The Sins of the Waterfall

Synopsis: The Cascadia Arms Corporation has spent years preparing for humanity’s conflict with the supernatural.  While maintaining their façade as a conventional weapons manufacturer, they have been secretly working to ensure that humanity will have the upper hand.  They assemble their army piece by piece and it won’t be long before they are ready to make their struggle public.  For three werewolf families on a weekend getaway, the evening is about to become a nightmare as the company sets their sights on them.

Richmond, Virginia
May 2015

Ariano Sandoval entered his host’s office with his briefcase in hand; its formal appearance in stark opposition to his casual clothing.  Lieutenant General Carlisle was similarly dressed in a blue, buttoned shirt and dark slacks.  The general closed the door to his study and engaged the lock.  Even though he didn’t expect any more visitors, Mr. Sandoval subtlety suggested that their meeting not be disturbed.

“May I get you something to drink?” Gen. Carlisle asked, more for himself rather than out of decorum.

The visitor set his black case down beside a chair in front of General Carlisle’s desk. “Yes please,” Mr. Sandoval replied. “That would be most welcome.” His eyes were drawn to a particular wall in the office which was almost completely covered with plaques, awards, and medals.  While his host focused on their refreshments, he took a closer look.

General Carlisle’s wall boasted of a lifetime of service to the United States Army.  With each award and photo, many given by the soldiers under his command, Mr. Sandoval confirmed what he already knew about the general.  It was no accident they were meeting; General Carlisle had been chosen.  Of course, there were a handful of equally accomplished men Mr. Sandoval and his employers could have selected and even a few who were more successful.  However, Mr. Sandoval knew his choice wasn’t just about how much the man had gained, but rather how much he had lost.  As his host walked toward him with a glass of bourbon, Mr. Sandoval’s eyes fell upon a distinguished wooden stand and inhaled deeply.  Resting on the stand was an American flag, folded into a crisp triangle with two medals on either side.  One was a Bronze Star and the other was a Purple Heart.  Behind them, a young soldier in his dress uniform gazed back at him from a framed photograph.

“Here you are,” the general said, handing the glass to his guest.  Although it didn’t take much longer than a moment, Mr. Sandoval was able to see that the general’s glass contained slightly more than his.  The general didn’t notice, nor did he realize how much more he sipped from his glass than Mr. Sandoval.  As he swallowed his own sip, Mr. Sandoval continued to analyze the general’s body language.  Once again, confirming information he already knew.

Mr. Sandoval complimented the quality of his host’s drink as they sat down on opposite sides of the general’s desk.  “How is your wife?” Mr. Sandoval began. “What has it been? A year?”

General Carlisle was slightly taken aback.  He was under the impression this was strictly a business meeting.  Still, it would be impolite to question his guest.  “It depends, but I’ll be honest with you,” he replied. “She has her good days and her, well…” He swallowed hard and swirled his bourbon in the glass.  “Martha’s had a rough few weeks recently, especially with the anniversary coming up.”

“Yes, I’d imagine she would,” Mr. Sandoval said sympathetically. “How does she feel about your other son, James, isn’t it? She must be proud, seeing as Ranger School isn’t easy.”

This should have been a red flag for General Carlisle.  A civilian such as this man shouldn’t know this information.  If he was a younger man, a less troubled man, a more sober man, the general would have picked up on this peculiarity. Nonetheless, the general wasn’t and didn’t and replied with his own tensions leaking through in his voice. “We’re both very proud to see him following in his brother’s footsteps,” he admitted. “But at the same time she doesn’t want to bury another son.  I don’t think she can handle that and neither can I.”

“I understand,” Mr. Sandoval nodded as he put his glass down and became more comfortable in his chair. “I realize you’ve lost men in the past but we both know sometimes not everyone makes it back home.  At least, not in the way you want them to.”  General Carlisle nodded and continued to nurse his alcohol.  “You have a brave family sir, and every right to feel pride.  James should be proud of you as well.  An officer with your connections could have helped him rise through the ranks, safely out of harm’s way and into a bright future,” Mr. Sandoval said with a half grin. “But you’re not like other officers.  No, you’re different.  Not part of an older or a newer breed, just an uncommon one.  The kind that makes our country proud; the kind made of true heroes.”

The general scratched his head and shifted his gaze. “I offered to pull a few strings for James but he refused.  He said he wanted to do things the right way or not at all.  He could have been anything he wanted.  The options were almost limitless.  He chose to follow his brother.”

“That shows great character, General,” Mr. Sandoval said, nodding. “But character isn’t bulletproof.”  He reached down and grabbed his briefcase, setting it on the desk at an angle so he could still see his host.  With the locks disengaged, he opened the case to reveal a series of vials, an absorbent cloth, a sheathed knife, and a half dozen identical devices unfamiliar to the general.

General Carlisle furrowed his brow as his guest set the towel on his desk and removed one of the strange devices.  It was not much longer than a pen and resembled a small medical syringe filled with a translucent blue liquid.  Before the general’s eyes, Mr. Sandoval rolled up his sleeves and unsheathed the sharpened combat knife.  He kept his left forearm over the towel and cut himself three times, allowing the wide-eyed general to see the blood seeping through the incisions.

No amount of alcohol could have pacified the general.  It was as if a bolt of lightning shocked him out of his mental fog and into full consciousness as his guest inflicted harm upon himself right on his desk. “Are you insane?!” General Carlisle exclaimed.  The towel caught the blood but he was more concerned about tending to Mr. Sandoval’s wounds than any stains on his desk or carpet.  He reached for a bandage sitting in the briefcase but Mr. Sandoval waved him off.  While his host stared in awe, he took the device with the blue liquid and pressed it against his forearm.

“This is a needle-free auto-injector,” Mr. Sandoval explained. “Powered by this little gas cartridge, this device allows anyone to self-administer a wide variety of medicines quickly, safely, and painlessly.” The general still couldn’t believe what he was seeing nor could he understand why the man was so calm as he continued bleeding. “Of course, the injector isn’t what’s on display here, the serum is.” With that, Mr. Sandoval depressed the activation lever and shot the blue liquid into his arm.  His wounds stopped bleeding within seconds as his dark skin repaired itself almost instantly.

“That’s-that’s-that’s…”

“Impossible?” Mr. Sandoval finished the stammering general’s sentence. “General Carlisle, it’s only the tip of the iceberg.” Amid the general’s struggle for words, Mr. Sandoval cleaned himself and his knife before he removed an electronic tablet from the briefcase.  He handed it to General Carlisle and instructed the device to play a video.  The general saw laboratory recordings of mice and pigs being injected with the serum before the researchers poked, prodded, cut, and otherwise injured the animals.  One needed only watch General Carlisle’s face to witness his confusion.  Part of his mind told him to reject the insanity, the madness of what he saw play out on the screen.  However, another part of him realized what it was Mr. Sandoval was trying to convey.  This man was showing him the future.

“Needless to say, PETA wouldn’t let us hear the end of it if they found out,” Mr. Sandoval said lightheartedly as the video transitioned to the portion with the chimpanzees.  General Carlisle glanced up at him. “Those are live rounds, by the way.”  Researchers zoomed their cameras in on the wounds they inflicted as the animals howled in pain.  One by one, the bullet holes healed themselves flawlessly for the general to see.  The footage ended shortly afterwards. “I won’t show you the human trials if you don’t want me to,” Mr. Sandoval said.

“I-I-well, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to know you’ve done human trials,” General Carlisle said. “Hell, you just cut your own damn arm on my desk to prove it to me.” He made an effort to finish his drink in one final gulp. “How, um, uh, how effective is it?”

“Remarkably effective,” Mr. Sandoval answered. “Anything short of major damage to the brain or extreme damage to the body becomes survivable in most cases.  Even in instances where the serum user suffered a graze with a small caliber bullet to the head, they recovered quickly albeit with some short-term memory loss.  As you can see, this serum, even in its most basic form, is capable of amplifying a soldier’s combat effectiveness several times over.”

The general cocked his head in interest. “What do you mean ‘basic form’?  There are others?”

“Of course,” Mr. Sandoval smiled. “What you’ve just seen is merely the serum we’ve used as the base for numerous derivatives and it’s far from the finished product at that.  My company is working on more potent versions of the base as well as specialized serums to enhance other human abilities,” he said. “Just imagine, speed, strength, reflexes, senses, and more!  All honed to create the best human soldiers in history.”
Neither man spoke for a moment.  Behind General Carlisle’s eyes, his mind raced with the implications of his guest’s demonstration.  Something like this could change the world in the right hands, but in the wrong hands… “Who else knows about this?  Is it possible for our enemies to acquire it?”

“Rest assured General, we have gone to great lengths to keep this project a secret,” Mr. Sandoval said. “In fact, you are one of the few non-employees to even know about this serum’s existence.  It would be against our best interests to let this discovery wander far beyond our supervision.  After all, we find it morally problematic to deal with just anyone.”

“Then why trust me?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Why did you come to me with this?  Why not go to the Pentagon or the CDC first?” General Carlisle asked.

His guest leaned forward with a sigh. “What my employers will tell you is that a man with your record and connections would be valuable in Washington.  We fully intend to approach the Department of Defense but only when the time is right,” Mr. Sandoval explained. “If you would be willing to help us, we can make a lasting difference in this country and we would be fools to let such an opportunity escape us.”

His answer coaxed a grin from his host but Mr. Sandoval wasn’t through. “That is what they will say, but I had my own reasons for choosing you, General.  As I said before, you’re not like other officers I’ve dealt with in the past.  You understand that despite what most may say, there are never any ‘acceptable losses’.  When you have to tell a grieving mother why her son won’t return to her alive and well, no loss can ever be ‘acceptable’.” The general exhaled deeply and fought any emotions away from his features. “I can’t promise you immortal soldiers General Carlisle, but I can promise you I’ll give them one hell of an advantage over anything thrown at them.”

Another silence descended on the study.  At last, the general spoke. “What do you need me to do?” he asked in a low tone.

Mr. Sandoval relaxed in his chair as if he always owned it. “Allow your son’s unit to test the serum in the field.  Make as many calls as you need to and we’ll handle the rest.  James will have enough serum for the duration of his tour and we’ll have an abundance of invaluable data.  Cascadia will want to send a team of medical personnel and a guard or two.  They’ll monitor the unit’s performance as well as keep their serum usage as confidential as possible.  Before long, we’ll have everything we need to proceed to the next phase of our production efforts.”

The general slid the tablet back to Mr. Sandoval.  His face held a multitude of emotions but he couldn’t decide on one.  “I’ll do it.”

Mr. Sandoval smiled earnestly and repacked his briefcase.  The two men stood and shook hands.  Although their deal wasn’t official yet, Mr. Sandoval was confident there was no going back.  Despite the flicker of doubt in the general’s eyes, he knew it would be more difficult to recall his support.

“Nathaniel saved the lives of twenty soldiers that day.  Together, we can save a great deal more.  You’re doing the right thing sir, never forget that,” Mr. Sandoval said as the general showed him the door.

Before he left, Gen. Carlisle stopped his guest at the door with a question. “One last question,” the general began.

“Of course.”

“How do you make it? The serum, I mean.”

It was the question Mr. Sandoval always anticipated during meetings but it wasn’t always asked.  He neither feared nor loved it but the answer was always reserved for another meeting. “There are worse threats to our world than rival nations.  Enemies much closer to home.  All will be revealed in time, General.  Just know that you’ve made the right decision today and now we know you can be relied upon in the future,” Mr. Sandoval replied as he removed a pair of sunglasses from his pocket. He donned them and nodded to his host. “Have a nice day, sir. We’ll be in touch.”

…
Wyoming
March 2016

Nothing could disturb the serenity of the night.  Not the bustle of the city, highway traffic, or even the low din of an airliner soaring through the deep blue sky.  Miles from civilization and the nearest living soul, the hills and valleys of Wyoming exhaled and savored the silence.  At least until the pups arrived.

“Are we there yet?”

“Can we go now?

“When do I get to chase something?”

“I have to pee.”

For Amber Parker, watching over her younger siblings and their friends was a small price to pay for the chance to get into the wilderness early.  Civilization was fine and all, but five days stuffed inside a high school is enough to make even a normal human stir-crazy, let alone a werewolf.  She found humor in imagining if the children scampering around her weren’t home schooled; how many notes their teachers would send home to their parents.  Of course, that wasn’t even touching on how quickly administrators would recommend the kids be examined for ADHD.  Even if they’d already learned to control their shifting abilities, it takes a bit longer to calm the more adventurous instincts.  But, like with anything, practice paid off and control helped people like Amber and her family maintain a low profile.  In fact, to everyone but their close friends, the Parkers simply seemed like another typical American family on a weekend getaway.

A little over half a mile away, Amber’s parents were preparing the family cabin for the late arrival of the last of the three werewolf families.  The McCormick’s children managed to convince their parents to let them into the woods as long as they had someone to watch over them.  Given the choice between dealing with four pups running around an enclosed space or the wilderness, Amber knew which she’d rather pick.  Of course, getting to shift and enjoy the outdoors as soon as possible was always welcome.  In another hour or so, the others would join her and they could begin their mini-vacation as friends.  Amber looked forward to playing and chasing her friends when they arrived but for the time being, she just kept an eye on the young ones.

“We’re here,” Amber announced to the eager children. “Make sure you stash your clothes somewhere safe so you guys don’t lose them.”  The kids did as they were told and started to transform, finally putting all of their youthful energy into a more appropriate form.  Amber felt her paws dig into the cool earth as the crisp air filled her changing lungs.  Her russet fur coat grew in to shield her from the cold while she stretched her limbs and almost trembled with excitement.  She wagged her tail and stood up on her digitigrade hindpaws to release a short howl for the adults to hear.

Back in the cabin, Amber’s call came in loud and clear.  The Parkers and the McCormicks smiled to each other, content in the knowledge that their children were safe.  Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

…

“5 targets.  Highly mobile.  They used trail from cabin to current position.  Intel accurate.  Please advise.”

“Hold position.  Plan unchanged.  ‘Hiker’ inbound.  Update as needed.”

“Copy.  Maintaining trail watch.”

The faint red glow of the communicator’s touch-screen was almost as hard to detect as the man using it.  James Carlisle and his partner sat motionless not more than a few dozen feet away from Amber, the pups, and the trail leading to the cabin.  Hidden from the eyes, ears, and noses of the children, the two men silently maintained their lookout and waited with baited breath for their time to come.

…

Bethesda, Maryland
June 2015

Mr. Sandoval walked into the Bethesda Physical Therapy Center with his smartphone in one hand and a briefcase in the other.  He pocketed the device and asked the receptionist where he could find the man he wished to speak with.  With a polite smile, the young woman gave him directions and sent him on his way.
The receptionist’s directions soon brought Mr. Sandoval to one of the facility’s small gyms where several staff members assisted clients as they exercised.  Many clients took their time, working through each motion delicately with uniformed employees giving encouragement and support the entire time.  However, others were more swift and energetic with their exercises and didn’t seem willing to let anything slow them down.  Mr. Sandoval’s contact was one such person.

“Corporal Shawn Hollander?” Mr. Sandoval asked as he approached a man performing pull-ups in a corner of the room.  The man with crisply cut blonde hair wore a grey t-shirt and a pair of gym shorts that barely extended passed where his legs ended at his knees.  After one more repetition, Corporal Hollander nodded to the staff member waiting near him to help him into his wheelchair.  He dried himself with a towel and faced Mr. Sandoval.

“Yes sir,” the corporal replied.

“Ariano Sandoval, we spoke on the phone.”  The two men shook hands as the physical therapist excused himself.  “I represent the Cascadia Armaments Corporation and we’d like to make you an offer.”

“I know,” Corporal Hollander nodded.  “What’s the deal?  You got some kind of new prosthetics you want to try?”

Mr. Sandoval grinned slightly. “Something like that.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means we’re going to change everything, my friend.” Mr. Sandoval scanned the workout room. “Is there somewhere we can talk in private?”

A few moments later, Mr. Sandoval and Corporal Hollander were in an examination room with the door closed and the marine’s eyes locked on an electronic tablet.

“Hard to believe, isn’t it?” Mr. Sandoval asked.

With each round of serum testing playing on the tablet Corporal Hollander grew more shocked.  “That’s either some high-end special effects or goddamn magic.”

“Well, it’s technically part science but magic does have a role to play.” The corporal wasn’t sure if Mr. Sandoval was serious or not.  He also wasn’t sure what it meant if he was.  He’d seen countless things beyond description on his deployments but nothing came close to this. “Human beings are more than flesh and blood, Corporal Hollander; we have something inside us more powerful than anything in the world.  We have fire. Passion. Soul.” Mr. Sandoval took back his tablet and brought up a new video on the screen.  As a simulated surgery played out for the corporal, Mr. Sandoval continued. “It’s this very quality that allows men and women to gaze into the heart of evil and darkness but charge ahead anyway to answer their nation’s call.  This passion can drive us to do remarkable things for the country we love, our brothers in arms, and for those we hold dear.”

Corporal Hollander looked up from the tablet, his cobalt eyes fixed on Mr. Sandoval.  “You can do this?” he asked, motioning to the screen.  Mr. Sandoval nodded.

“They’ll be as good as new if not better than before.  It’ll take some time, but I’m confident that we can help you get back on your feet.  You’ll be breaking new ground and blazing a new trail in human history.  Are you willing to take that first step?”

Corporal Hollander thought for a moment like all the others Mr. Sandoval ever spoke to and like them, he had the same question.  “Why me?” he asked.

“We’ve watched you for quite some time and I believe you have perhaps the most crucial element to this procedure: soul.  You’re a warrior; you fought to survive then and you’re fighting to live now.  It takes true spirit to pick up the pieces like you have.”

“It helps when you have something to live for,” Corporal Hollander replied.  Mr. Sandoval smiled, confident that his research would prevail again.

“Walk with your wife on the beach, run with your daughter across the fields, and hold them close every chance you get,” Mr. Sandoval said. “Because that’s what this is, a second chance.  Hold your baby girl, carry her in the arms that carried your brothers to safety, stand with her like you stood for our country, and never let anything take that away again.”

“This all sounds too good to be true,” Corporal Hollander replied, still uncertain. “I can’t help feeling that there’s something you want.”

Mr. Sandoval smiled as he prepared to enter the final phase of the deal.  “This isn’t just another chance for you, but for all of those who sacrificed for others.  Battle may have taken from them and America acts as if what was lost can be repaid, but we both know there’s only so much that can be done.  We’re not just going to rebuild them.  No, we’re going to heal them and you have the opportunity to be the first.” Mr. Sandoval lowered his voice.  “All that my employers ask is that you consider our secondary offer.”

“Which is?”

With a quick glance at the door to make sure it was closed, Mr. Sandoval leaned in closer. “There is a war coming Corporal, unlike anything mankind has faced for millennia.  In fact, I believe it is already upon us and we must do all we can to ensure our survival.  The frontlines will be too fluid for conventional militaries to handle and the enemy can be anyone.  The rules will change and it’s time we changed with them.”

Corporal Hollander seemed incredulous but after what his visitor had showed him, he was inclined to believe almost anything. “I’m listening.”

“Everything you hold dear and everything you fought for will need to be defended again but it will be extremely different this time.  Cascadia is building a new kind of army for this fight and we’re asking you to be a part of it.  You don’t have to engage the enemy directly; we understand if you’re tired of battle.  However, all that we ask is that you help us train humanity’s soldiers for the coming conflict.  I know this is a difficul-” Mr. Sandoval was cut off by a wave of the corporal’s hand.

“I’ll do it, I’m in,” he said. “I didn’t make sacrifices for everything to be taken from me again.” He looked Mr. Sandoval squarely in the eyes. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”  

“That is exactly what I like to hear,” Mr. Sandoval grinned.

“When do we start?”

“Immediately.”

…
Wyoming
March 2016

A short, distant howl hushed the Parkers and the McCormicks as they conversed idly in the cabin.  The parents smiled and returned to their work.  Although far from being a fully equipped modern home, the Parkers’ cabin was quite comfortable.  Built by the family several years ago, it featured lights run by a gas generator, a wood burning stove, a washroom, and three separate rooms stocked with bunk beds.  Of course, the Parkers and their guests hardly ever used many of these features for long but they knew the value of keeping up appearances.

Mrs. Parker zipped her personal backpack and set it on her bed before rejoining her friends and husband in the main room.  “Has anyone heard anything from the Sotos?” she asked. “It’s not like them to be this late.”

“We’re out of cell range,” Mr. Parker replied. “If they called after we got here, we wouldn’t know.”

Mrs. McCormick waved her hand dismissively as she offered up her opinion. “They probably got caught up in traffic again.  Friday evenings can be terrible for anyone trying to drive.  I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.”

“We’ll give ‘em another half hour to show, then I say we leave a note,” Mr. McCormick said.  The others nodded.  They were about to continue applying the finishing touches to their vacation façade when they all heard something suspicious.  Everyone stopped again and concentrated on the lone voice calling out to them.

“Hello!  Is there anyone in there?!  I need help!  Please!” The voice was accompanied by frantic footfalls crashing through the woods.
“There’s someone out there,” Mrs. McCormick whispered, thankful that no one in the cabin had shifted yet. “Should I tell the kids?”

Mr. McCormick shook his head. “They know what to do in case something like this happens.  They’ll be safer where they are.”

“Can anyone hear me?!  I’m hurt!” the man’s voice cried out again as he drew near.

“I see him,” Mr. Parker said, peeking through a window. “He looks like a hiker and a pretty banged up one at that.” He glanced back at the others in the cabin, waiting for their decision.

“Let’s just remain calm and play this out like we’ve discussed,” Mrs. Parker suggested. “Let him in and I’ll get the first aid kit ready.”

Mr. Parker opened the door and helped the hiker into the cabin while the McCormicks brought a chair for the man to sit.  His arms were bandaged in some places with strips of gauze and the lower left leg of his hiking pants had been cut away to reveal more dressings.

“Thank you so much,” the hiker said as he caught his breath.  He set his pack down beside him, the contents rattling around inside slightly. “Man, am I glad I found you!”  The Parkers and McCormicks exchanged glances but remained hospitable.

“What’re you doing out here so late?” Mr. McCormick asked.

The hiker sipped a cup of water given to him and replied, “I stopped to take in the view by this outcropping but the ground wasn’t as solid as I thought.  Before I knew it I had tumbled down half the mountain and way off the trail.  My GPS got smashed all to hell and I had no idea where I was.  I guess that’s what I get for buying cheap.”

“You didn’t have a map as a backup or anything?” Mrs. Parker wondered.  The hiker shook his head sheepishly.  “And you’re alone?”

“Yeah, I’m seeing why folks say to tell others where you’re going and all that,” the hiker said.  Mrs. Parker examined his wounds and opened her metal first aid box.  She tended to the hiker’s leg first, curious at the neatness of the damage.  Although she didn’t say anything, something felt off about the man’s injuries.  The hiker grinned at her as she finished on his leg and moved on to his arms.

“Let’s see here,” Mrs. Parker said in a motherly tone when she rolled up the man’s short sleeves. “These don’t look too bad…” Her fingers froze for a second and she felt a subconscious spark of concern flash into her mind.  Under the right sleeve, high on the hiker’s arm was a tattoo of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem of the United States Marine Corps.

The others in the room saw the tattoo as well but remained silent.  Afraid she would be caught staring, Mrs. Parker spoke.  “Hmm, well isn’t that interesting.  My father was a Marine as well.”

“You don’t say?” the hiker replied cheerfully.

“Yes, he served for twenty years,” Mrs. Parker added. “Taught my brothers and me everything he knew.”  She rolled down the hiker’s sleeve and changed his bandages as she spoke.  “Hunting, tracking, shooting, first aid,” she said casually.  “Navigation…”

Mrs. Parker and the hiker’s eyes met.  They smiled at each other but both knew it was forced.  “Um, thank you ma’am,” the hiker said with a hint of tension in his voice.  “Is there somewhere I can wash up a bit and change my clothes?  I brought some extras in my pack and I’d like to get out of these ripped ones.”

“There’s a washroom over there,” Mrs. McCormick pointed out. “Feel free to use it.  The light switch is by the mirror.”

With a nod of thanks, the hiker grabbed his backpack and disappeared into the washroom.  The lock clicked and the McCormicks and Parkers gathered in a huddle on the opposite end of the cabin.  “Is everything alright dear?” Mr. Parker whispered.  Mrs. Parker shook her head.

“Something’s wrong with this picture,” Mrs. Parker replied, looking over her shoulder at the washroom door. “Doesn’t his story seem a little off to you?”

“People get lost in the woods all the time,” Mrs. McCormick mused. “Not everyone’s like us.”

Mrs. Parker shifted nervously but she knew she couldn’t dismiss her instincts.  “His wounds look too neat.”

“What are you saying?” her husband whispered. “That he cut himself on purpose?”

The sound of the hiker’s pack zipper could be heard in the silence as everyone began to formulate their own theories about the man.  “I don’t know,” Mrs. Parker replied. “But he was in the military and I find it hard to believe he would make so many mistakes in the outdoors like he did.”

Mr. McCormick raised his hands calmly. “Okay, you may be right or it could be nothing,” he said. “We can’t be too hasty or it could be trouble for all of us and the kids.  Let’s just sit tight, keep an eye on this guy and wait for the Sotos.  When they get here, we can give our guest a ride back to the nearest town.”

Everyone agreed and they were about to disperse from their huddle to avoid seeming suspicious when the sound of an approaching vehicle reached them.  “There they are!” Mr. Parker said with a smile.  He hurried to meet them before any of his companions could say anything.  Outside, two brilliant SUV headlights illuminated the gravel driveway and parking spaces.  Mr. Parker shielded his eyes and squinted, wondering why Mr. Soto had stopped his Expedition at such an odd angle.  It was as if he wasn’t parking at all.  “Hey!  You wanna spin it around?  It’ll be easier to unload,” he said as he approached the driver’s side door.

Mrs. Parker stood in the cabin doorway and watched her husband but was also unable to see into the Sotos’ SUV.  Mr. Parker walked up to the driver’s door as the window rolled down.  Without warning, Mrs. Parker felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and a split-second later, Mr. Parker’s body had seized up and collapsed to the dirt.  Horrified, she whirled around to alert her friends but stopped short when the washroom door flung open and two black cylinders were tossed into the room.  By the time the others registered the threat, the cylinders detonated with a blinding flash, an ear-splitting boom, and a horrific stench.

Although severely dazed, Mrs. Parker knew what she had to do.  With the cabin rapidly filling with some kind of foul gas, she opted to confront her husband’s attacker head on.  She focused her shifting on her claws and fangs as she regained her balance.  Ebony claws replaced her nails as she leapt from the cabin steps and onto the hood of the SUV.  The metal complained and the vehicle shook but the occupants were not deterred.  The front passenger door opened and a darkly dressed figure reached out with an electroshock weapon to fire it directly at Mrs. Parker.  Twin probes pierced her skin and immobilized her instantly with nothing to stop her from falling off the hood.  The only sounds she could make were a series of labored grunts and snarls as her attacker ordered his companions out of the SUV as well.

“Secure the cabin!  Go!” he shouted.  Three figures dashed out of Mrs. Parker’s view and into the cabin.  They had weapons in their hands but she couldn’t see what kind.  Her attacker stood over her and her husband while another SUV swiftly pulled into the parking lot.  More uniformed figures emerged and split into two groups.  Two stayed at the cabin while the other three found the trail the children took earlier.  Mrs. Parker rolled onto her side just in time to see the hiker step outside with a gas mask and handgun.  He nodded to the man standing over her as she finally got a clear look at him.

In full-body fatigues as dark as the midnight sky, the man would have been extremely difficult to see in anything but the lights of the cabin and vehicles.  A pistol rested in his leg holster while his vest held a few gadgets unfamiliar to Mrs. Parker although she assumed they were probably similar to whatever was used in the cabin.  The arms of his shirt seemed to have armored pieces as did his pant legs but his head was left relatively unprotected with only a pair of night vision goggles to adorn it.  He didn’t look like any police officer or soldier Mrs. Parker had ever seen outside of films, especially with what appeared to be a short sword or machete sheathed to his back.

“All adult targets subdued,” the hiker reported, his voice muffled by his mask.

“Excellent,” the other man said. “This is Salem Lead, bring up the Kennel.  Salem Eight Six, you are clear to engage.  Support is inbound.”

A chill ran through Mrs. Parker and a renewed fire erupted in her.  “No!” she growled only to be silenced by another electric discharge.  The hiker flinched and raised his handgun.

“It’s alright,” the man said. “She won’t be going very far, no matter how strong she is.”  He stopped shocking his target and turned around as yet another vehicle entered the area.  Externally, it appeared no different from an expensive recreational vehicle with blinds pulled over the windows.  Unfortunately for Mrs. Parker and the others, the inside of the RV was far from ordinary.  The rear split apart into hidden double doors and revealed a ramp along with more men and women dressed in tactical gear.

Mrs. Parker was as surprised as she was angry.  “You don’t know what you’re dealing with,” she managed to croak.  The man turned to her with a smirk which she repaid with bared fangs. “If you hurt my pups, I’ll rip you apart.”

“I highly doubt you’ll do anything of the sort,” he replied confidently.  He crouched with his thumb on the electroshock button and leaned in close. “You see, we’re the only ones who know exactly what we’re dealing with.”  With that, he stepped back to let the RV’s occupants lock a black and silver collar around her neck.  They also secured bracelet-like devices around her wrists and ankles before they carried her to a cage in the RV.  Her husband and friends soon joined her.

Half a mile away, Amber heard the commotion and saw the lights.  She knew she was supposed to hide but the decision wasn’t easy.  The younger wolves gathered around her and tried to catch a glimpse of the cabin from the top of the hill.  They whispered to each other and looked to Amber, uncertain.

“Something’s wrong,” Amber said. “We have to go now, like we practiced.”  She started to herd the pups in the opposite direction but all the while using her senses to scan for threats.  The crunch of footsteps heading toward them definitely qualified. “Someone’s coming!  Follow me!”

Amber’s paws barely touched the ground as they fled.  The pups panted behind her but she was careful to keep them all close.  They sailed across an open field and headed for the cover of the woods beyond.  No one looked back but there was no way to know that a greater danger lay ahead of them.

Amber caught at least six electroshock probes in different parts of her body.  Although she caught a majority of the probes, there were plenty for the children as well and within moments they were all rendered helpless.  All except for one.  Amber’s sister, a tawny pup named Dawn, was directly behind Amber when the traps deployed and was miraculously unscathed.  She stared in horror but her lupine instincts told her what she needed to do.

“You have to get up!” she begged Amber.  The older wolf shook her head as much as she could manage when the traps stopped shocking her. “I can- I can- I can get you out!”

“Run…” Amber whispered through her pain. “Don’t stop until it’s safe…”

Dawn whimpered.  “The CEASEs got ‘em!” said an approaching voice.
“I have a visual!” announced another.

The little wolf flattened her ears and dropped to all fours to make her escape.  “Whoa!  We got a runner!”

“Don’t let it get away!”

“Weapons free!”

Bullets whipped passed Dawn with terrifying snaps.  Each one only spurred her on, especially the one that grazed her back.  There wasn’t any time for tears and she was afraid that if she stopped, she would never start again.  Her entire world was behind her and as far as she knew, someone was setting it on fire.  The only thing she could do was run.

…

“One of the pups escaped the perimeter.  Location unknown.”

“Understood.  No major loss, although we’ll need to improve our perimeter security in future operations.  The threat to our cover is minimal but it is a loose end.”

“Yes sir, it won’t happen again.”

“Fortunately, it shouldn’t have anyone to turn to out there.  With any luck, we’ll reacquire the trail if it leaves the wild.  If it survives…”

“What if it makes contact with others?  What if it tells them what happened?”

“Then we’ll have to work quickly.  It won’t be long until we’re ready and by then it won’t matter how much they know.  For now, mount up and seal the Kennel.  Radio Arson One and have them clean up.  We’re done here.”

…

Northern Wyoming
March 2016

“Is she breathing?”

“Yeah, I can hear her.  She’s one lucky pup.”

“She’s bleeding?  That’s weird.  I thought you guys healed quicker than that.”

“We normally do.  I don’t know what happened but we have to get her out of the open.”

Dawn struggled to lift her eyelids as she felt heavy arms cradle her.  Her ears flicked at the voices, a woman’s and a man’s, but she could barely move anything else.  They said something about a radio and a watchtower but she nodded off again before she could make it out.  When she awoke again, she found herself covered in a blanket in the middle of a room that reminded her of the cabin.  The soft orange lighting was gentle on her eyes as she looked around hazily.  There were three figures in the room but she didn’t feel afraid.  “Dad?”

The trio turned around and approached her.  A glimmer of hope gleamed in her heart when she saw a tall male werewolf among them but it was sadly short-lived.  “I’m sorry, we didn’t find anyone else with you,” the wolf said.

One of the two women knelt beside Dawn with a bowl of water and a kind smile. “Don’t be afraid, sweetie, you’re safe now.”  Dawn lapped up the water eagerly and shrugged the blanket off.  To her surprise, her wound didn’t hurt as much as she thought it would.

“There was silvalt residue in your injury,” the second woman explained. “We cleaned it as best we could but it will take a while to heal.  You’re lucky it wasn’t a direct hit.”

“What?” Dawn asked, just beginning to realize she’d been shot at. “Who are you?  Where am I?  What’s going on?”

The woman with the water put a reassuring hand on Dawn’s paw.  “It’s okay, we’re Blackfield agents.  Do you know what that means?  What we do?  Maybe your parents talked with us every now and then?”

Dawn thought for a moment and relaxed.  “Yes, you help the nice doctors who give me the special check-ups every year.”

“That’s right, I’m Agent Opsal but my friends call me Sally,” the woman said. “She’s Agent Warren and the big fuzz ball there is Agent Summers.  We’re underneath a Forest Service lookout tower.  We keep an eye on the woods for fire and others like you if they need help.”  Agent Opsal smiled again but it was less genuine this time.  “As for what happened, well, that’s what we hoped you could tell us.”

“I don’t really know.  It was dark and I was with my friends and my sister,” Dawn said. “We heard noises and loud bangs from where our parents were and then we had to run.  Something got my sister!  Like a spider web but with lightning!  There were people, people with guns, shooting at me!”  Agent Opsal held the little wolf’s paw. “I tried to save her but she told me to keep running and…”  Dawn started to whimper.

“It’s alright, it’s okay,” Agent Opsal said warmly. “You don’t have to say any more.”  The agents looked to each other, all afraid to say what they knew. “I need to talk to my friends for a minute but we’re going to stay in the room.  I’ll be right back, is that okay?”  Dawn nodded and Agent Opsal stood up.  The agents gathered in a corner of the room and waited for someone to speak.

“There’s no way this was some amateur incident,” Agent Summers growled. “This wasn’t a few hunters shooting at shadows.”

“You’re right, it sounds like a Cascadia operation,” Agent Warren added. “The tech fits and the silvalt in her wound practically confirms it.”

Agent Opsal glanced over her shoulder.  “As much as I hate to believe it’s true, the evidence doesn’t lie.”

“I’ll start a report, we have to get this out to everyone,” Agent Warren said. “Cascadia’s growing bolder and this can’t be the only raid.  It’s going to get worse.”

The agents nodded in agreement but Agent Opsal was more concerned about the pup in their care now.  “I know Cascadia’s been behind some scary stuff for years but this seems like a whole new level,” she said. “One or two kidnappings every once in a while was one thing but what kind of monster goes after families?”  She folded her arms and looked at Dawn sorrowfully.  “After children?”

…

Children’s Cancer Center of the Rockies
April 2016

Mr. Sandoval entered the recovery room and set his briefcase down on one of the chairs.  Police Commissioner Eva Gonzales hardly noticed him come in as she knelt beside her sleeping son, his hand held gently by hers.  Mr. Sandoval caught her attention and the woman stood with a weary smile.

“The doctors can’t find any trace of it,” she said as she fought back tears. “They’re calling it a miracle but I know it was you.  You did it Mr. Sandoval, you saved him.”

“Oh Commissioner Gonzales, it was still a miracle,” Mr. Sandoval said. “Every drop of the serum is a miracle and many brave men and women are responsible for its creation.  In fact, due to an increase in resources, we will be able to produce more of it than ever before.  The true miracles are yet to come.”  He held up his smart phone and grinned.  A few taps of the screen sent a message to his associates in the building and they began to distribute the serum to the numerous young patients.

“You held up your end of our arrangement,” Commissioner Gonzales said. “I am ready to hold up mine.  I am willing to do whatever you need me to.  Whatever it takes, I’m with you.”

“That is exactly what I like to hear,” Mr. Sandoval said, shaking the commissioner’s hand.  He retrieved his briefcase with its stylized waterfall on the cover and headed for the door.  “You and your son have a good afternoon.  We’ll be in touch.”