:35.600
in the experiment again, said Hines. They believe that they know what went

1018
01:21:35.680 --> 01:21:41.039
wrong with the first group. I've
been selected for the second group. They've

1019
01:21:41.039 --> 01:21:45.760
already begun with a series of shots
to boost our metabolisms, and it's starting

1020
01:21:45.800 --> 01:21:49.439
to work. Ordinarily, this much
snobs would have me stumbling around the room.

1021
01:21:49.880 --> 01:21:54.720
I've already drank most of the entire
bottle and I feel no ill effects.

1022
01:21:55.680 --> 01:22:00.520
Gray Eagle nodded grimly. How do
we fight mutator shark men, asked

1023
01:22:00.520 --> 01:22:05.359
Clark. They'll completely dominate any diver
in the water. We don't stand a

1024
01:22:05.479 --> 01:22:10.560
chance in their element. Can they
come out on to land? They can,

1025
01:22:10.880 --> 01:22:15.319
said Hines. We have attempted to
lure them out without success. They

1026
01:22:15.319 --> 01:22:18.479
are highly intelligent, but I have
little hope that there is any humanity left

1027
01:22:18.600 --> 01:22:23.199
end Zim. They are programmed to
be a team, so they hunt in

1028
01:22:23.239 --> 01:22:28.159
a pack to target enemy forces in
the water and neutralize them. I do

1029
01:22:28.199 --> 01:22:31.000
not doubt that they would be smart
enough to force open an emergency hatch on

1030
01:22:31.039 --> 01:22:35.439
a submarine. However, they would
be too large to enter the hatch,

1031
01:22:36.239 --> 01:22:40.800
not the supply hatch, said Clark. They could fit in there, but

1032
01:22:41.000 --> 01:22:45.960
moving around inside would be virtually impossible. They're too big for the cramped quarters,

1033
01:22:45.319 --> 01:22:48.640
but they really wouldn't need to.
If they could force the hatch open,

1034
01:22:48.960 --> 01:22:53.920
then the sub would flood and it
would sink exactly, said Hines.

1035
01:22:54.119 --> 01:22:58.560
In the water, they are virtually
unstoppable, at least by any means known

1036
01:22:58.640 --> 01:23:02.760
to us. What made them attack
the boat, asked Clark. The only

1037
01:23:02.880 --> 01:23:06.640
thing we can think of is the
sonar, said Hines. They seemed to

1038
01:23:06.680 --> 01:23:12.600
be sensitive to the sound. The
pinging of the sonar largely enraged them.

1039
01:23:13.239 --> 01:23:17.079
Then there were no survivors, said
Valkyrie. Sadly, that part is not

1040
01:23:17.159 --> 01:23:20.760
true, said Hines. I am
full of My men went out to the

1041
01:23:20.880 --> 01:23:27.479
chicken boat in our inflatable attack boats
what your people call zodiacs. We were

1042
01:23:27.560 --> 01:23:30.479
able to pull for us them from
the boat before the way Fa High could

1043
01:23:30.520 --> 01:23:34.600
get to them. We had to
run up onto the shore to keep them

1044
01:23:34.640 --> 01:23:39.840
from getting us. As we fled
the sinking boat, we rescued the female

1045
01:23:39.880 --> 01:23:45.079
host of the show, both cameramen
and one computer technician. Where are they,

1046
01:23:45.319 --> 01:23:49.199
asked Clark. We placed them into
temporary custody, said Hines. We

1047
01:23:49.239 --> 01:23:54.119
couldn't allow them to alert the press
to the presence of the waipa. How

1048
01:23:54.359 --> 01:23:59.680
before we could either capture or eliminate
them. We didn't want the assautists coming

1049
01:23:59.720 --> 01:24:03.279
around. It was almost two days
before we learned that they had managed to

1050
01:24:03.319 --> 01:24:10.159
send images and information back to their
television station. Are they going to release

1051
01:24:10.199 --> 01:24:15.159
them? Asked Valkyrie. I was
told that they would be released, said

1052
01:24:15.239 --> 01:24:18.680
Hines, But it is far more
likely that they would simply disappear. The

1053
01:24:18.720 --> 01:24:24.359
public already believes them dead. Hnderman. Can't risk them talking about what they've

1054
01:24:24.399 --> 01:24:29.399
seen. It could bring a lot
of attention here. Well, that particular

1055
01:24:29.520 --> 01:24:32.239
genie is out of the bottle,
said Clark. The rest of our team

1056
01:24:32.279 --> 01:24:38.560
is already mobilizing. How many in
your team, asked Hines. More than

1057
01:24:38.560 --> 01:24:43.760
one hundred, said Clark, not
including support personnel that will not be easy

1058
01:24:43.800 --> 01:24:46.960
to hide, said Hines. How
do you plan on bringing that many in?

1059
01:24:47.920 --> 01:24:51.840
That will be my boss's decision,
said Clark. We're the advanced team

1060
01:24:53.199 --> 01:24:58.359
what we call this cat team or
the Cryptid Assessment Team. We're the advanced

1061
01:24:58.359 --> 01:25:03.399
team for Team odin the wild Hunt. Your team hunts monsters, asked Hines,

1062
01:25:03.640 --> 01:25:09.439
disbelief in his tone. Yes we
do, said Clark. If I

1063
01:25:09.520 --> 01:25:13.680
hadn't seen the cat creatures with my
own eyes, said Hines, then I

1064
01:25:13.720 --> 01:25:17.199
would have questioned your sanity. I
take it that there are more than these

1065
01:25:17.319 --> 01:25:23.279
monsters out Zell he gestured to the
world around them. Yes, said Greg,

1066
01:25:23.560 --> 01:25:29.840
far more than you realize. As
if facing the reincarnation of the Third

1067
01:25:29.920 --> 01:25:33.319
Reich wasn't bad enough, said Hines, I do appreciate the irony of the

1068
01:25:33.399 --> 01:25:38.520
last remnants of the rich being taken
down by oldin ends the wild hunt.

1069
01:25:38.960 --> 01:25:42.239
All right, I'm in. How
can I help you? Well, it

1070
01:25:42.359 --> 01:25:45.319
is kind of fitting, said Valkyrie. You can get us all the information

1071
01:25:45.439 --> 01:25:49.680
that you can about their activity,
said Clark, plus the strength of their

1072
01:25:49.720 --> 01:25:54.680
forces and placement of their weapons,
and other locations that you know of.

1073
01:25:55.520 --> 01:25:58.600
I want as much intel as you
can give us, and if we're going

1074
01:25:58.640 --> 01:26:01.239
to take them down, we need
to know what we're up against. If

1075
01:26:01.279 --> 01:26:05.479
you're bringing in just over a hundred
fighting men, said Hines, you might

1076
01:26:05.520 --> 01:26:11.319
want to ask for additional troops.
You will be heavily outnumbered. There are

1077
01:26:11.399 --> 01:26:15.520
far more than what you saw at
Nuncle. I think I can do that,

1078
01:26:15.760 --> 01:26:18.520
said Clark. You just get us
the intel. I will have it

1079
01:26:18.560 --> 01:26:23.079
to you by the end of the
day tomorrow, said Hines. Where should

1080
01:26:23.079 --> 01:26:27.039
I send it? Clark gave him
his secure email address, and instead of

1081
01:26:27.039 --> 01:26:30.760
writing it down, Heinz put it
into his device. No one but I

1082
01:26:30.800 --> 01:26:36.039
can get into his phone, said
Heins. Biometric lock. Even my superiors

1083
01:26:36.239 --> 01:26:42.680
in Germany couldn't get into it without
my thumb print or facial recognition. Okay,

1084
01:26:42.880 --> 01:26:45.640
said Clark. You get us that
info. Let me worry about bringing

1085
01:26:45.640 --> 01:26:49.840
in enough troops to make this happen. And how will you get them here?

1086
01:26:50.000 --> 01:26:55.319
Quickly, asked Heins. It's easy, said Clark. Every member of

1087
01:26:55.359 --> 01:26:59.399
the team is airborne qualified. It
looks like the Wild Hunt gets to earn

1088
01:26:59.439 --> 01:27:03.000
their jump. Damn, muttered Gregel. The first jump deployment I've seen with

1089
01:27:03.039 --> 01:27:06.000
the team and I have to miss
it. Looks like I need to make

1090
01:27:06.039 --> 01:27:10.640
a call, said Clark. All
father isn't going to believe this one,

1091
01:27:11.319 --> 01:27:15.960
Asgard won't either, said Valkyrie.
You're telling me that you're going to launch

1092
01:27:15.960 --> 01:27:20.439
a full scale elborne invasion of Patagonia, ask Heinz. It is the quickest

1093
01:27:20.439 --> 01:27:25.199
way to get them here, said
Clark, grinning. I'm with Gregel.

1094
01:27:25.479 --> 01:27:31.439
I'm just sorry that I'm not going
to be jumping with them. Chapter nine,

1095
01:27:31.880 --> 01:27:38.159
Pillow Talk O. Two thirty hours, fifteen May, Lake Naelapi,

1096
01:27:39.960 --> 01:27:43.760
Gray, Eagle, Shield, Maiden, Runestone, and Raven were all in

1097
01:27:43.840 --> 01:27:48.079
Clark and Valkyrie's room. Valkyrie was
waiting with them. Clark was still on

1098
01:27:48.119 --> 01:27:53.920
the roof using the satellite phone,
speaking with Command. He'd been on the

1099
01:27:53.920 --> 01:27:57.880
phone for over an hour. They
were beginning to grow worried when Clark dropped

1100
01:27:57.880 --> 01:28:01.479
back onto the balcony. That went
better than I expected, said Clark.

1101
01:28:01.880 --> 01:28:06.680
What happened, asked Falkyrie. At
first, Asgard was against it, said

1102
01:28:06.720 --> 01:28:12.520
Clark. I was on conference with
Asgard, all father and several others.

1103
01:28:13.119 --> 01:28:15.920
They said that a direct assault on
them wasn't in the purview of the team.

1104
01:28:16.439 --> 01:28:20.359
But after I explained that they created
the shark Men and that they were

1105
01:28:20.439 --> 01:28:25.600
just going to create more, Asgard
went up the food chain. Well,

1106
01:28:25.680 --> 01:28:30.359
how high up the chain? Asked
Gregel. Let's just say he disturbed the

1107
01:28:30.399 --> 01:28:34.159
sleep of a very important person who
lives on Pennsylvania Avenue, said Clark.

1108
01:28:34.720 --> 01:28:39.439
It took a while, but I
explained it again. Then he left the

1109
01:28:39.479 --> 01:28:43.760
conversation for about half an hour.
I'm given to understand that he made a

1110
01:28:43.760 --> 01:28:48.239
couple of high level calls before greenlighting
us. We've got whatever resources we need,

1111
01:28:48.359 --> 01:28:54.079
plus full support of JSOC should we
need it. Also, there are

1112
01:28:54.159 --> 01:28:59.319
numerous arrests being made as we speak
within the Argentine government. Now this is

1113
01:28:59.399 --> 01:29:03.600
the part where it's going to get
interesting. What, asked Valkyrie. Two

1114
01:29:03.640 --> 01:29:08.560
elements of the Hunt are on their
way, said Clark. They're only sending

1115
01:29:08.600 --> 01:29:14.960
two teams, asked Runestone, not
teams, corrected Clark. Elements Alaska has

1116
01:29:15.000 --> 01:29:18.359
been asked to cover the west and
East coast until this thing is finished.

1117
01:29:18.920 --> 01:29:24.800
Both West Coast and Midwest divisions of
the Hunt are dropping in asgard is leading

1118
01:29:24.840 --> 01:29:30.479
this personally, the general is going
to jump, asked Raven. Everyone's going

1119
01:29:30.560 --> 01:29:34.760
to said Clark. They're dropping everything. How are they going to explain this,

1120
01:29:35.119 --> 01:29:42.560
asked Gregel. Special training exercise authorized
by the Argentinian government, said Clark.

1121
01:29:43.000 --> 01:29:46.239
It's being called a rapid deployment exercise
to check the readiness of the military

1122
01:29:46.279 --> 01:29:51.680
to deploy a large force anywhere in
the world with minimal notice. Holy shit,

1123
01:29:51.960 --> 01:29:58.199
said Runestone. Indeed, said Gregel, when do they drop? There's

1124
01:29:58.239 --> 01:30:01.920
a small fleet of C five alex
Sees and see seventeen Globe Masters already on

1125
01:30:01.960 --> 01:30:05.840
their way, said Clark. Best
guess we should see the beginnings of the

1126
01:30:05.920 --> 01:30:12.279
drop near sundown. What about the
cat creatures, asked Valkyrie. We got

1127
01:30:12.399 --> 01:30:15.239
less than sixteen hours to locate them, and they'll task a team to take

1128
01:30:15.279 --> 01:30:19.159
them on, said Clark, unless
we determine we can handle them before their

1129
01:30:19.239 --> 01:30:24.840
arrival. So much forgetting any sleep, said Valkyrie. When do we leave?

1130
01:30:25.600 --> 01:30:28.960
I don't want to go until it's
daylight, said Clark. We didn't

1131
01:30:29.000 --> 01:30:32.159
pack night visions. Only Gregel would
be able to see them coming. That

1132
01:30:32.279 --> 01:30:35.920
means we can grab a few hours
of sleep. I suggest we make the

1133
01:30:35.920 --> 01:30:40.199
most of it. Once the team's
hit the ground, we won't be getting

1134
01:30:40.279 --> 01:30:44.600
much rest. He's right, said
Gregel. We should grab some rack time

1135
01:30:44.640 --> 01:30:49.560
while we have the chance. Everyone
headed back to their respective rooms. Valkyrie

1136
01:30:49.600 --> 01:30:54.520
headed into the bathroom to change,
leaving Clark to slip into a T shirt

1137
01:30:54.560 --> 01:30:59.359
and shorts before she came back out. When she exited the bathroom, he

1138
01:30:59.359 --> 01:31:02.319
headed to his teeth before bed,
and returning a few minutes later, he

1139
01:31:02.319 --> 01:31:06.479
headed for the couch. You know, she said, we're both adults.

1140
01:31:06.840 --> 01:31:12.079
We can sleep in the same bed
without anything going on. I feel bad

1141
01:31:12.079 --> 01:31:15.199
that you would have to sleep on
that couch. It's too short to lay

1142
01:31:15.199 --> 01:31:18.239
down, and it does not look
comfortable. I've slept on worse, he

1143
01:31:18.359 --> 01:31:24.039
said, much worse. I know
you have, she said, we both

1144
01:31:24.119 --> 01:31:28.159
have, but this is different.
We're in a four star hotel. You

1145
01:31:28.199 --> 01:31:31.640
should be comfortable too. Are you
afraid of me? I don't bite,

1146
01:31:31.680 --> 01:31:36.239
and I do shower on occasion.
Clark thought about it for a moment.

1147
01:31:36.960 --> 01:31:42.159
All right, he said, I
guess it won't hurt anything. Valkyrie slid

1148
01:31:42.199 --> 01:31:45.439
over to one side, while Clark
slipped beneath the covers on the other.

1149
01:31:45.079 --> 01:31:49.199
Once his head hit the pillow,
he closed his eyes and stretched. The

1150
01:31:49.239 --> 01:31:54.199
mattress was very comfortable, and the
pillows seemed to cradle his head without any

1151
01:31:54.239 --> 01:31:59.960
pressure. I really can't believe everything
that we've learned and experienced has only been

1152
01:32:00.199 --> 01:32:03.920
in one day, said Valkyrie softly. Yeah, mumbled Clark. It's been

1153
01:32:03.960 --> 01:32:08.920
a long day. I never knew
you could play piano, she said,

1154
01:32:09.039 --> 01:32:12.960
rolling on to her side to face
him. He kept his eyes closed and

1155
01:32:13.000 --> 01:32:16.359
didn't react. I don't play often, he said, I'm out of practice.

1156
01:32:17.199 --> 01:32:21.159
That sounded great to me, she
said, I played songs I remembered.

1157
01:32:21.319 --> 01:32:24.920
He said, there's no way I
could do that for a song I

1158
01:32:24.920 --> 01:32:30.000
haven't played a million times, but
Zombie, she asked, You never struck

1159
01:32:30.039 --> 01:32:33.359
me as a Cranberries fan. I'm
not, he explained. It was my

1160
01:32:33.479 --> 01:32:38.720
sister's favorite song. I played it
because she liked it. You have a

1161
01:32:38.760 --> 01:32:43.000
sister, she asked, you know, he said, opening one eye and

1162
01:32:43.039 --> 01:32:46.399
peering at her. I didn't just
spring from the ground fully formed. I

1163
01:32:46.439 --> 01:32:49.479
have a sister who's a year older
than me, and a brother who's six

1164
01:32:49.560 --> 01:32:55.840
years older. She's a TV news
meteorologist in Saint Louis, and he's a

1165
01:32:55.920 --> 01:32:59.800
dick. He lives in New York. I don't stay in contact with the

1166
01:33:00.000 --> 01:33:03.199
either of them, one by choice
and the other by time. Are they

1167
01:33:03.239 --> 01:33:08.319
married? She asked? Do you
have any nephews or nieces? Why do

1168
01:33:08.359 --> 01:33:12.239
you want to know all this stuff, he asked, because you're a mystery,

1169
01:33:12.399 --> 01:33:15.039
she said. No one on the
team knows much about you. We're

1170
01:33:15.039 --> 01:33:19.960
all taking bets on pieces of your
history. That's like how I receive it,

1171
01:33:20.039 --> 01:33:24.319
he said, laying back. Well, yeah, she said, it's

1172
01:33:24.319 --> 01:33:28.760
classified for some reason. Even with
our clearances on the team, we can't

1173
01:33:28.760 --> 01:33:32.199
read the fall. It's a need
to know information, said Clark. If

1174
01:33:32.239 --> 01:33:35.960
it was pertinent to a mission.
They would tell you, and you won't

1175
01:33:36.000 --> 01:33:41.600
talk about it, she added.
There's a reason for that, said Clark.

1176
01:33:42.079 --> 01:33:45.760
For one, it's classified, and
for another, I don't like to

1177
01:33:45.800 --> 01:33:48.960
think about that day other than to
miss my friends. Oh I'm sorry,

1178
01:33:49.159 --> 01:33:53.680
she said, seeing the pain in
his face. You don't have to talk

1179
01:33:53.720 --> 01:33:58.560
about that. Tell me about your
family, Okay. My sister's married,

1180
01:33:58.720 --> 01:34:03.000
he replied, taking the excuse to
change the subject. She has two kids,

1181
01:34:03.000 --> 01:34:05.800
a boy and a girl. I
try to go see them on the

1182
01:34:05.840 --> 01:34:11.960
holidays. My brother has been divorced
twice. He has no kids. He's

1183
01:34:12.000 --> 01:34:15.680
a jackass hedge fund manager. He
told me going into the military was a

1184
01:34:15.680 --> 01:34:19.279
big waste of time. I told
him it was more honest than what he

1185
01:34:19.359 --> 01:34:25.039
did. I've never screwed anybody out
of their life savings. We're not even

1186
01:34:25.159 --> 01:34:29.159
close. Honestly, he's an asshole
and I don't like being around him.

1187
01:34:30.000 --> 01:34:33.960
What are their names, she asked, Who asked Clark confused? Well,

1188
01:34:34.039 --> 01:34:39.199
all of them, said Valkyrie,
smiling. Good lord, he said,

1189
01:34:39.359 --> 01:34:43.680
opening both eyes. Are you writing
a book about me or something? She

1190
01:34:43.880 --> 01:34:48.119
laughed. My sister's name is Pamela, he said, Pamela Grayson now.

1191
01:34:48.720 --> 01:34:54.199
The kids are Eric and Emily.
Her husband's name is Patrick. He's all

1192
01:34:54.319 --> 01:34:57.359
right. I guess he's kind of
a pansy, but hey, he's good

1193
01:34:57.359 --> 01:35:00.560
to her and the kids. My
brother's name is Philip. He's been a

1194
01:35:00.560 --> 01:35:05.279
dick my entire life, so his
being a hedge fund jackass didn't change anything,

1195
01:35:06.199 --> 01:35:11.319
see, chatted Valkyrie, smiling softly. That wasn't so bad, was

1196
01:35:11.359 --> 01:35:15.159
it? I suppose not, said
Clark. What about you? How did

1197
01:35:15.199 --> 01:35:18.520
you wind up a sniper in the
pgs? I mean you could have been

1198
01:35:18.520 --> 01:35:23.760
a model or an actress or something. Well, I'm an only child,

1199
01:35:23.960 --> 01:35:28.920
she said. My dad retired a
Master sergeant from the Air Force. It's

1200
01:35:28.920 --> 01:35:31.560
the only thing I've wanted to do
since I was a kid. He took

1201
01:35:31.560 --> 01:35:34.159
me hunting a lot when I was
young, and that's when I learned to

1202
01:35:34.199 --> 01:35:38.560
shoot. When I joined the Air
Force, my parents were proud, but

1203
01:35:38.680 --> 01:35:41.720
I know my mom wanted me to
go to college and do something else,

1204
01:35:41.840 --> 01:35:45.840
like modeling or something. But that
wasn't for me, and during training I

1205
01:35:45.880 --> 01:35:50.520
broke every record in my unit for
marksmanship. I enlisted to go into the

1206
01:35:50.560 --> 01:35:54.840
Air Force security, and when word
of my shooting got out, I was

1207
01:35:54.880 --> 01:35:58.680
offered a chance to go to a
pair of rescue school, and I happily

1208
01:35:58.760 --> 01:36:02.079
accepted. I guess you did well, said Clark, based on what I've

1209
01:36:02.119 --> 01:36:06.039
seen. I excelled in shooting,
and I kept up with the men on

1210
01:36:06.079 --> 01:36:11.720
all the courses, she said.
I held my own and graduated with honors.

1211
01:36:12.039 --> 01:36:15.840
And on my first duty assignment to
Afghanistan, my commanding officer decided that

1212
01:36:16.159 --> 01:36:19.760
I was going to be his personal
fuck toy. He called me to his

1213
01:36:19.840 --> 01:36:24.239
quarters and ordered me to get into
his bed, and when I said no,

1214
01:36:24.399 --> 01:36:28.520
he grabbed me and then tried to
rape me. What happened, asked

1215
01:36:28.560 --> 01:36:31.439
Clark, a note of anger in
his tone. I broke his jaw,

1216
01:36:31.800 --> 01:36:35.520
she said. When he called me
to his quarters, I suspected it was

1217
01:36:35.560 --> 01:36:41.279
something like that, so I recorded
the conversation with my phone. When I

1218
01:36:41.319 --> 01:36:45.399
presented that at the court martial,
I ended the career of a full Bird

1219
01:36:45.479 --> 01:36:49.560
colonel and ruined my reputation with the
PJS. I knew then that I had

1220
01:36:49.600 --> 01:36:54.079
to either leave the Air Force or
find another way to serve, and one

1221
01:36:54.079 --> 01:36:58.239
of my senior staff, Brigadier General
Brenda Chambers, gave me the option of

1222
01:36:58.279 --> 01:37:02.000
trying out for this team took it. I was also given a large cash

1223
01:37:02.079 --> 01:37:08.439
settlement to not bring the sexual assault
public. So you're rich, said Clark.

1224
01:37:08.880 --> 01:37:11.279
What did you do with all that
money, if you don't mind me

1225
01:37:11.399 --> 01:37:15.960
asking, I gave a big chunk
of it to the Defense Fund for service

1226
01:37:15.039 --> 01:37:19.199
women who suffered the same thing I
did, said Valkyrie. The rest,

1227
01:37:19.399 --> 01:37:23.960
well, I paid off my parents'
debts so they could live good on dad's

1228
01:37:23.960 --> 01:37:28.479
retirement. The rest, well,
let's just say when I decided to retire,

1229
01:37:29.000 --> 01:37:32.279
I'll have a nice ranch in Montana
to retire to, and my parents

1230
01:37:32.319 --> 01:37:36.279
lived there keeping the place up for
me. I've still got enough tucked away

1231
01:37:36.319 --> 01:37:41.439
that i'll have a nice nest egg
when I retire. That's a smart girl,

1232
01:37:41.520 --> 01:37:44.960
said Clark. Honestly, I'd like
to find that colonel and feed him

1233
01:37:44.960 --> 01:37:48.880
his teeth too late, said Valkyrie. When I told my story, he

1234
01:37:49.000 --> 01:37:53.760
denied it, and when I presented
the video, he asked for a JAG

1235
01:37:53.840 --> 01:37:58.039
officer and refused to say anything else. When it looked like he was going

1236
01:37:58.079 --> 01:38:01.760
to be court martialed, he ate
a bul instead of facing a dishonorable discharge.

1237
01:38:02.399 --> 01:38:08.079
Fucking coward, said Clark. I'm
sorry that happened to you. I'm

1238
01:38:08.079 --> 01:38:11.720
not. She said. It made
me stronger and I won't cower down to

1239
01:38:11.760 --> 01:38:15.000
anyone. Well, good for you, he said. If anyone ever pulls

1240
01:38:15.000 --> 01:38:18.359
that shit, you tell me and
I'll nail their ass to the nearest wall.

1241
01:38:19.439 --> 01:38:24.239
You know, said Valkyrie. Until
I met you, I thought all

1242
01:38:24.359 --> 01:38:29.560
officers were like that. I hated
officers for a long time. When you

1243
01:38:29.600 --> 01:38:32.800
took over, you immediately treated me
like an equal. You've never talked down

1244
01:38:32.840 --> 01:38:35.399
to me or said that. I
did a good job for a woman.

1245
01:38:36.239 --> 01:38:40.840
You do a good job for anyone, said Clark. I used to think

1246
01:38:40.880 --> 01:38:44.359
I was a good shot till I
met you. You're fucking scary with a

1247
01:38:44.439 --> 01:38:48.680
rifle. She blushed and chuckled.
Thank you, she said, See that's

1248
01:38:48.680 --> 01:38:53.680
what I'm talking about. You don't
act like an officer. I was an

1249
01:38:53.680 --> 01:38:57.239
E six staff sergeant when I got
out of the army, he said.

1250
01:38:57.760 --> 01:39:01.680
Saunders pulled some strings and got me
to join the team. He wanted me

1251
01:39:01.720 --> 01:39:05.720
as his executive officer. I don't
know how he made that happen, but

1252
01:39:05.800 --> 01:39:10.359
he did so. In my heart, I'm still just a staff sergeant.

1253
01:39:10.640 --> 01:39:13.800
I take care of my people,
so they'll take care of me. That's

1254
01:39:13.840 --> 01:39:17.880
how it should always work. I
wish more people in leadership positions felt that

1255
01:39:17.920 --> 01:39:21.680
way, said Valkyrie. Well,
I'm sorry you had to go through that,

1256
01:39:21.880 --> 01:39:26.520
said Clark. I would never do
anything like that to you or anyone.

1257
01:39:27.119 --> 01:39:30.399
You have more than proven you deserve
your position with this team. You're

1258
01:39:30.399 --> 01:39:33.479
the best shooter I've ever worked with, and I've worked with some good ones.

1259
01:39:34.239 --> 01:39:38.840
Thank you. She said. We
should try to get some sleep,

1260
01:39:39.000 --> 01:39:42.840
said Clark. We've got a full
day ahead of us, maybe several days.

1261
01:39:43.479 --> 01:39:46.079
Tell me one thing before we doze
off. She said, okay,

1262
01:39:46.199 --> 01:39:51.560
He said, if the situation was
different, she said, hesitantly, would

1263
01:39:51.600 --> 01:39:55.920
you have kissed me? I mean, we've had a couple of moments since

1264
01:39:55.920 --> 01:40:00.079
we got here where I felt like
I wanted you to. Clark took a

1265
01:40:00.119 --> 01:40:03.800
deep breath and slowly let it out. I'm not great at saying things,

1266
01:40:04.000 --> 01:40:08.800
said Clark. I tend to be
too direct for my own goods. Sometimes

1267
01:40:09.439 --> 01:40:13.560
we both know the reasons that we
can't. First off, I'm married.

1268
01:40:14.199 --> 01:40:19.520
Also, there's the entire against regulations
thing. But if the situations were different

1269
01:40:19.720 --> 01:40:25.319
and none of that applied, yes, she whispered. Well I think you're

1270
01:40:25.359 --> 01:40:30.520
beautiful, said Clark, smiling gently. I also find you incredibly intriguing,

1271
01:40:30.039 --> 01:40:35.039
a strange mixture of sensual and deadly
that I find attractive. It's also the

1272
01:40:35.079 --> 01:40:40.239
same mixture that I love about my
wife. She's a fighter just like you,

1273
01:40:40.760 --> 01:40:43.520
and I love her more than I
ever thought I could love anyone.

1274
01:40:44.199 --> 01:40:46.279
Yes, I do find you attractive, and yes I would have tried to

1275
01:40:46.359 --> 01:40:50.319
kiss you if I were single.
But here's the thing. I think kissing

1276
01:40:50.359 --> 01:40:54.680
you would be a big mistake.
If we were in love. There's a

1277
01:40:54.680 --> 01:40:58.039
good chance you might watch me die
through your scope, and I couldn't do

1278
01:40:58.119 --> 01:41:01.239
that to you. We're soldiers.
I can love you, but it must

1279
01:41:01.239 --> 01:41:05.479
be as a sister or best friend. I can't imagine doing it any other

1280
01:41:05.520 --> 01:41:10.239
way without one of us facing the
reality of watching the other one die.

1281
01:41:11.000 --> 01:41:14.680
I saw what that did to Amanda
when I nearly died in a gunfight while

1282
01:41:14.680 --> 01:41:19.399
we were deputies. I can't hurt
anyone like that again. Valkyrie sat in

1283
01:41:19.479 --> 01:41:24.720
silence for a long moment, looking
down at the bed. I have a

1284
01:41:24.760 --> 01:41:30.239
confession to make, she said,
softly. What's that I've been texting your

1285
01:41:30.279 --> 01:41:33.560
wife since we left Fort leonard Wood, she said, looking up mischievously.

1286
01:41:34.680 --> 01:41:40.479
I've even been sneaking pictures of you
when you weren't watching. Clark frowned her.

1287
01:41:41.079 --> 01:41:45.800
What the hell's going on, he
asked. Amanda knew that we were

1288
01:41:45.800 --> 01:41:48.439
going to be playing husband and wife, she said. I wanted her to

1289
01:41:48.479 --> 01:41:53.640
know that nothing would happen between us. Even when I tempted you, nothing

1290
01:41:53.720 --> 01:41:58.640
happened. That was just me being
rotten. I'm sorry. Clark glared at

1291
01:41:58.640 --> 01:42:02.159
her for a moment before smile.
So Amanda knows this, he said,

1292
01:42:02.840 --> 01:42:06.640
Yes, said Valkyrie, grinning.
And if I'd given in to you,

1293
01:42:06.680 --> 01:42:12.880
said Clark. You didn't, said
Valkyrie, which I find incredibly attractive.

1294
01:42:13.439 --> 01:42:15.880
Your sense of honor and code of
ethics. Most men would have been on

1295
01:42:15.960 --> 01:42:20.800
me faster than Raven and Runstone went
at it even without me playing it up.

1296
01:42:21.319 --> 01:42:25.800
I hope you're not mad at me
now, said Clark. I should

1297
01:42:25.800 --> 01:42:29.079
have known you and Amanda would hit
it off. How often do you two

1298
01:42:29.199 --> 01:42:33.239
text all the time? Said Valkyrie. I send her pictures of you whenever

1299
01:42:33.279 --> 01:42:38.119
we take a break or when there
isn't any action. My scope has a

1300
01:42:38.199 --> 01:42:42.399
chord I can attach to my phone. Clark stared at her for a moment

1301
01:42:42.439 --> 01:42:46.520
before shaking his head. God help
us, said Clark, should I start

1302
01:42:46.560 --> 01:42:51.479
referring to you as my wark wife? Now that's funny, said Valkyrie.

1303
01:42:51.520 --> 01:42:57.119
That's exactly what Amanda called me.
When we get clear of this mission,

1304
01:42:57.239 --> 01:43:00.680
said Clark. I want to see
all the picture you've sent her, and

1305
01:43:00.680 --> 01:43:03.159
then the three of us need to
have a chat. I'll barbecue at the

1306
01:43:03.159 --> 01:43:08.039
cabin and we can invite the team
and we can talk there. Oh please,

1307
01:43:08.079 --> 01:43:11.479
don't be mad at her, said
Valkyrie. The flirting part was my

1308
01:43:11.600 --> 01:43:14.800
idea. I've got to say,
when you clean up and wear a tux,

1309
01:43:14.920 --> 01:43:18.279
you're not exactly hard on the eyes. Clark shook his head and put

1310
01:43:18.319 --> 01:43:23.279
his hands behind his head. You
two are going to be the death of

1311
01:43:23.359 --> 01:43:27.520
me, he said. Now let's
get some sleep. You got it,

1312
01:43:27.600 --> 01:43:31.279
boss, she said, grinning and
laying back on her pillow. Clark closed

1313
01:43:31.279 --> 01:43:34.760
his eyes, his thoughts whirling.
He wasn't sure what was going to be

1314
01:43:34.840 --> 01:43:39.560
said in the conversation they were all
going to have, but he needed to

1315
01:43:39.600 --> 01:43:43.640
play it close to the vest.
Neither of them could ever know just how

1316
01:43:43.680 --> 01:43:54.039
close he came to giving. In
chapter ten, six thirty hours, fifteen

1317
01:43:54.199 --> 01:44:00.880
May Lake Nauelape, Valkyrie awoke and
rolled over, placing her on the pillow

1318
01:44:00.920 --> 01:44:03.640
beside her. It took her a
moment to realize that there was nothing there

1319
01:44:03.680 --> 01:44:09.039
and it was still warm. Opening
her eyes, she glanced around the room

1320
01:44:09.079 --> 01:44:14.960
as her vision cleared from sleep.
She didn't see any sign of Clark sitting

1321
01:44:15.039 --> 01:44:16.920
up in the bed. She caught
a glimpse of movement out the corner of

1322
01:44:16.920 --> 01:44:21.399
her eye. The sun wasn't up
yet and the morning looked chilly. The

1323
01:44:21.439 --> 01:44:27.199
movement she'd seen was Clark on the
balcony doing pull ups rapidly. He was

1324
01:44:27.239 --> 01:44:30.920
wearing his workout shorts and tennis shoes, but no shirt. She saw the

1325
01:44:31.000 --> 01:44:35.960
rippling muscles in his back as he
moved. She also saw the network of

1326
01:44:36.000 --> 01:44:41.800
scars and pucker marks that had to
be bullet wounds. He had been doing

1327
01:44:41.840 --> 01:44:45.279
them for a while, because the
sweat that formed on his back was streaming.

1328
01:44:45.359 --> 01:44:48.640
After a few moments, he paused
while in the up position, and

1329
01:44:48.680 --> 01:44:53.520
then kicked his legs back and dropped
from the edge of the roof onto the

1330
01:44:53.560 --> 01:44:57.760
floor of the balcony. He had
noticed her sitting up in bed, and

1331
01:44:57.760 --> 01:45:01.279
he leaned against the railing and looked
out over the dark lake. Their room

1332
01:45:01.359 --> 01:45:05.720
faced west and would give them a
magnificent view of the sunset, but they

1333
01:45:05.720 --> 01:45:12.079
would not be able to watch the
sunrise. Grabbing a towel that was folded

1334
01:45:12.119 --> 01:45:15.479
on the chair beside him, Clark
towled off the sweat from his face and

1335
01:45:15.640 --> 01:45:20.279
moved inside. When he saw Valkyrie
setting up in bed, he smiled,

1336
01:45:20.640 --> 01:45:25.199
Good morning, sunshine, he said, how long have you been up?

1337
01:45:25.399 --> 01:45:29.439
She asked a little while, He
said, I slept out of bed,

1338
01:45:29.479 --> 01:45:32.079
so I wouldn't wake you. I
usually only sleep a couple of hours at

1339
01:45:32.079 --> 01:45:38.159
a time. I just can't seem
to sleep longer than that unless his voice

1340
01:45:38.199 --> 01:45:43.680
trailed off, unless what she asked, well, Amanda has a way of

1341
01:45:43.680 --> 01:45:45.920
making me sleep longer, he said, Let's just leave it at that.

1342
01:45:46.760 --> 01:45:50.880
What way is she began, and
then paused, Okay, okay, I

1343
01:45:50.960 --> 01:45:55.399
get it. I'm going to leave
you to ponder that, said Clark.

1344
01:45:55.640 --> 01:45:59.079
I'm grabbing a shower. I want
us all to get breakfast together before we

1345
01:45:59.159 --> 01:46:01.840
head out today. This might be
the last meal we eat for a bit.

1346
01:46:01.960 --> 01:46:09.079
That isn't an mre ooh, Valkyrie
said, wrinkling her nose. Meals

1347
01:46:09.159 --> 01:46:13.760
refused by everyone. Those are nasty, Yeah, we used to call them

1348
01:46:13.800 --> 01:46:18.199
meals. Ready to excrete said Clark
always thought they were barely edible until I

1349
01:46:18.239 --> 01:46:23.680
saw their reaction to the kids and
the villages of Kandahar. They acted like

1350
01:46:23.760 --> 01:46:26.760
it was the greatest thing in the
world. And when I saw how they

1351
01:46:26.840 --> 01:46:30.119
lived, I understood just how good
we have it here. I was deployed

1352
01:46:30.159 --> 01:46:34.680
to Afghanistan, she said, but
I never left Bogram except to go pull

1353
01:46:34.720 --> 01:46:39.680
out down pilots or to cover an
extraction, and then we were in and

1354
01:46:39.680 --> 01:46:44.079
out on choppers. Other than that, I didn't have much contact with the

1355
01:46:44.119 --> 01:46:48.039
locals. I've flown out of Bogram
several times, he said, glancing at

1356
01:46:48.079 --> 01:46:51.239
the ground. When I was with
Delta, we lived in the field for

1357
01:46:51.319 --> 01:46:56.640
months at a time. I was
assigned to a surveillance team. We'd spent

1358
01:46:56.760 --> 01:47:00.560
weeks and months out in the middle
of nowhere, watching the enemy move and

1359
01:47:00.640 --> 01:47:03.079
relaying it back to the rest of
the unit. That's how I picked up

1360
01:47:03.159 --> 01:47:09.560
Pashtu. Even before Delta, I
did two tours with the fifth Special Forces

1361
01:47:09.560 --> 01:47:14.560
Group in Afghanistan. We were technically
assigned to Fort Cammel, Kentucky, but

1362
01:47:14.680 --> 01:47:17.720
I didn't get to spend much time
there. After my second deployment, I

1363
01:47:17.840 --> 01:47:21.760
was offered a shot at Delta and
I took it. It's a different world

1364
01:47:21.800 --> 01:47:26.840
over there, she said, nodding. Yes, it is, he said,

1365
01:47:27.079 --> 01:47:31.000
turning and heading into the bathroom.
Seconds after he shut the door,

1366
01:47:31.239 --> 01:47:34.760
she heard the shower start up,
and when she heard the door to the

1367
01:47:34.800 --> 01:47:39.319
shower slide shut, she slipped out
of bed and lay on the floor.

1368
01:47:39.880 --> 01:47:44.000
She started with sit ups to take
her mind off of things. She also

1369
01:47:44.119 --> 01:47:47.439
needed to work off some energy,
she found herself looking forward to the action

1370
01:47:47.600 --> 01:47:54.000
that was about to start. It
was something else to focus on. Thirty

1371
01:47:54.039 --> 01:47:58.720
minutes later, they were all gathered
at the hotel restaurant, ordering their breakfast.

1372
01:48:00.000 --> 01:48:02.359
If they were dressed as tourists,
they had already loaded their bags of

1373
01:48:02.399 --> 01:48:08.039
weapons and gear into the suv they
rented. Once they were out of town,

1374
01:48:08.119 --> 01:48:11.880
they would change and head into the
forest to see if Gregel could track

1375
01:48:11.920 --> 01:48:16.399
the cat creatures. What's the plan, hefe asked Rumstone, nodding at Clark.

1376
01:48:17.119 --> 01:48:20.479
Well, I've been thinking about that, said Clark. Just to the

1377
01:48:20.479 --> 01:48:25.880
east of us, as Iago cor
Intso, I think we should rent a

1378
01:48:25.880 --> 01:48:29.399
boat and follow the shoreline to get
closer to the area where we saw the

1379
01:48:29.399 --> 01:48:32.199
creature from the road. Otherwise we're
going to have to make our move within

1380
01:48:32.319 --> 01:48:36.319
view of the town. That's a
good idea, said Valkyrie. We can

1381
01:48:36.359 --> 01:48:41.319
take the boat down the lake much
faster than we can bushwhack through the woods.

1382
01:48:42.119 --> 01:48:45.159
Yep, that's what I was thinking, said Clark. All right,

1383
01:48:45.279 --> 01:48:47.760
said Gregel. I guess we can
just ask the front desk to get us

1384
01:48:47.800 --> 01:48:53.119
a boat. Yeah, make sure
you specify which lake we wanted on,

1385
01:48:53.399 --> 01:48:57.399
said Raven. I don't think it
would do well on the rapids filled river

1386
01:48:57.479 --> 01:49:01.880
that connects to corn Toso and Nauelap. That river would tear most boats apart.

1387
01:49:02.800 --> 01:49:06.000
That's exactly why I think we'll be
safe from the shark men on the

1388
01:49:06.039 --> 01:49:11.159
other lake, said Clark. I
can't see them fighting that river in current

1389
01:49:11.279 --> 01:49:15.920
without being seen by the locals.
I wouldn't assume that, said Rumstone.

1390
01:49:15.960 --> 01:49:18.800
We have no idea what they're capable
of. It might be a piece of

1391
01:49:18.800 --> 01:49:24.039
cake for them to swim upstream.
We can't afford to make any assumptions,

1392
01:49:24.159 --> 01:49:29.199
said Gregel. I can't see them
attacking the boat unless we're pinging with sonar,

1393
01:49:29.399 --> 01:49:32.199
said Valkyrie. I mean that one
boat is the only one we've heard

1394
01:49:32.239 --> 01:49:36.279
of that was reported missing. The
locals go out on both lakes, all

1395
01:49:36.319 --> 01:49:41.880
the time, especially the local fishermen. All right, then, said Clark.

1396
01:49:42.319 --> 01:49:46.319
Fortunately, we won't be packing in
any sonar gear. We're running light

1397
01:49:46.399 --> 01:49:50.479
on gear as it is. Let's
eat and get moving. Clock is running

1398
01:49:50.479 --> 01:49:56.479
and we've got to be ready for
the others to arrive. The waiters arrived

1399
01:49:56.479 --> 01:50:00.119
at the table and began handing out
large plates of breakfast foods. She was

1400
01:50:00.279 --> 01:50:04.199
very pretty, with just a hint
of a tattoo sticking out from beneath her

1401
01:50:04.199 --> 01:50:11.239
sleeves. She set out a large
tray of pastries resembling croissants along with everyone's

1402
01:50:11.399 --> 01:50:15.159
order, and Grego had a large
pile of eggs scrambled with cheese and peppers

1403
01:50:15.199 --> 01:50:20.840
and spicy sausage. He also had
two large steaks on the side. The

1404
01:50:20.880 --> 01:50:26.479
waitress looked at him skeptically as she
placed the two large platters in front of

1405
01:50:26.560 --> 01:50:30.920
him. Good look, sir,
she said, in excellent English. I

1406
01:50:30.960 --> 01:50:33.680
will be surprised if you can eat
all of that instill a walk. I'll

1407
01:50:33.720 --> 01:50:39.000
do my best, said greg On, nodding. What are those pastries,

1408
01:50:39.279 --> 01:50:44.640
asked valkyrie. It's a local breakfast
tradition, said the waitress. They are

1409
01:50:44.680 --> 01:50:48.720
called bascocas it's a pastry with different
fillings. Some are cream filled, some

1410
01:50:48.800 --> 01:50:55.199
have jellied fruit inside. I have
chocolate. They are delicious. I can't

1411
01:50:55.239 --> 01:51:00.800
wait to try them, said Valkyrie. Everyone began eating large portion of breakfasts,

1412
01:51:00.159 --> 01:51:04.479
just not quite as large as Gregel's. Why are you eating so much,

1413
01:51:04.760 --> 01:51:09.920
asked Raven. I'm going to have
to change, said Gregel. I

1414
01:51:10.039 --> 01:51:14.279
burn a lot of calories. Even
if I don't. My metabolism is much

1415
01:51:14.319 --> 01:51:18.159
faster than normal I see, said
Raven. I never really thought about that.

1416
01:51:19.279 --> 01:51:23.840
I think I have a better idea
than the boat, said Valkyrie.

1417
01:51:24.279 --> 01:51:28.079
Why don't we go up in the
plaine. We can use the excuse that

1418
01:51:28.239 --> 01:51:31.840
we're going sight seeing and land on
the lake when we see something. That's

1419
01:51:31.840 --> 01:51:38.600
a great idea, said Clark.
I already had ernesto refuel the plane.

1420
01:51:38.840 --> 01:51:43.399
After they finished eating, Valkyrie tried
one of the pastries and her eyes rolled

1421
01:51:43.439 --> 01:51:46.439
back in her head as she chewed. Oh my god, she whispered,

1422
01:51:46.680 --> 01:51:50.920
these are amazing. What flavor did
you get, asked SHEI old maiden.

1423
01:51:51.000 --> 01:51:56.600
Reaching for one chocolate, said Valkyrie. I'm a chocoholic and I love it.

1424
01:51:57.640 --> 01:52:00.680
Gregel picked one up and took a
bite. His eyes flew wide open,

1425
01:52:00.840 --> 01:52:04.359
and he looked at the rest of
the pastry with one raised eyebrow.

1426
01:52:05.119 --> 01:52:11.680
Raspberry, said Gregel, these are
delicious. Clark waved the waitress over.

1427
01:52:12.159 --> 01:52:15.520
Yes, sir, she said,
Can you get us a couple of large

1428
01:52:15.600 --> 01:52:19.119
orders of picoccis to go please?
He asked, Of course, sir,

1429
01:52:19.359 --> 01:52:25.800
She said, see, they are
quite delicious. A few minutes later they

1430
01:52:25.920 --> 01:52:30.920
left the restaurant with a large white
paper bag. Gregel had shocked the waitress

1431
01:52:30.960 --> 01:52:35.720
by not only finishing his breakfast but
also ate four biscoccos. Great idea of

1432
01:52:35.760 --> 01:52:40.119
bringing more of those with us,
said Valkyrie. We can snack on them

1433
01:52:40.159 --> 01:52:45.359
throughout the day, absolutely, said
Clark. Recovering their bags from the suv,

1434
01:52:45.560 --> 01:52:49.079
they headed for the plane, and
once they had everything packed inside,

1435
01:52:49.119 --> 01:52:55.239
they began double checking the engines for
signs of wear or tampering. While they

1436
01:52:55.279 --> 01:52:59.359
were performing the pre flight, Ernesto
came out to them. Are you leaving

1437
01:52:59.399 --> 01:53:02.279
already? He asked? Oh no, said Clark, smiling. We're going

1438
01:53:02.359 --> 01:53:05.720
to fly over the area to take
pictures. We should be back in a

1439
01:53:05.720 --> 01:53:11.039
few hours. This place is too
beautiful not to take advantage of some aerial

1440
01:53:11.079 --> 01:53:15.039
photography. Oh, of course,
Senor said Ernesto, we will a witch

1441
01:53:15.079 --> 01:53:18.920
your return. Thank you, sir, said Clark. We should be back

1442
01:53:18.960 --> 01:53:26.159
before sundown. Ernesto returned and headed
back toward the hotel, while Clark untied

1443
01:53:26.159 --> 01:53:30.680
the mooring lines and climbed in through
the cockpit hatch. Gregel was already performing

1444
01:53:30.720 --> 01:53:35.640
the pre flight checklist. Clark jumped
into the pilot's seat and helped finish the

1445
01:53:35.760 --> 01:53:41.000
checks, and once they were satisfied
that everything was in order, Clark began

1446
01:53:41.079 --> 01:53:45.920
the startup sequence. There was a
whine as the starter engaged the starboard engine

1447
01:53:46.319 --> 01:53:50.359
and it coughed and then rumbled to
life, slowly spilling up to the correct

1448
01:53:50.439 --> 01:53:56.680
pressure in RPMs. Once it was
running smoothly, Clark fired up the port

1449
01:53:56.800 --> 01:54:01.760
engine. The process repeated, and
soon both engines were rumbling as they idled

1450
01:54:01.920 --> 01:54:08.680
like a dreaming dragon. Pressures look
good, said Gregel, studying the instruments.

1451
01:54:09.279 --> 01:54:14.399
Mister Gregel said Clark, imitating the
voice of a famous starship captain.

1452
01:54:14.720 --> 01:54:18.439
You have the con take us up, I captain, said Gregel, smiling.

1453
01:54:18.960 --> 01:54:24.279
I had one quarter impulse power.
I didn't know you were a sci

1454
01:54:24.279 --> 01:54:28.800
fi fan, said Clark, glancing
over at Gregel. I loved that show

1455
01:54:28.840 --> 01:54:31.720
as a kid. I quit watching
after the series about the space station.

1456
01:54:31.920 --> 01:54:35.840
I never really cared for it after
that. Yeah, I quit watching about

1457
01:54:35.840 --> 01:54:40.359
them too, said Clark. I
still watch it if I catch it on

1458
01:54:40.439 --> 01:54:44.920
television, but when do we ever
have time to watch television? Well,

1459
01:54:44.920 --> 01:54:49.479
that's true, said Gregel, giving
more power to the engines. They began

1460
01:54:49.520 --> 01:54:54.319
gliding away from the shore and out
into the deeper parts of the lake,

1461
01:54:54.760 --> 01:54:59.399
and Clark watched nervously, half expecting
the shark men to attack them at any

1462
01:54:59.439 --> 01:55:03.640
moment, Hey said Clark, yelling
back to the passenger area, break out

1463
01:55:03.680 --> 01:55:06.319
the gear and load the weapons.
I want to be ready if we have

1464
01:55:06.399 --> 01:55:13.239
any unexpected visitors out here. Once
they were about one hundred yards off shore,

1465
01:55:13.319 --> 01:55:17.479
Gregel brought the aircraft around to face
a slight breeze. Clark glanced back

1466
01:55:17.479 --> 01:55:23.279
and saw that everyone was back in
their seats holding their weapons. He nodded

1467
01:55:23.319 --> 01:55:27.039
at Gregel, and he turned back
to face the front as the engines began

1468
01:55:27.159 --> 01:55:30.920
to growl with power. Seconds later, they were racing along the surface of

1469
01:55:30.960 --> 01:55:35.199
the water, gaining speed and generating
lift, and Gregel pulled back on the

1470
01:55:35.239 --> 01:55:41.800
wheel as he adjusted the flaps and
trim the old girl gracefully lifted into the

1471
01:55:41.880 --> 01:55:45.479
air, and the ground quickly fell
away from them. We're airborne, said

1472
01:55:45.520 --> 01:55:49.479
Clark. I'm turning off the no
smoking signs and you are free to move

1473
01:55:49.520 --> 01:55:56.399
about the cabin. Valkyrie slipped into
the cockpit and handed them both their weapons.

1474
01:55:56.880 --> 01:56:00.840
Sliding into the navigator's seat, she
looked around at all the instruments.

1475
01:56:00.439 --> 01:56:04.439
This is a museum piece, she
said. How is it that it's even

1476
01:56:04.479 --> 01:56:10.680
still flying. They made these birds
to last, said Clark. With proper

1477
01:56:10.720 --> 01:56:15.319
maintenance and engine rebuilds, this old
girl could fly until she's over one hundred

1478
01:56:15.319 --> 01:56:21.359
maybe longer. Gregel banked around and
headed northeast toward a Lake Cornoso. Once

1479
01:56:21.399 --> 01:56:26.359
they passed over the village, he
reduced altitude and flew low enough that they

1480
01:56:26.359 --> 01:56:30.800
could make out the details along the
shore. They were looking for any signs

1481
01:56:30.800 --> 01:56:35.399
of movement or indication of where the
creatures might have been. Everything eventually needs

1482
01:56:35.439 --> 01:56:39.640
water, and they hoped that they
would find where they came to drink.

1483
01:56:40.880 --> 01:56:45.000
After flying along the shore for several
minutes, Gregel looked up and tapped Clark

1484
01:56:45.039 --> 01:56:48.119
on the shoulder. Boss, check
that out, said Gregel, pointing.

1485
01:56:49.119 --> 01:56:54.880
Clark turned and looked just ahead the
shore, veered inland and opened into what

1486
01:56:54.960 --> 01:56:59.399
looked like a large bay. You
think it's worth checking out, asked Gregel.

1487
01:57:00.039 --> 01:57:04.119
Definitely, said Clark, reaching for
his binoculars. As they banked into

1488
01:57:04.119 --> 01:57:09.319
the bay, Clark began searching the
tree line for anything that might give away

1489
01:57:09.359 --> 01:57:14.399
its presence. After a few seconds, he paused and began focusing the binoculars.

1490
01:57:15.039 --> 01:57:17.000
I think I've got something, he
said, grinning. What do you

1491
01:57:17.079 --> 01:57:21.600
see, said Gregel. Looks like
a spot where something has been dragged from

1492
01:57:21.600 --> 01:57:26.439
the shore to the trees, said
Clark, pointing to where the spot was.

1493
01:57:27.119 --> 01:57:30.760
Do you want me to land,
said Gregel. Yeah, said Clark.

1494
01:57:30.119 --> 01:57:33.039
Set us down. I think we
may have found a good place to

1495
01:57:33.119 --> 01:57:39.880
start our search. Hopefully you can
pick up their trail. Gregel brought them

1496
01:57:39.920 --> 01:57:44.199
down without an issue and idled up
to the shore, giving it a sudden

1497
01:57:44.239 --> 01:57:48.319
burst of throttle. He beats the
aircraft so it wouldn't float away. Clark

1498
01:57:48.439 --> 01:57:53.520
was up through the cockpit hatch in
seconds, bringing up his AA twelve in

1499
01:57:53.560 --> 01:57:57.600
case something was to rush them from
the trees, and when nothing happened,

1500
01:57:57.640 --> 01:58:02.079
he called back inside. Let's move, he said. They all quickly changed

1501
01:58:02.119 --> 01:58:06.880
into fatigues and strapped on their gear. Clark packed as much AMMO as he

1502
01:58:06.920 --> 01:58:12.319
could carry in his rucksack and then
reached for his blade. Shit, he

1503
01:58:12.399 --> 01:58:16.520
said, I didn't pack my gladyas
I got your boss, said Runestone,

1504
01:58:16.640 --> 01:58:21.960
handing Clark a long blade and a
Kaidak sheath. What's this asked Clark,

1505
01:58:23.159 --> 01:58:27.640
drawing the black curved blade and admiring
it. It's called the Bounty, said

1506
01:58:27.720 --> 01:58:33.720
Runestone. She's almost twenty five inches
of lethal functionality. It's from Scalleywag tactical

1507
01:58:34.119 --> 01:58:39.399
about all my adge weapons from them. I don't want to take your blade,

1508
01:58:39.439 --> 01:58:42.960
said Clark, starting to hand it
back. Don't worries, fa,

1509
01:58:43.239 --> 01:58:46.880
said Runestone. I've got another one, always packed two here. You can

1510
01:58:46.920 --> 01:58:51.000
have one of its little brothers too, and he tossed them a smaller knife

1511
01:58:51.920 --> 01:58:56.880
that's called the Gunner's mate, said
Runestone. It's a thick blade and meant

1512
01:58:56.880 --> 01:59:00.640
for doing some damage. I can
see why you carry these, said Clark.

1513
01:59:01.279 --> 01:59:04.279
If you told me they made an
axe, I might have a new

1514
01:59:04.319 --> 01:59:10.600
favorite brand of blades. Well funny
you should mention that, said Runestone,

1515
01:59:10.600 --> 01:59:15.359
tossing him a black handled axe and
a keyed axe holster. It's called the

1516
01:59:15.399 --> 01:59:19.159
boarding axe. Clark drew it and
admired the cutting edge of the blade.

1517
01:59:19.560 --> 01:59:25.560
It had a wicked downward curve edge
spiked on the back that he envisioned doing

1518
01:59:25.600 --> 01:59:29.479
a lot of damage to an opponent
in a fight. Are you sure you

1519
01:59:29.520 --> 01:59:33.359
don't mind, said Clark, still
admiring the blades, Yeah, said Runestone.

1520
01:59:33.680 --> 01:59:36.319
I mean if you want to keep
them, then add them to the

1521
01:59:36.359 --> 01:59:42.039
expense report. You're holding almost a
grand in cutlery. They're not cheap.

1522
01:59:42.600 --> 01:59:45.399
I think I might do that,
said Clark, clipping the blades in place.

1523
01:59:46.880 --> 01:59:50.239
He put the gunner's mate on his
belt and attached the boarding axe and

1524
01:59:50.279 --> 01:59:54.560
the bounty to the sides of his
pack where he could reach them easily.

1525
01:59:55.159 --> 01:59:59.359
After he double checked his weapons,
he glanced around at the others lock a

1526
01:59:59.439 --> 02:00:03.239
load, he said. If we
encounter hostels, choose your shots carefully.

1527
02:00:03.680 --> 02:00:06.880
The AMMO we have with us is
all we have until the rest of the

1528
02:00:06.960 --> 02:00:13.960
team gets here. Charging handles were
pulled and slides were racked as everyone loaded

1529
02:00:14.039 --> 02:00:18.079
alive round into the chambers of their
weapons. Clark had the drum magazine on

1530
02:00:18.159 --> 02:00:24.000
his AA twelve plus five more in
his pack. If those ran out,

1531
02:00:24.159 --> 02:00:28.000
he was going to have to get
creative. The only other option he would

1532
02:00:28.000 --> 02:00:33.039
have is the fifty GI clock on
his hip and the blades. Valkyrie slung

1533
02:00:33.079 --> 02:00:39.560
her sniper's rifle over her shoulder and
brought the hkun P fifty up, clipping

1534
02:00:39.640 --> 02:00:44.399
it to the single point sling hanging
around her neck. She glanced at Clark

1535
02:00:44.439 --> 02:00:48.000
and gave him a brief smile before
putting on her game face. Grabbing an

1536
02:00:48.000 --> 02:00:51.960
old booney hat from his pack,
Clark placed it on his head and nodded.

1537
02:00:53.680 --> 02:00:57.359
In the immortal words of my hero, Al Bundy, said Clark,

1538
02:00:57.800 --> 02:01:02.399
let's rock. Exiting the plane,
they found themselves on an empty beach that

1539
02:01:02.560 --> 02:01:08.880
was more small rocks than sand.
Gregel looked around, his nose twitching as

1540
02:01:08.920 --> 02:01:14.119
he sniffed the air. The air
was beautiful but eerily quiet. Only the

1541
02:01:14.199 --> 02:01:17.600
gentle breeze through the pines and the
soft lapping water against the shore broke the

1542
02:01:17.640 --> 02:01:23.960
stillness. I don't like this,
boss, whispered Brunstone. It's too goddamn

1543
02:01:24.079 --> 02:01:28.800
quiet. Clark nodded. It was
quiet enough that he could hear the creak

1544
02:01:28.840 --> 02:01:32.000
of the leather gloves that Valkyrie wore
as she tightened her grip on her weapon.

1545
02:01:33.079 --> 02:01:39.000
Clark slowly brought his AA twelve up
against his shoulder and brought it up

1546
02:01:39.000 --> 02:01:43.960
into firing position. Gregel still had
his head back sniffing the air, when

1547
02:01:44.000 --> 02:01:48.079
suddenly his eyes snapped open and his
head came forward. His rifle appeared against

1548
02:01:48.119 --> 02:01:54.159
his shoulder so rapidly it almost looked
like magic. His sights were trained on

1549
02:01:54.239 --> 02:01:58.880
a section of trees almost fifty yards
away, and they didn't waver an inch.

1550
02:01:59.600 --> 02:02:03.079
What do you see, whispered Clark. Not see, said Gregel.

1551
02:02:03.520 --> 02:02:09.640
Since we're being watched by more than
one creature, any idea how many,

1552
02:02:09.920 --> 02:02:14.840
asked Raven. Several, said Gregel. There are too many sins to identify

1553
02:02:14.880 --> 02:02:19.720
individuals. Why aren't they charging us, asked Runestone. I think they're afraid

1554
02:02:19.760 --> 02:02:25.359
of the water, said Clark.
The survivors from the attack last night probably

1555
02:02:25.439 --> 02:02:29.159
told the others get too close to
the water. In your shark jowl,

1556
02:02:30.640 --> 02:02:34.079
A low growl seemed to emanate from
the darkness, which was repeated by several

1557
02:02:34.159 --> 02:02:39.560
others. Clark brought the optic up
to his eye and flipped the safety off

1558
02:02:40.439 --> 02:02:44.039
around him. He could hear the
safeties click off as the others prepared for

1559
02:02:44.119 --> 02:02:48.880
an attack. I think we found
them Boss whispered, runestone or they found

1560
02:02:48.960 --> 02:02:55.479
us, added shield maiden. Gregel
stepped slightly ahead of the others and dropped

1561
02:02:55.479 --> 02:03:00.119
his rifle onto the ground. Stripping
off his body armor and pack, he

1562
02:03:00.199 --> 02:03:04.119
dropped them beside the rifle after removing
his shirt. He glanced over at Clark.

1563
02:03:04.720 --> 02:03:10.760
Get ready, he said. Clark
nodded, and Gregel unzipped the sides

1564
02:03:10.800 --> 02:03:14.520
of his tactical boots and kicked them
off, and when he turned back toward

1565
02:03:14.600 --> 02:03:16.920
the trees, there was a snarl
and a growl that sounded, and it

1566
02:03:17.000 --> 02:03:23.680
echoed across the open water. This
time, Gregel answered the snarl with one

1567
02:03:23.720 --> 02:03:28.720
of his own as he began to
change. He had no more than roared

1568
02:03:28.880 --> 02:03:33.039
when more than a dozen of the
panther like creatures exploded from the trees and

1569
02:03:33.239 --> 02:03:39.520
raced toward them. Gregel was still
shifting form when Clark took aim and shot

1570
02:03:39.560 --> 02:03:44.319
the first one in the chest with
a fletching brown The silver, nitrate and

1571
02:03:44.399 --> 02:03:49.119
magnesium tip punched deep into the creature's
chest before igniting. Shrieking in pain,

1572
02:03:49.159 --> 02:03:55.520
the beasts fell to the ground,
writhing in agony. The others opened fire,

1573
02:03:55.560 --> 02:04:00.760
and the special rounds that the team
used had devastating effect. Creatures had

1574
02:04:00.800 --> 02:04:03.520
been used to the normal rounds used
by the Germans, and they were not

1575
02:04:03.560 --> 02:04:11.279
prepared for tima Odin's modified rounds designated
to fight monsters. Four the creatures fell,

1576
02:04:11.359 --> 02:04:15.760
screaming and dying before they had covered
more than ten yards, and to

1577
02:04:15.840 --> 02:04:20.039
their right, six more exploded from
the trees and raced toward them. Clark

1578
02:04:20.079 --> 02:04:25.640
pivoted to the right and engaged the
creatures. Raven joined him while the others

1579
02:04:25.680 --> 02:04:30.680
engaged in the larger force. As
the beasts raced toward them, Clark and

1580
02:04:30.800 --> 02:04:34.039
Raven managed to kill three of them. The remaining three dove at them.

1581
02:04:35.159 --> 02:04:39.880
One was caught in the air by
greygel and slammed to the ground with enough

1582
02:04:39.960 --> 02:04:44.159
force that they all felt it shake
their legs. The bolt locked back on

1583
02:04:44.319 --> 02:04:48.279
Clark's AA twelve. As the beasts
leaped at him, Raven flipped her weapon

1584
02:04:48.319 --> 02:04:53.640
from semi to auto and put a
long burst into the creature that was bearing

1585
02:04:53.680 --> 02:04:58.199
down on her. The other creature
took Clark to the ground in a flash

1586
02:04:58.239 --> 02:05:02.399
of teeth and claws. Clark managed
to get an AA twelve between him and

1587
02:05:02.439 --> 02:05:06.159
the snapping jaws of the beast,
but he felt the claws, digging into

1588
02:05:06.199 --> 02:05:12.520
his armor, seeking the soft flesh
beneath. Releasing his grip with his right

1589
02:05:12.560 --> 02:05:15.720
hand, he continued to push the
weapon into the beast's face with his left

1590
02:05:15.760 --> 02:05:19.840
hand. His right hand went to
his belt and he grabbed the handle of

1591
02:05:19.880 --> 02:05:24.920
the gunner's mate, and, yanking
it free, he drove it deep into

1592
02:05:24.960 --> 02:05:30.000
the beast's chest, just below its
left arm. He scored three deep steps

1593
02:05:30.039 --> 02:05:34.319
before it pushed away from him,
blood fountaining from its side, and the

1594
02:05:34.319 --> 02:05:38.960
beast put its hand to the wound
and looked at the crimson fluid that was

1595
02:05:39.039 --> 02:05:43.000
now dripping from it, and Clark
could see the wound was healing, but

1596
02:05:43.079 --> 02:05:46.039
it was still losing a lot of
blood. The knife was still protruding from

1597
02:05:46.079 --> 02:05:51.359
the beast's rib cage. Slowly,
it pulled the blade out and tossed it

1598
02:05:51.399 --> 02:05:56.840
aside, growling low at Clark.
There was a gurgling and the growl,

1599
02:05:56.960 --> 02:06:00.119
and he knew he'd hit along.
It might still heell, but it was

1600
02:06:00.159 --> 02:06:03.439
going to take time, and the
wound had to hurt like a bastard.

1601
02:06:04.119 --> 02:06:09.079
Briefly, he considered reaching for his
pistol, but he knew as soon as

1602
02:06:09.119 --> 02:06:13.479
he drew it, the beast would
attack. He also considered that the faster

1603
02:06:13.640 --> 02:06:16.399
they burned through their AMMO, the
sooner they would be all but defenseless.

1604
02:06:17.319 --> 02:06:20.840
It would close the distance quickly,
and he realized he might not have time

1605
02:06:20.880 --> 02:06:25.520
to get off around before it bore
him back to the ground, and the

1606
02:06:25.520 --> 02:06:30.159
creature's ears laid back against his head
and it snarled at him, extending its

1607
02:06:30.239 --> 02:06:33.640
claws from its hand. All right, motherfucker, said Clark, if that's

1608
02:06:33.680 --> 02:06:39.479
how you want it, He reached
back with both hands and pulled the bounty

1609
02:06:39.680 --> 02:06:43.000
and the boarding axe, and with
the axe in his left hand and the

1610
02:06:43.039 --> 02:06:46.159
blade in his right, he shifted
his weight onto the balls of his feet.

1611
02:06:46.680 --> 02:06:50.600
He knew that the attack was going
to come at any moment. In

1612
02:06:50.640 --> 02:06:57.199
a flurry of snarls in speed,
the beast launched itself at him. Clark

1613
02:06:57.239 --> 02:07:00.640
fainted to his left, and the
creature tried to adjust, spinning to his

1614
02:07:00.760 --> 02:07:04.880
right. Clark slashed out with the
axe and blade, and he felt claws

1615
02:07:05.000 --> 02:07:10.359
tear through the fabric on his back
and heard them scrape against his trauma plate.

1616
02:07:11.279 --> 02:07:15.520
His blades drew blood. The axe
cut a deep wound into the beast

1617
02:07:15.680 --> 02:07:19.399
left bicep, and the bounty slashed
a nasty wound into the creature's abdomen.

1618
02:07:20.359 --> 02:07:24.800
Clark rushed at the beast, and
it jumped back to avoid the attack.

1619
02:07:25.319 --> 02:07:29.760
It landed calf deep in water,
and shock appeared on the creature's face.

1620
02:07:30.640 --> 02:07:33.279
Clark knew they were trying to avoid
the water, but didn't expect the sharkmen

1621
02:07:33.359 --> 02:07:39.119
to have followed them into the other
lake, but he was wrong. The

1622
02:07:39.159 --> 02:07:43.920
water exploded behind the panther creature as
it tried to leap away to safety,

1623
02:07:44.319 --> 02:07:47.920
but the sharkman caught it just as
it was clearing the water. In a

1624
02:07:48.000 --> 02:07:53.760
last ditch effort to avoid being dragged
into the water, the beast locked a

1625
02:07:53.880 --> 02:07:59.479
vise like grip on Clark's ankle and
attempted to either pull itself free or drag

1626
02:07:59.560 --> 02:08:03.920
him along with it. Fuck that
snapped, Clark slashing downward with the bounty

1627
02:08:03.960 --> 02:08:09.319
and removing the beast's arm at the
elbow. Clark watched as the beast was

1628
02:08:09.399 --> 02:08:13.479
dragged back into the water, blood
churning in the white foam where it was

1629
02:08:13.560 --> 02:08:18.880
fountaining from a severed arm. In
the span of two heartbeats, the struggle

1630
02:08:20.119 --> 02:08:24.560
was over, and the panther creature
vanished below the surface and didn't come back

1631
02:08:24.640 --> 02:08:28.119
up. The sharks are in this
lake, too, roared Clark, turning

1632
02:08:28.199 --> 02:08:33.119
back to the fight. Stay out
of the water. When he looked back

1633
02:08:33.159 --> 02:08:37.520
at the battle, only three of
the cat creatures were remaining, and they

1634
02:08:37.520 --> 02:08:41.039
were bloodied as they tried to escape
back into the trees. Only one made

1635
02:08:41.039 --> 02:08:46.279
it. Gregel caught one and slammed
into it with the force of a runaway

1636
02:08:46.399 --> 02:08:50.880
semi truck, driving it into the
ground and sinking its teeth into the beast's

1637
02:08:50.960 --> 02:08:56.359
throat in a fountain of blood and
flesh and bone. He tore the beast's

1638
02:08:56.399 --> 02:09:00.800
head off with its teeth, and
Valkyrie had finished the other a quick shot

1639
02:09:00.840 --> 02:09:05.479
to the back of its head.
Clear yelled, Runstone Clear, echoed the

1640
02:09:05.520 --> 02:09:11.399
rest of the crew. Gregel stood
and turned toward them. He was covered

1641
02:09:11.439 --> 02:09:15.600
with blood, and from the look
of him, little of it was his

1642
02:09:15.680 --> 02:09:18.720
own. There was a feral look
in his eyes as he studied them.

1643
02:09:18.720 --> 02:09:22.640
For a moment. Clark thought for
a second that he was going to attack

1644
02:09:22.720 --> 02:09:28.359
them, but realized that his instincts
were up and he had unleashed the wolf.

1645
02:09:28.520 --> 02:09:33.359
Perhaps for the first time in a
long time, Gregel's chest heaved for

1646
02:09:33.439 --> 02:09:37.840
a few moments as he gulped down
air, catching his breath and calming himself

1647
02:09:37.920 --> 02:09:43.720
down, the yellow light in his
eyes faded and he sighed clear. He

1648
02:09:43.760 --> 02:09:50.159
growled. The power of that one
word could be felt in their bones.

1649
02:09:50.600 --> 02:09:54.199
Clark knew it had to be some
type of infrat sound, much like what

1650
02:09:54.319 --> 02:09:58.760
tigers do to their prey before they
attack. He was suddenly extremely glad that

1651
02:10:00.560 --> 02:10:05.479
was on their side. I've got
their set, rumbled Gregel. I can

1652
02:10:05.520 --> 02:10:09.960
track them now. If you can
track them, said Clark, then we

1653
02:10:09.000 --> 02:10:13.359
can locate their home. I don't
want to fight all of them with just

1654
02:10:13.600 --> 02:10:18.199
six of us. We get a
location and then we'll task Team Uller to

1655
02:10:18.319 --> 02:10:22.239
take them out, agreed, said
Gregel. Wait here and I'll follow the

1656
02:10:22.279 --> 02:10:26.920
creature. I'll make sure it doesn't
know I'm there. When I have their

1657
02:10:26.960 --> 02:10:30.399
location, i'll meet you back here
at the plane. To be careful,

1658
02:10:30.520 --> 02:10:35.079
said Clark. Locate them and get
out of there, understood, said Gregel,

1659
02:10:35.199 --> 02:10:39.399
turning and heading into the trees.
What do you want us to do

1660
02:10:39.479 --> 02:10:43.840
with these bodies, asked Runestone.
Toss them in the water, said Clark.

1661
02:10:45.039 --> 02:10:48.439
Just don't get too close. Got
you have, he replied Runstone.

1662
02:10:48.680 --> 02:10:56.359
Feeding time at the aquarium. Click
the video on your screen for the next

1663
02:10:56.399 --> 02:11:03.399
part of this audio book. This
has been co named Wild Hunt Operation Blood

1664
02:11:03.399 --> 02:11:09.279
Eagle. Written by Da Roberts,
read to you by Cameron Buckner. Print

1665
02:11:09.319 --> 02:11:16.239
copyright by Da Roberts. Audio production
copyright by Cameron Buckner. Reproduction of this

1666
02:11:16.399 --> 02:11:22.199
audio is prohibited in any form without
written approval under the US copyright laws.

1667
02:11:22.960 --> 02:11:28.560
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