It seemed like the entire crowd gasped. Their collective intake of air left the rest of them suffocated. Shouts and screams erupted.
That was Zach’s cue.
Immediately he ran up onto the stage and approached the two beasts, looking out at the crowd as he did, motioning with calming gestures. The crowd, on the verge of stampeding from the stands, now watched as their leader approached these awful creatures.
Zach approached Gordon first. He strode confidently, though his stomach did its best to find an escape hatch. When he stood in front of Gordon, he stared up at him. Black beady eyes stared back, outer eyelids closing and disappearing under the orbital ridge.
The crowd fell so silent that if they had been behind a curtain, you would swear there was no one there.
Zach stuck out his hand and Gordon reached out with a massive clawed hand and took his. Though Gordon’s hand engulfed Zach’s, they still somehow managed and awkward handshake.
Then, Zach crossed to the other side and repeated the process with Blain, who managed to offer a sneer out of the side of his face pointing away from the crowd.
Zach went and stood next to Kestrel and offered her a broad smile, which she returned. In unison, they turned back to the crowd and Zach took her arm and walked her the short distance back to the podium and motioned her forward to speak again.
If members of the audience had left, it was impossible to tell. The stadium remained packed. Those who did leave would be followed and dealt with. Zach hid a grimace. He didn’t like the idea, but he understood its necessity.
This gambit needed to play out until after their bodies accepted the lycanthropy. If word got out who they were trying to recruit through E.A.R.t.H, they would become targets before they were ready.
Kestrel stood before the podium again and cleared her throat.
“I understand your fear. But these are powerful creatures. Nature has chosen well.”
She motioned with a hand back toward the two Weres.
“Don’t you see? They bear the features of some of nature’s most powerful animals. They have been chosen by nature to fight this fight for us!”
She gazed with recrimination out over the crowd.
“You called out your willingness to help them. Do you rescind your offer now? With these men and with your help, we can finally win!”
There was still uncertainty in the crowd.
Quietly, Kestrel turned to Zach.
“Show them.”
This was the part Zach had not wanted to agree with. He had hoped the crowd would not need this demonstration. He had been wrong. Reaching into his jacket pocket, Zach drew out his handgun and pointed it at Gordon.
They had all agreed they would use Gordon for this demonstration, but that had mainly been because Blain had threatened to rip him to shreds and chew the fat off his bones if they tried to use him.
Gordon turned toward Zach, but otherwise made no moves.
The crowd had again grown silent the moment Zach had brandished his weapon.
Zach squeezed the trigger. One, two, three, four, five loud bangs echoing and booming across the stadium. Gordon rocked back slightly from each impact but managed to hold his ground.
Blood from dime-sized holes leaked out in five different places along his scaled underside. Red coating pale green in long streaks racing for the floor.
There was stunned silence from the crowd.
When the first bullet pushed out through Gordon’s skin and fell to the floor with an audible clink, the crowd was a sea of wide eyes and open mouths.
One by one, the bullets fell to the ground and the wounds on Gordon’s chest closed. Soon, all that remained were circular stains with tails, long and red.
“These men,” Kestrel seized on the moment as people still stared dumfounded up at Gordon. “These. Men.” Faces turned back to her. “These men are all but indestructible. Unkillable. Unstoppable.
“They have power like you could never imagine, yet there are only a few of them. They cannot win our war by themselves.”
She motioned out to the crowd. “They need you. They need you to join them. You can become them.”
Zach watched her as she scanned the crowd. What he read on her face left him at ease. She knew she had them. They were listening. They weren’t running. His followers were intrigued by the prospect of becoming immortal or having the strength to truly fight this war.
Whatever the reason would be, they would show them this was the only way.
“We won’t make you join this fight,” Kestrel told them.
At least, not yet, Zach thought.
“But think long and hard about whether or not you truly believe in what you have been preaching all these years. Whether you truly care about this planet and wish to take care of her— or not?”
“If you choose to be a part of this great movement. This, army, that will wage war on those who wish harm upon this Earth . . .”
She paused for effect, for the next part would be critical for them to understand. “And, those who permit it to happen.”
It was her turn to take the mic and move out in front of the stage.
“So, I implore you. The Earth implores you. Join us! Without you, the Earth will never be safe!”
Zach had to hand it to her. In one speech she managed to plead to them, shame them to action, and challenge them to do what was right. Even faced with what stood there, on stage, he could see her words had reached many, if not all.
The next part was imperative. It had to play right. He and Kestrel had already approached some in the organization Zach knew would be more than willing to take this upon themselves. They were the most zealous. The ones who had spent the most time being locked up for property damage and vandalism. Some had been in jail for manslaughter as their actions had led to deaths.
They had offered them first go at becoming part of this new army, and they had all willingly agreed.
“I ask now, for those who are willing, to come forward. To receive your reward for being true to the cause.”
Oh, now you are just pouring salt into the wound, Kestrel. But he could see the words had the right affect. Some in the crowd were wincing at the recrimination of their thoughts of rejecting this.
There was movement within the crowd. Men and women, a half dozen or so, approached the stage.
Kestrel smiled warmly at them as they made their way to the steps on either side and climbed them to approach Kestrel. With each one, she closed the distance to them, took up their hands, her smile open and grateful.
She whispered words to each of them. Zach wasn’t close enough to hear what she said, but he could guess it was some form of thanks or what have you. Kestrel was grateful, Zach knew.
She needed this to work. From here, it would cascade. With those who would come from what Blain, Taylor and Gordon had done, their ranks would swell. And from there, they could create more and more. They would spread like a swarm of ants over an offending trespasser on their hill.
There would be no stopping them.
Zach returned his attention to the proceedings. One by one, the volunteers approached either Gordon or Blain, though more approached Gordon than Blain. Which didn’t surprise Zach. Though they both looked monstrous now, one could not forget the sharp looking man Gordon had been.
Both Gordon and Blain would carefully take a claw and gently make a small cut on their arms. Kestrel was there immediately, and she would bind their cuts and take a wipe and clean the blood of the claw so it would be sanitized for the next person.
He remembered the girl, Shae, asking Kestrel when they were going over the plan, why Kestrel didn’t use her healing. Zach didn’t comprehend what she had meant, but Kestrel had told Shae, her Druidic healing couldn’t heal cuts created by Weres. That they would need to heal on their own. Most would heal the moment their body accepted the lycanthropy.
Before they had reached the last ‘planted’ volunteer, others had made their way on to the stage. Two long lines for
med at the base of the stairs as members of the organization continued to form up.
Zach smiled. He knew if they could have people in the crowd who hadn’t hesitated. Who had immediately volunteered, and once they had seen it only involved a small cut, which was being immediately treated, others would feel compelled to join.
At some point, the mentality of the crowd would overrule any hesitation and there would be a tipping point and once it passed, the rest would fall in line.
Of course, there would still be some who would refuse to join the army, and he understood their hesitation. After all, he had refused, hadn’t he?
Those who refused to become Were, would be approached for other aspects of this fight. There would need to be people in charge of logistics and information gathering. They would be used.
And if they still refused? If they maybe threatened to go to the authorities with what they knew? Well, they would never make it. There was always collateral damage in war.
What seemed like hours passed by as more and more people stepped up to the two Weres to get their scratch. He had people usher them into smaller groups and put them in the various conference rooms scattered around the stadium grounds.
Kestrel had decided they shouldn’t inform them of their possible impending death. That they would inform them they were going to be taking them to the hospital to be monitored while their body adjusted to the changes it would go through.
It would be at least a day before any of them went through the rejection process, or so Kestrel had assured him. For tonight, they had rented out the entire hotel attached to the stadium and there would be a catered feast, and drinks, of course.
They wanted the new additions to be relaxed when their moment came. It would be easier to handle. The bartenders had been instructed to cut anyone off who seemed to not be handling their alcohol well. The last thing they needed was an angry drunk going into cardiac arrest.
They were to make their move on the hospital tomorrow in preparation. He scanned the stage, remembering something else Kestrel had made plans for. Searching the stage, he found them. Off to the side stood a clump of individuals. These would be the health care advisors. Kestrel was separating the doctors and nurses from the other volunteers. She wouldn’t allow them to become Weres. At least, not yet. For now, she needed them available to help Sarah as she dealt with the rejection process.
She had found five so far. Optimistically there would be more. If half of these people went into cardiac arrest at the same time . . . Well, I guess we let nature sort it out.
At long last, the parade of people finished, and Zach was glad for it. His feet hurt and he reeked of body odor. The stadium had AC, but with this many people in here, the air had become warm and uncomfortable and he was soaked in sweat.
The group Kestrel had set aside had reached over fifteen. Well, it will have to do.
Zach had to wonder; how many would survive? How many of these men and women he had talked to, waved to, shook hands with, would see Tuesday?
Kestrel had warned him they might lose a great many. Though she assumed the survival rate in this age would be far superior to her own. With the advances in medical sciences, there was an excellent probability they might only lose a third.
Still a staggering number, but in the end, the cost would be worth it. They would be in control of an unstoppable army. They needed time. The longer it took the world to react to this new threat, the better.
They would react, Zach knew, sooner or later. It would be incremental at first. They would underestimate. There would be losses. Terrible losses. Then they would step up their game. But still, Zach believed, they would trust their conventional weaponry, and their prowess to see them to victory.
By then, they would have a sizable force of powerful warriors ready to join the fight. The third time they came, would be the time they would come with serious intent. But it would be too late for them.
Zach smiled at the thought. They would show them true power. They would turn the war back on them.
Most of the people had filed out of the stadium. Gordon and Blain had returned to their human form and were in conference with Kestrel, so he approached.
The men eyed him as he joined them. Their faces expressed twin looks of contempt, though Zach was sure the reasoning behind the looks was different. The opinion remained the same. Zach didn’t let it bother him. He was a player in this game as much as they were.
Kestrel was speaking. “We move into the hospital in the morning. I want it under our control as quickly as possible. We need to secure it and make it ready for when their bodies go into rejection.”
Gordon nodded his agreement.
“They will move on us there.” Blain told her, crossing his massive arms.
She studied him. “How soon?”
He shrugged. “I give it three days. Maybe four. It will be a time before they know we have taken it. A day to assess the situation and formulate a plan. Another day to lock down a perimeter to ensure there won’t be any innocents in the way when they come.”
Kestrel looked contemplative as she stared over at one of the doorways as some stragglers were making their way out. She sighed.
“It will have to do. We will be ready for them. It will be necessary to keep them from the recruits.”
“Some of them will have already become Weres by that point.” Blain observed.
“True. But they won’t be ready to fight yet. Plus, I would rather not reveal our purpose or our full strength. Zach and I agree. This first attack will be a small one. They may take us seriously, and so they will come hard, but there will not be enough to cause you any trouble.”
Blain studied him and Zach held his gaze for a moment before looking away. The man was hard to stand up to, so Zach didn’t try. He knew he would be dead in an instant if Blain wanted it.
Blain returned his eyes to Kestrel.
“And what will you be doing during this time?”
She gave him a hard look. He always tested her. Pushing her buttons. Zach knew Blain resented Kestrel. Resented having to take orders from her, but he still did. “I will be busy. Hopefully, Samuel will have returned, and he knows what needs to be done.”
“Speaking of which.” Gordon said, his eyes fixed on one of the entrances. They all turned to see Samuel and Joseph coming toward them.
Zach had never met these two, but he had heard Kestrel often speak of Samuel. Though he had never gotten a description of the man, it wasn’t hard to determine which one he was.
The taller of the two, he walked with assuredness and poise. He had an olive tinge to his skin which spoke to middle eastern descent, long limbed, but not gangly. His hair was dark and cropped short and while he dressed in casual attire, it seemed out of place on him, like he would be better suited in kingly garments. Or at least a fine suit.
The other man was portly and not at all pleasant to look at. He had fat fingers and his skin was pale. Strands of hair, which barely covered his scalp hung down like hundreds of rock-climbing ropes on the world’s most pasty hill.
In short order they mounted the stage and approached while their party waited for them. Samuel immediately went to Kestrel, not bothering to acknowledge the others.
“My lady,” he nodded his head.
“Samuel. How was your trip? I hadn’t expected you back this early.”
The question was loaded with all sorts of hidden meaning. One thing Zach had been able to gather, no one except Kestrel knew where Samuel and Joseph had gone. Their mission had been one of secrecy.
“The trip was well. So well, that we were able to return earlier than anticipated, My Lady.”
“Excellent. Then we can move up the timeline, which is well as we expect an attack within days. We will speak more of this, Samuel. For now, why you don’t both go and relax. Get something to eat. I will come to you shortly.”
She turned toward Blain.
“Blain, I need you to scout the hospital. Determine how best we will be able to
defend it and where and how the attacks might come.”
Blain had been looking at Joseph the whole time, who had pointedly been ignoring him. Whatever was going on there, Zach remained clueless. At Kestrel’s words though, he turned his head to her with a suspicious eye.
“I will see to it in the morning.”
“I need it done now.”
Blain looked to argue but changed his mind. “Very well, I will take Taylor and Joseph with me.”
“You may take Taylor, but I need Joseph.”
Blain’s neck reddened and the muscles in his jaw clenched.
“Was there something you wished to say, Blain?” It was Samuel who cut in. He had moved closer to Kestrel and Zach saw Gordon had also moved closer to her.
Blain flashed a partially toothless grin as he never took his eyes from Kestrel.
“No. Of course not. What would I have to say?” The sarcasm, thick in his response.
“What, indeed?” Kestrel words were frosty.
Blain stood for a long moment regarding Kestrel. He ignored the hard looks from Gordon and Samuel though, as if their presence meant nothing to him. And perhaps it didn’t. Blain was clearly the biggest of the three, though when shifted, Gordon matched him in size.
Blain was someone who needed watching. When he had uttered as much to Kestrel earlier, she had assured him Blain would do what he was asked to do. His desire for power and what Kestrel had promised him would keep him in line. Though, at some point, she conceded, he might need to be dealt with.
Blain turned and strode away, to look for Taylor he presumed. Kestrel moved to Samuel and whispered something in his ear. He never once took his eyes from Blain’s departing form, though.
At last, Samuel spoke, “Joseph,” he said, indicating the man should follow him. Joseph, who looked like the center knot in a tug-a-war rope, closed his eyes briefly before following Samuel out of the room, opposite to where Blain had left.
“Zach?” Kestrel called him over.
“Yes, My Lady?” It seemed odd to use the formality, but he had gotten tired of the icy stares she had given him when he didn’t use it.
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