The Miami Broncos

Chapter 19: Eclipse

Written by Francois Guint-Riel (FGR)

Miami seemed like a maze of lights below as I glided through the night sky, taking the uplifts I could find to save myself a few wing beats, only shifting my weight once in a while to redress my path. The Bronco mansion was still visible to the east, with the blue beacon that the Don, good panther Ulrich, had paid to have installed on the roof to help me find it should I get lost sometime. It had been useful for my first few nights but now, three weeks later after my arrival in this strange land, I pretty much gotten my bearings and called the city my roadmap. It was a hard adaptation to go through, leaving a stasis sleep to move into such a hive of wild activity and sheer madness, then another as I tried to learn what happened during the years I had been away, so to speak. I learned fast, and the number of trump cards I had in my deck was pretty impressive, mostly stemming from the fact I was a demon, purely speaking, therefore I had a variety of gifts from the fellows of the nether regions; mastery of languages from Murmur, sciences from Furcas, music from Amdukias, and the list went on.

The latter turned out to be my source of worthy employ, as conductor of a jazz band my good Ulrich had formed a while back, though lacked leadership so terribly that they basically played anything they got their hands on, whether it fit together or not. I did a pretty fair job of it, along with composing a few pieces for us to play as The Black Stage’s official musicians. I was soloist on saxophone, one of the only instruments I could really play with my rather oddly shaped muzzle, too long for me to purse my lips half-decently. Even when I spoke, I knew perfectly well that I had an insane, ghostly lisp in my speech. Bah, what could I do about it? At least I’d taken the care to ask for a tight pair of sharkskin-texture swimming trunks, pitch black, which at least covered my lower regions and made me decent and presentable when I left the mansion, not that the people there were all that comfortable at first with me wagging my cloacae around.

That all might be a lot of living in so few days to most but the fact was that I didn’t sleep much for some reason, sometimes not at all. With all those extra hours, I either flew like tonight or sat in the mansion’s lounge with a glass of something to compose hungry jazz. I was thirty bars away from finishing my forth original piece, The Thunder of Miami, which I expected to present at The Black Stage next Saturday, giving me plenty of time to do it and polish it to a shine. I had the melody in my head already, humming it to myself as I caught a favorable wind and gained a few feet.

I didn’t like the noises that I heard from below as much though, especially those popping sounds that suddenly polluted the air. The very invention of firearms was, in my opinion, a huge mistake to have committed, and the shots I heard were simply disappointing to me. I lost a bit of altitude out of curiosity nonetheless, spotting a car chasing a delivery van, though the car seemed to be also protecting a bulkier-looking vehicle from the attacks their target was offering. Two other cars, police, from their bright lights and loud sirens, were coming to try and intercept the van from side streets, but from my point of view, I could see that they wouldn’t make it in time to succeed in anything but join the growing tail of the chase. For the moment, this convoy wasn’t taking very busy roadways, but from its progression, it was slowly creeping towards more crowded areas and as I’d learned from Tracks, the point of the Bronco Family, gunfire had a tendency to spread out from such situations, often affecting those who deserved it the least, or not at all, rather. As fast as the van was going, it wasn’t turning too often, and I knew that I could probably reach it quickly enough if I made a dive for it. Dangerous, perhaps, but still, the maneuver could be done. I didn’t need to do much, just land and toast them with my fire.

I lost a bit more height as I saw the passenger of the menacing vehicle put something that looked like a very, very large gun out the window and started firing much louder ammunition at their pursuers. With that, I knew that the urgency for my help was reaching a peak, so with my wings retracted as to just have enough surface to compensate for a few changes in our velocities, I went down at it with a steep angle, finding myself flying scant feet over it before long. I tried to put a foot down on the roof of the van, but the metal was too slippery, and I only succeeded in tracing four long scratches on the surface. Still, the gesture was beneficial, as the passenger pulled himself up to see what had made the screeching sound he’d heard, and as soon as I saw him, I cast out a cloud of fire that lit him ablaze. His weapon fell out of his grip as he started screaming and retreated into the habitat, though that also was to my advantage, as the blaze spread to the rest of the cabin, including the driver, who no longer had sound control of his ride. Without any hope of getting on the roof and the attackers passing on from burning, I spread out my wings and was pulled back by the wind like a kite, letting the van roll on until a street corner later, it smashed into a lamppost and stopped in its tracks. The police vehicles surrounded it without delay as I circled overhead to contemplate my work, a few of the lawmen coming out with devices to put out the fire, though it was far too late to assist the criminals by now.

As I was surveying the scene, I saw one of the occupants of the convoy with a pair of flares in his hands, apparently waving them at me to get my attention. I frowned with concern at the gesture, unsure exactly if I should go down and meet him, or return to the mansion and let this be for the time being. I’d learn the particulars from the news on the television anyway, and I was confident that what I’d done was the thing to do in such a situation. Still, if they’d objected to it, I was certain that they’d have at least fired a few wild shots at me by now, hence if I was being invited, it was probably for congratulations and clarifications on my part in the intervention. I circled down, giving a last long beat to brake my descent as I landed aside the form with the flares, blowing a bit of wind on the man, who appeared to be an armadillo from what I could make of him. He put the flares on the ground and looked me over with a very confused expression, as if he wasn’t too sure that he was getting reliable information from his eyes anymore. I didn’t want to come across wrong hence I shook his hand and introduced myself to him in as friendly a manner as I could, though I could feel his goose bumps as we gripped.

-Hello, good evening, I said as we shook hands. My name is Eclipse.
-Jean-Michel Gallet, State Department, replied the armadillo. Thanks for the hand, though if I could ask the question, what exactly are you and how did you do that?
-Both go together, I replied. I’m a dragon, so therefore breathing fire is a gift inherent to my kind, as few as we may be.
-So few that I’ve never met one of you before, nodded Gallet. You wouldn’t have any identifying paper with you by any chance? Not meaning to be rude, but it’s just...
-My story is a bit strange, strange enough that I haven’t really fully integrated this world quite yet. I suppose if you want to hear, I’d be willing to tell it.
-That would certainly clarify quite a few things about the situation, grinned the hard-shelled gentleman. We have a place just a few blocks from here and now that this business is over, I need to go back an inform my people how it ended.
-I hope that you consider it to be a good ending.
-The best that could be hoped for, though we were a bit on edge when we saw the fire, of course. You see those white blocks being taken out of the back? Those are explosives, and if they’d have gotten too hot, they could have detonated.
-My fire isn’t that dangerous, normally, I shrugged as I spat out a plume three meters into the sky. Just once in a while, I put more effort into it.
-Remind me not to step on your tail! Can you fit into this car?
-Not really, just ones that are made for larger avians. Maybe in that one there, the pickup? I count sit in the back.
-That goes against the code, but whatever works for both of us is good enough. Hop in, drake.

I gave a kick off the ground before scaling the gate of the cargo portion of the police-owned truck, hardly giving time for Gallet to climb into the passenger seat and instruct the driver as to our destination. I grappled with the rough surface of the container for a few second as we started rolling, but soon found a comfortable position, leaning against the gate with my arms slung over the side and my wings retracted against me. The ride didn’t last long, but after having been in the air for the better part of three hours, I didn’t mind the rest. We pulled a slow turn into the parking of a large hotel on the beachfront, stopping to be let off while the driver went on his way. Gallet seemed to have gotten his courage together and looked more composed as I followed him inside, ignoring interrogating looks from people in the lobby as we crossed it to take an elevator to the top floor. As I had guessed, the armadillo’s people had taken a room and made themselves at home, though it was beyond me why they would have done so if their only interest was this van we’d just taken down. Probably there was some other aspect to it, or this was only one of several episodes they had been through.

Gallet led me into the living room of the hotel room, not even bothering to ask anything important or mentioning a word to the two other people already there. He motioned for me to sit down on the sofa as he took the wooden chair placed at the table he was using as an office desk.

-Rest your legs, said the armadillo as he turned on his computer, devices I’d hardly gotten used to even now. You know, it’s a nice thing to work for our department! We always get hotel rooms when we’re away from home.
-Quite so indeed, I grinned. I suppose you knew the people that were in the van?
-Well, we did and we didn’t, replied Gallet as he waved his hands to the sides. We’d been looking at their activities as far as explosives smuggling, but that was all we were aware of. We were following that shipment under cover to try and get more information, but what we didn’t expect was for them to try and take an armored car over under threat of exploding their wares!
-That’s a rather thoughtless thing to do, I grumbled. Was that all of them?
-Hardly, but we don’t even have a firm headcount of their organization. I suppose that at this point, I might as well give you a better idea what you just took part in. Firs though, I’d like for you to fill in this form here, which will count as your statement for you and save you a trip to the administrative tribunal that will probably be at the end of this trail.
-No problem, I said as I looked at the paper that the agent gave me and tried to complete it as best I could. My apologies for the quality of my writing, of course! Oh, and I’m not certain that I can put these three lines down here.
-Where you’re staying, and who’s your employer?
-Yes, that. I’m afraid that it’s a bit of a delicate subject.
-You’re with Don Ulrich, smiled the armadillo, right?
-I don’t know if it would be wise for me to reply to that, I commented. It’s nothing personal, but seeing the position that we’re in...
-It’s fine, said Gallet as he took back the form and looked at what I’d put in. I was an assassin before I joined the department and I had a contract with him once. How is he?
-Very well! He and his wife are going on a vacation soon, somewhere in the Mediterranean, I believe. So you were an assassin, eh? How interesting! Mortality is always such a fascinating subject to come up in a conversation.
-You know, that’s very creepy, laughed my interlocutor. Still, I suppose that we could use his help on this one. You see, we’re in the middle of an arms smuggling investigation here, and these explosives smugglers are only part of their network. They’re big, and we know they operate overseas too, in the Horn of Africa. What they seem to be most interested in is to gather funds and armaments from here and ship them over there to help whatever group they’re affiliated with. Even that at this point isn’t terribly clear.
-It seems like a very large task to undertake, I grunted as I took a small piece of paper from the table and lit it on fire with a small gust, smothering it as it reached my fingers. When did you think you’d like to meet Ulrich?
-Well, I suppose that it’s late right now. I don’t have any idea what the business hours at your mansion are these days.
-I’ve never seen the light turn off, I replied. Come! I’m certain that you’ll be able to find someone who can lend you a hand. There’s much justice in your cause, and I’d be surprised if there won’t be a lineup to join the hunt!
-You have a lot of energy! All right, let’s go. I’ll just call the taxi back to drive us there.
-Have you ever flown, Gallet?
-What do you mean? You’d be holding me in the air? I have to warn you, I’m heavier then I look!
-Nonsense, come along and we’ll get there in no time.

The armadillo looked skeptical as we walked back to the elevator and rode it back down to the ground level. The crowd had thinned downstairs, but the looks I got were pretty much the same, most simple amazement. I let it occupy my mind for a while as we got out the doors into the parking, where Gallet looked at me and shrugged with a defiant grin, slapping his hands together as I signed for him to come closer and turn around. I took him by the arms as I beat my wings a few time to get them to swing as hard as I could, then in a last wave, we shot off the ground a few feet, the armadillo squeaking hard as he clamped onto me and I gained altitude fast, soon passing over the roofline of the hotel, getting the blue beacon square in my sights to start the flight. Between flapping my members harder then usual and Gallet’s hysterical comments about this being the dumbest and most foolish challenge he’d ever taken on, I didn’t see the time pass by as we crossed the air. I had to be very, very careful when it came to landing, for my usual practice of spiraling down or giving flaps to cut my fall would have ended in an unpleasant crash, so instead we simply glided at a low angle like a plane, my wings giving a few beats to keep us in the air long and high enough to clear any obstacles in our approach to the back door of the mansion. By the time we reached it, we were almost stationary, and it was an easy deal to put Gallet down on his feet before digging my own claws into the gravel.

-Oh God, that was... holy shit! Did we really just do that?
-Shook you up, did it?
-That’s putting it mildly! Thanks for the thrilling experience, but I’ll stick to aircraft for my airborne travel from here on out. It must take a solid pair of balls to take off like that so often!
-Mea culpa, I chuckled.

I opened to the doors and nodded to the guards inside, giving them a quick explanation about Gallet’s visit, giving one enough cause to go and see if Ulrich was available. I showed the armadillo to the library for the moment, providing him something of a pause to gather his emotions, something he did quietly while I looked at a few of the books in the nearby section. A familiar voice spoke behind me the moment I was going to pick one up, getting my attention long enough to turn and see the panther standing in the doorway.

-Eclipse, I don’t know how you did it, but I saw you hauling Gallet in the backyard just now!
-There’s our Ulrich, exploded the armadillo as he got to his paws and shook the Don’s hand. It’s been quite a while! How’s the Family? We only get the occasional word on your actions here, nothing major.
-Oh, things are smooth. We don’t have that much going on these days, just the usual hustle to be dealt with. It took over two years, but I think that this place is really getting to a point it runs itself. How about you? Life as a married man isn’t leaving you in too terrible a shape? How are your little ones?
-Oh, Kaz and Taz are something to deal with, insisted Gallet. Wait until you have your own, Ulrich, you’ll understand!
-I’m certain I will, nodded the panther. So did you hitch a ride on the wings of a dragon to come here and pull that cat’s tail?
-Well, it certainly has been a while since we last talked, right? Plus, there’s a problem in the neighborhood that I was hoping you’d be interested in jumping in to help with.
-It seems to me that it was part of the arrangement we have with you boys from the authorities, laughed the Don. Come on to the bar, and we’ll shoot it over some pool.
-You usual ploy to have anyone to challenge you, I commented to him. You must have some divine or unholy favor to be able to pocket double bank shots.
-See, that my problem, stated Ulrich as he waved to me while we walked. People around here are like Eclipse; too smart. I can’t fool any into a game these days.

Stripes the hyena was still on duty as we walked into the basement of the mansion, raising an eyebrow and showing a little more of his right fang as he saw the armadillo follow us in, as if he knew by instinct that there was something very interesting to be learned from listening in to our conversation, which he always did for some measure of entertainment, thought his involvement was for the most part innocuous or helpful, drawing from some previous information to help out with the topic at hand. Ulrich called up three vermouths for us to savor as he passed a cue to Gallet, offering to break if he didn’t object. As the balls went in, the armadillo explained the problem of the smuggling and general organized paramilitary war effort that was being undertaken in the state to the Don, who didn’t seem to find it very amusing at all. Ulrich was just as honest with what he knew about it, which was nearly nothing.

-I don’t like to admit it, but I didn’t know that this was going on, said the panther as he missed a jump to pocket the eight. If they operated in Miami and used the services of anyone that w have contact with, then I would, but if they keep to themselves and don’t make too much noise, I’m afraid that they didn’t get our attention. I mean, generally, anyone who’s a problem to us makes enough of a ruckus for us to get wind of their work, but since your subjects are overseas, that makes their actions less noticeable.
-That’s the biggest problem to us, added Gallet. We didn’t see what they were doing until someone from the CIA called it in and asked us if we’d ever run into such a group. My wife started the investigation since they were buying small quantities of medical supplies for their soldiers over there, but I but in when I learned that they were also shipping arms. Pretty much all our information comes from two shipments that we managed to intercept, not including today’s fiery raid.
-So you had enough evidence to know the shipments were going out, I asked, or what it luck?
-Dumb luck, said the ‘dillo as he sipped his drink. We were just checking out the place that they were buying the meds from and tailed them to find a warehouse they were using. We got to hit it twice before they learned their lesson and changed routes and suppliers, then dropped out of sight.
-Do you know if they move their stuff by air or sea, asked Ulrich, by any chance?
-Sea. If they still keep to the habits we know, they simply load it in a container and pack some random crates to conceal the real contents from prying eyes. I know you’re going to say that I could go in and take out a few to question them, but any move we make is risky. They have a lot of supplies, and tonight’s truck could just as well been turned into a bomb to blow some building in retribution for our involvement. It’s a fragile situation to deal with, Ulrich.
-I can see how it is, grunted the panther. If you can’t get involved too directly, I suppose that it leaves the heavy hauling to us. I have some contact with the port officials to get some people on that cargo ship under assumed identities, but exactly who to put on it is a big question.
-I could go, I offered innocently. I don’t need to be armed to do something if there’s trouble and I can fly away in a pinch.
-The first point I’ll give you, grinned Ulrich as he put a paw on my shoulder and pulled me in a hug, but the second isn’t really a realistic solution when you’ll be in the middle of the ocean. I’d rather have someone there with you to watch your back, as well as help with more technical issues. Not meaning to be demeaning, but you’re not a renaissance man yet, Eclipse.
-Quite true, I suppose. Seeing as how it would be a long-term engagement, I don’t think you could spare anyone from here, Ulrich?
-Not really, not for the days it would take, especially not if there’s a danger that they might try for retribution here.
-I know another assassin, said Gallet, a good one. He also did a lot of intelligence work for private companies through the years. He’s a bit unstable emotionally, but he doesn’t let it interfere with his work and overall, he’s a master of the trade like me.
-Ah, exclaimed the panther, great! He’s for hire?
-Actually, he’s a bit of an eccentric. He doesn’t really take payment as much as pleasure in knowing he serves the greater good. I never played God as much as he does, but I’ve always agreed with his choices. He has old money he lives off, and don’t be surprised if he takes some loot during the trip to pay for his expenses.
-Sounds special, I said as I got a refill of vermouth from Stripes. I think I could get along with him, if you want to call him. Could you?
-Sure thing! He’s from Detroit, so he’ll still be up and at ’em right now. His working name’s Shackles, by the way, and he’s a white rat.

I played a pair of tables against Ulrich while the armadillo went to call up the new team member, racing to get the last ball in before he gave us any news as to the results of his query. Shackles was willing to do the mission, commenting that it was very nice to see the world while practicing his trade, but he’d only be in Miami the next day, around noon. Ulrich seemed happy with the declarations, so I didn’t want to ruin the moment and went along with it as best I could, though I did ask quite a few questions about boats and their workings to the pair as we played, just to get an idea what I had volunteered for.

I hadn’t really been exposed to alcohol that much since my arrival at the mansion and the terrible headache that I felt the next day was a strong dissuasive to engage in drinking for a while, at least not as much as I had during the evening. Though many engravings and myths exist about dragons, I doubt that any of them included one holding on to a toilet bowl and throwing up with a hangover, as Ulrich told me the illness was called when I got to the lounge’s kitchen for breakfast. In addition to the foul experience I had been put through, I had also slept like a log, quite a strange thing to me all in all as compared to my usual habits. Still, I had enough time to write the missing bars of my jazz tune and have it sent ahead to The Black Stage to be distributed to the band members, along with recommendations on what to do during my absence. I regretted the fact I’d be missing a few performances, but seeing the importance of getting to the bottom of this investigation, I didn’t fret about it to anyone. High noon come, I stood with my two friends in the lobby to welcome the contractor. Shackles was, to put it very mildly, much more eccentric then Gallet had let on, wearing leather wrist shackles, without actual restraints, of course, on hands and feet, along with a completely black getup, making his face stand out even more, which was in turn made up with fur dye to resemble a harlequin.

-When did the carnival roll into town, I heard Ulrich grumble as he eyed the new arrival, giving Gallet a strange look that the armadillo replied to with a smile.
-Looks like it just did, I giggled in a lot voice before making my overture. Is this colorful soul known as Shackles?
-Indeed it is, replied the rat as he held out his hand to shake ours. Gallet, it’s been years! I wondered if we were ever going to cross paths again. You, panther, must be the famous Don of the Bronco Family!
-I am, well met. This is Eclipse, who will be with you for the length of this assignment.
-A dragon, much like a fire-breather, and me, a mad harlequin! We will certainly have interesting moments! Do you know when we will be leaving?
-Not for the time being, said Gallet. I have people right now looking into known hideouts of your subjects to get a date and the name of your cruise ship. It shouldn’t take long, at the most a few days. They’re due for one, if I figure their scheme properly.
-Then I will seek accommodations, declared Shackles, executing a back flip towards the doors.
-I think there’s enough room in my suite, I said. It would be better for you to stay here, for there’s no telling how fast we need to go in order to catch the boat.
-A kindred fire-eater, mused the rat as he stepped back towards us. Let us have a flame to celebrate!

I shot out a good, though brief plume over his head before showing him to the basement quarters that I called mine, leaving Ulrich and Gallet free to return to their work. I didn’t know how to interact with Shackles for the time being, unsure what his personality could be. He seemed very serious about helping us, through his hyperactive habits and strange jokes came and went like tides. The high tide came when there was some level of tension or boredom though, so hence by the time he took a seat on the sofa in the separate, presently unoccupied, living room that came with my suite, I was able to predict them pretty easily. What really got me was the fact that he didn’t have any luggage or anything that would qualify as carry-along, even if he was away from home for an indeterminate period of time. I decided to make another opening to him as I got a drink of water from the washroom sink, offering him one as well.

-Thirsty from the voyage, Shackles?
-Not quite, I’m fine. You’re hard to read, you know that, Eclipse?
-I’d return the observation, I replied. What’s the motivation behind the harlequin?
-I play the theatre of life and death, said the rat as he pulled his feet into a squat. I play the judge, the executioner and God in his tribunal. I find that poetic, don’t you?
-You seem to take the process lightly, though I can see the equilibrium.
-You’ve taken life?
-Yes, two yesterday, in recent history.
-Guilty lives?
-Part of those that we’re prosecuting now. Why?
-Then you’re a bringer of divine justice as well, smiled Shackles as he got up and came over with a small box from his pocket. Close your left eye, Eclipse.
-Fine, I hummed as he traced a harlequin diamond over it like his.
-There! It gives you something else then your shorts to bare. Speaking of those, I don’t see what I’d expect to, if you understand my reference.
-Oh, it’s not like that for reptiles or my like, I corrected hastily as I pulled them down to his stunned surprise. We have this instead, here.
-I admit I’m not very educated in non-mammal anatomy. Nor friends nor targets have been of another persuasion then the latter, hence it hasn’t come to my attention, and my actual scholastic career was quite short. So everything is packaged in there?
-Right! Inconspicuous and rather well thought, isn’t it?
-And it’s quite harder to get kicked in the balls by an angry girlfriend too, laughed the rat. Really, though? I mean it fits in there?
-It does, I insisted, pulling out my penis from its resting place. Everything!
-Man, you’d blow a hole through the goods with that thing! Damn nice though, hell! A request...
-Consisting of?
-Good lizard, started Shackles as he licked his lips, may I suck that thing dry? You see, I’m one of those more attracted to those of the male persuasion then female and seeing that cock is a larger provocation then I can brush aside.
-In that case I can hardly do anything but accept your generosity, I said with a grin. Proceed at your leisure.

I sat back and wrapped my hands behind my head as Shackles got on all fours and crawled over, playing a pre-Second Genesis rat rather skillfully as he pretended to sniff my crotch with interest before he starting to lick it. I simply gazed on with a smile as he did his best, his tail whipping against the table occasionally, apparently enjoying the encounter quite thoroughly. I didn’t want to admit it at first, nor did I have any intention to, but I’d already had a few indiscrete encounters with Ulrich, and I’d taken sort of a liking to what the panther had called a ‘blow’, though the entomology of the term still eluded me for the time being. I’d been at both ends of the gesture, though because of my muzzle’s elongated shape, I’d had to adapt to use my tongue in a more considerable fashion then lips, as Shackles was himself demonstrating.

He obviously wasn’t using empty words when he said that he was an adept of homosexual love either, for though I wasn’t the most experience creature about, his method of pleasuring me with both hands resting to the sides of my cloacae, rubbing slowly on my flesh while his pursed mouth preoccupied itself with more important things was positively praiseworthy, which I did, of course, borrowing as much vocabulary from magazines the panther and Tracks, his man-loving point, had given me, most hitting the mark as the rat multiplied his efforts. Such was his skill and energy that I had scant time to exclaim that it would be wise for him to expect me to ejaculate in the immediate future, immediate as in with the last syllables of the warning. I felt bad about it afterwards, but Shackles simply appeared to seize up as I pumped out my seed, his throat dilating as he managed to do away with it, falling away from me against his sofa as he searched for breath.

-My apologies, I said as I crouched aside him and put an arm around him in comfort. I suppose that my performances are rather serious things to deal with, alas.
-My thirst is quenched, laughed the rodent as he caught his breath and put a hand on my chest. I take it that you are aware how to perform the same acrobatics as I did?
-Rather so, I replied while I undid his pants and pulled them down. Ah, I see I have quite worthy equipment to work with in turn!
-My thanks for the flattery, drake. You’re free to engage, of course.
-Then I will waste no time. Have at thee!

With aching backs and rather disoriented senses, we returned to reality a good while later, myself leaning against a wall to be able to readjust my shorts without loosing my footing. As I ran my thumbs inside the elastic to have it nice and smooth, a knock came at the door aside me. I didn’t have time to reach for it before Gallet’s face popped inside and warned us that we were to get ready to go right away.

-A team of our people sighted a semi truck heading out from one of the locations that our smugglers seemed to have used as a stash. They were just following them on a hunch when they made the stop to load up, but right after, they floored it for the port. We have Ulrich’s acquaintances over there looking for the truck, as well as a few of our own guys.
-Are the papers for the boarding ready?
-All we need is a name and the information associated to it, and you’re set to go. You’ll be posing as inspectors from the maritime authority investigating complaints about maintenance problems and excessive pollution on the part of the ship.
-Great, I called as I hopped up to get my bag over my shoulder, supported with a wing. So, we have a ride to go there?
-Yep, there’s a car out front, pointed the armadillo, which I’ll leave with you. I’m staying here to get things together with Ulrich, so it’s you show at the port. Just go to the dock master’s and say that you’re looking for the Titanic. They’ll know what you’re looking for and they’ll tell set you straight.

We didn’t insist on any further point as we let Gallet get out of the way before walking to the front door double time. The driver was with the Broncos, and didn’t say a word as we got into the back, simply stepping down on the pedal to get us on the road as fast as possible. I had taken a few trips in cars, but I had to admit that even Jumpy, Track’s best mate and a madman at the wheel, didn’t drive nearly as fast as this soul. I didn’t have time to ask anything to anyone, watching a cool-looking Shackles tense up while I felt his hand grip mine. It was ten minutes at the very most before we were at the portside facilities, getting a wave from the driver to indicate that this was our stop. Just as fast, the gentleman peeled back off, leaving us more then a little confused as we got our bearings. Two men came out from the office building’s side door with a duffle bag, calling to us to come closer for us to talk.

-Hey, said one of the guys, we got your boat down by pier three. Here are your papers, and this bag is for you.
-Nice, smiled the rat as he took the goods from him. What’s the loot?
-Identifying badges, papers, plus some communication equipment. It’s just the basics, including a satellite phone and a pair of walkie-talkies, plus a simple digital recorder.
-Our thanks to you! Here’s yours, said Shackles as he tossed me my badge. Could you point us in the right direction to the boat, people?
-Oh, we’ll have you ridden over. Looks more official, you know, eh?

We accepted a drive from one of the port inspectors who was heading our way, digging through our new bag, retrieving whatever was interesting enough to keep on our persons and getting acquainted with the resources at hand. I commented to Shackles that he didn’t have anything resembling a weapon for the assignment, but he waved it off, assuring me that he’d improvise when the time came. I didn’t press the issue, confident that for the moment, we would be okay if our badges were the right color, to put it simply. Anyway, should things become really insane and all matter of hell would break loose, he could stand behind me and I’d simply light up everything flammable in sight. These boat’s hulls were metal so we could float while all was charred hence to me it was an acceptable idea to try out.

I must have looked like I was having a frightening daydream, seeing the rat’s almost worried glance as he checked me out while we pulled up aside the vessel. We didn’t shy up on acting as we got out, both looking through the tea shades that had been in the bag, which in my case fitted rather badly on the end of my muzzle, getting the attention of the crew members flanking the gangway. We strode up fast and drew our badges and flashed the paperwork quickly in their faces, asking to be let aboard and left alone while we did our work. The speechless expressions on their faces was exactly what we wanted, and they did nothing to stop us as we got onboard, exchanging a grin as we started our rounds of the long container-hauling vessel. The structure was simple, with only a quarter of the ship really inhabitable, leaving the majority of the hull to be filled with cargo. The hold was pretty impressive to look at, layers upon layers of steel containers stacked with meticulous precision, and to our delight, very few crew members circulated around it, hence whomever we would have to worry about were centralized on the four decks behind us. As expected, one of the crewmen had snapped out of the trance we’d put him in and put enough thoughts together to reason that his captain would be delighted to know about our presence on his boat. I saw the pig walk down the deck towards us with a file in his hands, looking ridiculously small compared to his massive gut. While thoughts of how good his flesh would probably taste flooded my mind, he held out the paperwork to me, explaining that he was ready to welcome us for the journey if we judged it was necessary to stay onboard longer.

-It’s not that I mean any offense or don’t want to comply with your investigation, but we have a schedule to keep, and unless you have orders to keep us in port, we’d like to stick to it as best we can.
-We’ll only ask for a few tests to be run during the trip, commented Shackles, obviously immersed in his persona. Other then that, we won’t really don’t want to be intrusive.
-Thanks for that, nodded the swine. We have guest cabins, if you want to see them.
-That would be a good way to start things off, I commented, gazing over my shades at the captain. Also, we’d like to have reports of your maintenance crews for the last three months, if that’s no trouble,
-None at all, actually. That’s the delay we keep them on the ship, so we have everything here for you. I’m Bastien, by then way.
-Shackles and Eclipse, we replied.

I traded another smiled with the rat as we let the pig guide us to the first sub deck, where the better quarters were located. Due to space constraints, he couldn’t do better then offer us a bunk, but we didn’t complain about it for a second, thanking him for the keys he gave us, though I didn’t think that it would be too good an idea for us to close the door of the room while were where there. Bastien left us to settle in while he got word to his engineers to get us the maintenance documents, when I explained that point to Shackles, who didn’t seem to disagree with me in any way.

-This could just as easily become a prison cell, he nodded as he stuffed our bag under the bunk. The last thing we want is to find ourselves stuck in a metal bag in a vessel that might be carrying more then just simple seamen.
-I doubt that they have any doubts for the time being. The question of what to do next is probably our main concern.
-Why did you ask for the documents, exactly? I mean, we could have got out and gotten them ourselves.
-Just to get a better feel of the crew, I replied. If they didn’t mind giving us documents like that, some of which I hope would contain maps of the ship so we can find our way around, then they’ll probably be easy to give us their trust. If they trust us, then we don’t have to be as underhanded for the work we have to do here.
-You know, you didn’t come across as being as brilliant as you seem right now, but damn you’re a genius! Also, we probably need to know where we’re allowed to be and that sort of thing, so we don’t find ourselves in the wrong place when we don’t mean to be.
-Probably something we can get from the gentleman when he’ll come with the documents.
-Right, right. You rule, fire-eater.

We waited for just under fifteen minutes after having gotten comfortable in the bunk, which was just large enough that I could fit my wings into the frame without stressing any muscles, until another pig came at the door, this time a sow, for a change, but an incredibly strong sow, in a rough jumpsuit smeared with all sorts of fluids. I spun to greet her, shaking her hand as I confirmed her intentions.

-I take it that you’re the engineer onboard this vessel, milady?
-I’m not a lady, but I’m the engineer, yep. So, you boys wanted the documents on this piece of iron?
-That was what we were hoping to see to start our investigation, seconded Shackles. I hope we’re not pulling you out of your office at a bad time.
-There’s no bad time to be doing that, grinned the sow. Call me Mandy. If you come this way, I’ll get those documents out for you. There’s a lot, so I didn’t know what you wanted to see exactly and hauling it all is sort of a bitch on the back, plus things get lost too fast around here.
-Hard to keep in one piece, I said with a tone of jest, or just a bit of a...
-Pigsty, laughed Mandy, whacking my arm with a grin. Yep, it sure is, but it’s just as hard to keep above water. My bro Bastien doesn’t cut me more stack on the budget then I need, that’s for sure, greedy asshole. Sorry for the language, but...
-We’re not a fuck-load better, called the rat. We don’t deal with hard-working folks and talk like gents at a club, for shit’s sake.
-You’re a healthy change from the usual squares we get from your place! It’s right down here, just watch your head and horns.

We walked deeper into the hull as we followed Mandy’s directions, right up to an office near the power plant of the vessel. It wasn’t as bad as I would have expected from her description of her work environment, but there were a lot of cabinets full of papers and books of all kinds, though only a few seemed to be important to her. To some amusement, I saw a pack of beer cans aside her desk, which she also noticed I’d spotted.

-Hey, she said as she took one of the drinks from the plastic, want one, Eclipse? I just get a bit of a dry throat sometimes, you know what I mean?
-I think I do, I shrugged as I took the can from her and opened it, toasting with her. You seem to have everything under control here, don’t you?
-I... close the door.
-What?
-Close the door, and I’ll tell you something I don’t think my bro wants you to hear.
-All right, acquiesced Shackles as he obeyed her and locked it.
-Good. Now, this info’ll cost you, but we’ll talk about that after. You guys are the nearest thing to cops that have walked onto this shit pail in a while, and that’s because Bastien doesn’t like people nosing around his ship. The reason for that is that he’s hauling a few containers of seriously bad trash, guns and shit like that. He gets them to a port in Lamu, Kenya, and he gets a lot of cash for it. There’s bunch of guys on the boat too he works with, maybe like twenty or something like that. He fired a bunch of the guys a while back to get them to take their places, but they suck. They fuck up the machinery like they don’t care for it at all, and I’ll let you guess who has to fix it.
-Why haven’t you quit?
-Because of two things. First, those guys are dangerous, you heard me? They’ve taken out a few people over the months, and they’re not afraid of doing it again. Second, Bastien raped me a few times and took pictures so he could blackmail me. Our folks back in Dakota wouldn’t like to see those pictures, ‘cause they think I’m a slut and that it makes more sense to them that I’d have jumped him then the other way around. You got all that?
-Sure, I answered. If we see those pictures, we’ll try to get rid of them.
-I’d be grateful, that’s for sure. Now, for the price to pay...
-Fire away, stated Shackles.
-One of you fine boys fucks me on my desk right now, grinned the sow as she licked her lips and started taking off her suit, showing that she didn’t even sport underwear with them. C’mon, I’m a good ride! Who’ll it be?
-Wait a sec, started the rat, we...
-It would be my pleasure to volunteer, I said as I pulled down my shorts, if you consent for it.
-You got anything between your legs, asked Mandy, squinting at my crotch until I drew my cock. Oh shoot, you a big boy! Figure you can go right in when you want?

I smiled as she sat on the steel desk with her suit around her ankles, kicking a leg out of the cloth to be able to spread her legs out. She wasn’t fat, that would be saying too much, but there was no lack of flesh before me, from her heavy legs to her inflated breasts, and I felt like just slating all matter of hunger with it. I gripped her copious chest hard as I penetrated her, skipping over obviously both meaningless and unnecessary foreplay, thrusting hard in the woman, who’s grin marked her as enjoying the encounter. Shackles looked he was enjoying the show, leaning against the door with a giggle as high-register squeals started to emanate from my unlikely partner, who didn’t seem to need much to be satisfied, not much at all. Nor did I, I suppose, for hardly a handful of minutes had passed since the start of the encounter before I ejaculated in Mandy, getting a long, growing laugh from the sow as she pounded her fist against the desk and waved with the other that I was free to dismount and call it quits whenever I wanted. Not wanting to overstay my welcome in her privates, I pulled out of her and casually took a clean-looking rag from the nearby shelf to dry off my nether regions, offering it to Mandy, who was glad to get a bit of a toweling herself before jumping back in her outfit.

-You just come on back for anything when you need, eh boys? Now, if you don’t mind, I have to pretend I give a shit about this trash here.
-We’ll get to work ourselves, stated Shackles. Come on, Romeo.
-Stay safe and keep your head down, I offered to the woman.
-Something tell me that the neighborhood’s gonna get a bit rowdy, eh? Watch your backs, boys.

Our whole mission seemed a lot clearer to us with the surprise revelation from Mandy, and we didn’t really talk that much as we left her office with intent to return to the open deck. Shackles seemed to be looking for something as we got out of the habitat, and his sight seemed to train on one of the members of the crew, a rather unsavory-looking character who didn’t seem intimidated to be walking alone in the failing sunlight. We slowly made our trajectory converge with his as we passed aside one of the rows of containers. A single glance around was enough to reassure the rat that it was save to act, and he took three long strides towards the crewman, drawing a thin blade from his sleeve before planting it in the man’s neck, right between his cranial vertebrae, paralyzing him while he frisked his victim, pulling a pistol from a jacket pocket. With his prize tucked away in his belt, Shackles kicked the body out hard enough to shove him over the guardrail, timing the fall so he could wipe his knife with the man’s pant leg as he fell. He turned to look at me with a look that seemed to indicate that he expected for me to do the same to get a sidearm. I didn’t take as formal an approach, simply striding to another likely target that was apparently looking for the gent we’d just removed from the face of the planet. I let him come up to us to ask a question about him, and as he opened his mouth a few feet from us, I took him by the vest and pulled him into a kiss, though as I got close enough, a cloud of fire flooded his cranium, eventually frying any flesh it met and bringing his life to a sudden end, fast enough that I was able to search him just like Shackles had, finding a larger weapon, which looked like a shotgun Ulrich had me try out a few days ago, but rather short. I shoved it down my shorts along my leg spines, so it looked like it was part of my anatomy then took a few shells from a neighboring pocket down my other leg before simply tossing the fleshy treat over the side.

-You deserve your eye patch, snickered the rat. Let’s get going, we should stash this stuff in our room before anyone finds it.
-Perhaps we could trade arsenal as well, for I can’t see how I can hide this firearm practically.

A quick inventory of our rewards for services rendered to the greater good told a beautiful tale, that we had enough wares to remove a further dozen or so sinful souls from the mortal plane through fire and lead, if used wisely and sparingly.

-Now I suppose you understand why I don’t encumber myself with anything beforehand, save for the very minimum.
-I didn’t even see that blade when we were back at the mansion and my eyes reported nothing but white rat, I hummed, running a hand over Shackle’s head. Now, I think we can safety start putting together a plan. I’d estimate that we could eliminate the vast majority of the armed crew as we did just now, that before facing down the captain about his trade and get his cooperation through whatever means we find suitable, though I suppose that it would be a better idea for the sake of ridding ourselves of evidence to wait until we’re out in open water.
-The fish don’t complain about free meals, and there’s no way to escape out sight, indeed.
-Do you know how to navigate this vessel once we’ve freed it of its present operators?
-Mandy would, grinned the rodent, and I suspect that you could easily convince her to lend us a helping hand.
-I don’t foresee any objection from her part! Did you hear the horn, there?
-Looks like we’re leaving port. I say in five hours, we can go ahead and get under way.
-Also, we don’t need to go to our intended destination if we go this route. It would be easier to turn it around and go back, then fly over there. Plus, it could mean more information from Gallet if we can give him some tidbit to start from, as well as fewer weapons in the hands of the people who were to use them on arrival.
-He’s a smart lizard! We might cut that time frame short too, in this case. No use wasting hours where minutes would suffice. Now, let’s get some rest. Going out and cleaning filth from the boat at night with tired eyes and failing hands isn’t a wise thing to do.

Two hours of sleep after a hug wasn’t an unwelcome thing, albeit I wouldn’t have guessed that the rat would have snored and snorted that loudly in his sleep. Still, I was too tired at this point to care about the sounds, and from what Shackles told me later, I put on a much more impressive performance then he could manage any day of the week. Looking at the wall clock as I came around, I estimate enough time had passed since we’d left land, and took the time to give the rodent’s crotch a shake, enough to wake him up with a squeak. Trying in vain to grab mine and return the favour, he got up and followed me as we headed for the main deck, looking out at total darkness, save for artificial light, hence proscribing my use of fire, which would get too much attention and was certainly too indiscrete for our delicate work.

Out hunt began after a short survey of the vessel’s activity, when I kicked off the ground and took enough altitude to get a better view of the entire situation below. Singling out my prey, a lone form to the bow of the ship, out of sight as he passed in front of the container stack, I slowly dove for him, gaining speed while I readied my maw, teeth at the ready to clamp down. Like a moth watching the dancing flame engulf it, the man didn’t even twitch as he caught sight of me instants before I closed my jaws on his throat, crushing flesh and tissue while blood filled my mouth, the wonderful taste lasting until I carried him with my inertia right over the rails, letting him go over the water in a cloud of the warm fluid that lasted until he plunged into the tides, vanishing from sight. I repeated the same manoeuvre on the other side of the ship with identical results before landing once more aside Shackles, who was just returning his knife to its hiding place.

-It would appear a harpy plucked two beings from the ground and delivered them to their judgement, I stated.
-A blade manned by Death stole but one, for it moved slower then the swooping harpy, replied the rat.
-Does the hunt continue?
-It does indeed! Justice is delivered this night!

We were only able to reap four more souls outside before coming to the conclusion that out next actions would have to take place inside the inhabited decks. Starting from the second highest, we crept like shadows through the structure, either releasing guilty spirits from their shells or avoiding those without, disposing of the former into the hungry waves whenever it was called for, or concealing their remains if the opportunity presented itself. By the time we passed by our quarters once more, Shackles had accumulated an impressive collection of instruments of death, stowing all but a few under the bunk before we continued on our way.

Our hands stayed idle until we climbed down the stairs to the deck we’d been led to by Mandy, where we met a most surprising sight, of not arousing in the most grotesque way foreseeable. The sow was standing in the buff with her rolled-up suit tied around her waist like a belt, beating a shape on the ground with a heavy steel rod as blood rained in around her, only stopping as I voiced her name.

-Mandy, whatever are you doing?
-Who the hell..? Eclipse, Shackles! Hey, I saw you outside doing a few of these suckers in and I figured you were taking care of business, know what I mean? I figured I’d do my part too, you know, take out some trash here.
-How many did you manage?
-Just two, I ain’t too good at this. I guess you’re sort of wondering why I’m here with my goods showing?
-Foremost, yes.
-Well, I figured that most of these fucks dreamed about banging my ass sometime, seeing as how I’m the only clit on board and everything, so I got like this to get their attention. They come over, I tell them to close their eyes and get ready for a nice surprise, and bang! My rod here hits some meat. Worked nice, but I figure I’m getting a little chilly here, being night and all.
-As you wish, waved Shackles, take your time.
-Not that I wouldn’t take it off again for you two, but you know, I do have some decency down deep, laughed Mandy as she got back in her suit. Man, I’d sure like to be getting some better threads that this too when we hit land! Bro doesn’t let me go running off, in case I feel like talking too loud about what he does.
-Consider your involuntary employment over when we return to port, which should be soon. We just need to find your brother to ask him more about his business and then we’ll be going back to Miami.
-Yeah! Let’s go. I’ll find something else, I ain’t worried. By the way, I saw that look, Eclipse, but I’ll let you lick the blood off my tits just a bit later, eh?
-What a delightful creature you are, I said with a grin as I gave the sow a quick cuddle.
-I like hearing a man saying that, she replied, grabbing my rear with a strong hand. You boys ain’t really from the authorities, are you?
-Nothing even near that, called Shackles.

We’d saved the top deck for the obvious purpose that it would be the most likely place for Bastien to be. As a further insurance that he couldn’t be anywhere else, we’d locked and barred a few doors while we’d been raiding the next floor down. It wasn’t hermetic, but it had the potential to buy us time enough to get back. Mandy stuck close, taking a heavy revolver from the rat to carry in her good hand, for at this point, the objective to staying covert was no longer a priority, especially not with the sow’s familiar face with us, clearly indicating to the crew to some level that we were on official business and not to be interfered with. Aye, we no longer worried with silence, cemented as we crossed the bridge to reach Bastien’s office. Without a trace of hesitation, Mandy leveled her firearm at the soul manning the navigation console, most probably the last of the smuggling collaborator onboard, and closing an eye to get a better aim, blew a round through his throat, then as he dropped to his knees clutching the wound, send another in his forehead at less then a foot, propelling him against the table behind him. Undoubtedly alarmed by the two gunshots, Bastien rushed into the room from the offices, though his welcome resumed itself to my fist to his temple, knocking him out cold.

-Impressive and ruthless, nodded Shackles with a contemplative smile.
-I haven’t exactly seen an overdose of tact and consideration for one’s fellow creature up to now, I replied as I dragged the pig to set him on one of the seats. Can you find some material worthy of ligatures?
-Everyone has tape in their office, whistled the rat as he fetched two dispensers from the next room. Shall I?
-Be my guest, I said as I spun the seat, the tape following a rather nonlinear trajectory and it wound around our prisoner. I’d say that he’s comfortable now, isn’t he?
-We put enough trouble in making him so, seconded Shackles, taking the pig’s face and giving it a hearty slap to bring him about. Awaken, Bastien, your public awaits!
-Where... what the hell is going on, called the swine as he slowly came to, what the hell and you doing here?
-Well you see, Bastien, I started as I spun him to face the cooling corpse that had once been the navigation officer, those you brought with you to help you shuttle weapons on your vessel are all in the same state as this fellow, the majority being eaten by the creatures of the sea as we speak. Now what should matter to you is that we’re going to negotiate whether we have you join them or have you arrested and live the rest of your life in prison where I’m sure you’ll find a charitable soul who’ll be quite willing to make you his wife, so to speak. For our parts, we really have no problem with the first. I think you look very edible with a bit of cooking and Shackles there isn’t very opinionated about those he has to kill, isn’t that so, good rat?
-I’m not very picky, nodded the rodent as he took out his knife and started cleaning his claws with it. As for Mandy...
-I don’t think I really care whatever happens to the shitbag, called the sow while she turned the offices upside down. Where did you put the pictures, you fucker?
-Which? I don’t know, shrugged Bastien, what pictures?
-You asshole, grumbled Mandy as she stormed out of the room and pointed her gun at her brother’s forehead, you know which! Sing it!
-Behind the black cabinet, taped to the back of it!
-It’s good to know you care about your sister, I hummed as I turned the seat back towards me. Now, if you tell us everything you know about these voyages you make and the people you deal with, then I think we’d be willing to leave you safe and sound, taped right here, when we get back into port.
-It would be easier to write it. Just cut this tape and I’ll put it down.
-Fine, I shot as I put both my hands on his shoulders with claws drawn stiffly and Shackles sliced the captive’s wrapping. There’s a pen. There’s paper. Write.
-All right, all right, I’m writing.
-If I think you’re lying or I don’t like your handwriting then I’ll let you know, I said as I pierced skin with my index. I can’t read that word you just scribbled. Rewrite it.

The tense session lasted the better part of half an hour, during which Shackles got instructions from Mandy on how to safely turn the vessel back towards Miami, executing the commands with dedicated precision. For her part, the sow burned the envelope containing the pictures her brother tried to extort her with, a bright glimmer appearing in her eye as she watched him sweat and suffer. Eventually, he ran out of things to write, and I rolled up the papers in the back of my shorts while Mandy kept him a gunpoint. Right then and there, he made a terrible mistake as he thought his sister would offer some sort of lenience towards him, and started getting up. The sow’s revolver moved to point at his crotch, then with a markswoman’s aim, turned his privates into a bloody mess, tearing a horrible series of squeals from Bastien as he slumped back in the seat and the wounded flesh started to bleed profusely.

-It sure felt better when you have it in my ass, called Mandy as she gave him a hard barrel-whip, didn’t it? You sure could do what you goddamned wanted when you had your mates with you, but now you’re nothing but a sack of meat without a dick to piss with!
-He doesn’t seem to be listening, I muttered to the sow.
-Then he’ll hear this last thing, she sneered as her gun rose to the back of his head and pulled the trigger, the pig’s body buckling over and sprawling on the ground in a shower of blood that colored a respectable area of the cabin.
-That must have hurt, grinned Shackles. Of course you realize you just committed fratricide, Mandy?
-I don’t care at this point, retorted the sow as she put the revolver on a nearby console and sat down to rest and kick up her hooves. How did you intend on explaining this mess to the police in Miami anyway?
-We don’t, said the rat. We’ll just anchor down somewhere close to the port, then take a life raft and go further down the shore to somewhere peaceful enough we can make contact with our friends. Whoever finds this boat will have to deal with it, but we probably won’t be around to see that.
-Including the weapons, I commented with a tap of my finger against the navigation console. We should find some solution to that, at least.
-We just need to find the container and then hope it has munitions with it, commented Shackles. If it does, we just pack it on another lifeboat and blow it. Well, that or just send it to the depths. That’s if it’s accessible though, and we certainly can’t hope to haul it all by ourselves.
-If it’s so, I say we call ahead to Ulrich and have Gallet’s word on this, I corrected. If his people can take care of it, then we’ll be fine. Now, the late captain said it was on the upper galley, block A3, whatever that means.
-I’ll stay here and man this place, waved Mandy. You just get these things out of my sight, eh?

I gave a smile as I started off to make two rounds trips over the waters to make the cabin a bit less gruesome a place to look at, save for the mist that Mandy had generated with her stunning performance of cold vengeance. Though the reason behind it was fundamentally understandable, its execution had been so dry that it made me wonder if I was in mentally stable company, bar the fact that I hadn’t shown myself that good an example either. Still, there was work at hand and much of it, hence I opted to put my questions aside for the time being and glide over the deck to try and see what the indications we’d obtained from the swine meant. It appeared that the letter and numeral represented coordinates that were painted on the walkways of the vessel, and thankfully this particular one was arranged as to have its doors facing outwards towards the bow, meaning we could gut it without too much event and two inflatable boats were located near enough that it wasn’t too much of a stretch of the imagination. Informing Shackles of the discovery, I took him into the air and we landed near the box with enough time before us to get the manual work done in the last shreds of night we had left. We ransacked the crates, unable to move the most of them as such, tossing the weapons into the rafts as quickly as we could along with whatever debris was in the way. The arsenal was very impressive and we had to be truly creative to make it fit, but as we looked out to stare at a beautiful sunrise with Miami’s port in our sights, we lowered the pair of them to drift freely with their ropes tossed off. To seal their fates, we had kept a few grenades from the shipment, so without pins to retain their destructive energies, they were launched forth. All but a pair of them detonated against the rafts, causing enough havoc and destruction as to leave but scattered wreckage floating at the surface, the most precious part of their contents having reached the lost blackness of the ocean.

Mandy had kept to our course of action to the letter, as hoped, for scant hours later the ship had come to a stop off the coast. Most of the crew had been briefed about a critical malfunction that had occurred in the ship’s fuel system which couldn’t be repaired in open sea, and had been invited to consider themselves at ease to raid the kitchenette as well as be at ease to take their time in the recreation room, a suggestion put to good use for nearly all of them. With so many of them out of the way, there was no problem for us to hire one of the remaining life rafts and make our stealthy escape to shore. Even if the shore was in sight and the waves were rather calm, it took over an hour to make it to hit land. Our spot was to the south of the port, in a quieter-looking swampy cove that could help in concealing the raft once we deserted it. In an almost superstitious gesture, Mandy got on her hands and knees to kiss the grass, getting up with a laugh.

-It’s good to have my hooves on land, she said as she pulled us into an embrace. Fuck you Bastien, I hope an albatross picks your eyes out!
-I’ll call Ulrich, I said as I took the satellite phone from Shackles and poked the soft keys.
-Who is this, asked the camouflaged voice at the other end, what do you want?
-This is Eclipse, I replied innocently. Is this Ulrich?
-A moment, said the voice as it trailed off, quickly replaced with the panther’s deep register. Eclipse? Are you all right, drake?
-We’re fine! We just hit land back in Miami, I stated before giving a short account of our work on the container ship.
-Gallet’s with me, said the cat. He’s clapping his paws and squeaking, whatever you interpret that to mean. I think he’s happy, but you know armadillos, they’re tricky sometimes.
-I’ll have to hope that your evaluation of his reaction is true! Could we have some sort of a means to return to the mansion?
-Hold tight, I’ll send Jumpy over to pick you up, in something with wing space.

I gave the panther the street address of a coffee shop across the street from our port of fortune, giving us the green light to go there put our minds at ease for a while. Shackles was the only one who had any money with him, as I didn’t actually carry a wallet and Mandy hadn’t really been around any facility to retrieve any, not that her brother had been compensating her fairly for her work on the vessel. The rat didn’t mind paying for our drinks and snacks though, so we basically picked out enough cookies and pastries to fill our stomachs for a while and ordered immense, refreshing fluids to go with them. We had enough of them to last us until the driver from the mansion walked into the commerce, though seeing as how we still had some left to tuck in, Shackles had a coffee brought for him while we stuffed his face with enough sugar to give most mortal creatures with a sweet tooth a nice rush. Getting a polite wave from the attendants as we left, we didn’t waste any more time to hop into the cabriolet that was waiting for us in the parking, nor did the actual trip to the mansion as we traveled at a velocity I suspected was not that prescribed by law on the roads we took. Nonetheless, we were on the steps of the Family homestead soon enough with Mandy in tow, who seemed completely thrilled with the turn of events to date. As we walked into the atrium, I caught sight of Ulrich leaning against a pillar, shaking his head at us with a big grin.

-It looks like the devil’s rejects just walked into my place, laughed the panther. I’ll let you get cleaned up, but whenever you’re ready, I’ll be in the lounge.
-Sorry for the delay, waved our rodent, but we hardly expected to have such a complicated theatre to operate in.
-Here’s the information I told you about on the phone, I said as I pulled the papers out from my belt.
-They smell funny, commented the cat as he sniffed them with a smile.
-Well, seeing where I kept them and considering that the dragon metabolism also has the capacity to expel gas...
-No further details, thanks! I’ll call up Gallet and we’ll get cracking on adding to these findings. Man, there’s even some splatter on this!
-The author’s signature, announced Shackles.
-So I take you’re the group’s “Captain Spaulding”, Shackles? If you don’t have anything to change into, there are some suits in the storage room upstairs.

We went up the stairs in single file to my room, where one after the other, we took a thorough shower and changed into something more appropriate. Well, in my case, another pair of shorts, but for Mandy, a businesswoman’s ensemble did wonders to take away from the quite rugged air she bore in her work suit and for Shackles, a charcoal black suit along with a touch-up to his harlequin gave him a much more disturbing appearance, to his glee. I sympathized with him as before and retraced the lozenge that he’d given me as soon as he’d passed my the makeup, and he gave a long laugh as he saw I’d actually made it even more sophisticated then he had, following the crest of one of my horns and my cheekbone, really giving it a more natural look. As much as we tried, we couldn’t manage to talk Mandy into drawing something on her face, though it did give the sow a few good laughs to argue against the idea. Nice and maniacal, we got down to the first level to meet Ulrich, who had an exasperated look on his face as he leaned into his hand and started laughing.

-God, the mansion’s elite carnie troupe comes hither, said the Don. All right, have a seat, people! I have news to give and I suppose that you’ll like the most of it.
-Those scribbles paid off, then?
-They most certainly did, nodded Ulrich. Gallet was able to get the name of the faction that those weapons were going to, based on a few names that your victim gave you, plus a lot more about the distribution ring here. The armadillo already had a few raids called in, which I think should be happening right about now.
-Good to know that he’s getting his money’s worth out of this work, called Mandy as she pulled her collar loose. Sorry, I don’t think we shook hands or anything here. I’m Mandy, ex-engineer from the rust strain that these two boys walked onto.
-Don Ulrich Thule Luther, godfather of the Bronco Family of Miami, said the panther as he took her hand. Man, I hardly ever use that title!
-Sorry to say, but it sounds like a lot of thunder for one cat! So this is what the mafia looks like now?
-Well, we’ve come a very long way since what you see in old film noir movies. Ex-engineer? So you’re sort of unemployed now?
-More then sort of, yep. I figure I can find myself something with my skills and all that.
-Hey, we have a fleet to take care of here without a mechanic worth mentioning. I wouldn’t be above opening a garage if you’re open to the idea.
-I sure am! Who-hoo! I going to give you a hug, cat! Get ready!
-Holy, heaved Ulrich, you’re strong as steel! Okay, down girl, down! That said and my ribs cracked here, I have plane tickets ready for you at the airport if you’re willing to go over there and never you mind visas, as usual. Also, I’m not that hot about you going off on this run without decent wares. I know we were in a bit of a hurry before, but now we have the comfort of knowing that the rebels over there probably won’t run off into the night any time soon. Come on and I’ll show you the toy store.
-And blades, asked Shackles, or just guns?
-Oh, anything under the sun. I think there’s a big, mean looking KA-BAR Bowie knife in there someplace.
-There is a heaven over the skies, sighed the rat.

The sheer primal lust for death and slaughter that shone in our eyes as we looked around the basement armory was stunning, but we had enough wits about it to keep our passions under watch. I hadn’t, and still don’t, have any respect for firearms, and competed with the rodent as we scoured through the collection the Broncos had gathered through the years, some of the items rather museum pieces then anything we would consider taking along. Shackles found his Bowie, stroking the knife like a precious jewel before sheathing it and strapping it against his leg under his pants, looking over to Mandy as she picked up the largest, most obscene revolver in the inventory with three boxes of munitions. I was more practical, and instead took a long bayonet from the blades and slid it with its carrying pouch down my shorts, keeping the end of the handle just poking out enough for me to be able to pull it out in a pinch. Plus, coming down from the skies at speed with it ready in my hands would be a good way for a wicked soul to leave the world, wouldn’t it? I practiced drawing it for a few repetitions until Ulrich called for us to put an end to the party and come along nicely.

The sight of a tall, handsome dragon leading two entities more destined for a psychiatric institution was more then enough for us not to be bothered as we walked through the airport. The Don apparently had a word put in by Gallet in advance, for security didn’t even slow us down as we walked through the metal detectors which sang like birds. I couldn’t help but grin as Mandy commented that we might as well just have jumped the fence and run onto the tarmac to get to the plane rather then take the tourist’s detour. Still, we had a good wait to put up with before the aircraft was ready to receive us along with the other passengers, as few as there were, the flight being a charter for our intended destination. The panther thankfully had enough insight to give me two seats to be able to manage my wings into, though with Mandy as an aisle neighbor, I had my hands full already, talking to her through the first two hours of the voyage until Shackles showed us how well he lived up to his harlequin persona by taking out two decks of cards and started a long series of tricks which simply hypnotized us as we watched cards appear and disappear at the rat’s will. He seemed to like the admiration, pushing himself to make his performance more complicated until he ran out of ideas and put them away, getting a round of applause from us along with anyone else who had stolen a glance at him.

If I’d ever had the temptation to call Miami a hot place to wave my wings, then since the day we took those first steps out of the plane as soon as we got to the private airstrip far outside Lamu, I had a new datum to use as reference. The heat simply sucked out my breath as I left the fuselage, and the mirror-like mirages on the water in the distance did nothing to make the scene any less alien. Shackles was just as eager as me to get out of the sun, while Mandy just seemed stunned and dumbfounded by its effects, her eyes staring without focus towards the airstrip’s offices as we tried to get some idea what to do next. There were a lot of people around, but what mattered for us was to find someone who could point us in the right direction before we got irrecoverably lost and start wasting time retracing our steps in circles. There were a few kids from the city scampering around the strip offering their services to the passengers of the plane, obviously in return for money or something worth their while, though we found ourselves too busy looking to the horizons to notice one of them had scooted up to us. I felt someone watching me soon enough and instinctively looked across and down to try to resolve the sensation, instantly finding myself looking at a spotted hyena girl, younger then her teens be her looks, who had been trying to get our attention somehow, but still not make a nuisance of herself as I’d judged a few of the other youths were indeed becoming to their targeted customers. As soon as our stares met though, she started an energetic speech at a rate and intonation only souls her age can manage without getting an instant headache.

-Hello! Can I help you with something? I’m just trying to make a bit of money here, so if there’s anything you need, I hope I could be of service.
-Actually, we’re looking for a hotel to stay, I replied to her, somewhere nice. Would you be able to indicate one to us?
-Sure! You don’t have any suitcases?
-No, commented Shackles, we don’t.
-I’m Amina. Come and I’ll show you a good place to stay.

The hyena was hard to keep up with, though she didn’t seem to move with the same purpose as the other kids, some of who has finished with their first clients and had moved on to other planes or people. My eyes had gotten more used to the different light that shone on us now and I tried to get a better appreciation of the location while we tailed Amina into the city’s outlying streets, though we really didn’t spend too long in any one place on our way, just once in a while for her to point out some point of interest to us we might be interested in eventually if we were staying long enough to visit around. Only once did we make the mistake to linger too long at a street corner and very nearly paid for it dearly. After Amina had shown us a meat market she said was a good place to get anything we needed in that category, which at the time my stomach was calling for loudly, she took a bit of a head start on us, continuing down the street we had been heading for. Suddenly, I felt our good rat slap my shoulder to get my attention and turned me by a horn to look at where she should have been, calling out that someone had nabbed her into one of the buildings she’d passed in front of. Not taking the rodent’s words of warning lightly, the three of us sped towards the door Shackles had seen the kidnapper use, now blocked by a rhino leaning in the doorframe, covering his accomplice’s escape. I half expected for him to say something threatening to us to dissuade us from continuing in, but opposite to that, he stood back and waved his head in some sort of welcome. I didn’t know what to make of it, but my hand hovered a scant inch over my bayonet and I could see Shackles had readjusted his vest to clear his access to his Bowie, hence our feelings were polarized towards the fact we weren’t in territory we were comfortable with at all. The only way to go in the odd-shaped building was down along with three flights of stairs, the air thankfully getting cooler as we followed it. At the bottom of the way, another man waited, looking us over much more carefully before opening the door behind him and letting us into what I would have described as a reception desk a hotel might have, though our tension hadn’t eased in the least. Three more people stood around the room, keeping an eye on us while the creature at the desk greeted us.

-Hello! What are you looking for here?
-We’re looking for a hyena girl, I started. She’s about this tall, a spotted hyena..?
-We only deal with cargo here, for overseas transport. Just a moment, please.
-Cargo?
-Oh yes, cargo for sea transport. We have a few vessels at our disposal to ship in and out anything, anything at all. We don’t need to look what’s inside, for the right price either.
-So you make good money from smuggling then, grunted our rat.
-Be assured that we don’t do this for ourselves, but a greater cause that I’m certain you would approve of and will, in due time. After all, who wouldn’t want to see the country in the care of a great man who has such genius as Azaan?
-Shackles, I whispered, I think these are old friends of ours and it would be better if we do something, soon.
-I can’t hold out anymore either, replied the rat.

The speed at which Shackles took out his Bowie and planted it into his nearest target was almost legendary, and to date I don’t think he matched the record he set. In return, the firestorm I belched which lit up the two other attendants was worthy of some hail as well, voiced by Mandy while she drew her revolver and put a bullet through the doorman who’d made the mistake of poking his head in to see what was happening behind him. With so much sudden violence displayed to him, the man at the counter hadn’t moved, only taking a step back as I strode over to him and pinned him against the wall by the neck to give Shackles the time to search his person, recuperating a set of keys from his pocket before I bit into the meaty throat I held. Taking a good mouthful and throwing him aside, I settled on waiting while the rat found the right key to open the door behind the desk. Our fury continued as we rushed down the corridor, kicking in the first three doors we met before finding ourselves looking at Amina being held down on a bed naked, her clothes on the floor at the feet of a second man holding a horsewhip, preparing a lash. Then and there, Mandy let out a squeal right out of Hell’s maw before blowing away the bloody imp, though I had the personal pleasure of tearing the hyena’s captor from his position and as he fought and screamed for his life, rend and tore his gut to ribbons with both clawed hands, taking immense pleasure in having him bleed to death in from of his intended victim.

As I turned to look at the girl however, I knew full well that it wasn’t to be expected for her to take the sight of a creature getting disemboweled alive in stride and come along as if nothing had happened. Instead, she had pulled all the covers she could against her and was yelping like a tortured soul with cold tears soaking her face. Mandy had the quickest reaction to the scene of the three of us, sitting down aside her and holding the bundled hyena against her without saying a word, letting the gesture speak for itself. Soon as she’d come down from her scare enough with the good sow’s comfort to assist, we wrapped her up in the covers to be carried on Mandy’s strong and free back, for as able as mine was, my wings left no room for additional baggage to be installed there. It was vital that we left as soon as possible, for it was unreasonable to expect that the series of gunshots, even if muffled by the depth we found ourselves at, would have gone unnoticed and to be found surrounded by bodies with an incomprehensible amount of blood on ours hands would have seen us imprisoned instantly, no matter what we could have said. A quick search of the other rooms, we found no other exit then the one we’d taken, though as before, the same rhino blocked its path. Luckily for us but not in the least for him, he had taken a stance facing the street, hence never saw a beady-eyed rat sneak up behind him and plant his blade through the small of his neck, nor after that felt being dragged back into the building he’d been guarding, nor the stairs as he executed a rather random series of tumbles down their steps.

At this point though, we looked like a mess, and carrying around a girl wrapped in sheets didn’t seem like something we could do without lots of attention for long. I was the most presentable of the three of us mostly because I could clean my skin off more easily then the others could clean their clothes. Tucking into an alley, I did the best I could to wash off whatever blood I could see with a hand from Shackles, and we took side streets around until we found something that we guessed qualified as a good hotel, though without knowing the city too well, it was hard to be certain. I headed in alone while Mandy and Shackles held back across the street with Amina, who had fallen asleep against the sow. Presenting a credit card the rat had passed to me, I was able to get us a room on the second level for a week, big enough for three adults from what the receptionist told me, though I didn’t go right away, instead patrolling the first floor to find another entrance for my friends to take into the building without being seen to readily. An emergency exit out of sight of the lobby, meant for occupants of the upper floors coming down the stairs to use, became a safe entrance for our group, and poking my muzzle out of it and blowing a wisp of flame, I managed to signal the others to come in while no one was paying attention. Before anyone was the wiser, we had flown up the stairs to our room and behind a locked door, we all let a long breath out, the first since we’d entered the country. Mandy took her shower first, followed by Shackles, who then took all our clothes and tried to wash them as best as possible in the washroom sink. As could have been expected, the blood didn’t all come out, and although he insisted it was a good measure better then when we’d entered the hotel, we still couldn’t hope to go out in public without being looked at like rampaging maniacs.

While I still had the rodent’s card, I snuck out for a spell to get us ensembles to replace our soiled suits, along with what I evaluated to be enough for Amina to change into. I had excellent memory, and every last piece I bought fit its intended mannequin, the last of whom almost jumped me when I walked into the room, eager to look and feel normal again, even if for only a little while. The hyena looked at me from the bed where she’d taken a seat, curiously eyeing the ongoing distribution as if to ask if I’d gotten her anything. As soon as the sow and rat were off with their goods and the rodent had taken his card back from me, I walked up to her and showed her the robe I’d bought her. Giving a gentle smile, she took it and looked it over, giggling a bit as I passed her the underwear I’d also gotten as if the somewhat taboo items were by themselves humorous to behold. Then, looking at me for a second, she threw off the sheets and dressed up, asking me to button up the robe myself, which I played along with and did for her. As soon as I’d fastened the last, leaving the topmost loose for comfort, she leaned forwards and gave me a hug, staying against me as I sat up holding her and sat back down on the bed.

-Thank you, friend, said the hyena as she pulled herself straight.
-Do you know whom those people were who took you?
-You mean you killed them without knowing, asked the girl with disbelief, did you?
-You were in danger and we certainly care more about you more then them. Anyone who would be ready to whip an innocent like you certainly deserves nothing less!
-Actually, I’m not that innocent, protested Amina. I told the police about them a few times, and some of them got arrested because of me. Plus, they sort of tax us plane runners for protection, and I never paid them at all.
-Well, that’s the best thing to do, I refuted, the most honest! My commendations go to you for your strength, Amina.
-I just do what I think I have to. After all, I’m alone with my cousin here and we have enough problems everyday that we don’t need people like them bringing us more.
-So you have a home to go to? That’s great, I commented. Is it far?
-I said I was with my cousin, retorted the hyena with a forced cynical smile, I didn’t mention we lived anywhere.
-Oh, I’m sorry, I couldn’t have guessed.
-I wouldn’t be running around the airport playing the mule for tourists if I had a choice, shot the girl. Sorry, sorry, I shouldn’t be cross. You’re right, I don’t suppose that you could have known. We live at any of her friends’ places when they can put us up, but they don’t have enough money to support us, or anything like that. We have our pride, if nothing else.
-Do you know where she is?
-She works at a restaurant near the airport. We passed in front of it when we were walking. I suppose I should go see her. After all, I’m sure you didn’t come here without something in mind. No one comes off the planes without something in mind here.
-Amina, I think that maybe we could come to some arrangement here, I started as I put my arm back across her. I’ll be completely honest with you, because I think that from how you talk, you’re older at heart then you appear. Those men that took you are part of a weapons smuggling operation we interrupted a few days ago by... well, the vessel that is supposed to bring them their goods is no longer traveling its route, in short. We know that those weapons and their money all goes to help a paramilitary group here that’s planning a coup to take over the country. That’s all we know though, and we don’t know anything about Kenya.
-And you think it would be good to have a Kenyan hyena with you to help, continued the girl, her eyes narrowing and a grin climbing on her face. If I’m going to show you around the country, then we should definitively go tell my sister about it. I think she’ll want to come too.
-Even if she has a job?
-She hates it! Her boss isn’t a good man, he’s greedy and he doesn’t want to pay her properly. She doesn’t always get her pay either, because sometimes he says that she missed something or something’s missing in the store and says that he knows it was her and she’s lucky he doesn’t have her arrested.
-Then let’s go see her, I said as I gave her another hug.

I didn’t have to talk Shackles and Mandy too long to get their thumbs-up for the plan, though they insisted to stay at the hotel while I ran the errand with Amina. After all, it wasn’t like I was planning to run into another trap like we’d fallen into previously, and they looked too tired to do that much either, making me feel even happier to have the sleepless metabolism I was created with. The walk with Amina wasn’t as stressful as our first and the hyena didn’t let my hand go as we took the streets, saving me from having to try to keep up with her again. The restaurant that she had spoken about looked much nicer then the owner she had mentioned, a very clean-looking place where a good crowd of tourists was enjoying intricate meals while they gazed out at the general populace. The scene of opulence made me sick for a moment and I didn’t even notice as I let out a deafened groan that the girl picked up on instantly, looking at me and nodding with her eyes rolled back as if understanding exactly what I was thinking.

We didn’t see her sister in the commerce, so at Amina’s recommendation, we headed around to it’s back to see if she was taking a break from the work. As we turned the corner to look down the alley, I saw a bony zebra talking loudly to an older hyena, maybe five years Amina’s senior. I gave Murmur a quiet thanks as I listened in, understanding perfect what was being said.

-You stole from me again, Eshe! This time is enough!
-I didn’t take anything! What are you talking about this time?
-I know you took the steak that was on the table aside the kitchen! It’s coming out of your pay, Eshe!
-You always do this!
-Then you’d rather leave? Leave, then!
-I... I can’t, I need the money, I...
-Then you’ll have some, but minus that steak!
-Extortion is a poor way to show your appreciation of a good employee, I called in Swahili, effectively stunning the zebra as he turned to look at me.
-Be quiet, demon, yelled the man as he took two steps towards me and tried to take a swing at me.
-I will speak the honest truth even if your ears refuse it, I replied as I took his hand and used it to toss him to the ground.
-I quit, called the older hyena as she came to join her little sister. You can keep your money, if your fists hold it so tightly!
-Despicable creature, I muttered as we returned to the street. I take it your name is Eshe, milady?
-It is, yes. And who are you, one who beats a wicked man with a just hand?
-I’m Eclipse, I stated as I shook her hand.
-We have a place to stay, interjected Amina, in a hotel.
-Really? Great! Let’s go then! I need a shower, really. Hem... actually, how come we have a place to stay, sister?

The younger hyena explained our adventure as we headed back to our temporary home, getting a number of astounded expressions from Eshe in return, who in turn looked at me once in a while with a surprised air. As we walked into the hotel room and made ourselves at home again, the older hyena didn’t shy up on the hot water as she took a long bath, coming out with her mane in a humid mess and a happy smile. We didn’t go into the subject of our plans right away, instead making easy conversation with the two to get everybody on the same level, with me as translator when one of the hyenas were missing words to express themselves. Shackles still managed to make a few strange jokes here and there, but after about half an hour, a very careful Eshe spoke her mind.

-Eclipse, I’m more then glad that you came along with your friends, but what is it that you want from us exactly? I don’t want to be rude, but we’ve both had our share of run-ins with tourists that had odd ideas about what they could expect to buy here, and I don’t want for you to get the wrong idea about what you can ask.
-I don’t think I understand your meaning, I replied as I reviewed Eshe’s phrasing.
-Look, we’ve both had people offer us money to see more of our spots then we like to show, paraphrased the hyena, give more then friendly directions and lift more then baggage. People come here with money, and they think that they can...
-No, no! We didn’t even consider saying that, I called with a disgusted air. That’s an awful thing to imply! We’re here to break all relations between a group of rebels here and their friends back in Miami, Florida, in the United States. We need someone to help us find places when we get information, because we don’t know this land.
-Break relations? You mean make sure they don’t cause trouble anywhere else then here? I would hope you’d have more ambitions then that and take them apart rather then leave them be!
-Sister, cut Amina, why are you so mean today? What’s wrong with you, that you can’t trust anyone anymore like this?
-Because no one trusts me, replied Eshe. I can’t go in a market without the people there looking at me like I’m going to steal. I can’t go in a restaurant without having the people there check to see if I’m stealing anything, or if I’m just going to use the washroom and leave. I can’t even be at work without someone saying I steal from them! I don’t think I can trust anyone who doesn’t trust me, sister.
-Then here’s your trust, said Shackles as he took out his Bowie and gave it by the handle to the hyena and turned his back to her with his arms crossed. You have a knife in your hands, and I’ve got my back to you. My life is in your hands, because I trust you to be as good a woman as I think you are.
-I... I...
-And here’s my own blade, I stated as I gave her my bayonet and did the same as Shackles. End my life if you see it fit.
-You give your trust very freely, sighed Eshe as we heard her put the knives on the table aside her. Maybe I could use a lesson, if it wasn’t for how we live. I’m sorry to have been so aggressive, but times have been hard for us and I suppose I’ve grown too thick a skin.
-So you’ll help us, I asked as I sat back down aside Amina, eh?
-If you let us live here for a while with a good roof, then we’d be ingrates to do nothing to repay you. I’ll still need to find a new job to put bread on our plates though...
-Not as long as you’re with us, corrected Shackles. You’re with us, so you get everything we do.

As a few complaints about hunger started to seep into the conversation, Mandy placed a call to room service and had a few plates sent up, letting her nature take control of her voice as she read off the items, numerous in nature and massive in magnitude. Though I had a bit of a hollow tooth to fill myself, I commented to Shackles that while we were staying in the hotel, the chances that the remains of our victims back in the basement hideout grew, and any information we might have hoped to find there ensuing a more thorough search diminished greatly. With the cover of night having finally been made available to us during our stay, we judged it the best time to go and take a better look, and excusing ourselves we made for the door. Amina ran up behind us though and stated that we had almost gotten lost in daylight, hence the chances of us finding our ways around with the stars in the midnight black were marginal at best. Though I loathed putting her in any further danger, she was very right and as we took off through the darkened ether, the three of us strode the streets holding hands through her. Somehow, I knew that though the circumstances were perhaps odd, she certainly enjoyed our company, and her hands gripped us with more then casual contact.

-Thanks again for putting in a word to your sister back there, I said to the hyena.
-Eshe is good when it comes to fending for ourselves, but sometimes she’s too afraid and tense to just let go. She likes to be in control, you know, or at least feel she had a word to say about what’s happening.
-So she seemed, I nodded. It mustn’t be easy to life like nomads in the city.
-It just doesn’t give us a chance to actually do anything. We’re too busy thinking about what we need to do to get by the day, rather then what would be fun or better for tomorrow.
-You don’t go to school then.
-No, I haven’t for over two years. We can’t afford it, that’s all, neither the books and things nor my time. You seem to be very worried for me, Eclipse.
-Well, I think it’s a reasonable thing to be, I replied as I looked at her eyes shining back with the moonlight. After all, it’s sad to know that you have to suffer this indecision so regularly.
-I don’t know who made you, laughed Amina as she rested her head again me as we walked, but I certainly would have hoped he’d made more!

The door of the front had stayed untouched, closed but unlocked as we’d left it. Taking a look around to make sure no one looked too interested in us, we opened it and hurried down the stairs, side-stepping the rhino’s body, still reasonably fresh, but that’s my hunger talking. Amina made a bit of a face as we walked into the vestibule, but settled into a grin as she gave one of the fallen a good kick and cursed at him while we continued to the back rooms. Three pairs of eyes and quick hands scoured around like mad through the former occupant’s belonging, grabbing anything that looked of interest and tossed it into bags we’d commandeered to haul off and get a better look at later. I hit a small stash of memorabilia and documents regarding the movement they’d been employed by, extremely informative at first glance, mentioning it to Shackles, who was himself busy going through records of members he’d located. Eventually, we ran out of things to scour and throwing the bags over our backs, we turned for the door. Before we left though, Amina stopped by the room she’d been kept in to get her discarded clothes and with a mean grin equalling Shackles on a good day, pulled down her pants and took a long leak on one of her captor’s remains, even taking the time to wipe herself on him before hitching them back up and walking back to join us with a maniacal giggle.

-Wow Amina, called Shackles as he ran his hand over her head, that was something!
-Hey, justice is good for God, but revenge is good for mortals. I suppose it’s been twice now that you’ve seen those spots that Eshe was referring to, eh?
-Indeed, but be assured that we don’t have the same intentions that those she talked about would regarding seeing them.
-Not even a bit, questioned the girl as we returned outside, not even in the least? I know that I’m younger then you but still, I know that men have a natural drawing to women that is blind to it.
-I’m gay, announced Shackles as he let out a breath of relief to be able to escape the question. Sorry to say, but I don’t really have that drawing. Eclipse?
-As any soul who seeks the beauty of the world, I can honestly say there is much beauty in you, Amina. To be privileged to see your full beauty is therefore quite a pleasant sight, for certain.
-I think I know what you’re saying, laughed the hyena. You like me, eh?
-For a variety of reasons, certainly I do.
-Poor sister, she’ll be jealous, hummed the girl as she got on my shoulders, fitting nicely between my wings and grabbing my horns for support. At least I know I’ll maybe have a chance to sleep with someone who doesn’t kick and groan as loudly as she does when she dreams.
-I suppose there is a space issue in the hotel room, I commented, but I don’t know if she’d go along with you sharing a bed with me.
-She can sleep on a sofa if she likes, I’m sticking with you, shrugged Amina, planting a kiss on my muzzle as far as she could reach.

Almost in perfect harmony with what we rattled about on our way, by the time we got back into the room, Eshe has liquefied on the loveseat in front of the window, her paws twitching intermittently almost in rhythm with her ears. Mandy, for her part, had squeezed to one side of the left mattress and left the covers open for someone to join her, but it was clear there was no way I could possibly fit aside her with my wings in mind, hence Shackles was the only logical candidate for the place. Amina gave a self satisfied grin to me as we settled into the sheets, crawling on me to lay flat on my chest, her head against my sternum and her members simply loose to the sides. I closed an arm around her, stroking her rough coat through the cloth, feeling her mane through it easily as the longer, straighter hairs met my palm. The hyena looked up at me for a moment as I continued, then reaching along her sides, pulled her shirt off and dropped it aside the bed, snuggling against me tighter.

Though I do have a comparatively thick hide, I could feel her chest on mine like I could feel myself breath, and couldn’t help but let a hand deviate from its stroking trajectory to check my assumption. Sure as anything, I felt a warm tit as I dragged my fingers on her side and heard a low sigh from Amina as she stared back at me again. I didn’t quite know exactly what I felt as some movement took place below, but as she settled again, I no longer had the smooth texture of her panties between us, and her smile widened further as I once again felt around her midsection to verify what I thought she’d done. The hyena gave a nod as I ran both palms on her uncovered rear, grasping it slowly a few times before out of the blue, I leaned forwards and kissed Amina on the lips with depraved appetite. She thrust into it, putting her hands around my shoulders as she moved her jaw gently, careful not to bite my tongue with her inherently strong facieses, tender and sweet.

Moving my head away and giving a quick check to see the privacy wall between the beds was as large as I’d sized it to be, I reached down and started stroking the girl’s privates, nibbling on her arms and chest while she kissed any part of me she could hold. She wasn’t quite ready for an encounter at her age, but nonetheless, I could feel her becoming increasingly wet while between us, my own equipment made its highly solicited appearance, grabbed by Amina as soon as she’d noticed it. Remembering what Ulrich and I had talked about a few times when the subject of amusing tricks to try in bed had come into the conversation and the panther had conveyed a long inventory of things he’d tried with astounding success through the years, I took Amina by the waist and turned her upside down to have her crotch within reach of my mouth and plunged my tongue right into her fruit, getting a sudden contraction of her frame instantly, followed by seizing twitches as I moved it around.

As the Don had prophesied to me would follow, I felt her take my member and run her mouth over it, sending warm throughout me and relieving me of any moral issues that could impede on our pleasure. With little restraint left to keep us from anything at that point, the beautiful hyena turned back upright, and taking charge of my cock, arched over me to try and put it in her. I didn’t want to press her, because it was admirable for her to attempt the manoeuvre as it was, but seeing her hesitate and look down at me as if seeking some assistance in overcoming her apprehension, I gave her a smooth kiss and taking her by the hips, slid myself into her just a few inches, just enough in my opinion for the both of us to reap satisfaction from the relation. Amina’s eyes dilated and her mouth opened to gasp for air as we turned to our sides to make ourselves more comfortable, gripping each other carefully while we executed ourselves relentlessly. Long minutes later, I came in the girl with a gasp, matched by her at almost the same moment, though she insisted that we stay as we were until we fell asleep, which I was at a loss to protest as I held her against me again.

Thankfully, to mitigate the damage that our discovery in a state of carnal vice might have brought, we were the first in the apartment to awaken, hence we had the time to shower and change before the next batch of souls came about, ending with Eshe’s own coming about.

-Wow, that’s a really good sofa, exclaimed the hyena as she got up and rubbed her neck. How did you sleep, Amina?
-On a leather mattress, she laughed as she thumbed towards me.
-Comfortable, kidded Eshe as she took and wiggled one of my horns, or a bit too hard?
-Just fine!
-We found a lot of things last night back at the basement, I said as I dragged in the bags that we’d dumped at the door. I think we might be spending a few hours going through this.
-I’ll call up a brunch, smiled Shackles. Actually, Mandy, you did a fine job of things yesterday. Care to repeat the performance?
-Now you’re just saying that to make me blush!

It took us the better part of the day to try to put together everything that we’d raided from the group, finding parts of our findings too out of date or useless, though the rest was exactly what we wanted; locations, names and strategies as to what these fools were planning to do. What exactly we were going to do about it was another question though. As much as I personally admired Amina and Eshe’s zeal and fervour about turning them into snacks for vultures and maggots, the numbers we were facing were realistically too heavy to hope to do anything about directly. That, and for the most part, the ‘delivering fighters’ as they coined themselves, were scattered about the country in a way that they could hardly be rounded up without a good number of them getting wind of the events and making for the brush before they could be taken in as well. The only time that they would gather would be when the group was ready to strike at the capital, a sudden and extremely violent affair from what some reports we had described, but at that point, it would be almost impossible to face them down alone.

-Now would be one of those times we’re in big trouble, called Mandy. Unless you got a bunch of soldier boys packed into those pockets of yours, I think we’d best give this a bit of thought.
-If we were to present this to the authorities, I wonder what the reaction would be, I asked as I put down a stack of papers I’d been flipping through. I suppose it would be embarrassing if they asked whereabouts we got this information from.
-We still need them, commented Mandy. I say that we find some other way to talk to them boys in green and get on with this, because we sure can’t stand hail and lightning and laugh in its face without dropping dead.
-If we’d find some ranking officer who’d sympathize with our idea, then it could represent a good alternative, I stated. After all, they’ll see a chance to bring some serious hurt to a group they almost certainly have a tooth against, and that’s too precious to pass off on, even if it’s just for the chance to try.
-Eshe, started Shackles, do you know if there’s some office around here where there would be some representatives of the armed forces around here?
-I don’t know, I can’t say I ever looked. I remember that one guy at the restaurant quit one day, and walked out yelling that he was better off going down a few blocks and sign up with the army then stay in the kitchens serving up horrible food to ingrate customers. It’s a place to start, but the street’s a big long.
-Hey, we have some time to spare, shrugged the rat. With all this information, we have a serious head start on Azaan’s rebels.
-Well, that’s based on the idea that we don’t know then they’ve been planning to start their revolution, I corrected. We could be walking the razor’s edge without knowing it just yet.
-Always the reassuring word from our dragon, laughed Eshe.

We took our new customary back door out to follow Eshe’s guidance, who had apparently shed her overbearing and paranoid demeanour overnight, giving us as sweet a smile as her little sister while we kicked the tarmac. No surprise was felt as an intentional detour past the basement we’d raided saw us looking at a group of policemen standing about the door, now wide open. If anything, this was bad news, for it could be a trigger for the attack to be launched if the rebels suspected that their information had fallen in the wrong hands and therefore an incentive to step it up. Halfway up the street that held Eshe’s former workplace, we saw a recruitment office for the army, looking more like a poster or pizza place then anything very serious. Still, we tried out luck and entered the establishment, finding a few senior officers inside looking incredibly bored. After all, the office looked too immaculate to have seen any regular traffic, and its low visibility didn’t help. The most conscious of the group, a very tall oryx antelope turned his attention to us and got up to greet us, pulling a kink out of his neck before talking.

-Hello and welcome, stated the man from behind the counter. What can we do for you, ladies and gentlemen?
-Actually what we’ve come here for us of both our concern, I stated. Would it be possible to talk with you in private?
-I’m afraid all we have here other then this open room is our lunchroom next door. Would that suffice?
-Certainly, I replied as we followed him to the kitchen. I apologize for the formality, but what we wish to address is a bit difficult to expose to too many people, some of whom might be quite displeased that their secrets have been found.
-This seems very serious, hummed the soldier as he took off his overcoat and poured us coffee from the small machine on the counter. What did you learn that could be of this nature?
-I start this presentation assuming that you’re already aware of a man called Azaan. Are you?
-We’ve all heard of him, groaned the oryx.
-As fabulous as it may seem, we foiled a kidnap attempt aimed at our friend here, during which we passed by offices what a group of that madman’s people was using as a recruitment post. After they left, we looked around and found these documents. If you read them, you’ll find that they outline a plot of overthrow the government and take power in what they call a ‘storm of blood and energy’. From what they discuss, it might take place in the imminent future.
-I see, well then! I’m at a loss to take care of this directly without a hand from my superiors, obviously. I have one in my confidence, if you’d give me a moment to us the phone there.

We waited patiently as our host took the receiver and dialled out, eventually starting a conversation in Swahili with someone on a very familiar tone, using the term ‘brother’ as a title, hence it was likely his fellow soldier was either a good friend he trusted heart and soul, or actually his blood relative. He turned to tell us that whomever it was he was talking wanted to come in and look at the information himself and talk to us in case he needed more from us. Not wanting to seem evasive, we agreed enthusiastically and got comfortable while we waited for the stranger, trading words with the oryx and draining more caffeine from his automatic brewing machine. It took a while, but eventually a second oryx walked into the kitchen, trading a hug with our original horned creature before he passed him the evidence. Obviously the latest arrival had a lot of experience and ten minutes later, he was fully up to speed on the problem.

-I can’t say I could have expected for such good fortune to come our way, said the new oryx. I’m Commander Yasini Nugwo, and this is a rare honour.
-Oh, and I’m Corporal Nuru Nugwo, said out first oryx. Sorry, I’d forgotten to introduce myself with everything going on.
-Brother, you’re as forgetful as always, joked Yasini. Now, with this data, we will prepare a worthy response, indeed so. These people will almost certainly see it as a provocation and therefore will act, most likely by engaging in this plan. We’ll be more then ready and our fire will scorch this annoying thorn bush.
-So you’d mobilize so quickly?
-We’ve had too many problems with these individuals recently and lost too much time as well as far, far more resources then they deserve. To have them come to us rather then have to hunt them down on their territory and terms is far better then what we’d been contemplating recently.
-Glad to hear it’ll make a difference, nodded Shackles.
-Well, not as glad as we are that you came in with this! I suppose that the question has to be asked at some point...
-You mean who we are, grinned Mandy.
-Is it too much to ask, smiled the oryx, or could you tell us?
-I’m Eclipse, I started, and that’s Shackles, Mandy, Amina and Eshe over there with the suspicious stare.
-It’s not a suspicious stare, replied the hyena, it’s just an apprehensive one.
-At any rate, it’s a pleasure to meet all of you, stated Nuru.
-Look, cut Yasini, as strange as the situation can be with us meeting like this, let me cut the fuse off the bomb by stating for the record that you’ll never be asked where you got this information from. Whatever your background is, we welcome it with open arms.
-That’s a load off our minds for sure, sighed the sow as she gave Nuru a slap on the back. You know, we just didn’t know if you boys would be wanting to lock us up for having this sort of stuff in our hands and everything.
-You obviously are good people to be giving it to us, or amazingly good spies, shrugged Nuru. I suppose it could nice for us to go somewhere better to talk then this cramped little place?
-We could always go back to the hotel where we’re staying, I offered to the soldiers. It’s a wing beat away, and I think there’s enough room for all of us to be comfortable.
-From our familiar ground to yours, nodded Yasini. Well, I think that for practicality’s sake, we could simply take a ride back to our garrison instead, so while we’re talking, we can also put things in motion for the interception and elimination of the Azaanis. The sort of action I have in mind takes time to get rolling, and the sooner that I get the word out, the sooner we’ll be rid of another dangerous creature.

We waited while Yasini placed another call on the kitchen phone for us to get a ride on a transport. Fifteen minutes later, we were rolling in the back of a truck down the streets, passing by Eshe’s old restaurant where right under her ex-boss’ nose, she gave a very self-assured middle finger with a smile, laughing in her high-pitched notes as we rolled on, though eventually settled on my shoulder with her little sister leaning on her in turn. I took in the tableau and put my muzzle over the woman’s shoulder with a wing closed over them to keep the wind out of their hair for the rest of the way, which ended in a shabby-looking encampment outside the city surrounded by rusty barbed wire and mesh fencing that though innocuous-looking, could certainly fulfil its duty in a pinch. There were very few permanent buildings, most of them heavy fabric tents that seemed to have been set up a long moons ago but without a reason to be taken down, hadn’t. Still, there was no lack of people in the area, all busy with anything from household chores to testing their skills in any way they could think. We parked up besides a large concrete block building that could have been anything and probably had been plenty of things through its existence, getting out as soon as Nuru gave us a thumbs-up. For the time being, the place was set up as a command post and the conference room was vast enough to fit twice our numbers without twitching. A soldier came in to pass out water bottles for us to enjoy while we talked, and following his plan, Yasini left with him to go about his work. Nuru didn’t seem to have any sense of urgency in his manners, more interested in us then what we had put in motion.

-Everyone’s comfortable here?
-I can’t seem to get away from the fact that’s we’re about to start a civil war, I grunted as I took a drink from my bottle. I suppose it had to happen eventually, but at this point I suppose I’ve got cold feet.
-I know, nodded Nuru. It’s not something I really look forwards to, but like I said before, I’m confident that the process and outcome would be much less violent then if either of us had gone into the other’s backyard with guns blazing.
-I suppose that there isn’t some sort of alternative solution either, I added.
-Actually, come to think of it, started Shackles, I just had an idea...
-What’s in the harlequin rat’s head?
-The harlequin rat is thinking that if Azaani was to die, wouldn’t this sort of die off? After all, their movement seems to rest almost solely on his force of personality, so if he isn’t there to tend to the fire, there’s a chance that it’ll die off by itself.
-So you’d suggest that he be assassinated and we wait to see what results it yields rather then go ahead with this provoking action?
-This provocation is based on his ego too, I insisted. Listen, to spare gullible people who fell prey to his influence isn’t a sin, Nuru.
-True, but it certainly is a gamble to be taking. Not to act on this intelligence is to waste it, along with a good chance to be rid of a problem.
-And what assurance do you have that this will be the end of it, I said as I crossed my arms and gave a few beats of my wings, if Azaani isn’t part of the charge? If I know his kind as well as I think I do, then he’s too much of a megalomaniac to be anywhere near the battle, in case it falls apart and as soon as the dust settles, he’d already be ready to try to form another group under the same banner to give it another shot.
-Fuck, cursed the oryx.
-Fuck indeed, I echoed. You might want to call Yasini and put a damper on his fire before it’s too late.
-What do we do then, grumbled Nuru.
-I say we get ready to undertake the provocative action, but hold on until we see if we’re able to take out Azaani and his most fervent admirers. Then you do it, broadcasting a call out to him through the media. If there’s anyone who still wants to fight without him, then those are fair game for the Pit.
-Right, sighed the oryx. I’ll go tell Yasini, but in the meantime, I hope you can find where that bastard is hiding.

We let the ungulate leave in peace before consulting our files that seemed more and more organized each time we reviewed them. Machakos seemed to be the most likely location of the actual leadership of our nemesis, which from both documentation and logic was a sound choice for them to have made. So close to Nairobi, they could easily regroup and prepare their coup, while still stay out of the line of fire. Nuru returned with a very flustered Yasini who apparently had been fully informed of our change of plans.

-I take it that your brother told you the news, I mumbled as I looked at a few papers.
-Yes he did, and I agree with you, dragon. Still, there are two regiments between us and the capital, so should we run out of time, they’ll be ready to go into the fray.
-I take it you’re closer to putting lead into Azaani, asked Nuru, or meditating?
-We know in or around what city he is, replied Shackles, but the trick is to pinpoint his location more precisely.
-Right, hummed Nuru as he peered at the map of Machakos. We can’t simply roll into the place in force either, or that’ll tip him off that we’re onto his plans and if we’d managed to avoid trouble until then, it would be the end of it.
-Aye, rather so. I suppose then your idea would be to visit the town and investigate this in a more discrete manner.
-A fire-breathing dragon, a professional assassin and grease money with a bad habit of whacking people with heavy objects, grinned Mandy. I suppose somewhere out there someone would call that a crack intervention team.
-I think that that place is right here and I’ll be that person, laughed Yasini. I’ll have you flown over there, if you like.
-Is there somewhere that we could buy a car, asked Shackles, just like that?
-Well, I suppose you’ll find a dealer back in town, but we are on an island here, commented Nuru. Have you ever parachuted?
-I’ve been flying as long as I can remember, I grinned. Shackles?
-I had a glider for a few years, nodded the rat. Ever left the ground, Mandy?
-Never, I only got water in my blood. Well, I suppose there’s a first time to everything.
-And I think you know our answers too, giggled Eshe. Not against it either.
-Then get ready and I’ll get an aircraft over here, stated the oryx. Do you need anything for your mission?
-You wouldn’t happen to have a sniper rifle, asked our rodent, would you?
-The best we have are a few high-end hunting rifles, but the scopes aren’t really what I’d call a sniper’s, shrugged Yasini. Soldier, get one of those, would you?
-Yes sir, said the attendant aside the oryx as he ran off to get our weapon.
-Other then that?
-A hug, smiled Shackles. Is that too much to ask?
-I suppose not, replied the commander as he stepped up to the rat and gave him a hug. There, you’re good?
-Plenty!

Five hours later, the five of us were looking at Earth in an entirely new way, at least everyone save for me, for whom this was just a different landscape. I glided between Mandy and Eshe, to whom the onboard jump officer had strapped Amina, looking for any problems for either, finding none to my relief. Of anything, everyone seemed to be enjoying the hell out of the jump, especially Shackles, who wasn’t shy to show his skill at the sport by slowing or accelerating his fall to try and stay at level with me. While we were in the air, I demonstrated my own natural grace as best I could, getting enthusiastic catcalls from the sow as I traced a long spiral down and using my wings to break my fall, searched for and found a favourable updraft to return to almost exactly where I’d started the acrobatic move. Still, I could see some measure of comfort in my friend’s faces as paws started hitting ground a few kilometres from our intended destination. Stowing our parachutes back in their packs as best we could without damaging them, we took the most obvious road into town, trying not to attract too much attention to ourselves even with the bulky equipment on our back. Not wanting to waste our stealthy insertion, we checked into the first hotel that we could find, where once again Shackles took out his card and paid for our stay with complete nonchalance, obviously not a huge expenditure to him. The place was just slightly larger then what we’d called our roof in Lamu, but most importantly, there were three beds, so we certainly would be less pressed for room.

As anyone who reads my account could suspect, it was dark as coal outside by the time we’d gotten our quarters and one would extrapolate from that fact, compounded with our unconventional journey, that we were hardly able to stand at this point. This would be quite accurate. Even with my unnatural stamina, I had trouble keeping my eyes open, and didn’t have any problem with casting aside my pack and slamming on the nearest mattress. I hadn’t noticed Shackles had already sat down on the same bed I’d unconsciously selected, but as he turned and taking me be the side horns, kissed my forehead, I could hardly have dismissed that reality.

-Hello sweetheart, said the rat.
-Shackles, I muttered. Sorry, I hadn’t caught sight of you there.
-The lozenges blend into the background, chuckled the rat. I’ll go crowd Mandy over there, then.
-You’d better do that, boy, or I’m gonna go over there an’ pick you up myself, called the sow.
-Sounds like trouble, I giggled with a half smile and equally opened eye. I suppose I’ll have no problem with room tonight, then.
-You might, I heard Amina say as I felt her sit on my back. There’ll be some spots in the way of those wings of yours.
-Actually, I...
-Actually, there’ll be a lot of spots in the way, Eshe seconded as she pushed the second bed against mine as to combine them into an extra-wide unit. Unless that’s a problem to you, Eclipse?
-Well, I started as the older hyena reached under her shirt to take off her bra and throw it across the room to land on the sofa, already host to Mandy’s, I take it there’ll be much more painful and horrible moments in my life.
-As those you’d be going through if you start complaining right now, laughed Eshe as she got into the sheets and rolled to land against me, sandwiching me between her and Amina. You’re all right over there, sis?
-Plenty good, replied the girl.
-Hug, said Eshe as she wrapped her arms around me.
-Scales and spots, I whispered as I returned the gesture. Good night to all!
-Right, I heard Shackles’ muffled voice reply in the dark.
-You okay?
-His head’s under my shirt suckin’ my tits, replied the sow. I’m afraid it the best you’ll be gettin’ from him for a bit.

I shook my head at the answer, lowering it onto the pillow as Eshe gave me some room. Her stare didn’t leave me though, not even as I felt sleep take control over my senses. It must have bothered me enough to keep me from going under, or perhaps it was the rumble of Shackles and Mandy snoring that pulled me out of my dreams, but whatever the case, I came back around a while later to see Eshe leaning on her arm more comfortably, but still bearing the same expression on her face. I opened my eyes and took the side of my face in my hand as I locked my gaze on hers.

-Sleepless, Eshe?
-Afraid so, she replied as she edged closer. You?
-Drowsy, but not quite asleep. You look like you have something to say, good lady.
-Good lady, grinned the woman, I’d have paid to hear that a while back.
-So its nostalgia, I commented.
-Well, groaned the hyena while she huddled against me, it’s that and more. Worst, I suppose.
-Worst?
-Look, we – Amina and me – have been through a heck of a lot, okay? I know you’ll say you can, out of honest compassion, but I don’t think you can imagine how much hell we’d had to go through since mother left us. Just to stay safe for two women is hard sometimes. Men aren’t always like you, Eclipse. Then, to be able to have enough food is a humiliating struggle for any dignified being, let alone clothing. Heck, that brassiere I took off, I’ve had for over two years, and hardly does what it’s supposed to anymore.
-Then we’ll go get another tomorrow, I offered.
-See, that’s just what I was thinking about. This is the first best time we’ve had, ever, even before we lost our home, said Eshe as I saw a few tears glitter on the side of her muzzle, but I know it’s only a passing time. You’ll go back to your country sooner or later and then it’ll be back to what we’ve known for us. I thought I could stay detached enough that I could remember that, but it’s been so good for us, it only sort of hit home when we were walking.
-Eshe...
-Look, it’s nothing anyone can do anything about, cut the woman as more water flowed from her eyes. It’s just how it was, and it’s our lot in life. If anything, I should be quiet and be grateful for what we have.
-Eshe, I said as I reached across to take her by the waist and pull her against me, we wouldn’t be leaving you in the street when we go. God, what sort of a monster would be able to live with the idea of giving two beautiful, intelligent, sweet women like you a warm blanket and a few dollars then turn and take off to return to a life of opulence? We’ll make sure you have everything you could ever need, and then some.
-But we... I’ll miss you, whined the hyena as she gripped my arm to sob against me. It’s not just the life; it’s you too. Here, there are people who’d say what you do, but then they’d try to lift my leg to fuck me and if I did anything to stop them, they’d threaten to take their word back. You haven’t even touched my breasts, nothing. I don’t see any vice in you, Eclipse, not even a crumb.
-If I felt any true love for you worth occupying my heart, Eshe, I would respect you too much to even have the smallest impulse to say something so wicked.
-Do you, gasped Eshe, do you then? You love me?
-I do, I sighed as I stroked her back.
-You give your love as freely as your trust, she smiled as she put her own paw on my hip.
-No I don’t. It’s much more daunting to give love then trust, after all.
-I suppose it is, muttered the hyena as she leaned and kissed me. Oh, yes...
-Indeed so, I whispered as we moved away from Amina, who apparently didn’t mind her snoring neighbours enough to be kept from sleep. Your mane is much softer then it appears at first sight...
-And your skin doesn’t feel anything like I would have guessed, replied Eshe as she slowly traced the flesh around my arm’s horn-like outcroppings. Everything qualified, I really have to say it’s something else to hear you say what you think about me.
-What are your thoughts of this strange animal you see yourself?
-My thoughts aren’t really anything I would care to put in words as much as actions, smiled the woman as she pulled her shirt over her head. Here, Eclipse my strange animal, hold me, feel me...
-Life is worth living for the joy it brings, I sighed as I nuzzled with Eshe and grasped her chest to mine just so I could run my palms against the sides of her breasts.
-Oh that feels good, whispered the hyena with a whine. Eclipse, I have something of a confession, if you care to hear it.
-I care about everything you have to say. Go on, sweet creature.
-It’s a bad memory, but the last and only time I ever had sex with anyone was because I was raped, two years ago. Not to seem like I’m taking aim at your country, but it was an American tourist that cornered me in an isolated alley late in the evening when I was trying to find a place for Amina and me to stay. I was too tired to fight back, and he pinned me down before I knew it. God that hurt... I suppose it didn’t help when I was trying to bring myself to trust you.
-Eshe, I can’t even think what to say, I sighed as I squeezed her a bit more.
-Me either, shrugged the hyena. Still, I’d really sort of like to feel it right now, the good kind of sex. And plus, I’m really, really horny right now.
-Figure that I’m pretty much in the same state, I chuckled as I pulled down my shorts with one hand and ran my thumb against my erection just before Eshe did the same.
-Oh, yeah, that’s what I’d like to feel, smiled the woman. Let me just pull my pants off here... there, come on, Eclipse.
-Right... wait, what’s...
-Hyenas have a penile clitoris, giggled Eshe. There, oh! Oh, yes, you’re in me! Now go... yes, go ahead.

I held Eshe in an upper-body hug while we slowly made love, her eyes lighting up even brighter in the dark then the reflective effect normally gave off. We were careful not to make too much noise either, just in case anyone was sleeping a little too lightly at the moment. Still, even with that restraint, the pleasure was no less enjoyable, and I could say with the utmost honesty that it was the best sensual experience I’d been privy to since my awakening.

I eventually turned us as to have Eshe against the mattress so we could move with less concern about our comfort, also giving me the chance to pick up the pace while the hyena grabbed a pillow to prop herself up with, coincidentally bringing her breasts close enough for me to run my long tongue over. A gentle smile was all that the woman gave as her arms hung limp to her sides and she surrendered her body to me to fulfil her erotic experience. After having felt her fuzzy tail running against the fork of my legs for God knows how long, I finally came in Eshe, shoving her over the edge as her mouth opened as if to release the loudest yelp she could give, though nothing came out but a muted breath until she closed it and settled into a grin.

-Wow, she sighed as I pulled out of her and tucked my shorts back up. I guess it’s sort of funny, but I’m sleepy as heck now.
-Felt good enough for you?
-Pff! You actually have to ask?
-I suppose not, I hummed as I gripped her right breast. You know, I could certainly get used to love of this sort.
-So could I, giggled the hyena as she put her shirt and underwear back on properly. Hey, hug me and let’s get some shuteye, eh?
-All I can hope is that I dream of you, I commented as we closed our eyes and our arms around each other. Sleep well, sweet Eshe.
-You too, strange animal of mine.

We both woke up at about the same time, with the sounds of water rushing from the washroom and Shackles and Mandy’s voices distinctly audible from the shower. Eshe had migrated on me during the night just like Amina had when we’d shared the bed, though the older hyena’s chest was noticeably heavier as she looked up at me with a provocative air. As she was preparing to add audio support to her insinuation, the shower stopped and our two comrades came out fully dressed sporting curious looks at us. I replied for the both of us with a shrug and a wave as we got up and turned the corner to go in and get our own soaking, eventually exploding in laughter as we started washing. Albeit I had pretty decent vision in the dark, I certainly hadn’t gotten a very good image of Eshe in her full glory, but as I massaged her coat with heavy soap, I couldn’t have asked for a better picture. She hadn’t seen much of anything, I suppose, and for the nth time in so few days, I had a few questions about my genital region though seeing as how she had been it’s latest and probably in my evaluation last host, I didn’t mind answering them as best I could.

-Eclipse, said Eshe as I was shampooing her mane, how difficult would you think it would be for Amina and me to come back with you when this is over?
-You mean return to America with me?
-Well, that’s where you came from, so I suppose that would have to be it, laughed the woman.
-I suppose that it couldn’t be that difficult, seeing as how our Don, Ulrich Luther, brought me back from China in pretty much the same way, as well as a few of our friends back home. So that’s your decision, eh?
-Yep, we’re stowing away in your luggage, smiled Eshe as she interrupted my work and turned for a hug.
-No objection here, I replied. First though, we need to hand out some rough justice here.
-Ah fine, I don’t think it’ll take that long, the hyena commented. I just have a feeling that this will be quick.
-I like that prediction, I nodded. It’s not that I don’t like this beautiful country, but...
-You miss your own place, I and already miss it just because I’ll have somewhere to stay.
-I suppose that I’ll have to move out of the mansion that I was staying at. After all, there’s limited room there, and I’m already crowded.
-Can you afford it?
-I already have a job as an orchestra director and composer, I answered.
-Oh great, I fell in love with an artist!

We didn’t take too long to finish up, rejoining our two other lovebirds while Amina took her own turn under the showerhead, looking at her sister with an understanding smile as she passed us. Looking out the window of the hotel, we started formulating a plan as to what we were going to do vis-à-vis our hunt. It was almost a revelation from the heavens, for as our eyes were tracing the visible streets we caught sight of a jeep rolling along with a strange emblem on it that looked like the outline of a gnu’s head front-on. Something clicked in my mind and I jumped on our papers to look and see if I could find some relation between it and our query. Sure thing, on one of the recruitment pamphlets, a large representation that matched it perfectly was the only thing visible other then the name of the movement. I called to the others and pointed to it before opening the window and announced I’d be back soon.

The wind was almost nonexistent, which meant I had to flap for every meter I flew above the ground, but on the other hand, I had much better control of my flight. I stayed high above the street where we’d seen the jeep but as soon as I saw it, I drew my bayonet and dove hard for it. The driver and front passenger were armed, but the two in the back, including a gnu in a far too elaborate costume to be taken seriously by a rational soul, didn’t seem to be carrying anything that could be considered a useful weapon. Too bad, I thought, but I still needed confirmation. I yelled out the fiend’s name as I neared, already too close to be intercepted and as the gnu turned to hear it, my blade thrust through his throat. Maintaining my momentum, I lifted off with him stuck on the knife and gained altitude again before dropping his impaled still remains with a bombardier’s accuracy, landing on the jeep’s hood with a horrible crashing sound.

I flew in a stationary position at a higher altitude to observe the effects of the assassination, which couldn’t have been better. The driver decelerated his vehicle to a complete halt, effectively throwing his former leader off the hood with the force he’d transferred to him, then came out with the other passengers to look at my handiwork, then simply stood about as if wondering what they were supposed to do without him. After a few minutes, they put back their weapons and uniform coats in the car and walked away from it, actually amounting to desertion from their posts. Using what height I had left, I cut back in a scissor to drift back to the hotel, landing at the main entrance’s door before rushing upstairs to try and have as few people as possible notice the blood I was covered with at the moment. My comrades gave me time to clear it off before engaging in a yelping, squeaking, squealing and roaring group hug.

-It’s done, announced Mandy, we got the bastard!
-We most certainly did, I seconded. I take it we should contact our oryx and inform them for the pleasant development to ease their worries.
-Rather so, nodded Shackles as he hopped on the telephone and placed the call for us.
-I thought we might have stayed here longer, said Amina. I sort of liked staying in hotels like this.
-Sister, Eclipse offered to bring us back to Miami with the rest of the group, stated Eshe. He says that we’ll have a place to stay there.
-Really, shot the young hyena as she turned to look at me. We’re coming with you? Oh thank God! This is so wonderful!
-Do you have anything you need from here before we go, I asked, anyone you need to tell?
-I’ll do it when I’m somewhere better, grinned Eshe. After all, we were nothing more then drifters, at best, and sort of wore out welcome after welcome as time went by. Oh, I can’t believe I’m already talking in past tense about it!
-Well, it’s behind ya, corrected Mandy. We’ll all be having a grand old time under a different sun in a bit!
-Nuru says that he’s sending a transport our way to bring us back to Lamu, said the rat as he hung up. It’ll be here in a few hours, though.
-Meh, there’s no hurry anymore, waved Amina as she hopped on me to get squeezed between her sister and me. I think we’ve just found paradise!

We ordered another room service meal from downstairs as we talked about what we’d be doing now that our oddball mission was over, though the overriding optimism was more then refreshing. Eshe and Amina didn’t have a very complicated discourse about what they hoped to accomplish past finding some nice little job to help me pay the bills as soon as we got a place. On my part, I knew full well that with the salary that I had from the composition and orchestra work, the price of a residence was nothing to worry about. I felt good about the fact that for the most part, I wouldn’t be exacting anything from Ulrich anymore, for although he did offer hospitality and everything I required for my transition back into the world, I didn’t like the feeling that I was freeloading off him. At least with my own place, it would be official that though I was affiliated with the Broncos and we were as tightly knit as could be I was reintegrated, which was certainly a source of definite pride.

As my thoughts lingered on the hyena and our upcoming life, the phone rang out, Shackles answering it briefly before informing us that our drive from the armed forces had arrived and was waiting for us at the front desk. With nothing left on our plates and an inescapable eagerness in our hearts, we felt a powerful pull as we hurried down the stairs and formed up on the two soldiers at the reception, certainly glad not to be kept waiting too long. Before long, we were in the back of a transport truck, most of us asleep like logs for the hours we spent on the road. Still, our great voyage eventually came to an end in the fenced compound of our military friends, parking aside the same concrete building we’d left behind the previous day. Nuru was waiting at the door for us, leaning against it in the most relaxed manner that we’d seen him behave since we’d met him. He shook each one of our hands, accompanied by a shoulder-slap, as we passed by him to enter the conference room, still fully staffed with water bottles.

-I don’t think that there’s ever been a more quickly and perfectly executed military action in the years I’ve been with this service, said the oryx as we settled down. My God, you really sent them packing!
-You actually noticed some changes, I asked, or what that figurative?
-Actually, it couldn’t be more direct a description of what occurred, he replied. We got an anonymous tip from someone in his movement that revealed the location of a few weapons depots, in return for no violent action from our part against the former members of Azaani’s army. I suppose that means we negotiated an armistice, in an unconventional way. Well, then again...
-What’s been conventional about this campaign to date, laughed Eshe, eh?
-That was my thought, bellowed Nuru. Anyway, we sent out teams to get the depots clear, work which is in progress as we speak. I guess that we can close the chapter on this one, can’t we?
-Well, it certainly won’t be coming back in the same incarnation, I commented. Nothing like seeing a demon fly down from the skies and skewer your leader to really put a disturbing picture in your mind for decades.
-I could see the dissuasive factor in that! So, what are your plans now?
-Return home with two foreign nationals, grinned Shackles. We had open tickets, so we can go on the next flight.
-Sorry you didn’t get to see much of the country, said Nuru. I swear there’s more to it then what you had to deal with lately.
-Oh no doubt, no doubt, I waved, but then again I think we didn’t have time to get bored either.

The debriefing lasted another hour, enough for everything that needed to come out and be said to be so. By its end, I had Eshe leaning on me, as she’s progressively moved her chair closer to me until she’d gotten close enough to get in position to out her head on my side, which was all she could reach sitting down with a foot and a half less then me, all body. She didn’t have time to fall asleep though, for we came to a consensus that it was time for us to hitch a craft back over to our homeland minutes later. Nuru had us driven to the airport after a heartfelt thanks and open-ended invitation to come back and crash in the city at the force’s cost whenever we wanted, which though appealing, from Eshe and Amina’s looks, probably wouldn’t happen in the near future. On the other hand, their faces spoke volumes of their happiness in putting the city behind them all the way to the airport, where they stopped to take a look back around as if boding the place farewell.

They’d have time to do so quite thoroughly, as the flight didn’t arrive for another three hours, albeit we were too intensely psyched about the idea of departure to really notice the delay in any significant manner. While we waited, I asked Shackles what he and Mandy’s intentions were when we got back.

-I take it that you have some sort of scheme for your grand return, harlequin?
-Retirement from my profession, or at least a hiatus, replied the rat as he turned to put his arm around the sow. I was seriously considering buying a property somewhere around the Bronco mansion to call home and take up a more legitimate employment, whatever I can find that appeals to me.
-And I got a garage to go back to, grinned Mandy. I’m really looking forwards to that for sure! Hey, come to think of it, those places around the mansion all looked pretty damned big for just two people to be taking up. You thinking like me, Eclipse?
-You mean for me to move in with Eshe and Amina?
-Why the hell not, said the sow. I say we can wing this, don’t you?
-As long as there’s some really good sound insulation, my vote’s an aye, replied the older hyena. Sister?
-Very, very good insulation, giggled the girl as she looked as us.
-Throughout, I added, or I suspect we’ll have calls from the neighbours far too regularly...