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Fortunately, my first ever Central New Year as one of the Hunted started on a Friday night, so I could attend without worrying about work. Unfortunately, I had to take my clothes I was dressing up in to work. Right now, as I started work, I knew that Javid and Salbar would be under fire from teasing from Draco, and that everyone would be mentally preparing themselves for an epic night of fun. I was working, which meant I had to mentally prepare myself for the customers.

My clothing, on the other hand, that was already prepared. What no one knew is that I had asked Abby to change my C.E.O pistol, and modify it into a completely different looking weapon. Consequently, what was sitting in my locker was a six foot staff, with three prongs at one end, and a pair of rubber grips, one with a concealed trigger. It was deactivated at the moment, but when it switched on, the prongs began to crackle with red light, as sparks of electricity passed from each prong. It did no more damage than the usual C.E.O pistol, and none but me and Abby knew about it.

I had also headed to the metal workers on Central, with the design for a helmet, and they had very helpfully made it. It was jackal shaped, and fitted comfortably over my head, so I could peer through the eye holes, which had been covered with tinted glass. My clothes themselves, I had my teleporter on my arm, my silver rune T-shirt, and black trousers. I was still wearing my combat boots. But that was all for Central New Year, not for work, and I had to slip into my long sleeved blue supermarket shirt, for eight hours.

The day was frankly boring, and I thought about my technique on capture. The first thing was Doran, he was the key person, and I had to visit two planets before I was ready for Central, neither of them Earth or Central, and one I didn't really want to go to. So the hours passed, and while I worked at a moderate rate, my mind wasn't on the job, and my boss mentioned at lunch time I seemed to be on another planet.I told her I was, which she didn't find amusing, but if I had been concentrating, would have had me in hysterics.

But apart from that, it was quiet. I took all my gear up after I had clocked out at three, and teleported to Central. Then before any glowers came to me, I teleported again.

Covington was in an office at the old HQ, writing some notes, and he looked up as I arrived.

"Ah, Alduin, how can I help you?"

"Ah, Covington, just the man I was looking for. Do you have one of those sleeping bombs I carried when we were fighting?"

"Of course. You can have access to the whole armoury if you want. We specially designed a nuke you could carry."

"Tempting offer, but I intend to send someone to sleep, not obliterate them. Can I keep a raincheck on it?"

"Mate, you can keep a raincheck on anything you want." the wolf smiled.

He found me a sleeping bomb, and I put it carefully in my backpack.

"You going to tell me why?"

"We have a special game on Central every six months, and I may have need for it." I smiled. Covington looked interested.

"Do you mind if I see this game?"

"Certainly not. You can see your colonel in action."

"Javid's in this game too? Can I join in?"

"Afraid not." I replied, feeling for him after his excitement rose. He took my hand, and I teleported him.

We arrived on Central, and a glower turned up.

"Alduin, what were you doing?"

"I'm collecting a few things for the Scouter's ball. Covington said he wanted to see Javid. Could you do me a favour, take him to our quarters while I collect the other thing I'm after?"

"You are rushing around today,aren't you?"the glower replied," But of course Central New Year is important to the Scouts, so I'm not surprised you are busy, everyone else is, it's just you are one of a few that keeps planet hopping."

"That is not a surprise. I plan to have a few tricks up my sleeve."

"You have big sleeves, Alduin." Covington said, and even the glower chuckled. I teleported.

I arrived on the same street as I had before, although this time there wasn't a car coming directly for us. I hailed one going the other way, and the hovering car slid to a halt.

"Can I help you?" the car asked.

"Yes, I'm looking for the scientist who calibrated my DNA, I want to ask him something."

"Ah, you are one of the organic creatures we heard of. You made big news around the planet. If you get in, I'll take you to him."

"That won't be necessary, I can follow you." I said, changing into my Lightning form.

"So you enjoy the abilities?"

"It's certainly made things...different." I replied tactfully.

I roared behind him as he drove past a myriad of buildings, and finally we came to one, and I hovered in. The gold scientist was working on some chemicals when I hovered in, and he looked at me.I changed, and he clapped his hands in delight.

"Ah, how are you? How is the DNA?"

"Both are excellent."I enthused," but I was wondering if I can borrow a special toy you used on us last time we were here."

"Certainly, what was it?" the scientist got off his chair.I told him, and he smiled.

"Nothing simpler." He reached to his belt, and took out a football sized cylinder, with a pin. This was a transformer sized grenade, except it didn't blow things up. I thanked him for his time, and teleported.

I arrived on Central, both football sized object and sleeping bomb in my bag. I got my mask on, placed rifle and Eryx across my shoulder, and held my pulse rod in my hand as I walked down the corridors. After ten minutes, I found our quarters, and entered.

Javid and Salbar were in the main room, looking slightly worried. Draco and Devlin were smiling, and explaining last year's Hunt. Simba was merely in a chair, listening.

"What ever they are saying about me, it's a lie." I said, and everyone looked.

"Is that you, Alduin?"

"Nice costume." Devlin added to his cousin's query."What's it meant to be?"

"A character from a movie I watched."I replied."And the prop is more than a prop." I levelled the staff at the wall, and fired a one setting burst.

"Hah, modified C.E.O pistol, it suits you. What about the Hunt itself?"

"Oh, I've got a few things in store."I replied, grinning.The two newcomers looked at each other, and Javid crossed themselves. Covington wasn't there.

"Where's the glower?" I asked Devlin.

"Which one?"

"The one bringing a certain member of...never mind."I replied, realising that mentioning Covington was here would only up Javid's nerves.

It was five o'clock now, seven was when we would go, eight start banquet, nine stop feasting, ten begins the hunt. Five hours, and I knew the waiting was agonizing between the Hunted. I had spent the last couple of days at work, so I knew nothing about what had happened, or who the known Hunted were. Of course I knew who some of the Hunted were.Alex, Takori, Javid and Salbar to name four.Oh, and Ryan, although he seemed to have developed stage fright, and wasn't with us.

I removed my mask for the time being, and brought out a pack of cards. Salbar and Javid were intensely keen to get involved, anything to pass the time, so I showed them how to play Shogun. I am well aware that there a dozens of names for Shogun (Scum, Princes and Paupers,etc), but I called it Shogun. I got a joker first hand, and that really set the tone for the entire game, as I ran riot over my comrades.Draco ended up with a poor hand, and he ended up in the Scum position. Devlin was at my side as Second Shogun, and as he had every reason to try and topple me, he gave his all to take the crown. Only once in eight rounds did I lose the crown, and that was to the then Neutral Salbar as he had a joker and four aces.

So six o'clock started with the end of the game, and everyone started getting ready. I was already in my clothes, all that I needed was to put on the mask. My compatriots were not so prepared, and it was half an hour before Simba came out. He was dressed in very delicate silk clothes, he never Hunted. Draco and Devlin came out, identically dressed, and still with no top half clothing. Javid came out ten minutes later, resplendid in his army uniform. Salbar came out wearing naught but a pair of shorts and a light shirt, both were in their most comfortable clothes for running. Of course they still had their weapons, but both had ditched their Central belts, all their equipment etc. I placed aside my Eryx and rifle, needing neither, and at ten to seven we walked out the door. I now had my mask on, and I walked with the staff clicking on the steel floor eerily.

Outside was the three foxy brothers. Alecto had his diamond coronet and necklace on, he looked like an Egyptian God. Wait, that was the effect I was trying to achieve as well. Tufty had his traditional running shorts. Gareth had his usual display of chains, but had added a leash that was around his neck. Now that was asking for trouble.

"Gareth, do you intend to be submissive to everyone tonight?" I asked innocently.

"No, why?"

"Then maybe you shouldn't be wearing that."Devlin suggested.

"What's wrong with it?" Gareth demanded. I walked up to him.

"Turn around." I ordered, and as he did so, took hold of the leather grip on the leash.

"Because it's too easy to do this." I said, hauling gently on the chain, dragging the fox backwards. Gareth's hands pulled at the leash.

"I get your drift." he said, but Draco gleamed wickedly, and Alecto made suggestive motions over Gareth's shoulder. I held the leash in my hand, still connected, and smiled.

"Now you see why. Anyone can just haul away, and have you at their mercy. Lesson learnt?"

"Fair enough, now why don't you let go...oh."

"I don't think he has learnt, "Javid smiled, relieved for something to break the tension building in him," I think you should keep it on him until we get to the ball."

"What does Alecto think?"

"Well, we're used to humiliating one another in front of the rest of Central, and it's not just us foxes."

Gareth looked at me, in my jackal suit.

"Don't make me walk on four legs."

"I'm not, but you aren't getting out of this yet." I replied. Ryan came up, in his light combat gear, and carrying a bunch of things on his belt.

"I think Ryan believes we're off to fight a war." Salbar smiled,"If anyone pointed a magnet at him," Ryan chuckled.

"This all has a purpose, distraction, delay."

"Let me guess, flash bang, smoke, rubber bullet gun?"

"Close enough, it's designed to fire small rubber pellets at something, seriously slow them down. It's like a shotgun."

"Oh really?"I said, intrigued,"Fire it at me, just give me time to change."

I changed into my bionic form, and Ryan obligingly fired a round. Several soft bits of, well, anything, smacked into my ribs, with a series of odd pinging noises. I stumbled back a step.

"I'll remember to avoid you then."

"I'm glad you will.I've also changed something else."

"You've changed your car to the Ariel Atom." I asked.

"Ha, not half."

"Ferrari Enzo?"

"Warmer, but still not there."

"I know, Bugatti Veyron."

"Again, almost."

"I can't think of anything faster, save for racing cars, and they tend to tricky to handle." Oops, shouldn't have mentioned that.

"True, which is why I've got a road car." he replied, and leaving me on that enigmatic note, we turned and walked down the corridor. I had my grip on the leash, and Gareth walked along side me, making sure I had no reason to pull on it.We talked about many things, me very tactfully avoiding the subject of the Hunt.

Valmeero and Doran came up, the latter wearing a golden crown. Both looked at me.

"Who's the jackal?"

"Have a guess."I chuckled behind the mask.

"You're looking good, to tell you the truth." Valmeero replied, looking at the helmet's gleaming gold surface.

"Well, Anubis was meant to look good." Gareth replied."I saw the movie he based that on."

A few more people joined the crowd, and then we came to the double doors. Draco stepped smartly forward, and pushed them both forward as he strolled in.

The hall looked completely different. True it looked the same, same pillars etc., but everything was covered in plants. Creeper vines ran thick and untamed up the pillars, and all the ground we walked on was moss like. A giant pair of oak trees stood either side of the entrance, and Salbar leapt onto one, and climbed up, feeling much more at home. The tables also had vines growing across them.Everything was covered in greenery, and I noticed several small trees in the corners.

"Interesting effect, especially with the lights." Alecto commented,"It looks like a sunlight meadow."

Silverine was sitting at the end of the hall, on his throne, and I broke off, walking up to him. People turned to look at the jackal headed figure as I walked up, the sounds of my staff dimmed by the carpeted moss floor. I came up the steps, and came to a halt in front of the Lupogriff. Gareth was still in my grasp, and he stood beside me.

"Silverine, how are you?"I said plainly.

"That is a magnificent look for you Alduin." he said, smiling."Pity the mouth doesn't move when you speak."

"Well, I only had so much time." I replied from inside the helmet.

"Master, could you release me, everyone's looking." Gareth muttered. I cast the leash aside, and walked around the table. As I did, I noticed that one of the elves was casting a spell on a section of plants by Silverine, some sort of growth spell. Gareth took the leash off, and went back to the party, who were starting to mingle. I bent down to be level with the Lupogriff.

"What is the rule concerning use of weapons on the Hunted?"

"No phasers, no weapons that can kill, so the taser and Ryan's special shotgun slip through. The Hunted can use weapons that delay, and while I know the bunny has explosive grenades, he says he won't be using them."

"Bunny?"I asked.

Silverine motioned to one of the nearer guests,and the creature reluctantly came over. He was tall, several inches taller than me without counting his ears, and he was indeed a bunny like character, just like Winslo, although somewhat different in clothing and expression. He had a look about him that said he got involved with low lifes most of the time, and that the scars on his face bore testament. He carried a quarter staff and a belt with many grenade like devices.

"Alduin, this is Billy Carlson, our resident bounty hunter. Don't let the looks fool you, he's a devil."

"I kind of guessed, Silverine."I replied smoothly. I extended my hand to the bunny across the table.

"Alduin Raptormaster, resident lunatic rogue, and twisted mutant."

"That's quite a list of talents." Billy smiled."Are you one of the Hunted?"

"No, I'm one of the Hunters. Last time I was Hunted, and as Silverine could testify, I keep them on their toes."

"Are you the one who broke the record?"

"No, that's Thomas Nagoya, the white leopard over by the door talking to an elf. I was three minutes shorter, but I had him,"Motioning Silverine,"after me."

"Ah, so you're good?" Billy looked me up and down.I nodded.

"Supposedly." I changed into my Lightning form, sitting on the table, and then changed back. My helmet had vanished, and was now in my backpack.

"Who else is new?"I asked Silverine. Billy sidled away. Silverine pointed out two.

"Blake HybridMarine, the tiger/dragon mix over by the wall keeping away from everyone. He's normally quite friendly, but he seems to have become a bit shy."

"I wonder why?"I said sarcastically, observing the six foot hybrid. God, he looked good." Four metre wingspan, tip to tip, looks good.You going for him?"

"I go for anyone."

"Uh huh, like you went for anyone last time. I was the only anyone on that list."

Silverine pointed out the other Hunted.

"Landon, a Canid fox just like Gareth or any fox you'd care to name."

This one was quite a looker too. A dark brown fox, with a white chest, he was in the middle of an argument with Alecto and Tufty, and by the gestures I guessed it was about the Hunt. He had black paws, and from this distance, green eyes. He was wearing baggy green shorts, which had lots of pockets, and as I scrutinised him, I also noticed the very tips of his ears were black tipped also. Two pistols hung either side of his belt, and as I ran a X-ray check over him, noticed a shiv in his boot, a few in his shorts, and a dagger horizontal with his belt. He was quite lean, and looked reasonably meek, but I knew enough that looks could be deceiving.

I took Silverine's leave, and was greeted by Alex. He was wearing a cloak around him, which had circuitry running through it. I could also tell he had some sort of device on his belt, and his pendant.

"O.K., what's the cloak capable of, and why are you wearing a box?"

"Can't tell you that." Alex replied cheekily,"But I'm going to beat your record, for several very good reasons."

"If you include using your pendant, it won't effect me. And unless you're planning to turn invisible, nothing will stop me catching you."

Alex tapped his cloak." You can't catch me if you can't see me."

O.K., so he had some tricks too.I went past him, and over to the solitary Blake.

"Hi Blake, how are you?"

"How do you know my name, I haven't seen you around here?"

"Silverine told me, I thought I would like to introduce myself.I'm Alduin."

Blake looked me up and down, as I shook his hand."Good to meet you Alduin."

"Worried about the Hunt?"

"Only slightly." he replied. I smiled.

"Don't worry. I felt the same way six months ago. Just do your best, and you'll do fine."

"Yes well, you probably didn't have everyone gunning for you." Blake looked at Draco as the reptile laughed at something Winslo was telling him.

"Oh really? I had Devlin, Draco and Silverine all announce to the food store they were after me. And they did.One point, I was surrounded by all three."

"You're good."

"You're good, just maybe not in the same ways I am. I tend to be a quick thinking bugger, although that doesn't mean much here.You look fairly intelligent."

"Alduin, what are you trying to get across?"

"I'm saying that all you need to do is try your hardest, and see what happens. Secondly, while everyone's after you, don't panic. Relax, calm yourself."

"Are you a psychiatrist?"

"Not half, I just offer advice. Occasionally bad advice, but advice none the less."

"Well thanks for your words, Alduin, I think I might hide."

"If you think of hiding in a room, it's a trick that won't work. I tried to hide in Arachno's office, and then had Draco burst in on me, and then you're in the room with the person chasing you. At least in the corridors you have so many ways to turn."

"I'll keep that in mind." Blake nodded, and I sidled off, giving him his deserved privacy. I came over to where the foxy brothers were discussing with Landon.

"I'm telling you, the ventilation ducts are good when being chased, but they are all fastened in place." Alecto told Landon.

"Exactly, how is he supposed to get up there?"

"Well,"I sidled across to them,"I used my rifle, but I can tell Landon hasn't one. If he could climb up, or jump up, it shouldn't be too hard."

"Good point, Alduin did it twice when he was being Hunted, held Draco and Silverine up." Tufty replied.

Landon looked at me in interest."And how did you get up there, Alduin?"

"The first time I shot the grate open and Valmeero propelled me up there, like a gymnast, Landon. The second time I jumped onto my rifle while it was pointing upwards, and while I had Silverine hanging onto my legs, I still got away."

"Sounds like you led people a merry dance."

"Indeed, in more ways then one." Time replied. Landon looked confused, and I explained my rotational dance with her to avoid the pursuit. He smiled.

"Dancer, marksman, good looking, how are you single?" I rolled my eyes.

"On my planet, I'm single, no one knows about Gareth, or Draco."

"You're going out with him?Do you ever top?"

"You'd be surprised." I smiled in my own secrets.

I spotted Doran, and walked over to the wolf as he brushed his arms,preoccupied.

"Hey, Doran, how are you?"

"Excellent Alduin, I have the genetic imprints of five of the Hunted, I'm just wondering who the others are."

"Landon, the fox talking to Gareth, Blake, the tiger dragon in the corner, and Billy Carlson, the bunny near the top table."

"Thank you for that. Are you aiming for anyone in particular?"

"No, I just want to show Central that I will keep lock on anyone who tries to run away from me. Draco has the record for most captures, and I want to open my account."

"Right. I feel the same way." Doran agreed."Although I would like to have it off with someone I haven't before."

"Which means?"

"Oh, just an idle thought."

"I'll keep it in mind." I replied."I've got a new trick or three."

"What have you done?" Doran looked confused.

"My new form for driving is, interesting."I smiled.

"So what is it?"

"It's fast, handles awfully, and accelerates faster." I replied enigmatically.

Draco was standing by the door with Devlin.I slid over to them, and smiled.

"You intending to bar the door again?"

"Cheers for the idea, but I only did that last year because you were involved, and I wanted you to get caught early on."

"Yeah, besides I think Ryan's got C4 on him."

"C4, is that some kind of acidic compound from your planet?" Draco asked.

"No, it's a type of explosive.Remember, Battlefield, the Special forces people use C4 to destroy the artillery."

"All I remember of the Special forces is the rifle. It's reasonably good."

"Yes, except your favourite kit is anti tank." Devlin replied.

"I like playing with the Eryx." Draco replied unashamedly.

"You also like being wasted at a distance." I grinned.

"That's not fair, with you firing that sniper rifle." Draco replied. Devlin laughed.

"That's why I fly, he can't hit a moving target."

"I can, but it's not easy to hit a helmet flying at 1,000 kph."I replied.

"He drives me up the wall when I'm in the attack chopper." Valmeero came over." Hover for half a second, and either the helicopter loses two bars of health, or it says I was killed by Raptorfive."

"I've played 130 hours as a sniper, I'm good at it.Who's going for who?"

"I like the look of quite a few.That Blake, for example, and of course Salbar."

"Javid, Ryan will be a nightmare to catch."

"Can he use the Blackbird form?"

"Only if he's forgotten it only turns if he's on a plateau." I replied."These narrow corridors will not be sufficient room."

"What about the bounty hunter by the top table?"

"So he's Billy, I had heard." Draco looked over the heads of the crowd to look at the solitary figure."Where's Landon, oh wait, never mind.He seems to be the only one who looks calm."

"At least one of them is. Takori seems slightly worried about his performance."

"They all are. Where's Alex?"

"Over in the corner, trying to ignore his cousin and his company of friends."

I found him by a pillar, and sat on the base of it.

"All ready, Dowski?"

"Mostly, Alduin.I'm going to blitz Thomas' record."

"That's the spirit.You don't have a chance, but always aim high."

"I'll certainly evade you." Alex retorted.

"Depends who I go for." I replied smoothly."I will go for someone, and that someone is the first I see."

Insults and bets were thrown at one another, but finally Silverine stood.

"The feast is about to begin, could all the Hunted come forward?"

Alex stood up like he was heading for the guillotine, defiant but worried.As I slipped into a seat next to Time Dancer and Doran. Draco and Devlin were at the other table, and Alecto had recovered Gareth's leash. I whispered to Time Dancer as the Hunted clustered at the front section.

"You going for Takori?"

"Yes, I've instructed the foxes to tell me where he is. Tufty is running, Gareth is running, Alecto's at base. Besides, what Takori doesn't know is I have a tracker on his shirt, I gave him the shirt this morning.Can you not go for him?"

"I'll do my best, although me and Doran had a technique to catch the Hunted.I've also wired Alecto, so I can ask him where everything is, and Doran's got a direct line to my headset, so we can practically listen to each other's thoughts."

"So Doran will lead Alduin to his prey, and what does Doran get in return?"

"Doran gets whatever Alduin tries to catch." the wolf replied over my shoulder as the last Hunted sat down.

Silverine remained standing.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Scouter's ball. There is a time for speech making, and this is not it. Enjoy the feast!"

So we did. Everything was exquisite, and I could tuck in with the ravenous delight I couldn't when I was one of the Hunted. Like me last year, the Hunted didn't seem to be hungry, Javid was only really picking at his meal. But the conversation around the lower tables flew wild, and I had a go at telling Doran and Brendan the joke about the rabbi and the IRD man. This got the laugh I was after.

The choice was huge, the quality of the meal perfection. I drunk plain water, keeping the six bottles of Lift in my bag from clinking together.I would only carry two in my pockets as I ran, and my staff would likewise stay. The only things I would have was the two canisters I got from the planets I visited, the Lift, and a bit of a plan.

The meal went on and on, and while the food was delicious, those who were Hunting were informed not to eat too much, for fear of slowing them down after a heavy meal. I finished what I picked, and sat back, listening to the tide of laughter and chat. Silverine was sitting with the solemn group up at the table, and I smiled at Blake as he looked up. He nodded, but didn't smile back. He had more to think of.