The Witness on the Hill

I stumbled, coughing, into an alleyway as the sounds of screaming and explosions echoed from the streets behind me.  I don't know how the peaceful protest had turned into a full-fledged street riot, but before I knew it tear gas canisters and Molotov Cocktails were flying.  Looking back, the carnage on the street was lost in a sea of smoke, when suddenly a group of armor clad figures made their way towards me.

“You!  Stop!” a voice yelled, muffled by his gas mask.

I had two choices, get arrested or run... I chose the latter.  Sprinting down the row of alleys, I knew I couldn't outrun them forever so I made a quick left and quickly pried open the first basement window I found.  I dove inside just as the sound of footsteps rounded the corner and sighed with relief as the sound of the police passed.  However, just as it seemed I was home free, a huge pair of arms wrapped around my torso.  My blood ran cold as a deep gravelly voice whispered in my ear “Well, well, well... what do we have here?”

The arms squeezing me through my dark blue hooded jacket were like a vise and my options were limited.  I could scream, but that would have attracted the attention of the men outside and I had a feeling my captor wouldn’t appreciate that much.  Instead, I managed to whisper a feeble reply with whatever breath was still left in my lungs.

“P-p-please.  I’m unarmed and I promise I’ll be quiet.  I just need a place to hide because things are going to hell out there.” I could hear more movement somewhere in front of me but my eyes had yet to adjust to the gloomy environment.  Although I wasn’t sure, I could barely make out the shapes of a few more people.

The voice seemed satisfied enough but that didn’t stop him from saying, “Okay, but if you try anything at all, you won’t live long enough to regret it.”  He released me and I was free to look around as I became accustomed to the light.  As soon as I turned to see the man, I immediately wished I hadn’t.  I clamped my hands over my mouth to keep from gasping too loudly but I think my heart could have been heard from the alley anyway.  The bear of a man who grabbed me turned out to be more of a wolf and with his black and grey muzzle trained on me, hundreds of news reports and stories flashed through my mind.  The wolf standing on his hind legs towered over me until I reflexively retreated.

My rapid breaths wheezed through my fingerless gloves as I backed away.  I had forgotten about the others in the basement until another pair of arms caught me.  “Easy now, it’s alright,” said another gravelly yet more feminine voice. “Everything’s fine.”  Whipping around to see another wolf, albeit shorter, did not help me believe her reassurances.  I felt surrounded and trapped as yet another stepped towards me with his paws raised.  I’m sure he meant to calm me but I could only focus on his claws which spiked my heartbeat even higher.

“Everyone back off him!” said an older male voice. “Let the poor boy breathe.  Can’t you see you’re scaring him half to death?”  I located the man speaking but he was wearing the blue tiger-striped fatigues and black armored vest of a city police officer.  Needless to say, this didn’t help either.

Three werewolves and a riot cop?  How could this get any worse? I thought to myself, scanning the room for an exit.  Instead, I found yet another person hiding in the darkness as she sat on a crate.  The woman appeared to be dressed like any other citizen of the city except for her military style vest and the scoped rifle she carried. And it just did.  She appeared to be holding her left side where blood seeped through her jacket.

“W-what is going on here?  Who are you?” I stammered out, unsure of which part of the room to retreat to.

“I take it this is your first time meeting one of them up close?” the policeman asked.  His riot control armor had the white “Police” label scratched off and there was a bright blue strip of cloth tied around the officer’s left arm.  A winter uniform cap covered the man’s head but it was missing the seal of the city police as well.  “I thought they would be taller when I first heard, but they are still quite a sight, yes?”  I nodded.  Thankfully, I began to calm down as I remembered that this group would like to remain hidden just as much as me.  “Now then, if everyone is done frightening you, can you tell us your name?”

“I’m Vanko, I go to school at the capital university but I came to observe the protests.  You’re not going to arrest me are you?”

The officer scoffed.  “No, no.  You don’t have to worry about that.  I am, or rather, I was Officer Gregori Yanchak and these are my associates.” He gestured to the others in the room.  “The big one you met on your way in is Nikola.”  The grey and black werewolf flashed his pointed teeth in what I supposed was a grin but it came off as more of a threat to me.  The other male wolf walked closed to me and extended a paw for me to nervously shake.

“Danya.” he said.  His light grey coat and lean build made him just a bit larger than me but he was only taller by a few centimeters.

“This is my sister, Jasna,” Officer Yanchak continued as the white female wolf shook my hand. “And the woman behind you is Agent Olivia Halifax.”  The woman nodded politely but the signs of pain on her face were easy to catch.  I cautiously approached her to inspect her wound once the introductions had concluded.

“Let me take a look at that,” I said as Agent Halifax reluctantly obliged. “I’m a medical student and I might be able to help.”

“Thank you,” she said. “We were about to treat it when you came in.”  Her Serbian had a slight English accent but fortunately she was still understandable.  She handed me the first aid kit she had prepared and with a little help we were able to see her injury.

“It looks like a gunshot wound but luckily it’s more of a graze,” I said as I bandaged her with clean gauze.  She winced slightly as I finished my work. “Well, a serious graze.  Sorry.”

She gingerly donned her gear again and smirked.  “Yes, things like that tend to happen when you stage a jailbreak.”

Officer Yanchak was quick to elaborate, explaining how he and Agent Halifax worked together in their daring action.  “My sister was taken from me when the authorities learned what she had become.  It was like it was in America and they arrested her quickly.  I feared for both our lives and suspected they would bring me in too.  Fortunately, no one in the department office was aware of my connection to Jasna until I strolled in to work.”

“He found the three of them locked up along with a few more wolves,” Agent Halifax said. “I was on my way to an interrogation when the mad bastard showed up.  A few smoke grenades and unlocked cells later, the wolves were loose and so was I.”

“I outfitted myself in the armory before someone saw me.  When someone entered to check on me, I hit him in the head with a riot baton and was forced to rush my plan.” Officer Yanchak said.  “In the confusion, my former colleagues lost control of the department and I was able to spend a few moments with Jasna.”

I listened intently; almost shocked that something like this could happen in our capital.  It was normally a peaceful city but hearing the officer’s story convinced me that this had changed.  If only I knew how much more everything would change that day.

Nikola spoke up for the first time since he let me go to weigh in.  “I was the only natural born wolf there and it was obvious the others had only been gifted recently.” he said. “When the police tried to retake the building, they thought they could fight them head-on.”  He shook his head sadly.

“Officer Yanchak knew a way out and we escaped before the door could be secured.” Agent Halifax said. “I retrieved my gear from the evidence room, ignoring the wound I suffered in capturing the department.  I told the surviving wolves and Gregori what I was doing in the city and they agreed to follow me to the bus depot.”

“What’s at the bus depot?” I asked.

“It’s a refuge center,” the agent replied. “A safe zone set up by fledgling rebels.  My employers and a few protest leaders knew it was only a matter of time before things got worse.  It’s a bit of a long story but all that matters is that in a few hours it will be the last safe place for people like them in the city.”

I looked at the werewolves.  Before a week ago I would have dismissed their existence as fantasy.  It was startling how much could happen in a week.

“She’s right,” Nikola growled. “If the uproar out there is anything to go on, we don’t have much time.  We can talk later but right now we need to move.”

We all agreed and prepared to make our way outside again.  I offered to carry Agent Halifax’s small backpack to spare her the trouble.  She thanked me by placing the bag on my back and a pistol in my hand.

“It’s getting worse out there and I don’t see any claws or fangs on you.” she said curtly.  Before I could object or tell her I’d never used one she added, “The safety is right here and there’s a round in the chamber already.  Watch where you point it, take the safety off and squeeze the trigger.  Easy, right?”

“If you two are ready, please lead the way Ms. Halifax.” Danya said.

All I could remember as we walked upstairs and out to the streets was thinking one thing.  None of us are ready.  Especially not me.

…

The main streets were crawling with police and angry rioters by the time we emerged again.  True lines had yet to be established and both sides seemed to be holding back.  Policemen in armor similar to Officer Yanchak fled from the debris thrown at them by the crowd.  They regrouped at a wall of their comrades formed by dozens upon dozens of metal riot shields.  Their gas masks and protective helmets spared them from any serious injuries but I sensed a building anger in the air.  Or perhaps it was just the tear gas.

Nikola’s nose kept us from being exposed to any high concentrations of gas or from running directly into more police.  More than once he halted us before we could be spotted by squads of regrouping officers.  We moved as quickly and quietly as we could until we came to the city park.  A mass of riot cops stared down a mob made up of normal protestors and a surprising number of werewolves.

“The depot’s on the other side of the park.” Agent Halifax said.  I gazed down into the park at where the police’s line of shields stood.  They were parked on top of a low hill littered with trash and drying winter grass while the civilians seemed to be preparing something.

“We have to go through that?” I asked nervously.

“It will be safer to skirt around the back edge of the civilians’ side.” Danya said. “Let’s just hope nothing happens…” His deep, lupine voice trailed off as every werewolf in the crowd sprinted across the open land and charged the hill.  The police lobbed gas grenades their way but the dozens of werewolves were not even slowed.  Officers armed with shotguns peeked over the shield wall to repel the wave with gunfire but they found little success.  Even from my distance I could see their forms reaching the metal shields and clashing with police in a brutal melee.  The werewolves appeared to snatch the shields from their adversaries and fling them back down the hill.  Most riot cops caught on to their tactic and seemed to surrender their shields without much struggle but this was only after they saw two or three of their fellows resist.  As I would later learn, the police’s shields have two handles so the user can grab one and hook their arm through the other.  Of course, if someone is still firmly attached to their shield when a wolf tosses it, severe bodily injury is likely to occur.

“Go now!” Officer Yanchak advised.  Our small group obeyed and we made our way behind the civilian lines.  As we crossed I saw a second wave of werewolves advance on the police carrying lit Molotov cocktails in their paws.  By the time the first wave had taken as many shields as they could, the second arrived to hurl the volatile bottles and cover their friends’ retreat.  I held my jacket over my mouth to avoid the traces of tear gas still in the air but I was thankful it didn’t take long to reach the other side of the park.

“Everyone is here.” Danya said happily. “And it looks like we aren’t doing too badly.” He motioned to the cheering crowd who brandished their newly acquired shields proudly.  Howls rang out and I couldn’t help but show a small grin.  The crowd readied themselves to attack again now that they had protective shields and had tested the brute strength of their werewolves.  Despite our need for haste we all watched in fascination as the brawl began again.  Everyone that is, except for Agent Halifax.

“Citizens disperse!” said a voice on a police megaphone. “Lethal force will be authorized!  This is your final warning!”

Wolves and humans with shields advanced in a loose formation.  Beanbag rounds popped and hammered the metal shields but the rioters continued.  Agent Halifax raised her rifle to her shoulder and peered through the scope.  She muttered to herself in English, damaging my optimism by the second.  I found it curious how the riot cops held their ground despite the loss of their shields.  It appeared as if they were willing to use their own bodies to form a wall but in a matter of minutes we realized that they were merely hiding something terrible.

Bright flashes accompanied by deafening booms marked the hill just before the crowd.  More of these non-lethal grenades rained down on the civilians as they retaliated with more rocks and Molotovs.  The small objects were trampled underfoot but as soon as they went off the crowd faltered.  I saw small puffs of a dirty green smoke rise from the mass of protestors as the both wolves and people clutched their arms over their faces.  Agent Halifax whispered more English to herself as the scene unfolded.  I recognized a few curses and swears from English television but once the gunshots rang out, none of us needed any translation.

Jasna had remained silent since we left the basement but at this sight, she finally spoke.  “No!  What are they doing?!  They can’t!” she cried. “It’s…  It’s…”

“Inhumane?” Agent Halifax finished.  Jasna seemed unsure of how to respond.

Danya and Nikola growled and the younger werewolf bared his fangs.  He dug his grey hindpaws into the dirt but before he could race to the protestors’ aid Agent Halifax grabbed his thick mane and pulled sharply.  The young wolf snarled at her but a slap to the top of his muzzle ended that.

“Don’t ever-” Danya began.

“I’m saving your life!” the agent snapped back. “You wouldn’t fare any better than those poor bastards down there!”

“Those ‘poor bastards’ need our help!  You’re holding a damn sniper rifle and you aren’t doing shit to save them!” Danya said.  He made a motion for the weapon but Agent Halifax pulled it back and brought her boot down on his digitigrade foot.  He was rather vocal about that.
“Calm down!  That’ll heal but any wound caused by what they’re using now sure as hell won’t.”

Officer Yanchak and Nikola stepped in to separate the two before either of them made things worse.  “What are you talking about?  What are they using?” the policeman asked.

“The flashes we saw were Sensory Deprivation Grenades, one of many devices, gadgets and weapons specially designed to defeat werewolves.” Agent Halifax replied.

“That’s impossible,” Jasna said. “The government has only known about werewolves for a little over a week.  They can’t have weapons just for wolves so quickly, can they?”

“Your government didn’t make them.  They are products of the Cascadia Arms Corporation.  They’ve been involved with this kind of tech for years and spent just as long fighting in the shadows.  How do you think the Americans struck their werewolf population so quickly?”

“You’re saying someone knew about my kind?” Nikola asked.

“Many people did.  Members of my organization tried to protect these secrets and we have even divulged information to a limited number of normal humans like my contacts at the depot.  These people wanted to do good things with the secret.  Cascadia doesn’t.” Agent Halifax explained. “Their crowning achievement is a metal they call the ‘silver alternative’ or ‘silvalt’.  They created it to counter werewolves’ rapid healing and recovery abilities.  Any wound caused by silvalt won’t heal as quickly, if it ever does at all.”

“And you didn’t think to mention any of this sooner!?” Danya raised his voice but kept his distance.

Agent Halifax held her ground.  “Look, I could tell you more and explain my reasons but all that matters now is that I’ve confirmed Cascadia’s presence in the capital.  Every minute we stand here talking, more bullets, grenades, gasses, and God knows what else are finding their way into the hands of our enemies.  Cascadia’s been planning this day for a long time and they see this crisis as a war.  Right now we’re on the frontlines and they’re shooting to kill.”

“But you’re not.  You’re holding a gun and they’re right there!” Danya insisted.

“And I would like nothing more than to take aim and make a difference,” the agent said without flinching. “But the ugly truth of the matter is that I won’t make a difference.  Not from here.  Not with the amount of ammo I have.” We all exchanged looks. “Every shot has to count for something and I’m afraid I can’t do that here.  There’s too many of them and my bullets will be of greater use somewhere else.  It’s too late to save those in the park but if we shut up and move now, we may be able to save those at the depot.”

We left the park without another word, unsure of how to handle what the agent said.  It was all so much for someone to process.  The faces of my companions told me they were as conflicted as I was.  Nikola and Danya sniffed the air more as their fur stood on end.  I was under the impression that werewolves were nearly invincible and I suspected they believed it too.  I couldn’t imagine how hearing they were as vulnerable as the rest of us made them feel.  All I knew was that Officer Yanchak kept his sister much closer as we progressed into the city.

…

Transmission error...
Cascadia Citizens Watch Suppression Program Detected... Please proceed to Part 2 for second half of the story.