Knight Rescue (Rise of the Wolf Nation Book 1) Page 8

  “I wish they’d get rid of all of them,” the guard said as he stepped into the pharmacy. “This shit’s getting more and more out of hand. First, Franz and his freaks and now the General and that bunch. I hope we get back to the days when we all we did was weapons research.” He leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.

  “But the money wasn’t as good.”

  The guard chuckled. “True.” He paused. “You okay? That asshole didn’t hurt you, did he?”

  “No. I just returned from lunch, he met me in the hall.”

  “Be careful. With the General here, Franz is acting like a cornered bitch even though they’re both doing the same damn thing. I’ll be glad... just be careful.” The guard walked out the door.

  Did Keener have a gun or weapon for protection? Silas wondered. Franz was trouble and even though Silas wasn’t afraid of him, Keener was. The man had been shaking inside as he defied the full-blood. Which brought up another point, what the hell were the full-bloods doing here all this time? He’d expected them to have left but he still sensed their presence.

  “Anything on the local pack?” Silas asked Hawke.

  “Fractured. A few packs. Not one Alpha. Gangs have turfs in the major areas. They’ve had several run-ins with humans and are on the cusp of discovery. I’ll send you some news articles regarding their violent turf wars.”

  “Turf wars?”

  “Yeah, it’s a big thing. The area near the base belongs to the Lobo Sups, short for Lobo Superior, they go by the name “Sups.””

  “Top Wolf.”

  “They run that area, no outside wolves ever and they clear certain areas of humans after dark,” Hawke said.

  “We left Franz there after dark,” Silas said remembering the full-bloods behavior.

  “Guess he’s the reason they run that area. Another gang’s near the capital, another in Santa Barbara. Human gangs are everywhere. But full-blood gangs, with the exception of the ones I mentioned are just on the outer fringes, that’s about it. The dangerous ones are the Sups,” Hawke said.

  “Those are the ones I pulled into the lab,” Silas said with a feeling of dread.

  “That’s their turf,” Hawke said diplomatically.

  “We never considered local packs in this equation and it’s biting me in the ass. I should’ve factored them in,” Silas said in disbelief of the mistake he made.

  “Pulling them in bought time for the Knights and gives Angus cover to take the doctor,” Hawke reminded him.

  Silas rubbed his chin in consideration. “There’s that.”

  The door opened.

  Silas didn’t turn, he knew it was Major Franz.

  “Keener, when I call for you to come, you come, or I’ll toss your bony ass out of this facility, is that understood?”

  Silas wanted to sigh and snatch the arrogant bastard across the counter but Keener would never do that. “I had to open the pharmacy, you know that.” He turned to face the Major. “What can I do for you?”

  “What did you give General Lee?”

  “I can’t tell you that,” Keener said in a low voice.

  “Did he say not to tell me?” Franz asked.

  “He told me anything I ordered for him was classified and not to be shared with anyone,” Keener said.

  Franz frowned but didn’t release Keener’s gaze. “If I find out you’re lying...”

  “Ask the General, he’ll tell you.” Silas wanted to smile at the dark look on Franz’ face. They both knew Franz couldn’t, wouldn’t ask the General.

  “Has my package arrived?” Franz asked.

  “Not yet. I told you I’d let you know as soon as it did,” Keener said in a moderate tone.

  Franz turned and stumbled. He held the wall for a few seconds. His breaths sounded labored. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead. His hair seemed duller, his skin tone, ashy.

  “Are you okay?” Keener asked. “Can I get you something?”

  “Just let me know when my damn package arrives.” Franz pulled open the door and stormed out.

  Silas surfed through Keener memories to get an understanding of what was going on with Franz and found nothing, not even the contents of the package.

  FOUR HOURS LATER, ANGUS stepped into Dr. Grenwald’s office to deliver two classified files. The rest of the staff had gone to supper, leaving the area with a skeleton crew. Angus listened intently for cameras and sensed none.

  “Just leave those on the desk,” the doctor said as he walked into his private bathroom. Certain there were no cameras in the bathroom, Angus placed the files on the desk and followed the doctor. Minutes later Angus walked out as the good doctor wiping his hands. He turned off the lights, returned to the bathroom, picked up Puedes and placed him on the doctor’s sofa to recover from the transfer since it took longer to rejuvenate a returned body.

  Angus sifted through Grenwald’s memories. “Silas, we’ve got problems,” Angus said as he sat at the desk and turned on a desk lamp.

  “You made the exchange?” Silas asked.

  “Yes. They want to complete three experiments on the Knights. One is to see how they respond to certain chemicals, Hawke’s already said each of those chemicals were bad news. They’ve made a Compound they think will operate as chemical warfare to stop full-bloods in case of an attack.”

  “Fuck no,” Silas growled.

  “Agreed. They’ve been working on hijacking the pack’s internal communications systems. They sent a false signal, and wanted you to respond. They think they failed in hacking the internal communications but succeeded in keeping the Knights from contacting you.”

  “Wait. The signal I received wasn’t from the Knights?”

  “I don’t know. The doc doesn’t know, he was told the results of the tests.”

  “We need to know.”

  “I’ll look into it. There’s more.”

  “What else?” Silas said, impatience in his tone.

  “Damn-it, some Liege equipment resurfaced. Guy named Gent found a way to disrupt the communication signal using some sort of patch. If it works in blocking our links, it could give the military control over full-bloods. The doctor doesn’t like or trust Gent and is responsible for Gent not being here.”

  “The Liege used neck braces before,” Silas said.

  “True. This one’s a patch. It’s supposed to be strong enough to allow someone else control,” Angus said.

  “Is that what they’re using on the Knights?”

  “No, they have modified collars.”

  Silas swore.

  “I’m going to walk toward where the General’s meeting with the full-bloods. When I get near, try to contact the Knights,” Angus said.

  “Good. I’ll be in the parking lot.”

  “All the better in case he locks down the facility. We need to move that body from Puedes home.”

  “I know,” Silas snapped, irritated at the delays. “Let me know when I can try to contact them.”

  Angus walked down the corridor and nodded to a few people. He marveled at the analytical nature of Grenwald’s mind. Hawke would be in heaven. General Lee exited a small conference room with an exasperated expression as he waved Grenwald close.

  “Now Silas.” Angus said as he moved slowly forward.

  The General leaned in to him. “Tomorrow we begin running tests. I finally have an agreement with the locals.”

  Angus nodded.

  “Start the first one at dawn, then prep for the second —” A beeping sound rose. The General spun on his heels and ran.

  Angus followed. “The tablet beeped Silas.”

  “I know but I spoke with each of them before the connection died. They know what to do.”

  The doctor was stopped at the secure door the General entered by a military soldier. He released a long breath, squared his shoulders and turned to walk away. “Are they okay?” he asked Silas.

  “No. Their beasts... we’ll take care of them once we get them out of there.” He heard the bristling anger in Sil
as’ voice.

  Angus returned to his office wondering what the General used on the Knights that affected their wolves. He turned on the computer and searched for anything pertaining to the make-up of the collars used to subdue the Knights and found nothing. Instead he came across notes for the morning test.

  Chemicals.

  Angus needed to find a way to invalidate the chemical warfare test results. He’d been studying for an hour when the General tapped on his door and entered. He looked down at a sleeping Puedes.

  “Tired?”

  “Yes, I’ve been working him hard, so I let him sleep here.” He waited for the General to speak.

  “Listen, I know you’re more into the research that goes on here and we appreciate all of your work. It’s been brilliant, just brilliant.” He leaned on the desk. “I’ve got a patch, a device I need to run tests on. I’ve finally gotten the locals to agree and would like you to sit in and give your opinion.” He looked at his watch. “Shouldn’t take more than an hour, two tops.”

  Angus leaned back in his chair. “A patch? What do you want me to do with this patch?” He opened his link with Silas and Hawke so they could listen.

  “This patch can potentially block communications from entering... from controlling a person.”

  “Full-blood? Half-breed?” Angus asked.

  “Just full-blood. But if it works we can develop something to work on them all,” the General said.

  “I’d like to see the patch,” Hawke said. “Do you have any technical information on it.”

  Angus pushed away from the desk. “Whatever you need, General. I’m at your disposal.” He turned off the computer and walked behind the General. “As soon as I get something, Hawke I’ll send it your way.”

  “To the clouds,” Hawke said.

  “Right,” Angus said as he walked alongside the General down the corridor.

  When they reached the door, the General stopped him. “These men,” he said hesitantly. “Can be a bit rough, not like the others. Don’t pay attention to what they say or how they say things.”

  Unsure what that meant, Angus nodded and entered the test area. Three full-bloods were chained to metal gurneys with electrodes taped onto their chests. Angus’ brow rose but he didn’t speak, instead he linked with Silas so his brother could see what he saw.

  “Grenwald,” Franz called from a door in the back. “In here.”

  The doctor nodded and headed in that direction. He took a seat next to Franz and looked at the monitor. “Which ones are connected to the patch?” he asked.

  “These three.” Franz pointed and took his seat.

  “Are you sure you want me here for your test?” Angus felt compelled to ask.

  Franz’ brow rose. “General said you requested to be here.”

  Angus frowned. “He just asked me to come and watch. I’ve never sat in on your tests before.”

  “I know and wondered about that,” Franz said in a low whisper. “What’s going on?”

  Angus shrugged. “He asked me to sit in on this, that’s all I know.”

  Franz nodded slowly and pressed the button. “We’re ready.”

  “Doctor?” the General spoke through the intercom.

  “I’m ready.” He watched the test patients through the monitor.

  Seconds later, screams erupted and chaos followed.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  NIGHT HAD FALLEN AND Silas lay staring at the ceiling on the bed in the room of the house they rented. Angus had contacted him regarding the experiment with the patches. After three tests in rapid succession, the General stopped everything without bothering to hide his disappointment. The full-bloods were released when their pack mates broke down the door ready to shed blood.

  Silas had left Keener at his house an hour before. The subdued voices of the Knights raced around his mind until he wanted to forget protocol, forget their plans and remove his men from the grasp of General Lee right now. But each Knight asked him to secure the threat, to stop the General’s plans from ever being used against another wolf. Despite the pain they suffered they wanted him to complete what they considered his mission to destroy the devices and the research against their Nation.

  It had been bittersweet communicating with them through their human side for several moments. It wasn’t until he checked on their beasts that the alarm triggered.

  “Matt? Dr. Passen?” Silas sought the two wolves who directed his lab at the Compound. They hadn’t been told he was no longer in residence but that couldn’t be helped now. He needed their assistance.

  “Sir?” Matt answered.

  “Sir?” Passen responded seconds later.

  Silas explained the Knight’s condition. “What’s wrong with their beasts?”

  “Listless, slow to recognize you?” Dr. Passen asked.

  “Yes. It was as if their beasts were...” he tried to form the right words for what he’d sensed in that brief contact.

  “Dying? Changing?” Matt said.

  “Could be. Whatever’s going on with their beasts, their human side wasn’t handling it well. I’m afraid we’ll lose them if those collars aren’t removed,” Silas said his greatest fear.

  “Is there a way to find out what the collars are made of?” Dr. Passen asked. “That would help us determine a way to counter it.”

  “Start with your notes regarding the collars from the Liege. Seems everything started from their technology. It’s possible they simply ramped things up, increased dosages, that sort of thing,” Silas said. He would have Angus and Hawke search records but didn’t want to mention it. The less others knew the better.

  “Yes, Sir,” Dr. Passen said. “That would be the easiest and most cost effective. In the meantime, we can try to develop something to strengthen their beasts.” He paused. “I’m not sure how we’d administer it to them.”

  “Prepare it for when they return to the Compound,” Silas said with grim determination.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Timing is critical, Sir,” Matt said after a few seconds of silence. “Beast and human sides cannot be at odds for long periods of time without suffering irreparable damage. At some point they will become feral and need to be put down.”

  Silas had been concerned this might happen. “How much time?”

  “Unfortunately, we don’t know how long they’ve been under the strain of separation. If the experiments are to interrupt our basic form of communications, our links are mental and a part of who we are. I can’t imagine what they’re using to interrupt that. Whatever it is, is killing our Knights,” Matt said in a sober tone.

  “Worse, they probably don’t even realize it,” Dr. Passen said.

  As far as Silas was concerned, those men declared war on the Wolf Nation. He knew it was just a few fanatics but that didn’t matter. If blood was shed, if his Knights died, so would the men behind this project and their families.

  “That doesn’t matter. They broke faith, there was to be no experiments or research against our Nation. We’re supposed to be allies, fighting for the same cause on the same damned side. Bastards have no honor.” He reigned in his temper. “Find answers. I want them released tomorrow and on a plane to the Compound for treatment.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Dr. Passen said and withdrew from their link.

  “Sir?” Matt said.

  “Yes?”

  “Have you considered bringing one of our Generals to the location and having them override whoever is there? It would bring light to what’s been done and may be the quickest way to stop the tests and remove the collars.”

  Silas thought about it for a few moments. “Will that push their research into a dark room to be brought out later or end it?”

  “With all respect, Sir, nothing will stop them from trying to either be like us, more specifically you. Or trying to discover ways to stop a mythical attack. In their minds, it’s a matter of survival and they come out losing in every imaginable narrative no matter what we say or do. I think it’s a part of their
nature we need to expect and live with,” Matt said.

  Silas and Jasmine had come to that realization years ago but decided to abide by the contracts as long as the government did the same. “That’s true, it’s their nature. Let me know when you have something for the Knights.” Silas dismissed the link and thought of bringing Crall to Honduras for several minutes. He looked at the idea from several angles.

  “Lieutenant General Crall,” Silas called through their link an hour later.

  “Yes, Sir?” the General said after a few seconds.

  Silas explained what was happening and ignored the man’s surprise that he was in Honduras. Crall didn’t ask questions but responded to the idea of a surprise visit to the military base. “It’s possible I could get away tonight, I have a dinner party to attend with several high-ranking officials. Between General Miller and myself we could probably pull it off so that they don’t realize I’ve left and be there before the alarm is rung. Timing will be everything.”

  “They aren’t at the base.” Silas explained where the men were located.

  “I’ve heard of it,” Crall said. “If you want me to be there in the morning, I’ll need to fly in on a chartered jet.”

  “Jacques can handle that. Come through Texas and then to the main airport.”

  “As an officer, I prefer to go through the base.”

  Silas thought about it. Hawke could handle that. “Okay. What do you need?”

  “As long as I get there safe, I’ll take care of the rest. Rank has its privileges,” Crall said.

  “I have men in place at the facility, you won’t know who they are but if you need help, it will be available. Getting those men out of there without the collars is the most important thing,” Silas stressed.

  “Yes, Sir. I will do my best. Will you contact General Miller, or should I?”

  “I will contact him. Get started on what you need to put in place, he’ll contact you soon.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Crall disconnected.

  Silas contacted General Miller, gave him a brief overview of what he wanted done and told him to contact Crall for specifics. Next, he contacted Jacques, brought him current and had him coordinate Crall’s transportation.