[ Kitty Hawk ]
Jade stared in frozen terror as the creature lunged towards Thiago, barley able to hear the fisherman's words to the monster. The harpoon rifle rocketed a harpoon towards the attacking Deathjaw while making a small blast of steam. The beast had titled it's head to get a better bite on Thiago. Unfortunately for it, the harpoon pierced the monster's eye, burying it's self in the tissue behind the socket.
The Deathjaw stumbled in it's charge, careening past Thiago before crashing against a building behind him. Shaking it's massive head, the creature let out a hiss of agony. Salt water and blood trickled from it's mouth.
"You better get your ass moving Jade, if this doesn't kill it, it’s gonna be so pissed off,” with that said, Thiago put the gun strap over his head and pulled out a large hunting knife from within his coat and got ready to go down fighting.Jade had painfully made it to her feet, leaving a small pool of crimson liquid on the street where she had been. She placed her hand on Thaigo's shoulder. The rising winds were blowing her hair into her face. The storm approached ominously.
"We have to get out of here, Thiago!" she pleaded, her gaze shifting back and forth between the bandits and the Deathjaws. The second beast had rushed a nearby bandit, and was currently devouring him. Gunfire echoed through the streets of Kitty Hawk.
Bad Bill, a Stumpy Point veteran spotted the two of them. A bullet whizzed past Thiago's head and planted it's self deep into the concrete behind him. The young woman made a quick decision, and took hold of Thiago's wrist.
"This way." she said in a tone that struggled to hide her fear. The two rounded the structure and sprinted down the dirty street. Behind them, the corner near which they had been standing exploded with magnum rounds. Debris clattered to the street and dust filled the air. Screams were heard form the street near the East Gate, followed by a rumbling growl.
Behind Thiago and Jade, the Deathjaw suddenly rounded the corner as well. It let out a rumbling hiss, then began running down the two of them. It's claws left gouges in the street as it's legs propelled it forward. The harpoon bounced and wobbled as it stuck from the bounding monster's skull, no doubt inflicting further damage. Just as the beast neared the fleeing humans, it stumbled, rolled, and then lay dead in the street. Salt water flooded out from the creature's gills. The sounds of battle continued to echo from near the East Gate.
Jade glanced back at the dead monstrosity they had eluded as her rifle smacked against her back. Her bullet wound burned fiercely, and the sprint had caused it to start bleeding again.
"Thiago..." the girl said in a meek voice, her sprint slowing to a jog.
" I... I'm not feeling well." And she was not well. The bullet had knicked an important artery. She had lost too much blood. This alone was bad enough, but the situation quickly became worse.
The second Deathjaw rounded the corner while swallowing the remains of an unfortunate Wolf. The creature snapped it's jaws savagely, sending the bloody flak jacket smacking against a wall nearby. Lifting it's head high into the air, it's gills smelled the fresh blood of wounded prey.
Turning it's pointed head sideways, the Deathjaw watched Thiago and Jade flee for a few seconds. Then, like the first beast, it began it's pursuit. Jade stopped and raised her hunting rifle with her uninjured left arm.
"Keep going. The cavalry will get... here soon." The young woman said to the fisherman, struggling to keep her eyes open. The beast gained speed, barreling towards the two while snapping it's jaws.
[ Manteo Mansion, Control Room ]
Marilyn stared observantly into the monitors. A lock of her blonde curls fell from her shoulder and swayed lazily below her chin. She gazed at the fuzzy image of foreign power armor, her mind swimming with questions. Then, for a moment, she thought a ringing had began in her ears. As she turned to verify the source of the noise, Angel looked pale and weak. She swayed on her feet.
"Chau, help her!" Marilyn barked from the control station. A shorter Wolf with untamed hair and a distant look in his eyes approached Angel silently, standing in a way that would allow him to easily catch her if she fainted, or allow him to quickly support her if she reached for him.
Another Wolf opened the vintage refrigerator, tossing an Ice Cold Nuka Cola across the room. Chau snatched it skillfully out of the air, cracked the cap off of it, and handed it to Angel without a word. One of the guards looked at Angel with unmasked disgust, unflattering thoughts flowed from his mind.
"Jorgon. Get out.""Wha..? Lady Marilyn..." the guard returned.
"Get the hell out!" she hissed.
The guard nodded and exited the panic room quickly.
"Leave the door open!" Marilyn called after him. Stepping off of the control station platform, she walked to Angel and Chau.
"Angel, I'm going to greet the group of warriors Ghost has brought to the Mansion." She had assumed Angel's behavior was from normal over-exertion.
"Perhaps you should rest here. Chau, stay by her side." she said in a flat tone. The Wolf with the spooky eyes nodded. Marilyn turned back to Angel, giving her a warm smile.
"When you feel up to it, I could really use your help with these strangers, Angel. When you feel better, please join me and our guests in the grand hall." The woman said, squeezing Angel's empty hand.
Marilyn turned and exited the room. The two remaining guards followed her out. Chau turned to face Angel, his long hair hanging in front of his blank eyes.
"What is wrong?" As an afterthought, he added.
"What else do you need?"[ Carolina Wetlands ]
A couple of Noose Weavers hung from sticky, rope-like webbing that had been criss-crossed along three trees. The had lowered a series of noose-like threads below them, waiting for the next creature to pass by.
A human made his way down the muddy path, walking in an odd manner. The arachnids froze, studying the strange man with an unknown intelligence. He yelled at the shell of a rad beetle the spiders had fed on day ago. He then kicked the dead beetle, sending it bouncing down the muddy path.
Whether it was instinct or not, the venomous mutants drew their thread up into the trees. Wrapping the silken traps skillfully between their hairy legs, the spiders kept perfectly still while Paxton passed underneath. Something seemed to tell them that they didn't want to catch this one.
[ Wright Brothers Monument, Kill Devil ]
"Sir, we may have spotted Rachel Seth. A woman and four soldiers are traveling in wolven clothing. They are heavily armed and have surrounded themselves with the Kitty Hawk refugees." A pale Wolf said from his chair. The computer and monitors infront of him dimmed momentarily.
"We are not going to attack her, Gabriel. She's in the company of women and children. Allow them to pass, and dipatch a team to "escort" the displaced people of Kitty Hawk south. Detour them all to Nag. Keep me informed." Darwin replied from the back of the room. The illuminated lenses of his mask seemed unnaturally bright in the dim lighting.
"As you wish." Gabriel replied, pressing a button on his keyboard and repeating the order to the First Flight Airbase. Darwin typed a few keys himself with his power gauntlet, then exited the room through a set of double doors.
As he walked down the hall, two armed Wolves appeared from nearby posts. They walked silently behind their leader, guns in hand. As he descended the stairs, a Wolf handed him a water bottle. Darwin held it to his helmet as he walked. A small tube extended and quickly drained the water. Dropping the bottle into a trash can, Darwin turned to one of his escorts.
"Amelia, get the meeting room powered. Prepare for a radio broadcast, use the emergency code to override any interfering signals. I wish to speak to the Wolves." The Wolf nodded, then jogged down an adjacent hallway.
"Sir." A Wolf sprting a jumpsuit said as he approached.
"Ferren." Darwin's helmet responded it in it's distorted tone.
"Reinforcements have arrived in Kitty Hawk." Ferren informed.
[ Kill Devil, City Limits ]
The people who had fled Kitty Hawk approached Kill Devil City limits. Before the refugees stood a group of twenty-four Wolven soldiers. One of them, and man called Grizzly, stepped forward.
"You're safe now, folks. We are going to escort you all to Nag, where medical services, temporary housing, and plenty of food are waiting for us. Follow me, people." Grizzly said.
The displaced people of Kitty Hawk here escorted through the streets of Kill Devil. The sounds of mobilization and mechanical howls carried over from the First Flight Airport. The town had been converted into a military settlement of sorts, sporting the towering Wright Brother Monument as well as the Airbase in which most of the troops and equipment were stationed.
The young boy, Zeke, gave a sage look to Shady.
"See? Told you the strong guys were here. We're out of danger now, mister." he concluded. His companion, however, was focused on something else. Zeus the dog was watching Rachel Seth and her disguised thugs walk behind Shady and Zeke. He did not like the smell of these newcomers.
He began to lead the weary mob through the streets of Kill Devil and south towards Nag. His team spread out, with six of them guarding the rear of the group. And keeping a close eye on Rachel Seth and her armed bodyguards.
[ Manteo Mansion, Grand Hall ]
As Ghost was observing the strangers exchange and cracking his neck, his gaze quickly shifted to the top of the grand staircase. He was followed by the reaming soldiers in Ghost Team.
Marilyn began to descend the staircase, a guard on both sides. Her purple dress caressed the stairs as she pass over them, and her blonde curls danced around her shoulders. The garment reflected the mansion's lighting eloquently, adding a smooth texture and dimension to her naturally luscious curves. It also did a fine job of glorifying her bosom. The woman reached the bottom of the staircase, with the guard at the foot of the stairs grasping her purple glove to steady her descent.
As she approached the group standing in the grand hall, her escorts tightened their grip on their weapons. The remaining members of Ghost Team bowed their heads in respect. Ghost did the same. Anubis gave Frederick a light elbow.
"Bow your head, cud." he hissed under his breath while hanging his own head.
"Ghost Team, Anubis. Good to see you all. And who are our guests?" she asked, giving William & Co. a warm smile. Her gaze drifted to Frederick for an instant, then back to the power armored strangers.
[ The Pier, Nag ]
A figure emerged from a ruin near the pier. The man approached Grandma, retrieving a piece of cloth from his pocket. He wore sun glasses and a tattered coat. He did not look like a Wolf. Thunder rumbled in the distance.
"I was told I could find "Grandma" here. Yah fit the description. I was asked tah give you this by a... mutant. ...in tha swamp. He gave me a hundred caps to deliver it, and said you would give me another bonus 'pon delivery to keep mah mouth shut." The contracted messenger said in a scratchy voice. He stood by as the old woman took the cloth, awaiting some form of payment. The waves crashed against the pier's ancient supports below.
On the cloth a message had been written, most likely from Rad Beetle guts mixed with muck.
"Mumma. Tahmorow, nort3rn Cove." it read.
[ Manteo Docks, Roanoke Island ]
The guards on the docks barley noticed Boat Eleven arrive. Only one of them studied the vessel as it rubbed the dock. He did not move from his post, but kept his eyes trained on Zoller. Zoller gave a nonchalant look in return, and the guard seemed to lose interest. The Manteo Docks were bustling with fisherman and workers securing boats. A group of men heaved a heavy crate from one vessel and struggled to carry it into the city.
The docks had two layers, capable of docking watercraft both large and small. Wooden ladders rose from the bottom level seemingly at random. A third level sat near the shore, supporting three buildings. One of these was a guard house, one a temporary warehouse, and one a bar. Even in the afternoon, the bar expelled the smell of fresh food and alcohol. Music could be heard from inside. A ramp ran from the far side of this third level down to the shore, ending beside the dock's end. A wide path ran from the docks to the Manteo City gate. The gate was currently open, it's rusty metal door hanging ominously in the air.
"Easy!" A Wolf guard yelled to the operator of a large fishing boat. The vessel hit the docks with a bit too much speed, causing several of the Wolves to lose balance and a section of the dock to sway lazily in the salt water.
Normally, the dock guards would have spotted Zoller fumbling to properly secure the vessel. On this busy afternoon, however, no guards noticed. A Wolf carrying a fishing net paused as Zoller rose from the tether hook, eyeing him suspiciously. The Wolf was probably in his late thirties, sporting a coarse beard.
"Boat Eleven, huh? Where's Tillbert?"[ South of Manteo City, Roanoke Island ]
Alphonso's blade was shoved through Jive's torso, just below his ribs. The Wolf clutched Alphonso's power gauntlets, allowing his assault rifle to fall to the ground below. Blood dripped heavily onto the dirt beside the weapon. The Wolf gasped heavily, his words lost in a gurgle as bloody bubbles formed from inside the wound.
"Jive!" Ding-Ding screamed from beneath the Deathclaw, reaching his hand out in a futile struggle to aid his brother. His eyes were watery with frustration, fear, and horror.
"You motherfucker!" he yelled at Alphonso, breathing heavily.
"It would be wise if you didn't move, dog." One of the power armored soldiers advised Ding-Ding.
"Go to hell!" the Wolf replied as the others held him down and confiscated his shotgun. He was yanked to his feet and held with his hands behind his back. A few yards away, Jive collapsed as Alphonso removed the blade. Precious red liquid flowed out onto the sandy dirt as Jive slowly died. Ding-Ding watched in new-found silence, his lower lip quivering.