Chapter seven: The Cloven Hoof.
"I completely understand Chief, but he is now in deep cover and it may be months before we can pull him out, just stall them until the operation is over. We have narrowed down the list of suspects. There is also a link to a place called the Cloven Hoof". Said Agent Dobersmitch. "That's that seedy biker bar on the corner of Maple Road and Meadow Street. We've had some trouble with that place before". Bogo said. "Well thank you for calling chief". Replied Agent Dobersmitch before hanging up. Meantime a dark figure enters the Cloven Hoof. With purpose moves to the bar and sits. "Beer". They say before the barman has a chance to ask.
"Hey, aren't you in the wrong place". Asked a goat. But the stranger didn't answer, they just continued to sip their beer. "There's a bar on the other side of town for your kind Fox". The goat said. But still the stranger kept on sipping the beer. Having moved up to the bar by the stranger annoyed at being ignored, the goat bellows. "Hey, you aren't you listening, I asked if you were in the wrong place"?
This time the stranger answers. "If I have offended you some way sir, I then whole heartedly apologise". Banging his hand on the bar top and then lying it flat the goat says. "Hark at mister heighty tighty here, why don't you leave or are you here to stalk one of us prey species for food. Some tasty venison or a bit of mutton perhaps". "I'm a vegetarian". Replied the stranger. This angered the goat even more. Then he pushed his luck. He started to jab his finger into the stranger's shoulder. And said. "So, fox, you going to leave or are we going to have to make ya". The stranger sighs. Then the goat screams out. The stranger without flinching had thrust a large combat knife through the goats' hand into the bar top. Before breaking the beer bottle over his head. One of the goat's companions was heading to hit the stranger from behind with a pool cue. But didn't. Especially when the stranger had pulled a Colt Python magnum revolver and aimed it at him.
"Mr De Silver, the commander wishes to have a word with you". Says a large ram in military garb. With that the stranger holsters his pistol. And just before he leaves says. "For the beer and the damages". Dropping a wod of cash on the bar and removes the knife from the goats' hand. Allowing him to drop to the floor. "This way sir". Said the ram. And they left. Outside a military 4X4 was waiting. They climbed in and it drove off over a field. Arriving at the location of a VTOL aircraft. Lifting of the VTOL went south. About an hour later the VTOL landed at a military base. A jeep waited to take them from the airstrip. In a office. "Mr De Silver, it is nice to meet you finally, please take a seat". Said De Goat. Who was watching his men training, from a window. He then said. "Hungry". Before clicking his fingers. A guard brings in a large silver dining tray covered by a silver lid. The guard placed it on the desk, in front of De Silver. "I've had something special brought for you". Says De Goat as the guard lifted the lid, De Silver's eyes widened, for on the tray was a female rabbit and her little girl. They were tied, the mother was gagged with an apple. De Silver removed the apple.
The mother says. "Please, do what you want to me, but leave my little girl alone". De Silver picks up the Knife and cut their bindings.
"But, but, but, but why"? Asked the mother as she pulls her daughter close to her scared of De Silver. A fox. Might do. De Silver says nothing instead he takes a bite of the apple. "I see the rumours are true". De goat says. De silver picks up the little bunny and her daughter and puts them on the ground. De Silver says. "GO". And kisses the bunny on the forehead. De Goat spots this. And says. "Well, if you don't want live food". And then places a gun in front of De Silver. As the mother and daughter walk to the door. They are stopped by the guard. The mother looks at De Silver, scared. "Kill them Mr De Silver or the guard will. And he will take his time". Says De Goat. De Silver picks up the pistol and removes the clip. Throwing them back on the desk. "Very well Mr De Silver". Says De Goat, turning to the guard. Who begins to pull his sidearm from his holster. BANG! He never got to pull it. De Silver had picked up the pistol again and shot the guard dead.
"So that rumour is true also". Says De Goat. "What is this"? Asks De Silver. "Just a test Mr De Silver. Just a test". Replied De Goat.
Calling two other guards, De Goat orders them to take the rabbits back to their cell. And to remove the dead body. "Why am I here"? De Silver asks. "Your here for your talents Mr De Silver. Your first target is in the folder on the table. And as an added incentive. Complete it and I will allow the mother and child to go. Fail and this will be their fate". Replied De Goat, pointing out of the window. De Silver Approached and looked out. There he saw a cage, inside the cage was a group of mammals. When a guard injected one with some kind of serum. The bull went crazy, savage. He was unstoppable. He gored and crushed his fellow captives to death. De Silver could hear their screams and gargled cries.
De Silver felt sickened at the sight unfolding. "I will leave immediately". He said turning away from the window. And thought to himself I will play along for now just to make sure that the mother and child are kept safe. And thought I can't wait to bring you, scum, down.