This podcast may not be suitable for young listeners. The Story You're about to
Hear is a bonus podcast to end up season one, the first ten episodes
of the Steve Lily Journals. The story is from a book titled Codename Wild
Hunt, Operation Lily and Other Stories, a collection of short stories written by
Da Roberts, whose author Amazon page link will be in the description of this
podcast. Codename Wild Hunt, Operation Lily, twelve hundred hours, fourteen July
fort Leonardwood, Missouri. Major Clark leaned back in his desk chair and rubbed
the bridge of his nose. The one part of his job with Tim Odin
that he didn't like was all the paperwork after action reports, expenditure of ammunition
reports, cryptid assessment reports, and incident reports for every injury. Margolin alone
kept him in incident reports. The list of reports and evaluations that had to
be done monthly was staggering. Clark wasn't one to procrastinate, so his paperwork
was always done by the middle of the month unless there was a deployment.
He had just sent his final piece of paperwork and mentally crossed his fingers that
they wouldn't have anything go wrong. That would add to the workload. Opening
his desk, he took out a ken of chew. He put in a
dim and closed his eyes, letting the brief elation wash over him as it
hit his bloodstream. That slight euphoric feeling was just enough to knock the edge
off. It wasn't good for him, and he knew it. How Amanda
reminded him how bad it was every time she saw him take a dip.
He consoled himself and her by saying that, considering what he did for a
living, that you was the least likely thing to kill him. After all,
tim Odin faced some of the nastiest creatures on the planet daily. How
much worse could the occasional dip be. There was a knock at the door,
and he looked up with a start. He'd been almost daydreaming, not
paying attention to his surroundings. He mentally chastised himself before acknowledging the knock.
He just hoped it was good news for a change. However, his gut
told him that wasn't likely. Come in he called. The door opened and
Sergeant Wilder entered the room. Clark was still getting used to her new rank,
but she'd earned it. Saunders was right. They couldn't run this place
without her. Admittedly they'd gotten all on the wrong foot, but now he
valued her input as much or more than Saunders did. She kept the office
running and the paperwork in order. Plus she made sure they all got paid
on time and their leave times were kept current. The real bonus was that
he never had to ask for a cup of coffee. She was practically psychic
with a fresh cup, and she made the best cup of coffee in the
entire battalion. Devereaux had tried to steal her for headquarters more than once.
Do you have a second, sir, she asked? Sure, said Clark,
grinning sheepishly. What's up well with Lieutenant Colonel Saunders on leave? She
said? That means all team actions have to run through you. Clark felt
to not forming in the pit of his stomach. The chew was starting to
turn to bile in his throat. Something bad was about to be dropped in
his plate. So much for having his paperwork all done for the month,
Yeah, he said, hesitantly. What's going on? Colonel Boudreau want you
in this office? Said Wilder. Something's come up, and Odin is on
the rotation, He said to come most ricky ticks, sir, God damn
it, LEVI. Clark thought, why'd your sister pick this week to get
married? Why couldn't she be as ugly as you and stay single? The
thought almost made him chuckle. He'd have to tell Saunders when he got back
to the base. CSM Hammond was going to love that line. Clark forced
a smile and he stood up. I'll head right over, said Clark.
Did he give you any indication as to why he needs me? Not really,
sir, said Wilder. He did say something about you meeting with someone.
Well, that doesn't bode well, said Clark. Will there be anything
else, sir asked Wilder, No, said Clark, Thank you. Wilder
turned back to her desk. Clark grabbed his beret and headed for the door.
He stopped long enough to knock on the office door for Command Sergeant Major
Hammond. Come grumbled to see sm. Hammond. I'm heading over to HQ
for a meeting, said Clark. You want to come, sure, said
Pammon. Toss me a chew and let me grab my hat. Clark chuckled
as he tossed the can to CSM Hammond, who caught it without looking.
After taking a large dip, he tossed the can back to Clark. All
right, said Pammon. I'm ready. LEVI picked a hell of a fucking
time to go to a wedding. Looks like a balloon is going up for
Odin. That's what it looks like, said Clark. When Levi gets back,
I'm going to ask him why his sister couldn't be as ugly as he
is so she could still be single. Hammond chuckled and almost swallowed his chew.
Son, you ain't got a hair on your ass if you don't say
that exact same thing to him, said Hammond, laughing. Twenty bucks says
you won't say it. Oh, I'm gonna do it, said Clark.
Just get your money ready. Both men were chuckling as they exited the office.
They turned left and headed directly for the headquarters building. Adjusting his beret,
Clark glanced around the field. Most of the team ODEM was in the
exercise field. Gideon and Gregel were running them through hand to hand combat drills.
Gideon was a master of Kravmaga and Gregel taught ground fighting with Gracie style
jiu jitsu. Margolin affectionately referred to it as the art of folding clothes with
people still inside them. Get in and gregel are really running them through their
paces today, said Hammond, spitting into the grass. We got to keep
our edge, said Clark, noting appreciatively they're in good hands, not breaking
stride. They covered the distance to the HQ building rapidly. They slipped their
berets off as they entered the building, and Clark nodded at Staff Sergeant Hadley
behind the reception desk. Hadley stood and saluted Clark, forcing him to stop
and return the salute. I believe the Colonel's expecting us, said Clark.
Yes, Sir, said Hadley. Conference Room one. Clark nodded and headed
down the hallway. The door to the conference room was open, and they
stepped inside, stopping beside Colonel Boodreau and coming to attention, snapping a crisp
salute. Boodrow returned it without standing. Have a seat, gentleman, said
Boodroau, nodding at the table. Taking seats to the colonel's left, Clark
and CSM Hammond noted that there were four other people in the room besides a
Boodreaux, They were all wearing civilian suits, matching black with white shirts and
black ties. All were men looking to be in their mid thirties with a
close cropped hair. The fourth looked be in charge. He was in his
late forties with almost no hair remaining. What was left was mostly gray.
Let me introduce our guests, said boudrow. Names won't be necessary, said
the bald man. Let's keep our names and agency out of this. If
you feel the need to address me, call me Agent Blue. Clark started
mentally calling them agent's Blue, Red, Green, and purple Blue. Was
obviously in charge. Fucking men in black, thought Clark, trying not to
grind fine, said Boudreaux. I doubt you gave me your real names anyway.
Agent Blue smiled and odd, almost reptilian's smile, then leaped and emotionless.
It made Clark feel more than a little unsettled. Who the hell are
these guys, he thought, glancing at Boudreaux with a questioning expression. Who
you work for doesn't matter, said Boudreaux. What does matter is that you
screwed up. Actually, the scope of that screw up just might be famous
in the history of bureaucratic fuck ups. And that's saying something. I'm not
sure if that's the exact term I would use, said Agent Blue. Well
countered Boudreau. Since General Dalton and sc def went all the way to Podus
with what happened in Arizona, I think we can call it a fuck up
Podus fire the Secretary of the Interior over it. I'm given to understand that
the ass chewing that happened in that office was legendary. So what terminology would
you prefer that we use? Lizard faced, Agent Blue licked his lips and
nervously and took a sip from the bottle of water on the table. I
will admit that certain mistakes were made, said agent Blue. However, we've
been taking steps to rectify that. What he's trying to say, interrupted Boudreau,
looking at Clark and csm having, is that they launched their own program
to attempt to counter dangerous cryptids. They did what, asked Clark, suddenly
concerned. Isn't that our job? It is? Said Boutrou sarcastically, as
he turned to face agent Blue. Would you care to explain that, Agent
Blue, we attempted to minimize the cost in public exposure, said Agent Blue.
We needed to handle the situation without making the news. I would say,
Arizona shot that out of the water, said csm Having. It wasn't
our department that ordered a full air strike on the location, said Agent Blue,
indignantly. No, that was us, said Boudreaux. However, it
was to end a situation that your organization had been aware of for over a
year without flagging it to us. We were unaware of the number of creek,
said Agent Blue. We thought it was a small group and therefore could
be handled using our more off the book's methods. They hire contract hunters to
go in, said Boodreau. And how does that work out for you,
asked Clark. Surprisingly well, said agent Blue. About thirty percent of the
contractors eliminate their targets quietly and are paid in cash. They do the job
without making the papers or vastly changing the Southwest landscape to the point that a
new topographical map needs to be made. And the other seventy percent, asked
Clark, ignoring the bar, they are eliminated by the cryptids, said agent
Blue. That means they are unable to reveal our secret and we simply send
in another team to finish the job. And if they don't come back,
asked Boodroau, we just send in another team, replied Agent Blue, his
reptiling in smile, returning. Eventually, you're going to run out of people
to sin, said Clark, generally speaking. If it goes beyond two teams,
said agent Blue, we flag it and we let your team take care
of it. By that time, it's far enough out of hand to warn
it. We monitor movements of certain high risk cryptid populations, and when they
begin getting too close to inhabited areas, we pacify them one way or another.
And how do you monitor their movements, asked Devereaux. And more importantly,
why don't you share that information with us? Quite simply put said agent
Blue, it's none of your team's business how we track them. We pass
along the information you need when it's needed. Our methods are none of your
concern. It's the disappearances, said Hammond. They track disappearances in the parks
and then follow them with thermal satellite. That's why the Parks depart won't ever
share the files on disappearances within the parks with outside of agencies. Agent Blue
flashed a strange smile again, only nodding his head slightly at CSM Hammond.
So do you keep records of the disappearances? Said Devereaux. Clark sat there
quietly, digesting what he was hearing. There were groups out there being paid
by Agent Blue and his people to try and hunt dangerous cryptids with no training
and no backup. No wonder seventy percent failed to complete their missions. He
couldn't help, but wonder who they were hiring? Professional hunters or just some
dumb redneck with a gun fetish and a shitload of ammo. Hang on,
said Clark, an idea popping into his head. You just lost a second
team, didn't you. Boudreau smiled and folded his arms across his chest,
watching Agent Blue shift uncomfortably in his seat. Yes, they said Boudreaux.
Shit muttered Clark. What happened? And how many people are missing? Agent
Blue slid a fall across the desk to Clark. I suppose it will fall
to you and your team to finish this, said Agent Blue. We were
tracking a group that we believe who were type one bigfoot creatures, what most
people refer to as the Patterson Gimblin bigfoot type. Our initial team went in
and we lost track of them within twenty four hours. How many in the
initial team, asked CSM, having four, said Agent Blue, three men
and one woman. So when they failed to check in, said Boodreau,
you sent in a second team. Yes, but we waited in an additional
twenty four hours to see if they would return, said Agent Blue. When
that didn't happen, we called in the second team. How many were on
the second team, asked Ever, this operator usually works with two others,
said Agent Blue. However, this time the others weren't available. He went
in alone alone, said CSM. Hammond Anger in his voice. You let
that poor stupid bastard go in alone, knowing full well that another team had
already been taken out. Let me guess he vanished too, said Clark.
We did get a report from him, said Agent Green, speaking for the
first time, he was able to establish that this group was not the Type
ones. Based on his description, they were Type three, a family group
of at least ten individuals Type three, Snap, Clark. That's the damned
gug That poor asshole is out there with a group of effing gugwee alone.
Mister Lily has been very effective in dealing with these creatures, said Agent Blue.
We had every confidence he would be able to pull it off. Tell
me something, said Devereaux. Has mister Lily ever faced a GUGWI before,
No, said Agent Blue. All of his previous encounters have been typed ones
and twos, so he had no idea what to expect from the gugui,
said CSM Hammond, glaring daggers at Agent A that poor bastard didn't stand a
chance. Again, mister Lily has always proven quite resourceful when dealing with these
creatures, said Agent Blue. I had hoped that he would do so again
until he vanished, said Clark, shaking his head. That's correct, that
was the last we heard from him. How long ago was that, asked
Clark, dreading the answer. Less than twelve hours, replied Agent Blue.
We immediately began making contact with your superiors to acquire the assistance of one of
your teams. That would be Team odin, said Boot, I want a
crypted assessment team in the air within an hour. With Lieutenant Colonel Saunders on
leave, I'll take command of Team one in the field. Clark looked surprised.
Don't look so shocked, major, said Boodroaux. I was an all
father before Levi took over the team. In fact, Levi was my thunder
God. Clark grinned at the use of the code names. He had never
asked about Boodroau. He had assumed that he was another career staff officer,
not one that had been picked from the teams. General Dalton wants staff officers
to take a more active role with the team, said Boudreaux. This is
the perfect opportunity for me to get out from behind the desk. Now,
I want you to take that file and select your coat team, grab your
gear and get to the airstrip. We'll have a bird standing by to take
you to Texas. Are we going, clandestiner open? Asked Clark, open
in full armor and gear, said Devereaux. I'll have everything cleared with the
State of Texas before you hit the ground. Carry your DoD credentials just in
case any local l eos get nosy. Going heavier than usual, you'll be
without additional backup for the better part of a day, minimum of eight No
more than a dozen, yes, sir, said Clark, picking up the
file. Where exactly are we going? It's all in the file, said
Agent Blue. I can tell you that it's in the Big Thicket area of
East Texas. In addition, I would take it as a personal favor if
you were able to recover our man in the second group. He's proven quite
valuable and we'd hate to lose him. The other team is expendable. However,
these Type three creatures are getting dangerously close to a large parking campground.
If they're not stopped soon, there will be likely numerous civilian casualties if that
happens, said Boudreaux. Heads will roll in your agency precisely, said Agent
Blue. Time is of the utmost importance on this We would also appreciate your
complete discretion on this matter. The less the public finds out, the better
it always is, said Clark. I'll brief my team in the air.
Who are you taking, asked Boodroau, Gideon, Gray, Eagel, Margolin
Davidson, Shield Maiden, Kodiak and Valkyrie, said Clark. Should I take
more than that? No, said Boudreau. Your primary mission will be to
attempt to locate the missing civilians. Only engage the Gugui if you don't have
a choice. If there are any survivors of the contractor teams, extract them
and link up with the team when we hit the ground. Mimic units are
already en route. Your destination is the Saving National Forest east of hemp Hill,
Texas well that swamp country, said Clark. Pack your bugspray, said
Boodreau. Locate the missing contractors, assess the situation, and engage only if
necessary. We should be on site in twenty four hours less, if I
have my way about it, I'll arrange for locals to brief you and your
team once you hit the ground. Understood, said Clark. I'll put Murdoch
and charge a team too until they hit the ground. What about Vindicator and
her team, asked Boodroau. I know they're still here. They've been taken
out of the rotations since they lost a big chunk of their team. They're
training with us for a while, Sir, said Clark, at least until
their replacements arrived. Should I mobilize them to take Vindicator as part of your
cat team, said Boodroau. I think it will be good for her to
work with you. She's got a lot of potential but still has a lot
to learn. Task the rest of the people to reinforce team too. Until
we round to food. We're considering reassigning her and what's left of Team two
oriyon to you anyway. I need to brief you later on the plan to
expand odin to five, possibly six teams. Yes, Sir, said Clark,
nodding, we'd be happy to have her. I can attest to her
abilities. If you decide to reassign her, she'd make a great addition to
the team. I'll go grab my people and our gear. Good luck,
thunder God, said Boudreau. Agent Blue watched Clark go without saying anything,
but Clark still felt his eyes on him even when he was out in the
hallway. He had no idea what agency they worked for, but Bodroux had
let it slip that they work for the Department of the Interior. That likely
meant some weird branch of the Parks Department. No wonder they don't work and
play well with other agencies, muttered Clark. He slipped his beret on as
he exited the HQ building and pulled his Oakleys out of his cargo pocket.
Heading straight for the exercise field, he called Gideon's Eye as he approached.
Okay, Team Take five, shouted Gideon. Gregel heard the command and repeated
the order. All practice exercises came to a stop as Clark approached. I
know that look, said Gideon, helping Margolin up off the ground. He'd
just been put there by a smiling Valkyrie using a new takedown technique that Gideon
was teaching them. She was happy with how effective it was. Margolin,
however, was somewhat less enthusiastic about it, seeing as how he'd been the
one who'd ended up on his back in the dirt. Listen up, folks,
Mark Clark. Training is done for the day. Everyone needs to prep
their gold bags and duty gear. I need the following people for the coat
team Gideon, Gregel, Margolin, Valkyrie, Codiac, Shield Maiden, Davidson,
and Vindicator. Get your shit together and meet me in the front of
the team office in fifteen minutes. We're wheels up in fifty five minutes,
Murdoch, Team two is yours until you deploy. Colonel Boudreau will brief you
later the rest of Team two. Oriyan, you're now officially retasked to us
for this mission. You'll report directly to Lieutenant Murdoch. Got it, boss,
said Murdoch. What load out, asked Margolin. Bring the four fifty
eight, so comms, said Clark. I'll keep my AA twelve. We're
expecting a Gugui. Fuck me, muttered Margolin. They creep me the hell
out. Hate those fucking things, we all do, said Vindicator. Clark
turned without saying anything else, heading for the armory at a brusque pace.
Wow, he's in a bad mood, muttered Margo. Remember when we met
him, asked Gideon. His cabin had been attacked by those things. They
killed his friend, damn near killed him, and they almost carried his wife
off. It was that attack that made him join Team Odin in the first
place. He's got more reason to hate those things than anyone else on the
team. You might want to cut him some slight. Forty five minutes later,
they were all seated in the back of the V twenty two Osprey,
heading for Texas. Clark waited until they were at cruising altitude before unbuckling and
getting to his feet. The others followed suit, and Clark gathered them around
him in a circle. All right, said Clark. We're heading for the
Big Thicket of East Texas, east of Hemphill. It's in the Sabe National
Forest. From what I've been told, there's a group within the Department of
the Interior that tries to handle ENCRYPTID problems without involving US. I guess they've
been doing it for a while now. Well, I didn't know they had
their own military assets, said Gideon. Well they don't, said Clark.
They hire surveilling contractors to take out problem creatures. That's a great way to
get people killed, said Gray Eagle. Yes, it is, agreed Clark.
They have about a seventy percent failure rate. Then why don't they just
let us handle it? Asked Valkyrie. I mean that's why this team was
formed, because agencies within our government rarely work and play well together, said
Greggle. Let alone share intelligence on threats. He's not wrong, said Vindicator.
We have trouble getting anything useful out of the National Park Service. They
stone Wallace or just refuse to talk all the time. We'll see if that
lasts much longer, said Clark. General Dalton's already got a heart on for
them over the debacle in Arizona. I mean he got the Secretary of the
Interior fired over the ship they pulled. When he reads this report, he's
gonna shit Constantiner wire and spit landmines. We're going to try to locate two
teams that went missing as a total of five people. So who are we
looking for? Asked Margoalin. Team one as four people, said Clark,
opening the file and holding up four pictures. Meet Josiah Hampton and his brother
Jacob. The red headed guys Mark Renfro, and the woman is Margaret Mags
Henderson. The brothers were both large, dark headed men with face and neck
tattoos. Renfro was covered with what looked like meth soars. Mags was wearing
a sleeveless red flannel shirt over torn jeans and combat boots. She was close
to six feet tall and built like a linebacker, complete with the buzz cut
hair and a facial tattoo of a shamrock. Holy shit, snapped Margaline.
I thought that was a dude. No, thank you, I've never been
that drunk. Hell, I'd rather bang a big foot. Didn't that almost
happen on our last mission, asked Valkyrie, smiling. Hey, that was
totally different, said Margolin, grinning. Grunt Hilda might have gotten her world
rocked if I'd had a beard tremor, some lip gloss and a jar of
raspberry preserves. What are the raspberry preserves for? Asked Vindicator. You really
don't want him to answer that, caution, Valkyrie, shaking her head emphatically.
Margolin just wagged his eyebrows. You'd be amazed, he said, grinning.
And I think I have some in my pack. I'll shoot you,
replied Vindicator, acting like she was going to reach for her pistol. Oh
I'm scared, said Margoline, leaning in for a hug. Valkyrie, will
you hold me? Get away from me, you idiot, she said,
shoving him away and laughing. Okay, people, said Gideon, let's focus.
Clark nodded at him and pulled out another photo. And this is the
only guy on the second team, said Clark. His name is Steve Lily.
He's a contractor out of Memphis, Tennessee. Who'd he piss off to
get sent in alone, asked Margalin. Well, from what I've told,
he usually works with a team, said Clark. The others weren't available,
and he went in alone. He didn't know they were gugwi, did he
asked Falkyrie. No, he did not, said Clark. And as far
as we know, he didn't know what they were capable of. He might
have assumed they were just like the other types. Well that's bad, Intel,
said Gideon. Whoever sent him in needs to be punched in the face
with a fucking brick, said Margolin. When we hit the ground, said
Clark, we'll be met by some locals who will direct us to where we
will start tracking the missing teams. Our primary objective is to locate survivors if
any. We're not to engage the Gugwi unless we don't have a choice.
However, said that Intel indicates their ten in this group. Should we get
the chance, we might just end this little expedition before the rest of the
team hits the ground. Whoa, whoa, shouted at the group. I
have some other news, Clark said, looking at Vindicator. Is it bad,
she asked, looking worried. I can see how you might take it
that way, said Clark. It's not official yet, but asgard is considering
reassigning you and the remainder of Team two a Ryan to us. That would
move you to the international team. Vindicators seemed to consider it for a moment.
I'm in, she said. I know it's kind of a step down,
but I like working with you and your team. Also, we'd get
to go to a lot more places. I can handle it, even if
it means I'm not a team leader anymore. I don't know, said Clark.
If they assign all of you to me, then you'd be my ax
O. You outrank my current one. Okay, said Vindicator. I guess
we'll see if Asgar decides to make it official. Oh, I see,
said Margolin. Bring in some new people, but I still don't get a
code name. I'm going to be stuck with Huntsman two six forever. Clark
just shook his head. Don't worry, Margalin, said Clark. I'll put
in the paperwork to move you into a different position on the team. If
Boudreau approves it, I'll be changing your designation soon to what, asked Margoalin.
Can we make his code name dumb? Ask ask Valkyrie. It kind
of suits him. Everyone chuckled. Don't worry, said Clark, grinning at
Margalin. I'll come up with a good name, okay, people, said
Gideon. Equipment check. I want everything gone over before we hit the ground.
Everyone began double checking their gear and weapons. Clark put away the file
and did a quick check and inventory of his equipment. By the time they
had gone over everything the pilot was, indicating that they were on final approach
to their target zone. Gear up, shouted Clark. We're on the deck
in two minutes. Rapidly, the team adjusted their armor and shouldered their packs.
Weapons were adjusted in place, and soon they were all giving each other
the thumbs up. They felt the osprey slow down and heard the whine of
the gears as the rotors began to shift for landing. Get ready, shouted
Clark over the roar of the aircraft. Seconds later, the osprey touched down
and the ramps started lowering. The first thing that Clark noticed was the humidity.
Missouri is humid, but this was almost like a jungle worse. It
was swamp country, and that meant that mosquito dactyls were out in force.
I suggest you all used the buckspray, said Gideon. Welcome to the East
Texas swamp. Why am iking craving gumbo, now, muttered Margolin, shrugging
his pack to its place. Oh even better, a big bowl of red
beans and rice with that spicy sausage in it. We're in Texas, not
Louisiana, you moron, said Valkyrie, grinning. It's the swamp, replied
margolin with a wink. Makes me think of Cajun food. I like it
spicy. The last line was delivered with a luxurious grin at Valkyrie in your
dreams, dumbass, she said, laughing. Clark was the first one down
the ramp. The ground was solid, but he could smell the fetid waters
of the nearby swamp. As soon as they cleared the aircraft, it began
to increase the throttle and left off. Clark stepped out to the side and
gave the pilot of thumbs up. The ramp began to lift, and soon
the osprey was climbing into the sky, shifting the rotors. They banked and
headed back towards base. The aircraft engine sound and faded. Clark turned and
saw two large four wheel drive trucks pulling into the grass and heading for them.
The sound of the osprey had massed their approach. Both trucks drove through
the open field and came to a stop. Clark was surprised to see the
vehicles and noticed that they both were marked with the logo of the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department. The light bars were subdued and hidden in the grills of
the dark green trucks. Glancing around, Clark saw they were near a large
lake. The clearing they'd landed in was a parking lot for a boat launch.
It looked to be attached to a large camping area, but it seemed
to be deserted. Clark nodded, and the team began fanning out, checking
their immediate surroundings for any signs of gugwee trucks. The two men exited their
trucks and headed towards the group. They looked to be in their early thirties.
Both wore the ten uniform of the Texas Game Wardens. There were large
caliber revolvers strapped in holsters on their right hips. Clark recognized one as a
Ruger Super Redhawk forty four magnum. The other was a Smith and Wesson Model
five hundred and five hundred magnum. That struck Clark as unusual, since most
departments is shooter at glot. Texas was a different world, which one of
y'alls? Clark asked the man with the Smith and Wesson his name tag Red
Bowie. That's me, said Clark. Y'all can call me Matches, he
said, extending his hand. Clark took it and shook it firmly. Matches
said Clark. Good to meet you. Why do they call you Matches.
It's a nickname from when I was a kid, said Matches. I like
to play with fire. My daddy went my ass. When I set the
barn on fire with a book of Matches, my mom started calling me that
and it stud damn near. Don't recognize my own Christian name. The only
one who ever calls me Bridger is my mama when she's pissed this. Here's
my brother, Jedediah. Don't call him Jed he hates that. Well.
Those are certainly unique names, said Vindicator. Hi or daddy loves the history
of the Old West, said Matches. Jedediah is named after Jedediah Smith,
and I'm named Bridger after Jim Bridger. According to family lore, were related
to Jim Bowie, who was killed at the Alamo. I take it you
know why we're here, said Clark. We've got a pretty good idea,
said Matches. We were told to meet you here at the Indian Mounds campground.
I know this has something to do with the missing people. I'm pretty
sure it's a dangerous animal. But the team like yours I wonder what kind
of beast is out there. You folks always go around this heavily armed.
Are the campgrounds are usually this empty? Ask Clark. Ignoring the question,
Matches spoke up. State troopers went in yesterday and closed it down, kicked
out all the campers. Said something about illegal marijuana grows. But that's just
a cover story. They don't want to go public with the missing people.
Well we should get moving, said Clark. Once you show us where they
started in the woods, you and your brother can get the hell out of
the area and don't stop for anything. What's going on in that thicket,
asked Matches, looking into the dark woods. Probably best that we don't answer
that, said Clark. Just take it on faith that this isn't good and
you need to finish with us and get clear. Matches gave Clark a measured
look considering his words. I reckon they wouldn't send a group like yours armed
to the teeth if it was just a damned bear, said Matches. You
say it's bad, I'll take your word. Let's get loaded up. It
ain't far are we driving, ask Clark. No, said Matches. All
of them were camping in this campground, when they've vanished, I'll take you
to their campsites and you can start your track there. If you need a
tracker, Both Jedediah and I are pretty good at it. I believe I
can handle the tracking, said Greg, nodding gravely. Thank you for the
offerer. Greg willis track people and animals on five Continent, said Clark,
grinning, he's our team expert. Well, just thought we'd offer, said
Matches, sounding a little disappointed. It's appreciated, said Clark. If you
can just point us to their campsites, we'll get moving. Matches nodded and
handed Clark a folded map of the campground they're marked on here, he said,
Are you sure you don't want us to stick around? I appreciate it,
sir, said Clark, I really do. The problem is this is
bigger than I can tell you. For your own safety, you need to
be out of this area before the sun goes down. Don't worry about us.
We've done this sort of thing before. The two wardens returned to their
vehicles, giving the group an odd look before getting into their trucks and leaving.
Clark watched them back out of the field and then turned down the road
that let out of the campground. Do you really think they're going to leave,
asked Valkyrie. I hope they do, said Clark. We're not going
to be hanging around here for long. If they're here after dark, I
don't think they'll make it out again. That's doubtful, sir, said Valkyrie.
Well let's get moving, said Clark. We're burning daylight. Using the
map of the park, they were able to locate the two campsites easily.
There were only a few spaces apart. They'd both pick spaces at the back
of the campground where they could slip into the woods without being noticed, and
that's where Clark would have picked if he'd been hunting here. Clark took out
a set of lock picks and he approached the first trailer. He opened the
door, only to discover it was a pig stye. It reeked of stale
cigarette smoke, dirty clothes, and something vaguely chemical. Clark didn't need to
examine it any further. Motioning for everyone to clear away, he shut the
door and backed up from the camper, and he locked it again. That
smells like meth, said Clark, shaking his head. How about you know
that, asked Margolin. I was a cop before I joined the team,
remember, said Clark. This is my first meth live. I'm guessing that
this mystery group doesn't do much of a background check on their contractor, said
Valkyrie. I'd say they don't, said Clark. It seems like the only
qualification they have is that they're experienced at hunting and they are expendable. I
think we're going to find any of them alive, ask Gideon. It's doubtful,
said Clark. Let's go check the other trailer. Heading towards a second
trailer, Clark could see differences immediately. For one, this trailer was well
maintained. Once he picked the lock and stepped inside, Clark saw that it
was clean and there were no signs of droped use. Things were organized,
and there was a small deep freeze where the table normally set in trailers like
this. I bet they have to bring in proof of their kills, muttered
Clark, either hands or heads, I'd bet, hey, boss, said
Margolin. I think this guy had a canoe or a kayak. There's an
empty rack for one on the back of the trailer. Smart, muttered Clark.
This one's different from the other morons. I kind of hope we find
this guy alive. Stepping back outside, Clark shut and locked the camper.
Turning back, he'd gestured for gray Eagle to come over to him. Gray
Eagle nodded and glanced back toward the trees before slowly approaching. I think we're
being watched, said Gregel, keeping his voice low. Which direction, asked
Clark, forcing himself not to look around the trees directly behind me, said
Greggle, is that gugwey? Asked Clark. I think so, said Greggle.
It approached from down when I didn't smell it, but it's got our
scent. I doubt there's anything else it could be. You think we can
flush it out, ask Clark. We can either take it out or track
it back to the others, suggested Greggle. I have a feeling that finding
them won't be the problem, said Clark. If we can get a shot,
take that bastard out. I'm going to try to flank it, said
Greggel. I'll have Cody at go the other direction. If either of us
gets a shot, will engage go, whispered Clark. Turning back to the
others, Clark made a show of pulling them in to a group, while
Gray Egel and Kodiak slipped away into the campground. There were enough trees,
bushes and shaded areas where they were able to vanish easily. Listen up,
said Clark as they assembled, and then, lowering his voice, he started
bringing them up to speed. No one make any sudden movements or looks around,
he began. We've got company. There's a possible gugwi in the trees
just to the north. Don't look in that direction or draw attention to it.
Gray Eagle and Kodiak are trying to flank it. If they drive it
our way, we'll take it out. If it goes towards either of them,
they'll take it out. Everyone lock and load, but do it quietly.
Weapons were prepared and safeties were clicked off. All right, said Clark.
We fan out and head toward the trees on my command. Hua Hua
replied the team. Let's move, he said. Immediately they turned and fanned
out, bringing their weapons to the ready position. They began heading directly towards
the trees. There was a rustling in the bushes, and then three rounds
were fired from one of the four fifty eight so calm rifles. Greg Eagle
had taken the shot. If it had been Kodiak, they would have heard
the mini gun unload on the beast. Move in, shouted Clark. The
team advanced rapidly, entering the trees and finding Greggel crouched over a dead Gugwi.
Kodiak was watching the area for others. It's a juvenile male, said
Greg Eagle, probably out hunting on its own. One down, said Clark.
I'll tag the position and the team can deal with it when they get
here. Copy that, said Greg Eagle. Clark activated his risk computer and
punched in the information, and then he grabbed his mic thunder God. To
Asgard Control. He said, go ahead, said a female voice. Cat
team is deploying, said Clark. We've engaged one hostile creature and confirmed the
kill. The subject is marked in the computer with a GPS tag. We're
beginning our tracking of the missing subjects over Asgard Control copies thunder God, said
the voice. Good luck and good hunting. Asgar ol nodding at the team,
Clark pointed at the trees. Gregel, you've got points, said Clark.
Let's find us some missing hunters. As Gregel took point and began moving
deeper into the trees. Clark assigned their positions in the patrol. Margolin was
behind Gregel with Vindicator behind him. Kodiak and Gideon brought up the rear,
with Valkyrie shield Maiden Davidson and Clark in the middle. Clark marked their position
with his risk computer and established a GPS track. No matter how deep in
the swi want they went, they'd be able to find their way back without
an issue, so long as the risk computer wasn't broken. He thought about
it for a moment before taking out his lensatic compass and making a paper backup
just in case. Gray Eagles set a brisk paste avoiding the worst of the
marshy areas. There were numerous times when they spotted large alligators swimming by in
the murky water. A few were large enough to cause concern. Even Gray
Eagle in wolf form would have had his hands full with a twelve foot alligator.
Clark watched as one particularly large specimen slid into the water about fifty feet
away, barely causing a ripple as it slipped into the stagnant water. That's
good to know, muttered Clark. Those things can be damned sneaky when they
want to be. Valkyrie looked at Clark and started to say something when Margalin
grabbed her by the arm and yanked her to the right. He tossed her
right into Clark, who had to grab hold of her to keep her from
splashing into a pool of foul smelling water. What the fuck, snapped Valkyrie
angrily. She froze when she saw Margaline snatching a cotton mouth from a low
hanging branch. She would have walked right into it had he not grabbed her.
Margolin grabbed the snake right behind its head and pulled it out of the
tree, and reaching into his belt, he drew his gunner's mate knife and
severed the snake's head with one savage flick of the wrist. Anybody wants some
snake for dinner, asked Margoalin, grinning. Haast to eat those bastards all
the time when I was in ranger school. They're really not that bad.
Valkyrie locked eyes with Margoalin for a moment. Thank you, She said,
that would have bitten me right in the face. Don't worry about it,
said Margoalin, You've covered my eyes quite a few times. Just remember half
the ship in a swamp wants to kill. You can't let your guard now,
tossing the snake into the water, it was almost immediately snapped up by
a six foot alligator that had been hiding just below the surface of the water.
Nasty bastards, muttered Margolin. Even those little fuckers will take a chunk
out of you. Turning back to the trail, Margolin continued moving along behind
Gray Eagle. Valkyrie watched him for a moment before resuming her place in the
line. Clark kicked the still biting head of the snake into the water as
they moved off. Watch your step, whispered vindicator. Some of this ground
isn't as solid as it looks. Two hours passed and they were moving deeper
and deeper into the swamp with each passing minute. Clark glanced up and knew
that they didn't have much daylight left. He couldn't see the sun directly due
to the thing foliage, but he could tell that it was low in the
sky. The sounds of night insects were beginning to pick up. Checking his
risk computer, he noted that they were less than an hour from official sundown.
However, the sky was turning overcast and it looked like they might have
rain before long. From the feeling in the air, it was likely a
storm. Consulting the computer, Clark found that they were due for a thunderstorm
that was likely to last all night. They were going to have to find
shelter soon. Even the gear they'd brought with them would only provide so much
relief from a storm. Glancing up, he saw Gregg go still. He
held his left hand up with his palm facing back towards them, indicating that
they all needed to stop immediately. The team reacted and went to their knees,
crouching low and listening for the threat. Gray Or crouch behind a large
bush and glanced back at Clark, motioning him forward. Clark began picking his
way quietly to Gray Eagle's position, and when he was next to him,
Gray Eagle locked eyes with him and held up a finger over his mouth.
Whatever he had seen, he didn't want it to hear them. Peering through
the brush, Clark saw an old swamper's cabin. It was solidly built and
had boards nailed over the windows. There were three gug we positioned around the
cabin, waiting for whoever was inside to come out to them. From the
claw marks on the door walls and window frames. It was obvious that they
tried to get inside and failed. Grey Eagle tapped Clark on the shoulder and
pointed at the gugui that was on the left side of the cabin. Clark
took out his binoculars to get a better look, zooming in on the creature.
At first, he didn't notice anything unusual about the beast, and when
it turned to look at one of the others, Clark saw it and froze.
It was missing its left arm. A memory flashed through his mind and
he envisioned the siege on his cabin when the gugui had tried to kill him
an Amanda. He'd shot one in the arm as it had tried to get
in through the bedroom window. The massive four fifty eight so calm round had
blown the arm off just below the elbow. This creature was missing the same
arm in the same spot. Well, fuck me, whispered Clark. It's
the same fucking true, he remembered that night in the cabin outside Kimberling City,
and they had no idea how many creatures had been in the truth,
but they had killed nearly a dozen. The rest fled when the wild hunt
showed up at his door. Only the big alpha that he'd severely wounded had
remained behind to try and kill him before it died. The wound had festered
and turned septic, and it was dying anyway. Clark had rightly assumed that
it had been deposed as the alpha for the troop. Now they had just
found the rest of them. I thought it was odd that it was missing
an arm, whispered Greggle. And then I remembered reading the file about when
your cabin was attacked. I figured it was likely that the beast had lost
the arm in that fight. If it's the same group, whispered Clark,
then they're confirmed man eaters. There's no way they're backing down. We have
to eliminate every one of them this time. Who do you think is in
the cabin, asked Greg Eagle. Well I don't know, but there's only
one way to find out. Motioning for Valkyrie to move up, he indicated
which target he wanted her to take out. Then he pointed at the one
he wanted Gregel to take. Bringing up his AA twelve, Clark aimed at
the one with the missing arm. It was only fitting he finished the job
that his wife had started over a year ago on three whispered Clark three two
one, three rounds broke the stillness of the night, and three targets crumpled
to the ground. Clark had hit the beast in the back of the head,
punching through the skull without resistance. Valkyrie had shot hers in the left
die, exploding the back of the beast head and emptying the contents like a
macab pinata. Gregel hit his in the throat. Getting to his feet,
he walked over to the creature to look in the face. As it died.
The beast looked at him with rage in its fading eyes. Gregel noticed
a crude necklace around the beast's neck. Once it had gone limp, he
grabbed the necklace and yanked it free. It was attached with a crude thong
made from animals in you. Attached to the thing was a rough hewn pouch.
Opening it, Gregel found it contained some human teeth, a piece of
cloth, a shiny rock, a casing from a bullet, and some hair.
It was a medicine pouch. Major, said Greygel gravely. You should
see this. Clark came over and examined the contents of the pouch that Gregel
had placed on the ground. Well what is it, asked Clark. It's
a medicine pouch, said Greggel. Okay, said Clark. God understand that
something significant, but I'm not sure how it means. That one of the
Gegwi is a shaman, explained Greygel. And that makes this situation far more
dangerous. I've only read about a gegui being a shaman once before, and
that was an account my grandfather recorded back in the nineteen fifties. Thunder rolled
across the Bayou rum around the darkening sky like the echoes of an angry god.
Lightning flashed to the south and they could fill the air begin to cool
as the humidity changed. It's about to storm, said Gregel. Then I
guess y'all best get insight, said a voice from the cabin. Clark turned
and saw a man from the picture in the file. Steve Lily asked Clark.
Yes, sir, said Lily, it's fixing a storm. Y'all should
get inside, especially before the rest of those goddamned things come back. You
heard the man, said Clark. Let's get inside. How many of these
ugly bastards have y'all killed? Asked Lily. For so far, said Clark.
Well, if y'all don't mind, said Lily, I'd like the heads
so them some bitches who sent me up here have to pay me perfectly.
Okay with that, sir, said Clark. As everyone ducked inside, Lily
looked at Clark and held out his hand. Steve Lily is my name,
he said Major Daniel Clark said Clark, call me Clark. Everyone else does.
Well, no offense. But who the fuck are you? People,
asked Lily. Well, that's a long story, said Clark. We were
called in to locate you and the other missing team logan solve that mystery for
you, said Lily. One's in the bed in the back room. She's
hurt pretty bad. The other two are dead. I saw those things tear
their heads off and eat them like a goddamn apple. I've got a medic,
said Clark, nodding at shell Maiden. Go take a look at the
wounded. Please, you got it, boss, says shell Maiden, grabbing
her kit and heading into the other room. Once everyone was inside, Lily
dropped two crossbars back into plate, securing the heavy wooden door. I found
this place yesterday. I was tracking these nasty sons of bitches and found the
first team. They were trying to get back to where they tied their boat
up. These things were smart. They sank the boat and dropped a big
rock into my canoe. Damn near drowned my ass. We tried to fight
our way clear, but they surrounded us. We fought our way here,
and before we could get inside, those things tore the heads off the other
two guys. I never even got their names. I helped the woman in
here, but she's hurt pretty damn bad. I did what I could,
but she needs a doctor. There were originally four members of the other team,
said Clark. They must have already lost one before you found them.
These things are not like any other squatch I've ever tracked, said Lily.
These things are pure mean, nasty sons of bitches. I'm telling you well.
They're called gugui, said Clark. It means face eater. We've encountered
them before. All I can say is they better pay me extra on this
one, said Lily. Because these things ain't like no squatch I've ever even
heard of before. Four. I need to check in with my superiors,
said Clark. I let them know we found survivors and send an extraction chopper
to get you out of here. There ain't no way, said Lily.
You can get the woman to a hospital, but I ain't leaving without a
sack of heads. Any idea how many of them are out there? I
asked Clark. If y'all kill a four, said Lily, then I think
there's still about a dozen of them left. Well, that's not good news,
said Clark, boss interrupted Margalin. What's up, asked Clark. I
checked the cabin out, he said. We're in good shape. There's running
water. It's an old hand pump with a wash basin in the kitchen,
but it looks clean. The windows are all boarded up and the doors are
both heavily barred. Whoever built this place intended to keep something nasty out.
I think we can hold it good, said Clark. Thanks. I think
those damned things could get in if they really wanted to, said Lily.
I think they're waiting us out. They knew we couldn't escape. I could
hear them talking Ghibli on the porch. They seemed like they was making plans
and wasn't in a hurry. What the hell is Ghibli asked Margalin. You
know, said Lily. Whenever those things talk, it's not like when we
talked. Was just ghibli. You know, it's words. They don't make
no sense. Ghibli. Margolin looked at Lily with a big grin. Fucking
hell. I like that word. I'm gonna use it. Clark shook his
head and stepped away, Activating his radio. He spoken to the might Thunderguard
to Asgard Control, he said, Static answered him, and outside thunder rolled
across the sky and it was punctuated by a massive crack. They could see
the bright light through the cracks through the door. In the window, lightning
had struck just outside. The resulting thunder shook the cabin and called is the
dirt to filter down from the roof. Seconds later, large rain drops could
be heard impacting the corrugated metal of the roof. Thundergard to Asgard Control,
said Clark, do you read over more static crackle from the radio. Clark
made a sour face and then activated the radio for the third time. Thunderguard
to any call station, do you copy over looks like the storms knocked out
your radios? Said Lily. The storms shouldn't affect these, said Clark.
They're tempested and encrypted on the secure short rain satellite up Lank. They shouldn't
be affected by outside electronic interference. Something else is going on. Checking his
risk computer, Clark found that it was offline as well. Taking out a
cell phone, he found that it was off too. The battery had been
completely drained. Something weird is going on, said Clark, glancing at his
phone. It's the Gugwi shaman, said Greggel. They're doing this. How
the hell would they even know what a radio is? To ask Clark,
I find it hard to believe they know to block radio signals. They're smart,
said Gregel. But I don't think that was the intent. I think
it's more of an isolation thing. They're blocking out anything that we might use
against them. They know that some of our weapons are what they could consider
magic, so they're trying to counter our magic. Looks like we're all in
this to the end, then, said Lily. Clark motioned for Gregor to
follow him away from Lily. Do you think you and codyak could shift and
punch through them to get a radio signal out? Gregel looked at Clark for
a long moment before speaking. Not with Gugwi, said Greggel. If we
had the other type of bigfoot here, we could take them on, but
I don't think Kodiak and I could win. With just the two of us,
We'd likely be ripped apart before we could get clear. I think these
guggwee creatures were the same thing they wrote about in the epic poem Beowulf,
said Davidson. Always believe they were the Woodwoes or something similar. Now that
I've seen these things, I can see why they describe the creatures as cannibals.
It fits the profile of these creatures better than the other types of the
bigfoot creatures that we've encountered. That's an interesting theory, said Clark, when
you think of the novel by Michael Crichton called Eaters of the Dead. It
makes more sense when you look at the descriptions of the Grendel too precisely,
agreed Davidson. However, this theory does come with a few notable issues.
Grendel was described as a descendant of Cane. That would certainly make the creatures
more than just animals. It would make them some type of nephelum. That's
not a thought I want to examine too closely, said Clark. It is
completely possible, said Gideon, shrugging. I was afraid you were going to
say that, said Clark. Hey folks, said Lily. I hate to
interrupt your little pow wow, but we got a bigger fish to fry than
figuring out where these nasty things came from, Like how to keep them some
bitches from getting in here with us. I'm pretty sure they haven't busted through
the walls because they didn't want to. That might have changed since y'all killed
a few of them. Well, what do you suggest, mister Lily asked
Clark. Honestly, I think funnel them into a single point of entry and
start taking them out. I think if we put a few more of them
down, the rest might not be so froggy. That's not gonna work,
said Clark. We can't let any of them escape. Our biggest problem is
going to be the shaman, said Greg. If we don't find a way
to neutral why is it they're just going to keep coming. There's a crawl
space in this cabin, said Lily, above the porch's event, it's too
small for one of them to get through, but a good shooter might be
able to use it snipe that bitch before they get too close. How do
I know which one of these is the shaman, asked Valkyrie. You give
me a target and I will neutralize it. Is she your best shooter,
asked Lily. She's everybody's best shooter, answered Clark. I'd put her up
against any shooter you can name. Well, thanks for the vote of confidence,
boss, said Valkyrie Grinny, But the record is held by the Canadian
shooter from Joint Task Force two thirty five hundred and forty meters confirmed kill.
I've never shot that far before, a Canadian, asked Clark. We can't
let that stand. When we get back to base, we're going rifle shopping.
You're getting an upgrade. I know just the guy to call to get
at it too, Valkyrie grin Look for the one with some kind of headdress
or large necklace, said Greg Eagle. It will stand out from the others,
and it will also be the one the others defer to. You should
feel the difference when you see it. If I know my gugwe Lore,
it should also be a female. Well, that sounds easy enough, said
Valkyrie. No sweat, You're only going to get one shot, said Greg
Eagle. Once it realizes where you're shooting from. It won't get anywhere near
you again if we engage, said Clark. I want you to ignore the
fight unless we're about to be an overrun. Hold your fire until the shaman
shows up. Got it, boss, said Valkyrie, heading for the ladder
that led to the small loft. Clark waited until she was up in the
loft before turning back to the others. What about just running for it,
Clark asked gray Eagle. Think you could outdistance them without fighting, Maybe,
said Gray Eagle, if I knew a direction that I wouldn't have to fight
through. If we're surrounded, that won't be possible. Well, you're crazy
if you go out there, said Lily. Ain't no way you're out running
those things. Clark nodded in agreement, not wanting to give away grey Egel's
secret to this newcomer. Hey, boss, said shell Maiden. Approaching slowly.
Clark could see her removing bloody gloves and a dark look on her face.
Well, what's the status of the injured civilian, asked Clark. Not
good, said shell Maiden. She's lost a lot of blood. I've got
an IVY running a unit of synthetic blood that's a stop gap measure at best.
A little galls and some izzies are about all that's keeping her intestines inside.
She suffered some serious internal injuries. She needs a trauma surgeon, and
the sooner the better. Well can you keep her alive? Ask Clark,
Yeah, said shell Maiden, but not indefinitely. If she doesn't get to
a trauma surgeon in the next twelve hours at the most, she's gonna die.
If she takes a turn for the worst, it could be a hell
of a lot less. Well, that certainly speeds up the timetable, said
Clark. One of those things slashed her across the stomach, said Lily.
I cleaned it out and wrapped it as best as I could. You saved
her life, said shell Maiden, While it wasn't ideal. She would have
bled out hours ago without your help. Lily just grinned sheepishly and shrug.
Well, that ain't no big deal, he said, humbly. She'd likely
have done the same for me from what I've read of her file, said
Clark. She wouldn't have. You're a good man, Steve, Lily.
Hell, ain't none of that matters if we don't get the fuck out of
here them nasty some bitches have got this place surrounded. We've got to figure
out a way to punch through, or she's going to die, said shill
Maiden. Even if we could just call in a metavac chopper, well that's
not a good idea, said Clark. We know these things are smart enough
to take down a chopper. These damn devil squatches are really starting to piss
me off, said Lily. Devil isn't far from wrong, agreed Gideon the
gug. We are bigger, smarter, stronger and faster than you're average big
foot, although they're not as near as bad as the wind to go?
What the hell do you mean a whind to go? Asked Lily. You
mean them some bitches are real too. There's a lot of things out there
that you haven't heard or seen, said Clark. This crazy trip just keeps
getting better and better, said Lily in a surly tone. Boss called Valkyrie,
something's going on out there. Clark hurried to the door, where there
was a small opening in the boards on the window where he could see through.
The storm was getting worse, trees swaying in the gale force winds.
He was about to move back from the door when the movement caught his eye.
Leaning against the wall trying to get a better look, Clark said,
are those wolves? They're on all four, said Valkyrie. But they're the
biggest wolves I've ever seen. Well, how many do you see? Asked
Clark. At least a dozen, replied Valkyrie. I think they're dogmen.
What the hell, snapped Margolin. I thought gugwee and dogmen hated each other.
It's the shaman called Gray Eagle. It's summoning other creatures to fight for
them. How's that even possible? Shouted Margalin. What the hell? What's
next? Are they gonna call in a vampire next? Y'all are living away
more screwed up life than I am, said Lily, shaking his head.
Vampires, Oh my god, I'm gonna need a bigger gun. Everybody calmed
down, snapped Clark. We've been in worse no offense, boss, said
Margolin, chuckling. But if we keep dropping ordinance on these things, people
are gonna notice. Clark leaned back against the top of the old brown couch
and took out his can of chew. Putting in a large dip, he
tossed it to Margalin after taking a large pinch. Margolin was surprised when Lily
took the can and put a good sized pinch in his lip. Helps me
think, said Clark, taking the can back and tucking it into his cargo
pocket. After a moment, Clark turned and looked at Gregel. Is there
anything you can do to keep these things out? Asked Clark. Gray Eagle
frowned for a moment before answering. I'm a shaman, said Gregor softly.
But I think I know how to perform a blessing way. I've done it
enough times over the years to know it. But coming from me, it
won't stop that thing out there. It's too powerful. If Grandfather were here,
he could maybe Jason or Winner, but not me. Boss cried Valkyrie
again. Whatever we're gonna do, we need to hurry. I think they're
going to smash their way inside. That shaman is going to use those dog
men as cannon fodder, said Margolin. Maybe I can be of some use,
said Davidson, drawing his sword. Clark noticed the sword seemed to softly
glow with a radiance all its own. He noticed it in the battle in
the Ravine back in Arizona. But convinced himself it had been a trick of
the light. Everyone grew silent as Davidson strode to the center of the room.
Even Margalin just stared and quiet awe at the calm radiating from Davidson.
Turning the sword over, Davidson placed the tip gently on the floor and then
gripped the hilt with both hands as he knelt before it, bowing his head.
He pressed his forehead against the crosspiece, and softly he began speaking.
He was praying Enlighten. Only Gideon seemed unsurprised. Quietly, Gideon translated as
Davidson prayed, be without fear in the face of your enemies, Stand brave
and upright, that the Lord may love thee. Speak the truth always,
even if it means your death. Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my arms for battle, who prepares my hands for war. Is
my love, my fortress, His is my stronghold, my savior, my
shield, and my place of refuge. Amen. As the final word echoed
around the silent room, a soft hum emanated from the sword, filling the
room in soft blue light. The hum pulsated softly and then grew louder and
When the light flashed, everyone turned their head because they were unable to look
directly at the sword. Clark peeked between his fingers for just a moment,
and it looked like Davidson's eyes were glowing with the same blue light. Outside,
they heard the creatures shriek as they were forced to back away from the
cabin. That should hold them for a while, said Davidson, carefully putting
away the sword. How did you do that, asked Clark. I did
nothing, Sir, said Davidson. The power's not in mine, but comes
from the faith in the prayer. It's a prayer from the Knight's templar,
said Gideon. It's been a very long time since I've heard it, especially
in lighten. You certainly know your prayers, Sir, acknowledged Davidson. Gideon
looked at Davidson strangely, squinting his eyes. Davidson met his gaze for a
moment and then produced an old Galway briar pipe. He tapped it against his
hip, then took out a leather pouch containing the pipe tobacco. He casually
filled the bowl and then returned the pouch to his pocket. Striking a wooden
match against his boot. He lit the pipe and drew a deep pull.
Puffing his lips, he exhaled a cloud of bluish smoke that seemed to hang
in the air, defying gravity. Nice pipe, said Gideon. Thank you,
said Davidson. It's a bad habit. I know. It's my only
true vice, what, asked Margling. You don't drink now, lad,
said Davidson, grinning as he blew a large smoke ring good. Whiskey is
no vice. The only drinking to excess is a sin. Whiskey is the
Celt's greatest gift to the world. The word whiskey is derived from Gaelic words
that mean water of life. Well that's good to know, said Margoline,
grinning. Where'd you get that pipe? It looks old. It's an antique,
said Davidson. I bought it in a little shop in Dublin a long
time ago. I've carried it since my first tour with one pair of I
thought you were with a special reconnaissance regiment, asked Gideon. I was,
said Davidson, But I didn't start my career there six years with one pair
of before my transfer. Well, how long is this going to buy us?
Asked Clark, It all depends on how strong their shaman is, replied
Davidson. In theory, this should be consecrated ground. It will not be
easy to force through that. I think it's safe to assume it's powerful,
said Greg Eagle. We should consider adding a shopping to our cat teams.
Winner should be an excellent addition. I think you might be onto something,
said Clark. I'll make that happen for the next mission. Hey, not
to interrupt there, boys, said Lily, but we got to survive this
one before you start planning the next one. All right, folks, said
Clark. We're going to find a way to punch through this. We've got
a short timetable to get the wounded woman to a doctor. Any suggestions,
a boss called Valkyrie. You might want to check out what's going on at
You're nine o'clock Heading for the narrow gap in the window. Clark heard it
before he saw it. There was a massive roar, but it wasn't a
gugui or a dog man. It was an engine leaning so he could see
farther. Clark saw a massive airboat coming roaring out of the swamp, scattering
creature in its weight. What was more surprising was who it was in it
as Matches Bowie was driving and his brother Jedded I was at the front of
the boat with a long rifle. When it went off, Clark heard the
massive report over the sound of the engine. Instantly, Agogui's head exploded and
it crumpled to the ground. That's a Sharp's buffalo rifle, said Gray Eagle.
I'd know that sound anywhere. The airboat shot through the line of creatures
and headed directly for the front of the cabin. Get the wounded, roared
Clark. We're getting out of here. Instantly, the team sprang into action,
grabbing gear and getting ready to board the boat. Margolin helped shield Maiden
with the wounded and brought her to the door. Ready, screamed shield Maiden.
As Valkyrie dropped to the floor from the loft, Clark noticed that Lily
didn't have a weapon and handed him his AA twelve in pack. There's enough
ammo in there to keep you busy, said Clark. Lily nodded, accepted
the rifle. Clark drew his Guncrafter Industries Glock fifty GI and his big bladed
Bounty. The ruins etched in the blade seemed to shine in the light of
the cabin ready, roared Clark. The airboat slid sideways and came to a
stop right in front of the cabin. The creatures were already recovering and headed
for them. Throwing the door of the cabin opened, Clark stepped out first
and began selecting his targets. Codyak stepped beside Clark, and the whine of
the many guns barrels spooled up. Gray Eagle and Gideon took up a firing
position on the other side of the porch while the others began loading into the
airboat. Clark glanced at the boat as Codyak's mini gun began spitting death into
the advancing line of creatures. It only took Clark a moment to realize that
they weren't going to fit in the boat. Get the wounded in and get
moving, roared Clark. We won't all fit. I'm staying, said Valkyrie.
Get in the damn boat, roared Clark. There's enough room for all
of us except three or four. I'm staying me too, said Lily,
cracking off a burst with the A twelve and taking a massive Guguie down with
a hole in its chest. The size of a cantaloupe. Clark stopped shooting
and began pushing people into the boat. Vindicator tried to resist, but Clark
was stronger. You're in command, he snapped, Get them out of here
and call in the rest of the team. Vindicator nodded grimly but said nothing.
Go, shouted Clark, Gray, Eagle, Kodiak, and Lily didn't
move. Clark met Gideon's gaze and jerked his head toward the boat. Get
your ass in that boat, Sergeant Major said, Clark, get your spear
and come back for the shaman. Reluctantly, Gideon got into the boat.
Now go, shouted Clark to Matches. Matches locked eyes with Clark and nodded
as he powered up the airboat. As it began to pull away, Margolin
threw his rifle to Clark and tossed his pack full of amo onto the porch.
Then the airboat shot back towards the swamp. Putting away his pistol and
blade. Clark brought up his Big four fifty eight so calm and began taking
careful shots at creatures that got too close to the airboat. As the boat
was rocketing towards the swamp, the big female shaman stepped into the clear and
began chanting some strange incantation, raising her hands into the air. She wore
a necklace made of what looked like human bones and a mask made from the
skull of an elk, complete with horns. Clark tried to get a shot,
but she was too close to the boat. Damn muttered Clark. Lily
stepped beside Clark and emptied the rest of the magazine of the AA twelve into
the face of a dog man who had gotten almost into killing range on Clark.
Thanks, Clark said, nodding. Time seemed to slow as Clark watched
something intense happening. As the airboat grew close to the shaman. Davidson grabbed
the branch of a tree as he jumped from the boat, drawing his sword
in mid air. The momentum swung him directly towards the shaman, who was
too busy with the incantation to prevent the attack. Davidson hit the ground and
slashed downward with the glowing sword, shattering the mask and severing the beast's left
arm at the shoulder joint. Roaring in pain, the beasts fell back,
fountaining blood. Into the air. The airboat rocketed into the swamp and quickly
vanished through the trees. Clark dropped to one knee and put a burst of
rounds into the gugui that was racing up behind Lily. The beasts fell into
the muddy soil plowed a furrow that stopped just a few feet from where Steve
Lily stood. Well, I tell you, those are some nasty sons of
bitches, aren't they, called Lily, reloading the AA twelve and chambering the
next round. We need to kill every one of them. Every one of
them, agreed, said Clark, nodding. Putting their backs to each other.
They went back to taking out targets. I hope you guys don't mind
if I grab all these heads when we're done. I don't want them,
said Clark. They're all yours. If we survived this, I'm gonna find
Agent Blue and I'm gonna punch him square in the mouth. I think I
can arrange that for you, said Clark. Across the field, a shaman
Gugwi lurched back from Davidson. It raised its head and began snorting an odd,
shrieking call. Instantly, three of the Gugwe turned and headed for her.
Get to Davidson, Clark screamed at Kodyak. Kodyak released a mini gun
and yanked his armor free, dropping it all to the ground, and with
a roar, he began transforming. What the hell, yelled Lily, I'll
explain later, replied Clark. He's on our side. You guys are some
strange one, That's all I've got to say. But as long as he's
on our side, I'm okay with it. Before the gug We could respond,
Davidson flashed in closer to the shaman and slashed across her mid section,
spilling her intestines out onto the ground. As the beast dropped to her knees,
Davidson spun and lopped her head off with one powerful slice. As the
beast's head fell away from her shoulders, Clark felt the air pressure change.
The storm seemed to lessen in The dog men stopped attacking Clark's people and shook
their heads. It took them a moment before they realized what was happening.
Once they got their bearings, the largest of them barked out a command,
and they turned on the Gugwi, slashing into them with sheer rage and ferocity.
When going in one on one, the Gugwi were easily crushed by the
dog men, but when two or more focused on one target, the Gugwi
didn't stand a chance kill them all, roared Lily. Just as the first
Gugui was reaching for Davidson, Kodiak slammed into the beast with the force of
a freight train at full speed. The gugwe never saw it coming, as
the gigantic bear form of Kodiak began ripping into it, tearing the head off
and tossing it aside. Davidson definitely stepped to the side, slicing the throat
of another beast that sailed past him. The third creek turn to run away,
and Clark put a bullet into its head, dropping it before it could
reach the trees. Whoo, nice shot, said Lily. The fighting raged
on for what felt like forever. Clark was burning through the magazines for the
socom rapidly, but for every creature he dropped, another one took its place.
They were rapidly running through their AMMO supply and not running out of targets.
I'm on my last drum, shouted Lily. I'm almost out. Of
Amo. More and more of the creatures kept emerging from the woods, forcing
them to pull back. Soon Clark, Lily, Davidson, and Gregel and
Kodiak were forming a circle. Kodiak bellowed a roar at the approaching Gugwi.
There weren't any of the Dogmen remaining. More than a dozen of the massive
Gugwi lay dead or dying, with at least as many still on their feet.
Gregel dropped his rifle when it clicked empty on its last magazine, taking
us dance. He snarled in the face of an advancing Gugwie, dropping his
armor and beginning to shift into his wolf form. Clark dropped his empty rifle
and drew his fifty GI glock and his bounty. They were surrounded and cut
off from the house. I got an idea, said Lily, cover me.
Before Clark could answer, Lily broke and ran for the front of the
cabin. Clark began firing headshots with the fifty GI, trying to keep the
creatures from grabbing Lily and ripping him apart. He kept pace behind Lily just
to his left. Glancing over, Clark saw Davidson doing the same thing on
the right. They were both using their long blades to force the creatures back
enough to punch a hole for Lily. I hope he knows what he's doing,
roared Clark. Driving past the gug Lily slid onto the porch of the
cabin. Clark had expected him to run inside to get to safety, but
smiled when he saw the actual plan. Lily jumped to the right and landed
where Kodiak had dropped them any gun Scooping it up, Lily toggled the electric
motor and spilled up the barrels. All right, you ugly son of a
bitches, roared Lily. Payback as a bitch. The rumble of the mini
gun erupted like a primal roar of an enraged dragon, spewing fiery death into
the crowd. Lily walked the fire back and forth, wiping out six Gugwi
in a single pass. The others turned to run, while Kodiak took one
to the ground, ripping into it. Graygill, now fully transform launched a
top two of the fleeing beasts and began ripping into them with a savage fury.
The four remaining Gugui thought they were going to make it to relative safety
of the swamp when a sudden, furious volley of fire ripped into them,
shredding them before they made it to the first tree. Clark looked astonished in
that direction until his radio crackled to life. All Father to thunder Good,
said Boudreau. Thanks for saving a few for us. Team one Odin is
here over, buying him. Clark could hear the barrels of the mini guns
still spinning, but it had run out of AMMO. Turning, he looked
at Lily, who was grinning like a madman on the porch with a mini
gun glowing red hot. As the wine of the barrels slowed to a stop,
the globe began to slowly fade. Hell yeah, yelled Lily, I
gotta get me one of these. Thunder Good to all, father, said
Clark, your timing is impeccable. Over CoDIAK and Gregor walked over to Clark.
They were both bleeding from numerous cuts and slashes, but seemed otherwise unharmed.
The wounds were already healing. Man, and you guys sure know how
to throw a party, said Lily, putting the gun down on the porch.
Clark stared at him for a long moment before approaching him. Mister Lily,
he began, you just call me, Steve, said Lily. All
right, then, Steve said Clark, I seriously underestimated you. You'd make
a hell of an addition to the team if you ever chose to. Clark
reached to the shoulder of his uniform and remove the Wild Hunt patch with the
team Odin rocker and handed it to Lily. Here, said Clark, you
earned these, okay, So what happens next, asked Lily. First,
we'll have a cleanup team come in and remove the bodies for incineration, said
Clark. What about them heads? Don't worry about that, said Clark.
You'll be leaving here with more heads than you can carry on your own.
I'll make sure of that. Well. I shall appreciate that, said Steve
Lily, grinning. Clark out a small nine line case he kept in his
left cargo pocket and zipping it, he took out a contact card. It
read simply Major Daniel Clark, Executive Officer, Team Odin four one seven five
five five one five one five. It also had the same logo that was
on the page, the Dearest Skull with the antlers inside a circle with the
words Team Odin at the bottom. Well what's this for, asked Lily.
If you ever want a position with Team Odin, said Clark, we might
just have a spot for you. How much you pay for each head,
asked Lily, tucking the card back into his pocket. I'm afraid we don't
pay for those, said Clark, But the backup and benefits are much better.
Well, I'll keep that in mind, and said Lily, but I
think I like getting paid better. Thank you, though, Have it your
way, Steve, said Clark, holding out his hand. They shook hands
firmly, and then Clark turned to go speak with Boudreaux and arranged for Lily
to collect the heads. Lily took the card out of his pocket and held
it beside the patch, looking at them side by side. He had to
an't met. There was a certain temptation to the offer. Working with tm
Odin would let him hunt in places he'd never seen before. Also, he'd
have to deal with creatures he'd never even believed existed. Well, that would
be a dumb ass move, muttered Lily, putting the patch in the card
back in his pocket. I think I'll just keep the squatches because these things
are crazy. Lily watched as the clean up teams began rolling in, dragging
the dead creatures onto the cargo nets and wrapping them up. A large double
rotor helicopter known as a chinook, landed and lowered the ramp. The nets
would then be hooked up to a thick rope and then winched into the back
of the helicopter. This process was repeated until the chopper had roughly six of
the creatures on board, and then it would left off. It would be
immediately replaced by another chopper, and the process would start all over again.
An amphibious APC came rolling up out of the swamp and part. A man
in a clean uniform and holding a clipboard spotted Lily and approached him. He
smiled as he approached and looked friendly enough. Mister Lily, I presume,
said the man. His name tag read Pratchett. Yes, sir, said
Lily. I'm here to take you back to your vehicle in Camper, said
Pratchett. What about my squatch heads, asked Lily. Those should be waiting
for you when we arrived, said Pratchett, grinning. Major Clark made certain
it was being taken care of well. All right, that sounds good.
Climbing into the APC, he was directed to a seat. Pratchett handed him
a bottle of water and a bag with a couple of sandwiches in it.
They're just ham and cheese, said Pratchett. Sorry, we didn't pack much
in the way of food. That isn't an mr e Oh, I've eaten
worse, said Lily, taking a drink and then digging out a sandwich.
The big engine began to rumble, and Lily felt it turning back and slipping
into the stagnant swamp water. Half an hour later, he felt it rolling
back up onto the solid ground, and then the APC door opened at the
back of the vehicle and Pratchett led him out onto the grass. Lily looked
around and he saw his campsite exactly like he had left it on behalf of
the team, said Pratchett. We'd like to thank you for your assistance.
Well, you can thank me by getting me my squatches, muttered Lily.
I believe you'll find them in the trailer, said Pratchett, and best of
luck to you, mister Lily. Pratchett didn't wait for an acknowledgement. He
boarded the ape and the ramp began closing. Lily headed for his trailer and
unlocked the door. Instantly, the cool air of the air conditioner washed over
him. He noticed that there were four large black Duffel bags placed inside the
freezer. There was a note on top. Picking it up, he noticed
it was from Clark. It read, dear Steve, in these bags or
the head of nineteen of the Gugui. We didn't include the dog men because
I doubt Agent Blue will pay you for them. Anyway, there would have
been more, but some were obliterated by gunfire, and we're keeping the shaman's
head to study it for differences. Nineteen should still net you a good pay
day. Be careful and watch your back. Agent Blue is not to be
trusted. And by the way, I owe you a drink or six.
Meet me in forty eight hours at Steve's Pub and Grub outside the south gate
of Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. Are on me hope to see you there.
Sign Clark, Well, damn, that is going to be a nice payday,
Steve, Lily muttered to himself. Forty eight hours later, Lily opened
the door to the bar and walked inside. It wasn't hard to find,
but it was in the middle of nowhere, and for a moment he wondered
how it managed to stay in business, until he noticed all the weird things
on the wall that could only have come from tm Odin. Once he entered
the dining area, he saw that there had to be at least sixty members
of tm Odin here. He recognized a few of the faces, locating Clark
at the far end of the bar. He headed over and took the stool
beside him. I'm glad you could make it, said Clark, motioning to
the man behind the counter. What can I get for you, asked Steve.
The bartender, Steve mun wrote it, said Clark, grinning. Meet
Steve, Lily. We met him on our last mission. It's nice to
meet you, said Steve, holding out his hand, and Lily took it
and smiled. If he's buying, I'm drinking, said Lily, grinning broadly.
I'm drinking guinness, said Clark. Well it sounds good to me,
said Lily. Set them up, said Clark, and keep him coming.
Two large plates of shepherd's pie too, I got you, said the bartender.
Nice place, said Lily, looking around. Well we like it,
said Clark. I have a present for you. Clark took out a Manila
envelope and dropped it in front of him. What is this, asked Lily.
I already told you I'm not giving up the money I get from Squatch
Hunting. No, it's nothing like that, Clark assured him. It's still
photos from when we had the after action debriefing. Agent Blue was there and
I made you a promise. Lily grinned as he took out the pictures.
They showed a meeting room and Clark was a pro and an official looking man
in a black suit. It looked like Clark was going to shake his hand
until the third picture, when he struck Agent Blue in the mouth with a
haymaker, knocking him out coal. The next two pictures were of Clark walking
out with a big smile on his face. I hope you didn't get in
trouble for that, said Lily. Don't worry, said Clark. My boss
thought it was hilarious. Agent Blue demanded that I'd be arrested, but Colonel
Boudreau has my back. He told Agent Blue that he deserved it and more.
I don't think I made many friends, though, Yeah, I don't
bet you did. Said Lily, laughing. You knocked him the hell out.
They're just bureaucrat, said Clark. They always have glass jaws. Both
men chuckled as they drank their dark stouts and dug into the steaming plate of
shepherd's pie. This is damn good, said Lily, stuffing another bite into
his mouth. Best I've ever had, said Clark. After they had eaten
and drank several beers, Clark stood up and headed for the beautiful piano in
the corner. Lily watched as he sat down and cracked his knuckles. After
a moment, he began playing. Lily was astounded by how well Clark played.
The man had real talent, Yet here he was leading a group of
military squatch hunters. What a group of guys, thought Lily, glancing around.
The guy called Margalin stood up and walked over to the tall blonde they
called Valkyrie. He just held out his head and said nothing. After a
moment, she took it and they began to dance slowly to the music.
Good for you, said Lily, lifting his glass. I have something for
you, mister Lily, said Gideon, approaching with something wrapped in a cloth.
Well, what's that, Lily? Said frowning. It's kind of a
tradition on the teens, said Gideon. Everyone gets one after their first mission.
I know you're not joining the team, but you certainly earned it.
We used to give a gladius to everyone, but we changed it recently.
Lily took the bundle and unwrapped the cloth. Inside was a blade in a
kaidak's sheath. It's called the bounty, said Gideon. It's by a company
called Galliwag Tactical. We get them in, bought our team shomen etched it
with the same ruins we put on ours. It will work against dog men
when to go, or even certain types of vampires. Well, thank you,
said Lily, but I hope to God I don't run into any of
those things. I hope so as well, said Gideon. A good journey
to you, mister Lily. It was an honor meeting you. Lily reached
out to shake Gideon's hand and was surprised when Gideon grasped his forearm and a
warrior's embrace. He held him there for a moment and then released the grip
and walked away. Like I said, muttered Lily. These are some weird
some bitches on this team. Turning back to the bar, he nodded at
Steve. Can I get another plate of that pie and a picture of that
guinness you share? Can, said Steve, grinning and heading for the kitchen.
Yeah they're weird, whispered Lily, but I kind of like these guys.
Later, as Lily staggered to the trailer that was still behind his pickup,
he saw the members of Team Odin heading back to the base, and
for a moment, part of him wished he was going with them. Then
he remembered the gigantic bag of cash that Agent Blue had left for him.
When they picked up those bags of the squatch heads, there'd be a bonus
because they were gug with Yeah, slurred Lily, I'll stick with the money.
Ducking inside the trailer, he fell face first onto the bed and was
asleep almost instantly. As his snores filled the air, he didn't hear the
door to his trailer open. Clark slipped inside and located the laptop that Steve
used to contact Agent Blue. Inserting a thumb drive into the port, he
quickly uploaded a tracking program. He felt a slight pang of remorse that he
had to deceive Steve Lily, but they had to get a foothold into Agent
Blues operation. Clark reminded himself that in doing so, they could help protect
Lily from being left to die again, as Agent Blue did to everyone when
things went bad. Thank you, Steve, Lily, whispered Clark. Be
careful, man, You really have no idea what's out there.