Devil Seed Ch.5
#5 of Devil Seed
Devil Seed
By
Gemma the Ice Wolf
5
Garrison High School
Thursday 12:45 pm
It was near the end of lunch when Aaron had to break away from his friends. He told them it was just a phone call. It was the truth but he couldn't very well make the call around them. Stepping out to the parking lot he walked over to his car and got in. Closing the door he put the key in the ignition and turned on the power. Reaching for the small console next to the steering wheel he pressed a small button and sat back in the seat. Seconds later a voice came up on the speaker.
"I was starting to wonder when you were going to give a report."
Aaron smirked.
"Nice hearing you too chief."
"Sentiments aside, what do you have for me?"
"Not a whole lot. We managed to get some info but it's kind of vague. Apparently the guy you sent us after only had four of the five tanks. He sold them to some unknown client who busted two of them thus freeing the frozen carriers."
"Did you get a description of the client?"
"Yeah. Big, wearing a black hooded cloak, and inhumanly strong. From what I was told this guy carted of with both of the other tanks on his shoulders."
There was a long silence. Aaron almost thought the radio had conked out again.
"That can't be right." the chief said finally. "Those tanks weight at least two tons each."
"What scares me is that it sounds a lot like our old friend Barbalos."
"Impossible, his body was recovered from the bottom of the river."
"You mean half of his body. We never found the rest of it."
"It's probably still at the bottom of the river. Regardless, the fact that we have a new possible threat on our hands makes things even more difficult. We'll keep tabs on underground activity. In the mean time I'm having the hazmat squads scan the city for viral activity. They'll contact you if they find anything."
"And what about this unknown group?"
"Keep an eye out for anything suspicious. If they have the other two tanks we can only fear the worst. Something big is going on and it starts with this unknown person."
"Right."
The distant sound of a bell started ringing. Aaron knew what that meant.
"I'd better go. My next class starts in a few minutes."
"Alright then. Signing out."
"Signing out."
Aaron pressed the button on the radio again and the transmission ended. He took the key out of the ignition and climbed out of the car. Closing the door he headed back the school and met up with Gary and the girls.
"What was so important you had to make the call out in your car?" Gary asked.
Aaron grinned.
"Business call. Had to get in touch with the bank."
"Ah, I see. You got any plans for the three day weekend?"
"I figure I'd just play it by ear. Ready for the quiz today?"
Gary froze in his tracks and Aaron, Mia, and Tracy could only look at him puzzled. His eyes bugged out and his lower lip started quivering. He finally erupted, his voice full of fear.
"Oh man! I totally forgot to study!"
The other three of them sighed.
Kusanagi Residence
Thursday 4:42pm
Since Mia got home that afternoon she couldn't stop thinking about Aaron. She go so flustered over it that she called Tracy and they started talking about it. They spent the next half hour discussing it until Tracy suggested something that Mia was almost too nervous to try.
"Tracy I can't do that. I couldn't. You want me to ask him out?"
"Let me put it this way. We sophisticated ladies have standards that have to be met. When you meet a guy you introduce yourself and that's it. After that they have a few days to make the next move. If they don't we make it for them. It's sort of an ultimatum that says either they spend some time with us or we jump on the next guy that so much as looks at us."
"I... I don't know about this. I mean, what if he isn't even into the idea of having a fur for a girlfriend. I don't want to ruin the friendship that we've started. And besides, I barely even know him."
"That's why you need to ask him. Are you gonna just let life pass you by or are you going to grab life by the balls."
"Tracy!"
"You know I'm right. I mean what's the worst that could happen. He stops talking to you and quits hanging around with us. That would just prove that he's jerk and you shouldn't waste your time with him. Besides that I've seen how he looks at you. There's got to be some kind of attraction there."
"What if choke like last time?"
Tracy sighed.
"Girl, I can't hold your hand for this. You need to do this on your own. Don't worry. If something bad happens I'll sick Gary on him."
Now Mia was the one to sigh.
"I'll try Tracy. I'll do it."
"That's my girl. Now go to it."
Tracy hung up after that. Mia pressed a button on her cell phone and set it down for a moment. She sat down on the edge of her bed and contemplated on what she should do. On the one hand Tracy was right. On the other hand the thought of rejection was rather intimidating to her. She knew that the good outweighed the bad. So why did she hesitate? Her hand quivered as she reached for her phone. The thought made her heart race. Just to hear his voice. If she could hear his voice maybe things would be alright. She cycled through the phone's menu and pressed send. There was a ring, then two. After that someone answered.
Secord Residence
Thursday 4:42pm
As soon as Aaron was home he went right to his usual routine. He tossed his backpack on the couch coming in and headed right to the kitchen. Taking a soda from the fridge, he headed back into the living room and up the stairs. Turning down the hall he headed to the door at the end and went in. Terry was sitting in a chair with his jacket draped over the back. There was a table on the right side of the room. He had a small electronic device in his lap and a tool in his right paw. There were several small objects strewn across the table with some small tools among them. Lisa was sitting at her computer typing away at the keyboard. Terry looked up from what he was doing to see Aaron closing the door behind him.
"Another day at the salt mines is over." Terry joked.
Aaron sat in a chair on the opposite side of the room and popped the top of the soda can.
"Ugh. You have no idea. Environmental Science was a bitch today. We had a quiz and it turned out to be more like an exam. I choked but I think I passed it. So what are you up too? Besides making noise makers of course."
"Well, our boys in the hazmat department called earlier. They're monitoring a potential hotspot right now. They'll be keeping us posted for signs of viral activity."
"Ha. Well if there's anything making noise we'll be sure to bring our peace makers."
"That's what those are for."
Terry pointed to the objects on the table.
"I'm just putting the finishing touches on the remote detonator. The less we have to fight those things the better. I'm still haunted by our first squad mission. The two of us were all that was left."
"I still wonder how the hell we managed to survive that incident without getting killed ourselves."
"It shouldn't be that difficult to comprehend." said Lisa turning in her seat. "All four of you were given a serum to optimize your natural abilities. The fact that you were able survive the ordeal in Paris should not be all too surprising. You were able to assess a situation and then act on it without any hesitation what-so-ever."
Terry and Aaron looked at each other and nodded.
"So in other words we were a success?" asked Aaron.
"Without a doubt." said Lisa.
A small ringing started sounding throughout the room. Aaron reached into his jacket pocket and took out his cell phone. This allowed it to ring even louder. Terry's ears went back. He hated the sound of a phone ringing.
"Dude, answer that thing before my head explodes."
Aaron scoffed.
"It's funny you should say that when there's bombs all over the table."
"Touché."
Aaron flipped open his phone and put his ear to it.
"Hello?"
"Hey Aaron?" came a voice. "It's me, Mia."
He started slouching in his chair.
"Hey Mia. What's up?"
"Um... I... wanted to ask you if you're doing anything tonight?"
"Am I doing anything tonight?"
He looked to Terry, then to Lisa. They both shook their heads.
"No. No I'm not doing anything tonight. Why?"
"Well," she stammered. "I... was wondering if you wanted to... go out and do something?"
"What? You mean like a date?"
Terry started puckering his lips and making kissing gestures to Aaron. Aaron flipped him off with a grin.
"Sure, why not?"
"Really?" asked Mia. "Awesome! Um... when do you want to go?"
Aaron thought for a minute.
"How about I pick you up at say... 7:30."
"Great. I'll see you then."
He smiled.
"Yeah, see you then."
She hung up. Aaron put his phone back in his pocket. He looked over to Terry, who now had a very sly look on his face.
"So," he started. "Mia huh?"
"Yeah, one of my friends. She's had a crush on me since the first day. I was thinking of asking her out tomorrow, but it seems she's beaten me to the punch."
"Well you do have a three day weekend coming up." said Lisa. "That and unless the Hazmat Squad finds something we can't really take any action so now would be the perfect time."
"So what's she like?" asked Terry.
Aaron took a swallow of his soda before he began.
"She's a red panda. And a cute one at that. She has these red stripes that go down her cheeks and a patch of white over each of her eyes."
"In other words the second member of our quartet may not be single for much longer."
"I don't know man. I guess we'll see how it goes tonight."
Terry grinned.
"We just may."
Kusanagi Residence
Thursday 7:27pm
Aaron pulled his car up to Mia's drive way a few minutes early. He had decided on a less heavy attire for the evening: a black, button shirt, with a red tee shirt underneath, blue jeans, and a pair of black sneakers. He hated that he couldn't carry his revolver, but at least he was able to hide it under his seat. All he had to do now was go up to the door. Climbing out of his car he closed the door and walked up to the porch.
"I sure hope she's ready." he thought. "Here I come."
He knocked on the door three times and stepped back. A moment later there was a click and the door opened. Mia stepped out from behind it with purse in hand, wearing a green dress and shoes, her striped tail swishing behind her. Aaron looked her up and down when she stepped out.
"Wow." he said.
Mia smiled.
"You like it? I made it myself."
Aaron was greatly impressed.
"Really? You made that? How long did it take you?"
Mia stepped closer, closing the door behind her.
"Three months. And that's because I ran out of materials. It would have taken less time otherwise."
"So did you have a place in mind for tonight?"
"No. I didn't really take the time to think about that."
"Hmm. Me neither. Well why don't we take a look around town and see what's around. I bet we can find something."
"Alright then, lead the way."
Aaron walked Mia to his car and opened the door. Mia climbed in and he closed the door. He then went around to the driver's side and got in closing the door as he put the key in the ignition and started the engine. They pulled away and headed out to the streets. For a short while nothing was said. Mia kept her purse in her lap and rested her paws on it. Every so often she would drum her fingers on the side of it trying to think of something to say. She looked over to Aaron with a faint smile.
"I just had an idea. There's a restaurant not far from here that serves Cajun. I hear they have a live jazz band that plays nightly."
Mia nodded.
"That sounds great."
"Well alright then."
Somewhere in downtown L.A.
Abandoned Theatre
Thursday 8:14pm
Not long ago Terry received a call from the hazmat team. He had to wait for Bravo squad to come get him since he didn't have a car yet. Now he was riding in the back of an armored truck with seven other team members. Terry was the leader of Bravo squad. Some of the best members of the guild were enlisted. He had worked with them in some of the harshest of situations. The last time had been two years ago in Germany. Those were the old days when he, Aaron, Cain, and Spike had brought down an organization of bio-terrorists. Some of the scariest memories came from those days. Those days were gone now, but the remains of what had happened were still looming in the shadows. They wouldn't rest until the last of the carriers was exterminated.
Terry had just finished putting on his combat armor when they stopped. As the team jumped out of the truck, he looked up at the old theatre they had pulled up to. He shook his head.
"What is it about abandoned buildings like these that carriers like so much?" he thought.
His thoughts were interrupted by one of the squad members.
"Sir! Waiting for your orders."
He looked at the entrance to see four of the squad men pressed against the wall on either side of the door. They were dressed in the same combat armor as Terry except for the helmets they had on. The combat armor covered them from the neck down and carried a small oxygen tank on the belt. They were armed with SMGs, loaded and at the ready. You wouldn't be able to tell any of them were furs if not for a few tails showing.
"Bust it down. No wait. Blast it to pieces. That should be enough to shake those fuckers up a bit."
The squad member nodded.
"Yes sir!"
Terry climbed back into the truck and picked up an SMG, four magazines, and radio headset. Putting on the headset, he adjusted the small microphone and turned it on. He then stepped out of the truck and turned his attention to a second truck located across the street.
"This is Bravo Leader radio check. Can you guys hear me?"
A voice came from over the speaker.
"Roger that Bravo Leader. We hear you loud and clear. Sensors are online. We're ready here."
"Alright." He turned back to the squad. "How are our camera boys tonight? They ready to broadcast?"
"This is Bravo four," said a squad member. "We are live."
"Bravo seven here," said another. "it's show time."
Terry nodded.
"Alright boys, light 'em up and let's hit it!"
The squad stepped back from the door turning on their flashlights. One of them planted a small bomb and pressed a small button.
"Fire in the hole!" he shouted.
The bomb exploded, taking down the door. One by one the squad filed in taking positions at the front of the lobby. Terry followed in last. It was pitch black inside, say for the light shining through the now broken down door. Terry adjusted his microphone.
"Okay, we're in. So where's the fire?"
A voice came over the radio.
"Right now you're in the lobby. Head straight for the main hall and turn left."
Terry waved the squad onward and up to the main hall. The squad then proceeded to their left.
"Now head three doors down, and be careful. It looks like they already know you're coming."
Bravo squad continued down the hall to the third theater. Two of them took point on either of the two doors. Terry shot his paw forward and the first four burst through the door. Before Terry was in, gunfire started booming through the supposedly empty theatre. Proceeding in, Terry spotted his first target clinging to the left wall. He opened fire just as three other flashlights shined on it. The carrier leaped to another nearby wall and was hit upon its landing. A hail of gunfire tore into the wall and the creature sending it to the floor. Two other squad members raised their guns upward, their lights catching two more above them.
"There! On the ceiling!" one of them yelled.
The rest of the squad looked up and opened fire. Terry spotted some movement to his right. Just over head a carrier was about to pounce on one of them.
"Bravo five, get down!" he shouted.
Bravo five dropped to the floor and Terry opened fire. Lead tore through flesh as the creature gave one final shriek and collapsed to the floor.
"Thanks squad leader."
Terry shook his head.
"Don't thank me just yet. I can hear some more of them coming. Everybody keep an eye on the air ducts!"
Just then the grating of one of the vents in the back flew off of the wall. Three more carriers came charging out as Terry raised his machine gun and fired.
Sam's Bayou
Thursday 8:25pm
Aaron and Mia had just ordered dinner when the band came back from a twenty minute break. For a time they just enjoyed the music. A soft melody played with the two of them sitting across from each other. Aaron had turned his attention to the band. The restaurant interior was designed after New Orleans in the 1880s. Or at least that's what Aaron thought. All around was a place that looked like a street corner looking out to the bayou. The band was playing on a small river boat, floating in an artificial marshland. Over head were paper lanterns glowing to add that certain mood to it. There was a dance floor just at the edge of the bayou with several couples stepping to the music.
"This is wonderful." thought Mia. "Here we are together. Just the two of us. What should I say? Or should I say anything? It's nice just being around him."
Aaron's eyes quickly shifted to Mia. She was just watching him. He couldn't help smiling. As he turned back to her she snapped out of her daze.
"Something the matter?" he asked.
"N-no." she stammered. "I was j-just admiring the scenery."
Aaron chuckled to himself.
"I don't think that was the only thing you were admiring."
He caught her off guard. Mia started blushing.
"Okay, you got me." she laughed.
"Uh huh. Now that I think about it we really haven't talked about ourselves much. I mean, you know a bit about me but, I know very little about you."
She shrugged.
"Fair enough. For starters, my parents are both doctors at the local hospital. My dad's the chief of surgery, and my mom works in the emergency room."
"She doesn't do any surgery?"
"No, she just takes care of minor things like broken bones, cuts that need stitching, that kind of thing."
"I take it they're really busy then."
Mia nodded.
"Yeah. Usually when I see them it's just to get some sleep before their next shift. They're real workaholics too. They just stay at the hospital on weekends to be on standby if one of them is needed. I only see them in the morning and by the time I get home from school they've already left for their next shift."
"Interesting. We both have parents involved in the medical racket."
"That's right. Your mom works for a pharmaceutical company."
"Yep. Ever since I was born. It never really interests me though."
"Me neither. I prefer making clothes."
Aaron grinned.
"Really?"
"I started making things for myself when I was twelve. This dress is just the next step."
"It certainly shows you have a talent."
She leaned in closer.
"You think so?"
"The dress compliments your eyes."
Mia blushed. She had never received a compliment like that before. The moment was cut short when the lights over the dance floor brightened and the music stopped. The next piece started. This one had a quicker beat.
"You dance at all?" asked Aaron.
"Some, but I'm not that good."
He shook his head.
"Don't worry, just follow me."
He stood up and held out his hand. Slowly Mia stood up, took his hand, and he lead her to the dance floor. Taking her other paw he placed it on his right shoulder and placed his hand on her waist.
"You ready?"
She nodded. Aaron started stepping to the beat of the music and she followed. Every ten steps or so he would step back and twirl her around. When they came back together they repeated the first steps. Mia felt like she was walking on air. Just a moment ago the two of them were talking and now they were dancing. She'd never felt the way she did right now. Holding his hand, him touching her, his face, his scent. It was all so invigorating to her. With all of this going though her mind there was only one explanation for why she felt this way. She was falling in love with him. Some many things were rushing through her mind that she didn't notice the music had stopped until they stopped dancing. She had her arms around his neck, pressed against him, and his arms around her waist. For a moment they just gazed into each others eyes. Then people started applauding. Several other couples had joined them on the dance floor. Now they had turned toward the band and were applauding for more. When the band started their next piece the two of them walked paw in hand back to their table where they continued to gaze at each other.
Abandoned Theatre
Thursday 8:38pm
It took a few minutes for the dust to settle after Bravo squad managed to stir up a room full of carriers. Terry plodded out of the room, stepping through the carnage they had created. He felt good. He hadn't had this much excitement in a while. The last time he had been involved in a job like this was in Germany two years ago. He leaned against the wall adjacent from the doors and sighed. His thoughts were cut off by two squad members stepping out of the room.
"Thank God they were only crawlers." said one.
"Yeah," said the other. "We'd have been in a heap of trouble if they turned out to be wyverns."
"I'm just surprised it wasn't a nest."
"We should be so lucky." thought Terry.
All of a sudden, the ceiling started to shake. A loud pounding noise caused Terry and the other two Bravos to raise their guns toward the ceiling. A few seconds went by and the pounding came back. Dust and tiling fell as they heard a sound that made the fur on the back of Terry's neck stand on end. It sounded like someone screaming through a pipe, mixed with a lions roar. The other squad members filed out of the room upon hearing it.
"What the fuck was that?" asked Bravo five.
The pounding started again. Terry jumped to his feet and readjusted his microphone.
"Hey guys you getting any of this?" he shouted.
"We have some activity in the room above you right now." came a voice.
"Yeah, no shit! What the fuck's going on up there? It sounds like a goddamn herd of rabid elephants!"
"What ever it is, it's a big one. And there's a few others in there with it."
"Alright then. Boys, lock and load. We're heading upstairs right now."
"One more thing Bravo leader."
"What?"
"We're also picking up some activity from the other side of the hall on the ground floor. It may be a nest."
"Shit. Alright, Bravo three."
Bravo three stepped forward.
"Yes sir."
"Take Bravos five, six, and seven with you. Take care of that nest. When you're finished you are to rejoin the rest of the team upstairs. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir!"
"Meanwhile, Bravo one, two, and four are to come with me. You have your orders, now let's move!"
"Yes sir!" the squad exclaimed.