Chapter 1
Chapter 7
The week move much slower than was anticipated by Dylan as he sat typing away at his computer. Dylan had failed to document his observation of the makeshift lab at the apartments. It had been a little over a week, but the office was still a buzz with gossip of what really happened. To it being some government conspiracy to literal aliens trying to replicate and mass produce hunters for their nefarious plans, the speculations were all over the place, some more outlandish than others.
Dylan couldnât care less about the rumors as he was typing his report up for the board to read over. Not really having much luck finding the right words or the right tone, Dylan had revised his report eight times trying to make it sound professional yet be extremely vague about the one question that every board member was going to be asking. The board, although effective, cares little about the process but, instead, cares much more for the results of an operation, and Dylan had to make his case as to why the operation was more of a success rather than a total failure. Heaving a sigh, Dylan was starting to view the report and his observations pointless as he started to delete what he had yet again.
âWhatâs wrong? Paperwork getting you down,â a familiar voice whispers behind Dylan, âItâs not like youâre running into a burning building. No need for it to get you down~.â
Alexie leaned in to look over the mess of a report that Dylan was trying to type. She furrowed her brow in concern and confusion as she scanned over what wasnât erased. The tone was off as if Dylan was trying to type a lie that he, himself, didnât believe in.
âAre you looking for the board to be against you on this? Itâs like you donât believe in what youâre selling. Hmm? Let me think,â Alexie straightened herself, closed her eyes, and folded her arms trying to think.
Dylan couldnât help how adorable she was when lost in thought. Dylanâs also became lost in thought as his mind wandered to more suggestive thoughts.
âAha,â Alexie snapped her fingers in revelation bring both of them back to reality, âYou could try adding some interesting findings that you may have saw or go into greater detail of certain aspects of the operation, like how you took down a gaggle of goon that ambushed you, or you could add what you say before the apartment exploded. You were the first one on scene.â
Alexie was the only person Dylan trusted not to expose him for being the initial person on scene and was able to poke around the apartment before having to call in the big guns. If everyone knew it was him, he would have been surrounded and bombarded with question after question he wouldnât, or couldnât, have known. Although Alexie did have her own questions about the events, she kept them to herself as Dylan tried to sort out all the info that laid mentally before him.
âA gaggle,â Dylan chuckled as he couldnât help but be charmed by Alexieâs overactive imagination, âIt was one guy, but youâre first idea isnât bad. I can write it so the report can confirm that it was a grow station. These hunters are being manufactured and not the product of a genetic faux pas. Thank you. Alexie.â
âNo problem,â Alexie beamed a smile at Dylan, " Hopefully the board will be able to see that this is a genuine threat."
âWhatâs a genuine threat,â a sweet-sounding voice asked behind the two, âHopefully itâs not too dangerous.â
Both turned around to see a stalker type fluffy sitting patiently for one of them to answer. Her pink lemonade coat shimmered in the light as if it were sparkling. Her golden yellow mane and tail with specks of white added a regal effect to her, her feather tips of her wings looked as they were dipped in the same color as her mane and tail, and her rich amethyst eyes puts any gemstone to shame.
Dylan addressed her question, âThe hunters that Stryker and I encountered in the apartments, and the fact that the hunter epidemic may be the result of an outside influence rather than environmental stimuli.â
The pink stalker tilted her head towards Alexie who had began giggling at Dylan for trying to explain the situation with a larger vocabulary than what the stalker is used to. Dylan looked at her with a confused look and back to the stalker, who had no ideas what Dylan was talking about.
Alexie, after finishing her giggle spell, explained, âAnnabelle isnât used to the big words you used. I may have been treating her more like a fluffy than I originally thought. Does Styker know what you would have said?â
âYes. He has a more expansive vocabulary compared to others. He is bound to rival me one day,â Dylan half joke as he turned his attention back to Annabelle, âThe hunter we fought in the apartments were made by someone and not just appearing naturally.â
Annabelle, nodding that she understood, looked over at Alexie with accusatory eyes, âWhy did you make me dumb? I want to be smart like Stryker.â
Annabelleâs remark stabbed into Alexie with such force it left her speechless. Dylan, after having the laughter escape him, nodded in approval to Annabelleâs request for the pursuit of more knowledge.
âIâm sure either Stryker or I could teach you since mama Alexie failed at her job,â Dylan teased as he ran his hand through Annabelleâs mane.
âHumph! You really know how to hurt me, Dylan,â Alexie sulked, âMaybe I wanted to, but she wasnât interested at the time.â
Dylan playfully ignored Alexieâs excuse as he continued to run his hand through Annabelleâs mane putting Annabelle in a hypnotic state. Dylan, himself, found it nice not having to fight around a horn like he had to with Stryker.
âMaybe we can get together sometime and have a study date. Stryker can teach Annabelle what he knows, and we can fill in the rest that they both donât know. How does that sound,â Dylan offered.
Alexie thought over it for a minute. A smile crept over her face giving her away before she even could say anything.
âAre you asking me on a date,â she asked in a playful yet flirty tone.
Dylanâs face went red as he didnât even think through how his offer may have been interpreted. Alexie couldnât help but laugh as Dylan, flustered, tried to come up with any response but coming up short of anything coherent which caused more laughter to erupt from Alexie. After she recovered from the laughter and wiping away the tears, she picked up a pen and a stick note, and began to write her number. Once she finished it with a little heart at the end, she stuck the note on Dylanâs forehead while he was still trying to recover from the verbal checkmate dealt by Alexie.
âCome now, Annabelle. Letâs leave Dylan alone,â Alexie softly patted Annabelleâs side, âI think heâs in outer space right now.â
âOk. Will he be ok? He doesnât look good,â Annabelle concern made Alexie feel proud of her for being so caring.
âOf course, sweetie. Itâll take a little bit for him to come back down, but heâll be good as new.â
âDo you plan on taking him up on his offer? He seems nice and Iâd like to see Stryker more,â Annabelle looked down as if trying to hide her intentions.
âThat is up to Dylan now. Does my sweet Annabelle have a crush on Stryker,â Alexie asked with a motherly tone rather than the playful one she used against Dylan.
Annabelle, if not for her coat, would have shown her turn a cherry red. She hung her head even further where she was almost dragging the ground. Her ears folded back flat against her head. Back at her desk, Alexie cupped her hands around Annabelleâs muzzle and gently lifted her head so their eyes would meet. She rubbed the side of Annabelleâs face with her thumb.
âItâs natural to have an attraction to someone you like, Anna,â Alexieâs motherly voice did bring comfort to Annabelle, âSo donât be ashamed of who you like. I know these feelings are confusing right now, but you should never be ashamed of them.â
Annabelle leaned into Alexie, nuzzling her forearm, âI wonât mama.â
Having recovered from his trip to Saturn and finished typing his report, Dylan made his way to the boardroom trying his hardest not get nervous but failing as he opened the door to an oval oak table with men and women staring at him as if he just committed a crime.
Tohr, thankfully, hadnât made it in yet as Dylan headed copies of his report to the board members. The three seats at the head of the oval desk were left vacant as Dylan passed by them. He left a copy of the report on the three vacant spot and continued passing out the stack of papers. Once finished, Dylan took his seat to the left of the podium as Tohr came in with the same accusatory stares that Dylan was welcome too.
Tohr had a cold demeanor about him as if he knew what to expect. Following the same route as Dylan, Tohr passed his report to everyone and took his seat to the right of the podium. It wasnât long before the side entrance doors opened to reveal the occupants of the vacant spots which caught both Tohr and Dylan by surprise. Dylan was no longer nervous as he was now terrified of the seriousness this meeting now held. Tohrâs cold mannerism also turned to a cold fear as the guest took their seats at the head of the table.
On the left was police chief Mark Harcove; a rugged man with a hardened expression with a no nonsense kind of attitude. On the right was CEO of Hasbio, Miss Warren Spingler, herself, that had a look of determination and defiance as she readied herself for the action report. Front and center was none other than the Governor Dedrick Thompson, one of the classier politicians that love to help his constituents, which was rare in politics, and ever ready to tackle any task. He was flank by two of his advisors. His financial advisor, to his left, was a portly man with unkempt hair as he scribbled down as many notes as he could. The Governorâs public relations advisor, on his right, was a lengthy woman with tired eyes and sunken cheeks. Her appearance showed sign of fatigue, but she looked as though she was ready to get this over with.
Tohr took the podium first as he nervously cleared his throat and began, âLadies and gentlemen, we are here to evaluate the failure of the response operation called upon by this agent, Agent Dylan Y-â
âWait, wait, wait,â Governor Thompson interjected, âIâm not here to listen to failure. Iâm here to find out why an apartment spontaneously exploded in this city. Your action report is nothing like this agentâs booklet here. Did you see anything BEFORE the explosion?â
Tohr remained silent for a moment, " No, sir. This is the responding agent," Tohr motioned to Dylan, âbut we have procedure to-â
Governor Thompson saved a dismissive hand, âI donât have time or patience to hear about your procedures,â the Governor point towards Dylan, âAgent Dylan, where you there on scene before the explosion?â
Dylan nodded, âYes, sir. Me and my stalker were there before the explosion following a lead on a confirmed hunter sighting.â
âThis is preposterous! Director, we canât just skip over procedures because the Governor is present,â Tohr angrily protested.
âTohr, I know you like giving orders and following procedures, but this takes precedence. Take a seat or weâll dismiss your case,â the directorâs stern yet cautionary tone was enough to put Tohr in his place.
Tohr, still fuming, found his seat and Dylan stepped up to the podium. Dylan felt a calm run over him as he readied himself for the onslaught of questions.
Dylan began, âYes, Governor Thompson, I was the responding agent in pursuit of a hunter class fluffy running rogue in the abandoned industrial district. After checking one of the factory floors, me and my stalker found a lab carved out of a few rooms of that apartment building.â
âA lab? What kind of lab,â Miss Spingler inquired as she skimmed over Dylanâs action report.
âI couldnât confirm for certain as we were compromised during our search, but I believe it was a grow station.â
âA grow station? Weed is legal in this state and can be grown for personal use. Hardly anything worth investing,â Chief Harcove huffed, âSo, why call us in?â
âThe grow station for hunter class fluffies, not weed,â Dylanâs tone pierced the whole room, even Tohr was taken aback, âThese fluffy types are being produced and sent out into the streets.â
âImpossible! Why would someone want to make these things? Arenât they extremely volatile,â Miss Spinglerâs question gain a chorus of murmurs in the room.
âThat I am unsure of, maâam,â Dylan admitted, âbut it does explain the increased sightings and reports that weâve been getting over the last month.â Dylan paused and looked at the Governor, âThere had been more reports of hunters in other cities, havenât there, Governor?â
The room got deathly silent as all eyes focused on Governor Thompson. The Governor looked around as only the creaks and pops of chairs breaking the silence.
âThatâs why youâre here, isnât it, Governor,â Dylan followed up, âOtherwise, the mayor, or some city council member would be in your spot.â
Governor Thompson let out a heavy sigh, âYou very insightful, agent. Yes, Iâm here because there have been increased reports of hunters running amok in my cities. There are more numerous reports of hunters in certain cities. About five or six a day have been reported active.â
âThen, your reports are more plausible than originally thought,â Miss Spingler shocked expression was matched by everyone in the room.
âI had originally thought this was an oddly frequent spontaneous evolution, myself,â Dylan added to his own dismay, âbut if reports are state wide, even nation wide, then it canât be natural evolution. They are being manufactured. Governor, have you heard if this is nation wide?â
âUnfortunately, no. I havenât been able to meet with any other governors because I have so many fires Iâm putting out now with our stateâs outbreak,â Governor Thompson lowered his head in shame, " I was going to have some political science major spin a tale about some evolutionary response to something to keep everyone from panicking."
âWere you able to pull any information from the lab,â Chief Harcove questioned Dylan.
âI was able to grab some paperwork that littered the desk in the lab, but we were accosted by a group of hunters sent to reinforce the scientist that was there,â Dylanâs answer sparked more murmurs amongst the group.
âWhat scientist? You have a suspect in custody, and you didnât tell us,â the chiefâs anger start the rial up the room.
âThe suspect got away from me before the hunter surrounded me and my stalker. I couldnât pursue after him,â Dylan stared right through the police chief which made him uneasy.
âSo, you let our lead escape, then,â Tohr went on the offensive after learning of Dylanâs failure, âWhy didnât you send your stalker after him? Donât think I didnât notice how you left your stalker behind as we were going to clear the apartments.â
Dylan, expecting the infamous Tohr to try and regain control for himself, shot him a fiery glare, âI didnât send my stalker after him because I didnât know if the building was booby trapped which my suspicion was correct, mind you. Besides, Iâm not about to lose my stalker, unlike you. What number âBuckâ you on again, Tohr? Twelve?â
Dylan had struck the nerve he was after as Tohr reared back as he threw his fist at Dylan in a blind rage. Dylan miraculously dodged Tohrâs cheap shot, and many of the board members and Chief Harcove rushed to restrain Tohr. The boardroom had erupted into chaos as it took several people to restrain Tohr from trying to rip Dylanâs head off his shoulders. Dylanâs coldly stared at Tohr as he was dragged out of the room to cool off. Once out, Dylan let go of the breath he didnât know he was holding and collapsed into his seat.
It took a while for everything to calm down to where the meeting could resume as most of the board members that helped Chief Harcove escort Tohr out shuffled back in. As everyone found their seats, Dylan noticed that Tohr was not returning to the meeting and could rest easy knowing someone wouldnât throw any more cheap shots in his direction.
âNow then, with that unpleasantness out of the way, does anyone know where we left off,â Miss Spingler asked looking around the room.
The financial advisor cleared his throat, âWe left off asking Agent Dylan why the suspect he found was not apprehended.â
âAh, yes. Why wasnât the suspect apprehended, agent,â the governorâs tone was cold. He wasnât in the mood for any more interruptions.
âHe deployed a few smoke grenades which covered his escape. Like I said, I had suspicion that the building was booby trapped, so I made the call not to pursue; however, he was,â Dylan paused to think of an appropriate word, âumm⌠âinjuredâ while I was trying to apprehend him.â
âWhat do you mean âinjured?â You didnât shoot the bastard, did you,â Chief Harcoveâs asked in a low, judgmental manner.
âNo. If I had, this would be a different conversation in a much more different place,â Dylan answered matter-of-factly.
âHow so?â
âWe use explosive rounds to kill hunter class and above because of their high regenerative properties. If I shot a person with the round we use, there wouldnât be much left in the area of impact.â
âSo, what youâre saying is-â
âHeâs saying that heâd be dead, Harcove. Heâd be rotting in the morgue, or being a worm buffet,â Miss Spingler annoyedly interjected, âWhat in the hell are these things made of if it requires explosives to kill?â
âIâd like to know who made them. Does Hasbio have anything to do with their production,â Governor Thompsonâs question caught Miss Spingler off guard, but she quickly recovered.
âThere was a lot my predecessor did that were off the books, so I canât rightly confirm or deny at this time, or at all for that matter. This is an extreme, even by his standards.â
âHasbio was the ones that made cannibal fluffies, so itâs within realm of possibility for your company,â Chief Harcove added, âthere had been many times my officers had to deal with a stray or a random herd on patrol.â
âWe didnât âmakeâ cannibal fluffies. They were an exceedingly rare byproduct of mass production. It was our former CEO that marketed them as a âfixâ to the feral problem, but that got us nowhere,â Miss Spingler said defensively, âI know how that turned out too. Too many idiots bought them as pets and complained to us that the cannibals ate their fluffy family or let them loose on a herd only to have the cannibal run away.â
âAs for the hunterâs, Miss Spingler,â the governor was beginning to become irritated at the many distractions from the main reason he was present.
âWe donât know. Another genetic anomaly as cannibal fluffies breed with each other,â Miss Spingler paused for a moment to think, âNo. No, that canât be it. Cannibal fluffies should have been baren or sterile. This shouldnât be right.â
âThere were many things that shouldnât be right about any of this. So, we donât know what these things are, then,â the governor lifted his eyes from his papers to Dylan.
âOur research team is trying to find out more, but they found nothing on Hasbioâs genetics database. So, they have either produced their own genetic code, or someone is giving them discard codes that wouldnât be logged and formatting that,â Dylan didnât know why he came to that conclusion. Maybe he was paying attention to Abagail a bit more than he thought.
âSo, they are growing hunters with an unregistered genetic template, great,â Miss Spingler began rubbing her temples to alleviate the stress headache that was forming.
âWhat does that mean for us, then,â Governor Thompson raised an eyebrow.
âIt means we canât trace the genetics to any certain person, mill, or entity. We are hunting blind,â Dylan pointed at Chief Harcove, âMuch like the investigation team during the Mulroy investigation. No evidence, no leads.â
Chief Harcove nodded as he knew well the predicament of that case, and he now knew the what the FRD was dealing with as a whole. Governor Thompson heaved a heavy sigh as he looked over his shoulder to his financial advisor. The advisor was scribbling so frantically that he didnât recognize that the governor has looking at him. Governor Thompson cleared his throat which drew the advisorâs face of his notes, and he stood as if at attention.
âMichael, how much of the budget do we have to assist in the FRDâs investigation and expansion?â
Everyone almost stopped breathing. Did the governor really just ask that? Expansion? Every board members were looking at each other in surprised shock as the advisor crunched the number. Within a matter of seconds, the advisor swiftly calculated the remaining budget after the âessentialâ expenditures.
Michael took a breath and cleared his throat before he spoke, âGovernor, if we cut out all of the âmiscellaneousâ expenditures, we can assist the FRD with funding up to three point eight million dollars in assets.â
Governor Thompson nodded as he did his own number crunch. âAlright. Allocate two point two million to the FRD for expansion efforts: manpower, armaments, armor, and R&D.â
The director, baffled, asked a question that was not unexpected from the governor, âAre you buying us out, governor? Are we going to be under government control, or are we working as independent contractors?â
Governor Thompson smiled as he got up from his chair, âIf your agents were able to find a source of this hunter menace and neutralize it when all otherâs fail, then you are free to work as independently as you wish,â the governor stopped at the door and looked the director straight into his eyes, âBut, if you canât deliver these people on a silver platter, then this will be a loan that you will pay off, even if I have to liquidate this entire building, you got that? Oh, and agent Dylan, try not to destroy my city in the process.â
And with that last note, Governor Thompson left the building with his advisors in tow.
