Chapter 1

"The New Mexico whiptail exhibits an unusual method of reproduction in which it undergoes parthenogenesis. This allows the lizard to reproduce by way of cloning itself rather than relying on a male and hence all members of the species are female. Despite this the female lizards appear to still need to stimulate one another for egg laying to take place."

I looked up from my reading and rubbed my eyes. It was hot but a cool breeze coming through the open window made the temperature more bearable. I had been reading a National Geographic magazine, but reading the article about the lizards made me cringe. It made me wonder what other strange habits creatures had out there.

I had been drafted in early 1969 and now here I was in Vietnam just over a year later. Basic training was brutal and I was miserable all the way through, but I was surprised how lax things were in Vietnam itself. It was actually relieving at first, and I was interested in seeing a place I would have only otherwise seen in my magazines but I was soon disappointed.

I found my first patrol quite unpleasant with a trek through rice patties and got a number of leeches and bug bites. I could barely keep up with my unit and often received verbal thrashings from my Lieutenant. I also found myself ostracized by the other soldiers for refusing to go to the bars or smoke. I often spent my spare time either in my bunk or walking around the compound looking for exotic wildlife.

I was always interested in the outdoors having grown up on a farm right up until I left for college, and right after returning home I received my draft notice in the mail. It was quite frustrating finding out that I would have to leave home so soon after getting back. Now I had to stay here for another twelve months.

All I had to do was play it safe and then I could go home. Then I could tell my parents, children, and grandchildren that I had a part in winning this war. After all who…

"Hey greenie the brass wants to see you."

I looked up from my chair to see Ryan just outside the room. "What?"

"Just get over here they're MPs."

Before I could the officers entered the room. I stood up and saluted. They asked me my name and rank which I gave, but then Lieutenant Fletch came in fuming.

"What the **** is this. You do not barge in here without talking to me first."

"Lieutenant we have no interest in discussing your incompetence in search and evade tactics, we are here to talk to your Private that's it." Said one of the officers.

"He's done nothing wrong, if you want to send a complaint to my office, I might just look at it now…"

Then the officer did something bizarre which was my first indication that something mysterious was at work. He took his uniform patch off his shoulder and flipped it over. It was an emblem of two swords crossed over a shield.

Fletch was taken back by this. "You want him? Why? He's only a kid, only been out on two patrols."

"Colonel Stevens sent us please do not interfere."

The Lieutenant nodded and turned to me. "If you do not want to go with them you don't have to. I'll see to it that they won't ever bother you again." He was out the door before I could say a word.

"Private, Colonel Stevens wants to see you, we'll have you back in a few hours."

"Ok." I said.

Out back a deuce was waiting and we entered the truck, and one of the MPs closed the canvas door so I could see nothing. I sat on the left side of the truck while the officers sat on the right. The other pulled out his pistol and banged it on the bench, the truck started, and we were on our way.

They did not talk and I was too nervous to speak. All I did was stare at my watch. The truck stopped a number of times leading me to think we were at our destination but then continued on. After about half an hour passed the truck stopped one last time, and one of the MPs got out telling me to follow.

I got out and attempted to look around, but was pushed forward by the other officer. I still had a fairly good look. There were military airplanes parked a ways off so we had to be near one of the airfields. It looked as if the area had once been heavily forested, but all the trees in sight had been cut down. A walkway led to large wooden building with three stories likely a headquarters for the base. We went inside and I was quickly led up a flight of stairs, and then led down a corridor to the last door on the right. It was hot in the hall and I wished I had some water. The MP knocked on the door and then entered. Inside a soldier stood on the left and on the right was a desk with an officer sat at it.

The MPs and I saluted and the officer dismissed them leaving me in the room along with the other soldier. His desk had a plaque which read Lt. Colonel Adam Stevens.

"I've been waiting for you Private." Said the Colonel. "I'm glad you have come."

"The pleasure is all mine." I said.

"Private this is Captain Erland I consider him my personal advisor. He just got back from a mission in Korea."

"The commies won't be giving us anymore trouble on that front. I assure you that." Said the Captain with a sinister smile.

I saluted and he was quick to salute back.

"You can drop the formalities now." Said the Colonel. "Now I see you are a college graduate with a major in marketing. Is that correct?"

"Yes, sir I hoped to find an office job in Nashua upon graduation but unfortunately I did not get the chance."

"I'm actually surprised you were not exempted; you should have just said you were going back to pursue your Masters or something."

"If my country calls, I am willing to serve." I said with confidence.

He merely nodded. "Now I see you took a number of classes that did not count toward your major. Care to elaborate on that?"

"I had fulfilled my major requirements but fell a few credits short, so I took some classes outside my major that I thought I could easily pass."

"What classes?"

"Well one on ancient history and another on sociology and a couple on anthropology."

"What did you find most interesting about those classes?"

"Um… I guess I like learning about old civilizations and isolated communities and the traditions that they developed."

"More specifically."

"Well I learned about Greek mythology in grade school and continued learning about myths in my spare time. I was trying to take classes that reflected on mythology."

"Do you think there is any truths to these myths?"

I was starting to get confused on what he was talking about. "Colonel if you think my interest in mythology has blurred my conception of reality, I assure you…"

"Yes, yes I've seen your phycological as well as physical evaluations they are… sufficient. That is not a concern I have."

"Okay but…"

"To be blunt Private I can't get to the point of these questions unless you accept a mission, I'm here to offer you. Unfortunately, it is highly classified, and I can't elaborate unless you accept it."

This was surprising and made me quite unsteady. What did he have in mind? I had no combat experience nor did I possess any notable skills. This sounded like a special operations mission that was way above my head. "Sir do you think I'm qualified to take on such an assignment?"

"Oh, we won't be dropping you in a hot zone or behind enemy lines or anything like that. You also won't be alone, Erland here will be watching over you."

"Since when are there front lines here Colonel." It was the Captain. "The enemy can strike from anywhere."

"Thank you Erland." Said the Colonel.

I took a closer look at Erland who bore a utility uniform along with a cap with the Captain bars on it. His eyes were sunken in showing the years of combat and countless decisions he had to make under fire. His brown hair had strands of grey in them looking as if he was in his mid 40s but could have been much younger.

"Private there is some risk to the mission but if you accept and carry it out your tour in the country will be cut in half. Upon discharge you will be ceremonially promoted two ranks, and will be guaranteed a military pension upon your retirement from the workforce. Do you except?"

It sounded too good to be true. Even if the mission was higher risk then typical patrols, my chances of survival would drastically go up with my tour cut in half. My curiosity about the questioning of the Colonel also piqued my interest. "Fine. I accept."

The Colonel smiled. "Okay now let's be clear. Everything I show and say is highly classified and can be spoken to no one outside this room, even to a superior officer unless of course he out ranks me. Now no matter how outlandish things may seem I want you to treat things seriously. That being said do not fear expressing your questions and concerns. Is all clear?"

"Understood Colonel." I said.

He then grabbed a key and bent down and I heard a click and then the opening of a draw. He pulled out a file and placed it on his desk. He then opened the file and placed four papers on the desk each with the word Classified across them. "Can you identify these beings?"

I was baffled, they were pictures of what I could only describe as fictional creatures. They were black and white but vivid images. The first was clearly a mermaid, two others I recognized from Geek mythology. A small girl with wings and clawed feet which was a harpy, and another was a girl with plant like features. She had to be a dryad in the process of transforming. The last picture gave me the creeps though. It had the torso of a woman covered in a dark shirt but the creatures bottom half was that of a large spider. I had no idea what that creature was and told the Colonel my thoughts.

"Pretty good." He said. "This creature we call Arachne, perhaps you are familiar with the name."

I was. Arachne was a weaver who's works were so beautiful that they even rivaled that of the goddess Athena. Athena accepted the challenge for best weaver starting a contest. There were many versions about how the events unfolded but, in the end, Athena transformed Arachne into the first spider. But it was an actual spider not some bizarre combination of a creature implied by the picture.

"So, what is the deal with these." I inquired.

"These are not some drawing or hoax. These are completely real flesh and blood creatures which we have been in contact with for quite some time. We call them hybrids."

"If that's the case how come no one has ever come out about them?"

"There is an agreement between us and the Vietnamese governments that these creatures should not be brought to light. Imagine if all those soldiers knew that these things were out there on top of the usual hazards of war. Moral would be far worse than it already is."

"Wait what about the Vietcong?"

"All communist forces including the Vietcong and NVA are in on it. There was a treaty signed a while ago in which we agreed not to weaponize or make known hybrids while the war goes on."

I took a deep breath and absorbed the information. It made sense, I guess. "Okay."

"Now there is a forested area which the Vietcong used as a base to attack Da Nang during the Tet Offensive. Upon their defeat they retreated across the border into Laos but made sure the area was booby trapped before they left. Although we haven't sent men directly into the area, patrols near the region commonly lose men without a trace. One time even a whole platoon disappeared. MIAs are certainly not unusual and I left the matter to my peers but then something big happened."

He pulled out another picture, this time showing a gunboat washed up on a riverbank. There's a river that runs through the area and we often send a pbr so the area can be monitored more safely, but the latest patrol was lost two weeks ago. When we found the watercraft there was evidence of defensive fire but no damage to the boat, no blood, no bodies."

"Did the enemy do this to send a message?" I asked.

"That is what I initially believed but the boat was intact with weapons and supplies. Even if the enemy did not seek to take the gunboat why not scuttle it or strip it. My superiors believe that this is the hallmark of a hybrid attack, and they want me to figure out which group of hybrids is responsible."

"Erland was sent some time ago and reported nothing unusual, but now he will be sent out again along with you. There is a hill in the middle of the area where the hybrids are thought to conduct their operations. You will be dropped off there to conduct your search. Now these four groups of hybrids are signatories of the treaty and are to be left alone unless they conduct hostile actions. In essence you two will draw them out into attacking."

Alright this sounded much more dangerous than the Colonel made it out to be, but at this point I could not consider refusing the mission.

"He pulled out an old hand held camera and placed it on his desk. For this mission you are a nature lover here to photograph birds and other critters and complain about the impact of U.S. bombings. At least that's the story you give if you are confronted by commies. But don't worry once you find the troublesome hybrids Erland here will take care of the rest."

Erland then stepped forward handing me a case. "Inside is your attire and address in Saigon. Once we bring you back to your barracks you will grab your things, hitch a ride, and get to this address. Change out of your uniform and into these clothes and I'll pick you up at 0400. Do not bring anything that can link you to the army. I will give you more information once we meet up."

"Okay Private I know this is a lot to take in. Do you have any questions?" Said the Colonel.

My mind was swimming. "What should I take for a ride into Saigon?"

He handed me 50 bucks. "Get a limo for all I care."

"Um sir?"

"Don't worry I know you won't waste it in a bar or brothel. Consider the money a part of your supplies."

"Thank you, sir."

"Now before you go, I have someone who wants to meet you."

The Colonel motioned to Erland who went to a door at the other end of the room presumably with another office within it.

"They're ready for you now." He said upon opening it.

All I heard was a groan and was surprised it was a female voice. Suddenly she emerged.

"Just what do you want me to do this…"

Our eyes met and we both were speechless. The woman had long brown wings, and bare feet with sharp talons. She wore nothing but a black tube top and a short skirt. Her long hair and feathers gave her the appearance of a hawk. Although her choice in clothing appeared risky it was in reality a fact her wings and legs made it impossible to wear more traditional clothing. I took a closer look at her feet; she bore three large toes and most of her legs were scaly up to just before her skirt started. Her dark skin made he look like an Indian as well as a hawk. She looked just about my age maybe a little younger.

"My what a surprise! It's nice you bring someone who actual looks appealing. I'm sick and tired of your perverted old friends eyeing me."

"Private this is Miss Mary Swainson. She is a kind of representative of a typical harpy."

She puffed up her cheeks and glared at the Colonel. "I'm not your 'typical' harpy I'm far smarter than any of the others. Most of them are too stupid to even remember what they had for breakfast. I could tell you what I had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner yesterday she said beaming.

"Impressive." Said the Colonel. "Unfortunately, she is one of the most brilliant members of her species. We tried working with other harpies but it's like teaching a cat to fetch a stick."

"Pardon my manners." She said to me. "They don't let me out much, I haven't even flown for almost a month now."

"You fly!?" I said.

"Oh yes. Would you like to feel my feathers?"

I turned to the Colonel.

"Please be free to investigate the specimen closely it's important for your mission." The Colonel said with a sneer.

I reached out my hand and was soon stroking them. They were so soft and clean. I wished I could make a pillow out of them. Still I found it hard believing that her wing size in proportion to her body could actually get her off the ground. I had a gnawing feeling that something was off, maybe it was some Vegas dancer they had paid off.

"Where are you from?"

"Montana. Oh wait… they actually said I'm from Inner Mongolia."

The Colonel let out a sigh. "Good catch bimbo."

I continued stroking her feathers and my mind started drifting, she suddenly pulled her wing back and thrust herself forward. Before I knew it, my hand was cupped around her chest. I immediately released her and stepped back.

"Ma'am I am so sorry."

"Oh, Private the pleasure is all mine."

"Okay that's enough." Said the Colonel.

Suddenly another feathered creature walked in.

"Damnit Mary! I told you to keep that thing in its cage." Said the Colonel. It was a white chicken clucking as it moved across the floor.

"She doesn't like it in there. Just like I don't like being cooped up in that room."

"That's it! I have had enough of your trouble get out!"

She scooped up the hen in her wings and nuzzled it before walking back into the room. Erland closed the door behind her.

"Private you are not in trouble. I'm afraid her isolation has made her desperate for… male attention."

"Understood Colonel."

"We do our best to get her out when we can. One time we got her a poncho and oversized boots and she looked almost human. We brought her into a village but she soon began attracting attention. A group of chicks started following her and she played with them for hours. When it was time to go, she refused to leave them. Took me forty-five minutes but I finally convinced her to leave all but one chick behind. Cost me five dollars too."

"You spent five bucks on a chick?" I said surprised.

"They said it was some rare dragon chicken and to top it all off it was the year of the rooster."

Erland coughed and tapped on his wrist.

"Oh, forgive my digression Private. I'm afraid time is of great importance. I look forward to seeing you again upon completing your mission."